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The Community Makes It...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: April 25, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Although the game has been around for years, I only got into Anarchy Online in late 2004. This was not too long after they started their free trial. I am still holding onto my free subscription. Truth be told, the gameplay mechanics on the lowest level are no different than any other MMO. However, AO adds a serious layer of depth with the implant and tradeskilling systems. Unfortunately, most players don't get to experience much of this. They are typically put off by the somewhat dated graphics or technical difficulties. But despite the claims, I have had very little technical issues with the game since the start. I think a lot of negative opinions still remain from the poor launch the game had; the game has improved tenfold since launch. Slowdown is to be expected when there are people from all over the world on the same server. However, the exciting world and great community makes up for any technical shortfalls. Players are very helpful for the most part, especially a lot of the so called "Fr00bs" (free players) who are just as curious to learn as you are. Although PVP does have it's niche, it is very very insignifcant compared to some of the other PVP dominated games. This is actually quite refreshing, as it limits some of the 1337 pre-teens who only find validation in their PVP skills. A lot of the quality experiences found in AO cannot be put into words, the best way to find out is to try for yourself. You have nothing to lose, it is free. Load up the game, start a character, and go exploring. Go at your own pace, avoid the grinds. You will then begin to see the great vision of the developers unfold before your eyes.

sol33t, but needs work

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: March 05, 2006
Author: Amazon User

stunning visuals, cars that fly, like - it can be crowded in towns, fortresses, usually the player cities are empty - everybody too busy shooting each other to party i guess

the games is not for underage, but definitly needs work in the social areas, and i was dissapointed with the difficulty of access to craft - but mebbe its me - that said, i'm not giving up on it just because it can turn into a slogging match

i only didnt give it five stars cause it does need sooooo much work.

if you can take the heat, bring your good graphic card, at least 1/2 gig of ram, and join the midnite party! (note - some may not enjoy the tunes - can be a bit raw)

MMORPG that's LYRT

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 5
Date: June 26, 2005
Author: Amazon User

ok, that's all I have to say, A great MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) that's LYRT (like you're really there)

Great MMORPG... for FREE!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: March 18, 2005
Author: Amazon User

This is a great game for a free MMORPG. When it first came out, it was a decent MMORPG (It was all about the Everquest and DAOC back when the game was released). But now, since it's free, everyone should download it and play it. If ya like it then get the expansions and stuff, if you don't then just uninstall it. Very simple. Most of the pros and cons have been said by the spotlight reviewers and I'm just informing the MMORPG fans that doesn't like monthly feesthat this game will be free without any purchase and there will be no monthly fees until I think about end of January 2006. While it's free, I recommend you guys should download and play it. On the other hand, Knight-Online and Runescape is also a great game to check out. While these aren't World of Warcraft or City of Heroes, they are very worth it for free.

www.gamespot.com for Anarchy Online
www.knightonlineworld.com for Knight-Online
www.runescape.com for Runescape

Game is good...but better buy the new releases and expasions

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: December 23, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This game is excelent, i have been playing for about 3 years and of course sometimes we noticed some bugs and problems but a lot of them have been fixed by this time. Right now you can access to more expansion of this game and probably my advice is to buy those expasions, last one is Alien Invasion, which include AO Basic game or try to download online without expasion options.

last reviews i saw was april & may 2001 lots changed since

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 0 / 8
Date: March 25, 2003
Author: Amazon User

upon log in enjoyed toon creation and spending points how i wanted them to be spent.
i enjoyed the transport to the planet
newebe playground was usualy over camped over crowded even in wee hours of the night or early morning
the guards still run all through new be islies and "help kill"
there are still folks that yell at u if you take there kill
i found the learning curve to be very steep in this game
after bashing a while went to the city and started with missions.
i liked u could pick your own and see what the reward was that was a cool feature
i then went through the leveling process which seem to advance at a decent pace.
i did not find the people online at the time i was, to be friendly or group heavy/team looking
in fact i didnt have a singal person wave or say hello
i did eventualy have someone come up to me lead me to surgery clinic get inplants and another weapon ( latter i described the yellow text to my kiddo and found out it was an in game advisor) once i got the implants and armor and weapon it was allot easier to figure things out.
the loot was readily dropped and sometimes useful
oh nice thing about missions, they were usualy albe to do well and no chance of other folks 'steal killing
i did not find the areas to "open hunt or static dungeons so not sure if they are in yet??????
i still feel like a noob with this game and tried doing massive research but found few sites that had helpful information on how toos. Not going to buy another guide esepcaily since most likely going to be droping it
time played 1 month
i would suggest other rpgs at this time
1 n 64 perfect dark nice first person shooter
2 counter strike
its free no montly fee and its just runing around killing other folks in teams

If you got the money, honey...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: January 05, 2003
Author: Amazon User

OK, so I jumped on this game when it came out in the summer of 2001. At the time, Funcom was dealing with all kinds of data issues, bandwidth problems, leaks, you name it... And, I got fed up, and quit.

Fast forward Dec 2001... I gave this game a second shot, and Wow. The concept, on the surface, doesn't seem too different than any action MMORPG out there... however, as the story progresses (A 4 year long story, might I add), it certainly becomes interesting. Hate all that "Tis Art thou?" sillyness from games like "Ultima Online?" Forget about it... no one here needs no stinkin' accent.

It's fun. Action when you want. Friendly people. You'll enjoy it. Do it... give in...

At last, a game for grownups!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: January 04, 2003
Author: Amazon User

One of the drawbacks of most MMORPGs is the immense time amount of time they eat up. It's often necessary to take weeks or months of daily play to establish a character that can do anything useful or fun. Not so in Anarchy Online. This game is very friendly to the casual gamer. Do a mission when you get home, have a good time, and log off. Amazingly, you can advance reasonably rapidly in that fashion.

Say goodbye to forced teaming with strangers or obnoxious guildmates. It is possible to play and enjoy the game entirely solo. While there are many opportunities for trade and hunting with others, you are not forced to do so. Funcom has taken the tactic of encouraging players to team rather than penalizing those who do not. While a few nice items only drop in team missions, they are generally purchasable from other players with ease.

Anarchy Online was released to blistering reviews because of lingering bugs. Those bugs have been squashed. I frequently play the test server, and even the test material is surprisingly stable.

Others have mentioned the stunning graphics, music, and updated plotlines. However, to me the biggest distinguishing feature of AO is the designers have eliminated most of the annoying features of earlier MMORPGs. Dying is slightly annoying, but never devastating or time-consuming. Your items can be reclaimed at the nearest reclaim terminal and you're back in business as soon as a brief "resurrection shock" wears off. No more dying 3 times trying to loot your own corpse! The worst thing that can happen is you will lose experience if you haven't saved before your mission or hunt. Saving is inexpensive and highly recommended, although mission settings are so thoroughly customizable it is not hard to get a mission uniquely suited to your taste and abilities.

You will notice when playing AO that the general playerbase is more mature than in most games. This may reflect the science fiction audience, or it may be due to the solo-friendly design. At any rate, you won't be forced to endure a lot of griefers and those nasty brand-new chars that cuss up a storm, harrass all the girls, and vanish. It happens, of course, but not often. I would also note this game allows you to choose from many character appearances, of different races, ages, and there are even 3 sexes, lol. While there are some risque clothing items for women, they are balanced by equally sexy clothes and bathing suits for men.

Note to parents: I would rate this game as being best for mature kids, preferably late teens. This game is not based in America and acceptance of sensuality/sexuality is a bit more open than you may like. Example, there is a red light district in one city with a club named "Heads or Tails." However, the club is just window dressing and cannot be entered. Another example: clothing shops sell items such as "Gift Panties." There's not much sexual content going on among players that I have seen, but it's worth a mention that some of the game design may be aimed at an older-than-13 crowd. I'd guess the average age of players is 20-30, rather than the more typical 14-18.

Great graphics, great RP and great design

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 8
Date: December 16, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Anarchy Online came out after the trilogy of Ultima Online / EverQuest / Asheron's Call. It learned from many of their mistakes and right out of the gate presented a fun, immersive world.

There is more 'context' to this game than to most of the other MMORPGs out there. You are on a mining planet which a corporation is trying to get rich from. You can join the side of that corporation, the side of the rebels fighting against them, or be neutral in the middle.

Other MMORPGs featured varying levels of customization - maybe the skin, maybe a hairstyle. Anarchy Online went full tilt into this fun and let you customize just about ANYTHING. Choose which race you want to be. Choose from a wide range of classes, each with its own skills. Choose skin color, facial details, and much more.

As this is a future world, there is "nano-technology". This means you can enhance your abilities both by using the skills you want to do better in, or enhancing yourself the scientific way.

The training missions are good and get you involved in your world. There's no "hunting for friends" - you are already starting as part of a big team that has a clear agenda. You can then choose to work on missions to help your team out, or just wander around and do what you want. You can form groups within your team to take on special challenges, or you can go it alone.

The graphics are great, from the wildernesses to the big cities to the swamps and marshes. There's both the high-tech of a future world and the low-tech of the planet you're on. The monsters are really great, and in the training area you run into "L33Ts" who spout off hilarious L33T-Speak!!

While other MMORPGs tend to have lots of people who are in it for "gaining lots of points" and don't care much about actual roleplay, Anarchy Online is great for its level of roleplay. People really do get into their characters, and talk about the aims of the group and the missions involved instead of going on "experience point quests" to "get my character to the next level."

We've played every MMORPG that has come out to test it and get screenshots. Anarchy Online is one of the few that we actually kept an account for and continued to play. We still find it great fun, and the constant improvements make the world even better as it matures.

Addictive and Engrossing

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 3
Date: December 06, 2002
Author: Amazon User

AO is a beautiful, detailed game of incredible complexity. It encompases the world of Rubi-Ka, a world colonized by humans because of the presence of "notum", a substance that allows a technology so advanced that it seems magical.

On Rubi-Ka, you can play characters of one of four species of human, each with advantages and disadvantages. Your character can be one of many different professions: Soldier, Fixer, Enforcer, Martial-Artist, Meta Physicist, Nano-mage, etc. Gameplay allows for many activities (hunting, exploring the many cities and the countryside, doing static and character-specific missions) and, also, socializing with other players from around the world.

The setting is absolutely gorgeous, with almost none of the annoying cartoonish features of many other MMPORGs. Rendering is nearly flawless.

Many of the complaints seen in other reviews are now fixed. This is a game which the designers are constantly tweaking. The game is not nearly as buggy and prone to crash as it was in the beginning and now has many new, fun features. There are still frustrating aspects to the game, but what masterpiece is without flaws. It is so complex that many of the "problems" are caused by the fact that the limited number of developers are able to work on this many-layered world...sometimes there are unforseen and unintended consequences for the smallest "fix" or new feature. FUNCOM can be frustrating in their response to these problems, but they usually set them right in the long run.

I have played hundreds of hours of this game for the past year. It is a thouroughly enjoyable and addictive passtime. I highly recommend it.

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