Ragnarok Online 3 Hands-On Impressions From ChinaJoy 2026
The hands-on feedback suggests Ragnarok Online 3 aims to balance nostalgia with modern conveniences, a direction that could draw both returning fans and new players when it launches.
Reporting from 1 source: 4Gamer.net.
At ChinaJoy 2026, GRAVITY and JoyMaker showed a playable build of Ragnarok Online 3. Veteran players of the original Ragnarok Online shared their impressions with 4Gamer.net. They noted the game keeps the original's look and feel while updating systems for modern players, with faster pacing and new mechanics like auto-battle.
At ChinaJoy 2026, held in Shanghai from July 31 to August 3, GRAVITY and JoyMaker brought a playable build of Ragnarok Online 3 to the bilibili Game booth. The demo setup split playstations into groups of five, with hourly slots that included three 20-minute boss-hunting rounds. Outside those rounds, players were free to explore other content.
4Gamer.net spoke with several veteran players of the original Ragnarok Online. One pair, who started playing in 2010 and elementary school respectively, said the game looks like the original but runs on modern systems. A trio who played the original about 20 years ago echoed that, noting new elements like auto-battle coexist with high fidelity to the original's graphics, maps, and music. They also said the pacing is faster, which they felt suits younger players.
One player with 20 years of Ragnarok Online history praised the improved visuals but felt the combat system deviates from the original's design philosophy, which allowed players to play freely. He added that the new direction might make it easier for newcomers to join.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the 1 cited source below, including Japanese-language reporting where cited, then editorially reviewed before publishing.