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Anarchy Online

EMAIL PRINT pc

7.8 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 11 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 13 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Funcom

Developer: Funcom

Genre(s): Role-Playing Game, MMORPG

Players: Unlimited

ESRB Rating: T (Teen)

Release Date: June 27, 2001

Summary

Funcom's massively multiplayer science-fiction online role-playing game, referred to as a "sci-fi Everquest" & fraught with bugginess and stability issues upon release, caused some critics to lose sleep over whether to review the game out of the box or after the release of routine patches.

Also On Metacritic

GAMES: Anarchy Online: Alien Invasion Anarchy Online: Lost Eden Anarchy Online: Shadowlands Anarchy Online: The Notum Wars

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central GameSpot GameSpot Guide

Also On The Web: Official Game Site

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Just RPG

The communitiy is huge, the forums helpful, and there are no hunts for ennemies around a barren wasteland.

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TotalGames.net

There is nothing wrong with this game universe or the adventure within it, if only we all the had the time to enjoy it properly without the need for work, study or sleep getting in the way!

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Yahoo! Games

The game has stability now to rival the games that have been on the market for years. While a few minor bugs and the occasional graphical glitch still exist, the game tends to play quite seamlessly.

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All Game Guide

Provides an important alternative to fantasy MMORPGs, and is designed well enough to warrant a look from anyone interested in the genre.

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GameSpy

A promising game with some big technical flaws, but in a few week's time it's sure to replace your "EverQuest" addiction.

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Voodoo Extreme

If you can brave being part of this polish stage in exchange for being part of something that’s new and a little bit of a break from the norm, then give AO a try.

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GameSpot

If it can conquer its technical problems, Anarchy Online will be the very best online role-playing game around.

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IGN

It's a brilliant, engaging, profound MMORPG, but with enough atrocious technical problems to make you scream more obscenities than a French truck driver.

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Game Revolution

If they eventually fix the bugs (like the other online games have), AO will definitely be a winner and more than just "Everquest in space."

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Playboy

Frame rates are so horrendously slow in the game's crowded areas -- such as the cities -- that it becomes almost painful to even move your character, let alone interact with others.

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Computer Games Magazine

It features great graphics, a slightly modified version of "EverQuest's" gameplay model, and lots of frustrating problems. True to its theme, you should only consider playing it in the future.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 7.8 (out of 10) based on 13 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Rachel L. gave it a 10:
It's definitely got a bunch of mistakes, but the game has enough patches to fix them. It's graphix are so beautiful that I can't bare to give it a 9 and the content is extroadinary! It'll keep you on your toes all day by whatever interests you may have!

Deborah D. gave it a 9:
AO has come a long way from it's shaky beginnings. The most important thing that keeps me in this game is the developer's committment to improvement. Their humbling start did not deter them, and they forged ahead to the point where they've created something very unique, very beautiful in Anarchy Online. The new expansion, The Shadowlands, broadens the game to such an extent, that it's almost as if you are experiencing an entirely new game, which, in a way, you are. It focuses on 'The Journey' and this journey is one that takes you into yourself, if you choose to walk the path. I'm a player.. and I love this game. I've tried many other MMOG's but always keep coming back to AO.

Trajan gave it a 7:
This is a pretty good and addictive game. As of July 2002 the bugs are gone and the game plays smoothly. One remaining problem is the lack of content for higher level characters. But since it takes a month or so of continuous playing (not powergaming!) to reach level 100 (out of 200) you can waste many weeks of your life before you get bored. Plus you can always start a new character with a different race and class and play for another month. Overall the game is worth the cost of admission and will get even better once the storyline begins.

[Anonymous] gave it a 2:
Sets the bar lower than ever before for MMORPGs, both for the despicable launch and the incredible number of high priority bugs that are still in the game a month and a half after retail release. Then, if you are lucky enough to get past the superficial bugs and actually *play* the game, you'll discover a load of fundamental bugs underneath: -lack of content, -generic architecture in the missions, -CLASS IMBALANCES -lack of unique items, etc. This game is eye candy alone. Don't buy it.

[Anonymous] gave it a 1:
This game is a joke. Reviews should be based on reality NOT what someone THINKS a game could possibly be sometime in the future. That is ridiculous! AO is completely unplayable in it's current state. Don't listen to the "Everquest" bashers. This game couldn't shine EQ's boots. If you want to play a highly stable, addictive and fun online game, then "Everquest" should be your purchase not this piece of garbage.

[Anonymous] gave it an 8:
True enough, AO does have a few problems but mainly because of the inabilty of users to read the recomended requirements. For the most part I find AO to be an incredibly engaging and addictive game. And seriously folks, if you read the reviews before you bought the game, then you wouldnt be in the situation you are in now, like the recommended requirements.

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