(22 votes, average: 3.86 / 5)
Loading...Asheron's Call
Asheron's Call is a classic MMORPG set in the treacherous world of Dereth, populated by thousands of players, NPCs, and monsters. The game is considered one of the first large-scale MMORPGs and has a variety of complex systems that set it apart from modern games.
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Publisher: Microsoft, Turbine, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Playerbase: Shut Down Type: MMORPG PvP: Open World / Duels Release Date: November 02, 1999 Shut Down Date: January 31, 2017 Pros: +Custom character builds. +Full-drop PvP. +Guild housing. +Sandbox gameplay. Cons: -Steep learning curve. -Outdated graphics. -No quest markers. |
Asheron's Call Overview
Asheron's Call is a buy-to-play MMORPG notable for being one of the first major games available in the genre, developed at the same time as Ultima Online and EverQuest. Its classic gameplay focuses on player choice, sandbox exploration, and nonlinear progression. While traditional character classes are available through basic templates, the game allows players to tailor their build and skills to create an endless variety of combinations. Multiple distinct playable races are available that include the Aluvian, the Sho, the Gear Knights, and the Lugian, all of which are deeply embedded in the game's detailed lore. Its combat is complex and unique, requiring players to consider enemy weaknesses, attack height, dodging, and more, with the added punishment of dropping items from your inventory if you perish. Due to the game's age, quest helpers and detailed help documentation are nonexistent, making it nearly mandatory to install third-party plug-ins to help players with the more monotonous elements of the game.
Asheron's Call Key Features:
- Massive Game World – seamless game world spanning over 500 square miles, stretching over the continent of Dereth and its many islands.
- Custom Character Builds – allocate stats and skills in whatever way you choose to create a totally unique character, not limited by classes or professions.
- Multiple Playable Races – play as over ten varied races that offer different weapon masteries and free Augmentation.
- Hardcore Gameplay – player death is met with a penalty that drops your stats and a percentage of your items and money.
- Guild Allegiances – pledge allegiance to another player within your guild to form a patron-vassal relationship and share experience, promoting cooperative play.
- Unique Combat System – fight enemies and other players using the game's complex combat systems that require players to pay attention to enemy weaknesses and strengths.
Asheron's Call Screenshots
Asheron's Call Featured Video
Asheron's Call Review
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Asheron's Call Screenshots
Asheron's Call Videos
Asheron's Call Online Links
Asheron's Call Official Site
Asheron's Call Official Forums
Asheron's Call Wiki (Info / Guides)
Asheron's Call System Requirements
Minimum Requirements:
Operating System: 98SE / 2000 / XP
CPU: 733 MHz
Video Card: 32 MB DirectX compatible card with hardware T&L
RAM: 256 MB
Hard Disk Space: 3 GB
Recommended Requirements:
Operating System: 98SE / 2000 / XP
CPU: 1 GHz
Video Card: 128 MB DirectX 9.0 compatible card with hardware T&L and vertex shaders
RAM: 512 MB
Hard Disk Space: 3 GB
Asheron's Call Music & Soundtrack
Coming Soon...
Asheron's Call Additional Information
Developer: Turbine Entertainment
Publisher: Microsoft, Turbine, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Release Date: November 02, 1999
Expansions:
Dark Majesty Release Date: November 4, 2001
Throne of Destiny Release Date: July 18, 2005
Shut Down Date: January 31, 2017
Development History / Background:
Asheron's Call was developed by Turbine Entertainment and published by Microsoft with a large multimillion dollar development budget. The game was innovative for its time, offering a single seamless world that experienced no lag between zones. Its development cycle took 40 months plus an additional 8 months of beta testing to complete, and was originally scheduled to release during Q4 of 1997. Its release was pushed back to November 02, 1999, and was the final game to be released in the classic MMORPG trio of Ultima Online, EverQuest, and Asheron's Call. It was the third most popular virtual world until May 2002 when Dark of Age of Camelot overtook it in subscriber count.
Dark Majesty, the first expansion, was released in 2001, and the game's sequel Asheron's Call 2 was released only a year later in 2002. The sequel was not as successful as the original game and was shut down in 2005, and re-released in 2012. Turbine Entertainment purchased the rights to Asheron's Call from Microsoft in 2003 and began hosting and developing the game on their own, releasing a second expansion called Throne of Destiny in 2005. The game's development was permanently stopped in 2014, coinciding with the decision to drop the monthly subscription fee, requiring a $10 purchase to create an account.
Asheron's Call shut down on January 31, 2017.
