Tentonhammer.com Article on Vanguard

SUMB44

There's Something About Vanguard

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Whew! It's been a long couple of weeks since last we've spoken. In that time, the official Vanguard forums closed, the Vanguard beta ended, and the game launched. (Oh, and I moved into a new house and promptly came down with the world's worst case of the stomach flu...but that's beside the point.) Our own John "Boomjack" Hoskin recently gave his first impressions of Vanguard in his daily column, Loading.... I agree with much of what he wrote, particularly this tidbit:

"From first impressions it appears that if EverQuest was your thing, then Vanguard will likely become the new love of your life, if and only if they can get the bugs out in the next couple of weeks. The similarities are too frequent to mention, which isn’t surprising given the fact that Brad McQuaid is at the helm. If on the other hand, you enjoy World of Warcraft because of its polish and structure you might want to pass on Vanguard until it matures."

Vanguard lacks polish. It lacks a substantial hook to draw new players into the game. Some of its promised mechanics (the advanced encounter (AE) system, for instance) are still missing. Certain basics (the chat servers, fellowships) still aren't functioning as one would hope they would be functioning by now. Vanguard's critics rattle off mostly accurate lists of problems that plague the game. And while one can expect some problems at any game's launch, Vanguard may have more than its fair share. And yet...there's something about Vanguard.



I like the game, and I find it hard to say exactly why. It didn't satisfy my initial expectations when I first started playing it back in beta 2, and although it's come a long way since then I'm not sure it would've met my expectations now, either. All of the things I mentioned in the previous paragraph should have had me running for the hills (or at least for another game), and yet somehow Vanguard won me over. It is by no means a great game at the moment, but I'm playing and enjoying it nonetheless. Maybe I like this game because of how huge and epic it feels. Maybe it's the wonderful atmospheric music (although some of the voice overs and grunts and groans of combat need to sound slightly less X-rated). Maybe it's the stunning tree city of Ca'ial Brael. 



I was chatting with my friend (and benevolent manager guy) Jeff "Ethec" Woleslagle about Vanguard and he admitted liking the game as well, despite not really knowing why. I commented that I'd spent 5 years of my life enjoying EverQuest and wondered aloud if maybe Vanguard reminded me of those years and those good times.



"I don't think we'll ever see another game like EQ," Jeff said. What he meant was that people will no longer devote years of their lives to one title, because there's always something bigger, better, and newer on the horizon, and also because MMO gamers are much more critical and discerning now. I think he has a great point. And yet I've also never played any recent MMO, from EverQuest II to City of Heroes to World of Warcraft, that made me anticipate what might lie ahead. Vanguard makes me do that.



Potential is the one thing Vanguard truly has going for it. If ever there was a game with vast potential it's this one, and I think that promise is why I'm hooked. I had truly hoped Sigil and SOE would take their time launching Vanguard, but now that it's out the door I'm still willing to pay my $15 per month to see what magic Sigil will work. There's enough to like about Vanguard to hold me for now, and I believe my anticipation of things to come will keep me playing for a good long while.



      - Shayalyn

rungard

im done paying for potential.

If you dont have the goods, you arent getting the money.  

 

 

 

 

WisebutCruel

Originally posted by rungard


im done paying for potential.
If you dont have the goods, you arent getting the money.  
 
 
 
 

/signed

matraque

Originally posted by rungard


im done paying for potential.
If you dont have the goods, you arent getting the money.  
 
 
 
 

Yup, you have the power to do that!



I for one, bought the game and having a great time.

Gangster-Man

/takes whatever paper was signed, and rips it

Nevarion

My biggest fear is that, like past MMOs I played before, you settle for a class you really like. You emphasis yourself into it and find your group and raid role to fill. Some time later you get gimped. For the sake of the game sure. Still renders the time, work and dedication invested neigh.



Long time play and goals. All good as long you can relay on playing a year ahead the class you signed up for in the first place. The Discipline problems of late don't make me hold high hopes tho.



So no, I take my money somewhere else.

ThalosVipav

Originally posted by matraque

Originally posted by rungard


im done paying for potential.
If you dont have the goods, you arent getting the money.  
 
 
 
 

Yup, you have the power to do that!



I for one, bought the game and having a great time.Agreed

anarchyart

It's really an excellent write up whether you agree with it or not. For those of us who like it, there is just something about Vanguard that you can't get from the other titles atm. It's just so epic in scale, I am willing to forgive it's lack of polish to be in this amazing world.

If you aren't, best of luck finding a game that can hold your attention.