Review Submitted By: Zeet
Author Status: Player
Started on Lensmoor: 1999
Submission Date: Jul 12, 2011
TMC Listing: Lensmoor
The following review is the opinion of the review's author [Zeet]
and in no way represents the opinions of this website or its staff.
I have been playing lensmoor on a consistent basis now for over a
decade.
I have tried other muds and other games before (even WoW briefly),
but in the end, nothing was able to capture my attention and keep me
coming back due to the sheer number of things I enjoyed about the game
like Lensmoor.
Compared to any other mud out there, lensmoor offers BY FAR the most
options for customization both of your character and to the game as a
whole. There are no classes within the mud, so outside of a couple
race-specific abilities, anyone has the potential to learn anything.
Players have the ability to build homes, build shops, build clans,
become parts of imm-focused religions, and even build entire zones
into the game without needing to be an immortal/staff member
themselves.
The game area is HUGE. There are currently well over 200 zones
throughout the game, and an immensely vast wilderness area that
connects all the areas together, and allows for people to make use of
the crafting system within the game to gather materials to build the
many craftable items the game allows players to make.
The crafting system within the game is the most expansive of any game
I have ever seen. Anything one might need in the course of fighting or
roleplaying is possible within the crafting system (or darned close to
it.) In addition to crafting items, there is an extensive enchanting
system also built into the game that people can use to further
customize items.
Lensmoor has plenty of people who choose to focus on crafting, or
teaching, or fighting, or even some combination of the various aspects
of the game. Interacting with other players is reccomended, but not
required. It will certainly make it more fun and enjoyable for all if
you do though.
Which leads to the next thing about Lensmoor. Lensmoor isnt just a
game one comes to play, achieve goals and continue on and on with.
Lensmoor is a place people come to relax, to socialize, to chat about
things, and generally get together to enjoy themselves. Whether that
is through questing, roleplaying, or simply hanging out and chatting
with people, there are always things to do and people to interact
with.
Some have said that while roleplaying isnt required that it
technically still is. This is true in a way, and yet not in others.
Ive known people who have gotten completely through the game without
an ounce of roleplay or even necessarily interaction with other
players at all. If you dont want to, you dont have to, though I will
say, it will be easier and more enjoyable for you if you are willing
to roleplay and open yourself up to other aspects of the game.
Faiths, as I mentioned earlier, are another aspect of the
game. Lensmoor supports a wide variety of faiths of different focuses
and alignments, that people are not required to join, but it certainly
does add another fun aspect ot the game. A bonus to joining such
faiths are that you are allowed to use special spells that are
bestowed upon you by the immortal/staff member that heads the faith.
Many of these spells are definitely useful, but can also be gotten by
use of in-game items for those that dont wish to partake in the
additional aspect of the game.
In the end, outside of all of the zones, items, spells, skills,
questing, leveling, remorting, etc, that are available with the game,
the best aspect of the game by far, are the people.
The people are definitely what helps make the game, at least from my
perspective. Arawn, the creator of the game, has helped, with plenty
of player feedback and assistance in creating a fantastic game. He is
always willing to make changes based upon player suggestions and has a
terrific idea board and voting system set up so the players can let
him know what they would like to see changed or implemented to the
game. Its honestly quite rare when a change is made to the game that
the players did not suggest first. And even if a change is made
outside of player suggestions, players are always encouraged to test
out the changes and report their results from said changes.
Ive seen a few reviews here that mention about the excessive amount
of drama or imms abusing their power, or showing favoritism, or any
number of things. I can say, having been around the game as long as I
have, that bits of drama do pop up every now and then, but its hardly
to any level that would cause any issues for the average player,
especially these days. Imms found abusing their power are stripped of
their position, and typically banned, to make it clear that such abuse
is not to be tolerated. Favoritism is something I personally have
never been witness to.
The people here are a wonderful group. Many players like myself still
are playing or involved in the game even after 10+ years. Plenty of
new players come and join the game though, so its not just the oldies
like myself, hehe. Many of the new people do choose to stay, which
should go to show that the game must be decent enough to be able to
draw and keep people.
I, myself, have put in over 14,000 hours on my main character of the
same name, into the game. Ive dedicated myself to not only enjoying
myself and the various aspects of the game that I have made use of,
but also to make the game as enjoyable for those who play the game.
Many people who play feel the same way. New players are treated well,
and given assistance to get themselves started. People are more than
happy to help out each other with teaching, items, answering questions
big and small that they may have about the game.
The staff are all volunteers that also enjoy the game, and as such
put a lot of time and effort into continuing to add to the game, and
find ways to improve it.
No matter what you like about muds and games in general, you will
find aspects within the game that you will like. I recommend to
everyone to give this mud a chance, as it really is the best out there
and you will grow to enjoy it as myself and many others have :).
