AFK Arenamade its debut in 2019, developed by Lilith Games. Fast-forward four years to 2024, and the company introduced their new canonical IP,AFK Journey, expanding upon the same universe with a fresh perspective.AFK Journeycan be likened to an exploration of the question, “What ifAFK Arenatook the form of anarrative-driven adventure RPG?” However, the resemblance in title, shared mechanics, characters, and familiar game modes has left players pondering the relationship between the two games.

Fans are left questioning whetherAFK Journeyserves as a sequel toAFK Arenaor if it stands independently. To clarify these uncertainties, this article will delve into thesimilarities and differencesbetween these two captivating games.

Cards in AFK Arena and the cover of AFK Journey

How Does AFK Journey Differ From AFK Arena?

AFK Journeyis the stand-alone expansion ofAFK Arena, existing within the same universe and featuring overlapping characters. While both games share these elements, they diverge in gameplay style.AFK Journeyoffers a robust RPG adventure with a rich campaign, contrasting withAFK Arena’sturn-based RPG format.

Despite similarities,AFK Journeyisn’t a direct sequel but rather expands upon theAFKuniverse, incorporatingfamiliar mechanics such as Heroes, Factions, and Ascension. Both games present their own narrative, making them accessible independently. However, players ofAFK Arenawill find themselves more familiar with the combat dynamics ofAFK Journey.

A group of characters on a road in AFK Journey

Tile-based strategy

Turn-based strategy

A split image of three A-Level Heroes in AFK Journey

45 (currently)

100+

AFK Journey Tag Page Cover Art

1+ million

10+ million

~2GB

~300MB

iOS, Android, Windows

iOS, Android

Lilith Games’AFK Journeyis a canon title set in the same universe asAFK Arena. Nonetheless,the two games notably diverge in gameplay, narrative, and visual presentation. Below is a comprehensive comparison delineating these distinctions.

Gameplay Comparison

BothAFK ArenaandAFK Journeyemploy a turn-based combat system, butAFK Journeyoffers more intricate battles. InJourney, the inclusion of tiles, represented by empty blocks on the board, significantly impacts combat by determining attack direction and range. In contrast,AFK Arena’s formations are less complex, providing players with fewer opportunities forcreative team compositions.

Another notable distinction lies in the Hero Types and Roles. InAFK Journey, Heroes are categorized by Factions and Classes, omitting Types and Roles, which simplifies battle arrangements. Additionally, the approach to leveling up (Ascension) and equipment upgrades differs. Upgrading five primary characters enhances the entire squad’s level, and equipment is used on all Heroes in the same class.

A notable difference in gameplay lies within the Factions.AFK Arenaboasts seven Factions, whereasAFK Journeycomprises only six, currently excluding the Dimensional Faction.

Story Comparison

AFK Journeyhas an extensive campaign comprising main and side quests, complemented by fully voiced cutscenes and dialogue. Conversely,AFK Arenafeatures a straightforward progression-based narrative with minimal impact on gameplay and no cutscenes.

InAFK Journey, players embark on their adventure within an open-world map comprising four primary regions:Holistone, Golden Wheatshire, Dark Forest, and Vaduso Mountains. In contrast,AFK Arena’s world map consists of multiple smaller regions functioning as progression towers, which unlock progressively as players defeat adversaries in preceding regions.

Visuals Comparison

Graphic-wise,JourneyandArenahave nothing in common.AFK Journeyis a 3D adventure game available on both mobile and PC platforms. In contrast,AFK Arenais a 2D turn-based RPG designed specifically for mobile devices. One couldperceiveAFK Journey’s visuals as a revitalized iteration ofAFK Arena’s universe, featuring familiar Heroes depicted in new 3D styles.

This evolution has influenced the file sizes of both games, withAFK Journeynecessitating approximately a 2GB download, whereasAFK Arenaoccupies a mere 300MB of storage space.

List Of Shared Heroes In AFK Journey & AFK Arena

AFK Journeyshares a significant similarity withAFK Arenathrough the Hero roster. Lilith Games’ latest title incorporatesthirteen charactersfrom the 2019 release. Below is a list of characters featured in both games: