Dragonrealms: Addictive Online Roleplaying
Written: Oct 23 '00
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Pros: Fun roleplaying environment, nice people, great mechanics, no graphics (a plus for me)
Cons: SO addicting
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| meanbeast's Full Review: DragonRealms |
Summer of '95, we were moving from New Hampshire to New York, and we were stuck in a small apartment until we could find a house. Bored and lonely, I turned to the computer. More specifically, I found Dragonrealms.
Dragonrealms is a MUD (multi-user dungeon) that was created by Simutronics (also known for similar Gemstone III). It was originally available on AOL, causing massively large bills, due to the fact that AOL was still charging by the hour. When AOL went for a flat price, the game grew enormously, and then switched to web-based access (they switched 7/19/97--my birthday! Needless to say, I was upset).
Signing Up
Dragonrealms costs $9.95/month. This is for a basic account, and one character. Your first 30 days are free, and you're welcome to cancel anytime during that period free of charge. If you are a member for more than two months, you get a free subscription to Computer Gaming Monthly. For an additional $20 per month, you can subscribe to the premium account. This gets you 10 extra characters (a $10 value), access to premie-only areas, multiple type-ahead lines, special premie-only meetings (which include nifty items), and speedier Game Master assistance.
What is Dragonrealms?
Dragonrealms is a text-only roleplaying game. You navigate using n, e, w, s, ne, se, sw, and nw. You talk to people using ' , and there are many many many other commands, such as "look", "read", "attack", "give", etc. There isn't a specific object, but you basically roleplay with your fellow players, make friends, and excel at your profession.
Customizing Your Character
Dragonrealms allows a great deal of freedom while making up your character. You choose a first and last name, then your skin tone, height, size, hair color and length, eye color, and other basic features. Then you get to choose a race.
Race
There are eleven different races, each with different strengths and weaknesses. They are:
*Human - equal in all aspects
*Elf - quick and charismatic, but generally weak
*Dwarf - short, resilient to disease, but less agile
*Halfling - fast with good stamina, but not very smart or strong
*Gnome - quick and smart, but not very strong
*S'kra Mur - fast and snakelike, with low intelligence
*Prydaen - catlike with good reflexes, not too smart
*Gor'Tog - the characteristic big, strong, dumb guy
*Elothean - lacking in stamina and strength, but quick and smart
*Rakash - a werewolf, good stamina, but less intelligence
*Kaldar - bigger and stronger than humans, but not quite as smart
Guild
After you choose a race, you can choose a guild. Some races are more compatible with other guilds, but there are Gor'Tog clerics and Elothean Barbarians. It's just a mix-and-match preference.
*Barbarian - they fight
*Bard - a fun guild, they play many instruments, and perhaps drink a bit
*Cleric - raise the dead and performs special rites
*Empath - heal any wound, except they can't hunt
*Moon Mage - about to forsee the future and transport themselves
*Paladin - the warrior of the Gods
*Ranger - hangs out in the woods, has a pet animal
*Thief - steals, picks boxes
*Trader - makes lots of money!
*Warrior Mage - combines weapons with magic.. has a commandable familiar
Learning Skills
Dragonrealms has a very unique system, similar to life. You learn by doing. There are over a hundred different skills to learn, divided into different categories: weapons, armor, magic, lore, and survival. To circle in your guild (go up another level), you must attain certain levels in many required skills. However, that isn't all you can or should learn. Some skills may be guild-only, but others are available to all. You can have a godly cleric thieving away, or a barbarian that's an excellent teacher. The possibilities are endless.
Fighting
There are many different fighting areas all over the world. They range from beginner to places where even the most accomplished fighter dare to tread. You have a choice of both weapon and armor. For weapons you can choose a light, medium or heavy edge or blunt, along with bows, knives, and spears. For armor, you have leather and light and heavy chain and plate. Each weapon and armor has different pluses and minuses, and everyone has their own preference. After defeating a critter, you can skin it for a sellable pelt, then search it to find money, treasure boxes, gemstones, and various goodies.
Roleplaying
The heart of Dragonrealms. Creating a persona for your player (and staying IC - in character) is highly recommended for enjoying the game more. A good part of your time should be spend meeting new people, and when building skills, it's a lot more enjoyable if you do it with friends. There are also marriage options, and I know of a few in-game couples who have actually met and married in real life.
All In All
Dragonrealms is extremely addicting. So much, in fact, that I was forced to quit because it was taking up too much of my time. It is so much fun, and I still talk to friends I met two years ago. Doing the research for this review made me want to go back even more. For those of you that have good restraint or lots of free time, this is the perfect pastime.
Recommended:
Yes
Best Played With/Intended For: Multiplayer
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Epinions.com ID:
meanbeast
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Member: Lauren Janowitz
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Reviews written: 79
Trusted by: 124 members
About Me:
The name's Lauren. I love music.
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