Eldegarde 1.0: A WoW‑Flavored Extraction MMO That Almost Sticks the Landing

I first bumped into Eldegarde during Steam Next Fest 2024 because its interface and class fantasy immediately read like “World of Warcraft, but different.” I left that demo impressed by the ambition and annoyed by the bugs (yes, I once turned into a wand). Now the rebranded Eldegarde has reached 1.0 – the question is whether those early growing pains have been solved and what this hybrid actually offers players who’ve tired of bloated MMOs or hyper‑real extraction shooters.

Eldegarde 1.0: World of Warcraft systems meet extraction‑style PvPvE

• Key takeaway 1: Eldegarde blends familiar WoW‑like MMO mechanics (classes, vendors, campaign progression, housing) with high‑risk extraction runs – an uncommon hybrid in fantasy MMOs.
• Key takeaway 2: Early access roughness held it back, but the 1.0 launch shows meaningful polish: six playable classes, five maps, PvE Expeditions, housing, and campaign content.
• Key takeaway 3: With a $24.99 price, a 71% lifetime Steam rating, and a planned seventh class, Eldegarde is positioned as an affordable, bite‑sized alternative for players who want tension without military realism.

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Publisher|Notorious Studios
Release Date|1.0 launch (January 2026)
Category|Extraction MMO / PvPvE
Platform|PC (Steam)
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What Eldegarde actually is

Eldegarde takes two things you might not expect to live together and forces them to: the progression and social trappings of a theme‑park fantasy MMO (quests, vendors, housing, class fantasy) and the tension of extraction runs where dying costs you your haul. Think World of Warcraft’s approachable systems grafted onto the loop of Escape From Tarkov or Arc Raiders, but dressed in high fantasy armor and spells instead of ballistic realism.

At launch Eldegarde includes six classes (with a seventh coming), five maps to run, 17 mainline campaign quests, PvE Expeditions for players who want structured loot runs, and over 110 daily/weekly challenges to keep recurring activities relevant. There’s a housing system, vendor reputation rewards, and the standard loop of gear upgrades – all of which will feel familiar to MMO players.

Why this caught my attention — and where my skepticism lies

This caught my attention because I’ve spent years watching new MMOs try to carve out space against the giants. Very few attempt hybridizing extraction mechanics with classic MMO progression, and that design alone is enough to make Eldegarde stand out. As someone who avoids the twitch‑aim grind of military extraction shooters, the fantasy take gives me the tension I want without forcing every engagement into a first‑person aim duel.

That said, Notorious Studios’ early access run left visible scars: performance hiccups, matchmaking issues, and the occasional game‑breaking bug (wand transformation remains a memorable one). The jump to 1.0 is promising, but the real test will be server stability during peak hours, long‑term endgame depth, and whether the progression loop avoids feeling repetitive once initial novelties fade.

How it compares and who should try it

Compared to the full‑scale worlds of World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XIV, Eldegarde is deliberately smaller and more repeatable — designed for runs rather than epochal raids. If you prefer short, repeatable sessions (lunch‑break extractions, evening duo runs) and like the idea of losing gear on death to raise stakes, Eldegarde is a natural fit. If you need marathon raids with decades of meta and an army of guildmates, this won’t replace WoW.

Price is a plus: at $24.99 / £21.99, Eldegarde is approachable for curious players who want to try the hybrid loop without committing to a subscription or a large buy‑in. The 71% Steam rating suggests a mixed but improving reception — enough players are enjoying it, but some complaints remain.

What this means for you

If you’re an MMO player tired of mammoth content farms and long commitment cycles, Eldegarde is worth a look. It’s compact, tense, and skilled toward repeatable runs with meaningful risk. For extraction lovers who don’t want realism, it offers a welcome fantasy alternative. Keep expectations realistic: watch for performance updates and community feedback on balance and endgame.

Priest mains, rejoice — and maybe avoid wands. The world is still buggy enough for odd surprises, but the hooks are fun.

TL;DR

Eldegarde 1.0 is an intriguing mashup: WoW‑style classes, vendors, and housing combined with extraction PvPvE runs. It’s affordable and distinct, but its success hinges on ongoing polish, server stability, and evolving endgame systems. If you want a tense, fantasy extraction loop without military realism, this is a solid lunchtime run pick.