Lineage II is a massively multiplayer online game that sports an open world and robust player-versus-player combat. Of course there is a consequence for merely attacking another player, but the game takes the element to a new level with castle sieges.

And L2: The Chaotic Chronicles was one of the first of the new wave of MMOs, sporting graphical elements that were startling and wonderful all at once.

Sure, the game had a few failings, but generally offered an intense MMO experience. Since its release in April of 2004, the game has had five expansions, or “chronicles” that have expanded the lore and world.

NCsoft has just released Lineage II: The Epic Collection – a title that pays homage to the game through inclusion of all five of the released Chronicles – Chronicle 1: Harbingers of War, Chronicle 2: Age of Splendor, Chronicle 3: Rise of Darkness, Chronicle 4: Scions of Destiny and Chronicle 5: Oath of Blood.

The Epic Collection also contains the Lineage II Cinematic Collection, a screenshot gallery, a movie gallery, wallpapers, the L2 fansite kit and a full-color digital map of the world. There is also an exclusive in-game item for players, plus a bonus 15-day time card (the security code unlocks 30 days, so players will end up with 45 days of free gameplay).

The core gameplay remains essentially the same from when NCsoft first launched the title. What has changed has been the robust enforcement of the EULA (end-user licensing agreement) that has attempted to close down hackers and bots (computer controlled farmers who then turn around to sell items and gold for real-life money on other Web sites). While somewhat successful, not all the farmers are gone. However, the ones encountered in forays into the world have been of a kinder nature, and instead of just uttering, “Yankee, go, go, PK, PK, PK!” (PK referring to player killing – they would kill you so that their farming territory would belong to them), they mostly allow players to continue on in the game world.

While L2 does have a decent sized community scattered through its 10 servers, it is a community that has aged a bit, and finding teams at the lower levels can be challenging. Still, the community is friendly and questions are often answered.

If new to the Lineage II title, do not expect a casual or soft MMO. This is a game that is challenging, from the grind and leveling to the all-out castle sieges.

GameZone.com has visited this game at various stages in its development and rather than re-write all that has happened, instead these URLs should provide some of the pertinent information as to the backdrop of the game and where it has journeyed since its release - Lineage II: The Chaotic Chronicle, Lineage II Chronicle 4: Scions of Destiny , Lineage II Chronicle 5: Oath of Blood

The Epic Collection is a sound idea, allowing players to forego the expense of buying each of the expansion by packaging it all under one ‘roof.’ There is little doubt that the game itself has expanded and become a better experience. The Epic Collection is a great way for those hardcore MMOs to experience the game for the first time, but it may feel like a bit of a letdown to those who had invested in each of the expansions. 

Gameplay: 7.9
While there were spotty bouts of rubberbanding, the game does run much smoother now that when it launched and even from the last time visited. The controls are still a bit of a challenge but the game is not hard to actually get into. Experienced MMOers will be able to start moving forward quickly, while newcomers to the genre will find a small learning curve. The game, though, is still a grind, with experience coming slower as you get higher in levels.

Graphics: 8.7
The game may not be where new MMOs are, but it still is a wonderful-looking title.

Sound: 8.3
Nothing changed, but it is still solid.

Difficulty: Medium/Hard
It is still very much a grind, but with - generally - fewer people hunting the same mobs, the experience is a little more sedate while still managing to be challenging.

Concept: 8.4
Packaging all of the expansions into one box is a great idea.

Multiplayer: 8.3
With so many accounts banned, players were bound to start getting closer to obeying the EULA and being somewhat friendlier. It shows and the community is much nicer.

Overall: 8.4
A good package featuring the evolution of the game. There are some lags, and loads, but the game is generally a solid title that has a huge amount of grinding, but challenging battles. This is a higher overall score than was given the last reviewed chronicle, but credit that to an expanded game experience and NCsoft working to clean up the servers of illegal accounts.