Allods Ambiance – Tale of Two Factions

League Faction Setting

My fascination with magic and Tolkien-like settings is what attracts me to fantasy MMOs.  I can’t get engrossed in a game without compelling imagery and ambiance.  The virtual world’s visualization – that universe come to life, is why I’m there.  Until recently, that level of importance has left me always playing the “good” faction, even when I was more compelled by the other side of the story and classes.  I’ve found that in-game realization of evil is often portrayed by filth and poverty, as if to say, evil never prospers.  Ha!

I was pleased to find that both factions had beautiful zones in Aion.  If I wanted to play the “bad” side of that story, I could do so without dwelling in darkness.  So far, Allods has done the same.  Both sides have a large and prosperous capital city.  You will quest in and around that city for several levels, before branching out to other zones.  The difference in setting between good and evil in Allods is not about dark vs. light, clean vs. dirty or poverty vs. wealth.  It's  more like urban vs. rural or industrial vs. agricultural.  The Empire zones, read bad guys, are industrial in tone.  The League areas, folks with the white hats, are more organic.  Think forests, shires and the alike. 

I’d already made up my mind to play Empire and RP a space opera pirate when Allods releases.  The zones so far aren’t what I long for when I think fantasy but they are enjoyable enough and will let me play the race I have my eye on, the Arisen.  But that might all be in jeopardy now that I’ve taken a tour on the League side of things.

Allods Online: Early League Zones

The content and zones, from the introductory instanced tutorial out into the first few quest hubs is exactly what I love about fantasy.  Sure, we’re mostly rehashing Tolkien’s description of high fantasy but I don’t care.  It’s what I grew up on and have adored since I was little.  Some see a Blizzard-like art style in Allods.  Me not so much.  There are only two zones which make me think WOW.  The early League zones make me think more of Free Realms minus the glow affects.  Strap on a class from the Elf race and you’ll see what I mean.  Either way I wouldn’t and don’t care.  It’s nicely done.

One of the more common complaints hurled at Runes of Magic was that it felt soulless.  It struck me more as clinical than soulless.  Granted, the story playing out in the quests was uninspired.  Yet I felt motivated by the proximity of the player towns and housing which made the zones feel like a community.

Allods has done MUCH better at weaving an engaging story into their lore and quests.  I could still do with less walls of text in the quest explanations but at least it’s interesting.  They vary the quest objectives as much as possible using the current MMO quest mechanics.  Travel is slower than other games I’ve played.  Think Lord of the Rings Online without mounts BUT WITH the improved zone logistics, variety and fun ala the World of Warcraft Blood Burning Crusade starter zones. 

If you’re thinking of going with the “good guys” as your faction, and you enjoy  roaming around in shire-like settings, the League won’t disappoint.  The other thing that Allods, Runes of Magic and Aion got right was having communities close to the questing areas.  Unlike ROM, they are NPC communities not player housing.  Regardless, it lends credibility and immersion for why we’re out here killing and protecting.  It also supports the plausibility of having merchants nearby for selling loot, checking mail and purchasing consumables.

Playing League is going to be hard to resist now.  The ambiance is what I loved about the WOW run from Goldshire to Southshore and why I leveled in those zones for every one of my characters, except my first Draenei.  That mood and feeling is present in the early League zones and is calling to me like a siren.  Curse you League!

Comments

[Aion kinah]

It is very good.I like to see it.Thank you for the share.If you want to buy aion kinah,you can go to aionkinah.ca.Have a good time.

[Tesh]

Aye, I've settled on League (I'm a sucker for the Gibberlings). I really like the steampunk elements of the Empire, though, so I'll spend some time over there, too. It's a credit to the devs that both are appealing.

[Saylah]

I'm very torn now. I'll prooooobably start with Empire. I've seen shire settings before but so little intensive steampunk. Guess we'll be on opposite sides of the war mate. :-)

[Tesh]

I figure, if you're going to play Empire, take an Arisen, and if you're League, play a Gibberling trio. They are the most unique offerings in characters for the game. I'll probably wind up with each. Equal opportunity warfare. ;)

[Tim]

settled on League too.. I think it's the best of all

[Randomdude]

What I like about allods is that it isnt Bad vs Good. More just two factions at war. I hate it how in some games one side is always more cruel and poor etc. I definatly prefer the empire as i love the bustle and tech of their cities rather then the peace and tranquility of the league.