Its my first real MMORPG experience.
The graphics seemed a bit old, the control was complex (for me anyhow), I actually got lost in the rather vast and irradic world. I Couldnt keep track of where i was, and it was hard to relocate, to travel far away. And many places where unreachable cause i didnt have the Catacombs expansion, and that was somewhat irritating.
The learning curve was allthrue very steep. I didnt realy understand or figgure out many of the stuff in the game, not even crafting stuff. I managed to craft some tiny knife or something, but it was hard to know what the results whould be, or how to do it. The game also tended to bacome rather repetive after a handfull of weeks/months. I wasnt that active, just the first four weeks maybe. Then it became sporadic at best.
After paying my sixth month, i decided to end my account. I rather prefere the web-based Runescape instead. Its alot more naive, and not as fancy graphicly, but i have a funnier time playing runescape then DAoC.
There are probably better MMORPG around, and i Think DAoC is more for the core fanbase of players, who have been there for ages (what i have understod, DAoC is rather old ... in gaming terms anyway).
I did like the RvR (though i never tried any real RvR, but i have watched my brother play it for ages, it whas he who introduced me), and i like the "World" ... Albion, Hibernia and Midgard. Its old folklore stuff over here in EU, and thats neat. I hope there will be a total remake of the DAoC, a DAoC 2 in the next-gen era, with alot work on comstumisation, interaction, graphics and GUI (more user friendly).
Its a good game, but theres in my opinion funnier games to wack time with, like Eve (more in my liking ... Space), and Runescape ...
Btw, i still play Runescape from time to time ;)
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UPDATE 2009
Now, a couple of years afterwards. I've tested out some other MMO's. And have Matured in the field, and have also played more DAoC. And I must review my review. Instead of deleteing my old review, I will add my lates thoughts about the game.
DAoC is probably the best MMORPG I've played so far. But there are still many things in DAoC that frustrates me, or thats not for my likeings! (some stuff that doesnt realy fit my taste!). so ...
GOOD
* the RvR is very good. The fact that there are Three whole fractions in the game (instead of the usual TWO) makes a lot of differance in feeling. And RvR also has some effects and meaning in play. (givs players in your realm some bonuses or drawback, lik extra or less Exp, Loot etc).
* Loads of detail in crafting, character creations (atributs), skills, equippments etc.
* Its hard. Wich in fact will make the game last longer before you reached the "repetative" rutine state. It takes some time to reach the high levels. And when you do, you still have realmranks to earn.
* Housing, Battlegrounds, feeling.
BAD
* I personaly dont like the "artwork" that much. The Designs are to "Family PG friendly". Its rather dull and driery. The graphics where good, but i didnt like the designs. and PG level of content.
* The game has a somewhat awkward GUI. Manything is done with macros (or anyway when i last played). It feels outdated.
* Animation also lacked "Oumph".
* Not that many players online (that still playing it). Can sometimes take ages to gather a "group" for "group quests". And to create a Guild, without 10 "guildfree" friends, is almost out of question.
SUMMARY
Overall, I have learnt to like DAoC alot more, after playing other MMO games, and when I've been playing DAoC a bit more. The things I didnt like in the beginning later became stuff that I now like. I havnt still played any of the other Expansions for DAoC. Dont know If i Plan to either.
It is a great game, or it was.