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Part 2 - A unique review of the game from the perspective of an experienced RPG/MUD gamer.

Part II: A RPG/MUD Gamer’s Review of Shadowlands

The first thing that impressed me, being an avid RPG player, is that Shadowlands has a simple and intuitive interface. Everything is right there, tucked away neatly on the main screen where every action is never more than a click away (no menu hell). A handy shortcut bar at the top of the screen allows for one click access to all your most common actions such as, special attacks, use of healing nanos, or anything else your character may need to do in a hurry.

The second thing that impressed me was the graphics. Shadowlands has beautiful graphics throughout and completely shatters any myth about poor resolution in MMORPGs.

One main feature that really stands out about the combat is the color-coded health bar. Click on a monster and if its health bar is red - it is an indication to stay far away, as it is too high level for you to enter into combat with! If its health bar is green or yellow – it indicates a perfect level monster to kill. A gray health bar indicates that the monster is too low level and not worth your time.

The experience point (xp) reward system is scale-based, meaning the higher level the monster, the more xp the player receives once the monster is dead. The in-game combat is standard stuff, click on a monster, hit the attack button, and your character engages in an attack until either the monster or your character is dead. (Of course, a player can always try to avert death by running away or jumping off a cliff!)

There are many different character types from which to choose, ranging from the toe-to-toe melee fighter, or a gun specialist, to a nano specialist (AO is set sci-fi world based on technology. For those familiar with RPGs, nanos in AO are the equivalent of manna, and a nano specialist is similar to a mage).

Each character type has specializations that are unique to their profession such as healing, or creating robots. The professions are reminiscent of standard RPG class characters for example: the Shadowlands Keeper resembles a Paladin with strong melee and healing skills.

Character creation and maintenance can get quite complicated, and this is where the game really shines for experienced gamers, but can become quite confusing for novice gamers. Standard RPGs usually have a ‘paper doll’ set up of your character where you place armor and weapons on your character.

Shadowlands comes with three ‘paper doll’ sections, one for armor, one for implants, and one for weapons and gadgets. Adding quality implants to characters boosts vital stats and can make all the difference between a good character and a supreme uber fighting machine type character.

A big appeal in this game is the social interaction. There are nightclubs that to go to, and many people seem to enjoy gathering around in the streets just to hang out and talk. Additionally, characters are very customizable, with lots of different outfits and clothing combinations to make characters unique.

Customizing characters can also be accomplished by joining a faction. Within the game, there are three main factions: Omni, Neutral, and Clan. Whatever faction a player joins when he or she creates their character determines how certain NPCs react to them in addition to, which areas they can safely enter since faction war determines land control.

Within the factions are many organizations. An organization is a group of people with a similar philosophy or a common goal and players can align themselves with one by joining an organization of their choice. Once in an organization, there is a sense of community and camaraderie that makes the game much more personal.

Even within the meat of the game (adventuring through the countryside, slaughtering the baddies as you go), the need for social interaction is there. A team can have up to six players in it and there are many places within Shadowlands that are a lot easier to get to if you are playing in a team.

What is even better is that the game even goes so far as to reward team play. Experience points are not divided up amongst the number of characters in a team, but rather the same amount is given out to each player in the team; therefore, it makes sense to team up and kill monsters faster earning more xp quicker.

The large number of actions and abilities that your character has at his disposal may seem a bit daunting to the inexperienced player, so there may be a quite a bit of a learning curve for the uninitiated. For the avid RPGer or hardcore gamer, AO: Shadowlands is a real treat, and sure to entertain for months and even years.


Review by Brad Willoughby.


Click here to read Part 1 of this review series!