The Chronicles of Spellborn Review

Gamers are always waiting for "the next big thing"; this is particularly true of MMO players. Upon the launch of a new MMO you will often see people rolling into the newbie zone and immediately asking if the game is in fact "the next big thing", desperately hoping that is. Although it may sound silly to ask others to make the decision for them, MMO players have a limited time to determine if the title features enough content to ensure a long life and high server population. Retail MMOstypically come with a free 30-day subscription; after which players must decide if they want to pay to continue to play. The Chronicles of Spellborn is available for free digital download, with a subscription model labeled "Freemium." This means that you can download the game at any time for free and try out a limited free-to-play zone until your character is ready to go beyond Level 7. A premium subscription, at the standard MMO subscription rate, will allow you access to all of Spellborn's features and content. If you want to try out the game for yourself, you can download Spellborn at FilePlanet for free.

The rocky skybox is initially impressive but soon gets a bit monotonous.

In late 2008, The Chronicles of Spellborn made its European debut. On April 23, 2009, Acclaim announced the official North American release of Spellborn International's MMORPG. To kick things off they offered all players a free two-week premium subscription. Spellborn's developers and publishers must have felt the game was well polished to offer a free trial right at launch, something most companies wait many updates before doing. Fortunately for Spellborn International and Acclaim, the launch appeared to go quite well. Of course, no new game is without its bugs and glitches, but you can count Spellborn's as small in comparison to other launches in the history of MMORPGs. On the other end of the spectrum, new players are privy to conversations regarding a lack of content upon reaching the level cap, which could be cause for some to forego a subscription once their trial runs out.

The world within Spellborn is one of rebirth. Based on a post-apocalyptic fantasy theme, there is an extensive timeline wrapped up in the game's lore. In its current time period the universe has been split into four shards that have been encased in rock. Visualize living in a dome. But not a cool dome like Beyond Thunderdome (two men enter, one man leaves!), but a dome with no sun or sky above; just static rock. Without first reading the lore, one might be hard-pressed to even recognize the 'ceiling' as rock. Which is why it is being mentioned here. Yes, that is rock looming ominously above your head!

The Chronicles of Spellborn may seem very simplistic at first glance, but as you dig deeper you will find there is an underlying complexity. New and exciting things happen at staggered intervals, such as being able to select a discipline for your archetype, deciding on which House (faction) to join, receiving the ability to start using Bodyslots, and more. All of these things give Spellborn an added depth that is not readily visible when you are just starting out. Since the decisions you make in such matters are permanent, you really need to sit back and think strategically. Following a quest-line to join a High House has a rather epic feel to it; after all, this is your "Rite of Initiation". Important decisions such as this one make you feel more invested in the game. Unfortunately, after you gain in level you will find that many aspects of the whole High House and Massive PvP concept have not yet been incorporated.

There's plenty of cosmetic customization but too few races.

After selecting between a disappointing total of two races, Human and Daevi, you are presented with a slew of character customization options. If you enjoy starting your game experience with a little virtual Ken and Barbie, then you've come to the right place. Beyond physical attributes, you will select a full set of gear, which can be further personalized using a color palette. Customizing your character to this extent prior to entering the game world makes it yours right from the get go. Armor is merely cosmetic in the game; no statistics are associated with your gear. When you enter the world, new looks and dye jobs are available for purchase both in shops and on the market, but actual stat boosts come from the use of bodyslots and sigils. So instead of hoping for good gear drops, you're waiting for good sigil and crafting drops.

Following character customization, players begin their Spellborn journey in a lengthy tutorial. If you are a seasoned MMO player then chances are you will feel the tutorial is unnecessary, you may even try to escape from the shardship that you're cruising in on; don't bother, there is no escape! Even newcomers to the genre may find it to be rather bloated. However, you will complete the tutorial at Fame Level 3; consider this a gift, as experience is not earned quickly in The Chronicles of Spellborn.
Speaking of experience, you will find that there are two distinct types of XP in the game; Fame and Personal Experience Points (PEP). Fame is regular leveling experience earned from quests and kills; while PEP can be raised to Level 5 and provides players with an increase in certain attributes. The catch is that if you die, you lose a level of PEP and the stat perks that come with it. PEP adds a really great layer to the leveling system in Spellborn. It's a real challenge to raise your PEP to level 5, but even more challenging to keep it; since it just takes one death to topple your neatly built house of cards. Two Daevi thumbs up, there.

One of Spellborn's most talked about strengths is its unique combat system. While the player is equipped with standard spells and abilities, a shooter style targeting system is used. Your combat abilities are placed on a rotating cylindrical bar called the Skill Deck. When engaging in combat opponents are not simply targeted, instead a crosshair becomes available and this is where the first person shooter style combat comes in to play. You must keep your opponent within the crosshair or your spells (or skills) will not land. There is definitely a learning curve, and you can even expect to die at the hands of Level 1 mobs. But never fear, once you get the hang of it, the Spellborn combat system should prove to be one of the best you will experience. Players with a past in games that require strafing will have an easier time hopping in to PvP.

The game takes a decidedly negative view of bears.

While Spellborn's greatest strengths are its combat system, character customization and double leveling scheme, one of its greatest obstacles is its graphic style, which will certainly not appeal to everyone. Eventually one gets used to "dome-vision", but the static rock ceiling is difficult, at best, to get used to. What was likely meant to be a unique art style will be seen by many as nothing more than dated and bland graphics. Many shades of brown fill the terrain, and even animal NPCs often appear similar in color, shape and size. Unfortunately this does not change very much as you continue to access new areas, as many zones lack originality. Spellborn could definitely benefit from an infusion of color, and perhaps a visit from the folks at "Changing Rooms" or "Queer Eye For The Straight Guy"!

Apart from the graphics, the current PvP system, or lack thereof, is also rather disappointing. During the early levels you will be able to experience PvP in the arena (Mosh Pit). Once you leave the newbie zone you will find that PvP is enabled in most places. However, finding players actually engaging in PvP battle is another story altogether. In fact, there is no difference between joining the PvP server and joining the PvE server. And although Spellborn's Level 50+ game is supposed to be very PvP-centric, the interesting bits have yet to be incorporated.

If you have followed the road to Spellborn then you have probably heard that this title is more about questing than grinding. If you are a quester at heart, then Spellborn should adequately fulfill your needs. On the flip side of that coin, many of the quests are standard MMO fare: deliveries and kill x number of bears. Perhaps some day developers will come up with a whole new quest system, but, in the meantime you'd best get on those bears, as there do not seem to be nearly enough mobs to go around in Spellborn's newbie zone. Most MMO players probably expect to do a little camping at some point in a game, but not at Level 3.

Though solo-friendly, the game has yet to incorporate much in the way of PVP content.

Closing Comments
The Chronicles of Spellborn almost feels like a contradiction of itself. While the game boasts some really great features, they all seem to have a downside. For example, there are tons of quests, but many are the same old quests that MMO players have been doing for 10 years now. The crafting system can be used by anyone without spending loads of time grinding away on planks and backpacks, but hardcore crafters and craft-based guilds will not be happy with such a simplistic system. The gameplay is enjoyable because it has this fresh new combat system; but at the same time you are grinding away on x number of bears, which look like brown paper bags from a distance. Character customization is excellent; but there are only two races to choose from. The list goes on. While The Chronicles of Spellborn is certainly a fun game, it has a very casual feeling about it. The sort of game that you can readily put away without having to get "just one more kill". There's a lot of solo content at your disposal, enough to make your way to the Level 50 cap. But the thought of doing it all over again with a new character isn't particularly on my to-do list, and a lack of PvP content and epic battles will likely turn off hardcore players.