Darkfall has all the same features of previous MMO's such as combat and trade skills as well as a myriad of spells and monsters to destroy. There are numerous dungeons as well as player owned properties to explore. Darkfall is geared toward racial wars PVP and player-run clans taking over cities owned by other clans. This game has six races a player can choose from being Dwarves, Elves, Humans, Orks, Alfar and Mahirim. Each particular race has their own bone to pick with another race while being at perfect peace with another. Supposedly at a later date Darkfall will be coming out with some interesting features to go along with the six different racial groups they have created. Another interesting race features is that players will be able to start a multi-race clan to include almost any race except the Alfar who don't mix with other races at all. Adding a huge twist to MMO's, darkfall has none of the traditional class systems and NO levels which will make player skill huge in this game. Players will learn new skills and spells from random NPCs and other actual players and the desired skill or spell is raised by being used throughout play. With this new style, users will be able to customize their character the way they deem fit because there will be nothing to limit your character. If you want to wield an axe all you need to pick up is a few of the basic axe skill, axe mastery, dodge and other similar skills and you're on your way. If after awhile you want to dwell into some magic use you all you need to do is pick up the necessary skills and spells and start casting. This system is also going to be used on the trade skills as well such as smithing and weapon crafting. However, some certain skills and spells are attainable only for certain races meaning users will not be able to acquire them if not of that race. There are also limits on what each race will be able to learn and other high level skills and spells that they will not be able to use.
Darkfall does have a mini class system called "Prestigue Classes" such as Paladin, Gladiator, Enchater that are completely optional and if characters want to skip a class system then they are not forced to. However, picking a class will likely give the user special skills and maybe spells belonging to that particular class. Some classes will give the user awesome bonuses and others will give a minor bonus.
Skills and spells start at level 1 and can be raised to 100 and the game is hoping to have around 500 skills and spells before the retail to make both item creation and spell caster unique and interesting. Darkfall encourages player vs player combat but each kingdom will be able to set the rules of their land and will have NPC guards that can have orders given to them on what to attack and who to defend.
One final note about Dark that should make this game very interesting and fun to play is that there are no safe zones. You can be attacked anywhere and for any reason(heck even no reason at all). Adding a new spin on to the MMO it allows users to take the game into their own hands and if someone is constantly annoying you or looting you, simply attempt to kill them and get them off your back. However cities that are owned by clans should be pretty safe due to the NPC guards and other clan members hanging around.