A long-lost realistic MMORPG with massive potential has just been relaunched on Steam, but unlike last time, you don’t have to pay a single dime to play it now.
Starting June 18, players can now add Gloria Victis, a realistic open-world massively multiplayer experience, to their Steam libraries. The game, which previously carried a $20 price tag, is now completely free to play—although you can still indulge in microtransactions if you like. Gamigo, its current publisher, has introduced a range of improvements and incorporated player feedback before re-releasing the title,
so if you’ve been wondering what PC game to try next, Gloria Victis might just surprise you.
The most distinctive aspect of Gloria Victis is, perhaps, its low-fantasy setting, which leans toward skill-based combat, immersive exploration, intricate territorial expansion mechanics, and other player-driven features. Most MMORPGs are based on magic and mythical creatures, and this game breaks that familiar mold to offer a more realistic medieval European experience. As an open-world game, you’re basically free to explore whatever you like, however you like. The world of Gloria Victis is not only breathtaking and immersive; it’s also challenging and dynamic, responding to your actions. You can either go solo or group up with other players to complete quests and showcase your skills in PvE or PvP. Or, if you’re not the fighting type, choose the path of peace: gather materials and focus on crafting and trading to build your economy.
While the base game is free, players can choose to buy consumables and cosmetics to enhance their experience. For example, the Horseman Edition is currently available for $23 (20% off) and offers a set of XP and mount boosts, as well as cosmetics for your horse and coat of arms. The Merchant Edition, priced at $69, offers more powerful consumables, such as slot-limit boosts for your market and stall, along with better cosmetics. And finally, there’s the Guildmaster Edition at $92, which comes with four DLC packs, including the Starter, Horseman, Blacksmith, and Merchant packs. Note that the game isn’t pay-to-win, and the consumables only offer minor conveniences that won’t give you an advantage in competitive battles. Still, a little boost and some eye-candy customizations are always welcome, especially when starting out in an MMORPG.
Gloria Victis was initially launched out of early access in February 2023 and spent quite some time on the market as a paid game. While its realistic combat system and territorial expansion elements were well received at the time, the original servers were shut down later that same year due to sustainability and financial issues. The IP was later acquired by Gamigo and, after several play tests, is now back as a free-to-play experience.
The game is currently only available on Windows PCs and Mac via Steam. It’s also playable on Steam Deck, although the performance may not be top-notch.
While Gloria Victis’ relaunch has been fairly decent so far, with thousands joining in on the action, players aren’t very satisfied with its performance and optimization, which has resulted in an overall “Mixed” review rating on Steam. Most reviews mention the sheer number of bugs currently affecting the servers, so the developers still have a lot of work to do. Despite these hiccups, the game is still worth a try—after all, it won’t cost you a penny.
- Brand
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Valve
- Original Release Date
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September 12, 2003