Senior Staff Writer Chris "Pwyff" Tom ventured into the beautiful world of Drakensang Online to see if this Diablo-esque MMO can up the ante on browser-based gaming.

Drakensang Online has two major unique features: its Diablo-esque nature still allows for a large MMO feel (although dungeons are still instanced, small-group affairs), and its free-to-play aspect. In terms of the game's big MMO draw, it was rather nice to run around the main quest hub villages, seeing all the players. Monster spawn times could get a little low because of an abundance of hunters in the field, but knowing that company is nearby is really what makes an MMORPG experience for me.

Bigpoint has taken a bit of a hybrid approach to Drakensang Online's free-to-play format. The cash shop currency in Drakensang Online, Andermant, can be earned by traditional monster-mashing methods or through purchasing in the cash shop. Because Andermant is so readily available, however, this also means that most endgame transactions in Drakensang Online revolve around Andermant. Even identifying epic loot requires Andermant or a high number of Crystals of Truth (which are a semi-rare drop or can be purchased with Andermant). Still, it's nice to know that you're not missing out on an entire section of the game, just because the developers have set a hard line separating purchasers from free-to-play fans.

All in all, Drakensang Online is a nice browser-based adventure that essentially delivers a good quality MMORPG without the computer requirements. While I certainly wish that Bigpoint could have steered it in a unique direction, there is a solid foundation at the core of this game. In fact, don't think of Drakensang Online as being just another browser-based MMORPG; think of it, instead, as an MMORPG that just happens to be played within your browser. I may not be completely sold on this genre yet, but this is definitely a step in the right direction. 

Christopher "Pwyff" Tom, Senior Staff Writer