Windows

Earth & Beyond

Best MMORPG ever? Very possibly, at the very least it has the highest score and first Editor’s Choice we’ve ever given to one. The way it looks right now, Earth and Beyond could be part of the finest few months to several years of our gaming lives. The future only looks brighter with monthly patches that will advance the game’s story and world and rumors of an expansion pack flying around. It’s balanced, it’s fun, and I can’t wait to get to level 140 again!

Fortunately, as this is an MMORPG, it means it is a living entity. The developers are still hammering out the few odd bugs that are still present in the engine, as well as adding plot content - in the form of new characters, new aliens, and (eventually) the 3 missing classes, and some form of PvP combat. (Currently, there is none.) So, to go back to my ranting again for a bit, this is the first game I would even consider paying to continue to play. The developers of E&B have lovingly crafted a world that I would gladly call home - an entire galaxy of worlds filled with wonder and discovery around every corner, station and nav point. A feast for the eyes and mind, Earth & Beyond is both an excellent game and a perfect example of what an MMORPG should be.

Earth & Beyond is definitely a worthy title for veteran MMORPG players as well as those new players that have been waiting for something groundbreaking to show up.

Earth & Beyond's setting, gameplay, and depth are just enough to set it apart from other MMORPGs and in the post-EQ world of online gaming, that's a good thing. The game offers just the right mix of gameplay and options for both the hardcore player and the more casual gamer.

Earth & Beyond hat,was den meisten anderen derzeitigen Online-Rollenspielen abgeht: einfache Bedienung, leichter Einstieg, frisches Szenario und High-End-Grafik. Extralob für das motivierende Spieldesign, das nicht nur Kämpfernaturen belohnt. Der transparente Talent-Ausbau macht Spaß, und es herrscht kein Mangel an konkreten Missionen. Hoffentlich gibt’s die angekündigten neuen Systeme und Events – für die saftige Monatsgebühr darf man einiges erwarten. Nerven kann mich allenfalls die Warp-Flugdauer bei größeren Reisen. Hardcore-Profis vermissen vielleicht Spieler-gegen-Spieler-Bekriegungen. Doch für die Mehrheit dürften Komfort und Schönheit wichtiger sein – und in diesen Disziplinen ist Earth & Beyond der Konkurrenz um Lichtjahre voraus, bei etwas geringerem Tiefgang.

Earth & Beyond ist eines der Spiele, bei denen die Zeit wie im Flug vergeht. "Nur noch den einen Auftrag, dann ist Schluss", habe ich mir mehrmals vorgenommen und bin trotzdem sitzen geblieben. Das spricht für den virtuellen Sternenkrieg. Weniger gefallen hat mir die Steuerung. Echtes Wing Commander-Feeling kam nie auf. Und dann wäre da noch die Sache mit den Servern. Zu mehr als 36 Prozent war kein einziger während der Testzeiten gefüllt. Und das, obwohl Earth & Beyond seit geraumer Zeit in Amiland erhältlich ist. Wenigstens waren die Pings durchweg ordentlich.

This is a remarkable experience and really treads new territory in terms of MMORPGs. Sure there have been other attempts at this, and more will certainly follow, but E&B has taken a major step forward in the genre. There are some stumbles, which are to be expected, but as the saying goes, you have to walk before you can run, and in all likelihood, Earth & Beyond will end up sprinting. This is a solid and enjoyable experience, featuring ease of gameplay and remarkable graphical elements.

Even with its various issues, I absolutely fell in love with Earth & Beyond. I love the setting, the players, and the whole package in general -- I've found it incredibly innovative, and I am totally addicted. I would recommend Earth & Beyond to any sci-fi fan, or anyone bored with the current crop of massively multiplayer online RPGs.

There is no forced player vs player combat, probably because the combat itself is pretty average (point and shoot - that's it) but with the ability to train yourself up in skills from all professions and make your own weapons and items, there's plenty to do. There's a rumour that the in-game storyline warning of an alien race which will threaten the three existing races is going about to kick off. With any luck this might wake up the game's community, which keeps to itself at the moment. As it stands it's a solid game with gorgeous areas to explore, but it's lacking that elusive spark. We'll let you know in an update how it stands the test of time.

Although it’s unlikely that I’ll be playing Earth & Beyond in the future, it’s hard to turn your nose up at the chance to explore a relatively free-form galaxy. If you’ve enjoyed space sims in the past and don’t mind the simplified combat engine then go for it. With its intuitive controls, attractive graphics, and lofty scope, E&B has a lot to offer the right gamer.

Earth and Beyond is not for everyone. For those new to the whole MMORPG thing, or those who are still enjoying the concept, this game is a really good bet for you. Unfortunately, for those seeking content or just burned out from the whole idea, I advise you to turn away and not give the game a second thought. Graphics are decent, sounds are overall poor, and the quest system could use the same effort in the fullest that it received in the first 30 levels. This game had potential, and may live up to it later down the line in patches and fixes.

Because massively multiplayer online RPGs are continually evolving, Westwood will hopefully find some means of making the game's trade and combat elements more interesting in the coming months. And to its credit, the game does offer some interesting features that are new to online RPGs, most notably the ability to gain experience and levels without ever fighting a single enemy. In its current state, Earth & Beyond is fun for a short while, and at least you'll have some great sightseeing ahead of you before the game starts to lose its interest.

Earth and Beyond is a proficient enough crack at twisting the MMORPG genre in a new direction, but one that never manages to break that semi-praise. More control, and less kobold-inspired action, and it could have forged a new genre. For now we'll just have to keep watching the stars. For Elite Online. Not aliens. Obviously.