This new instalment of our F2Pmeter series is dedicated to put the free-to-play-ness of Swordsman to a test. Based on the Wuxia novel The Proud Smiling Wanderer by Louis Cha (Jin Yong), this martial arts MMORPG thrusts players into a game world brought to life by Sony’s powerful Angelica III game engine where they travel across the land to search for an ancient scripture containing Kung Fu secrets and engage in fluid real-time combat.
Remember that our testing candidates begin with a 100% of free-to-play-ness, and depending on how our questions have to be answered, this percentage will change.
So let's get started!
No. Officially launched as a free-to-play title, Swordsman allows everyone to create an account and download the client to start playing for absolutely free.
No. The game has been designed from the scratch with a free-to-play business model in mind, meaning there isn’t any subscription feature, not even an optional one.
No. As Swordsman only just launched a few months ago, no expansions have been released yet. However, the first expansion "Gilded Wastland" was announced a couple of weeks ago and supposed to go live this autumn, seemingly free of charge.
Yes – -5%. The in-game marketplace allows players to spend the premium currency Zen, which is only available with real-world money, on specific vanity and convenience items, enabling them to enhance their overall gaming experience with, for instance, XP boosts, outfits, unique pets and exclusive mounts. The shop also offers additional features and services such as additional inventory slots.
Yes. – -15%. The majority of items available for Zen apparently only help to level up faster and serve as time-servers, BUT the shop additionally offers gems for purchase which provide bonuses when embedded into specific gear. By buying a larger amount of gems, purchasers could seemingly get an advantage over non-paying users.
No. There are no additional UI customisation options players could unlock with Zen or real-world money.
Yes. Everybody is granted free access to all 10 classes/ martial art schools Swordsman features without any restrictions or exceptions.
No. Although players keep suggesting adding an Auction House, it isn’t implemented in Swordsman yet. For the time being, trading between players isn’t restricted in any way.
Yes – -10%. Players are initially provided with a limited inventory of 35 common slots plus 30 material slots and additional ones for quest items and gifts. In order to expand their inventory to a maximum of 135 slots, they have to buy additional bags with Zen via the marketplace.
Yes. Swordsman doesn’t face players with any restrictions concerning access to specific zones, allowing them to freely roam the entire game world.
No. There are no restrictions which would hinder players to enjoy the game in its entirety including all its end-game content for absolutely free.
Yes – +10%. Although Swordsman offers items for purchase with cash, it finally seems to be quite fair, enabling everyone to play without being charged. Those willing to spend money will undoubtedly have an easier in-game life with boosters, convenience items and time-savers, but only spending incredibly sums would apparently enable them to gain a direct advantage over non-paying players.
Swordsman’s test with our F2Pmeter results in a fair 80% of free-to-play-ness.
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