From the makers of Forlorn Hope: Online, comes a browser-based RPG set in a fantasy setting where you assume the role of one of five starting classes: archer, caster, fighter healer or rogue. Over the course of the game, you can evolve into more specialized classes and professions: the game boasts 45 playable classes. Some of its features include: an advanced and customizable interface, turn-based combat, advanced crafting systems, siege weapons, player versus player combat, thousands of quests, and more. While that does seem like quite a bit of content, does it live up to its claims?

The game's interface is indeed very advanced. There are several windows which house different information relevant to your experience, while the central window adapts to the current situation. There are also a handful of dropdown menus at the top of the screen that allow access to the game's many menus. While it may be daunting at first, the interface is very logical in its design. A little common sense will go a long way in being able to navigate through the game. Because of the multitude of menus needed for a game of this design, the only alternative would be to resort to text commands. Given that, Lands of Hope's interface is more than welcome.

Navigation is performed by clicking on a small, tile-based mini-map. Alternatively, you can type in map co-ordinates or set travel markers to warp to quickly warp to destinations. While this is convenient, it dulls the sense that you are in a large, living world. There is also no danger of mobs killing you while traveling, since you can just avoid them entirely. However, there are areas in the game which require you defeat each room before continuing.

The game is largely text-based, but also includes various graphical elements. The mini-map is represented in simple tiles, and many rooms have a graphical preview. Graphical icons also represent characters, beasts, NPCs, and items. The fusion of the two genres is nicely done and adds an interesting depth to the game.

The combat system is fairly straight forward. Clicking on a mob will execute the "default action," usually to attack, and bring up the combat menu. Here, you can decide to use the weapons you are wielding, combat abilities, spells, or items. Once you decide, it determines the result and the mob's actions are shown as well. You can customize your character to use any of the abilities or spells you possess by "readying" them before entering combat. This way, you don't have to click on several different buttons each fight-just click one button to perform your set attack.

Crafting is also fairly involved. There are many crafting skills, along with gathering skills that you can learn. When you perform a craft-related action, it is sent to a trade queue, where you can have up to 20 actions stored. To mine, for example, you must click on the resource node to send the command to your queue. Clicking on this 20 times will fill your queue. While this is happening, you can leave the area and do anything you like. Fighting while gathering resources is a good way to gain levels quickly, as you gain experience from the mobs you kill as well as the resources you gather. Crafting items works in much the same way, using the same trade queue. Since you gain experience with crafting, you can even level your character through this method alone, never worrying about combat.

The quest system is very simple. Certain NPCs will offer quests when interacting with them, which give various rewards. The quest log records your missions for easy reference and you can complete them as you do other things. The majority of quests I discovered, however, only involved talking to certain NPCs or killing x amount of monsters. To be fair, I did not progress very far into the 1000 level limit and more complex quests are likely to be had in later levels.

One interesting feature of Lands of Hope is the ability to tame animals. With a learned skill, you can tame almost anything you find in the game and train it. You can even buy it equipment and teach it skills. If you wish, you can make a living by taming animals, training them, and then selling them on the market.

Currently, there are two different servers. Trollsblood allows for safer play, where players can not attack or steal from each other. Hellsgate is a bit more difficult, as you must watch your back from other players who may be after your money, items, or worse. In each server, you progress through realm maps that must be unlocked at 100 level intervals. This ensures that you will always be able to find content you can manage without having to go too far. There is also a tutorial realm that will let you learn the ropes via guided quests.

Recently added end-game content includes a battlefield and Legend Dungeons. These dungeons are quest-based areas which must be completed room by room and take a significant amount of time to complete. Upon completion, you earn special tokens that can be used to buy legendary items. You can also spend your time improving your skills as well, becoming a master of several trades. Lands of Hope is always changing, and its developers are continually adding new content to the game. The website forums feature an idea board where players can interact with the creator and discuss possible future implementations.

There is no trial period for Lands of Hope, but players can play until the 100th level for free. Afterwards, there is a one-time $15 USD charge to progress further. Each account can hold 5 characters, so the price is extremely reasonable. There are also optional items you can purchase which give various benefits, such as extra storage space, unique pets, land titles, or alternate character portraits. Players can pay via various methods, including by mail or telephone.

For a browser-based game, Lands of Hope is very complex and well thought out. There are so many things to do; I found it hard to write about. The graphics are simple, yet stylistic and colorful. The interface does what it should, and successfully translates hundreds of functions into a manageable format. While playing, you'll forget that you're navigating so many different menus, and that's a good thing. At times, I found the game to be a bit lonely. Since it is relatively new, there aren't that many players online at all times. Hopefully, that will change as the game garners more popularity. Despite the lack of activity, the game is brought alive by detailed rooms, combat encounters, and lore, so that you really don't miss the hustle and bustle of crowded MMOs. With 1000 levels and almost 50 playable professions, the replay factor of this game is astounding, and for such a low price tag, it's an excellent buy and has definitely broken some new ground.