Review Submitted By: Jherek
Author Status: Player
Started on Cleft of Dimensions: 2004
Submission Date: May 8, 2008
TMC Listing: Cleft of Dimensions
The following review is the opinion of the review's author [Jherek]
and in no way represents the opinions of this website or its staff.
I started mudding on a DikuMUD some time ago; was on the build team,
and a avid player. Since the playerbase there died, I'd been
searching for a new, enjoyable one for around 8 years. Friend of mine
introduced me to the Cleft in 2004, and I was hooked.
The play style, and code base were extremely similar, so I felt right
at home. The staff is supportive, there are newbie-friendly areas that
are simple to get to, even if you've never played before. The other
players are willing to help you out, as long as you're willing to
help yourself. And if you're just there to whine and complain that
it's nothing like where you came from, you're promptly told where
the door is, and how to get back there. This is a GOOD thing, in my
book, as it keeps the community tight, but not in the 'no outsiders
D<' way that other small communities sometimes do.
Gameplay itself is enjoyable. The theme is, it's an amalgamation of
almost every RPG in existence, bunched together here in the Cleft. So,
you get a nice wave of nostalgia in every area, if you're familiar
with the game it was spawned from. And, if you're not, then it's a
good excuse to play a good game to figure out where the reference is.
Races and classes are well balanced, and cover a wide variety. I'm
partial towards thieves, but they are a dime a dozen. The original
classes, like Summoners, and Geomancers are a nice draw to this MUD.
Certain classes and races are better suited to each other, but if you
don't want to be a cookie cutter character, any pairing is feasible
and not impossible to play. Some combinations are extremely
challenging to start with, and develop into very powerful entities by
the time you hit high level.
8/10 rating, for sure. I'm very fond of the Cleft, and whenever
anyone mentions mudding, or a liking for text-based games, I'm quick
to recommend it. And I still do. Drop in, make a character, don't be
a complete jerk, and you'll find a very rewarding gaming experience
waiting on you.
