MMOG, MMORPG, MMORTS and now even MMORTSCCG? The main public appeal on behalf of MMO, is probably the motto of many manufacturers today. Whether the Massively Multiplayer Online Real Time Strategy Collectible Card Game called SAGA Online also has the length of the genre name also still makes for surprise, we clarify in our detailed preview.

A small downer to start with: SAGA SAGA Online is titled in the U.S. since 4 Available in March 2008. Who here that is an online role-RTS expects the new generation sees itself quickly disappointed: A new standard in graphics, sound and network code is the now two years old titles are not definitive.

Those who do not bother it receives from game developer Silverlode Interactive presented with a true-to-fantasy setting: Elves, dwarves, humans, orcs and ogres – all there. They are joined by the night elves and the ministers of death, and finished the six-party system in the world of Gaia. And as you know, more than six to five and even straight, you have to give here any coalition mind games to red-red-green traffic light or Jamaica, but is divided into two groups just to units of three races. Would that be but only in North Rhine-Westphalia as easy …

Rather than empty political phrases come in SAGA Online, however, pointed and sharp weapons for use when the existing of elves, dwarves and humans Order-operation with the orcs and ogres, the night elves and the servants of the death of the Brotherhood Group for supremacy romped on the planet.

The gods must be crazy
Supremacy in this context is not quite correct. Finally, it is always to keep the big picture in view. And it revealed: Some wear their battle for a few powerful apparently even more power on the back of the weaker majority of – known from radio and television. On Gaia, the powerful are, however, no presidents and dictators, but deities. That have a beginning nor given each other on the nose, but then finally decided not to let others prefer to fight for themselves: Each god would just create a race, so the deal, and far from the sky on the surface of Gaia for can fight. The God who would win the race should finally gain the dominion over the sky.

In such a scenario we can of course ask us not long, and beat us on the side of one of the deities. To take it into account when giving the choice of one race or another strategic advantage that will prove it later. Thus the dwarf army is approximately befitting to Axeman, the elves have not only long ears, but no less short arcs, and the Dark Elves handle like with dark magic – fantasy experts here feel like home. The crux of the matter: On such exclusive Army elements have to do without each other’s races altogether. seeking a long-eared Axeman without her beard in the game world so vain.

Must I then also to the shtetl?
Definitely. But before it comes to the surface of Gaia, is at a little customization Manicure: Run your own banner for our nation, we must create ourselves. This does not, however, entirely free, but an integrated mini-editor. Offensive or against applicable law as flags should we stay on the battlefield so largely spared. Then there is even a layout for our capital cities to select. This term refers to online SAGA different terrains, which can cultivate by mountains and waters are different. The available terrain sets differed defend themselves from breed to breed, and can also sometimes better and sometimes worse or cultivate. Then we missed our newly founded nation nor a name, and then it goes down already in the shtetl.

Once at the bottom of the facts, it is the flourishing capital of the self-made nation to manage.As typical for most real-time strategy games we can build new buildings, let our workers work and dig all the armies. The latter can then be frightened away by the game world full of numerous quests waiting to be completed by us. Online role-playing meets real-time strategy – and is a pinch-game browser is also still free to: Anders takes as in offline strategy games online are available in SAGA sometimes several hours, will be completed by a new building.Fortunately, our hard-working workers potter but continue even if we ourselves are already in bed and dream of epic victories on Gaia Battlegrounds

Druff always there … and again … and again …
To select standing quests in SAGA Online with a corresponding icon on the map. A simple click is enough and we know what this is for all. Then our troops will be teleported to the corresponding instanced battleground – can start the carnage. Unfortunately, the Quest events designed especially starting from a very repetitive: to spank more than the opponent’s butt or take any building is not in most cases. Some quests can even be addressed again in higher level areas, then in a higher degree of difficulty. Unfortunately, no trace of diversity. The only bright spot: Some tasks can be tackled with the support of friendly players, which makes the whole procedure again new Pep.

And after the game has rather sluggish start also urgently needed. Even the fighting on the battlefields designed not really varied. While we can our troops in combat can take different formations, but quickly found to be extremely rudimentary: Depending on whether the other units of local rangers or be attacked, minimize the formation of a certain received damage. More thorough tactical options like the flank we look in vain. Particularly annoying: Our positioned at the front pikemen are ignored by the onrushing cavalry of the enemy’s simple – much to the annoyance of the archers positioned behind it, rather then get the one on the cover.

Yes, are you dopey?
Except for such exceptions are the enemy AI is, however, never a problem for. On the contrary: Time and again we can freely with our artillery in the fortress of the enemy take a stand, and handle his house into kindling – a deliberate failure of the cavalry is not well on the program routine. Interestingly, however, is taking the opportunity to strategically important buildings on the card can be. The more we have in our possession of it, may gain the more we cry Come here. Moreover, this then starts directly at one of the occupied building – a long walk to the current front-line accounts.

Two lights at the end of the tunnel
Following a rather disappointing fight against computer opponents, and lack of tactical and strategic options on the battlefield, may SAGA Online in two points, then convincing but still, battles with and against other players do the same fun as the motivating in the long term tradingCard element.

Instead of getting the game that is simply given a random collection of units, we must build our army as the card deck on a Trading Card Game. With the acquisition of so-called booster packs we will activate new units types that we recruit in either our army or exchange on integrated into the game market place with other players. Since each breed and group has their own unique cards, developed such a lively barter.

In addition to collect the experience that individual units through the successful participation in battles, and equipment looted from enemies, which are used to the attributes of their own army for further improvement. By limiting the number of units which may be driven during a battle in the field, it needs such a meticulous planning, to establish the most powerful army in each case.

Especially in light of artificial stupidity of computer opponents, finally, the battles against other human players to ensure the long-awaited challenge.

Graphically mediocre, the sound very convincing and the quests are within a few hours of play extremely repetitive. The playable in the U.S. for two years in this country SAGA Online puts down a really good start, sting so promising, the nine letters MMORTSCCG may be – can only positive out of the trading-card-game content. At least then, if you like fiddling with the trading cards.

approach may convince way the game until it goes into battle against other players. Again, the developers only scratch the surface of what would have been possible. Somehow missing the game that initially raised the big picture. A faction points account with deductions for bonuses for victories and defeats is all well and good. But where are the long-term consequences of a defeat? Where is the impact on the game world?

In the approach SAGA Online has really good ideas. It seems, however, when Silverlode Interactive have in implementing a little over.