Review

By "Willow"

Hiya folks, what an exciting day this has been. I finally downloaded and installed Horizons trial. Out of the whopping 11 races to choose from, I chose to be a dragon. After I got done, with the detailed process of the creation of my dragon, (choosing the colors, the head shape, eye color, etc), I’m then whisked away to what appears to be an island. Upon entering this beautiful island, I see before me, a dragon, Spitfyre the Hatchling Emissary. He doesn't seem to be moving, which is strange, so I approach this dragon and as I do, a tutorial pops up on my screen. Great way to learn what I need to do to communicate with this dragon! Not only that, it taught me other things necessary to navigate Istaria, such as movement, fighting, communication and all of the basics. I click on this dragon and low and behold, he speaks to me, educating me on the history of our race, and most interesting history at that!

Next, I must choose whether to be a crafter or an adventurer. As I wander the lands, I find Karkath, the adventure dragon. Seeing the sheer size of Karkath and Spitfyre, I dream of the day that I too will become an ancient dragon. No if's and's or but's, I WILL!
As Karkath shows me the ways of the adventurer, another tutorial window pops up. It teaches me how to join the chat channels, where I can get any of my questions answered, in the New Player channel. I also get information about how to open my inventory and other important aspects of game control.
 
Wheee! In speaking with Karkath, I am directed by him, to go slay one grulet (a small wild boar) and return to him when this grulet is slain. I hunt down this grulet and a mighty battle ensues, with me being the winner! *mourns the loss of the grulet* Upon returning to Karkath,  I am rewarded with experience and a small bell for my hoard. I then finished the questing with the adventure trainer and was told to go meet the Ancient Dragon “Jemenoth”, for training in my crafting.

 

I shudder as I follow the path down towards this ancient beast, not really knowing what to expect from this one. A mighty beast, such as this, just may take my head off!
 
I begin my conversation with Jemenoth, not nearly as fearful as I was, and he gave me directions of what to do to learn crafting. I was to go get 50 ore from the copper and tin veins. I easily found this, and started digging away, wondering if my claws would break from this type of digging. After completing that quest, he then gave me experience and a form. I continued on with the rest of the quests, until I was done with the Ancient dragon and ready to move on to greener pastures. I then enter a blue gate, which transports me to New Trismus.

 

 New Trismus Town
 
Wow, there are many other new players such as myself, in New Trismus!  I run about, talking to all that I can see, and join a group to go learn more about adventuring in this land. There is much to see in this town. Its center is designed to create a home-town type of feeling. There is a vault, and a vault-keeper, guards, and many other buildings that aide crafters. Throughout the town, there are NPCs that offer many types of quests. The best thing about New Trismus is the many different NPC races, that occupy this small town.
 
Moving out of town, it’s just as impressive; Cedar trees, cows, chickens, sandstone, copper and tin ore veins, wisps for essence, with machines in each respective area, to work up crafting skills. NPCs are there to give quests to make crafting fun and interesting. Waterfalls, combined with the ocean surrounding this town, provide a very realistic view of what it is like, in real life small towns, in the days of old.

 

My reactions to The World of Horizons
 
 I found it to be a bit laggy in the character creation process, though I was able to fully complete my character. Despite the lag, I was very impressed with the process. There were more than enough options for me to complete what I thought to be a very cool and unique looking dragon.
 
I found the graphics to be crisp, colorful, and attractive to the eye. Overall, movement was fluid, though with some pockets of lag throughout. The island was most impressive. The trees, the sounds, all fit in with the theme of a jungle type atmosphere, on the dragon starter island. The NPC Dragons here were very impressive to see, the colors all fit in the scheme of things, especially, the ancient dragon.
 
My best advice? Try Horizons, there is a 14-day free trial, you won't regret it!