The game that has sucked the lives out of Koreans for years now is being made into a prequel. Lineage II: The Chaotic Chronicle will take place about 150 years before the original Lineage, and although there may be some familiar places and monsters, this is a completely new game. Instead of a third person isometric view, Lineage II has made the leap to 3D by adopting the Unreal engine. Now players can explore the world of Aden with a fully rotational camera.
The one aspect that benefits most from this format change is the castle sieges. This was the biggest staple of Lineage, and the developers have not forgotten this. Now that the camera can be manipulated, players will be able to see every nook and cranny in the castle's exterior when attacking. Flying over the ramparts on a dragon's back has never been so much fun before.
The intricate political and economic system is still in effect, with a world based almost totally on medieval Europe. Players can still join clans, affect the economy, and basically cause power shifts if they can muster enough support.
Many MMORPG's are going to be released within the next few years, but Lineage II may have the drop on most of them. The Unreal engine will allow players to travel seamlessly throughout the world, and the online and offline communities are bound to be enormous. Of all the games that are going to make you pay to play, this may be one of the best yet.
