Perfect World MMORPG Review

Perfect World, initially developed by the Beijing-based company Perfect World, has become a global sensation since its release. The game, launched in 2005, boasts over 30 million players in China alone and continues to expand its player base across the globe. With a growing popularity that rivals genre giants like World of Warcraft, Perfect World remains a strong contender in the MMORPG landscape. To date, the game has surpassed its competitors in terms of player engagement, requiring Blizzard to attract millions more users to level the playing field.

The game saw early success in Russia, where Nival Online introduced a Russian-language server even before its European counterpart, leading to consistently overcrowded servers six years post-launch. Perfect World is available on multiple platforms, including PC, and has seen various updates and expansions over the years to enhance the gaming experience further.

The development process for Perfect World was extensive, taking approximately three years before its initial release. The game was designed to cater to a broad audience, with a particular focus on Asian markets, which is evident in its aesthetic and gameplay mechanics. Currently, the game enjoys a daily player count of around 500,000 users, with an annual player engagement reaching up to 10 million. Over its lifetime, Perfect World has amassed a player base exceeding 50 million globally.

Extensive Character Customization

Perfect World seeks to challenge the notion of online projects being filled with clones and similar characters. Players are provided with unparalleled customization options, allowing them to adjust almost every aspect of their character's appearance, except for height. From waist and legs to head shape, nose, ears, eye position, hairstyle, and many other parameters, the advanced customization system offers an incredibly detailed character creation process. This level of customization ensures that it's highly unlikely to encounter two identical characters in Perfect World. All three races in the game, including the Untamed, Humans, and Winged Elves, can be customized, further enhancing the uniqueness of each character's appearance.

Impressive Game Mechanics

Perfect World boasts solid game mechanics, powered by the original Chinese graphics engine known as Angelica 3D. While it may not match the visual fidelity of Unreal Engine 3, the graphics provided by Angelica 3D are still commendable. Despite its expansive size, the game world remains seamless without constant loading screens. Perfect World features dynamic elements such as changing time of day, weather conditions, and more, a remarkable achievement for a game that has been around for six years.

Flight Features

Flight plays a significant role in Perfect World, offering unique flight mechanics. Almost every player can experience flight, whether it's through the use of birds or winged swords. However, the ability to fly is unlocked at level 30. For those eager to take flight from the beginning, choosing the Untamed race is recommended, as they possess the innate ability to fly. It's worth noting that flying speed for Untamed characters is relatively slower compared to other options.

Varied Character Classes

Perfect World features six character classes, each offering distinct playstyles. The Untamed race includes the Werebeast class and the Druid class with summoning abilities. Humans are divided into Warriors and Wizards, while the Winged Elves feature Healing Priests and precise Archers. Additionally, players can pursue one of four peaceful specializations: Jeweler, Blacksmith, Healer, and Tailor. All characters reaching the fifth level can engage in these specializations. Gathering resources is relatively straightforward, as they can be obtained from defeated enemies, although some initial resource gathering may require using a shovel, which can be purchased from the in-game store.

Experience and Progression

Progression in Perfect World is swift, allowing players to reach levels 20-25 within a week. Experience can be earned by defeating various monsters and completing numerous quests. While early quests may be relatively simple, involving tasks such as defeating specific enemies or retrieving items, more engaging group quests become available around level 15. As players progress, they will unlock new skills and abilities, enhancing their effectiveness in battles and unlocking additional content.

Diverse Game Map

Perfect World's game map is divided into multiple zones, each controlled by specific clans. Currently, the game offers 44 territories, each varying not only in the strength of the monsters but also in the level of tribute bestowed upon the controlling clan. In theory, the most dominant clan could seize control of the entire game universe, although such a scenario rarely occurs in practice. The diverse game map provides opportunities for exploration and engaging in various activities, such as challenging dungeons, participating in clan wars, and more.

Regular Updates and New Content

The development team behind Perfect World is dedicated to providing players with regular updates and new content to keep the game fresh and exciting. This includes the introduction of new quests, events, features, and even expansions that introduce new regions and challenges for players to conquer. The commitment to ongoing development ensures that players always have something to look forward to and encourages long-term engagement with the game.

Community and Social Features

Perfect World fosters a vibrant and active community, allowing players to connect and interact with each other. Whether it's joining guilds, participating in in-game events, or engaging in player-versus-player battles, there are plenty of opportunities to socialize and collaborate with fellow players. The game also provides communication channels, including chat systems and forums, where players can exchange tips, strategies, and forge new friendships.

Free-to-Play Model with Optional In-Game Purchases

Perfect World follows a free-to-play model, granting players access to the game without any upfront cost. However, there may be optional in-game purchases available, allowing players to enhance their gaming experience or acquire cosmetic items. It's worth noting that the game can be enjoyed fully without spending any real money, as the in-game purchases are primarily cosmetic or convenience-oriented.

Summary

Perfect World stands as one of the finest projects to emerge from China, garnering popularity both domestically and globally. The game's success has even led to the emergence of several clones, underscoring the fact that Chinese developers have created a truly exceptional gaming experience. With extensive character customization, impressive game mechanics, diverse content, and an active player community, Perfect World offers an immersive and engaging MMORPG experience that continues to captivate players worldwide. Whether you're a fan of exploration, intense battles, or social interaction, Perfect World provides a rich and rewarding gaming journey that is well worth embarking on.

MMOTOP.ORG Review

From the editorial team at MMOTOP.ORG, Perfect World is a commendable MMORPG that has stood the test of time. The game's extensive character customization is a standout feature, allowing players to create truly unique avatars. The seamless game world and dynamic elements like changing weather and time of day add depth to the gameplay experience. However, the graphics, while decent, do not match up to the standards set by newer titles using more advanced engines.

Flight mechanics and varied character classes provide players with a range of playstyles, ensuring that there's something for everyone. The progression system is well-balanced, allowing for swift leveling and engaging group quests. On the downside, some players might find the initial quests too simplistic and the need to reach level 30 before unlocking flight a bit restrictive.

The game map's diversity and the clan-controlled territories add a layer of strategy and competition, keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting. Regular updates and new content from the developers show a commitment to the game's longevity. The vibrant community and social features make Perfect World a socially engaging experience.

Overall, Perfect World scores a solid 65 out of 100 on our rating scale. It's a game with a rich history and a dedicated player base, but it may not appeal to those seeking cutting-edge graphics or instant gratification. Nevertheless, for fans of the genre, Perfect World remains a compelling title worth exploring.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)