I've played several MUDs through the years, and CF is only one of two MUDs I've continued to come back to (and of the two, CF is the more satisfying.) My reasons:

- One of the few MUDs that has both mandatory roleplay and compulsory PK participation. (You don't have to do either much, but insofar as that OOC communication is prohibited in-game, and there is no mechanic to opt-out of PK.)

- The most viable MUD I have played in terms of replayability. Each class is unique, and most classes have unique builds within the class to make each character a different gameplay experience. Add to this cabal and religion opportunities, and every character is a novel experience.

- Character turnaround. A swift leveling process and a culture that promotes eventual character termination (usually by deletion, but if not by deletion than by age or con death) keeps new stories and characters rolling through the MUD on an ongoing basis. Add to this the policy of no OOC communication, and you have a social dynamic that never gets stale (or when it does get stale, people delete and make new characters.)

- Quests and exploration have just expanded through the years to the point where there's almost always something new to see.

- Immortal staff that remains involved (sometimes more than others) through RP interaction and running human-run quests for memorable experiences and rewards. (Some MUDs have a strict hands-off policy when it comes to staff interacting with players.)

- Remains 100% free