Dark Age of Camelot Review

Dark Age of Camelot is a fast paced PvP oriented 3D Fantasy MMORPG set in a period of time after King Arthur’s rule. Join either Hibernia, Albion of Midgard and fight for your realm in the game’s large scale realm vs realm battles. DAoC is one of the most enduring MMO's around, having been around for 10 years but is still a great game.

Pros: Big game world, Nice tutorial, Many classes and races, Regular updates.

Cons: Class imbalances, Graphics a little dated.

Storyline: The game is set ten years after the death of the fabled King Arthur of Camelot. Sensing that the once great city is gradually weakening, the enemies of Albion, such as the barbarous Norse from Midgard and the magical Celts from Hibernia, have set their sights on finally crushing the city and destroying King Arthur’s realm once and for all.

Features: Players can choose to play Albion, which is based on Arthurian Legend; Midgard is the rough, wintery land out of Norse mythology; Hibernia is the green rolling hills of Celtic legend. The races are; Albion: Avalonian, Briton, Half-Ogre, Highlander, Inconnu, Saracen, and the Korazh. Hibernia: Celt, Elf, Firbolg, Lurikeen, Shar, Sylvan, and the Graoch. Midgard: Dwarf, Frostalf, Kobold, Norseman, Troll, Valkyn, and the Deifrang.

Although each realm's classes differ in specific abilities, DAoC's classes are broken down into the four common RPG archetypes: warrior 'tanks', spell casters, rogues that use stealth, and healing priests. Hybrid classes, which combine skills from any two of the archetypes, also exist in all 3 realms. DAoC's classes are balanced at the RvR level instead of in direct comparison to the other realms' equivalent classes. DAoC classes are very rigid with specific roles, play styles, and specialization point allocations. The classes are; Albion: Armsman, Cabalist, Cleric, Friar, Heretic, Infiltrator, Mauler, Mercenary, Minstrel, Necromancer, Paladin, Reaver, Scout, Sorcerer, Theurgist, and Wizard. Hibernia: Animist, Bainshee, Bard, Blademaster, Champion, Druid, Eldritch, Enchanter, Hero, Mauler, Mentalist, Nightshade, Ranger, Warden, Valewalker, and Vampiir. Midgard: Berserker, Bonedancer, Healer, Hunter, Mauler, Runemaster, Savage, Shadowblade, Shaman, Skald, Spiritmaster, Thane, Valkyrie, Warlock, and Warrior.

DAoC includes both Player versus Environment (PvE) and Realm versus Realm (RvR) combat. Players can choose to adventure alone or join groups. Players may also join battlegroups, which are formed so all members are able to get completion of credit in large-scale PvE encounters and for communication purposes in RvR.

PvE focuses on defeating monsters found in dungeons, the open world, and RvR zones. Players earn experience points towards obtaining levels by killing both monsters and enemy players. Gaining levels yields new skills, abilities, and access to expansion areas. The current maximum level is 50. Expansions to the game offer alternative advancement type levels that grant additional abilities to level-50 players.

Player vs. Player combat takes the form of Realm versus Realm, a term which DAoC invented. RvR is restricted to the zone New Frontiers where action ranges from massive battles to one vs one fights. Players are awarded realm points for each enemy realm player they kill. After gaining a certain number of realm points, a player gains a Realm Rank. While gaining Realm Ranks, a player gains Realm Ability Points, one for each rank you gain. Players are able to purchase with their realm abilities points certain skills unique to their class. Participating in RvR combat is strictly voluntary in DAoC and free-for-all PvP only exists on a dedicated server.

There is so much I could write about DAoC and its great features but I could go on forever. I guess you will just have to go and see for yourself!