Rappelz is another in a spate of Korean MMO betas, all which follow similar trends, and apply simple, predictable formulas with little innovation. It seems that these games are an epidemic that is never ceasing, with dozens of nearly identical games with different graphics saturating the market. Is it possible for a free MMO to set itself apart from the pa crowd, when there players options are practically unlimited in this genre?

Graphics: 9/10

One department that rappelz rupees executes flawlessly, and delivers extremely well is the visuals. The game takes a unique art direction, and combines it with some great looking character design and superb enemy models to give the world of Rappelz a consistent, sleek aesthetic style. The GUI is clean and easy to navigate, as well. However, in vast areas with a lot of foliage and grass, I did experience some frame rate issues, but these instances were sparse. Also, some of the environment textures aren?t as high-quality as the textures on the characters.

Sound: 7/10

Although there was actually some enjoyable music in the soundtrack (a first for me in an MMORPG) it was a limited set of songs, so I found myself hearing the same beats several times as I quested. It got quite repetitive, so as I often do, I switched on my own MP3 software. The sound effects as are to be expected from the genre.

Gameplay: 8/10

I found the combat system to be one of my favorite features of the game. It wasn?t the combat alone that enthralled me, actually; it was more the character progression system that drives the mechanics of conflict in rappelz rupees. First, the skill system was open-ended, customizable and best of all, simple. You simply concurrently earn skill experience as you fight. You can spend this to purchase passive and active abilities, as well as increase your job level to unlock more options on the skill tree. The great range of skills adds a decisive edge to the warfare. Also, there are special items called Boost Chips; these are battle items which can be essential to victory. You can purchase Boost Chips by trading in Laks, which are special points earned through battle. These can weaken monsters to the point that defeating them becomes a matter of only a few bludgeons with your mace. You can also have you?re creatures use abilities to support you during battles.