Following the Korean beta test of Throne and Liberty in May 2023, it was apparent that some areas of the game needed improvement. NCSOFT’s CFO Hong Won-joon discussed the key areas of focus during the company's Q2 conference call. As a result, the release of Throne and Liberty has been postponed to address these issues.
"I understood that there is a need to improve the combat system and early growth experience after the domestic test of Throne and Liberty in May (...) Therefore, we focused on improving in two areas,"
Combat System Overhaul
One of the main concerns players had during the beta was the combat system, which was described as rigid and lackluster. The tab targeting system, along with abilities that forced players to stand still during long animations, made for an uninspiring combat experience. In close combat situations, this often resulted in enemies simply running away to avoid damage.
In response to player feedback, Throne and Liberty will now feature a more dynamic combat system, enabling greater freedom of movement during attacks and abilities. However, no specific details regarding these changes have been revealed yet.
Progression System Enhancements
In addition to the combat system, many testers complained about the leveling process, particularly after reaching level 20. The process of improving equipment was also deemed too complex.
To address these concerns, Hong Won-joon stated that they have made significant changes to enhance the fun of growth.
"In order to enhance the fun of growth, we reduced a lot of simple repetitive content and greatly increased the level growth rate,"
Release Dates and Global Release
Originally slated for release in the first half of 2023, Throne and Liberty’s launch has been pushed back to December 2023 for Korea, due to the major revisions pending. NCSOFT also confirmed that the global release of Throne and Liberty, in partnership with Amazon, will not take place until 2024. However, no further details were given about the global release, and any announcements regarding a global CBT or release will be made by Amazon.
A Brighter Future for Throne and Liberty
While delays are frustrating for eagerly awaiting fans, the additional time is necessary to ensure a more polished and enjoyable game experience. Throne and Liberty has been years in the making, so waiting a few more months for a more refined and improved game is a small price to pay for the dedicated fan base.
Stay tuned to questlog.gg for further updates on Throne and Liberty as they become available.
