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Review: Lineage II: The Chaotic Throne - The Kamael - PC

by Nick Haywood on 8 February 2008, 11:01

Tags: Lineage, PC, MMOG

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qalm4

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Conclusion, final thoughts and Awards

So let’s bring this Lineage II: The Chaotic Throne - The Kamael review to a close with a quick summing up of what’s on offer.

For the new player, who won’t know the difference having never played the game, there’s an extra race to pick that really is an new race and not just one derived from a previously existing race. The titular Kamael have plenty different going for them and look like being a capable and diverse race to play from low through to high level. We’ll all still end up being Dwarves or Elves anyway but that’s not the point.

The tweaks made to the interface make Lineage II: The Chaotic Throne - The Kamael a lot more inviting for the new player too and that satellite view map is a big bonus. Being able to arrange your backpack, whilst sounding trivial is, as any long term RPGer will agree, pretty much a given nowadays and I know that I use mine almost like a ‘to do’ diary, so not having the game sort it is a godsend.

Click for larger image


I can’t really comment on the new items or dungeons as I've not experienced the old ones, but Zak assures me that these are great and it seems logical that new content, for both low through to high level characters will extend the life of the game and keep players interested.

But as for the game overall, well I can see why Zak is hooked and on so often that he’s thinking of getting prosthetic Elven ears. Since I quit playing Ultima Online and forced myself to give up World of Warcraft, I’ve been hankering for a decent Middle Earth based fantasy MMORPg and Lineage ticks nearly all the boxes for me. It’s a well matured world with plenty of players, meaning the markets are full of affordable stuff and there’s always loads of people to party up with.

Click for larger image


There’s plenty of established clans and, in general, players are friendly and helpful and this is probably one of the key ingredients to an MMOs success, the community that plays it. Yes, it’s not as well known as WoW but that makes it more of a connoisseur's game. Those in the know play it… and those that aren’t should give it a crack. Lineage II: The Chaotic Throne - The Kamael doesn’t have the global conquering brand image of WoW but then again, if you’re looking for a bit of olde worlde style adventuring then you really should dip your toes in the Lineage universe.

Pros
This latest update makes the game more accessible for the novice/new player
Loads more to do and see
Skill trees for the Kamael let you change your career path
A needed shot in the arm of new stuff for high level players
Updated with the latest in handy UI extras

Cons
Can be daunting to start off with
The online Library is horribly out of date

Lineage II: The Chaotic Throne - The Kamael: the dedicated RPGer’s MMORPG.

HEXUS Awards

HEXUS.gaming Recommended
Lineage II: The Chaotic Throne - The Kamael

HEXUS Right2Reply

HEXUS World Leading HEXUS Right2Reply initiative invites manufacturers, their representatives and vendors which supply HEXUS with products for technical editorial evaluation, to comment on the articles that we publish. If they choose to respond, we publish their response verbatim.

HEXUS Where2Buy

Lineage II: The Chaotic Throne - The Kamael is available now, from the following link:

www.lineage2.com


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HEXUS Forums :: 10 Comments

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Posted by Zak33 - Fri 08 Feb 2008 11:17
It really is a great game. I've sat TiG in front of Lineage2, and he's a HARDENED WoW player….and within 15 mniutes he was grinding like a demon ;)

But, I'd also like to add that I made it from new character's to Level 20, D grade, the first big cange in charater, in two ways. My first character took me weeks and it was a PLEASURE…a total adventuring, free ranging pleasure. I didn't grind..I adventured, died and adventured some more.

My second character, which would form a basis for my Clan's needs, I did HARD grinding on. Level 20 , D grade, is possible in 8 hours. I know. My hands hurt, but I did it. Level 59 (as I am now, only a week since I helped Nick with this review) needed a LOT of clan assistae, as my charactyer is ALL about support magic. Luckily our resident Soreceror is proper hard! So i tag along. The beauty of the game is playing the part in parties.

I'd suggest this game to ANYONE with a love of adventuring. It is sublime. Such a shame I couldn't hook Nick in properly, but he just doesn't DARE….doesn't dare! Time (and SMS/texts to your Clan mates in the day time) leech away ;)
Posted by TiG - Fri 08 Feb 2008 11:39
As much as i was happy to grind i'd never play it on my own character. Far far far to grind fest for me. WoW still beats it by miles in terms of what i enjoy in a game.

You don't have to pay for gear in millions of adena either, you kill bosses and get something good.

Plus raiding if you are in a good guild in WoW is so much fun.

TiG
Posted by Zak33 - Fri 08 Feb 2008 18:32
yeah….you WoW boys….top level in three weeks….pitiful ;)

We take YEARS,….but it's brilliant on the way.
Posted by TargetPractice - Tue 12 Feb 2008 05:54
I was a FPS and RTWS nut a couple years back, but I reluctantly gave L2 a try after a bunch of my friends badgered me into it. I immediately got hooked and have been playing ever since. It can take a little time to get used to, but most folks have the interface mastered after the first couple hours of play.

NCSoft has also added a lot of new features in the last several chronicles to help new players get their bearings. There are tons of items, buffs, and mini quests geared specifically for new players that are just learning the game.

There’s also a clan academy system that motivates veteran players to mentor folks that are new to the game. It does this by awarding clan reputation points after you finish your second class change and graduate from the academy.

The thing that’s really kept me hooked is the steady release of new chronicles. They cram a whole bunch of new skills, gear, and territory into a patch (chronicle) and release it about every six months. L2 chronicles are free to game subscribers, unlike some other MMO expansions I’ve seen on the market.
Posted by Zak33 - Wed 13 Feb 2008 11:50
TargetPractice
NCSoft has also added a lot of new features in the last several chronicles to help new players get their bearings. There are tons of items, buffs, and mini quests geared specifically for new players that are just learning the game.
….
The thing that’s really kept me hooked is the steady release of new chronicles. They cram a whole bunch of new skills, gear, and territory into a patch (chronicle) and release it about every six months. L2 chronicles are free to game subscribers, unlike some other MMO expansions I’ve seen on the market.

I couldn't agree more….it's this constant newness, the Chtistmas Quests, the Easter Special Events, the Firework's Event….there's just so much new going on :)

I love it.

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