(log-in screen)

Overview

   Soul Master is a Real Time Strategy MMO game with many unique elements setting it apart from the competition.  Whether you’re looking for some hot arcade/rpg action, or some creative strategy with structures and units, Soul Master is the game for you!

Storyline:

You’re a Soul Linker with the responsibility of representing your kingdom by purifying the forces of evil.  It’s possible even, with due time and experience, that you could become a Soul Master!

The storyline is fine.  It’s not something I personally look into that much when I play an mmo.  Besides, with most of the quests in the game consisting of “Go get me such and such an item,” I forgot that there even is a storyline at times.

Character Customization

The character customization in this game is pretty much non-existent.  The classes are gender locked, the character creation screen provides minimal options for customization, and pretty much everyone uses the same kind of equipment at the level cap.  For the CB, there was only 3 classes available: Knight, Bearcat, and Priest. Three more classes are expected to be released sometime after the OB release.

Graphics

The graphics are superb when you consider the minimum system requirements.  Even a low-end type of pc can run this game just fine.  

Open Area Map

When you’re not doing instances or sticking it to you’re opponents, you will find yourself in an open area where you can buy items, weapons, armor, and other miscellaneous goodies.  There is also a warehouse to keep your spare goods, a guild administrator to help you manage a guild, and skill npcs who can upgrade your skills and your units’ level.
There’s plenty of emoticons to use to entertain yourself and those around you, and a special speech bubble that pops up whenever you type in general chat. This is also the place you can party up with others before tackling an instance.  All in all, the open area map is great.  It’s a great place to get some rest in before going onto your next adventure.

PvE

The main pve content is found in the instance-based maps that the game has to offer. You pick a map and a difficulty level to accompany the instance. Depending on the instance, it may also be possible to party up with a certain number of people who may help each other complete the instance.  The instances are usually simple and easy for the average player.  Partying has never seemed to be a requirement in this game; you can easily solo all of the instances.

Some instances have you going from point A to point B, while you collect units along the way who will help you with the rest of the instance and the possible boss at the end.  Others have you defend a base or defend or accompany a carriage safely to another point on the map.  These are perhaps the more difficult kinds of instances, because you have to multi-task with the various elements the game has to offer. Resources to build structures/units are gained through claiming seeds on the map. Claiming a seed will provide you with resources over time and a wee lil’ structure to protect the resources of the seed.

PvP

In order to participate in pvp, you simply click the “Battle Lobby” option located at the top-right of the screen and then pick an open room for you to compete.  It’s simple and easy to do, making it possible to enter a room with little effort.  Rooms can hold up to six people, who can participate in either an FFA (free for all) match, or a team match.  You then wait in the lobby until everyone in the room clicks “Ready” and then the creator of the room can start the match. You can socialize with the other people in the room before the match begins.  

Note: be careful if you play a female class in this game. I can’t count how many times I entered a battle room and someone said something like “Ya wanna cyber?” or “Everybody, rape her!”  The community is definitely not the best aspect to this game XD

Conclusion

Soul Master is fun to play.  The storyline, character customization, and the community are some of its weak points, but the actual game play truly shines.  Grab some seeds, build some structures, and align your units to the best of your ability, while all the while having fun with the arcade fighting element with your character.  Prepare for even more content when Soul Master enters its Open Beta Test 8/12.