This is the Artix Entertainment game that tarted it all. In the game itself you can actually trace how it changed: some areas still have a very simple graphics, but new quests and areas are made in accordance with the styles of all the later games. The gameplay is ok, although sometime tedious, but the world is really rich in characters, areas and quests.
Gameplay: You play a mecha pilot in a world which is supposedly the past of the worlds presented in the other two games. This games features improvements, such as the addition of sound, and the gameplay itself is more dynamic. As in other three games, you have freedom in customization and as in other three games you are asked to pay a one-time fee for access to special areas and items. The graphics are well done with usual care and the realeses so far, even though the game is still young, promise to make this game perhaps the best of all AE games.
many people will complain that grapghics are not 3D, like world of Warcraft. That it is not, technically a multi-player game. But these points are actually strengths of the game, not its weaknesses.
Plus, the game has a very dedeicated team who do their best to bring quality content to their gamers, despite all technical limitations and server costs. Thy have a very fair deal with the player, one unlike any in the online gaming world.
The graphics are nicely done, after anime fashion.
There are no real minuses to the game as far as I am concerned. It is perfect for lunch-breaks, clean, polite (you are not exposed to ubiquitous rudeness as in most mmorpgs). And it's a good value for your money. The guys behind it are the most professional and caring game staff ever.
I tried it, being generally a disillusioned gamer. It's pretty fun when you want some rather midless entertainment. For the creative bits, there are competitions organized and you can write rpg on the game's forums. All together, a worthwile venture, although perhaps not for those who don't like classic 2d graphics and those who prefer to cast invectives at other players in a more interactive environment. Contrary to all other games, this one here acvtually tries to follow some good manners and culture. And it helps that they can't afford it to be a mmropg, I cannot deny that.