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And 1, 2, 3 and 1, 2, 3 and...
WinnTech
Member UncommonPosts: 71
When I started this game, I was in awe. The graphics were incredible, the sounds and the immersible environment, spellbinding. But, as always, I started to look closer. After the grandeur of the first take wore off, I started to notice something was wrong, the ground did not mesh with the character. So I figured, testing phase was over, it seemed pretty stable. Opened the options and cranked the graphics as high as they could go. This was a little much, so I removed the flora, there wasn't much to speak of anyhow that would affect the game in the manner that I wanted it to be visually. So flora was off, and I nixed the shadows just cause, well, honestly, coming from Oblivion, no one's shadows look as visually pleasing. Exited out of the game and hopped in nHancer and tweaked my SLI (yes, two XFX 8600s in SLI) hopped back in the game and noted that my FRAPS still was showing 40 FPS at the lows.
Now for that environment issue. I started to look around, not to shabby, looked alright. Then scrolled back and noted the issue was the same. The character was too detailed for the environment. This has been a pet peeve since game designers started to focus more on designing the characters than the environment. This usually is not an issue in shooters, we never really look at the characters running on the ground so they don't look like they do not belong. World of Warcraft's (WoW) characters are not as detailed so they mesh with the ground and environment. Everquest 2, just about the same, but, their characters mesh even less with the environment. What it appears like is you have the character, then you place the ground near but not connecting to the character. Then, give the ground lesser detail than the character. This small but intolerable act can be overlooked most times. I usually tweak more AA and such but this was too much of a difference.
But hey, its a new game. I can forgive one thing if it gets me away from WoW. I was hoping it would be the WoW killer.
Off I trudged into battle with my Dark Templar (I still call it a Shadow Knight). I started to battle with this scavenger. Now, after EQ1, WoW, EQ2, and lord knows, MOST of the games listed at MMORPG.com's game list, I am spoiled. I like to have at least the option to auto attack. Few games get away with not having it. I could play Oblivion as a MMO, I would LOVE to play Oblivion as a MMO. No auto attack, that is fine, directional blocking, that is fine Oblivion did it pretty well. AoC, does not do it quite as well. You do not go into battle NO! You go into directing a battle, you are the conductor keeping the rhythm. This game is meant for a game controller. For those that are unaware, the battle system is similar to this. You attack with your basic 1 – Left hack in, 2 – Straight forward, 3 – Right hack in. Next you have active blocking, Hold “X” then watch for yellow incoming arrows that tell you where to block. If successful you get a parrylock and a chuck of endurance gone. That should stop the “Block-a-holics”. Back to the attacks, your opponent blocks actively, somewhat, since they adjust to where you are attacking. Now the AI is smart, just not that smart, I found myself in a rhythm of attacking from one direction two to three times then attacking from opposite, worked every time. But it gets better. Now that you have the basics, you get “Special Attacks” (oooo ahhhh). Now, for the special attacks, you press the corresponding button, then the game will let you know what button to press to initiate that attack. Now, to use this most effectively, you have to set the enemy up. Get them to block away from the area you wish to attack with a special, then mash that special button, THEN, mash the normal attack button to kick off the special attack. This whole effect give the game the title “Button Masher of the Year” or even better, “Keyboard Killer of the Year”. One, two three, and one two three and two, two, three and four, two, one and...This is what I hate for a game to become.
Now I know that some reading this will say “Hey, it's not as bad as he says!” and “This guys is off his rocker, it's is something new and he is scared of change.” Some even may say somethings worse than that. Hey, to each hisher own. But when I was fighting and get silly splatters of blood on my screen and find out that this was a “Fatality” I found that rather silly.
What really had me worked up was how great the game looked and the videos I was seeing showed such a great game that I just HAD to burn that $52 dollars to buy it. It was a mature game, no more 7 year olds with their 70 Priest saying “Duel me, come on are you chicken?” No kid, I am a 70 Rogue, I don't feel the need to waste my time. I thought, FINALLY, no more Chuck Norris. I was wrong on the Chuck Norris thing, I saw it within 10 minutes.
What it comes down to is a potentially great game that the only thing that could ruin the experience for me is the interface. The interface did me in. I could not take the number crunching, I hate math. If the game had a Game Controller option, I would think on it more about coming back. The sad truth is, I went to work and talked to Every person that had bought the game and only one did not think the same that I was, and these are all hardened computer techs. To me, this game offers about the same that a free MMO would. It is just not worth the time nor effort. I am hoping that the new Fallout and Warhammer will fill the gap in good PC gaming that is developing. AoC gets a 6 out of 10.
WinnTech
Comments
To sum this wall of text in 5 words ...
OP did not like the combat.
Thank you for saving me from having my eyes raped.
That is 6 words
STOP WHINING!
Well written review. It is definitely your opinion to develop on the game, and your money to spend or not spend. However, I do believe everyone that is not enjoying it, pick out the good things they do like about it and also understand this is a very new game, and things will change. For being a new MMO, its actually working pretty well, and the only bad rap its getting is because the few minority that are not happy with it, are spending their time on forums pleading their case. The reason its not getting as many or more good comments made is because they are all in the game, enjoying it, having a good time.
So, all in all, I ask you to at least keep an eye on the game, see if that interface will change, see the bugs get fixed as patched keep rolling out, and see the community shift from divided to united...Who knows, it could very well be that MMO your looking for!
I agree withthe OP Funcom and the fans want people top believe the combat is something new and different, but to me it is just the same old thing. Game is nothing revolutionary. More of a combo of EQII and WoW, except smaller landmass and more strict pathing.
I miss DAoC
so the combat is like any other mmo combat minus the auto-attack? plus "combos" to make it look pretty and worthwhile?
$10 says these are the same people getting raped in PVP and think it's because their class sucks.
Or maybe whining that they can't handle 2 mobs their own level.
The real reason is that they fail to understand the complexities of the combat system.
I played a Bear shaman and actually like the combat. some may just say it's "1,2,3" but I found myself using the secondary effects of my powers to my advantage so that I got a mix of casting and combat that mad fighting enemies worthwhile. Plus, the enemies shields will effect how much damage a strike does so doing "1,2,3" to one baddie may not have the same effect on one as it would the next. They made the combat so that it was easy to learn and difficult to master. You could veritably stay alive versus a large number of enemies if you had mastered blocking and shields distribution as well as combinging any spells or special moves ((I personally like my Bear shaman's AoE stun)) not to mention the fact that auto combat is lame. although it's fun to watch your character have his own battle while you go grab some chips, it's not very challenging. Just my humble opinion though.
Combat, if not revolutionary, is an evolution.
Real-time and skill based vs auto-attack and gear based.
"And 1,2,3 and 1,2,3" shows that the OP was buttonmashing. If this is what you do, prepare to get raped in PvP, and not be as efficient as you can in PvE. It is much deeper than you think. Easy to learn, hard to master.
EDIT: typo
As i stated before it s nothing great. Click combo , watch little icon show up , hit that one etc etc. IMO a game like DAOCs reactionary styles was much better. Sure theres auto attack but this watch the little light show instead of the fight drives me nuts. I loved if i blocked on my warrior i had a few styles to use but nothing lite up or was a damn icon in the middle of my screen holding my hand to tell me what next to hit.
Yeah, well, there are three kinds of people in this world: Those who can count, and those who can't.That is 6 words
- LC
City of Heroes took auto-attack and gear out of the equation years ago. Yes, even before WoW existed.
So to say this is an evolution is somewhat misleading.
I hold to my opinions. The game would, in my eyes, be more playable with a game controller. They say that change is good, well that is splendid, but proper implementation of change is better. While I will say that auto attack can be lame, no doubting that. Sometimes it is a nice option. Never in PvP instances, but then again, PvP is old and boring. In my eyes PvP is just a way of developers to get OUT of more work designing content. This is the downfall of end game of WoW. For those that enjoy the PvE, there is not much besides instancing. But that point is not one for this topic of course.
Forgive me for being long-winded (eye raping was it?), but, AoC is a new game, a new game that can be developed. Whether or not developer look at the ideas brought forth or not is up to the developers. But, if it were just myself with one opinion, I would simply sit back and say "It was not for me..." but the fact of the matter is that there are those that do not like button mashing. Yet, at the same time abhore point and click games. To compare a game to the next is not a fair comparison when the game you are comparing it to is vastly different in interface functionalities. Where as EQ2 and WoW can be compared, AoC's live blocking and directional attacks could benefit from Oblivion's configuration. There are no "auto attack" features and the game still has me captured.
AoC, all current issues considered (and the fact that I am particularly harsh when it comes to ratings) still would only receive a 6 of 10. The characters do not mesh well with the surroundings. The characters are overly detailed or the locations underly detailed. One or the other would have to be enhanced or toned down to make it blend better.
There is one thing that would make the game worth while, game controller functionality on a PC. I am not keyboard bashing for any game.
WinnTech
If you see AoC as 1,2,3 button mashing then remind me to never team up with you. You will be a very uneffective player in AoC. The skill is knowing where the different combos swing, when to use what combo, how to organize them and so on. Now wheather the screen gives you hints on how to execute the combos are irrelevant, it's when you execute what combo that matters.
I guess AoC combat system is too complicated and hard for you to master. That's cool though. You're probably more at ease with an autopilot combat game like WoW or WAR - when it releases. The safe bet would've been to cater to the teen crowd and made a toon game with autocombat and conservative well proven mechanics, again like WoW and WAR. Instead Funcom makes a game for adults with stellar graphics. Talk about giving the "suits" the finger. Even if you hate Funcom you should wish they sell in the bucketloads. Maybe other MMO developers will dare to try new ideas too.
When Funcom make something completely new of course some won't like it. it's how we humans tick. Good thing you tried it at least. Goodbye hope you find something better.
ten dollars says I am not playing silly ass PvP . If I want PvP I can always Play CS where skill counts, not this weak excuse for PvP. The combat is the exact same thing as every other MMO . Click skill 1 , click skill 2 click skill 3 wait for recharge ....yawn.
BTW if that is ineffective explain how I was owning 3 and 4 mobs my same level using the 1, 2, 3 click method.
I miss DAoC
All games requires a specific strategy to play, WOW for example requires the knowledge of remembering what spells or abilities to cast in a specific order and so on. AOC is obviosuly very different. The abilities to differ and you get new ones as you level. Button mashing = epic fail in this game. AOC's combat system is actually completely new, no other genre has done anything quite like it, and please dont bring up COH that game was horrible for one, and two it didnt have any depth to combat that I ever saw. We are all going to have different opinions, ultimately if you dont like the game OP then dont play it. You are always welcome to going back to the same old gear grind.
ten dollars says I am not playing silly ass PvP . If I want PvP I can always Play CS where skill counts, not this weak excuse for PvP. The combat is the exact same thing as every other MMO . Click skill 1 , click skill 2 click skill 3 wait for recharge ....yawn.
BTW if that is ineffective explain how I was owning 3 and 4 mobs my same level using the 1, 2, 3 click method.
CS? If you mean CounterStrike then I have to disagree. I have played Counterstrike for so long and most of the servers are just a hackers paradise now, or people abuse the terrain in the maps. The pvp system does need help in AOC, but what do you expect the game has not been on even a month and people want to give up on it lol. And you cannot own 3-4 mobs being the same level past 20+ by button mashing just an FYI that only works 1-5, and if you say otherwise then you are a horrible liar. 10+ certain classes are hard to level 15+ most classes become easier 20+ if you dont know how to use your class by this point its going to be hard to level 20-80. If you played the game to higher levels also you would realize skill does count, you cannot button mash this game and hope to acomplish anything. I am starting to wonder that you have never even played this, or if you have never made it out of Tort.
*edit* there are few exceptions, caster classes that use AOE's can sometimes take 2-3 mobs but it depends on the level difference, usually same level mobs take your health down too fast, so you might die doing it, depends on how well you play your class, As far as melee though you cannot take 2-3 mobs your level by just pressing 1-2-3-.
If you see AoC as 1,2,3 button mashing then remind me to never team up with you. You will be a very uneffective player in AoC. The skill is knowing where the different combos swing, when to use what combo, how to organize them and so on. Now wheather the screen gives you hints on how to execute the combos are irrelevant, it's when you execute what combo that matters.
I guess AoC combat system is too complicated and hard for you to master. That's cool though. You're probably more at ease with an autopilot combat game like WoW or WAR - when it releases. The safe bet would've been to cater to the teen crowd and made a toon game with autocombat and conservative well proven mechanics, again like WoW and WAR. Instead Funcom makes a game for adults with stellar graphics. Talk about giving the "suits" the finger. Even if you hate Funcom you should wish they sell in the bucketloads. Maybe other MMO developers will dare to try new ideas too.
When Funcom make something completely new of course some won't like it. it's how we humans tick. Good thing you tried it at least. Goodbye hope you find something better.
Nice angry rant there Howie (may I call you Howie? eh I don't care). It is inevitable that there are a few, how could I say, "Bad Apples" that seem to wish to ATTEMPT to slam people. All they do is end up showing how much of an ass they really could become.
Let's look at the logic in this rant:
1. If you see AoC as 1,2,3 button mashing then remind me to never team up with you. You will be a very uneffective player in AoC.
Answer: Yes, I do see the game as a button masher. Not just a button masher, THE button masher. Just because you place tactics on button mashing does not change the fact that you are mashing buttons. The fact that AoC has the player thinking of what button to mash does not mean that the system is revolutionary. As far as being an effective player. Unless the game has very specifically detailed changes, I would not care to load the game again. Less possible due to some people I now know are playing.
2. I guess AoC combat system is too complicated and hard for you to master. That's cool though. You're probably more at ease with an autopilot combat game like WoW or WAR - when it releases. The safe bet would've been to cater to the teen crowd and made a toon game with autocombat and conservative well proven mechanics, again like WoW and WAR.
Answer: Well, wrong again. The system is NOT complex. I found it simplistic, yet annoying. Autopilot games are nice to relax on, but not challenging enough. Annoying and difficult are two separate things Howie. The "Teen" crowd idea is nixed since I am near 30 and would guess that you, dear Howie based on your response, may be around my age, but mentally younger. It's okay, things like this happen what can I say.
3. Instead Funcom makes a game for adults with stellar graphics.
Answer: Funcom is finally getting to the stellar graphics and the attempt at adult is to throw nudity and beheading. How original, no sorry, Oblivion mods did that already. Not only did it do so, but the characterenvironment mesh much better than AoC has thus far. I will give the game credit, its characters are done well, just not the land the characters walk on.
4. When Funcom make something completely new of course some won't like it. it's how we humans tick. Good thing you tried it at least. Goodbye hope you find something better.
Answer: Well, Howie, at least it was an attempt at leaving the conversation cordially. I guess I could take back the mean things I said. I apologize. Everyone has an opinion, but when that opinion crosses another a fair response is due. I would LOVE to come back to AoC, just as soon as I can get my game controller to work with the bloody thing, lol.
Last rebuttal, the whole comment
"And 1,2,3 and 1,2,3" shows that the OP was buttonmashing. If this is what you do, prepare to get raped in PvP, and not be as efficient as you can in PvE. It is much deeper than you think. Easy to learn, hard to master.
Well, what can I say that has not already been said. I find it amazing how people can assume one thing about another's game play style without knowing the person. Assumption can be a dangerous thing, specially when it is incorrect. I purchased the game on the 20th, and played it till I fell asleep each day. the fact of the matter is, the fighting system is not that complex. Action and reaction, figuring the AI. One on One PvE combat I did not find challenging. But, I had fun with the multi PvE. But after a while, fingers tire. Lets just say, after the gym, this is workout number two for the hands and upper forearms. The saying "One, two, three and one, two, three..." That is an allusion to being a conductor of combat. I DO understand the fact that the whole game does not consist of 1,2, 3 mashing constantly. But, I for one, and I do not speak for myself, do not like the keyboard interface for the game. I do agree, the interface would be "Easy to learn and hard to master", but I am no novice, it is just not my cup of tea as far as interfaces.
As was mentioned before (yes I know it is 6 words and I found it hilarious):
"To sum this wall of text in 5 words ...
OP did not like the combat."
WinnTech
all the things the OP dislikes, are the things i like the most so far.
guess thats the way of things.
I with the OP on this one. I too am playing a shadow knight or whatever (un)Funcom calls it. I was looking forward to the revolutionary combat and real time combat that was promised.
Maybe if this is your first MMO or have only played WoW then it probably is a change for you. For the rest of us it is boring and repetitive. All they have done is remove auto attack and make me hit the 1, 2 and 3 button a couple thousand times an hour. There is no skill involved in it. You have big arrows showing you which side not to hit. Hit 1 a few times, then 2, then 3 and rinse and repeat. No strategy needed, no skills needed nothing but boredom and carpel tunnel syndrome. Maybe PVP is different, but I have no interest in finding out. I will never PVP and i suspect the PVP market is much much much smaller than the PVE market. Look at the gankfest in the first week where cornholers were killing people zoning into the game. Yep, thats fun to me....not. PVP is just more of the same. PVE is and should be the bread and butter of any MMO that wants to be commercially successful, otherwise your just another niche game like Vanguard, Shadowbane or a few hundred Asian free to play imports.
I think there is also an issue with people using macro'd keyboards to execute combos.
It effectively makes something that is meant to take multiple presses, just a single press. That takes a chunk of skill out of PvP, but if you want to be a competitive PvPer you're going to need these bound keys.
G15 keyboard and others out there most AoC uber guilds require you to have something that can macro combos like that for chain killing and so on.
double tap side stepping is a beautiful thing. Saves my ass almost every time I do a 4 pull on my assassin. I only say this because sitting in stealth I sit back and watch other players fight to see whats going on and laugh how hardly anyone ever uses this ability ( they die the mobs reset then i go in and clean up whats left ).
Most mobs have these things called shields
if u click 2 and there are 3 shields on top of the mobs head then u just wasted ur time.
What I like to do is wack the mob on one side a bit to force it to move its shields over to that side,
Then I use a combo on the side thats not guarded . and follow up with a combo on the head .
Skills dawg .. not 123 , u gotta know what u are doing to be the man.
Whatever you like, OP, I hope you find it and offer all of us a buddy key to try it out. As I'm open to anything new. That's why I bought AoC, to see if anything particularly fun was involved (there is for me as I like to explore quite a bit). :-P
-- Brede