Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited – PC – Preview


In many ways, Eberron Unlimited is not a “new” release for the Dungeons &
Dragons Online massively multiplayer online game from Turbine; it really
qualifies more as a re-imagined upgrade for the game.


While not launching until August 4, Turbine agreed to allow a look at the model
in development during a beta release and what Eberron Unlimited brings foremost
to the table is a micro-transaction window that will allow players to open the
window and buy items from just about anywhere in the game.


What does that mean? If you have the coin in the account, which you can purchase
with real-world currency, you can be in the midst of a dungeon and buy health
potions. But there is much more to it than that. There is a new race that can be
purchased from within the game, and a new class – the Favored Soul.


The level cap is being raised to 20 and under the new model, players can buy the
adventures they want rather than pay a monthly subscription fee. The system is
geared to allow players to pay for what they want, rather than be saddled with
the elements of the game they do not care for.


Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited PC screenshots


The rise in the player cap means new skills and the new class is one of those
where players can go either on the healing side or go damage-oriented. But the
Favored Soul is more than just spells. The class is also pretty handy with
weapons as well.


Improvements are being made to the combat system as well and the marketplace is
one again thriving.


For those who have not played D&D Online (often referred to as DDO), this is one
of the quintessential dungeon crawlers that allows players to gather in main
city areas, and then either group for dungeon quests or enter them solo (as you
enter the dungeon you are given many options as to the difficulty level and one
of them is the solo dungeon). Each of the quests tells part of the overriding
story and it is all about the drops as well as the adventure.


Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited PC screenshots


There seems to have been some graphical updates to the game since it was

reviewed
on GameZone back in May of 2006, and this is now looking much
crisper and is more of a treat to the eyes than previously remembered.


It was a nice journey back to Ebberon, and the EU edition was a surprise in many
regards.


There are new adventure packs available (for purchase) and these even include a
12-player raid.


The taste of DDO: EU was a short one, to be certain, but the game sparkled in
many ways and fans of the D&D ruleset, role-playing games and fantasy dungeon
crawlers should find much to like about this game. The micro-transaction format
might not be to everyone’s liking, but the way it seems to be implemented in EU
is a thoughtful one that puts the premium on players getting the most out of
their experience by being able to customize it.