Review Submitted By: Balmung
Author Status: Player
Started on The Unofficial Squaresoft MUD: May 3rd, 2007
Submission Date: May 20, 2007
TMC Listing: The Unofficial Squaresoft MUD
The following review is the opinion of the review's author [Balmung]
and in no way represents the opinions of this website or its staff.
To start, I'd like to say that I haven't MUDed in a few years
before this time. However, finals were over, and I was bored. A friend
of mine suggested I try UOSS(The Unofficial Squaresoft MUD)(waits to
see if they change their name to Square-Enix), since he knew I really
enjoyed the various Squaresoft RPGs out there.
Oddly, I was warned that UOSS was not overly newbie friendly, and
that I should be careful of what I said over public communication.
Heck, even the MUD's profile here mentions Adult orientation. After
venturing forth with some trepidation, I quickly encountered quite the
opposite of the above. Players and staff alike quickly answered
questions on their 'newbie' channel. Without even asking, higher
leveled players assisted me with various things. And as far as saying
things across public lines, responses were fairly mature and sometimes
adult oriented, but nothing was responded to hostilely or rudely.
A little more on the populace: The playerbase is very active, with a
good range of low level players to ones at the top end of the
spectrum. The staff seems to be fairly active, with frequent updates
on new areas, quests, and general interaction with the players.
Playing experience: Upon entering the MUD, you have the chance to
learn the basics on most aspects of adventuring through a neat little
newbie school. There is only one race you can start as (though a few
others open up after reaching much higher levels), and you play by
using various jobs/classes based on Final Fantasy Tactics and Final
Fantasy 3/5. This system allows you to set a Primary and Secondary
job, as well as a counter and special inherent ability from any job
you've learned. You gain points to spend on the skills/spells in each
job through combat. It all works rather well, one might argue that the
syntax to using abilities is a little tedius, but you get used to it
very quickly. Stats: When gaining a normal level you are given a
random set of stat combinations you can choose from (Strength,
Agility, Vitality, Wisdom, and Willpower). Also, there is no level
limit in place, so stat expansion goes as far as you take it.
Misc: Various things I found to be fun/interesting/cool, the quests,
there are quite a number of them, whem completing one you receive
quest points that give you special powers and a reduction in
experience to the next level(%) after each level, some also grant you
a new job or some kind of item(weapon, armor, etc). They do not
require you to eat, drink, or sleep, which was a huge plus to me!
There is also a PK system, but it is completely voluntary, so you
won't be affected if you don't choose to be PK 'on'. Something
very creative is the Militia, a army composed of players, run by
players and some of the staff, with the goal to defend the main town
(Elsendor) against the evil Lucavi armies. Clans do also exist,
however, they seem to be limited in activity at the moment.
All in all, this has been one of the most pleasant experiences I've
had with a MUD. If you can appreciate a varied array of conversation,
like Squaresoft games, and of course enjoy a mostly
hack-n-slash-n-(spell of your choice) with a variety of quests and
side events experience, then you should most definitely give UOSS a
try!
