From birth, Dragons are distinguished by their size and strength. Their natural breath weapon makes them fearsome warriors, but they can also master magic. Tulga Games' Horizons: Empire of Istaria offers them as a playable race. Humans, Elves, Dwarves and Gnomes are familiar fantasy archetypes, while Half-Giants, Fiends, the feline Saris and the reptilian Sslik are less common options. Satyrs and Dryads are also unusual, in part because they became available through the players' efforts. All are united against a common foe, the necromantic Withered Aegis, whose undead armies pose a constant threat along the frontiers of the civilized lands.

Also notable is the title's crafting system, which may be the online world genre's most comprehensive. Skilled practitioners can fashion an enormous variety of weapons including swords, axes, maces, daggers, bows and more. In doing so, they use individual components. For example, a knife comprises a blade plus a hilt, with increased proficiency resulting in more alternatives. A character that has mastered the appropriate techniques can also add runes, fire, visual effects and even decorations like tassels. Recently, we were fortunate when the team agreed to keep us up to date on the game's key features and what lies ahead.