Blade & Soul NEO, the reimagined classic version of the long-running MMORPG from NC America, is now available on Steam. This marks the first time the game has been officially released on Valve’s platform, expanding its reach to a wider audience after previously being exclusive to NCSOFT’s proprietary PURPLE launcher. The game peaked at 1,678 concurrent players on Steam on the first day of its launch.
The move to Steam comes as the game celebrates its tenth anniversary, bringing the wuxia-inspired fantasy world to a new wave of players. The Steam version includes full cross-platform play with PURPLE, allowing both communities to interact seamlessly. For MMORPG fans, this means more accessible ways to jump into the game’s enhanced graphics and classic storyline.
Key features and updates with the Steam launch include:
- Two new servers, available exclusively for Steam launch
- Free costume options for new players (choose one of two available)
- Fully functional cross-play between Steam and PURPLE platforms
- “New Player Catch-Up Event” accessible to new and returning users (returning users are those inactive for 30 days or more)
- Immediate access to three free content updates: Moonwater Plains, Parts 1-3
The Steam launch comes with some controversy with the game sitting at a “Mostly negative” score with just 56 reviews. The most popular complaints surround the game’s pay 2 win elements and annoying skill book system.
Further reading: Steam store page
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