Horizons: Empire of Istaria

 PC
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 23 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 23
  3. Negative: 3 out of 23
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  1. [Anonymous]
    Dec 10, 2003
    7
    I bought this game and returned it right away. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get past the visuals! Compared to another MMO i've been playing the models are *very* polygonal and unlrealistc/un-believable, and character movement is very jerky and not-so-easy on my nerves. With all the pre-release hype, I'm sure it's a great game once you get into it and ignore the I bought this game and returned it right away. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get past the visuals! Compared to another MMO i've been playing the models are *very* polygonal and unlrealistc/un-believable, and character movement is very jerky and not-so-easy on my nerves. With all the pre-release hype, I'm sure it's a great game once you get into it and ignore the relative lack of polish, but it's not for me.… Expand
  2. HendrikM.
    Dec 20, 2003
    7
    Evolutionary, not revolutionary improvement on current MMORPG gameplay paradigmata. Decent graphics that strangely work better than AC2's, great user interface, awesome crafting/trading system, but suffers from an apparent lack of content variety and missing features (which the developers are currently promising to deliver in various future patches and expansions).
  3. XWraithX
    Jan 24, 2004
    9
    I'll admit that this is my first mmorpg, aside from playing star wars galaxies for a few hours, but in all Horizons seems to do quite a few things right, the crafting system is amazing, the combat while not perfect is still fun and interesting enough to keep coming back for more, and the music is amazing. And although i do agree that some parts of the maps are devoid of life, there I'll admit that this is my first mmorpg, aside from playing star wars galaxies for a few hours, but in all Horizons seems to do quite a few things right, the crafting system is amazing, the combat while not perfect is still fun and interesting enough to keep coming back for more, and the music is amazing. And although i do agree that some parts of the maps are devoid of life, there are plenty of things to see, do and kill. My main complaint is in the requirements. Even on my System it runs choppy occasionally. P4-2.66 512MB DDR 2700 ATI Radeon 9700 Pro 120GB WD SE HDD w/ 8MB Cache … Expand
  4. RayP.
    Apr 1, 2004
    9
    Excellent game. Because crafting is so good in the game, really awesome weapons with cool effects are available. The game is very stable, virtually bug free, EXCELLENT MUSIC (not like Final Fantasy's MIDI sounding crap), and decent graphics. This one will keep me involved and may actually give WoW a run for its money.
  5. [Anonymous]
    Dec 10, 2003
    7
    I bought this game and returned it right away. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get past the visuals! Compared to another MMO i've been playing the models are *very* polygonal and unlrealistc/un-believable, and character movement is very jerky and not-so-easy on my nerves. With all the pre-release hype, I'm sure it's a great game once you get into it and ignore the I bought this game and returned it right away. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get past the visuals! Compared to another MMO i've been playing the models are *very* polygonal and unlrealistc/un-believable, and character movement is very jerky and not-so-easy on my nerves. With all the pre-release hype, I'm sure it's a great game once you get into it and ignore the relative lack of polish, but it's not for me.… Expand
  6. OliverC.
    Dec 10, 2003
    10
    This game is the best mmorg till now. The crafting system is excellent and the mission system too. Just buy it!
  7. AdamP.
    Dec 26, 2003
    10
    What this game does, it does like no other. The crafting system is wonderful, and the fighting system is good AND complicated. The best mmorpg out right now, I guarantee it.
  8. Del
    Jan 5, 2004
    6
    Still undecided and have to agree with a lot of what Danny L says. The programmers have created an interesting and varied environment but as yet appear to have forgotten to add a game (other than crafting). I'll stick it out for another month or two and see what they add.
  9. FlorianM.
    Dec 19, 2003
    2
    Horizons has been released in a pre-beta status. Many central gameplay functions are bugged, some of them are not even implemented. There is no noteworthy support, no patch documentation and no timeline. After one week everyone complains (as in the "real" beta phase) about a lack of motivation because there is no competition and no sense at all. Nice graphics and a perfect game interface Horizons has been released in a pre-beta status. Many central gameplay functions are bugged, some of them are not even implemented. There is no noteworthy support, no patch documentation and no timeline. After one week everyone complains (as in the "real" beta phase) about a lack of motivation because there is no competition and no sense at all. Nice graphics and a perfect game interface are clearly not enough to run a successful MMORPG.… Expand
  10. GregY.
    Dec 3, 2003
    10
    Awesome races, the best housing and tradeskills I have ever seen! Way better than EQ or AC!
  11. DannyL.
    Dec 31, 2003
    5
    Graphics are extremely average - very comparable to the original AC. Talk about a pre-beta release state - there are no dungeons, NO MAP, no sense of doing anything other than killing stuff or crafting (Although I did run for 15 min in one direction away from a town and couldn't find one monster to kill). It does have enough complexity to keep me playing for a little while - the Graphics are extremely average - very comparable to the original AC. Talk about a pre-beta release state - there are no dungeons, NO MAP, no sense of doing anything other than killing stuff or crafting (Although I did run for 15 min in one direction away from a town and couldn't find one monster to kill). It does have enough complexity to keep me playing for a little while - the crafting and economy base seem promising. Lastly, anyone that gives this game a 10 must be a) a child that has not played any other online game or b)a retard. Sorry for the insult but let me reiterate - there are no dungeons, no map, no guidebook available to give you a better sense of things, etc. … Expand
  12. CharlesD.
    Dec 9, 2003
    10
    This game is a beast.
  13. Silithus-Zerr
    Jan 2, 2014
    10
    Still up and running after reaching it's ten year anniversary, this game is definitely worth checking out. It may not have the flashy visuals that characterize modern MMORPG's but more than makes up for this through unique features such as playing a dragon race through three stages of life development, or building a real plot or dragon lair as part of the world where anyone can walk in andStill up and running after reaching it's ten year anniversary, this game is definitely worth checking out. It may not have the flashy visuals that characterize modern MMORPG's but more than makes up for this through unique features such as playing a dragon race through three stages of life development, or building a real plot or dragon lair as part of the world where anyone can walk in and sit down instead of having instanced situations. There are over 26 different adventure classes (all of which can be combined with one another in a multi-class system for great customization) for the many races that walk on two feet, and a unique draconic adventure class for the dragons.

    Now run by Virtrium, it is also showing promise as new content is released periodically. Recently added was a whole new crafting class for Dragons and a new area to explore called Fiery Rift. The company often deals with players personally when they need help through a ticket system, and has a very fast response time. Although the game does have bugs, the developer's often work hard at quickly eradicating them when they arise.

    The community is also one of the best I've seen. Max level players continue to go out of their way to help new players learn or provide equipment to help them. The Order shard of the game (Roleplay) features a small but tight knit community of roleplayers and just plain good people, while the Chaos shard (PvE) is there for those with less of a 'In-character' bent.

    Final verdict: Definitely worth a try on trial period to test out the multitude of different races. Or go Human for free-to-play option.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

79
#79 Most Discussed PC Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. Game Informer
    70
    It became clear at this point that Horizons follows the MMORPG cannon to the letter, that the graphics are very average, and that there's no reason to play outside the social aspect. [Feb 2004, p.111]
  2. PC Format
    73
    It’s stable, easy to learn, cheap and has plenty of scope for development, which is perhaps more than the competition offers.
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  3. Worth Playing
    60
    It doesn’t offer enough of a twist to lure people away from their current game, and there are plenty of established games that are simply better.
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