Blue Protocol held a network test in Japan from March 31st to April 2nd. There, some players could try the content up to level 20. Although we at MeinMMO were not able to take part in the test, we summarize what the testers have to say about the MMORPG.
How is Blue Protocol received? The MMORPG is said to have evolved a lot compared to the last test in 2020 and got more depth. The combat system in particular should feel very dynamic – also thanks to jumping, dodge roll and various auto attacks.
YouTuber MMOByte even says that Blue Protocol is “far superior” to Genshin Impact when it comes to animations and transitions between attacks. This makes it the exact opposite of Throne and Liberty, which according to testers should play very statically.
Some side aspects, such as strong boss fights, hidden treasure chests in the game world or the photo mode, are also mentioned as positive examples.
However, there are also three points that are viewed critically:
You can watch the first gameplay here:
Blue Protocol: Gameplay Trailer
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Blue Protocol has more capabilities than meets the eye
How does character creation work? At the beginning you choose one of the five classes and can then create a character, giving you access to various setting options.
The editor is not as detailed as Black Desert, but offers some options to set you apart from other players.
With your character, however, you are not tied to a class. After just a few levels, an NPC should offer you the opportunity to learn another class. But then it starts again at level 1. In the future you only need the right weapon and then you can switch back and forth between all 5 classes in every city as often as you like.
How exactly do the fights work? In Blue Protocol, each class has access to:
This may not sound like much at first, but there are many customization options for these abilities.
This is how the attack changes with the left mouse button when you select a directional button. For example, if you attack with W+mouse button, the Twin Thug class will set enemies on fire while you perform an AoE attack sideways (i.e. with A or D)+mouse button. So you have a total of 3 types of auto attack.
In addition, there is the possibility of using attacks and abilities from the jump. This has no additional effect, but according to the testers it feels good. Sprinting and dodging are also important to avoid enemy attacks.
In addition to the main skills, there are also two slots for pets that you can equip. You get these pets ingame through various tasks. They can heal, deal damage, but also give useful buffs.
During combat, you can then decide whether you want to remain in an action view and aim your attacks, or whether you want to “log in” a target. This is done with the middle mouse button. Then all skills fly directly to the opponent.
However, those who do not “log in” can have advantages. As an archer, for example, you deal more damage when you hit an opponent’s head.
In addition, there are the so-called attack chains. Hitting a target multiple times in a row increases your damage. After 50 hits you deal 1% more damage, after another 100 hits you deal 2% more damage and so on.
How action-packed the fights are and what the opponents are capable of is shown in this video by YouTuber Steparu, who is running the first group dungeon:
What do we know about group play? Blue Protocol attaches great importance to dungeons and raids that can be done in small and large groups. You can go with a fixed group or use a dungeon finder.
Guilds – called teams in Blue Protocol – have a limit on the number of members. However, this can be increased by leveling up your guild.
PvP will not exist in Blue Protocol for the time being.
Criticism for a lot of grind and boring side quests
What do the testers criticize? A big point of criticism that comes up again and again is the grind. It refers to several things at once. Among other things, the ascent of the adventure ranks is said to be a bit annoying.
The adventure rank is something like your account level and runs parallel to the class levels. You increase this through special tasks, which should be very generic. For example, you have to defeat a certain number of enemies, collect herbs and fish. All of this has to be done, because new content such as quests and dungeons can only be unlocked with an increased adventure rank.
Another grind aspect is crafting. Here you have to farm special materials to craft and upgrade your equipment. Monsters do not drop armor or weapons in the game.
However, some players are said to have farmed for hours for upgrades because the monsters rarely dropped the appropriate materials. However, the drop and XP rates were increased especially for this test, leading some to worry that the grind might be too extreme in the final version.
A third point of criticism is aimed at the side quests. Because the tasks apart from the main story should be very generic. Kill X, collect Y and run to Z – typical MMORPG fare. Here some hope that in the future there will be a stronger focus on Genshin Impact, where one or the other puzzle was included in the side tasks.
Mixed feelings about story and shop
What do the testers say about the story? Pretty little. You are something like the chosen one who has lost his memory. Over time you regain parts of your memory and fight against a powerful villain, the Dragon King. A relatively typical scenario for an Asian RPG.
However, many testers admit that they understand little or no Japanese and therefore could not really follow the story. Due to the short time, many have also concentrated on other things.
Here you can watch the conclusion video of MMOByte:
What about the shop and Pay2Win? Blue Protocol becomes Free2Play and has a gacha system, but mostly related to cosmetic content such as mounts, skins, and emotes. There are also orbs that bring advantages, for example when leveling up the adventure rank. Here some see a strong Pay2ProgressFaster.
The dungeon tickets get a little more criticism. You get 3 of them for free per day, but you can buy more. The dungeon tickets are not required for entry here, but for the big loot at the end. So if you want to grind faster, you have to buy these tickets for real money.
There is also a Battle Pass (free and paid) and a Seasonal Shop, where the offers rotate regularly and which probably plays with the well-known “Fear of missing out”, i.e. the fear of missing out on a good offer.
It is important, however, that Amazon has announced that it will adapt the shop in the western version. So it is still unclear how the MMORPG will be monetized with us.
What do you think of what Blue Protocol has shown so far? Are you looking forward to the MMORPG? And what questions remain unanswered for you? Feel free to write it in the comments.
We have summarized all the information about the MMORPG here:
Everything about the new MMORPG Blue Protocol: release, classes, beta and gameplay