CRITICAL HIT! DDO Online rolls a perfect 20.
by Elmoren
For many MMO gamers these days, a new phenomenon is rearing its ugly
head. We are looking for a game that offers a challenge. A game that
requires skill, strategy, and a little bit of improvisation to be
successful at. For some of us, however, it may simply be a case of
finding a game where point-click-kill-level isn't a feature.
If you find yourself bored with the new generation of MMO's for any of
the reasons above, then DDO is most definitely the answer.
The game is a complexity of classic pen and paper dungeons and dragons,
modern strategy games, real time combat, and yes, even a little bit first
person shooter. While that seems like it might be too complicated, and
even overly challenging for the average player to enjoy, after a few
short minutes of getting adjusted - which the tutorial area accounts for,
with every detail of game play explained, and then experienced first hand
by the player - you find yourself doing something that most MMO players
aren't accustomed to. Thinking, Playing, Having fun, and planning ahead.
No two battles, no two scenario's will ever play out the same. A
drastic change from the place holding, forced spawn worlds many of us
currently occupy our time with.
Character creation is fluid, well thought out, and seamlessly explained
and detailed every step of the way. The chances of two characters ever
being built the same are near impossible. However, what fulfills today's
players desire to be unique is the leveling process. Levels are divided
amongst 4 parts, and then the 5th becoming your climb to the next level
of experience. Each sub level of experience grants another choice of a
passive, or active ability for your character, while the act of actually
gaining a level remains closely intact to the traditional D&D rule set.
The game is based completely, with the exception of a few starting
missions, in group play. No more dealing with people who have amassed
power and wealth simply because they spend hours every day farming away.
The game forces teams of players to think together and actively learn to
use their chosen spells and abilities as one entity to complete a common
set of goals. Meeting a group is extremely easy, throughout the world
are taverns plentifully populating all the areas one can explore. In
these taverns you can retrieve valuable information, take up a new
quest, set your home point, and most importantly, meet more members for
your group, and regenerate your health and spell points - the only other
way to regenerate is through healing spells, or rest shrines usually
located once or twice in each instanced mission. This system is an
excellent addition to DDO because it forces players, especially in a group
based game, to come together in common meeting places where they can
share time and organize groups while they regenerate.
While the game is entirely group oriented, offering absolutely no solo
content beyond the first few missions, it brings an atmosphere that most
gamers these days find themselves struggling to find. Balance.
Characters are only as good as the people that play them, and the
strategy in which they are used. No more struggling to keep up with a
group mate simply because they have more hours to devote to the game than
you do. This game is not for the easy minded player who is used to
turning on auto attack, hitting a key or two, and moving on. Battles
require strategy, and know-how about your character in order to survive
efficiently. Because regeneration only takes place once or twice within
each quest or mission map, caster and melee character alike must make
decisions, every battle, as to how they decide to spend their valuable
skills and spell points.
In short, DDO offers players seeking a group oriented, skill based MMO a
place to call home. Progression, group play, tactics, strategy, and
cunning are all skills a player must develop in order to survive in this
new and exciting world. Finally a place where players who put emphasis
on game play, cooperation, and unique, strategical experiences can call
home. A refreshing change from the overly simple, unchallenging,
non-cooperative games of the current day.
