This disconnect between player and avatar depicts the latter as some helpless animal that needs to be dressed and fed well in order for the former to function. "Sorry guys, I'd love to take down this monster but I need to head home and make sure my avatar is wearing the right kind of armor. I'll be back soon!" It makes it hard to identify yourself with your creation, and to put yourself in his shoes.

Like most browser MMOs, "Age of Lore" demands a very small time investment from even the most dedicated, but any substantial form of progression requires days, if not weeks, of constant attention, as many in-game actions are throttled by real-world timers.

Gardening fits this design well. It's not an integral piece of the play pie, and even the youngest of knee-biters understands seeds don't germinate instantly after plantation. Energy, an essential in-game exhaustible resource, on the other hand, doesn't fit so well. Without it, player actions become grotesquely limited to managing a personal inventory, purchasing items in a shop, and taking "lessons" to increase adeptness in a particular school of magic, among others.

The traditional "game" elements made available via the map page, such as moving, searching, harvesting, fighting monsters, etc., become cut off until the player uses an energy potion or waits. 30 energy points regenerate every hour for "traditional players," but premium members see an increase of five points per hour.

Premium members don't only receive benefits allowing a faster rate of progression, they can also create better, more capable characters. Anyone who pays 250 Acclaim Coins for the membership gains the option to add a "slot 'gem'" "for more bonus equipment," providing an edge over non-premium members. It's not a significant advantage, but it still qualifies as one. This is why I'll never ever take the player versus player combat with the slightest shred of seriousness.

I didn't really love this game; I didn't hate it, either. It's just kind of ... there. Like an apathetic classmate who's content with maintaining a "C" average, even if you know they can do better. If you want to be friends with this person, go for it, but I'll take the leggy brunette with smarts and sass.

Review Kyle Stallock
August 6, 2009