MIR4, a mobile old-school MMORPG

Update: I have rewritten this page based on my current opinion of the game (mostly negative).

In the ruins of MMORPGs' past, Everquest and World of Warcraft remain as fading memories. The days of endless quests, PVP battles, and late-night raids have been overshadowed by the passing of time. Adults now find little time for games like these.

Driven by an insatiable thirst for a taste of the past, I ventured into the realm of MIR4, a Korean mobile MMO. It promised to satisfy my cravings with its unique approach: Eastern MMOs with rewritten rules of engagement. Less lore, more full-loot PVP, and streamlined systems reminiscent of the smoky "pc bangs" of yesteryear, where your clan (guild) mates were always within shouting distance.

MMOs like MU Online and Ragnarok Online pioneered the free-to-play model. In China and Korea, they served as testing grounds for second currencies and item malls in the gaming industry.

In the modern era, MMORPGs have evolved into a unique entity. I call them "RPG Management Sims" - a fusion of MMORPG elements, painstakingly assembled from the remnants of their predecessors. Questing, combat, and looting have been automated, allowing players to focus their attention on resource management to craft and develop their characters. It's an endless cycle, with characters toiling tirelessly even as their creators rest.

Among these reanimated specters lurked MIR4, a mobile MMO that quickly entranced me. Having already succumbed to the allure of more complex mobile MMOs like Lineage 2 Revolution and Black Desert Mobile, I was hesitant to dive into another potential quagmire. But friends were playing; camaraderie drew me into trying out MIR4.

At first glance, MIR4 seemed like a soothing remedy for my tired soul. It provided a streamlined experience with the thrill of PVP, minus the complexity. Set in the xianxia world, the game enticed me with promises of dungeons, raids, and open-world PVP, pulling me in deeper.

Yet, in time, MIR4 unveiled its true form: a realm ruled by the cold, unfeeling hand of greed, where casual players were sacrificed at the altar of pay-to-win, by making web3 a huge part of it. The once-enjoyable game became a haunting reminder of the insidious nature of this new breed of MMOs.

This is the same issue that got me out of Dark Eden M.

Not my cup of tea.