Allods Online is a 3D fantasy MMORPG developed by Astrum Nival. Allods Online at first may seem like a heavily based WOW (World of Warcraft) clone, but the game is able to display its own unique game play that separates it from other clones. The game does a great job of grabbing a new player’s attention with its tutorial system within each faction. The tutorial introduces you to not only the world, but also to the developing story that you will be part of throughout the game. If the tutorial system is not enough to grab your attention, then be prepared for Allods stunning graphics that are featured throughout your stay in the game.

First off, you will notice the distinct WOW similarities that Allods has during your character creation, which makes you choose chars between the two battling factions (League and Empire). Most of the character’s, races, styles, and classes closely resemble some of WOW’s. However, Allods is still able to twist, and create a more unique outlook into their characters making them more original. The races that the League faction has are the Kanians, Elves, and Gibberlings. As for the Empire, they have Orcs, Arisen, and the Xadaganians. Each faction’s race is able to choose from a certain class designated to him or her. The available classes are warriors, paladins, scouts, healers, wardens (similar to WOW’s hunter class), mages, summoners, and psionicists.

The leveling system in Allods is very grind oriented. The grind aspect of Allods is found in its quest system. Since Allods is heavily story driven, the quests in the game not only play an important role in the story, but also play part in leveling your character faster. This may not suit many players because the game in essence has a mandatory path for players. Also upon leveling up your character, you are able to allocate your own stat points making your own unique player. You are also able to use a skill tree (similar to WOW’s talent points) at level 4 to help aide your player.

The graphics within the game are amazingly stunning, and in some cases surpass that of WOW. Even the animation between characters and characters their selves are very detailed. There is also very detailed graphics when it comes to Allods battle aspect. So when it comes to intense and in depth graphics, Allods Online makes sure not to disappoint in this area.

PvP is revived in Allods taking it to new and full extremes. Besides being able to fighting solely with a faction from another player, you are also able to take part in astral battles. Astral battles are battles between each faction, but instead of using characters, you are able to use these floating ships. Each Astral Ship can be customized however you want, but in order to obtain one it will cost you a pretty penny and time. The Astral battles bring a new aspect in the PvP realm, and are responsible for making Allods unique amongst WOW clones. The ships are not only used for battle though, they can also be used to navigate and experience the world of Allods. Another PvP aspect in Allods that should be considered is that there is not one class that is overpowered. This is because players are responsible for allocating certain stat points. Therefore, Allods is able to insert strategy not only in battle between players, but it is also able to incorporate it within a players character build.

Another unique tribute to Allods is its own sporting game named Goblin Ball. Goblin ball is like soccer, but a goblin is substituted for the ball. The rules are similar to soccer with each faction trying to kick the goblin into opposing goals, while they try to defend their own.

Even with all the new experiences Allods has to offer its players, not all has been perfect within its own community lately. Due to the newest patch update earlier this month players have found themselves in confusion and frustration. The patch had hiked up the prices in its item mall, and even made transferred normal in-game material to the item mall as well. Many of the new item mall objects are needed or were a normal necessity commonly used by players, but now are only available to those with the cash. This makes the F2P aspect of Allods seem questionable. Along with the item mall, change came changes within the mobs of the game. The game’s mobs are now being boosted up with increased hp and strength. These steroid abused mobs are now making it harder for the newer, and lower level players to level up and continue playing. There also has been a decrease with Allods player base, which is mainly due to the recent patch. I was even able to experience it first hand, and see just how much the patch effected Allods overall game play.

Although Allods has its many benefits, perspectives, and detailed graphics, it is still not able to be immune to change. Moreover, until Allods is able to resolve the issues within its latest patch it will remain a low caliber game with me, but in all it still cannot be passed off as a normal WOW clone. The fact is that Allods Online is a unique and visually stunning game, but it still has its faults that are responsible for restraining it from its overall potential.

Albert Delgado