Asherons Call 2 Review – A Journey Back to the Magic and Tragedy of Dereth

Asheron’s Call 2 was an ambitious follow-up to the classic MMORPG, Asheron’s Call. Despite its innovations and the nostalgia of its predecessor, the game struggled to gain a substantial subscriber base and was shut down twice.

• Developer: Turbine Entertainment Software
• Publisher: Turbine Entertainment Software
• Release Date: 2002
• Platforms: PC
• Official Site: N/A (Game No Longer Available)
• Genre: MMORPG

Gameplay

Asheron’s Call 2 took players back to the magical world of Dereth, which drew inspiration from European medieval settings. Developers focused on bringing action and adventure to the forefront, easing off the grinding elements that are typical in MMORPGs.

Racial Diversity and Specialization

One of the standout features was the game’s three distinct races—humans, Tumerok, and Lugian—each with unique sets of abilities, skills, and limitations. The game had significant racial restrictions; for example, a Tumerok could never become a craftsman, and a human couldn’t master battle magic. Such limitations forced players to carefully choose their race based on the gameplay style they wanted to pursue.

Character Customization

Beyond races, players could further customize their character’s gender, body size, and clothing. The developers made sure physiological traits had a tangible impact on gameplay, creating a unique interaction experience with the game world and other players.

Skill Specialization

Choosing your character’s skill specialization was crucial. A knight would not be able to learn spells, whereas wizards could not equip heavy armor. This encouraged players to team up to fill various roles in the gameplay experience.

Strategic Combat

Combat in Asheron’s Call 2 was complex and required a significant amount of strategic thought. Enemies had unique weaknesses and strengths, demanding players work cohesively in various roles to win battles. The game encouraged team play through its combat system, which was designed to necessitate cooperation among different character classes.

Community and Alliances

Players had several ways to interact and form alliances. Temporary groups were common for completing specific objectives, but players could also join more stable alliances or even kingdoms. These high-level communities controlled territories and participated in massive in-game battles, providing another layer of complexity and engagement in the game.

The End and the Aftermath

Unfortunately, Asheron’s Call 2 faced various challenges, from a low subscriber base to the shifting focus of its development company, Turbine Entertainment Software, which eventually led to the game’s closure not once, but twice. The servers were finally shut down on January 31, 2017, and the Asheron’s Call IP remains with Turbine to this day.

Conclusion

Asheron’s Call 2 was an ambitious but ultimately flawed sequel. Despite its rich lore, strategic gameplay, and complex social structures, it failed to capture a substantial audience. It serves as both a lesson and a fond memory for those who got to experience its unique world.