Rating: 
Summary: Studmeister
Review: This game is currently in beta form, so these reviews should take that into account. The graphics are stunning, although the current card in the requirements are Nvidia Gforce family of cards.
I have been playing during the slow times on the internet so I really have had no problems with lag, although I've heard people talking about it when I'm on. Also the system requirements are quite steep at this time ... I'm currently running a P III 450 with 384 MB RAM and a Nvidia Gforce2 MX 400, and my system only had problems with the initial downloads as I'm only using a 56k modem.
Rating: 
Summary: AC2 - The Best in Online Adventuring
Review: Let me start by saying that rating a "massively multiplayer online role-playing game" ("MMORPG" or "PW") is an inexact science. Different things appeal to different people. This latest offering by Turbine Games (marketed by Microsoft), however, has many things to offer the hard-core, die-hard fan of the genre.When describing a new game, many people care most about how it compares to things currently available. In this regard, AC2 is MUCH better looking, MUCH more technically advanced, has MUCH better sound, and MUCH better story than the current crop. AC2 graphics are, in a word, beautiful. With a "kick-butt" video card in your computer, you will see jaw-dropping and fairly smooth gameplay. Individual blades of grass and leaves sway in the breeze. When it rains, individual drops form rings in the lakes and streams. Shadows are true, fire looks like fire, armor and people take visible damage, and bright lights cause theatric "lens flare" when you look towards them. AC2 sound is equally amazing (if you desire more than "beep" and "click"). A professionally-created score for each of the three player races forms the background music. Monsters (or mobs) actually ADD to this music with their own complimentary tune. With a little practice, you can actually know what's coming up behind you by listening to how the monster's music blends with your own. As a social (and actually fun) activity, players can use musical instruments (found as loot on monsters) to easily have an in-game jam session. OK, you say... Great graphics and music don't make a great game. I totally agree. I've been playing AC2 in beta-test for several months now and I've been loving every minute of it (well... maybe not when I die). The storyline is great (see more about this in the next paragraph). There is always something to do or see. progression through the levels is quick at first (so new players don't get discouraged) and toughens up with time. There are many quests to complete, and even "special" quests, known as the "vault campaign" that give extra rewards and reveal more of the storyline. As for the storyline, the single-most high point of AC2 is something that was shared by it's younger sibling, the original Asheron's Call. This great feature is the use of a monthly update process to keep the content fresh. Through the monthly updates (included as part of the subscription cost), the world of AC2 develops. Towns get improved, items added and destroyed, lore is explained, events unfold, cataclysms occur, etc. Anyone who complains that there isn't anything to do in AC2 hasn't been looking very hard. Players can simply explore, fight monsters, solve quests, and... CRAFT weapons, armor, etc. It is possible for players to simply be excellent crafters, sought-out by those in need, without spending much time fighting. Materials needed for crafting can be supplied by the customer and the items made for a fee or for trade. AC2 also does away with much of the druggery of other games. Although unrealistic, there are no more runs to town to replenish arrows or spell components. This allows players to concentrate more on the fun aspects without having to break to replenish supplies. Many will say, "AC2 is just like..". In truth, AC2 takes elements from many other games, including Everquest, Dark Age of Camelot, Ultima Online, Neverwinter Nights, Anarchy Online, and a host of others. It is up to each person to judge if they picked the best features of these games. I am inclined to believe that AC2 has what it takes for real success. I am greatly looking forward to the commercial release.
Rating: 
Summary: boring and clunky
Review: i've played Asheron's call for 3 years ... and the graphics for AC2 are pretty, but often get in the way of feeling immersed in the game. most of my friends and i will stay with AC1.
Rating: 
Summary: Comments on the Beta
Review: I am a long time player of AC1, and I find AC2 considerably different in play and action and actually not as fun. The graphics are beautiful though and well thought out. I do like playing the instruments and music they give you in the game. I do wish they would enlarge the repertoire though as we actually got a jamming session going the other night. The game is much slower though, and because it's the Beta version, very buggy. In addition, like the other reviewers have indicated, it seems to be limited in scope of play. Also the hardware and graphics requirements for the game are considerable (at least in the Beta version, but my guess is that for just average play people will need to upgrade the older systems). The developers have left open a huge arena within which to build an entirely new world from scratch though, if that is their intent. After all it is a dead world that needs to be repopulated and developed into a civilization again. The Kingdom play (essentially PvP play on a grandiose scale) has not been intoduced as part of the Beta release and that in itself will add an entirely new and different aspect to the game, not to mention kingdom development, again if that is the developers intent. One will definately need to form fellowships with other players to get ahead rapidly in the game, but I think that, that aspect of the game is perhaps not as well thought out as it is in say Everquest or other similar games. And this being a Beta version, again, Allegences aren't in play as much as they will be when the Kingdoms are included. In fact, the developers just opened another continent for high level players, but my guess is that it is made up of just tougher critters to battle, nothing really new other than that. Lastly, for a game that is supposed to be sold on the market in mid November, it is still extremely buggy, with considerable lag problems, server crashes, and screen and computer lockups for who knows what reason. I don't know where I stand on it. I am going back to playing AC1 for a while again, and Everquest, which I just started (to get a different taste of on-line roleplaying} before I decide if I will drop one of them in favor of AC2. If my system keeps crashing like it does now when I play AC2 (I mean, by the time the game hits the shelves), there is no way that I will put out the money for this game.
Rating:
Summary: AC1 vs AC2
Review: I know AC1 very well, I have been playing it since the 2nd beta version came out. I can truthfully say that AC2 is much more noobie friendly than AC1 will ever be, even though they-Turbine-have taken dramatic steps in improving this aspect of the game. AC1 is a breed all to itself, and so is AC2, they are two entirely different games! I really believe that Turbine ment AC2 not as a sequel, but as a totally new type of gaming experience. So to compare AC1 with AC2 is like comparing Micheal Jordan to Babe Ruth, you just can't do it.
AC2 has an entirely new and innovative society structure, financial system, and character creation system. There are the obvious similarities, like the world still being Dereth, but other than that, and a few drudges-who themselves have a part in the "old world's" destruction-things are totally different.
There are no npc's, in fact the closest thing I have seen to a NPC in AC2 are the quest givers, and those are few and far between.
I'm not going to get into too much detail about AC2, suffice it to say that this is a new breed of game, one that rewards fellowships, and the lone wolves. Not only is the game beautiful, but it is more dynamic than AC1. It is more challenging than AC1, and -Thank you God- there are NO MACRO's ALLOWED! ;o)
Rating: 
Summary: Need's Improvement
Review: well I feel right now a 2 star is all i can give ...I'm sure some changes will be made ...don't care much for the vitae recovery system ...the distance a Mage needs to fight from even tho a critter can hit you from way off....all in all the xp system [is bad].....but will buy the Game in hopes alot more improvements will be made..
Rating:
Summary: AC addict dissapointed in the new sequel
Review: I have played AC1 since shortly after retail release and have put literally thousands of hours into it. With that being said, I have don't think that I will subscribe to the sequel. It is a completely dumbed down, simplistic version of the first game. AC1 was completely immersive and unique in its game play. Save the amazing graphics of AC2, the game play is more akin to a console game. Unless they make great strides in improvements and paradigm shift changes, it will not be nearly the addictive experience that the prior version was.
Rating:
Summary: You are all stupid
Review: If you ever played AC1 and played beta of AC@ and dissed it, then you must have your head up your you know what. The unique thing about AC1 was the evolving story, no one played AC1 for the graphics, or the leveling, xp, or anything else, other then the fact that hey one morning you wake up and the world went to a complete chaos, then after fighting the new quest and winning you actually CHANGED!!!! something in the game. AC2 if run like AC1 will be a unique game, with amazing graphics. I've been playing the beta hard core, and at first it was boring, but the patch yesterday, where they made it to be "almost" like retail, cleaned it up incredibly. I'm now questing, and figuring out the story, and when Turbine starts changing the world, and adding to it, it's going to be one new game every update.
Rating:
Summary: AC2 is a must see...
Review: but not for me. I have played AC1 since it released, and was absolutely immersed. The game play was just the right balance of complexity to be fun and interesting. Having played AC2 Beta I am compelled to agree with the negative posts on several key points, and one positive point. The positive point is the graphics - absolutely a must see, but thats about it. Pretty to look at but not the complexity and engaging game play of AC1. I am not talking about evolving story line and such - I know it is beta and many things are 'missing' still. However, the combat system is droll and unintersting - just click and wait for the outcome (Keep in mind this is from an AC1 player with 4 accounts). So, if the goal was to create an interesting engaging game play then it failed. If the goal was to draw other similar MMORP players to AC2 then perhaps it will succeed to the extent they are similarly dumbed down but provide lower quality graphics. If, as an earlier comment stated, AC1 players are 'supposed' to be dissapointed then it will succeed at that too. If the finished product has the same dull game play then as a paying customer I will take my 4 AC1 accounts elsewhere .Scale of dissapointment (1-10)
Graphics: 9
Gameplay: 1
Rating:
Summary: Asherons Call 2 is the Worst MMORPG ever
Review: AC2 is basically a compile of Dark Age of Camalot, EverQuest, and Asheron Call 1. They Took Everything that was good from these 3 games as well as other MMORPG's on the Market and compiled them into one big mess. I have played Asherons Call 1 scince Beta and i must say that this is a Discrace to the Asherons call name. I for one and ALOT of the AC one player Base will NOT be going to AC 2. I will be staying in Asherons Call one untill another good MMORPG comes on the market and Asherons Call 2 is NOT that MMORPG!
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