Hi there,
First I'd like to introduce myself to the forum, I'm new here. This will be my first review as well as my first post, so thank you very much.
My first review is going to be for a server called Royalty Online. Now, I have been playing Ragnarok for about 4 years now, and even with the official servers included...I must admit, this server has really charmed me.
Now at first, I'll admit...I was a..Little skeptical. When I looked at the RMS entry, I noticed that every single review was from around 94 to 100. I thought, wow...There's no way it could be THAT good...And I was wrong. The server really is that good.
First and foremost, the best thing about the server is it's community. There are quite a lot of players with an average of say, 18 players online during the weekdays, and maybe 20+ on weekends, and the server is 3 weeks old or so GM Merso tells me, which is quite a speedy growth rate. Everyone on the server is friendly, tanked me to help me out, and really went the extra mile to make friends with me.
The next item on the list would be the GM's, or rather....GM. There's only one GM for the entire server, named GM Merso, and at first this seems to be a turn-off. However, GM Merso works from home as he tells me, and is always there to help me day and night, which I find extremely useful and is much appreciated.
The amount of comradery between the GM and the players is also very unusually good. He doesn't act like a God, he acts like a friend. He helps people out, talks with them, makes jokes, gives leveling advice, and even introduces you to the whole server. He really makes you feel like you're his friend and not just another number.
So, what I'm really getting at here is that the best thing about Royalty Online is the community. Lots of people, friendly people, active WoE, and the most stable and friendly GM I've seen. However, this is not all that meets the eye.
The amount of detail and customization which GM Merso (who is also, coincidentally, the owner and sole scripter of the server amazingly) has but unusual amounts of effort into what he has made. I was very impressed by the layout of all the NPC's, how they were all customized to fit the server, how there was everything we needed, and even a custom main town! But one of the things which really separates this server from others, in terms of customs, are 4 additions: The custom mall, hero's realm, healbuffer, and exotic hat seller.
First and foremost, the mall. The mall is very detailed. I asked GM Merso about it, and he told me that he actually based the design of the mall somewhat on that of a real shopping mall. There are levels to the mall, there are outlets for each type of shop, there are billboards, NPC shoppers, and even "You are here" Maps. It's VERY cool.
Next we have the Hero's Realm. This is quite a distinctive place. It has a quest which you can complete in 5 seperate stages for particular items, or altogether for one big prize. The Hero's Realm itself is a vast map with little street corners, shops, big castles for the gods, and much more. There are also special effects like beams of sunlight, auras, and much more which GM Merso has personally added, they are all very nice.
The Healbuffer...Now this is intresting. I've seen healbuffers before. Usually they give you Agi/bless, and fully recover HP. What I have not seen however, is the Soul Link. Yes, that's right, it soul links you. Now at first, this sounded like it was too powerful to me. But GM Merso explained that through the Soul Link, tons of new skills like One Handed Quicken, Full Adrenaline, and Berserk Pitcher open up, which opens up huge new possibilities for new builds, and honestly I agree.
Finally we have the exotic hat seller. He is a big moose in a white jacket with a red cap and a pipe, who sells all sorts of cosmetically wacky and interesting hats. None of the hats are unabalanced, and the best of them cost up to 10 million zeny, even with discount, which keeps the market from getting flooded with hats but also allows for there to be a little variety in the way people look.
Well, finally, let me cover the bad things about the server...................Okay, well, there isn't really anything bad to be just totally honest. I will critiscize the Website though. It doesn't have a lot of refinement, and it can look at a little plain at times, but it is very easy to navigate and find what you want, has it's own Update archive, and a nice news page, so it serves it's purpose well even if it's not the best looking thing in the world.
Well, I'm rambling now, so let me finish it up with this..........Royalty Online is a gem among servers which you will rarely ever find. It's rank #11 in Mid Rate servers on RMS, and it's only it's 3rd week- that should tell you just how good it is. If you are looking for the real dream server with a fun and friendly GM, a great community, balanced customs, and overall fun.....Well, Royalty Online is the place for you. I really love this server and it would honestly make me tear a little if it were to ever die, so I hope you will give it a try and love it as much as I did.
Overall: 10/10
Thank you, and I hope you enjoyed my first review!
