Once all foes are down, players can loot the corpses. Items and gold are plentiful and fun to see. Books to 'train' characters and mercenaries can be found and right clicking them will raise skills in the chosen attack (for instance, Freezing Axe for axe users and Wild Shot for gunners). Item Boxes will also yield weapons and armor. Players can equip their mercenaries with armor, weapons, jewelry, and more to keep them tough and battle ready. In fact, mercenaries can equip as much as the player.
The landscapes in Atlantica are pretty but not overpowering and the world covers 'real world' locations in Asia and Europe. Movement around the world is easy and uses the standard WASD keys. Camera angles are changed with the mouse. One of the more interesting and unusual features of Atlantica is the 'auto move' option which, well, automatically moves characters to the needed quest area. Again, this is another nod at casual players who might need a bit of help if they don't know the world inside out.
It is odd however, to see characters just standing out in the open with crossed swords over their heads. This indicates that they are in a battle sequence but, except for the icon, they are simply standing there. Multiplayer can group up to three characters together for battle and experience scales up accordingly. I have not yet had the opportunity to play in a party yet.
I have only gotten my character to level 7 mainly due to the log in problems described earlier. I simply have given up in frustration several times the last day or two. Still, Atlantica is fun and engaging though it will remain to be seen how long it will hold my attention. I do like the loot system and from all reports, there is much to do as one rises in levels. For instance, at level 20, characters can rename their mercenaries that is a fun option to ponder. Atlantica also offers players and guilds the ability to control towns and create their own government systems. It similarly appears that the economy will play a big role in Atlanticaso it's safe to say that there is much more to Atlantica than I have yet experienced.
Knowing that Atlantica Online is in closed beta until the end of July, I find that it is an engaging and interesting game so far. There are numerous bugs but that's to be expected and I'm sure that many of them will be ironed out before the game's official launch. Fans of RTS will like Atlantica, maybe even love it. Traditional RPGers will also like Atlantica for the high level of customization and the robust quest system.
But you don't have to take my word for it:
NDoors and Atlantica Online have generously donated 1,000 beta keys for members of the WarCry community. In case you didn't notice the banner on the front page, you can grab yours here: http://www.warcry.com/contests/register/atlanticabeta . If you're not a community member, be sure to sign up for a site membership and the WarCry newsletter to get your beta key.
C'mon! What are you waiting for?
