All Posts by markyturnip

Can't argue with many of the facts of the OP; just the interpretation.

True, the graphics are not thrilling, especially when compared with somethink like Oblivion, but they are not that bad either, and we will see what the new module looks like. True there are bugs, but in no way game-breaking in my opinion.

True, there are not enough quests, and it would have been more interesting to have more of a  land to travel in and explore.

But  if you change your expectations of DDO, based on past MMOs, and see it instead  as a 'log in, do a quest for an hour or two, log out' kind of affair, then you can have plenty of fun here.

I have enjoyed myself in DDO, and that's good enough for me.

Look upon it as a kind of fantasy themed Battleground, except pve instead of pvp. The combat is interesting enough, especially on harder levels where you operate right on the edge of your abilities.

(That said, I am a bard, which is probably the most versatile class in the game... so plenty of choices to make)

I do wonder how long I will pay 15 a month for this, however. The new module is riddled with bugs... we'll see how quick they fix it. I suspect I will pay for month 2... to try out the module. If it turns out to be good, then I will stay. If not, I'll move on.

Turbine does have its work cut out.. it will need to keep churning our modules to keep the original player base together; if it fails, it may be difficult to attract new players. The reviews did not demand a purchase.

But ,maybe it's because I found a good guild, I and others have had plenty of fun so far. I think DDO has been a little harshly treated in this and other fora.

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Originally posted by Ranma13
1. Mobs pretty much do this in every game. You can make the argument that in WoW, they'll be patrolling or casting spells or whatnot, but this is in EQ2 also. Some mobs are patrolling (Zek), some are casting spells on various items, some are protecting objects or locations, and some are mining or doing other such activities. But for the most part, mobs in every game either stand around or do a short patrol.

2. This is also pretty much in every game. I've played a new character and they've made a ton of improvements on the lower-level quests. For Qeynos, if you're a high elf, Oakmyst Forest sends you on an interesting quest line which eventually leads you into the Caves to uncover a plot by the gnolls. And the EQ2 team has been constantly improving the quality of the quests. To make a comparison with WoW, the NPCs in those games are pretty much just standing bulletin boards.

3. Can't say much about this, you either hate it or don't mind it.

4. ? Go through with what?

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1- Sure, I know they do it in Wow.. I was not trying to say that EQ2 mobs were worse (although, there did seem to be a little more just standing around); I was trying to say that it's a bit dull... I am hoping that new gen mmos offer something new. In DDO, the mobs do not just stand around, they are located at meaningful places, sometimes with a script (kidnapping the girl...)

As for COV.. gotta say, the mobs there are funny. They yell out your name Oh no! It's Lady Wisteria! This is going to hurt...

2. Again, this is not a particularly anti EQ2 comment; just that I have done one too many kill x of this mob quests in other games, that EQ2 provides littlre incentive to start the process of levelling up all over again (which is what I meant by 4.. going through with th ehours of effort to level up a char)

3. It's not the end of the world, the loading screens, but it does take away from the sense of a seamless world.

Well, I got the free trial, was sucked in (it didn't let me out of the starter island) and bought the game for $20. (Didn't know I could get a full 30 days free).
Played a few times, and my first impressions were:

1) Lots of races and classes, which is fun
2) Some features that Wow did not have, like a house
3) Some pretty cool things to see... although, I wouldn't say the graphics are 'better' than wow, they are less cartoonish.
4) The world feels big and varied.

BUT

1) The mobs are boring. They just stand around.. in some cases, really stand around. The commonlands had scored of orcs just, well, standing still. It was weird. Or they attack you. But they don't do anything interesting, like hide, or use interesting tactics. It just did not feel very real to me.

2) I was not gripped by the quests; true, I have only played the early levels, but so much running around in circles making deliveries, or kill 10 of this or twenty of that, or collect 10 bones etc. YAWN There is little sense of a personal player-centred story line, that I got anyway.

3) Loading screens between each zone.

4) As a former Wow, CoV player, looking for a change of pace, I just hit around level 12 and thought... phew, do I really want to go through all of this?

by contrast DDO, grabbed me with its great atmospherics right from the outset. I think I will spend my time on that, and wait for Age of Conan.

So, as one of the people attracted by a free trial to EQ2, I won't be staying. I am looking for something new, and from what I saw, this was nothing new.

Thank you, this is all helpful advice.

I had not realised that evil players could group with good players (you imply they can?).

The EQ2 website seems to be full of out-of-date information, which is irritating.

I actually quite like the idea of a coercer... muahahaha

I am trying out EQ2 for the first time, considering paying for it...

For some reason I cannot post on the official forum (even tho my email is verified) so I am hoping for some advice here.

My biggest beginner mistakes in WOW were to take an overpopular class (hunter.. should have been a warlock) on the 'wrong side' (alliance.. I wish I had gone horde).

In EQ2 I was considering a warden, a coercer, an illusionist, or possibly a bard.

Could anyone tell me which are the less played classes, but which are desired in groups, so I don't hit grouping problems later on. Also, is the good/evil choice irreversible? Is one side more mature than the other?

Finally, does race affect the class you can choose? I noticed different races gave me different class choice options.

Thank you

poor lickle metal aclywalcy; you getting a little upset?
there there, sweetiepie, have a lollipop

FullMetal... I sympathise with you.

Here is a website where you might find some help. http://www.aacap.org/

What about the lore-master? Strikes me there could be some magic in there...

also, from the FAQ

Can I play a mage or wizard in LOTRO?

From what is known, there were very few wizards in the whole of Middle-earth through the ages. You will not be able to play a Wizard, but a mage-like class will be available to you. As Magic plays such a special role in the Tolkien lore, we are taking great care to provide players with the abilities they expect, within an appropriate context for the Tolkien mythology.

Nice to see you can play online games over there in Iraq... I spent a couple of months there lin 2004 (journalist) and played a lot of civilisation... it was very weird playing a game where I captured cities sitting on oil resources, and battled insurgents... then I got up and looked out the window.. tada!

Back to the points you make: I am glad that someone else is showing some positivity towards this game; the flaming on mmorpg.com almost appears orchestrated (of course it isn't, but it seems out of all proportion).

The major point in favour of this game i, to my mind, is that powers are limited, and have to be rationed out.

That rationing means you have to take tactical decisions, with consequences that last.. at least until the next rest shrine anyway. And you have to work together with others.

I love the fact that soloing is impossible: PLEASE! get over it peeps, if you want to solo, this game is not for you. No point complaining... this game is simply not for people who want to solo. End of story. Basta. Finito.

It should say it on the box in block letters: again, this game is a cooperative game, not for solo play. Complaining about that is like buying a first person shooter, and complaining it has no car racing feature. One more time: This is not a solo game. Get the idea? No? OK, for the hard of hearing: This is anot a game designed for soloing. yeesh.

What that means is that, right from the outset, you get teams of people who are learning to complement each other; not a bunch of soloers who come together on occasion to get the big treasure.

And this game really is about complementing each other... while there is still a little rushing ahead aimlessly, that behaviour gets punished quickly.

Even more, each player feels like they are performing a unique role.. you are not just another source of dps, you are the guy with the grease spell. You may only need that grease spell once a dungeon, but boy is it helpful when you bring it out at the right moment.

People will come around, and if they won't, they will leave, which is great, because that will leave the cooperative and good-natured players behind.

All I know is they still don't have a proper web-site up for this game... I would be flabbergasted if it came out over the next couple of months.

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Originally posted by ridenar
playing is kinda like watching an old man fart in a bowl of porridge
you'd stop and watch and listen for a while but soon move on with your life..

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hahaha! now that's vivid use of imagery for you

anyway all, thanks for the advice... I had downloaded it, and tried it for an hour or two - which is nothing, I know, but enough to see that I was required to shoot a bunch of mobs kind of standing around doing nothing, which was pretty dull, and the graphics looked really dated.

Given that DD) is out in a few days (which, despite the hatred here on mmorpg.com, seems a pretty fun game, although not really an mmo), I just won't bother.

I see that many people are upset with the changes to this game; which I totally understand if they saw all that they had worked for wiped out overnight.

But I was wondering whether there is anything to recommend this game to a totally new player... on the face of it, it seems like it could be fun (a new universe to explore).. but on the other hand, if there is no community, and the actual gameplay is dull, maybe I won't bother putting in the hours to find out for myself.

I would be interested in any dispassionate points of view (if that is possible at this angry stage...)

"while actually passing out a mmorpg that a few college students could make in their basement part time"

I'd love to play this game of equal quality to DDO that a few college students could make in their basment part time. Tell you what, I'll even pay a monthly fee for it if I like it.

Show me the link...

... and you are very welcome to express your disappointment. Constructive criticism is important.

But what's with the nastiness of so many of the posts here? Creation should be celebrated, not torn down, even if it is not perfect.

I believe people like Turbine should be encouraged. They make our messy world a better place.

I have issues with the game, sure, but I think there is plenty fun to be had, so I will play it as long as that lasts.

When I was a kid, I never had anything like these games on offer (though I did love board games), so my general attitude is: keep it up, all people like Turbine. Great job.

They created something fun, atmospheric, complex, which in works pretty dam well .

If you don't like it, fine, don't get it.. but what's with all these insults? Want something better: make one yourself then, buddy, then come back and show me what you did. If it's good, I'll pay you to play it.

In the meantime, by all means make constructive suggestions, but lay off the unpleasantries and thank your lucky stars you have access to anything like this technology.

Sheesh.

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Originally posted by Rattrap

We all know that real D&D fans wait for NWN2

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Well, enjoy your wait, while I enjoy playing this for some light-hearted fun until some of the long-promised other genre-redefining (etc) games emerge, and I try them for a bit also.

Personally, I am looking forward to age of Conan, but each to their own.

PS: to those who moan about having to repeat instances - did you ever try wow? I can't count the number of times I re-ran the same instances (top level anyway) in a search for some stupid piece of armour.

For those who don't like instances at all... fair enough, but the reality of much of wow was waiting around in IF trying to find a group to go do an instance. I loved levelling up in wow, as there was a genuine sense of discovery and travel, something ddo does not offer.

But by high levels most gameplay experience was instanced anyway... and in a less gripping way than ddo, for the most part.

I see DDO as a game you dip into for an hour or two of good entertainment with friends... does it provide an immersive mmo experience? not that I can see, although I only just started playing it.

But does it offer an ejoyable, slightly different, blast of fantasy-setting entertainment? In the same way as I enjoy a blast here and there of Battlefield or Counterstike? Sure!

As to $15 - well that is a fair question, but guess what? if you get bored, quit. If you are enjoying it for what it is, what's the problem? I am sure plenty more content will be on its way soon anyway.

Well, from the deeply scientific poll results, I conclude that there is some hope here; I have had one or two really great groups - the kind of groups that I always dreamed this kind of game would attract - but had not found that to be the rule.

Now I think I should take a liitle bit more care choosing groups (all been a little random in my initial learning period).

I personally think this game has great potential for a different kind of gameply experience, and do not understand why it has been attacked so strongly on these fora.

The instances have a good atmosphere, seem more interactive than most of WoW content, and limited spells etc seems a very interesting way to go.

I have generally been rather disappointed with DDO PuGs, as the game mechanic does not seem to sufficiently force people to play the slow and strategic style the devs intended.

BUt I may have been unlucky: how have others found the experience?

I also wondered where that date came from.

The Chronicle still doesn't have a proper website up yet.