Skyforge started its life back in 2010, shortly after Moscow-based developer Allods Team launched the PC-only MMO Allods Online in Russia. Working together with Obsidian Entertainment, also fresh from the launch of the PlayStation 3 title Fallout: New Vegas, the teams would conceive a fascinating universe far removed from our own, where amazing technology is relied upon just as much as faith in higher powers.
A massively multiplayer online game inspired by science-fiction and fantasy, Skyforge launched on PC in 2015, before launching on PlayStation 4 as a free-to-play title in April 2017. The game is set on the planet Aelion, where the threat of planetary subjugation constantly looms over the planet. Players are asked to become Immortals, powerful beings who are the last line of defence between Aelion and the evil legions vying for the planet’s destruction. The Immortals must repel the invaders through epic quests across stunning, interstellar locations, with the ultimate personal goal of developing their powers and eventually achieving godhood.
Skyforge’s core gameplay lies in the protection of Aelion. Regular in-game events, known as Invasions, feature a rogues gallery of races, including Phytonides, Gorgonides, Reapers, Mechanoids, Oceanids, and Demons, taking turns to invade the planet. It’s up to players to work together to bring them down, including the bigger bosses that lurk in the shadows. Monstrous Avatars will use cunning mechanics, deadly traps, and many other challenges to outwit players, so it’s important to be prepared.
Whether it’s through magic or conventional weapons, Skyforge players must learn to master their Immortal powers and abilities. Skyforge had a more humble selection of classes back at launch, but the roster has since grown to an impressive selection of 18 at the time of writing. Players aren’t confined to just one class – they can switch at any time, though some classes may need to be purchased or unlocked first.
Many classic RPG classes are present and accounted for, including the Paladin, Knight, and Archer. There are even some more fantastical choices like the Necromancer, the Cryomancer, and the Lightbinder. However, others come with unique twists. 2018’s Distant Frequencies expansion introduced the Soundweaver, a new take on the staple bard class. This rocking Immortal wields an electric guitar and amplifiers, and can employ rhythm-based attacks to kick out devastating riffs, and bring enemies to their knees.
Regular expansions have dug deeper into Skyforge lore, while expanding its feature list and adding even more available classes. Last summer, the Ignition expansion reflected on sinister events long thought lost to the pages of Aelion’s history. The blazing Firestarter class was born from the exiled spirit of a genocidal warlord, a god who once wrought a fiery cataclysm upon the planet. With the Firestarter, pyromancy was ignited in the world of Skyforge. Recently, closing out 2019 with a raging bang, the Rock and Metal expansion set players on a collision course with the villainous Draconids, their monstrous mechanical commander, and a plot to excavate a dormant threat to the planet Terra.
Celebrating five years of Skyforge, as well as three years since the game was first released on PlayStation 4, the new Fifth Anniversary expansion expands the Skyforge universe with new content, and features that will pique the interest of veteran fans. The Invasion Atlas revamps the way players progress through Invasions, offering a selection of ‘nodes’ that can unlock special perks, like increased damage or efficiency. Meanwhile, Maledictions go in the opposite direction. These modifiers will directly hinder players with tougher enemies and restricted abilities, but with the promise of greater rewards makes the challenge a worthy one.
Invasions are also back with a vengeance, as the villainous Phytonides return to pollinate Aelion with evil. The new Invasion Pass promises a unique reward with the Divine Form Wakan, a powerful warrior deity whose mere presence will give invaders pause for thought. Wakan can be unlocked by reaching level 16 on the Invasion Pass, alongside lots more rewards. For players looking to score more free content, five special costumes can be earned from the ongoing Aelion Day celebrations, but only for a limited time.
The Fifth Anniversary expansion is available as a free update for Skyforge on PlayStation 4 now, with the base game available for free from the PlayStation Store.