*Image Credits: Visionary Realms, Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen*

Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen (made by Visionary Realms) is a game with roots in the past and its eyes on the future. For people who miss playing old-school MMORPGs like EverQuest, this one definitely feels like heading back into that world. It isn’t perfect yet (in fact I would say far from it)—it’s in Early Access, and it shows—but the potential is absolutely undeniable. We think it is also worth mentioning up front that there are no pay-to-win or microtransactions.

The game is challenging and unapologetically group-focused. If you liked the aspect of forming parties, exploring dangerous zones, and working hard for small victories instead of things being handed to you, then this will feel like home and a breath of fresh air compared to most of what’s popular on the market these days. There are no flashy quest markers or minimaps here. You have to pay attention, interact with NPCs, and actually explore the world to figure things out. That might frustrate some players, but for others (including ourselves here at GamerBlurb) it’s been a welcome change from modern MMOs that hold your hand.

Combat is slower and more methodical/strategic. Some may call it boring, but it’s really about timing and patience. You won’t spam flashy skills here—you’ll instead plan and work with your team. Every class has a clear role, including limitations, which makes teamwork feel that much more rewarding.

Visually, even though we tend to like the art style overall, the game needs work. The environments are decent, but character models and animations feel a bit outdated (and not always in the charming kind of way). However, the atmosphere shines through. When you’re navigating dim caves or climbing hills at night with a torch the world feels dangerous and immersive despite graphical liimtations.

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Of course, just to directly address it, this is Early Access. There are bugs, limited content, and some admittedly expected missing polish. Some systems still need time to grow. But the developers are active and listening to the community, which is a good sign.

If you’re looking for a finished product, this isn’t it (and as we all know MMOs are constantly growing and evolving over time, anyway). But if you’re craving an old-school MMO experience and you’re willing to be patient, Pantheon has the bones of something special. It’s not for everyone, but it doesn’t need to be. For the right players, this is a wonderful and nostalgic adventure that we hope will only get better.

Pros:

Deeply nostalgic for old-school MMO fans
Exploration feels meaningful (rare in MMOs)
Group-focused gameplay encourages teamwork
A solid foundation with room to grow

Cons:

Outdated visuals and animations
Limited solo content
Still rough in its current Early Access state

Score: 7.5/10

Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen isn’t finished, but it’s already proving it can scratch that classic MMO itch. Give it some time and it could become something really great.