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> Results: Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach
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Popular role playing game Dungeons and Dragons once again arrives on your computer screen. This incarnation is a massively multiplayer online role playing gameï¾—MMORPG for short. The game is played online where you interact with many other people. All the fantasy trappings of a typical Dungeons and Dragons game are present, although long-time fans will find a few minor surprises as the game is set in Stormreach. This city in the world of Eberron is one of the newest worlds created by the makers of D&D.
You login to the game and create a character to control. You then join up with other players online to fight monsters in order to become more powerful and to fight more difficult monsters. The two best features are the built-in voice support to make fighting as a group easier, and the narration style of the adventures. When a character enters a special adventure area, called a module, a narrator gives audible description and explanation of events that are occurring, much like a Dungeon Master performs for you in a live role playing game. This is an entertaining game with some unique features, but it doesn't do enough to distinguish itself from the pack of massive multiplayer games right next to it on store shelves.  
Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach is played online. As such, you need to keep careful watch over your children while playing the game. While it's rated T for teen, there is little to prevent other players from using M-rated language. A filter exists to clean up most inappropriate text, but it doesn't do anything to tone down the voice chat. Abusive behavior or other inappropriate behavior can be reported and that player will be dealt with by the game monitors, but that only prevents later abuse. It doesn't keep the bad language cat in the bag.
As a fantasy themed role-playing game, violence and death abound, however it is typically saved for those who walk on the shadier side of life, rather than rampant killing with no regard for justice or morals. With the presence of priests and paladins, deities and demons also come into play. You aren't asked to (or even allowed to) join in any cultish behavior, but many of the antagonists within the game fall under the evil undead or necromantic category of bad guys. Another potential problem for some parents with fantasy-themed games comes from the attire provided for female characters. Stormreach has its share of under-clothed females, but isn't gratuitous. The game's strength and weakness lies in the emphasis of playing in groups. To succeed beyond the first level or two, you must join a party of several players in order to perform group assignments. As is stereotypical of this genre, you gather together in a tavern, eating and drinking (to restore health and energy) while waiting to form a new adventuring group. Playing solo is not a viable option. This is great with friends or family to adventure with, but can be a source of frustration if forced to wander around for a suitable party. In-game voice chat makes grouping with known friends even more entertaining, but can also be turned off (but not locked-out) if it is a source of concern for parents. The focus is on completing small adventures with a group. This is accomplished very well, but anyone looking for more than the next preset fight or quest, such as fighting other players or creating new items, should look elsewhere. This review edited by Dave Long Comments? Chat about it in our forums! Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us | Buy This Game Browse Amazon.com's selection of "dungeons & dragons online" themed games Home > Review Archive > Video Games > Results: Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach |
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