There are a number of online MMORPG’s on the market today. The newest Dungeons and Dragons: Stormreach opened their doors for the general public on Febuary 28th. As a fan of RPG’s and online games I took this one for a spin to see if it was worth the wait.

First off, this game isn't for everyone; most especially fans of Ultima Online or World of Warcraft. If you like the elements of most of the MMORPG’s such as PvP and running around leveling up killing chickens then this isn’t the game for you. No grinding away for hours in order to reach the next level. No quick fixes here. You have to work for every step along the long road to the higher levels.

Based after the original pen and paper role playing game Dungeon and Dragons; this online game is more about role playing and performing missions then about buying houses and reaching outrageous levels through a zombie program. There is a lot to like about this game. The odd thing is how much it isn’t like all the other MMORPG’s on the market, when in effect all RPG’s are spin off from D&D. Now the genre has come full circle and there are high expectations indeed for a franchise that seems to be getting into the game a bit late.

The best aspect of this game is it is built around an online community. The concept of playing together with a group of adventurers is the cornerstone of this game and virtually the only way to progress. Many missions can’t be accomplished without a full complement of professions to work out the many traps and puzzles. A powerhouse character can’t do it all and will ultimately fail in many missions without a cleric to heal, a thief to detect traps or a wizard with their intelligence to open specific areas of the game.

The game isn’t about killing your friends or stealing their treasure. Two things you can’t do in game. Everything points to a well-rounded mission based world that readily allows the formation of groups to overcome the many challenges in the game. This is also one game that gives each class a chance to shine. Rogues for once have an integral role to play and are not given the standard gloss over that most publishers have given this profession in other games. I dare say you can’t succeed in this game unless you routinely travel with a Rogue in your party.

-As a past D&D player it’s a shame they chose the world of Ebberon instead of the Forgotten Realms campaign, my personal favorite. There were many reasons for their decision but still Ebberon lacks a full sense of history and the amazing locals of the Forgotten Realms universe.

-Being mission based and taking into account the basic framework of the game it makes Stormreach a world where players can’t influence the story or the world. At least as far as I can tell. In some ways, it’s akin to a choose-your-own adventure but without any consequence for choosing. In the business, this is called a persistent game world and there are a number of online games that use this model.

-The interface for making parties is easy to use and well thought out. Keeping a list of friends you’ve played with could be simpler with a point and click option instead of having to type in the name. Sounds like a petty complaint but in the fantasy genre names are never straightforward and it’s easy to mistype a compatriot you’ve spent the night traveling through dungeons. And in this game, when you’ve met experienced players who work well as a group you definitely want the chance to play with them again.

All in all Dungeons and Dragons:Stormreach is worth the monthly fee. At least for now. As with all online games, the real test is in how they manage new content. Keeping the world fresh and exciting for new and experienced players alike is a challenge. One that hasn’t been met by the likes of Ultima Online. (Every new release and update brings more items and locals but it feels like the same old fare. Never anything truly new and different, nothing that brings more depth to the world or the character you’re playing.)