Dungeons & Dragons Online Preview

The Wargamer has dished up a preview of Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach, after spending some firsthand time with the MMORPG’s ongoing beta test. Check it out:

Dungeons & Dragons Online is set in the city of Stormreach, a major port in the published D&D campaign world Eberron. As most D&D branded computer games in recent memory are set in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting, this gives it a unique quality. The city is laid out into sections, each closed off to players without the prerequisite skills or level (usually in the form of completing a task to gain permission). In true D&D fashion, taverns are the meeting points and rest areas for all adventurers.

Although it is possible to take on adventures solo, it is very difficult to complete these quests without some help. Dungeons & Dragons Online is primarily meant for multi-player parties, just like in a sit-down tabletop gaming session. Unlike most MMO games on the market today however, all missions and adventures are instanced. There is no spawn camping and kill stealing. In fact, there is no direct benefit for one character in a party getting more kills than another. Experience is goal-based, not kill-based, and all classes are useful in achieving those goals.