Mortal Online differs from other games when it comes to mounts too. The game will not feature any 'pocketable' horses, instead, they will be creatures in their own right and can be stolen or killed, or simply wander off by themselves.
On the plus side, mounts can be trained and outfitted to make them more efficient in battle. An important feature of the game is that characters will be able to carry out all normal combat abilities within reason while mounted, such as firing a bow or swinging a sword.
This means players can enjoy the speed and added damage of a warhorse under them during a fight, however they should also remember these creatures are vulnerable, and can be harmed by others.
Players will be able to buy mounts from vendor NPCs, or hunt down wild animals to train themselves. The taming process is challenging, but it can also be another way to make money.
The world of Nave is seamless, and players are not blocked from any areas. The continent, Myrland, is 64Km squared not including caves, mines and dungeons. As mentioned before, there is no minimap in the game, so it is quite possible to get lost. Map making is a profession though, so maps can be bought from other players for a price.
Star Vault warns players not to expect the usual end game grind found in other MMOs. Instead of killing the same boss 100 times and perhaps dying once or twice, players should find these statistics reversed.
Mortal Gold will feature no re-spawning bosses, but there will be one-time encounters that will really challenge players; all notable NPCs and creatures in the game can be controlled by GMs and developers.
Players are also told not to expect enemy NPCs to act as they do in other games. Dynamic behaviour means that if mobs are outnumbered or are timid creatures, they may flee instead of attacking.
After sitting through the full presentation, it's clear to see that if Star Vault can pull this off, Mortal Gold will truly be a unique experience. The game won't be for everybody, that's for sure.
The “attack anyone anywhere” format will put some casual players off, but hardcore PvPers and anyone who enjoys a real challenge from their MMO should find something to amuse themselves.
Mortal Gold will be subscription based, and is currently in the closed beta stage of testing. It is expected to go on sale this summer.
The presentation described in this article can be downloaded from the official Mortal Goldsite. Be sure to check back here at IncGamers for a hands-on report in the coming weeks.