Dude, there are so many little secret areas in Vanguard, all kinds of mini dungeons that no one knows about, that you can't find on any spoiler site. This game is the best game I have ever played in terms "off the beaten path" exploration. It seems most people just think "who cares what is over that invisible wall, the quest giver is over here!" anymore. My biggest gripe about AoC is how shallow and tiny the game is. That is where the AoC/VG comparison comes in. Because Vanguard is everything AoC is not.
It was my experience that those secret little mini dungeons eventually get pointed to by some quest or another. I found the exploration cheapened when almost every major interest is spelled out as a waypoint on the map. Hit a new level and new waypoints with information are automatically added. Get a quest to do something interesting? Just open the map and travel to the X pre-marked for you by the quest giver. Hover the mouse over the marks to find out information about it... Blah. Same thing in Conan.
I agree with your that is seems most players now just want instant information and ignore anything off the beaten path. However I don't really want a built in alakhzams/wowhead site built into the games interface. It really does cheapen the thrill of exploring IMHO.
Being an old git it does make me smile at all the.. my games better than yours crap. I'm thinking its the opposite, theres a fantastic selection out there, and to me its nearly all great stuff. Heh.. I played original EQ which some still hanker for... square heads and rats that go ouch! cause they had'nt fixed the sound.But it was something new. Played AoC for awhile, awesome graphis and great action, but am going back to Vanguard for a bit. Beautiful world (respect Keith Parkinson RiP) and no instancing... great community as well... there all good but not enough time ......
Wow... majority of the AoC fanboys here have shown major ignorance bout VG... Im more lead to believe their getting even worse then WoW fanboys.... which is pathetic.
I'll keep welcoming all the AoC players quiting and coming to VG
But a lot of people that really knows both games made a lot of realistic afirmations.
I have the impression you are trying to generalize everyone that doesnt agree with you, even people that is able to realize Vanguard´s flaws and qualities and Age of Conan´s flaws and qualities.
The idea of Vanguard is perfect and AoC is crappy is worse than any WoW fanboism...
...
God... you made me want to slam my head into a wall real fricken hard. I never said VG is perfect and AoC is crappy. I realize and understand both games flaws and qualities.
But when i said the MAJORITY (not meaning all) of the AoC fanboys, bitching bout stuff in VG, that's not even in the game anymore. Let's me know their still stuck on a year ago. And when someone simply talks bout how he likes VG better then AoC... the vultures are quick to judge and bash VG right away. Which is bad as WoW fanboyism.
I understand Autodidact82, but this topic was posted on AoC forum in a provocative way, if you take this detail and read the OP, you should realize we cant blame the AoC crowd.
VG crowd is bashing AoC too.... well, anyway, Im glad I can play both games.
I dont understand why people complain about AoC as it seems to have become exactly the game it was supposed to be. So why the complains ? A company that has to rely on gore and nudity to advertise their game wont have much content. That was freaking obvious, wasnt it ?
Overall I found the only reason I couldn't get myself to continue playing VG was simply the lack of a playerbase for an otherwise amazing game. I wasn't even bothered so much by the bugs in the game at launch to tell you the truth. They were expected, as every MMO has them.
With that said, I recently found copies of VG on Amazon for under $10, and have ordered 4 copies for me and 3 friends to play the game together.
I don't know about AoC... there are so many issues you run into as you level up that really just ruin the fun. I'm 57 and I have been grinding the villa quests which are getting pretty old. I've done all the solo quests I can and the only think I have left are a boat load of cistern/main system quests but nobody in AoC wants to group. I even spent like 30-40 minutes making a group which ended up being pretty bad. People just weren't the right lvls and one guy was high enough the mobs were gray and everyone insisted on having him app us but with the group mobs being scaled so gray mobs are tougher it kinda screwed the group....
Other then sanctum of the souls so far I've not been very impressed with dungeons in AoC. I find it is easier to get a group in vanguard then in AoC which is kinda sad considering all the people playing... I think everyone just prefers to grind the villas.
The other bad thing in AoC is it is very one dimensional. You quest and thats about it. Harvesting is pretty dull as all the nodes are static so you map them and run around to them and many times they are depleted. This isn't a huge issue as you can go to your guild harvest instance if you are in a guild with a city you just need to wait an hour or so till the nodes build up.
Finally itemization is aweful. There is almost no equipment variation in appearances as you level up. This is a tiny bit better as they have added a little bit more but really my assassin from lvl 10 to 57 has seen 3 different clothing models. This is far worse then eq2 was at launch and that was bad....
Comparing AoC and Vanguard is like comparing and apple to an orange. They really aren't comparable. Vanguard has an enormous amount of breadth compared to AoC. VG has a fantastic combat system, crafting, diploymacy is also a fun side activity. AoC is kinda more a one trick pony.
On the other hand from 1-20 AoC is an amazingly well done game. The combat system while simple is fun and different. It is very interactive and the dynamic shielding of mobs makes it fun. Also in the first 20 levels you learn almost every ability you will have throughout the game so you are constantly growing and evolving your character. From 1-20 the itemization for appearances is better then the rest of the game also.
AoC from 20-40 is pretty good. Beyond 40 the warts really start to show and the game quickly becomes unfun...
VG today is not as polished as AoC feels from 1-20 but is in my opinion a better game with far better game play from 1-50 and a lot more variety of things you can do. Not to mention the fact that VG is a much larger more interesting world.
Anyway thats my take on it.... I'm debating with myself whether I want to cancel tomorrow or have faith and give it another month hoping that things dramatically improve....
Really bad idea IMO to post this on the AoC forums. Unfortunately, the AoC community in general isn't known for its maturity and baiting them isn't the best plan.
Two things I'd like to chip in -
1. Without baiting anyone who likes AoC (wasn't really my cup of tea - let my 30 free days expire), most VG players will honestly tell you that a lot of people who bought AoC and didn't like it seem to have come back/taken a look at VG. It's a shame the Trial Island won't be ready for a couple of months as this would have helped them even more I reckon. This is evident on the official VG forums and from in-game chat. So, in a sense, AoC has actually done VG some favours.
2. The vast majority of hate posted in this thread about VG's current technical status is just absolutely wrong. Either it refers to problems that were sorted nearly a year ago or to problems that never existed. It really is the depths of sad childishness to 'hate' a game or hate a game's fans. I find most games I play (of any genre) to not live up to what I want, but if someone digs them - good! I hope they really enjoy them. Being negative towards them or their game just makes you look so childish to other readers, I'm almost embarrassed on your behalf
AoC's graphics is superior compared to Vanguard. Also, vanguard at launch was bad, AoC had a bad launch also. When AoC is out longet then 1 year and 4 months (like vanguard) then compare it to current state vanguard.
What im trying to say is that you cant compare it. There is a 1 year gap between them, so how about you compare vanguard's release with AoC release. GG
AoC's graphics is superior compared to Vanguard. Also, vanguard at launch was bad, AoC had a bad launch also. When AoC is out longet then 1 year and 4 months (like vanguard) then compare it to current state vanguard. What im trying to say is that you cant compare it. There is a 1 year gap between them, so how about you compare vanguard's release with AoC release. GG
Well this means that you can never compare to games as they currently are unless they released on the same day. I have to say that I disagree with your statement. Given that if a person wants to select between 3 MMOs they'll make a decision based on how the game is currently. That person isn't going to look at release dates and say, "Ok, game X released 6 months before game Y so what was game Y like 6 months ago." Simply because Vanguard has improved a certain amount since launch doesn't mean that AoC will improve by that same amount in the same amount of time.
Until you cancel your subscription, you are only helping to continue the cycle of mediocrity.
People have different tastes and like different things. One person's opinion can differ to another person's opinion. My advice is to play the game you enjoy the most.
This should be in the Vanguard forums and this is clearly an attempt to cause strife and troll bait. the only reason you post this in the AoC forums is because only the few Vanbois left ever read the VG forums.
AoC's graphics is superior compared to Vanguard. Also, vanguard at launch was bad, AoC had a bad launch also. When AoC is out longet then 1 year and 4 months (like vanguard) then compare it to current state vanguard. What im trying to say is that you cant compare it. There is a 1 year gap between them, so how about you compare vanguard's release with AoC release. GG
Considering that both companies are competing for your subscription dollars today, it is very relevent to compare that state of both games as they are today.
Comparing the state of both games at launch has relevence in certain aspects as well. It can give some insight into how long one might expect patches and updates to come or how much/less work one game will need over the other.
For example:
Both games had poor launches, VG for lack of high end content, polish and lots of performance. AoC for lack of high end content and some design issues.
Currently both are playable games, but AoC has lots more money and a larger dev team. It also has one very important thing going for it. It is still in the honeymoon period and has hundreds of thousands of people playing it. Odds are AoC will look to be in much better shape when it turns 1.5 years old than when VG did.
I hope both games shape up well and don't just flounder around with half assed development from companies that don't want to commit to them. The MMO scene needs more good games in a very bad way.
Comments
It was my experience that those secret little mini dungeons eventually get pointed to by some quest or another. I found the exploration cheapened when almost every major interest is spelled out as a waypoint on the map. Hit a new level and new waypoints with information are automatically added. Get a quest to do something interesting? Just open the map and travel to the X pre-marked for you by the quest giver. Hover the mouse over the marks to find out information about it... Blah. Same thing in Conan.
I agree with your that is seems most players now just want instant information and ignore anything off the beaten path. However I don't really want a built in alakhzams/wowhead site built into the games interface. It really does cheapen the thrill of exploring IMHO.
Lol,
Being an old git it does make me smile at all the.. my games better than yours crap. I'm thinking its the opposite, theres a fantastic selection out there, and to me its nearly all great stuff. Heh.. I played original EQ which some still hanker for... square heads and rats that go ouch! cause they had'nt fixed the sound.But it was something new. Played AoC for awhile, awesome graphis and great action, but am going back to Vanguard for a bit. Beautiful world (respect Keith Parkinson RiP) and no instancing... great community as well... there all good but not enough time ......
But a lot of people that really knows both games made a lot of realistic afirmations.
I have the impression you are trying to generalize everyone that doesnt agree with you, even people that is able to realize Vanguard´s flaws and qualities and Age of Conan´s flaws and qualities.
The idea of Vanguard is perfect and AoC is crappy is worse than any WoW fanboism...
...
God... you made me want to slam my head into a wall real fricken hard. I never said VG is perfect and AoC is crappy. I realize and understand both games flaws and qualities.
But when i said the MAJORITY (not meaning all) of the AoC fanboys, bitching bout stuff in VG, that's not even in the game anymore. Let's me know their still stuck on a year ago. And when someone simply talks bout how he likes VG better then AoC... the vultures are quick to judge and bash VG right away. Which is bad as WoW fanboyism.
I understand Autodidact82, but this topic was posted on AoC forum in a provocative way, if you take this detail and read the OP, you should realize we cant blame the AoC crowd.
VG crowd is bashing AoC too.... well, anyway, Im glad I can play both games.
I dont understand why people complain about AoC as it seems to have become exactly the game it was supposed to be. So why the complains ? A company that has to rely on gore and nudity to advertise their game wont have much content. That was freaking obvious, wasnt it ?
"Freedom is just another name for nothing left to lose" - Janis Joplin
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Vanguard has very bad combat though. Very bad. AT leaset AoC has some input ...
Overall I found the only reason I couldn't get myself to continue playing VG was simply the lack of a playerbase for an otherwise amazing game. I wasn't even bothered so much by the bugs in the game at launch to tell you the truth. They were expected, as every MMO has them.
With that said, I recently found copies of VG on Amazon for under $10, and have ordered 4 copies for me and 3 friends to play the game together.
I don't know about AoC... there are so many issues you run into as you level up that really just ruin the fun. I'm 57 and I have been grinding the villa quests which are getting pretty old. I've done all the solo quests I can and the only think I have left are a boat load of cistern/main system quests but nobody in AoC wants to group. I even spent like 30-40 minutes making a group which ended up being pretty bad. People just weren't the right lvls and one guy was high enough the mobs were gray and everyone insisted on having him app us but with the group mobs being scaled so gray mobs are tougher it kinda screwed the group....
Other then sanctum of the souls so far I've not been very impressed with dungeons in AoC. I find it is easier to get a group in vanguard then in AoC which is kinda sad considering all the people playing... I think everyone just prefers to grind the villas.
The other bad thing in AoC is it is very one dimensional. You quest and thats about it. Harvesting is pretty dull as all the nodes are static so you map them and run around to them and many times they are depleted. This isn't a huge issue as you can go to your guild harvest instance if you are in a guild with a city you just need to wait an hour or so till the nodes build up.
Finally itemization is aweful. There is almost no equipment variation in appearances as you level up. This is a tiny bit better as they have added a little bit more but really my assassin from lvl 10 to 57 has seen 3 different clothing models. This is far worse then eq2 was at launch and that was bad....
Comparing AoC and Vanguard is like comparing and apple to an orange. They really aren't comparable. Vanguard has an enormous amount of breadth compared to AoC. VG has a fantastic combat system, crafting, diploymacy is also a fun side activity. AoC is kinda more a one trick pony.
On the other hand from 1-20 AoC is an amazingly well done game. The combat system while simple is fun and different. It is very interactive and the dynamic shielding of mobs makes it fun. Also in the first 20 levels you learn almost every ability you will have throughout the game so you are constantly growing and evolving your character. From 1-20 the itemization for appearances is better then the rest of the game also.
AoC from 20-40 is pretty good. Beyond 40 the warts really start to show and the game quickly becomes unfun...
VG today is not as polished as AoC feels from 1-20 but is in my opinion a better game with far better game play from 1-50 and a lot more variety of things you can do. Not to mention the fact that VG is a much larger more interesting world.
Anyway thats my take on it.... I'm debating with myself whether I want to cancel tomorrow or have faith and give it another month hoping that things dramatically improve....
---
Ethion
Lol. i would rather punch myself in the face then have to ever grind crafting levels in vanguard.
no instances but you always get the "hope i make it through this chunk" feeling every single time and alot you dont make it through.
Really bad idea IMO to post this on the AoC forums. Unfortunately, the AoC community in general isn't known for its maturity and baiting them isn't the best plan.
Two things I'd like to chip in -
1. Without baiting anyone who likes AoC (wasn't really my cup of tea - let my 30 free days expire), most VG players will honestly tell you that a lot of people who bought AoC and didn't like it seem to have come back/taken a look at VG. It's a shame the Trial Island won't be ready for a couple of months as this would have helped them even more I reckon. This is evident on the official VG forums and from in-game chat. So, in a sense, AoC has actually done VG some favours.
2. The vast majority of hate posted in this thread about VG's current technical status is just absolutely wrong. Either it refers to problems that were sorted nearly a year ago or to problems that never existed. It really is the depths of sad childishness to 'hate' a game or hate a game's fans. I find most games I play (of any genre) to not live up to what I want, but if someone digs them - good! I hope they really enjoy them. Being negative towards them or their game just makes you look so childish to other readers, I'm almost embarrassed on your behalf
AoC's graphics is superior compared to Vanguard. Also, vanguard at launch was bad, AoC had a bad launch also. When AoC is out longet then 1 year and 4 months (like vanguard) then compare it to current state vanguard.
What im trying to say is that you cant compare it. There is a 1 year gap between them, so how about you compare vanguard's release with AoC release. GG
Well this means that you can never compare to games as they currently are unless they released on the same day. I have to say that I disagree with your statement. Given that if a person wants to select between 3 MMOs they'll make a decision based on how the game is currently. That person isn't going to look at release dates and say, "Ok, game X released 6 months before game Y so what was game Y like 6 months ago." Simply because Vanguard has improved a certain amount since launch doesn't mean that AoC will improve by that same amount in the same amount of time.
Until you cancel your subscription, you are only helping to continue the cycle of mediocrity.
People have different tastes and like different things. One person's opinion can differ to another person's opinion. My advice is to play the game you enjoy the most.
Still actively trolling away we see.
Considering that both companies are competing for your subscription dollars today, it is very relevent to compare that state of both games as they are today.
Comparing the state of both games at launch has relevence in certain aspects as well. It can give some insight into how long one might expect patches and updates to come or how much/less work one game will need over the other.
For example:
Both games had poor launches, VG for lack of high end content, polish and lots of performance. AoC for lack of high end content and some design issues.
Currently both are playable games, but AoC has lots more money and a larger dev team. It also has one very important thing going for it. It is still in the honeymoon period and has hundreds of thousands of people playing it. Odds are AoC will look to be in much better shape when it turns 1.5 years old than when VG did.
I hope both games shape up well and don't just flounder around with half assed development from companies that don't want to commit to them. The MMO scene needs more good games in a very bad way.
Yeah, i'm re-downloading my digital copy right now. I'm going to give it another shot.
Thats very likely, since AoC has higher hardware requirements. But is that really an advantage relevant to you ? It isnt for me, at least.