Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach (Windows)

DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS ONLINE: STORMREACH gets many of its cues directly from the circa-1970s pen-and-paper version of the game. A Dungeon Master narrates elements of the game. For example, when entering a dungeon, players may hear the DM tell them something along the lines of, "...it's evident this room hasn't been used for years, as the thick dust on the floor is disturbed only by the faint footprints of rats and mice."

Unlike most RPGs that give out points for defeating individual enemies, experience points in D&D Online are awarded only at the completion of the quest. Players will find it difficult to pull out in the middle of a mission, since other players are depending on them. Players unfamiliar with the pen-and-paper version of the game may be puzzled by references to things like "saving rolls" and skill checks. For example, in true D&D style, damage is indicated in figures like 1d8 + 2 (the roll of one eight-sided die plus 2).

While this game is entertaining, teens (and their parents) may want to make sure it's the right fit for them before signing up for the $15-a-month fee. The main concern: This game is a major time suck. Social interaction isn't just encouraged --- it's very nearly a requirement. Few of the game's quests are easy enough for a single player to complete, requiring players to join into parties, mixing and matching the skills of their individual characters to help each other out.

The game offers impressive displays of scenery, but the quests are typically staged in cramped dungeons, cellars, and underground caverns, which rarely seem as vivid as players might expect. As with many online games, the game can lag. Popular common areas can get jerky and slow, to the point of locking up the computer. There is plenty to admire here, but parents should set serious guidelines before allowing their kids to play.