The Matrix Online Review
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MxO does have some innovation. The character skill tree design is superb. Each subscriber is allowed one character per server. This is acceptable, as your one character can become anything in the game at any time, provided you have learned the proper skills. Three primary skill trees branch out into even more specific professions, allowing you to drill down into increasingly more potent abilities. As you level, those abilities you have learned can be increased in power. Each player gains memory space as they level, and this memory space holds the abilities you load at hardlines (phone booths scattered throughout the city) or in the loading area before you "jack in". The player chooses how deep to go into a skill tree, mixing and matching down the hierarchy to create the ideal combination. Combat abilities and professional skills are contained within this skill tree. Much of the fun of MxO is customizing your character and tricking out your skill tree to meet the needs of your style of play. For example, you may want to be able to heal yourself or party members, yet this will likely take away from your effectiveness at combat. If only the activities in the game lived up to the quality of the skill tree, MxO might give other MMOs a run for their monthly fees.
