Lineage II at E3

Lineage II expands on this but brings not only the graphics up to date (in a way I can't begin to describe using the Unreal Engine) but also the game play and character development.

Building your character is simple and straightforward. You pick your race - elf, dark elf, human, orc or dwarf - your features, your names and then the most BASIC of classes: will you be a warrior or a magic caster? There are 45 professions, but you're not expected to choose those until you've actually PLAYED the game and know what you want to do. At levels 20 and again at level 40 you can make those decisions. However, you won't be waiting till then to progress your character. Each level gives you skill points to spend on spells and abilities according to your liking.

I can't begin to describe the detail to which this game brings to every pixel. Each and every building is designed with care; the weapons are frightening; and, the armor...well I had them scroll through 4-5 sets I found it so amazing. I asked about crafting of armor and weapons. The choice was detail or crafting - quite frankly they made the right choice.

The Lineage franchise is a PvP design, but not your standard blood bath or "this monster spawn is mine". Towns are safe havens, no PvP occurs in town. You can PvP in the wilderness, but expect to take a penalty for attacking without reason. You may be asking what a "reason" would be and this is the center of the politics in Lineage - Castles.

A guild owns a castle and its leader has the right to determine the taxation rate in the area and also the types of monsters that spawn in the region. Keep your people (or your enemies) unhappy and you'll have a fight on your hands with players in the dozens on each side. Archer's shoot from the ramparts, mages cast spells and the melees defend at the door or inside. Until such time as the door is taken, the keep is held.

However, beware the attackers riding mounts. The mounts will help in the attacks - even the dragons. Yes, dragons - enormous, flying dragons that cover huge distances. There's nothing like seeing the town beneath you as you fly off.

Solo play is possible in this game. When I asked I was told as a solo player it would be more action-oriented. The wilderness holds landmarks for you to return to your city - I was shown an ENORMOUS tree and also a statue of a woman that I could only see parts of beneath the grating. Only her hand was visible from the ground, but it was enough.

Group play is more strategy - attack and defend, but at the time I viewed it more than 100 quests had been added. Boredom is not something you'll find.

Expansions will occur 1-2 times per year with the regular minor additions and bug fixes on a regular basis. This game isn't about ongoing storyline; it's about the politics of ownership - and fighting to keep it.

NCSoft is determined that this time around, they will have more of a presence in the US and as such there will be a dedicated US server.

Be sure to view the Image Gallery provided here. The first 10 images were made with a camera of a video screen, the others from the press kit.

Lineage II is definitely a game to watch.