Recent reviews by Contra_Element

This game is a hot mess and I love it.

I came to DDO when it still much resembled 3rd edition D&D (I was there, Gandalf. I was there 3000 years ago). The graphics date the game heavily--the basic D&D-like ruleset has been papered over again and again by increasingly MMO-like mechanics like some kind of paper mache monstrosity--several of the classes feel irreparably bungled (looking at you, Monks)--but I nonetheless love this game. I love that you can open up whole chunks of quests by investing in skills you would never think would be that important, like Jump or Swim--I love that that the game gives absolutely zero ♥♥♥♥♥ about maintaining the classic tank/dps/support party model--I love that there is a huge selection of spells and abilities that have nothing to do with combat and there's enough room in much of the content to actually spend on these abilities without becoming insolvent in a party. DDO has never been an amazing or top MMO, but it has and has always had a level of detail and support for varying play styles that I have never found anywhere else. You can access a surprising amount of content completely free and while playing on your own, and even after all this time I am still meeting new and returning players whenever I deign to party up (admittedly not very often, but still)

There's a gem in here, if you're willing to dig for it. I'd recommend it to any TTRPG player with a little patience. Try Hardcore mode!