The Secret World Review

games Magazine

Published on Jul 2, 2012

Funcom isn't the most prolific MMO developer to date, it has two MMORPGs under its belt, Anarchy Online and Age Of Conan: Hyborian Adventures.

But the Norwegian developer has been at it for over a decade now, weathering economic storms and evolving online communities yet still staying competitive.

We'd describe the build up to the release of The Secret World as 'tentative', not that there hasn't been the usual marketing flurry associated with a new launch, but there has been little mention of genre-busting or breaking the mould, not from Funcom anyway.

Yet, The Secret World is the only major MMO in these turbulent times that could come close to making this claim without shuffling its feet nervously and crossing its fingers behind its back.

It's distinguished by its setting, a world of cabals and clandestine groups where a surreal multi-dimensional backdrop of magic and monsters meets modern society in a remarkably Phillip Pullman way.

Its nine-year development is evident in its lore and detail: we're running around a contemporary metropolitan street, replete with pop-culture references and swearing natives, but The Secret World seething with nefarious magic and otherworld creatures that surface elsewhere.

You're not the chosen one, you're told by one of the three main factions in the game and sure enough, whether you're aligned with The Templars, The Illuminati or The Dragon, the glowing bug that flew into your character's mouth in the opening credits will dutifully familiarise itself with your gob and somehow impart its powers.

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The Secret World Review