MMOHUB Sho Online Review

“Sho Online” is an ambitious Korean MMORPG that many will find similar to Mythic’s “Warhammer Online.” Its sprawling Asian fantasy world has its roots in both Chinese history and the mythical world of Taoism. In “Sho Online,” players are affiliated with one of two warring kingdoms: the Yin dynasty, adherents to a shattered great power, or the Zhou dynasty, upstart rebels looking to overthrow the established order. The fight for control of the realm echoes throughout all aspects of a player’s career.

“Sho Online’s” gameplay should feel very natural to most MMORPG gamers. Movement, camera control, attacks and spells are all accomplished through the genre-standard key combinations made famous by titles like “World of Warcraft.” Player characters begin in their faction’s stronghold and, through a series of quests, venture out into the expansive game world to kill specified creatures and retrieve necessary items. Slight additions to the tried and true formula, such as a regenerating Chi Shield reminiscent of first-person shooter force fields, help set “Sho Online” apart, but in most respects the game sinks immediately into a familiar, though not unwelcome, groove.

Character creation is a shortcoming for “Sho Online,” as there are only three classes -- Warrior, Assassin, and Soolsa (a spellcaster) -- available to the starting player. Though each class can specialize further into two separate career paths, the lack of diversity in character classes is disappointing. The fact that each of the six careers have to wait until level 65 of a possible 80 to claim the ‘Ultimate Skill’ that makes them truly unique also cuts down on the variety. Customization during the game is much more involved. In addition to upgrading spells and abilities, at each new level the player can choose to increase a number of ‘body skills,” including resistances, attack and defense. Early leveling is refreshingly speedy, so a new player will be able to build a more specialized character right out of the gate.

Adventuring in “Sho Online” is exciting, if often repetitive. The world is well-designed, with interesting topography and a lush Chinese aesthetic. Though the graphics are just under the curve for a game in this genre, the art does a great job conveying the setting. The creatures are varied, ranging from humble frogs and birds to ravenous undead and demons. Moreover, multiple monster species populate each zone, so the player isn’t stuck fighting one enemy group for ten levels. Travel between zones is instantaneous, but this doesn’t seem to shrink the world at all; the sheer abundance and variety of locales is one of the game’s strongest features.

Combat is simple, streamlined, and effective. The speed at which spells and skills resolve is especially well suited to the controls and style, allowing for strategy while still forcing the player to think quickly. The item system is another positive aspect of “Sho Online.” Characters will quickly assemble a sizeable collection of magic items. Special weapons and armor pieces drop frequently, and each has its own individual bonuses. The system will feel familiar to fans of the “Diablo” series, who will once again get to hunt down components of item sets and agonize over which statistics to improve.

Since the storyline of “Sho Online” focuses on the war between Yin and Zhou, it should come as no surprise that PvP is an important aspect of the game. Players from opposing factions are always permitted to engage one another, but the real meat of “Sho Online’s” realm-versus-realm system is the war. This event activates whenever one side manages to kill a special governor NPC fighting for the other realm. From there, it’s a straight-on, head-to-head brawl. War impacts the player’s experience in a number of ways. Most of the contested territories are home to high-level monsters and valuable loot, so exerting control over the land allows victorious players to claim greater rewards. On the individual level, having a high PvP rank allows you to buy and use exclusive items. As you advance, you’ll be able to help your team out with new strategies and abilities. An item called War Plate transforms your character into a giant siege engine, amplifying your destructive potential. The end-game bosses drop items that enable more impressive transformations into soaring eagles and two-headed snakes.

In many ways, “Sho Online” has the foundation for a sweeping realm-versus-realm MMO. PvP combat changes the shape of the landscape, and each character, no matter how inexperienced, can contribute to the war effort. Unfortunately, the broken translation gets in the way of comprehension, and it’s hard to get fired up about a war you can’t understand. The inadequate translation also makes questing less rewarding, which may upset committed solo players or PvE enthusiasts. Aside from temporary events and a rudimentary crafting system, there aren’t many ways to get involved with the central conflict save actual participation. For the aspiring General, though, “Sho Online” provides frequent in-game rewards and many opportunities to conquer a world of myth and legend. Playing “Sho Online” requires more than a little patience, but those who come to the experience willing to work around its rough edges may find themselves growing very comfortable on the battlefield.

Review Josh Harrison
September 18, 2009

http://mmohub.org/game/sho-online/