On this season of hauntings and methods, we’ve been greeted with a Halloween miracle: an entire new MMO with the launch of Raven2. It’s brutal, darkish, and all-around the right theme for the season. And so as to add some candy treats on prime of that, I interviewed Doo-Hyun Cho, Netmarble’s head of improvement for Raven2. Cho has led and labored on the event of a number of video games during the last decade main as much as at this time’s dialogue on Raven2. Let’s dig in!
MassivelyOP: For these within the Western markets that aren’t as accustomed to Raven2 and its predecessor Raven, may you give us an summary of what Raven2 is all about?
Netmarble’s Doo-Hyun Cho: Raven2 is the sequel to The Raven, which was successful title in Korea, and it brings the “darkish fantasy MMORPG” expertise to each cell and PC platforms concurrently. Gamers tackle the position of Particular Corps member, bearers of a Cursed Stigma, who should confront demonic forces and uncover the hidden truths of the world. Powered by Unreal Engine, the sport delivers a visually refined and immersive world, that includes numerous courses, large-scale battles, and guild-based cooperative and aggressive content material at its core. It’s a title designed for gamers looking for a real MMO-style expertise that goes past the everyday cell RPG.
Is Raven2 a direct sequel to Raven or is it an entire new world with new story strains and gameplay.
Raven2 stands as each a continuation of the Raven IP and a brand new starting. Whereas it inherits the spectacular visuals and dynamic motion of the unique, it goes past these limits to return as a blockbuster MMORPG set in an unlimited, expansive world. Gamers, as Particular Corps members in Raven2, will expertise a completely new setting, world, and elegance of gameplay.
The world in Raven2 seems to be very grimdark and fairly brutal. The very first boss I fought within the tutorial was completely disgusting. Would you describe all of the monsters as this intense and scary-looking?
Raven2 is constructed upon a darkish fantasy world, deliberately designed to characteristic “brutal and intimidating beings” in each ambiance and presentation. Nevertheless, reasonably than saying “each monster is as intense because the tutorial boss,” it’s extra correct to grasp it as follows: The best-tier boss monsters and subject bosses are crafted with extraordinarily highly effective and ugly designs and cinematics, creating the impression that “this world is to not be taken frivolously.” Whereas common monsters could also be much less excessive in look, the general tone—marked by darkness, traces of conflict, and a world in decay—stays constant all through. In essence, the core of the participant expertise is just not about combating monsters as mere ornaments, however about feeling the stress of confronting actual threats that exist inside this world. This design philosophy is mirrored throughout all monster visuals and encounters.
To summarize, putting and memorable monster designs are certainly a key factor of Raven2, created with the intent of letting gamers really feel the hazard of this world whereas discovering the braveness to face it. We hope gamers will actually sense each the darkness of this world and their very own presence inside it.
I can’t say I had the prospect to play the unique Raven recreation. What made you understand that Raven2 ought to have a world launch?
We felt that the reactions from our earlier regional companies, mixed with our technical developments, made it clear: “it’s time for extra gamers, in a bigger world, to expertise this recreation.” First, in a number of Asian areas corresponding to Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, Raven2 acquired robust suggestions and confirmed clear potential for fulfillment. Subsequent, with the technical basis established by way of Unreal Engine, we have been ready to make sure easy cross-platform efficiency throughout each cell and PC, giving us the arrogance that the sport may ship the standard and expertise wanted to compete globally. Moreover, we consider that options corresponding to large-scale, guild-based warfare, cross-platform play, and the darkish fantasy setting function main differentiators within the international MMO market.
Finally, our choice wasn’t merely “the sport did effectively in Korea, so let’s take it abroad.” Relatively, it was a strategic transfer to ship this expertise correctly to international gamers, made at a time when our expertise, content material, and the market itself have been all prepared.
You’re launching the sport on each cell within the Google Play and Apple apps shops along with PC within the Epic Recreation Retailer. How would you describe the expertise taking part in on cell versus taking part in on a PC? Is it the identical model of the sport? Can gamers play it on PC whereas at house then login on cell to proceed taking part in with the identical heroes?
Raven2 helps cross-play between cell and PC. Gamers can proceed their progress seamlessly throughout each platforms utilizing the identical account and character, as each variations of the sport are similar.
Are there any options constructed into the sport to assist encourage cell play? Reminiscent of computerized quest instructions and fight help?
Sure, Raven2 helps each auto-quest development and auto-combat, permitting gamers to benefit from the recreation comfortably on cell with out inconvenience. The sport additionally consists of a number of options designed to maximise searching effectivity:
- Mission Itinerary: Gamers can choose their desired dungeons and subject searching grounds and arrange steady searching periods for as much as 10 hours. With computerized potion refills, return features, and pre-set schedules, your character will mechanically transfer between areas and proceed searching effectively.
- Offline Mode: Even after logging out, your character will maintain searching mechanically.
- Netmarble Join Distant Function: This enables gamers to remotely entry and play the PC model from their cell machine anytime, wherever.
- Teleport: Throughout quests, gamers can faucet the arrow icon on the correct aspect of the hunt tracker to immediately transfer to the goal location.
What kind of avid gamers would you say that Raven2 is tailor-made in direction of? Is it primarily for avid gamers who’re searching for an thrilling and attention-grabbing story to unfold and be taught extra in regards to the world of Raven2? Or is that this the kind of recreation the place gamers be a part of up in factions to combat in intense PvP battles?
We designed PvE and PvP in Raven2 not as separate choices, however as interconnected pillars of a single expertise. Gamers can benefit from the recreation in line with their very own preferences and playstyles, whereas nonetheless feeling that they’re a part of the bigger battle that defines “the conflict of this world.” Every class is balanced to make sure robust efficiency not solely in PvE by way of efficient progress routes and environment friendly searching, but additionally in PvP, the place they continue to be extremely aggressive.
PvE-focused gamers can strengthen their characters and gear by way of dungeons, story missions, and subject content material, with their progress immediately contributing to guild wars and PvP modes. Likewise, PvP-oriented gamers will discover that their gear and progress present significant rewards and achievements in PvE content material as effectively. To stop PvP from changing into dependent solely on heavy spending or hardcore development, we launched accessible PvE routes and truthful participation necessities for battlefield content material.
In essence, our purpose with Raven2 was to create an ecosystem the place PvE and PvP coexist and complement each other, not two remoted programs. We consider this method permits gamers to benefit from the recreation in the best way they like, whereas nonetheless feeling their place and goal inside the broader world of Raven2.
“Raven2 isn’t just a single-player RPG; it’s an MMORPG designed round huge battlefields the place guilds and groups combat and transfer collectively.”
Is that this the type of MMO that basically thrives on giant scale teamwork and group coordination? Are gamers inspired to hitch guilds and work on reaching main battle victories collectively?
Sure, that’s appropriate. Raven2 isn’t just a single-player RPG; it’s an MMORPG designed round huge battlefields the place guilds and groups combat and transfer collectively.
We’ve made large-scale, guild-based warfare the core of the sport, guaranteeing that each cell and PC gamers can expertise seamless cooperation and competitors on the guild stage. Becoming a member of a guild isn’t simply an possibility. It’s how gamers actually really feel their presence and id inside this world, as a part of one thing better. We hope gamers will enterprise into main battles alongside their guildmates, seize victory collectively, and expertise these defining moments of “our guild has conquered this battlefield.” From right here on, we invite you to step onto the battlefield, lead your allies into battle, and write a brand new chapter of historical past collectively.
By way of group content material, what’s the scale and measurement of the events in Raven2?
One of many key Guild-vs-Guild (GVG) contents, “Historical Fortress,” options large-scale battles with as much as 300 contributors engaged without delay.
What sort of content material is on the market for gamers? For small teams I are inclined to take pleasure in becoming a member of and taking part in by way of a dungeon however after all many avid gamers take pleasure in bigger raid model gameplay too.
Sure, Raven2 has been designed with all kinds of content material to accommodate many alternative playstyles. For small teams or events, gamers can workforce up with 2 to five allies to tackle dungeons, fields, and the Abyss, defeating monsters collectively to earn gear, crafting supplies, and ability books. However, we’ve additionally ready large-scale content material. Gamers can expertise guild-based cooperation when taking down subject bosses within the Abyss, in addition to upcoming large-scale modes corresponding to Historical Fortress and Guild Conquest Battles by way of future updates. In brief, Raven2 permits gamers to take pleasure in satisfying small-scale cooperative play, whereas additionally giving them the chance to participate in huge, guild-driven PvP content material loved by many others.
How about for PvP gamers? Are there arenas for gamers to queue and be a part of? If that’s the case, what model of gameplay do they provide? Deathmatches allow gamers to easily combat till everyone seems to be knocked out however there are additionally the victory level modes, the place gamers combat over places. Is there any giant scale PvP content material?
Sure, Raven2 treats PvP not as a secondary possibility, however as one of many essential pillars of the sport, with large-scale, guild-based battlefields at its core. We invite gamers to look ahead to upcoming large-scale GvG content material corresponding to Historical Fortress and the Guild Conquest Event, the place guilds will compete for dominance. As well as, the regional PvP content material often known as “Dimensional Rift” may also let gamers expertise the true thrill and depth of PvP fight.
Is there content material constructed for solo gamers too? Something design particularly for gamers who need to full a couple of quests while not having to discover a full occasion?
Whereas interplay with different gamers is actually necessary in an internet recreation, Raven2 can be absolutely loved as a single-player expertise. The sport gives a wide range of quests, together with the principle quests that information gamers by way of the world and unfold the story, regional sub-quests that comply with native occasions, and each day Particular Corps missions, all designed to supply partaking solo gameplay. Excessive-quality cutscenes are additionally integrated all through to reinforce immersion and convey the story to life.
Now, specializing in the courses themselves, what number of courses are going to be out there at launch?
On the time of its international launch, Raven2 options eight playable courses. Every of those courses has its personal distinctive position and playstyle, permitting gamers to decide on the one that most closely fits their private preferences.
How necessary is an efficient workforce composition in Raven2? In some video games your occasion will be made up of any combination of the courses, however in Raven2 I solely see one therapeutic sort of sophistication.
Raven2 doesn’t all the time require occasion play, however it’s extremely advisable for content material corresponding to subject bosses and GvG battles. Get together composition is extraordinarily necessary; a well-balanced workforce is much more practical than one made up of a single class.Specifically, the healer class, Divine Caster, performs a vital position. Their therapeutic and defensive abilities will be utilized to designated occasion members, making it important to incorporate at the least one Divine Caster in each group. Moreover, sure Heavenstone Expertise operate as party-wide skills. For instance, the Resistance Protect ability grants highly effective defensive buffs to all occasion members, so having at the least one member be taught this ability is extremely advisable. When a celebration is shaped, gamers may monitor their teammates’ HP, permitting for extra strategic and coordinated fight.
I see lots of the factions are designed round some widespread fantasy themes. What would you say makes your heroes actually distinctive and stand out from among the typical fantasy heroes?
All heroes in Raven2 bear a mark often known as the Cursed Stigma. Inside the world of Raven2, those that carry this mark are seen as ominous beings and face discrimination from others. Nevertheless, it’s exactly as a result of they possess this cursed mark that they’re ready to withstand corruption and combat to save lots of their world from being consumed by darkness; a trait that units them other than protagonists in conventional fantasy settings.
How would you describe the fight in Raven2? Is it extra targeted on quick reflexes and timing your assaults or is it usually extra strategic, the place gamers have to handle their cooldowns? What would you describe as a spotlight, or an thrilling half, of your fight?
Since Raven2 is an MMORPG, its fight system is just not designed to really feel like an motion recreation. As a substitute, battles are structured to resemble large-scale warfare involving many gamers reasonably than small skirmishes. As such, strategic parts corresponding to managing ability cooldowns and using Heavenstone Expertise to adapt your fight model play a way more vital position. Essentially the most thrilling and spectacular facet of fight in Raven2 is undoubtedly the large battles involving lots of of gamers. The sport delivers these large-scale encounters seamlessly, with out lag, permitting gamers to really expertise the essence of an internet recreation, to combat and benefit from the battlefield collectively.
Going again to speak in regards to the group content material a bit, do gamers select factions in Raven2 or is a whole lot of the workforce work primarily based extra round guilds?
There aren’t any faction decisions in Raven2. As a substitute, gameplay closely revolves round guild-based programs. Inside a guild, cooperation amongst members is important. Nevertheless, with regards to relations between guilds, every group can determine whether or not to cooperate or compete. By means of the Union System, a number of guilds may band collectively to type bigger communities, fostering large-scale collaboration and social dynamics throughout the sport world.
Are you able to inform me in regards to the development and participant decisions in Raven2? Do heroes stage up and acquire new abilities by way of ability timber or are the courses designed in one other manner? How does gear have an effect on a personality’s construct? In lots of video games, the gear you equip can have an enormous have an effect on on how your character performs. Is that this the identical in Raven2?
Gamers primarily stage up in Raven2 by finishing quests and searching within the subject, which will increase core stats corresponding to Assault Energy, Protection, and HP. Expertise are divided into two essential classes: Class Expertise and Heavenstone Expertise.
- Class Expertise will be obtained by way of quests or bought within the ability store, whereas higher-tier abilities are acquired by defeating uncommon monsters or crafting.
- Heavenstone Expertise, alternatively, are obtained from subject bosses and permit gamers to customise their setups, creating a definite playstyle that units them other than others.
Most gear, other than weapons, will be freely outfitted. Nevertheless, since every class and ability advantages from totally different stat choices, deciding on gear that matches your class is essential. For instance, the Vanguard class, a melee fighter who depends on stun-based skills, performs greatest with gear that enhances Melee Assault, Melee Accuracy, Stun Accuracy, and Incapacitation Likelihood.
One final query earlier than I allow you to all go. What do you count on the following massive focus after launch to be for Raven2? New courses are what all the time will get me essentially the most excited, however I do know different gamers love shiny cosmetics and funky gear. What can we count on to return subsequent?
To have a good time the North American launch of Raven2, a brand new class will likely be launched within the upcoming November replace. We had in depth discussions about which class would greatest signify the North American service, and finally determined that the Gunslinger, who wields twin pistols, was the right match. Following the Gunslinger replace, we’re additionally making ready new costumes and classy gear, so we hope our North American gamers look ahead to all of the thrilling new content material coming to Raven2.
Thanks a lot Doo-Hyun Cho and the complete workforce at Netmarble for taking the time and being so open about Raven2! To not point out the sneak-peak data in regards to the Gunslinger class! Raven2 is on the market now within the Apple and Google Play Shops in addition to within the Epic Video games retailer at this time.
