Pax Dei is a massive medieval sandbox MMO in which the players shape the entire world. Just in time for the launch of Early Access on June 18th, we had the opportunity to test the game and get a first overview. It turns out that Pax Dei, with its open world and learning-by-doing approach, offers a unique gaming experience that is both challenging and addictive.
Pax Dei is a massive medieval MMO sandbox. The game is completely player-driven, with no NPCs; instead, each player takes on a unique role within the entire medieval cosmos. There are several features planned for the future, such as a religion system where players can rise to the position of Pope. Pax Dei entered Early Access yesterday, and we had the opportunity to take a first look.
Getting Started Is Tough
After creating our character and choosing a starting area, we were immediately immersed in the beautiful game world. Pax Dei stays true to its sandbox genre by leaving us pretty much on our own. Unlike other games that guide you through tutorials to learn the basics, Pax Dei operates on a "learning by doing" principle - and frankly, that's not a bad thing.
Personally, I enjoyed figuring out how things worked and deciding where to start. After picking a nice spot for my plot, it was time to grind - and you have to enjoy that aspect. You can't get anywhere without spending hours and hours gathering materials. We start with nothing but rags on our backs and no material possessions. The first tools and weapons can be made from wood and stone. Gradually, we learn more crafting recipes by gathering different materials.
As tedious as it may be to collect clay, wood, and stones, the feeling of seeing your home take shape is rewarding. However, it's clear that Pax Dei is still a work in progress. The building system is intuitive and offers a lot of freedom, but placing elements correctly can often be tricky. If an element cannot be placed, its preview turns red - but there's no explanation as to why. For example, I still haven't figured out why I can't place the last piece of roof on my house.
Good Neighbors Are Everything
The Pax Dei maps are really huge. It's good to know that we can move our plot later if we find a better area. The servers are filling up with every hour of play, and it's amusing to see other players in the neighborhood starting to build their houses and occasionally wandering onto our property to collect wood.
One thing is clear: Pax Dei is made to be played with friends. I'm looking forward to getting support and exploring together. I haven't seen much of the game world yet - in the beginning, you're mostly busy building your first home base. It will be exciting to explore the world and discover different settlements and regions.
A Look Into The Future
What excites me most about Pax Dei is what's yet to come. The game is only at the beginning of its development, and it already gets a lot right. But the most exciting part is seeing how the game world will evolve. Will real settlements form where strangers live and work together? Or will players stick to themselves? Will hierarchies develop? How do I fit into this cosmos? These questions remain open, and I'm excited to see how Pax Dei will evolve!