Published and currently being hosted by Aeria games and entertainment, Stone Age 2 seems to break away from the common mould popularised by recent MMORPG titles and instead focuses towards the more classic RPG elements reflected by titles such as the original FF games and also Game Freak’s hugely popular Pokemon series. Though such elements are seldom seen in current MMORPG titles, those who have played the more classic turn-based combat RPG games will feel right at home with this one.

As with other MMORPG games, once players have logged in they are given the option of creating a new character. This is done by selecting from one of the games avatar foundations. Of course the appearance of your character can be customised through activating various facets of the game. For example clothing or armour can be purchased from a store and then equipped or, if you’re very lucky, taken as the spoils of battle.

The game-play itself is exceedingly simple and anyone who has played other popular MMO games such Trickster or Mix Master should be able to pick it up in five seconds flat. What you will quickly come to notice is that just about every action can be done by using the mouse with the exception, of course, of talking to other players. Movement, NPC interaction, utilizing the shops and using items can all be done through right-clicking.

When it is time for your first battle, this is where Stone Age 2 takes a step away from traditional click and wait combat and instead focuses more towards strategy, tactics and team work. Yes, although status and abilities make a big difference in terms of combat if you understand the games combat system, the foe you are facing and the various skills, abilities and items at your disposal, it is possible to dispatch beasts larger and much stronger than yourself. However, I should really say that this is easier said than done as damage and status alignments rely on the old dice-roll systems. That is to say, no matter what you do, you are never 100% sure of what might happen as a result of your action.

Furthermore, as the combat in Stone Age 2 takes place in random-encounter like events and is structured to be turn-based, gamers who have gotten use to the click and wait until it is dead thing seen in so many MMORPGs might find that this takes a little getting use to. However, of course, for all you old-school final fantasy fans, this style of combat should be nothing new. Describing the battle-system is rather difficult without actually looking at it. Similar to the Pokemon games on Game Boy and other systems there is so need for hotkeys or button mashing. Once you are engaged in battle and it has come to be your turn your attacks, items and other various skills will be presented in a short list which can be expanded as the number of your skills and attacks grows. Simply click on what you wish to use such as an attack and then on the monster your wish to target. You select an action for each member on your team and then once you are happy, simply watch the actions play out after which it will then be your opponents turn to deliver the smack down. Though this might seem a very slow and complicated process, I can assure you that it is really simple and can be mastered in very little time.

Perhaps seeking to cash in of the capture, raise and battle concept popularised by Pokemon Stone Age 2 places much of its focus on the monsters found throughout the game and building up your own team of beasts and dinosaur like creatures. With a great variety of different monsters wondering about which you choose to capture and train will be a matter of personal choice. However, it is wise to think before just using one because you think it is cute as tactics and strategy become increasingly important as your progress through the game and go on to fight larger and more powerful fiends. As with most games similar in nature, a solid understanding of the various abilities, attacks, strengths and weaknesses will be your key to success and is thus important to take the time to learn the traits of the various monsters.

With such simple game play coupled with bright, colourful semi 3D anime influenced graphics, Stone Age 2 will greatly appeal to younger players. However, that is not to say older players previously swept up in the Pokemon craze will not also get a kick out of it. In terms of the games visual appearance and audio, both suite it well. However, despite there being many places to explore, monsters to see, capture, defeat, train and grow and also a large number of quests I question wether the games content will be enough to keep older and perhaps more matured gamers interested.

For me, Stone Age 2 simply represents a new spin on an old concept and was an enjoyable play and I am sure I will continue exploring throughout the duration of the CB and perhaps even the OB. All in all Stone Age 2 is simple, clean and casual fun and can be played as either a time-waster or as your primary MMO focus. I think that with the implementation of the crafting system, PvP combat and various other elements crucial to modern MMORPG titles, this game has a lot of potential and I am more than happy to give it a nice 7 out of 10.