Rust Monster

Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning is an upcoming MMO (Massive Multiplayer Online) game based on Games Workshop’s popular tabletop game. It stands out as one of the most highly anticipated games to come out this year. Game Daily recently did an article with members of the Mythic Entertainment development team comparing the Empire and Chaos factions. Several things about the article I found very interesting - so interesting in fact that it makes me think that this could be the MMO I’ve been waiting for.

First, one of the areas described in the article was the Northern Fortress. It sounds like it will be a battlefield type setting where the fight rages on around you. You hop off a boat and run across the battle field slugging it out as you try to get to the fortress. Then as you explore the ruins city the fights continue all around you and to turn up the heat Hell Cannons are raining artillery down upon you. That image just sound freakin’ awesome. It really brings the tabletop wargame out in this MMO where I thought this would closer emulate the RPG. And it may still - but this is a great piece of flavor for the tabletop game lovers.

Next, check out the screenshot of the Chaos giant. If you know the tabletop game you know giants. Never fun to play one on the board (unless you control the giant) and I can only imagine the joy it will be to battle these things in the game.

Finally, Player vs. Player. Now I know its available in other MMOs but one of the cool features here is that you’ll earn trophies, like skulls or pieces of armor, to show for you victories. So now when you see a Chosen coming toward you and he’s decked out with emblems from Empire armor you’ll know what fate awaits you. I’ve always been a fan of PvP action but I’ve also felt that it hasn’t been done any justice since back in the days of Ultima Online when PvP was what you feared more than any monsters lurking around the next bend. PvP action can really juice up the game and get your adrenaline flowing, making the game very intense but also very exciting and fun. Now I’m no PvP pro, in fact I always get my arse handed to me in those situations but my game play is enhanced knowing that something more frightening than what the game designers could create is out there lurking, waiting for me to slip up or let my guard down.

Lets hope that it plays out like this in Warhammer Online, and maybe some of you out there can give us some more details on this. I hope we’re not talking crappy arena battles or the PvP zones which are just avoided. I’m hoping the challenege is stepped up and they let death (which will probably be mine) hang over every dark area. And if they have to, make a “kiddie” server for those that can’t hang.

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