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7th February 2005:
Dark Age of Camelot: Catacombs
Change is in the air, as the latest expansion to the Universe of King Arthur begins to take shape, we take a look.
Posted by Chris Snook - PC - UK and Europe

It has been three years since the initial release in Europe of Mythic Entertainment's Dark Age of Camelot, within those three year we have seen four major expansions, two of which have been free. Now finally the fifth expansion, Dark Age of Camelot: Catacombs is nearing release across the old countries.

Catacombs promises to be one of the more ambitious of the expansions and in a first for a retail expansion, there are no new races but a deepening of the backgrounds for three of the existing races. The Inconnu, the Shar and the Kobolds. With each of the three realms (Albion, Hibernia and Midgard) now linking into the home dwellings it will be up to you to discern the hidden hand behind the mysterious subjugation of the underground denizens by being turned into mindless creatures. Each of the news zones will link into the existing dungeons so providing a more integrated experience.

As has been the case with the previous expansions, graphics have undergone an upgrade, most heavily in the department of the player models, providing far more options to customise how they look visually, something which in the post SWG days is sure to be welcome. Dungeons too have also had a makeover, with more realistic lighting effects and shadows, so adding even further to the atmosphere as you trudge warily along waiting for your next combat to occur. In addition everything else has been cleaned up, with villages and the housing zones benefiting from the improved lighting on offer.

This time round five new classes, spread over the three realms have been added. One each plus a bonus class in Hibernia and Midgard. Albion gains the Heretic, one who followed the teachings of the Church of Albion but who has now forsaken that path and turned to Arawn, the old god of the dead. Midgard's Warlock's are worshipers of Hel, the Ice Queen of the dead and are members of a cult dedicated to her service, using a devastating combination of spells to vanquish any foe. Further, Midgard will also gain the Valkyrie, shepherds of the honourable dead to the feasting hall of Valhalla, defenders of the realm and available only to female avatars. Within Hibernia stalks the Vampiir, powerful melee specialists who also have the power to cast spells with their off-hand, generating the required power by landing vicious blows in combat. Finally there is the Baneshee, support spell casters, who can sue their voice to devastating effect against all and like the Valkyrie can only be female.

The last major change in play is instancing, where for the first time it will be possible as a group or when going solo, to have your own combats that are unaffected by the world outside. Private battles against the monsters that you can face, scaling to suit your party's strength and composition, providing more flexibility in how and how long you adventure for. Available only in dungeons instancing is possibly the most revolutionary addition to the game yet.

With further quests, bonus items, new NPC characters better sounds and places to explore DAOC: Catacombs should be well received.

Catacombs is due out next month, across Europe.

For more information visit The DAOC Europe Website

Or you can download the trailer. Catacombs Trailer

Chris Snook

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