Hello!
First off, myself so you know a bit of the reviewer
I've been playing RO since its launch though I've stopped playing official since rebirth is introduced. I've been on 5 different servers mostly low to mid rate servers to name a few: RebirthRO, EssenceRO, HeartBreakRO, XileRO and this SicaRO. I'm not that PvP oriented nor I enjoy killing people in PvP. That being said, I will still do WoE with my guilds, But what I enjoy most are the in-game economy and social activity. I'm playing from Australia, so normally I will visit servers that is hosted in Australia or at least US West.
The Server
General Information
Name: Sicaro
Rate: Base 50x Job 50x Drop 25x (drop rate varies for card)
Forum: Yes
Lite-installer: Yes
Self-patcher: Yes
Peak hour population: 72
Off-peak population: 38
Server
From what I've experienced, playing on this server daily for close to 3 weeks, there have not been any problems with downtime unless its planned (server maintenance). Connection wise, relatively low latency from Australia and I haven't seen anyone from south-east Asia complained about their connection to server. There are however some random spikes in latency but its rare (2 times in 4 days average) and I can't say for sure its the server's problem.
Game Master
Game master in the game prefers not to be seen, unless they are event GMs. Currently there are 4 GM in the server although I've only seen 3 of them around. I think they are helpful, if you've got problems they will help you as much as they could. The head GM will even ask if you have resolved the problem you're having or not (personal experience when I was crashing in Prontera)! They do check bots though I don't know how effective... (got spawned to jail and interrogated)
Overall although you don't see them running around in Prontera (good thing), and you sure can feel that they are working behind the scene.
Community
Because the server is new players in game haven't established a closed circle where no new member of the community can't enter. Well of course there are some closed circle already made however for most there are gaps in their friendship circle where a new player can fit in and be welcomed. Best way is to join a guild!
I haven't seen any major drama yet but I'm sure there will be some later when the population grows.
PvP
I can't report on this since I havent PvP-ed much but from what I hear there's not much PvP going on unless its after WoE or at peak hours. However you can always hunt people down when you see Player XXX joined PvP Arena (=p). The most favorite class I've seen is Sura (from what I see).
WoE
There are 4 or 5 guilds currently battling for 2 castles in Prontera on Saturdays and another 2 in Payon on Sundays. Its fun! though mainly WoE is focused on last break attempt and last minute defend. the first 50 minutes is filled with random PK. But random PK is fun too. I bet the WoE will get better when more players joined and more guilds are formed.
Economy
Not much happening economy wise, it is probably because of the low population and server age. Few shops are available in Prontera where you can get cards or other items. But really, nothing much is happening =(. Perfect opportunity if you want to be a zennionaire. Why this is happening is probably because guilds are pooling their items together and refrain from selling their extras fearing that it might make the competition worse =p.
Commands
@main <- Chat channel thats not used
@mail <- not widely used either
@at <- not many people vends =(
@mi
@ii
@al
@alootid
Features
Battlegrounds implemented, though no one actually get on it and play. Hopefully it will improve with server growth.
3rdClass Skills ON/OFF PvP <-- if you dislike the 3rd class skills
Conclusion
SicaRO is a server where new players can come and feel welcomed (you need to make the effort though). Even with the current population, decent WoE is happening and decent social activity is happening.
Posted on: Jan 09, 2011, 04:48 pm
Annnd two hours after i wrote this review, server downtime =( unexpected...
