Yslandia

For every game there exists a keystone feature that must be in place in order for it to have a chance at success. In a first-person shooter, it's the controls; for a racer, it's the vehicle handling.

In a massively multiplayer online role-playing game such as Yslandia, that keystone feature is technical stability. It doesn't matter how fantastic the universe, in-depth the character development features, or enthralling the action -without a stable network and solid technical performance, no massively multiplayer game can survive.

That's precisely what plagues Yslandia, and unless its alarmingly large list of technical demerits are addressed post-haste its chance for survival is slim.

The troubles start at the most basic level: logging into the game. Establishing an account and logging into any of a handful of servers is a clunky process characterised by disconnections and error messages.

Not once have I been able to log on without at least one error message appearing. Disconnection from the server is a regular occurrence, and given that you must be online at all times in order to play it's a game-killing problem.

It's an aggravating issue, particularly since the game boasts a creative setting and cast of characters.

There's an understandable attraction to the colourful universe of Yslandia, which is locked in a war between two diametrically opposed factions: the progressive Simeh'a Alliance and nefarious Zaa'me Coalition.

Both sides are represented by three races, each of which breaks down into three unique character classes. The Lycan Bloodhound, for example, possesses the unusual ability to summon clouds of insects as a weapon. Even traditional classes like the Paladin are given vivid descriptions that ensure distinction from other role-playing games.

Unfortunately, when you are able to log on and play, exploring the game world and developing these characters is not at all as fun as expected. Not only is the gameplay stunningly banal, but extreme lag renders it practically unplayable.

Combat is supposedly real-time, yet extraordinary lag makes it anything but. This isn't a slight delay from the moment your press the 'attack' button to when your sword swings - I'm talking about several seconds passing between when you hit that button and something happening on the screen.

It's possible to jam on the 'attack' button and witness nothing happen. In a few situations, I wasn't aware that my character had died because of excessive lag and continued trying to attack the enemy that had (unknowingly) killed me.

Other times entire battles play out in the span of a second, with multiple attacks registering at once as a result of the ridiculous lag stacking them up. Then there are the times in which nothing ever happens despite instructions to level attacks, enter shops, and chat to other players.

I can't conceive of a reason to put up with such lag, particularly given the mediocre gameplay that lies beneath. Yslandia sticks to convention in terms of quest design and combat. Running around delivering notes and items to non-player characters is hardly exciting and combat-oriented quests are hack 'n' slash affairs devoid of spice.

Tinkering with equipment and upgrading character-specific skills is enjoyable. Unfortunately, only three equipment slots are provided and core attributes are automatically upgraded, leaving abilities the only avenue through which you can develop your character.

The ability to create and join a guild and engage in player-versus-player combat is promising, although the game's shortage of players practically makes this feature irrelevant. An infusion of more players could help, but the extreme lag is undoubtedly discouraging newcomers.