A Tale in the Desert II Review (no fat)

Game Description

A Tale in the Desert II is a sequel to ATITD. Unlike the ever persistent MMOs around, ATITD was based on the thought that once a story is complete the game should end with it. After the completion of the original storyline, ATITD II was launched with a story that carries the a different set of goals to the earlier version.

ATITD II Storyline

The story behind A Tale in The Desert II is a typically Egyptian intrigue. A Pharaoh had a dream about building the greatest civilization ever. He set his subjects the task of achieving the dream’s goal but a stranger defies his words and challenges the civilization to make the dream into reality while he works to thwart the effort.

The players' have to make sure that their Pharaoh is proved right by mastering all the seven disciplines that assure the road to immortality of their civilization.

ATITD II - The Disciplines

The seven disciplines are art, leadership, thought, worship, architecture, human body and conflict. Players can master any number of these disciplines but one challenge at a time can be a taxing job as well.

You have to pass a number of tests to master each discipline and, in each of these tests, you have to compete against other player with the same set of goals to achieve. For instance, a player studying the discipline of art will be competing with others in constructing a distinctive work of art, while another, looking to master the art of leadership, will have a completely different task of finding trustworthy people who will not steal from you even with the key to a treasure in their hands.

Only the discipline of conflict requires players to beat each other up, through strategy rather than might. This mini-game style combat is turn-based and it is nothing compared to the games that focus on clobbering the enemy.

ATITD II - Gameplay

Teamwork is a major aspect of ATITD II as it helps players reach their objectives much faster than solo play. Every newcomer begins the game on the Welcome Island where he is given the possibility to learn the ropes of the game. Some 'older' players act as mentors on this island helping the new ones to enhance their skills while doing scout work for potential team partners at the same time. This island is mostly dominated by strong social relations.

The inter-relationship between the economical aspects and the technological ones are the foundation of ATITD. Players will exchange the goods they have produced for skills that will help them produce more and better goods and thus attain even higher skills. As this cycle continues players reach higher and higher in their quest for mastering the seven disciplines.

The same system applies to highest levels. The Egyptian Universities research new technologies needed by the players. In order for them function players must 'donate' goods. In other words everybody depends on everybody in ATITD, so you won’t find many people willing to risk being rude with you because their success or failure may depend on you at some point in the game. (Same goes the other way round as well)

ATITD II - The Law System

The game features a very interesting law system that shows the developers to be ready for gamers to dictate how they want the game played. To get a law passed however, you have to have your petition signed by as many players as you possibly can so they come up to the mark of a popular movement. A petition that bags more than two thirds of the votes get to become a law.

From time to time, the stranger also introduces changes to gameplay that can hamper the rise of the civilization in the long run. Its then up to the players to come up with the remedies and be responsible about the petitions they decide to back with their votes.

ATITD II - Graphics and Sound

Neither the graphics nor the sound would be able to knock you of your feet. However, considering that the whole game is the creation of a two-man team featuring a few other artists, the results are worth admiration.

ATITD II - Summing Up

Not many MMORPG games are able to create a level of social inter-dependency as A Tale in The Desert II manages to create. Considering the weekly upgrades to the game with new technologies, there's always something new to do and discover. Few other games give the players such freedom of decision. You can do whatever you like, there is no rush (there are no fierce monsters coming to get you) just peaceful evolution and a storyline that unfolds as you progress and contribute to the tale.

ATITD II is ideal for players who enjoy strategy, resource management and social activities, but not so much for combat cravers, as there are no clobbering monsters or gory PvP fights on offer.

ATITD II - Cost

The game is free for download but it comes with a $13.95 monthly investment that will keep you busy for quite a while.