At first glance, Skyrim and Stardew Valley have nothing in common. On the one hand, an open world RPG rich in quests and combat. On the other, a peaceful and colorful farm simulation. And yet, an unlikely merger between the two has just surfaced on Steam. Her name is Ancible Onlineand it is free.
Developed by The Giant’s Drink, this 2D MMORPG immerses you in Veridia, a cute and pixelated world filled with typical activities of the genre: exploration, crafting, combat, cooperation. But what sets him apart is his ability to capture the essence of two completely different styles of play.
An open world that is simple, lively and community-oriented
The heart of Ancible Online is collaborative gameplay. The game offers a classic progression with classes, skills and items to craft. You can go on a solo adventure or form a guild to explore Veridia together. The official description states: “Explore, craft, and battle with your friends to discover the secret of the Ancibles.”
The visual style instantly evokes successful indie games, with a deliberately retro but neat rendering. Certainly, we are far from the graphic finesse of Stardew Valley, but the artistic direction works and the universe quickly seduces. Everything runs smoothly, even on modest configurations.
Interactions between players are encouraged from the first minutes. Being able to choose your class based on that of your friends adds a real tactical aspect to expeditions. Each session can become a different adventure depending on the composition of the group.
A free model, without limits or demo
Another nice surprise: Ancible Online is offered in full version, without subscription, without intrusive microtransactions, and without time limit. This isn’t a disguised demo or vague early access. It’s a complete game, stable and already well advanced in its development.
For those looking for a new cooperative game to experience without spending a dime, this is an ideal opportunity. In just a few clicks, you are launched into the adventure, without massive downloads or complicated registration.
The only current question mark concerns its compatibility with the Steam Deck. The game is not yet verified for this console, but given its light weight and 2D design, it should be able to run on it without problem. It remains to be seen whether the controls will be intuitive enough for a smooth mobile experience.