its.. different, its hard to actually hit the perma death state. When you die you become a "ghost" and you have to go back to the shrine, at the shrine you have a % that you will turn to ash, once your ash, you have a % to finally die. You can sway the balance to make sure you dont die, by sacrificing items to get a 100% rez. I have only made it to lvl 9 but its.. not a 2 hours and you'll be 20+ its got some difficulty, and it is best played in groups. Thing is when you make your character you make a surname of sorts and all toons you make can me tied to this name, and you all share a soul level, which is main quest and xp for that. you get a bonus xp to other toons you make up to that soul lvl.