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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  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. [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
  4. 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.
  5. 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

Awards & Rankings

79
#79 Most Discussed PC Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »