Asheron's Call 2

Complete with online exclusivity, Microsoft's massively multi-player epic is by no means a small challenge, but players familiar with the digital fantasy playground will no doubt relish the release of this sequel, Asheron's Call 2, as should other avid role-players.

A new day has dawned. Asheron's Call 2 takes place several hundred years after the events that took place in the original, in the wake of the great magical disaster now known as "The Devastation". Little is known or understood of this tragedy. Only that it has reshaped continents, razed the land and dangerously mutated those creatures that remain into something far more sinister.

You are one of the few untainted survivors, emerging to reclaim your lost land. But all is not sweet. You have an arduous adventure waiting for you. Are you up to the challenge, warrior?

Like many games of this style, Asheron's Call 2 lets its players choose from any of three diverse and unique races. All have equal skill levels, albeit using different styles, so whichever type of enemy you run into, you'll always have a fair chance in combat. Online conflicts can take place on an individual level or they can involve entire Kingdoms. As ever, combat is divided into two distinct categories - weapons and magic. All enemies have certain weaknesses, and in typical RPG style, magic wielders generally lack strength, whilst warriors have inferior magic abilities.

Unfortunately, the online fantasy world is likely to be populated with a certain percentage of cheaters and thieves, and to be honest, it's quite tempting to take that route yourself after falling victim to unprovoked attacks. But if you can maintain a good relationship with other would-be elves and mages, you'll have a much easier time exploring the Asheron game world.