Elysium has the potential to be a highly addictive mud. The mud has a large number of features that, when utilized, can help any new player gain a foothold, and basic understanding of the game.

The areas are all completely original, as are the mobs. Many of the players are friendly, and you have a 'newbie' flag to keep you from getting butchered right out of the gate as well.

The game over time has become, in my opinion, a great deal more forgiving, and you don't focus on basic survival as a new player anymore.

The Gods are motivated and work to create subplots within the game, but try to stay out of the way to a certain degree. The game is, for the most part, player run. The industries are run by the players, the cities are as well, and you even have to chop your own wood for building ships with.

The many unique features of Elysium are worth the time spent in-game. Speaking as someone that has floated from game to game over the years, I always find myself coming back to Elysium. It's hard to get away from a game so unique, and demanding.