It was perhaps bad timing that a role-play game based on perpetual combat between humans, elves, trolls and goblins was released when World of Warcraft fever was at its height. Yet despite that - and some interface and gameplay issues - Silverfall still managed to build a solid fan base. In response, Monte Cristo has now released an add-on designed to appeal to aficionados and newcomers alike.

Set once more in the mythical world of Nelwe, Earth Awakening picks up where the first game ended, with you as the ruler of the land. You can choose either to create a new character or carry over your creation from Silverfall: you can even play through the first game entirely again, or just plunge straight into the add-on at level 45.

Admirers of the original will notice a few significant changes and improvements. For a start you now have two extra races to contend with; the small but fierce Dwarves and the Lizard-men who are expert archers and highly skilled sword wielders. As before, you're in a world where nature and technology are opposed so the character decisions you make will affect the path you follow.

There are only rudimentary options when it comes to customising your appearance (face, skin, hair) but as you have over 150 skills and magic spells to master (including 8 ‘Ultimate' skills and 12 unique ‘High Level' skills), there's plenty of room for specialisation. Levelling up happens in the usual way by gaining experience points from defeating enemies and completing quests.

The interface has been made more efficient since the last outing, with a separate pop-up menu handling inventory, skills, character, quests, clans, and maps. Two centrally placed gauges enable life and power potions to be quickly administered and separately positioned shortcuts handle simple and complex actions.

The other major improvement from the first game is the respawn method. Previously if you were killed then you were sent back to the nearest town without all your weaponry and armour, and had to somehow battle your way back to your corpse. The only way to avoid this was to buy insurance, but now this only applies at the difficult level; at easier levels you're simply transported back to the village with all your supplies intact. This has vastly overcome the frustration factor!

The other request from gamers that Monte Cristo has listened to is the wish to have crafting abilities, so now you can collect materials to make your own armour and weapons and imbue them with special abilities. You still have two companions to choose to accompany you and you can equip them and swap items with them. Up to eight players can also play PvP or in cooperative mode.

Visually there are plenty of bangs for your buck, with over 100 inventive monsters and mechanical foes and a fascinating range of locations. The only consistent niggle is the camera operation which needs the middle mouse button to be held down to rotate the angle.

Verdict
If you're already a fan then this stand alone add-on will come as a pleasant surprise with its extensive maps, improved interface, expanded races and new crafting abilities. Newcomers, too, can jump right in without a steep learning curve.

Company: Ascaron

Tags: world of warcraft monte cristo experience point skill game video game roleplaying star wars: the old republic