MapleStory, Ragnarok, Mabinogi Fans: Try This New Free MMORPG!

Soul’s Remnant is participating in Steam Next Fest with a month-long public playtest! This free-to-play indie 2D side-scrolling platformer MMORPG takes its cues from classics like MapleStory, Ragnarok Online, and Mabinogi. Chaomoon has been crafting this title for nearly a decade, resulting in a blend of nostalgic design, contemporary systems, and a clear passion for the golden age of online gaming.

The heart of Soul’s Remnant lies in exploration, player freedom, and community building. The beautifully rendered pixel art and captivating soundtrack create an immersive and vibrant world, encouraging players to explore, gather resources, and connect with each other. From the meticulously designed environments to the subtle yet effective sound design, every element is designed to evoke the same sense of wonder and discovery that defined early MMO experiences.

A key feature is the game’s classless progression. Ditch the rigid archetypes! Instead of being forced into roles like Warrior, Mage, Priest, Archer, or Rogue, you earn stat and skill points as you level. Freely distribute these points across four main skill trees: Melee, Ranged, Magic, and Faith. This allows for incredible build diversity, enabling hybrid playstyles – imagine a sword-wielding warrior who can also cast fireballs and heal allies! Stats like Strength, Vitality, Spirit, Dexterity, Intelligence, and Luck all influence your character’s development, ensuring a truly personalized experience.

As a true MMO, Soul’s Remnant offers extensive multiplayer content. Form parties, engage in player-driven trading, or establish guilds with custom emblems, shared banks, and powerful passive buffs. The game’s economy is entirely dependent on player interaction, meaning you’ll rely on crafting, resource gathering, and trading instead of simply purchasing items from NPCs. Collect materials from monsters and the environment to create weapons, armor, and accessories or upgrade your existing gear. Rounding out the experience are life skills such as Fishing, Cooking, Blacksmithing, Alchemy, Herbalism, and Mining. These offer relaxing alternatives to combat and promote a more laid-back, enjoyable gameplay experience.

The combat is fast-paced and fluid, with responsive controls that provide satisfying feedback. The grappling hook system adds an unexpected layer of depth, allowing players to swing, climb, and dash across maps using momentum-based physics. This transforms exploration into a dynamic and engaging experience, making each area feel like a playground. The wide variety of combat styles – from close-quarters melee to ranged magic – keeps encounters fresh and exciting, especially when teaming up with friends for challenging boss fights or dungeon runs.

Visually, Soul’s Remnant strikes a perfect balance between nostalgia and modern polish. The pixel art is richly detailed, giving each biome – from dense forests to shimmering waterways – a unique and compelling identity. Atmospheric lighting and particle effects enhance the visual experience, while the soundtrack seamlessly transitions between cozy and adventurous moods. The game successfully captures the charm of classic 2D worlds without feeling outdated.

Importantly, Soul’s Remnant adopts a player-friendly business model. It will launch as a completely free-to-play title, with the developers promising no pay-to-win mechanics. The in-game shop will focus exclusively on cosmetic items and minor quality-of-life improvements, such as auto-loot.

Don’t forget that the current playtest is more than just a brief demo! It’s an invitation to actively participate in shaping the game’s future. Players are encouraged to provide feedback, report any bugs they encounter, and suggest improvements directly to the developers via Discord. With a full month to explore the game, there’s ample time to experiment with different builds, craft unique equipment, and become fully immersed in the community. While progress will be reset after the playtest concludes, the memories and connections you make will endure.