So the big question is, what separates RF Online from the hordes of MMORPGs out there, and how will it compete with the big monsters that hold a firm grasp on millions of players? Codemasters believes that RFO will have a great audience, for quite a few reasons. First, it already has an audience: the game has been out in South Korea for a while. It has a large audience over there, so they believe that it will have appeal in America and Europe as well. Secondly, they believe there hasn't been a game like RFO. They are somewhat correct, as it does combine a unique blend of concepts and an interesting setting to make something that will probably feel familiar, but will definitely be a new experience.

One of the most interesting things about RFO is Novus, the setting itself. On Novus three distinct factions have come to reap the resources for their own people and cause. This setting has brought about both deep-seeded magic and highly complex technology. Robots and cyborgs fight against high mages and old-fashioned archers. The world is extremely rich in resources, which can be sought at mining points, called mine control chips, throughout the world. The problem is, these mine chips can only be held by one faction at a time, so each faction must try to control as many of the mining points as possible.

The three factions are where a great deal of separation comes in, both within the game and between it and other MMOs. There are three distinct ideologies about the world, the universe, and the methods of fighting. These have formed into factions to fight for a similar cause. Players choose one as they might choose a race in other games, and this decides what type of person their character will be on a generalized level. The factions are the Accretian Empire, the Bellato Union, and the Cora. They each have a particular way of viewing the world, their own peoples, and the other factions. Accretians are highly technological, to the point that the symbolic transformation from boy to man has changed into a literal transformation using cybernetics. The Accretions live life not as individuals, with goals and dreams, but as parts of the whole Accretion Empire, set in a task and always serving the Empire. In every conflict is a middle-man, and this time around it is the Bellato Union. Bellato Union is a group of traders and engineers, who are primarily on Novus in order to make a profit. Because Bellato has both belief in a deity and are of modern mind, they have access to both magic and technology. With opportunism practically genetically embedded in them, they use every opportunity available to make a buck and to open new ways to earn money. Finally, on the far side of this conflict, is the mysterious Cora. The Cora are very spiritual people, whose strong belief in a deity (Decem) grants them special powers. These powers are magical in nature, and are the Cora's main weapon to fight for control of the land. Their magic not only attacks their enemies, but can be used to improve items and to bless weapons. Each of these races has its own very distinct style, and they compete strongly for resources, profit, and pride.

Each of these factions offers access to different classes (occupations) for your character. Every faction has a soldier-esque class, one that relies on speed and ranged abilities, and one that specializes in something characteristic of that race. Bellato and Cora have also a spiritual class that plays something like a mage. These classes play differently through each race, as they gain abilities more attuned to their spiritual, technological, or blended nature. This makes for, in essence, eleven different classes for players to tackle.

So, in essence, RFO is a game which hope to break into the scene with a spark of originality. Based on what has been shown in video releases they have found it. The game looks poised to take control of a good number of hours in players' lives. With its addictive style, its gorgeous graphics, and a new take on player versus player combat, RFO could easily stake a claim in the MMO mine. Look for it this spring on US shelves.