The problem with preview code is often, that the list of errors and bugs is longer then the manual. And mostly that manual is not included, so the reviewer has to press every key on his keyboard to find out what the possibilities of the game are. These things are not applicable on the code we got from Dungeon Siege. Yes, there was a list of problems, but it was a short one, and the manual was included. And after playing for more then a week, I still did not find any of the bugs mentioned in the bug list. Besides, the two CD’s where pressed, not burned, so it is possible that we got a copy of the game as it will be available in the shop, next month probably.

This RPG starts as usual, you have to make your avatar. Male or female, I always take the female form, but my psychiatrist says that I don’t have to worry about that. There are a couple of possibilities to choose another face, another haircut, the colour of the hair and the clothes. During the time that you are choosing, the character is turning around and making gestures at you. As far as this, all very common. Although it all happens in 3D, which is not so common. But then, the story starts with an intro movie. Your character plays a part in it, already in the form you just made! Very nice, like this you are dropped right in the middle of story. I don’t remember everything of it, but there was a battle years ago between the forces of Good and Evil. Suddenly, an old man stumbles to you and before he dies, he tells you to go towards a town nearby. There you have to announce the return of the Forces of Evil. Who thought that you would play an important role in saving the world?

You start with a knife, a bow and a magic attack formula. Pressing the Q cycles through these weapons, so it is possible to start with a magic attack, shoot an arrow to the monster that runs to you and if it is still alive when it reaches you, kill it with the knife. The moment the program tells you that you reached a higher level, is the moment that you realise that you did not give points to the usual melee or ranged attack skills. In this game, you get more experience by using the things that you like to use. So if you only shoot, you will become a good archer, if you like swords, you just use that knife and you get points for melee automatically. This makes Dungeon Siege a title for everyone, minus the hardcore RPG players, they probably want to decide themselves what skills they give points to. They want more skills also, in this game there are only a few. As far as now, I got experience in different kinds of fighting, and I levelled my intelligence, but I have no clue why… too stupid?

After killing the first bees, goblins, angry dogs and attacking birds, you soon find the first dungeon. At least if you explore the whole map, because you are free to walk where you want. In the dungeon is a bear, you can kill him, the reward is a better armour. Just like in Throne of Darkness, everything that is useful is visible on the screen. The only problem in the beginning is that your inventory is too small, and you don’t know where the shops are to sell the things you don’t need anymore. But that is only in the beginning, because you can give things to your comrades, it is even possible to use donkeys to carry more stuff.

More about this game will be told in the review. For now, I am pretty sure this game will get a high score. It is fun to play, it is big, and it has been a long time since we got a decent RPG. At the start, I thought: “This game plays much like Planescape Torment.” But that is a bit too high, you can compare it more to Nox. (Although you will form a party, something that was not possible in Nox.) How different the finished game will be from this preview, I don’t know. But even if nothing changes, this certainly is a title to keep an eye on.