A True Noob Review of RO2

[Alchemist]

Ragnarok Online II: Legend of the Second

Ranting and Raving

I don't know who the second is, but he clearly has nothing to do with this game. Porings and Pecos aside: this is not your momma's Ragnarok. Drawing more inspiration from the manga than Ragnarok Online, RO2 is your quintessential WoW-clone with layer-upon-layer of smexy kafra-laden Rag-styled hack and slash skill-hotkey mashing funness.

Don't get it twisted. This is a totally new game. Though the starting classes are reminiscent of RO's 1st tier classes, that is where the similarities stop. There are some homages to the original anime stylings of the series and the locations seem to be on for the money, but besides that.... nothing is as it seems.

Gameplay

At the end of the day, no matter who's mama says what, a game is no more or less than it's end-user experience. RO2 is a skill-based game. Read: WoW. To the T. Stats? Yeah, you can customize them. A bit. Who cares? It's all about skill combos. The best human-robot takes all. RO2 is as mainstream as they come.

Customization

You can take jobs. Forget being an alchy... a smith... whatever. Jobs and classes are two separate things.... and anybody can Vend once they hit level 10. There are four jobs (to date): alchemist, blacksmith, cook, and artisan; all who make their own custom items; respectively. There are five classes to start, as well. Dead is the novice.??New players will create either Swordy, Aco, Mage, Archer, or Thief. You pick your class, your job, your gender, your hair, your eyes, etc.
And it progresses from there.

There are some class switch ups. Extendeds haven't been announced. Knight is actually Pally and Warrior is actually Knight - FYI. Besides that... there's nothing too exciting. Nobody's class looks lame anymore. Knights (read: Pallys) actually look cool instead of like walking refridgerators.

Though the OBT experience has been laggy beyond contempt, bugged beyond compare (including the RO beta - which I was there for). RO2 remains a game with potential for the average gamer and exhibits a more realized version of the universe we love. Over time.... it will remain to be seen whether or not it lives up to our expectations.

Regardless, I suggest to you remain loyal to your server, though, at the same time experience the "Free" chance to witness and critique the new RO2 on your own.

Salut & Namaste,

Fin