The hallmark of the 2009 MMOG scene seems to have been big hype
followed by even bigger disappointment. But with the new year comes new
hope for a game that will deliver and assuage the fears of what is fast
becoming a jaded community. One might expect deliverance to come in the
form of a big budget AAA title, but free-to-play style="font-style: italic;">Allods Online, currently in closed
beta v3, could be just the game to shatter those pre-conceived notions.
This fantasy offering from Russian developer Astrum Nival, presented by
the gPotato game portal, is described as a faction-based, PvP-oriented
game. I spent time exploring Allods
and found solid, polished gameplay wrapped in a familiar MMOG package.


Graphics – The visual element,
while the most superficial, is probably the most important long term
asset a game has. While bleeding edge, ultra-realistic graphics have
the most instant appeal, they typically end up creating a bevy of
headaches as they alienate players with lower end or older computers,
and they can end up looking dated sooner than games that opt for a more
stylized graphic approach. Allods
Online
has taken the safer of the two roads and created a lush
looking world that grabs the player instantly with its bright colors
and captivating scenery. Allods
Online
looks more like a polished version of style="font-style: italic;">Warhammer Online than it does a
typical free-to-play offering.



Character Classes/Archetypes – style="font-style: italic;">Allods Online allows both factions
to fulfill the same archetype roles but with slight modifications to
the actual classes depending on the faction/race combo. The following
chart shows the combinations and names given depending on faction.


cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2">
style="outline-color: navy ! important; outline-style: dashed ! important; outline-width: 2px ! important;">
style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(49, 55, 67);"> style="font-weight: bold;">Traditional Archetype
style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(49, 55, 67);"> style="font-weight: bold;">Allods Archetype
style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(49, 55, 67);"> style="font-weight: bold;">Empire Version
style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(49, 55, 67);"> style="font-weight: bold;">League Version
style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(49, 55, 67);">Tank
Warrior
style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(49, 55, 67);">Vanquisher

Brute
Brawler

Champion
style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(49, 55, 67);">Healer
Healer
style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(49, 55, 67);">Inquisitor

Heretic
Cleric

Priest
style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(49, 55, 67);">DPS
Mage
style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(49, 55, 67);">Sorcerer
Archmage

Magician
Scout
style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(49, 55, 67);">Stalker

Marauder
Ranger

Trickster
Pscionicist
style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(49, 55, 67);">Mentalist

Occultist
Seer
style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(49, 55, 67);">Hybrid
Warden
style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(49, 55, 67);">Shaman
Druid

Animist
Summoner
style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(49, 55, 67);">Defiler

Savant
Demonologist
Paladin
style="vertical-align: top; background-color: rgb(49, 55, 67);">Avenger

Reaver
Templar

Crusader



While these classes aren’t exactly groundbreaking, one race is of
particular note. The Gibberlings are a small, furballish species that
look like a cross between a Lhasa Apso and the fictional Mogwai from
the film Gremlins.
The look of this race is unique in itself, but they also offer an added
bonus--you get three toons for the price of one. When you play a
Gibberling, your avatar is represented by three of them. Each has its
own unique name and role within the collective, and the triad works
together to accomplish the task at hand. The cute factor is super high
and other diminutive races should be put on notice that their players
may soon be migrating to the land of the Gibberling.



Combat and Controls
Combat is mostly standard MMOG fare, and players familiar with any of
the major titles in the genre will feel instantly at home. The UI setup
should also present no surprises, with hotbars, targeting windows,
inventory space and other accoutrements laid out as expected. The only
noticeable item missing from the UI is a mini-map, but the feature could
materialize before the end of beta. Even if it doesn’t, it’s not a
significant omission.



While much of Allods Online
should feel familiar to the seasoned MMO gamer, there are a couple
noticeable differences in the way the game plays. The most obvious is
the issue of combat speed. To say that combat moves slowly would be an
insult to sloths, snails, turtles and DMV workers. Combat, at least at
the lower levels, presents a good time to go AFK to make a sandwich.
There are reports that it speeds up at later levels, and between levels
5-10 I noticed a slight increase, so I remain optimistic that the trend
continues. (And, of course, remember that style="font-style: italic;">Allods Online is still in beta and
nothing is set in stone)



Overall Allods Online is as
solid a game as you could hope to find in the closed beta stage, and is
already more polished than several pay-to-plays that have hit the
shelves. With many features yet to be revealed there is sure to be even
more excitement in the weeks and months ahead, so stay tuned to Ten Ton
Hammer for all your Allods
information and news.



To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our Allods Online Game Page.

Last Updated: Mar 29, 2016

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