Mabinogi Review

Mabinogi Gameplay

Mabinogi is a free-to-play fantasy MMORPG made by Nexon. The game launched in 2004 and is available only In certain parts of the world. Mabinogi has a skill-based leveling system instead of tying players to a particular class. The game also focuses heavily on non-combat aspects to create a more social atmosphere inside of the game world.

Mabinogi has had several storylines added over the years that are separated into generations. Each generation focuses on a different story, and new generations come out periodically. The generations must be completed in order and give background to the lore of the world and its NPC’s. The more you talk to NPCs around the map, the more keywords and lore will be unlocked that will help you progress through the main story. Some of the inspiration from Mabinogi’s quests come from Irish, and many players note the similarities.

The player develops character as they are playing by choosing which attributes to add their skill points into. You can choose to play as either a human, an elf, or a giant. Depending on which race you choose, you will start in a different area of the map. There are three main continents that you can explore each with their unique quest lines and characters. The character creation in Mabinogi is limited, but additional cosmetics can be unlocked through the cash shop.

The combat of Mabinogi is tactically based. Players have to time out attacks to effectively deal damage in battle properly. The combat is slower paced than most MMOs and relies heavily on combos to get through enemies quickly. There are several different weapon types you can choose from that all have separate abilities attached to them. There are over a dozen weapons to choose from including long ranged bows. The game features dungeons that a party of players or solo player can take on to gain extra experience and rare items. The dungeons are randomly generated for a unique experience every time. Be aware that this MMO disciplines players by making them lose EXP if killed.

The game also focuses on life skills. You can do farming activities like harvesting plants and taking care of animals. The skills are meant to give you a break from combat to focus on resource building. The game is designed so that you could role-play as a merchant if you desire. Experience can be gathered from these activities, and there are skills dedicated to non-combat gameplay.

Also, this game works off of real-time days. Each day holds different bonuses that will help you develop your character further. You can even take on part-time jobs that occur at specific times each day for rewards. The game features a 36-minute in game day and night cycle that will affect the environment around you. The game features low-resolution anime-styled graphics. The music for Mabinogi has a fantasy folk song feel to it. This game is only available for play on PC’s and can run on lower spec systems with ease.

Mabinogi is an MMORPG that can appeal to a diverse range of gamers. This MMO has the unique option of also being a life simulation game that will appeal to more passive gamers. On the other hand, the heavy RPG elements will satisfy more seasoned MMO players. Mabinogi won't make an excellent starter MMO but is perfect for those who've played only a handful of MMO's before it.