Review

Like most role-playing games, online or otherwise, Asheron's Call begins with character generation. All the characters are human, as they are the ones who traveled from Ispar to Dereth. This is quite different than Everquest, in which you could choose from one of 12 different races. With all the characters being the same race you would think the visual presentation would be somewhat boring. In fact that couldn’t be father from the truth.

Characters in Asheron's Call come from one of three heritage groups: the Aluvians; the Gharu'ndim; and the Sho. These heritage groups have different inherent abilities as well as skin tones. Once you have chosen your heredity and gender, it's time to choose your looks, and this is where the fun begins. It's like an elderly person going to the plastic surgeon for a brand new face. The variety of possible combinations seems endless when you factor in skin tone, skin color, hairstyle, hair color, hair shade, and forehead area. You also choose your nose, mouth, and eye color. With all these options, it is extremely unlikely that you will find someone who looks just like you. 

One of the many things that makes Asheron's Call unique is that its storyline doesn't pertain to just you, it involves everyone in the game world. All who venture there share the common goals of ridding Dereth of the monsters infesting it and getting back home. Until now, online worlds have had numerous quests for players to embark on that develop their characters. Quests of this type and the opportunities and challenges they offer are still a large part of Asheron's Call, but are not its be all and end all. With all of this happening within the game it makes if for a more real environment. Another ground breaking element of Asheron's Call is its magic system. Each user starts out with nothing more than some basic spells and ingredients. There are no spell books to go out and buy. In fact, a spell caster must work and experiment with ingredients to discover new spells on his or her own.

This game brings a new element the online multiply player games. You get to do things in this game for the first time.  You also get to experience things that are new to the gaming world, which makes the game just that much more enjoyable.