New computer role-playing games let you be who you want to be

By Alexandra Balzer Sep 5, 2010, 16:26 GMT

Cologne - Who hasn't at least once dreamt of being someone else, of being able to fulfil every wish or even change the entire world with just the tap of a wand? Such dreams aren't hard to attain in virtual online worlds.

Indeed, the sky is the limit with the next wave of games. Blades have been sharpened, wands have been prepared and hordes of orcs and goblins are ready for battle with elves, dwarves and other fantastic creatures. And that's just for starters. After all, players don't have to limit themselves to magical worlds.

In short, there are enough options to please any fan, whether they're looking for something new or a sequel to a favourite game. And there are plenty of fans out there, with millions waiting for the newest instalments of their favourite games.

Some will have to be more patient than others. Fans have been waiting ten years for the third instalment of the demon saga Diablo. They're going to have to wait a little longer, since no-one knows when the newest release will actually hit markets.

Instead, at the recent Gamescom conference in Cologne, publisher Blizzard let fans play with virtual artisans who could go into Diablo's world to bust up unwanted objects, winning valuable raw materials in the process. They also got the chance to win weapons and armour.

Until that comes out, Microsoft has the very similar Fable 3 on offer. It's a classic role-playing game, in which the undead and other evil threats attack. Players are also tasked with a number of assignments.

Characters develop through their actions, which decide if they will become good or bad. The first major challenge is to take over the throne of Albion. This is the point after which other games would let players relax. But not Fable 3. It takes players straight to the next round, in which they have to run the kingdom and gather as many followers as possible. Those are in lieu of experience points and decide a player's power.

In Two Worlds 2, players start off in a decidedly less desirable position - locked up in the prison of their arch-enemy. But help is on the way and it's not long before players are exploring the vast world of Antaloor, sometimes on foot, sometimes on horseback.

Mercenaries and enchanted creatures are available to help while a magic eye leads the way, looking into impossible-to-see corners. The game also gives players the chance to create magic potions and custom-made weapons.

Meanwhile, players of DarkSpore take a big leap into the future, exploring vast breadths and leading home-made legions. The galaxy is being threatened by an evil force of dark spores. Players have to fight those spores with armies, partially of creatures made by the player.

Players also enchant planets full of evil mobs, earning building blocks that can be used to enhance one's army. The sci-fi adventure can be played singly, by up to four players or in multi-player mode. The planned release is for early 2011.

There's no easy way through Gothic 4 either. Players have to give it their all to survive Arcania and fight off its evil hordes.

The game may start off like a fairy tale, as the hero finds his true love. But danger is fast approaching. But King Rhobar III only has good intentions as he tries to unify his divided kingdom and provide peace. To keep players on the true path, they get a mini map to show them to the right places and people.

Players need to have quick reactions and remain steady to get through TERA online, since the offensive system of Arborea is neither automatic nor forgiving. Lots of punches land in thin air. The only good side is that the planet's opponents - your foes - also miss on occasion, especially if the player deflects them properly.

The game, which is still in its testing phase, recalls some elements of the Final Fantasy saga. It will be financed by subscriptions.

Also to be available online soon will be LOCO - Land of Chaos Online. However, for now, it is in a public testing phase. There is no word when that phase might end.