First off I have a long standing character in the game. So, I'll answer some of the previous comments.

First off, Clan Lord dropped its monthly fee in January of 2009. All you have to do now if pay the $15 for an account and you get one character slot. $10 gets you another slot. So, it's cheaper and longer lasting than most games for play value.

Yes you do have to invest a lot of time in order to get powerful at this game. It's not a game you can play the hell out of in one month and get to the top, or even in six months. But getting to the top isn't what the game's about. (Though you could certainly play that way, and in a few years be among the top players if you're willing to dedicate time to it.) Note: there's no level cap. That's why it takes so long to rise to the top. You're competing with people that have played many years to get where they are.

The game is really about having fun at where you are, and having fun with other people.
That's why, if you're only in it to "beat" the game you'll be sorely disappointed. Clan Lord was built with longevity in mind.

A lot of the content unfolds (meaning you're able to tackle without falling {dying} all the time) after the first 6 months to a year depending on how well you play, how you train your character and how good your mouse clicking skills are.

And a lot of things past the third circle you can't do alone. This is meant to be a multiplayer dungeon, not a dungeon game where you occasionally bump into other people grinding areas. This makes you actually have to form relationships with people, and get to know them and their characters very well.

This some people see as a weakness that you can't solo the game, but really if you are just there to solo why even play a MORPG? CL accomplishes what most other games can only dream of: building an actual online community, that self regulates itself for the most part.

Clan Lords graphics are sorely outdated: this is true. But it's not about flashy effects either. It's about solid gameplay. The combat system is fluid and dynamic. You only have to gesture to attack, not press a button. Also, facing and positions matter. This is a big difference from games like WoW where you don't have to tdo anything but smash buttons. It lends itself to tons of strategy and tactics you just don't get in other MORPGs.

Training isn't on rails either... you can train different skills and have completely different characters of the same class. Unlike other games where characters start different and end up all the same, CL's characters actually can grow more diverse. Since there's no level cap you character just grows and grows more and more unique.

This game does have shortcomings, but they're certainly not enough to tell anyone to steer clear of it. If you have fun playing it that's all that matters, and clan lord can be as fun as any game out there, even after many years of play because when you introduce true human interaction, and make it a cornerstone of a game, things never get old. If they do, just take a break and come back when you want. There's a good chance CL will still be there whenever you wish to come back.

As far as all games I've played, none have stood the test of time this game has. That's why I give it 5 stars. 3 for features because they could always make it better, but it;s pretty good as is. Playability? Easily 5 stars. Graphics and sound: well they're severely lacking, not the worst but they are quite dated: 2. Stability? I can count on one hand how many times CL crashes in a 3 years: 5.

Great game, great community.

Clan Lord was a fun game 10 years ago, but it's very outdated for graphics, available classes, options for play, and what you can explore (unless you have a very old, long-standing character). New players can choose from fighters, healers, or mystics. However, mystics are unplayable without friends in other classes and remain very weak with no real abilities until "full mystic" status (for which advancement is controlled by other mystic players and rare - don't bet on ever getting to the top). Fighters and mystics are playable, but any interesting areas absolutely require months of group activity for advancement. Add to that a monthly fee and volunteer GMs who develop what they feel like (and incredibly slowly), and it's not worth your time. That said, the base community (only about 15-25 players now) is usually quite friendly and willing to help (although they do get character XP bonuses for helping new players). It's really a dying game that saw its heydey long ago, with a base community of true die-hards. They love the game because developers focus on high-level abilities (which you'll never have as a new player, until you've spent a few years of playtime building up experience).

may as well take a look at Minions of Mirth @ http://www.prairiegames.com without monthly fee as well

While I enjoyed this game way way way back about 8 years ago. I believe it has long ago dated itself. Its no wonder that the screen shot is of a version almost 200 versions old and I can personally atest that it could also have easily been taken from another previous 100 versions for all the changes that have been implemented. While the interaction with other characters was nice, this can be found in numerous, better, and more up to date games out there currently available. Can it still not do ranged weapons?

IMHO, it almost seems as if those that are still playing this game seem to be digging a deeper hole of vestment that only seems to narrow their view of the game and what else is available out there. Could be an intersting sociological study. Sorry if this seems harsh.

Paying a monthly fee on top of the initial fee seems a bit foolish at this point. Maybe is this was a shareware $20 game it may be a bit fun to run around in, otherwise I would have to say no.

In this age of visual everything it is beyond me why any developer would not upload a few screen shots of the program they are trying to promote. Sometimes seeing the screen shot is enough to make me try something. Visuals, Visuals, and more Visuals. Basic sales 101 my friend.