Gates of Andaron may have launched only three months ago, but the new 3D fantasy MMO should look familiar to fans of the free-to-play genre. No, it's not a copycat (although comparisons to World of Warcraft could always be made), but is, in fact, the North American version of 4Story. Gameforge has brought Zemi Interactive's global game to a Western audience with a simple name change, in an attempt to recruit more players to join the war between the nations of Valorian and Derion. Actually, 4Story players will know them as the rival kingdoms of Craxion and DeFugel. Oh crap, this is getting too confusing.

Alright, let me back up a bit. Gates of Andaron is a game about war. Gates of Andaron Players side with either the military state of Valorian or the magical realm of Derion to battle for supremacy in Iberia. In 4Story, Craxion and DeFugel fight to control Iveria. Basically, think of it as if 4Story entered the Witness Protection Program, changed all of its names and Gates of Andaron moved to the United States to start a new life. Assassins became Night Walkers, Summoners switched to Evocators, and Gates of Andaron none of the parties involved could ever contact their families again.

Since the game is about war, GOA players must focus on PvP to advance their characters. These characters can be one of three races: humans, Neved felines or Mirhur fairies. The models for these avatars look similar to Hume, Mithra and Tarutaru characters for all of you Final Fantasy XI players. The male felines even look a bit like Galkas.