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Reviews: Asheron's Call 2
Asheron's Call 2 (PC)
DEVELOPER: Turbine
FORMAT: PC
GENRE: MMORPG
COST: £29.99 (includes one month's play - $12.95 for subsequent months)
Asheron's Call 2
Massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG) offer some of the most addictive gaming experiences around. Asheron's Call 2 is no different, with a host of evil critters to destroy and a whole new world to explore. Monthly updates further reinforce the impression that this is a well-supported product.
Like Everquest and the marvellous Anarchy Online, AC2 lets you create a character and then help them grow, or "level", by killing monsters and solving quests. Of course, by being online, social and group interaction is vital, with more experience points - the currency needed to level - gained by grouping with like-minded characters.
With all these games there is a steep learning curve, with players needing to spend a considerable length of time with their character to see the benefit. However, while off-putting for some this toil can, if it hooks you, become incredibly addictive as you hunt for that rare item or monster.
Combat strategies are important, with the most successful groups, or fellowships as they are known, consisting of both long-range archer-types and close-in "melee" combatants. The skill system works well, allowing you to train up where you want or retrain later if you are unhappy. There are no NPC's (computer-controlled) characters in AC2, so the entire economy is player driven. While this sounds great, a lack of people means the economy is seriously underdeveloped.
To its credit AC2 offers numerous quests allowing for shorter bursts of play, while an extensive tutorial mode offers some welcome handholding. Graphically too, this is a real achievement, with mountains, forests and rivers offering an immersive feeling of being in another world. There are less penalties for dying and there is an overall sense that Microsoft are aiming this more at the "newbie" than more experienced players.
As with any online game, your actual experience is dependent on the other players and the state of the servers. In both counts AC is successful so far, although a relatively small amount of players at present means this may change.
But, despite the introduction of crafting skills - enabling players who don't wish to fight the opportunity to level by creating weaponry for others - there is still too much emphasis on incessant combat. Asherons Call 2 has started fairly well but there is a long way to go yet. Well worth a look.
GH
