Overview
Mu Online is a freeware RPG being constantly developed by Webzen Inc. However, the primary aim of the game is endless killing, with no quests or any other skills besides combat to train, which makes the game very boring after a while, and unsuited for long periods of play.
Graphics
Graphics are actually very nice, with smooth and well animated 3D models and cool looking armours, weapons and spells. It has many nice little touches, like grass swaying in the wind, birds and other little crittters flying around and even just the fact that your characters head is seperate from his/her body, and he/she will look in whatever direction your pointing the mouse. However, the viewpoint is fixed at a constant isometric 45 degree angle, which is frustrating when say, your trying to kill that skeleton, but the entire battle is obscured by a large tree/rock.
Sound Theres not much to say about the sounds. They all sound good, and even your stabs/slashes sound different depending on if your foe is armoured or not. I didn't download the music pack (sound effects come with the game), but by slightly downgrading the graphics (or not, if your system is powerful enough) there's no problems just running Media Player in the background.
Gameplay
Ahh, this is where the game falls apart. Although it plays fine, very much like an online freeware variant on Diablo 2, in fact, but there's a serious lack of anything to do besides endless killing. No skills to train or quests to do (apart from the one that you start the game doing: 'Find the Scroll of Emperor!') which is a major downer. Seriously, although quests can be a bit hit-and-miss in some MMORPG's, a game without them is like a sandwich without bread, take away any skill to train besides killing things and your left with a game that isn't going to have a lot of long term appeal. There are also only seven maps throughout the game, three of those being maps which seem based of Diablo 2 (a large plain with a central city) with two of the others being two and three tiered dungeons and the third being the underwater swimming world of Atlans.
Game System/Community
The game system is fine. You click where you want to move, pick up items using Space or by clicking on them, potions/inventory/stats can all be accessed/used by simple and logical hotkeys. Movement between the different maps is based on your level, but its unlikely you'll want to go to them as soon as your able, as the monsters will likely kill you in 2-3 hits. Surprisinly I experienced no lag and very few random disconnections, even on my 56k (Yes, I know, sad).
The community can range from good to annoying to downright infuriating, most of the people who play are fine, but PKer (player-killer) gangs tend to hang around the city enterances and kill anyone who dare steps foot outside, which is annoying, there are also hawkers, who are people who come up to you, offering you goods which you never asked for or probably don't particularly want. However, the infuration comes in when low level players come in while your fighting a monster way above your level, and score a few cheap hits on it, which cuts out a wad of experience which was rightfully yours, then as an insult to injury, they will probably steal whatever gold to monster drops (however, items have an anti-steal proximity system). The reverse is also true, as extreme high levels may come in and completely reef the enemies away.
Overall
Overall, if you have a fast internet connection and a passion for MMORPG's you should by all means give Mu a shot. Dial-upers or those who don't like lightweight RPG's such as Diablo 2 would probably be advised to find something that offered a little more depth.
Pros
+ Good graphics
+ Low system specs
+ Variety of armours/weapons/spells
Cons - Few maps
- Shallow, lack of quests
- PKers get annoying
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