Neo Steam: The Shattered Continent First Look

Known for its quirky console and handheld games, Atlus is now delving into a new territory with a free-to-play massive multiplayer online game called Neo Steam: The Shattered Continent. Originally a Korean MMOG that is still being played in Asia, Atlus is bringing the game over to this side of the world.

Who's Making This Game: Neo Steam was originally developed by HanbitSoft and Joy Impact and is now being published and relocalized by Atlus.

What the Game Looks Like: The world of Neo Steam: The Shattered Continent is split into two kingdoms: the Republic of Rogwel and Kingdom of Elerd. The game is classified as a steampunk fantasy MMOG, which is defined as an alternate world that is set in the past but with the conveniences of today. Our demo took us to multiple areas, so it looks like there will be quite a bit of variety.

What There Is to Do: Once you create a character, you can dive right into the world of Neo Steam, taking on quests or participating in some player-versus- player action in different arenas.

How the Game Is Played: There are seven races to choose from, including humans and elves. The adorable pom race has an affinity to technology, so if you want the upper hand when it comes to being a machinist, you might want to look into creating a pom. There are four classes: machinist, warrior, scout, and mystic, all of which branch off into specialized jobs, so there are really eight classes or more.

There’s customization everywhere, from the look of your character when you create him or her to your pet, who will accompany you on your journey. There’s crafting, mounts, and equipment to upgrade. Everything that you need to play the game is also free. The only time you need to pay is when you feel like buying items to distinguish your character from others or if you want items that give your character a boost in experience or skill points. You can’t buy PVP items, so it boils down to you, your actual skills, and your experience rather than relying on cash.

What They Say: A unique MMOG on a unique gaming portal.

What We Say: There are a lot of free MMOGs out there, but Atlus already has a loyal and enthusiastic community that supports the company no matter which direction it goes. Atlus already has a healthy and active player base since launching its online portal at the end of February. It’s definitely worth checking because it’s going to have that wacky Atlus humor. And what’s to stop you? It’s free. Neo Steam is currently in open beta and is set to go live sometime this summer.