Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning

"ScenerioHammer Online: Age of Crashes"

There are many things that can mar the launch of a new MMORPG. There are the imbalances and bugs associated with the developers not knowing how the masses would play their game and not having the resources to test every little quest. Then there are the deliberate game decisions that result in a game that may not be for everyone. I can forgive the first set of issues, as long as they work to improve them and so far it seems they are trying. But I can forgive the second. That will be the focus of this review.

Let's start off with system requirements. It's the first thing I check before purchasing a PC game. Especially in a “RvR orientated” MMO like Warhammer claimed to be. The system requirements for Warhammer online seem pretty low which is good, since it would allow many players to enjoy the game. But the sad truth is that you have to far exceed the system requirements of WAR to enjoy the game. So if you plan to play the game I would make sure that you are above and beyond what is listed on the box.

Next is the war in Warhammer. The RvR system is the reason why I purchased the game. I was a big fan of Mythics last RvR game, Dark age of Camelot, and I was hope that WAR would improve upon or match the excitement in different ways. Well, I was let down. Let down in a big way. There is no war in WAR, just an endless cycle of repeating the same 15 minute scenario over and over and over. I fail to see the real goal of meaning of the scenerios. There is little team work, not communication and it's not very strategic. It's that way because there is no reason for it. You don't have many options, of where to go, in the scenerios so everyone just runs into each other at the same point every time and if you die you can be back in the action just seconds after you respawn. The open world RvR just doesn't exist. It's sad when I look back at my few short months in world of warcraft, to think that in the same amount of time I was involved in more open world PvP in WoW than in WAR.

I love PvP, but you can't have an MMORPG without PvE. I admit I do like PvE every once and awhile as it lets me just relax for a bit and chat with friends and see new places. But the world of warhammer is dead. No one is there? Is this the release of a new MMO or is this a dieing server of everquest? I play on two different higher population servers and I hardly ever run into anyone in PvE zones. Public quests never get dones since you need a team for the later stages, so I just grind the first two steps and let the last time out so I can restart it.

In conclusion, Warhammer online age of reckoning is the worst MMORPG I've ever played. Not only that it feels like Mythic has been lying to us gamers throughout it's development. It's not about war! It's about scenerios! And no, a machine that runs WoW can NOT run WAR. Not even your required system specs can handle any type of action in WAR.

Reviewer's Score: 4/10, Originally Posted: 11/18/08

Game Release: Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning (US, 09/18/08)