Gravity has launched Ragnarok: The New World, a free-to-play open-world MMORPG currently available on mobile and PC. The title blends the series' multiplayer roots with exploration mechanics reminiscent of Genshin Impact and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
The Druid and Seven Other Classes in Gravity's Open World
Gravity has equipped Ragnarok: The New World with eight distinct character classes to ensure gameplay variety. Among these is the Druid, a new addition to the franchise's roster, which sits alongside traditional MMORPG staples.. According to the report, the game integrates deep social and competitive systems, including guilds, PvP combat, and dungeon raids.
Beyond combat, Ragnarok: The New World emphasizes a player-driven economy and life skills. This approach allows users to engage with the world through more than just fighting, utilizing mounts to traverse a seamless environment consisting of towns, forests, and hidden dungeons.
Ending Gear Destruction and Other Quality-of-Life Shifts
One of the most significant changes in Ragnarok: The New World is the overhaul of the equipment refinement system. As the report says,Gravity has implemented a system where failed upgrades no longer permanently destroy a player's gear, removing a common point of frustration found in legacy MMOs.
The developer has further streamlined the experience by introducing free stat and skill resets. This flexibility is paired with the ability to switch jobs on a single character and the inclusion of offline progression, ensuring that Ragnarok: The New World caters to both hardcore grinders and casual mobile players who cannot remain logged in 24/7.
Bridging the Gap Between Ragnarok Online and Genshin Impact
Ragnarok: The New World represents a strategic pivot for the Ragnarok Online franchise, moving from its traditional roots into a true open-world design. This shift mirrors a broader industry trend where developers blend the "discovery" loop of games like Genshin Impact with the social infrastructure of classic multiplayer games.
While the anime-inspired visuals and unrestricted exploration of Ragnarok: The New World evoke The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, the game maintains a persistent online world. Unlike the action-RPG format of Genshin Impact, Gravity's title focuses on large-scale multiplayer activities and cooperative play, attempting to capture two different gaming demographics simultaneously.
The Missing Steam Launch Date
Despite the game's current availability, there is a notable gap in the rollout strategy for Ragnarok: The New World. While an open beta began on July 16 and the game is playable via the official PC and mobile clients, the Steam version has been delayed.
Currently, Gravity has not provided a firm launch date for the Steam release. This leaves players wondering if the delay is due to technical optimization or platform-specific integration issues. However, the developer has confirmed that cross-platform play and shared account progress will allow users to move their data from the official client to Steam once it eventually arrives.
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