In the case of Shadowlands, you have more than just an expansion pack. Calling Shadowlands an expansion pack would be a crime. When the expansion pack weighs in to be as large as the original game, you know it’s more than just an expansion.

It seems like the good lads at Funcom put some pretty heavy thought into Shadowlands, everything from the look, feel, and even the background story. Shadowlands is a place where humanity existed many ages ago. It was a peaceful planet rich with life, green trees, a fertile planet, a paradise that could not be matched. At the center of this paradise was the source of all life, death, and what could only be known as the essence of the world itself. Unfortunately, some men wanted more than just a good life on a beautiful planet, they wanted power, control, and above all immortality. Using the source to prolong their death, it became a drug that they wouldn’t let go of, no matter what the cost. Those who chose not to consume the source (called the Redeemed) left the planet in order to spread humanity elsewhere, while those who spent out the existence of the source (called the Unredeemed) stayed until the planet died, exploded into two separate shards. The two shards, Rubi-Ka and the other lifeless void of a planet called the Shadowlands would both be breeched once again many ages later. As the struggle still continues with Omni-Tek and the Rebels, a race begins to either consume the last of the source, or protect it with your dying breath. Which side shall you choose?

As with all categories you’ll read today, Shadowlands builds upon an already good amount of gameplay and gives gamers more. For starters, two more classes (Shade and Keeper) to choose from, thousands of weapons, nanos, and items that will be specifically for Shadowland users only. You’ll also have perks available that you can use to finely tune your character into a specific class, such as an assassin, sharpshooter, medic, etc… Enemy AI has also been beefed up and you’ll find that you won’t be able to solo as much back in AO. Enemies will buff themselves with nanos, use more help, and retreat if they are losing.

Shadowlands also offers the faction system with the Redeemed and Unredeemed classes that’ll introduce raid-like gameplay. You’ll have to fight for control of the “source” as it will allow you to gain a percentage more of experience points. The more source points you control, the more XP you’ll gain. And let’s face it - XP is yummy. It’s only a matter of time before the hardcore players start going at each other to take control of all the source points.

Even if you’re not one to PVP, Shadowlands offers a compelling world that just calls to be explored. So many different places, monsters, and landscapes to see, hear, and fight. Shadowlands just grabs me and I can’t help but want to see more and more of it. I want to see how far the rabbit hole goes, I want to find out the secrets behind man, and so will you. The world of Rubi-Ka was a barren waste, Shadowlands is much more complex, it’s more than just cities and desert, it’s a world of its own. Some of the toughest monsters you’ll fight will be here, and let’s not forget; only in the Shadowlands will you be able to achieve a level of 220. That’s a feature only few will accomplish. Will you be one of them? There’s so much to see, and to me, seeing it all is the main reason to give Shadowlands a shot.

Though it’s not without some bugs (hopefully to be ironed out soon), Shadowlands promises to be an expansion pack that will set the scale for future expansion packs. You’ll have plenty of things to see and do for some time to come, especially if you’re a new comer.

Anarchy Online offers some of the best graphics in a MMORPG and I remembered when I first set step onto Rubi-Ka. I was taken back by the huge landscapes, and wonderfully captured essence of the barren, yet beautiful planet. As nice as Rubi-Ka looked, Shadowlands surpasses it in so many ways. Simply put, this is one of those games you go out and spend $300 on a video card and then another $300 for a nice big monitor. This is a game that’ll you want to run at the highest resolution with every visual option maxed out. There are so many impressive graphical feats accomplished with Shadowlands that I found myself just watching the two suns rise and set throughout the lands.

Shadowlands not only offers its own beautifully rendered and intensely textured landscapes, it also offers gamers a slew of new monsters to feast your eyes on. Some look incredibly scary, while others just simply amaze me. Whether they are just huge or have a glowing tint in there eye like the Coral Rafters, with over 40 unique monsters that you’ll see in Shadowlands there’s something for everyone. You can get a sense on how much work the art team did during the creation.

The landscapes, as I said before are also very detailed. You can walk up to pillars and read the archaic language (actually created for the game) that is inscribed. You’ll also notice a gaping vortex in the center of the sky that just beckons to be gazed upon. As it swirls clockwise, you can also notice clouds and lights shimmering across the night time sky. It’s beautiful in every sense of the word. It’s really tough picking my favorite area in Shadowlands but I would have to choose The Brink. It’s a place where chaos and destruction seem to blend together. The sky is dark, the clouds ever darker, it’s a place you don’t want to go, but can’t help but go deeper. When you’re at The Brink, you know you’ve gone too far.

Even though there are some occasional slow downs when too many people clutter one area, it still impresses me to no end. Everything you’ve come to expect in Anarchy Online has been outdone graphically by Shadowlands. Bump up your memory, or just go buy a whole new computer, this is one game where the eye candy is well worth the money.

After listening to the original AO soundtrack I was really excited to see what Shadowlands was bringing to the table for the musical track. Whether it’s the peaceful composer of the grounds of Elysium complete with strings, and percussions or the bell chimes of the Unredeemed/Redeemed temples, Shadowlands hits the nail on the head. There are so many lovely melodies put to work that it seems to move more like a movie then a game sometimes.

The sounds in Shadowlands are just as well done. The old monster-sounds have been tweaked as well as new ones have been added for all newly created monsters. With over a total of 10,000 sound effects in AO/SL it’s no wonder why you’re ears will be thanking you every time you play. The ambient sound is also well done as you’ll be listening to certain chants and quick little spurts of hymns. The new battle music has a fresh new techno style and, even though I’m not a huge fan of techno, I really enjoyed it. It can be just as upbeat or intense as the old battle music.

Sound and Music is definitely one of my most favorite categories to rate, especially with games like Anarchy Online. Shadowlands builds upon and already great soundtrack and breathes some fresh air into the title. One thing is certain, I’ll be looking to get the soundtrack if/when it’s released.

One of the most useful things Shadowlands has to offer is a new easier to manage GUI system. Even though the old one was ok, it could vex someone new to the Anarchy Online world. This new GUI has a sleeker design. Buttons are set to the left and right of your text screen and, even though it might take 5-10 minutes to figure out, once you do you’ll be set. I think the best part is now you can click buttons to emote certain actions instead of having to remember how to sit, back flip, dance, or greet someone. Now all emotes are categorized by action and only take a few clicks to activate. Overall the design is better in every possible way, and if you don’t enjoy the new one you can always goes back to the other one. I’ve always said it’s about giving gamers a choice and Funcom does it again with the new GUI.

Shadowlands seems more than just an expansion pack. It’s more like a parallel game to AO. Two different lands, so many new additions: music, sound, perks, enemies, a new interface, factions, and a world that will stun our eyes and captivate our minds. Sure, some may say I’m going a little over the top, but seeing everything new for the first time really is worth the trip. For $30 you get everything you need, that’s AO, Notum Wars, and Shadowlands. One thing I better not hear anyone say is that they didn’t get there money’s worth. If you’re one of those people who don’t do MMPOG’s I would suggest getting this one and trying it out. If you’re also one of those people that are on the fence about which MMPOG to get, well…., look no further.