Review Submitted By: Wendy
Author Status: Player
Started on Accursed Lands: Long ago, can't remember
Submission Date: May 19, 2007
TMC Listing: Accursed Lands
The following review is the opinion of the review's author [Wendy]
and in no way represents the opinions of this website or its staff.
What separates Accursed Lands (AL) from other RPI MUDs?
'Before heading there, let me state before you start reading, that
this -is- an RPI and as such it might not be for you. But if you like
depth in character, roleplay and a setting that allows you to use your
imagination, read on!'
Full code support to almost every action, if you enjoy RP but are
frustrated at continually having to compensate for weak code, then
this is the place for you. AL has been built using the incredibly
versatile LPC code-base, new additions and possibilities are simply
endless. It allows for unmatchable realism; each room has a size, and
each object has a position within that room, in order to get that
sword on the other side of the mountain you’re going to have to walk.
The quality of writing that is displayed throughout the MUD is simply
unparalleled. Every nook and cranny has been evocatively described,
even ‘mundane’ areas become unique and fascinating. A unique feature
of the code-base allows players to look at virtual objects, instead of
having room descriptions that are over a page long AL has concise
descriptions and an array of virtual objects that can be examined by
the interested.
Another point of difference I notice in the writing standards is the
high degree of objectivity. Rooms are not simply described as ‘messy’
or ‘cluttered’, which imposes a feeling onto the player and forces
them to react in a certain way. The ‘mess’ is described in intricate
detail, in a completely objective manner and the player is allowed to
respond, as their character feels appropriate.
One of AL’s best features, the wilderness, leaves other MUDs in the
dust. Firstly, each area in the wilderness, be it a forest or
grasslands, has a set of ‘gettable’ items; this means that you can
pull sticks from the forest, pick grass from the hills or grab a quick
stone to fend off a snarling beast. The sheer SIZE of the wilderness
offers countless adventures, there are deep oceans and vast skies,
could you be the one to finally settle the debate about whether the
world is round or not? Another great feature the wilderness offers is
the ability to ‘see’ your terrain. When you’re on the open plains, or
in a vast desert you can see for miles, but as you cross into the
forest your map suddenly shrinks, giving rise to a stifling feeling of
claustrophobia, which simply doesn’t exist in other MUDs, the feeling
of being completely lost in an unfriendly forest is both horrible and
great at the same time.
AL’s cities and towns are populated by intelligent NPCs also, unlike
the statues that you can see in other MUDs and their NPCs, AL's NPCs
can hold a meaningful conversation, perhaps revealing necessary clues
in your quest for power. Each one has their own opinions, and each one
is treated with the same respect you would treat a player.
There is a vast hoard of secluded locations to be found in the
wilderness (and a good few in towns as well ; )), but not every area
is put on the map to serve a purpose. Some are put there ‘just
because’ the creators felt they could create a more interesting and
enigmatic world by putting a small stream on a mountain, or an
abandoned town in the desert.
The parser is another of this MUD’s unique strong points. It allows
for plain English verbs to be used for every IC command and verb. One
can input ‘get nearest stick’ so that their character will grab the
closest stick, rather than using complex (or simply non-existant)
syntax to accomplish what should be easy.
One final aspect that I enjoy immensely is the OOC community, a long
shot from the RP police who demand that you must emote each breath,
they are welcome to embrace all players regardless of individual RP
skill, so long as you’re willing to stay in character at all times you
should find the community very refreshing. There are also two global
OOC channels, one for helping newbies with syntax and the other a
lounge for newbies and oldbies alike to kick back and discuss anything
OOC. These channels foster a sense of community which is unknown in
other RPIs, they allow you to catch a glimpse of the person behind the
character.
In conclusion, play AL, it may not be your cup of tea, but it is
unlike ANY other MUD on the internet, unrivalled in complexity.
