Author: Ace Email: crfletcher@home.com Manufacturer's Website: http://www.microsoft.com Developer: Turbine Entertainment Software Publisher: Microsoft Requirements: Pentium 166MHZ (or equivalent) or higher 32 MB Ram Windows 95 or 98 Direct X 6.1 Internet Explorer 3.02 or later; Netscape 4.0 or later 170 MB free hard drive space Quad Speed CD Rom drive Internet Access Intro Admittedly, I was hesitant about trying a pay-to-play RPG title but I confess that after being able to test this game out it opened my eyes to a whole new world of gaming. True, it cost $10 bucks a month to play, which kinda leaves kids out of it, but by the same token, the people who are playing are respectful of others and helpful. When I first started playing I was totally lost in this world and actually in the wrong start-out town but I got help right away. The help was in the form of Advocates. These are people who have taken a specific quest and go around helping us people who are starting out. I can't remember the two guys names but they were awesome and got me started on my way. That is a great part of this game, people helping each other out. This game is set in a mystical world where you control your own destiny. It is large and expansive and until you learn your way around you can actually get lost in there! You need to create your character and after working out your subscription information, you enter the world of Dereth. The first time you enter, the first building you'll see is a tall building with four spires, the advocates' tower. Nearby is a swirling energy vortex, called a portal that will take you to the training hall. This hall will teach you all the basics of playing the game including fighting skills and/or casting spells if you're a mage of some sort. After you are finished in there it is up to you where you go, but you will find a quest, don't worry. Graphics The graphics in this game are very rich and the 3d engine is amazing. I found very little lag on the internet with this game other than the portals sometimes, but for an online game, I was truly amazed. The day whisks past you as you are playing so watch out cause it can get dark very quickly. The objects look very life-like. For example, I remember picking up an apple and looking at it noticing that it actually shined in my hand! I also remember walking past a couple of warriors and observed their swords glowing with fire. I immediately noticed the glow reflecting off their weapons from the fire's source. This told me in no uncertain terms that there was a lot of attention to detail put into the game. Sound If you have a 3d sound card, rock on! because you can hear things from all angles. I love the sound of my feet as I trudged in different types of terrain. You can actually hear the difference! Casting a spell or slicing your sword brings up individual sounds as well. I loved the noise as my mage cast a fireball on a little guy and heard it explode at his chest and his scream as he died. It was awesome if not a tad…um…unsettling :) Game play After loading this puppy in, you need to get your subscription info out of the way. When you buy the game you get a free month of play on the Zone and then you start a monthly subscription for $9.95 US. You then need to create your character, choosing your class and gender, etc. After that is all taken care of, you can get started. I picked the world I wanted to start in (they have a lot of worlds so one doesn't get over populated with players) and entered in. The first thing the FE did when I connected was to perform an upgrade. I like this feature because it means when patches are out I don't need to go find them. Plus, I need never worry about playing with an older version and missing out on an important upgrade. I teleported into the world and the first time you start up, you will be teleported to an area with an advocates' tower and a training hall. You will need to go through the training hall and hone up on your fighting and spell casting skills as well as using some of the other options this game has to offer. Thank God for this, otherwise we would have all been lost. When you are finished in the hall you need to head to a town and get supplies etc. On the way to the town you might encounter some monsters. Fight as many as possible as they will help you gain experience points and help you advance levels. After you get to a town and buy a parchment with an adventure, you are off to your own destiny as you make it. You will probably perish a lot at first but after your experience grows and you get stronger you will have lots more fun and get to see lots of new things. Conclusion I had a lot of fun in this game (and still am)and I hope you do too. I give Asheron's Call 4 out of 5 joysticks for a job well done and getting me hooked on pay to play. This is a stronger title than Everquest and looking around the net other sites seem to agree. I suggest you run down and pick it up today. I found it in all computer stores in town, Asheron's Call was reviewed by Da GameBoyz reader, ACE