Astonia 3

Astonia III is an MMORPG developed by Intent Software, first released in 2002. This game is characterized by its simple, two-dimensional isometric graphics and a traditional fantasy setting. Despite its unassuming appearance, Astonia III has managed to maintain a devoted player base over the years. The game demands a subscription fee of up to $10 per month, which is quite rare for a game of its age. Astonia III is available on Microsoft Windows and can be played directly through the developer’s website.

The development of Astonia III took approximately two years, with the aim of capturing a niche audience within the MMORPG market. The game was primarily designed for players who appreciate old-school RPG elements and a strong sense of community. On average, Astonia III sees about 500 daily active players, with an annual player count reaching approximately 180,000. Over the years, the game has accumulated a player base of around 1 million users.

One of the unique features of Astonia III is its class system, which includes three classes: a warrior, a mage, and a hybrid of the two. Unfortunately, the hybrid class is locked behind a one-month trial period. The game lacks a PvP mode, focusing instead on PvE content and grinding. This has led to mixed feelings among players who crave competitive gameplay. Guilds exist, but their purpose is limited to cooperative grinding rather than meaningful interactions or battles.

Despite its flaws, Astonia III has managed to survive in a highly competitive market, perhaps because of its nostalgic appeal and straightforward gameplay. While it may not offer the most diverse or innovative experience, it provides a comforting return to the basics of MMORPGs.

Project Features

The game features simple graphics with two-dimensional isometry, as well as a banal fantasy gameplay. Despite this, the creators of Astonia III did not hesitate to demand a subscription fee of up to $10 from users. And this is for a game from 2002, which continues to exist to this day! However, there are gamers who pay a subscription fee, otherwise the project would not exist at all. What is the reason that Astonia III is still played? Maybe we don't understand something and the original gameplay is hidden behind a simple picture? Or maybe there are very interesting and not beaten quests in the game? Let's take a closer look.

Astonia III offers as many as three classes, including a warrior, a mage, and a mixture of the first character with the second. That is, there is no diversity. It would be better if a traditional archer was added instead of a third class. Unfortunately, the third class is generally available only to those who have needed a month in the trial mode. The situation is further aggravated by the complete absence of PvP mode in the game. Therefore, in Astonia III there are only merciless and meaningless grinds. In such a situation, guilds look very absurd, since they are simply not needed here. Probably, the developers have provided guilds for joint grinding. However, even without a guild, no one forbids joining groups.

General Impression

Thus, Astonia III leaves a terrible impression. Here we see a combination of the highest degree of insanity, greed, and lack of thought from the developers. As a result, Astonia III is a real torture for the psyche and eyes of any self-respecting gamer. And yes, you have to pay to get in!

MMOTOP.ORG Review

From the perspective of MMOTOP.ORG, Astonia III is a mixed bag. On one hand, it offers a nostalgic return to the early days of MMORPGs with its simple graphics and straightforward gameplay. On the other hand, the game is severely outdated, lacks diversity in its class system, and offers no PvP mode. The subscription fee adds insult to injury, making it hard to justify the cost for what is essentially a very basic game.

Overall, Astonia III scores a 45 out of 100. It has its charm for those who appreciate old-school MMORPGs, but it falls short in many other aspects. The game’s survival is a testament to its niche appeal, but it is far from being a leader in the genre.