A Monumental Gaming Experience (Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning (PC))

Member Name: bilbobaginz

Product:	Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning (PC)
Date:	06/12/08 (89 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fantastic online interaction - socail and combat.

Disadvantages: Monthly Subscription - but worth every penny.

I decided to look for an alternative MMORPG after playing World of Warcraft for over three years! After a quick graphical upgrade to the GeForce GT series graphics card, I was ready to begin my newest conquest into Warhammer's World. Wow, what a thrilling experience the last month has been...

<--Getting Started-->
After admiring the packagings truely epic character illustrations for several minutes, I decided to make a brave move and open the box. A familiar scent of newely manufactured card (...yes you know what I mean) invaded my nostrels. I was plesently supprised to discover just two disks perched inside the games case, oddly named disk one and two, they stared back at me, quietly waiting.

Once the simple task of installation was complete, I created my account and loaded up the game! The opening cinematic sent shivers down my spine, the attention to detail was immense and I was amazed at Mythic's (makers) efforts to produce such a fantastic visual experience.

Character selection was a long grueling challenge, not because of the way Mythic conducted this area of the game, but simply because there was so much choice! I was lost in a spinning universe of Realms, Races and Careers... Eventually though, I found the perfect combination... An Empire (Human), Warrior-Priest (Paladin type dude with healing, damaging and tanking abilities). Altogether there are around 18 different careers... that's an unbelievable variety of choice unmatched by any other MMO i've happened to encounter. A player is given the choice of joining the Realm of Order (good) or Destruction (evil), and must stay allied to that side once a decision is made.

<--Game Mechanics-->
The geeks at Mythic Entertainment desperatly wanted to make Warhammer Online individual and unique. How this game operates is the key factor in understanding its approaching monumental success.
There are three main areas in the Warhammer World, each consisting of an individual Tier system. There is an area in which the Dwarfs do battle with the Greenskins, the forces of Empire do battle with the Chaos and the High Elves do battle with the Dark Elves. However, players are not constricted to their factions battlefields, everyone is free to go where ever they like.

Within the three main areas there are around 40 vast countries which are grouped in twos or threes and operate under the Tier system. For example: two counties may be allocated to the Tier one area of the Dwarven district.
Within these mysterious Tier systems, Tier one is designed for players of levels 1-10, Tier two for 11-20, three for 21-30 and finally Tier four for levels 31-40. Once again, players are not confined to the Tier which matches their level, they are free to wander everywhere... Seems overly confusing I know, but once you get playing everything becomes clear.

<--Questing-->
Here the game appears very similar to most other MMORPG's, and consists of many hundreds of individual challenges which can be completed in a group or alone. However, Mythic gaming have extented on this to create a range of activities known only as PQs (Public Quests). The aim of these mass quests is to participate in a large scale attack on certain NPC factions, destroying their Champions and Hero's (hard nuts) for substantial reward. They are extremely entertaining, and can be accomplished with the aid of up to 24 players.

<--Realm Vs Realm-->
I decided to make my character (currently level 22) on an open-RvR server. Realm Vs Realm contains exactly the same meaning as PvP - Player vs Player. It is the aggressive interaction with enermy factions in battle, and Mythic really have exceeded all expectations in this area of the game.

Not only are there several seperate Scenarios (battle-grounds) for every Tier in which you can sign up your character for War, there is also an unbelievable amount of RvR action in the normal world! RvR supplies a player with Experience Points for leveling aswell as Renown Points to improve your RvR rank (which also spans from level 1-40).

Normal-World RvR (or Open RvR) consists of capturing battle-objectives and keeps to earn your Realm vital points which could determine whether a capital city is won or lost... YES THATS RIGHT, it is possible for your Realm to invade enermy cities and actually capture them for good!

I have fought in several battles in which 200+ players have participated, fighting for the control of various keeps and objectives... I have to say, its one of the funnest activities i've ever been a part of in any game. The battles can last for hours and involve siege weapons and player organised cavalry charges!

<--Conclusion-->
There is alot more to this game which I have not yet mentioned, but i feel it necessery to leave the reader to decide whether they want to play or not... Though I highly recommend that you do.

Prices for the game on leading internet retailers:
Amazon = £14.99 (FREE UK DELIVERY)
Play.com(UK) = £14.99 (FREE UK DELIVERY)
Monthly Subscription = £8.99 (same as most MMO's)

Thank you for reading.
Please rate if you read and i'll try to rate you back asap =)

Summary: An equally addictive alternative for WoW lovers world-wide.