XLGAMES today offered the first detailed glimpse of ArcheAge Chronicles, a new online action RPG set five decades after the original, in a letter from Executive Producer Ham Yongjin. Rather than extending or simply remaking the beloved title, Ham explained that the team aimed to craft an entirely fresh story within the familiar world of Auroria, blending homage with innovation.

In ArcheAge Chronicles, players return as pioneers to a land reborn—once abandoned, now teeming with new life, enigmatic threats and buried secrets. The game departs from its MMORPG roots, embracing a shared-world action format that prioritizes swift, strategic combat. Encounters will hinge on combo attacks, real-time dodges, weapon swaps and gear-based skill chains, each designed to reward thoughtful play over rote progression.

A Reimagined Adventure

Exploration adopts a hands-off approach: quests won’t be signposted by markers. Instead, adventurers uncover hidden temples, engage with mysterious inhabitants and piece together Auroria’s past through environmental storytelling. This emphasis on discovery is meant to foster organic curiosity rather than funnel players along predefined routes.

Beloved systems such as lifeskills, crafting and housing return, but all receive thoughtful upgrades. Player housing now persists across channels, becoming social hubs furnished with interactive décor and AI-driven NPC companions. Crafting remains tied to character advancement and undergirds a player-run economy, enriched by new recipes and enhancement mechanics that deepen its strategic dimensions.

Early focus groups have already sampled the experience, and public playtests are slated for later this year. Ham noted that Chronicles is designed to welcome both veterans of the original and newcomers seeking a dynamic action RPG. Fans are invited to read the full letter on Steam, add ArcheAge Chronicles to their wishlists, and follow the game’s X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube channels for future news. XLGAMES is a South Korean studio known for pioneering immersive online worlds. Kakao Games, publisher of Black Desert Online and the upcoming Chrono Odyssey, will oversee the global launch and support of ArcheAge Chronicles.