Virtual Realms is a studio founded in 2012 located in Bangkok, Thailand, and its next mobile MMORPG title is known as Warhammer: Odyssey. As you would have guessed, it is based on the massive world of Warhammer, an IP which started way back in 1983. Warhammer has seen many games since then, including Warhammer Online and the more recent Warhammer: Vermintide 2 which scored pretty well on Metacritic.
Unfortunately, Warhammer: Odyssey is nothing similar nor close in terms of game quality and content. Do note that the game is now soft-launched in some countries, with an official global launch slated for end January.
The Ugly
Graphics and 3D models: Personally, it has been quite some time since I encountered such hideous 3D models when going through character creation. I am not sure if this is due to the uninspired graphics or overall design, but Warhammer: Odyssey manages to look aesthetically worse than games from a decade ago. In an age where mobile games graphics and designs are almost on par with PC and consoles, I had a hard time visioning someone at Virtual Realms looking at the game and say “This game looks great for a 2021 title, approved!”.
Combat: The combat is ridiculously slow, and perhaps even slower than the former PC MMORPG, Warhammer Online. It seems that the development team does not understand how mobile gamers these days demand fast gameplay, but even if it is design for PC and consoles, the overall pace is just agonizingly slow. Despite being somewhat of an action game, you don’t get the right feedback when landing attacks or using skills at all. It is just very, very boring.
The Average
Combat: Yes, I am talking about the combat again as there is one saving grace factor. There is apparently no auto-combat in Warhammer: Odyssey, with players needed to manually move, fight, dodge, and cast skills. I always see players demanding for a mobile MMORPG with manual controls, and they have absolutely gotten their wish with this title.
Final Thoughts
Yes, this is a soft launch, and there will be players claiming that the team at Virtual Realms will make things better before the official launch. I don’t doubt this, but I seriously don’t think that Warhammer: Odyssey can be improved before its official launch. As a gamer who queued up early to buy the physical copy of Warhammer Online many years ago and has since played many Warhammer games, Warhammer: Odyssey just doesn’t make the cut as a fun game.
Of course, I urge everyone to try out the game when it comes out as a Free-to-Play title and come up with your own judgement. Contact me if you enjoyed the game, I would love to have an interview with you.
