Back when I started this game nearly 13 years ago, I was hooked. It is the one game that I consistently come back to and there is good reason why. In many games you find balance issues, unfair Imms, lack of RP or PK, horrible clan systems... But alas, this game truly has it all. You start in a smallish city called Pangaea, with many races and classes (multi-classing allowed) to choose from. The world itself is extremely vast, having many areas that I still have yet to explore, and the Imms keep building on to. The players are extremely friendly and many are more than willing to help newbies if needed, and it will almost certainly be needed. This is not a mud for the faint of mudding. It will require a lot of time and effort. In the beginning you will gain levels fast, but near the end level (127) it can take a day or two to gain one level. If I really had to sum this mud up, I would compare it greatly to WoW actually (I hope I'm allowed to say that), minus the being able to multi-class. You gain levels, learn spells with levels, have unique races and classes, really all a mud could offer. I strongly recommend people to at least try this mud, so they can experience for themselves the possibilities of it.

I have been playing this MUD basically since it was created. During those times I have quit a few times. I even ran my own MUD for awhile. However, somehow this MUD always seems to call you back to it. It is a great grouping of both Immortals and Players. Great RolePlay atmosphere and just an addictive thing to get into. Now in 2008 I still play this MUD after 13 years and it is still fun and even I still find new things throughout the world that i've overlooked in the past. I definitely recommend this mud to anyone who wants to just have fun.

Normally you would read a review about a game, and the review would start out with, 'Game-X starts out looking like every other blah blah blah.'. That's not true with DoN. It is a mud like no other. At least no other mud I've played. Immediately upon stepping into the game, you're surrounded by a TRUE fantasy setting. Your racial selections, and class selections are limited to a small group for both, but that's what makes this game great. It doesn't need eight million races, and half a million classes in order to get everyone and their brother to play. But unlike other muds I've played, when you create your character, you don't create a general pc you see in most games nowadays ie; Gnome-Bard, or a Dwarf-Fighter. You create yourself a Vampire druid/psionicist/mage/fighter, or a Lycanthrope Shifter/Mage/Rogue. What I'm talking about is multi-classing. Not your basic, 'Well, I want to be able to hit really hard AND toss fireballs so I'll take warrior and mage.' sort of character. There are detriments to multi-classing, such as much larger experience requirements per level, a training cap on certain skills, and even gear restrictions due to certain things such as one class not being compatible. Now you may think that this would make the MUD too hard for the casual player, but it's not. Yes it does require some strategic placement of practice points, and a good understanding of what your race/class combinations can do. But once you learn the system, (which contrary to my seeming endless ranting) is extremely easy You'll be able to have a three member party, where a dwarf plays the role of Warrior, and alternate support Cleric, and a half-elf plays ranger/druid main support, and your third character is a Half-Orc Pally/Mage capable of tossing out some heavy spellwork, for both offense and defense. But enough of the characters, and on to the environment. You may not normally hear someone describing a text based online adventure game as beautiful. But once you 'step foot' inside the realm of DoN, you'll realize that beautiful is just the word to describe it. Every room is detailed down to the 'hardwood flooring with scuffs'. You first start out in Pangea, the basic 'Newbie town', but aside from being a beginner's town, it seems that most of the player base, when not off questing, and leveling up, can be found withing a 10 room block of town. Whether it be the temple for recovery, or the pub for a bit of rest and relaxation, tossing back a cold one. The playerbase for DoN isn't as ridiculously high as it is in some other muds, but that allows for more personal interaction between players. That personal interaction allows for better sessions when a group of characters want to get together and 'roleplay' a little. Speaking of RP, DoN has some of the best, long-term, ongoing roleplaying I've seen in a while, with a very flexible and intelligent character base, that allows for more intellectual conversation and less. 'I swing my sword at face/Argh you hit face' The system isn't that hard to pick up either. Simple mud commands such as kill/alias/get/drink, are all there, but unlike some other muds, they're not muddled up with the extra commands that are sometimes vague and are never truly explained anywhere other than the 'newbie channel'. It's a your basic 'cast fireball worm' command system, it does allow for greater command customization, but is by no means required to have in order to fully enjoy the game. All in all, DoN is an excellent game, that has been around for a while, and unlike others on the internet, even after 10 years of playing I still come back, check on my old characters, hang out with the same people I met when I first logged in back in '97, and generally have a great time, without feeling pressured to do something I may not want to. -Charles J

Dead of Night offers a wide variety of classes to choose from including classes not found on other muds. Its multiclassing function allows for virtually unlimited variation in character skills and abilities. Consistent upgrades make the mud an ever changing environment in which to learn and grow as a player. Become a builder, which any player can do, and create your own unique zones and areas not found on any other mud. This newbie friendly enviroment makes for an enjoyable experience for new and veteran gamers alike with extensive help files and many newbie-helper designated players always willing to answer questions or offer tips to make your experience of the game that much more exciting.

Looking for a mud with a great community? Dead of Night has probably one of the most loyal (and possibly addicted) followings of any mud I've seen. May players have been here over 9 years, thanks to progressive coding and a dynamic multiclass system, combined with 127 (and soon to be removed ;) ) level cap. DoN offers a great Hack and Slash mud, stacked with some a lot of optional RP, alongside great and thrilling Pk, and a Dash of really cool veterans. It's worth a drop on by - oh, and blame Smith.