Kinda good, but....eh

Pros: There's a large amount of files to choose from. You just enter some keywords and hit search watch the files pour in. You select a file, and download it. it can take awhile depending on the connection. Chat channels are also a good part of this application, and the OpenNap addition allows you to trade files in private and with a little more effiency. You can select what files you want to share, and the types of files you want to share/download. No spyware, no adware. Simple to setup, easy to uninstall. Small client, ability to message users you are downloading from, uploading to, or just happen across.

Cons: Problems...oh boy sit down here they come. Downloads don't always start immediately. You can be queued for minutes, hours, even months for one file. Files are never guaranteed to be virus free. You also have to worry about fake files (files that are just corrupt and shared for alterier motives.) Let's add in the lack of support for this application, lack of upgrades, and abysmal reputation it has. Files sometimes mismatch and fail to download, but guess what, you never know until it comes up in the queue. You cannot select individual files to share, and have to select folders instead. Many different anti-piracy groups linger here, attacking anyone they see fit, regardless of if the file is copyrighted or not. (RIAJ warned me about a song I created on my own.) Your ip address can be found and attacked by those with only a little knowledge of how to do so. Joining opennap networks can be difficult and some block users from joining. No search is exact; Enter an artist if you want and you get everything under the red sun.

Chat channels are filled by bots, and if you chance into one that is not, you have to remember that it is not moderated and ANYTHING goes.

*Use WinMX at your own risk. If you are worried about AntiPiracy groups bothering you, download PeerGuardian 2 for a little defense.

Posted: 24-May-2005 11:56:13 PM

For some not all

Pros: Music: Well, it's not bad, but then again it's nothing spectacular. Songs and sound effects are recycled ad nauseum in mostly midi, sound wise, becoming enough to set a small tone, but quickly becomes annoying. Sound effects are humorous and many are done well. A few qualms with some sound effects being so high pitched that it makes your skin crawl. Characters do have small voices, but nothing more than a grunt, a scream, or some weird mumbling. Not that impressive, but effort was shown.

Graphics: Lush environments and breathtaking areas, Dofus does not have. Sprites and set enviroments is what this flash game has. While you won't find great graphical effects, you also won't find too many problems with the graphics fitting the setting. Enter into a forest, there will be trees strewn about. Near the coast, and you'll see a bit of ocean. It's far from 3-D, and the 2.5 top down view does improve on the lack of that much. Characters: Well, they didn't break the mold with these characters, but credit where credit is due, they did a good job with them. Each class has a unique appearance, attacking type, their own spells, and special uses. 11 classes to choose from, with a ***** selection for each. You can change the color scheme of your character to suit your tastes as well.

Game play: FF Tactics, anyone? This game is basically that with some extra feature. The entire game world is cutup into squares. There is no real free roaming atmosphere so to speak, as you just go to one map transfer point and move to the adjacent square. It can be a arduous task to travel long distances, but that is aided by Zaaps; which take you to certain locations for a fee. Battles take place after either clicking on a creature or being aggro'd by one. Customer Service: If there is one thing they can do right, it would be CS. If you have a problem, sending a support ticket often solves it in

under a few days. While they don't always understand because of the language differences, they do try and will do their best to assist you.

Cons: Free to Play: Limited free to play actually. You are restricted from certain things if you have not payed to play. One restriction is not being able to leave the free area. You can mind you, but you will not be able to do anything other than walk and talk. Also, you have lowered chances to actually gain any rare items. Some quests require that you be p2p, and many jobs are hindered by the lack of higher resources. Add to that leveling beyond a certain level is near impossible without p2p.

Elitism: If you've heard the term you already know what it means. Those who are higher and stronger prey on and take advantage of anyone lower than them. These people gain a following and soon become the titans of the game, either advancing there aggressions on lower levels, or in rare cases actually attempting to help the game. Community-wise, this game suffers are only 20% of the community actually is friendly and respectful.

Balance: There is no real balance to Dofus. In most games, there is a general since of rock scissors paper, but in this there is not. Many classes are overpowered, other underpowered. Many of the equipments and items benefit only certain classes, while others have to struggle. Some spells are extremely overpowered, while others have no real purpose.

Posted: 09-Dec-2005 01:43:00 PM