by Johnathan Vredeveld

Created on: June 18, 2008

There are many online RPGs out there. It's mostly the same old stuff given a new look for each one. The basic idea always seems to be "click this until it dies, then click that until it dies and gain a level". It never requires much actual thought.

Dofus is different. Though there is a bit of a grind, as seems to be present almost all MMORPGs, it's not nearly as monotonous. But I'm getting ahead of myself; let's start from the beginning.

After downloading the very small installer and creating an account, you are able to choose a server and create your first character very easily. There are 11 classes to choose from, 12 if you pay for a subscription. These classes are all very diverse, ranging from your typical "Hulk smash" warrior to a massive-HP tank that gets stronger as it takes damage to a mage that locks down the opponent to a cat person that relies on luck. My first time around, I chose a character that summoned monsters from the game to do the fighting.

After making a character, you are taken to Incarnam, a training ground sitting high on a mountain range. The helpful bird-people there will teach you how to move and fight when you talk to them, though they are a little difficult to understand due to less-than-perfect translation.

As you move through the first few maps, there will be new NPCs to talk to in order to gain small quests that span the duration of your conversation. Only the first two NPCs explain how to do anything; the others are really just there to get you on your way to your first level-up.

Finally, after moving through about 6 maps, you come to the area where the real game starts. Monsters are everywhere, and are all easy enough for a new player to practice on. I'll leave you to find out exactly how to play; this is a review, not a guide.

After leaving Incarnam, the next area you wind up in is Astrub, located almost smack-dab in the middle of the entire Dofus world. Players who have not subscribed are limited to this area, and as such it is very crowded. Good monster groups are hard to find, and thus it is difficult to level. The professions you can learn in order to gain money are very difficult to level here due to the lack of resources available, and they are limited to level 30 (out of 100) anyway. I know I said this was not a guide, but I feel I have to warn you: do NOT take a Miner profession. There is one mine in the entire city of Astrub, and it has very few gathering spots available.

The city of Astrub itself is a very unpleasant place.

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