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Darkfall Online
Smarter and more satisfying than the average MMO. Although you may have to jump through a few hoops to play it
Written by Andy Griffiths, 09 July 2009
It's unusual for any fantasy game in the MMO genre to be this different from World of Warcraft, but Darkfall Online is much braver than your average project. Combat is high octane and doesn't just rely on what equipment you are wearing, as you win because you are better than your enemy. No class is pre-designed in Darkfall and you choose from a list of skills that suit your own style. As a result, the avatar you create becomes your own, and it never seems like your retreading other players' experiences.
Treehouse cities.Players battle for ownership of villages and forts around the game world, and everything feels very organic, especially when you hear of player mercenaries getting hired to ransack neighbouring hamlets. Clans are constantly vying for position in the world, and although there is no leaderboard or points to speak of, the bragging rights are priceless. The constant political jostling and talk of daring clan-on-clan raids will remind MMO veterans of Eve.
MMOZine Issue 23
For our latest Darkfall coverage, click here to download MMOZine Issue 23 for free.The controls are complicated but rewarding once you have adjusted. Certain techniques, such as jump strafing and targeting an enemy's vulnerable back, are the best way to become proficient at combat. However, monsters only spawn if a player is near and are smarter than average foes in the genre. AI-controlled mobs roam the countryside and they are always aware of your existence. The classic pull and destroy technique doesn't really work here, as foes are often intelligent enough to hunt, knife, heal and overwhelm. Quests are present but there is a distinct lack of a plot when compared to other fantasy-based MMOs. Instead, they are used as tutorials - a means to help new players gain useful skills or just to learn a little bit more about the combat.
More romantic than you would think.A low draw-distance means that the world always seems hazy, and Darkfall lacks the visual scope of most other MMOs. Obviously it's used to reducing lag, but it does lead to a world that seems detached and fake. Graphically, Darkfall leaves a lot to be desired, and even though it is from a small developer, it isn't very welcoming.
The biggest problem with Darkfall is the distribution mechanism. Only available from the developers own website, players need to jump through many hoops to in order to enrol. Aventurine currently only has one server from which to run the game from and waiting to join is often a pain.
Darkfall will be attractive to those who have found other MMOs boring and unimaginative. This game has a lot of personality, and although lacking in visual prowess, there is a lot of fun to be had in this punishing but rewarding world.
Darkfall coverage available in MMOZine Issue 23 - click here to download it for free!
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