Bless Unleashed was a free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Round8 Studio, a subsidiary of Neowiz, and initially published by Bandai Namco Entertainment for consoles and later by Neowiz for PC. It was released for Xbox One in March 2020, PlayStation 4 in October 2020, and PC via Steam in August 2021. While sharing the "Bless" intellectual property, it was presented as a spiritual successor to Bless Online, featuring a different game engine (Unreal Engine 4) and a more action-oriented combat system. The game was ultimately shut down in 2022 and 2023 across all platforms.
Development and Release
Bless Unleashed was first announced in 2018 as a console-exclusive MMORPG, departing from its predecessor's PC-only focus. It was developed using Unreal Engine 4, aiming for a more polished graphical experience and smoother performance compared to the critically panned Bless Online. The game featured a dynamic action combat system, a significant shift from the tab-target combat commonly found in many MMORPGs.The initial console release was handled by Bandai Namco Entertainment:
- Xbox One: March 12, 2020
- PlayStation 4: October 22, 2020
Following its console launch, Neowiz took over publishing duties for the PC version, which was released globally:
- PC (Steam): August 6, 2021
Gameplay
Players in Bless Unleashed could choose from several classic fantasy classes: Berserker, Crusader, Mage, Priest, and Ranger. Each class possessed unique skills and combat mechanics. The game emphasized action combat, requiring players to actively dodge, block, and aim their abilities rather than relying on automated targeting.Key gameplay features included:
- Open World: A large seamless world called Lumios, populated with various creatures, dungeons, and quest hubs.
- Quests: Both main story quests and numerous side quests guided players through the narrative and world.
- Dungeons and Lairs: Instanced content designed for groups of players to tackle challenging bosses and earn valuable loot.
- World Bosses: Large-scale encounters that required multiple players to cooperate to defeat.
- Blessings: A unique system that allowed players to customize their character's combat style and passive abilities by selecting different "Blessings" based on ancient deities.
- Crafting and Gathering: Players could gather resources and craft equipment, consumables, and other items.
- Mounts and Pets: Customizable companions to aid in traversal and provide minor bonuses.
Plot
The story of Bless Unleashed was set in the fantastical world of Lumios, a land plagued by continuous conflict and ancient evils. Players embarked on a journey to uncover a vast conspiracy and prevent the return of a malevolent deity known as the "Great Malice," which threatened to plunge the world into eternal darkness. The narrative involved interactions with various factions, powerful entities, and the exploration of diverse regions.Reception
Upon release, Bless Unleashed received mixed to largely average reviews. Critics and players often praised its graphics and the ambition of its action combat system, especially for a free-to-play title. However, common criticisms included performance issues, particularly on consoles, generic quest design, a perceived lack of unique identity compared to other MMORPGs, and concerns regarding its free-to-play monetization model, which some felt veered into "pay-to-win" territory. The game struggled to maintain a consistent player base despite its cross-platform availability.Shutdown
Due to various factors, including declining player numbers and the high cost of continued development and maintenance, Neowiz announced the discontinuation of Bless Unleashed.- The PC version (Global) officially shut down on November 30, 2022.
- The console versions (Xbox and PlayStation) followed suit, shutting down on May 18, 2023.
The game's closure marked the end of the Bless Unleashed chapter, though the "Bless" intellectual property itself might see future iterations.