Anarchy Online Review
FunCom has finally released Shadowlands, their first true "expansion" for their ever-popular sci-fi MMORPG Anarchy Online. When Anarchy Online was released in 2001 it brought new and innovative ideas to the MMORPG genre - such as randomly generated private dungeons and simplified communication interfaces. With the release of Shadowlands they are at it again - but this time they have really outdone themselves!
The Background
The new story that unfolds with Shadowlands is deep and intriguing. The corporate minds at Omni-Tek, in an attempt at total control of the planet, sought to unlock the source of notum (this is the mysterious source behind nanotechnology in AO) within the planet Rubi-Ka. In doing so they discovered a parallel universe know as the "Shadowlands" - a mysterious world where the same battles exist for power and freedom and the struggle for survival is even more intense than that on Rubi-Ka.
Much as the Omni-Tek and Clan struggle on Rubi-Ka there are similar groups in the Shadowlands. The Redeemed (sides with the Clan) and the Unredeemed (sides with Omni-Tek) are locked in a deadly conflict that is reminiscent of the situation seen on Rubi-Ka. The world seems to have been once inhabited by ancient human-like beings that apparently were responsible for their own demise. What exactly happened to them? No one really knows…that is waiting to be discovered by the players of this new world.
New Features
So what did Shadowlands add to the game? I think it is easier to think of this expansion as a whole new game which you are fortunate enough to be able to beam your existing AO character right into. The list of new features this expansion added is totally astounding. To start with, the entire interface got a face-lift - and it looks and feels amazing! Its new polished buttons and intuitive layout make getting around this complex game much easier than with previous versions.
Another great new feature is the "perk" system. This will allow you to assign special abilities or "perks" to your character every 10 levels. You can also change any one of your perks every 72 hours (real world time). Perks come in many forms including permanent attribute buffs, new skills and even special attacks. After level 200 players will get a new perk point with every level. This will give players a total of 40 possible perk points totweak out their characters with.
Unlike in the original Anarchy Online, you will have to be a little more careful who you waste with that new assault rifile…Shadowlands now has factions! There are the Redeemed, the Unredeemed, ERGO (this is an artificial entity built by the unredeemed for controlling the notum veins) as well as secret factions yet to be discovered. There are even quests now that will include PvP…if you get a certain item you may get marked so that other players can rob you!
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