Lost Souls is one of The Great muds. It has a depth more deep than perhaps any mud. It is a mud primarily for advanced mudders, and pros that know their way around a client's full aliases and triggers, because it it just to rich in depth and unique creativity in everything it has, guilds (you can have only one), associations (you can have any number, however not all are compatible.) All of such are completely unique in mudding realms and deep in breadth and complexity. There are so many interesting ones that most players can't help playing 6+ characters just over the course of years, just to experience them.

Life caused me to leave Lost Souls years ago, but I always remembered it (and I've played them all.) When I started mudding again I read the last review and avoided the mud a few weeks. But there's just no comparison out there, and I decided to give it a go again and just see. I've been completely addicted once more, for weeks, since then.

I can't relate to the last review in any way, yet. Perhaps it was a wake-up call because all I have found thus far are friendly imm's and players, friendly and willing to answer questions. Maybe there is a different feeling at top levels, but haven't seen any hint of it yet. It has been an eminently enjoyable experience.

Briefly, the world is massive with a huge 3D ascii outdoors where after a while you will be flying the skies an zipping across the realms in deep quests and chasing driving purpose. All areas are unique and varied, with no silly stuff. It's a rich fantasy world with tremendous detail put into specifics of all species you encounter and interact with. At higher levels you being to explore different planes and places though dangerous gates.

Lost Souls has an alias system, but each class is so complex that while you can get by with just their alias system, it would serve you even more to have your own client system (I endorse mudlet) to gag, highlight text and for deeper scripting. It's not a must, but there's so much information being conveyed to the player that, really, you will desire all the aid you can in sorting and dealing with it. Like I said, this mud is largely aimed at people with ability.

That's not to say a newbie can't do it. We all feel like noobs starting Lost Souls, there is just so much to learn. But you take it a step at a time, focus just on the starting town (I suggest Losthaver, the recommended one and central city.) And just beging to slowly explore, taking it as an adventure with no time limit. You will slowly begin to understand things and get a handle on it, branching and reaching out further as you're ready. Other players are always there to answer questions, there's a newbie channel that, even I still use.

Don't bring assumptions with you to this mud, everything is done in a Lost Souls way, from identifying items and creatures and other players. Even months from now you still still be figuring out the depth and complexity of it such simple things. It truely is an wonderful mud experience.

Lastly there is a wiki with guides and tips. Taking the time to read one or two will smooth the way for you, but again, if you can wing-it and enjoy the discovery completely. But I bet you, months later you will go back and read them and so, Oh! that's a great idea, or Oh! I didn't know that. One more thing...watch your limbs and it's not a diku where you have to 'flee command'. You can just attempt to leave the 'room', (hope they are trackers and follow) and use some first aid before getting back into it. Also, stay fed and hydrated so you're in top form, it matters and you need every edge (check this after a death experience.) Lastly, most mobs are interacted with by speaking to them. Sometimes you can't figure out the syntax and that's where the wiki is even more helpful: wiki.lostsouls.org

Enjoy your experience. It's going to be quite a ride.