Review Submitted By: Lanette Keisler aka Tiana
Author Status: Player
Started on The Darkening Sun: July 2004
Submission Date: Aug 10, 2004
TMC Listing: The Darkening Sun
The following review is the opinion of the review's author [Lanette Keisler aka Tiana]
and in no way represents the opinions of this website or its staff.
I came to DS after alot of pushing from a good friend of mine. I've
never played a level based or an RP MUD before, being a GodWars
junkie, but I will be forever greatful to my friend for showing me
what a joy Darkening Sun can be.
DS has a wonderful set of immortals that have been very helpful and
supportive. I have seen the newbie helper staff take time out of
whatever RP they are involved in at the moment to answer questions
and guide new players.
The extensive class and race selection coupled with the creation
system gives players alot of variety when making a character to play,
just because two drow spellfilchers create, there is very little
chance that they will be identical which helps keep things from
becoming a MUD full of clones.
The newbie school was extremely helpful as a first timer to this type
of code. I really enjoyed the mprogs that are employed in the school,
as opposed to simply expecting newbies to read room descriptions for
instructions on how to proceed. For those that have played similar
MUDs, there is an option when you first create of going through
either the entire newbie school, or going through just the parts that
are unique to DS. If you choose to go through the entire school,
there is useful armor, weapons, and even a sample quest with a
container to help you get started. The newbie channel almost always
has at least one newbie helper and/or immortal available to answer
questions and offer help should you need it.
DS is RP enforced and for those without alot of experience role-
playing, both players and immortals help you keep straight what is IC
and what is OOC information, without being overbearing or rude about
it.
Daos is the creator of DS and enjoys hearing ideas and suggestions
from players and several ideas have been implimented even in the
short time since I started. The most often seen immortal on is
Veremus, who is actively involved in the RP, even taking the time to
spark major RP events to get players involved. He is most likely the
most enthusiastic voice on the newbie channel every time a new player
creates and has proven very helpful. The code is probably the most
stable I have ever played on, despite a major hd crash a few months
ago.
The letgain process is explained in geat detail in the helpfiles and
almost anyone is willing to help explain anything that might be
confusing. A character can get to level 25 before being letgained,
allowing you time to decide what you wish to do with your character
and set things such as your attributes and characteristics after
having the chance to get involved a bit. Once all requirements are
finished and submitted for letgain the process is almost automatic,
as the immortals are very active in taking care of letgain requests.
DS hosts the most extensive list of helpfiles I have ever
encountered, and there are very very few things in the game that one
cannot learn about through the helpfiles. DS also encourages players
to get involved in the creation of the realm by not only allowing
players to build areas that they wish to see, but encouraging and
rewarding such efforts as long as they comply with the guidelines set
down for the realm. Players who build unique areas are rewarded with
points, which can be redeemed for many things to help their characters.
All in all, this has definitely become my new home. The friendly
atmosphere, helpful staff, and intriguing RP make Darkening Sun the
place to be, be it for a few hours a week or the greater part of each
day.
