Rating: 
Summary: Unparalled in the Massively-Multiplayer Genre!
Review: ...And when they say massively multiplayer, they aren't kidding! (On a busy night, there are about 7,600 people on Dereth... and this is before Christmas!)The Character Generation is fabulous. Not only do you get to give your character specific skills and abilities to surivive on this foreign planet, but you get to customize their appearence. From skin color and eye shape, to haircut and clothing. Once you are in Dereth, you can bash monsters or just hang around towns. There are some players who have never left their hometown and still gain expereince and money. You can chat with other players and team up to dispatch baddies, or go solo adventuring. The game works equally well for teams and solos. Some dungeons are geared specifically for solos, some for teams... but it's up to you to discover which is which. The game interface is very intuitive and easy-to-learn. With a simple click of the mouse, you go from pleasant chat to battle mode. Choose hand-to-hand combat, ranged weapons, or cast magic. Unlike so many other online RPGs, Asheron's Call has a PLOT. YES, there are goals, events, quests... PLUS, the team at Turbine pops in and throws "spur of the moment" events at the players. (Ask any of us old-timers about the Tremendous Monogua!) If you do get this game, be warned: You will spend many hours in front of your PC playing! It is the "enemy of responsibility"! Signed: Quinn Crowfire of Thistledown
Rating:
Summary: The most incredible experience of my cyber-life
Review: I can't begin to describe the fun of this game. You make friends all over the place. Thje monsters are great, the social aspects of the game are amazing. I find myself locked in for an average of six hours at a time. Microsoft has a true winner here.
Rating:
Summary: Superb!
Review: Asheron's Call is an incredibly addictive game. From the moment I started playing, I was immediately drawn into it, with its deep backstory and unique features. The allegiance system, as described in other customer reviews here, is an interesting aspect found nowhere else. The magic system is also unique, creating an incentive for secrecy. The graphics are beautiful, but I would definitely recommend a 3D card (make sure it is compatible). Also, Turbine has promised to hold monthly events, involving the whole gameworld, adding new monsters, items, and quests. Many things make AC different from Ultima Online and Everquest (such as the non-traditional monsters..nothing from Tolkien), and I heartily recommend it! See you in Dereth!
Rating:
Summary: Asheron's Call didn't fall on deaf ears!
Review: Asheron's Call is the best online game I have played as of yet! There are so many places to go, and so many people to meet! The patron/vassal system which basicly states "seasoned players should help newbies" gives both the chance to prosper... the seasoned player gets levels from his vassal and the new player gets money, armor, weapons and resources! This game is a MUST for anyone with a deep Role Playing mind that loves Blow-your-socks-off graphics and gameplay!
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Initial Effort by Turbine/Microsoft
Review: Positives? Allegiance system (higher level characters help lower level ones), lush 3-D graphics (I'd recommend a 3D card to get the full effect), evolving world, wonderfully complex magic system, customizable characters, huge variety of monsters, weaponry, armor and locations of interest, massive world, oodles of opportunity for expansion, great interface, very helpful admins, lots of player support (websites, lists,etc.), non-player killer worlds. Negatives: Large emphasis on hack and slash, occasional lag. I've looked at all the online RPGs and AC is without peer. The point of online RPGs are two-fold (imho): (1) immersive world experience and (2) online interaction with real people. AC delivers both of these objectives more effectively than any other online game. IMMERSIVE WORLD EXPERIENCE The graphics of AC are quite simply beautiful. They are fully 3D based polygonal rendering (not the sprite-based cartoons of other online games). The scenes are so beautiful I often screen capture various scenes and use them as my background in Windows. The sounds, the environment, the variety of perspectives (including first person) allow for a wonderfully beguiling experience. ONLINE INTERACTION WITH REAL PEOPLE Again, AC delivers like no other. The Allegiance system of AC is a master stroke. Other games are plagued by "gods" who are on 24/7 and roam about in gloating elitist snobbery. On AC, the high-level characters help you out! Why? Because they want vassals to advance in allegiance rank. Vassals (low-level characters) get help in the form of money, items, spells, etc. Patrons (high-level characters) get experience points based on the amount of experience points their vassals generate. Its extraordinary. Rival allegiances produce grand challenges. An extensive communication option allows for communication with friends online, allies, and enemies. AC is the only game I play. I thank the makers of AC for creating a wonderful game and raising the bar for all the other developers to have to rise above.
Rating:
Summary: The Most Addictive and Intense RPG Game
Review: I've played AC since Beta 0 and have found the Turbine and MS people to be very receptive and responsive to the players ideas and concerns. They update the game on a regular basis and are always seeking to improve the playability. The structure of the game is intense and thrilling. The map is huge and the graphics are great. The social structure of the game is well thought out and a necessity to the extended life of the game. The characters are unlimited in the sense that no two are alike. All have various strengths and weaknesses, forcing fellowships and friendships. The classes are also well thought and require trial and error. The spells almost seem unlimited and there not handed to you on a silver platter. Persistence and reasearch are the key to AC character classes. This game is a MUST.....well worth the money.
Rating: 
Summary: MS here's the Call.
Review: I am an avid player of quite a few online games (Ultima Online, EQ, Diablo, etc...) and I must say that I find M$'s entry into the market quite lame. Yes, it's a huge world. Yes, it's got pretty graphics (Hence the 2nd rating star). Yes, it's got "Make money from addict RPG'rs." written all over it. But truth be told, the game has zero content and depth. Games like EQ and UO give you a feeling of things moving and changing around you as well as a sense that your actions also make a difference. Asheron's Call, on the other hand, gives you the feeling of playing in an upscale version of Redneck Rampage (no disrespect meant to that game which is enjoyable in it's own right). For a game that tout's a 3-D immersive enviroment, they should at least let you immerse yourself in the local lake. Unless of course you like feeling akin to a minor deity and run across it while outrunning some local nasty. Suffice it to say, M$ had a chance of introducing a great, mind-blowing online world to the hungry RPG market, but instead gave us a poor rehash of what is already available with the addition of a bit more graphic eye-candy. Save your money for Diablo II.
Rating:
Summary: Great game!
Review: This game is a massive, huge world, full of wonderful scenery. Fun way to make online friends, wonderful items, spells, hunting system. Only one major flaw: Magic system is a little iffy. 5 stars! I highly recomend this game!
Rating:
Summary: Great game!
Review: **WARNING** actually, two warnings: 1) Despite the entry for it in the "Platforms" section on this website, Asheron's call does NOT run on Windows NT 4.0 - it requires DirectX 6 or higher. You'll need Windows 95/98 or the forthcoming Windows 2000. 2) This game is highly addictive, so don't expect to have much in the way of a social life if you enter the world of Dereth. :)
Rating:
Summary: Best gameplay of current crop of MMRPGs
Review: I enjoy AC primarily because I spend more time playing and less time waiting to heal, or running, or "zoning", or fighting rats and snakes just for a few coins. A tremendous variety of things to do and see just makes playing AC more enjoyable.
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