If you've been following our coverage of the summer shows you'll know I caught up with Freaky Creatures at Comic-Con and Gen Con and have been impressed with their product from day one. I'll admit when I first saw the press release regarding the new game and saw the site I was less than blown away, but after some battles and research into the game I can see this being something I play in addition to my usual MMO list!

Freaky Creatures certainly has a great take on a collectible game. From the first glance you'll see that the collectibles are sturdy, well made and impart a sense of character all their own. Each of the 10 collectibles available at launch later this year represents an incredible amount of artistry and collaboration among very talented people. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that with each detail you find that is exactly what you think it should be in this game, many people lost a lot of sleep to make it just perfect! Trust me, there are a lot of good things.

Let's not forget that while the first set of creatures is going live this fall we'll be seeing many additions to the collectibles over the lifetime of the game and new editions will also make their way to the stores. So if you're into the collectible thing it has quality figurines, and if you're like me and are not so much into collecting, the game itself is filled with mechanics and depth that will keep you hooked for a long time.

While your starting creatures are dependent upon the starter pack purchase, your parts and powers are randomly assigned. More will become available as you continue to play, purchase creatures, and take part in the events that the community team has planned.

As I started character creation the first thing I noticed is that, while you can't change the creature's dimensions, your choices in attributes and additions are diverse and amazing! Your creature even gets its own intro music which can range across so many styles you'll be nothing less than floored!

As you choose your creature's parts and powers you're given a list of running stats that your creature has. While some players may find a more well rounded creature more effective against all sorts of enemies, it's easy to see that one could be overpowered if you went up against someone slanted in any given statistic or element.

Strategy plays an important part in the game, and powers are yet another option given for customization. While each choice of horns, weapons, tails, and more adds damage types and defense against different elements (ice, fire, physical, poison, etc.,) powers are used for specific power ups during battle and can range from heals to a larger percentage chance for damage!

Powers are used up once they've been utilized in battle, but you can always earn more! You can get new powers by winning battles, buying them with points you earn in battles and as you purchase more creatures to add to your collection.

When I first created my character I somehow passed up assigning her powers and was thoroughly confused until I finished my first battle and saw the big "Assign Powers" area. Then I felt less frustrated (Hey, I still won my first battle!) and a lot more chagrined!

Once you've created your creature, you're sent off into the world of battles and lairs. Lairs are where you can directly interact with your pet. You chose which planet to settle on, and then get to paying attention one on one with your creature. You can pet them, tickle them, feed them - but watch out! They might not enjoy what you're offering! You can add items to their area to customize the living space and while your starting options are limited, never fear. You'll have many chances to enlarge your lair item inventory as you progress in the game.

My options for decorating my lair were amusing in scope and I had quite a few options for placement. My creature interacted with several of the items I put into her lair, causing me to sit, stare and do nothing until I was certain she was done showing off. Yes the crazy idea of sitting and staring at a pixelated pet waiting for it to do something is not a pastime I ever thought I'd happily participate in. But gosh darn it, I was entertained!

If it's battles you want to jump right into then do it! You can choose to idle in the lobby area and chat with other creature handlers or challenge them to a battle. Or you can ask the computer to set you up with an available creature that's near your experience range. Or you can battle an NPC creature if there's no one else around or you're afraid to jump into the fray against a living being.

As you begin your battle both creatures are introduced with their theme music proudly playing to the crowd...of you and the other guy! Keep in mind others can watch your battle and you can always chat with each other or the lobby - so it's not like you're isolated from the goings on while you're in a game.

Battles are turn based events with a countdown requiring your input, just in case you were thinking of doing nothing and frustrating your opponent into giving you an easy victory by quitting the battle! Sneaky suckers!

Each "Creature Handler" (you, in case you've not been paying attention) chooses the attack of their creature, a nd sends them off to battle. Both players are shown the attacks the creatures will attempt and then you both get a chance to use your power before your creature actually carries out your commands!

Each battle is quick, maybe five or six minutes. The perfect amount of time to play while you're waiting for someone to finish getting ready to leave the house, the halftime show to end, or for your kids to finish finding all their homework before heading out for the day!

As your battles end, the winning creature hams it up and plays to the crowd while the unfortunate opponent takes a dirt nap and wallows in defeat. You'll get an update screen showing you the experience your creature gained for that battle and a choice of where to go next. Back to battles, refresh your power ups or lead your creature back to their lair for some chocolate and a nap!

The game flows really well between each area. The responses your creature gives at different intervals in the experience are beyond fitting with the world. If nothing else I wanted to keep playing just to see what my little warrior would do next!

Other MMOs could learn quite a few lessons from the game, right up front! Creation is truly in depth with a personalization that's hard to beat, and you can always change options if something just isn't working.

The game's subscription fee is $5.99 a month, and while it may not have regular MMO offerings like raiding, crafting and guilds, there's lots to be said for the casual yet competitive set up the folks at Abandon Entertainment Interactive have going for them. Much thought and effort has been put into the art, feel, music, and lore of the game and it shows in a big way!

While the game is still in beta and scheduled to release early 2009 - I encourage you to battle it out with your creatures from across the galaxy as soon as the collectibles arrive in stores near you!

Becky "Tovin" Simpson
Senior Editor, ZAM Network