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Review: Meh.
gorecki
Member Posts: 45
Yes, i registered just to post this.
Sum up my opinion in one word: meh.
Nice graphics, most are higher res than WoW (with some glaring exceptions which hopefully are temporary, otherwise they'd ruin the overall look). Captures the warhammer style perfectly. Performance is decent, runs quite well on a nice rig with some hitching, usually due to sudden loading of a huge number of PCs / NPCs. Distant terrain textures look pretty awful (unless there is a hidden option to change this, i have everything maxed).
The biggest problem is the gameplay...mostly the combat system. It has this disconnected, artificial and clunky feeling to it...hard to explain it exactly, but to me there's 2 big issues. One, the animations and effects are REALLY POOR. Characters stiffly attack eachother with some puny little poofs and explosions to mark hits. Spells are a little more elaborate (BW AOEs are cool), but otherwise nothing great. Character movement / combat animations remind me of Vanguard at launch. Taking a comparison from WoW, character movement there is very fluid, I wouldn't be surprised if it was motion captured, even. EQ2 also...the detail and elaborate, fluid motion in both games is a major point of immersion.
Second, combat is essentially a button-spam. There is no real sense of danger, or strategy, or challenge. Hit that one or two attacks until you kill your enemy, or run out of AP (if you do, autoattack for a few seconds, and repeat). You'll get more attacks / abilities as you level up, but they don't feel any different. Its basically a "whack-a-mole" system. Perhaps this turns around entirely above 20, but its hard to imagine why that would happen. Overall, its boring, and although I know low-level combat is supposed to be easy & forgiving, most other games I know of are a lot more dangerous for newbies, and require much more careful timing / management that WAR. People accuse WoW of being the same kindof 1 or 2 attack spam, but i don't know of anybody that can play that way successfully, even at low levels, without dying quite frequently.
PQs...don't feel strongly either way on them. An interesting feature that encourages people to get together and bash some mobs in a small space with little risk.
RvR, scenarios: Lets be honest, these are battlegrounds. Take the first one i did as Chaos, Nordenwatch (sp?) Might as well call it AB, with 3 bases and a shorter resource timer. My understanding is that this type of thing is the major focus of endgame...if so, I wll pass, as I have spent more time in AV than any human should and can't realy take any more of that kind of thing.
I think, overall, that the game is far too easy. I have died exactly once on 6 characters, due to falling a large distance (losing 3/4+ health) then being attacked by several mobs. Most places i want to go i can just train right through mobs to get there. I barely look at my HP b/c i know nothing will happen to me. Its the ultimate refinement of the WoW-style, western MMO--super easy & fast progression--combined with an endgame that is essentially endless battleground-style RVR. Yawn.
Summary: It's a perfectly competent WoW clone, that will be successful, at least in the short term, because of one thing: It's like WoW, but it isn't WoW. I.E., it will attract the WoW crowd that is bored with the game at the moment but until now couldn't find anything remotely competitive.
I feel little motivation to continue. Combat is boring, in PVE / PVP. The combat system itself feels wrong, unnatural, clunky. There is no sense of challenge, effort, peril...anything that makes a good GAME. I'm rather dissappointed, I had some high hopes for this one. Should have a bigger launch than AoC, then settle towards a respectable, but not dominating population (500k-1mil). Not bad, but not great. I likely will cancel my pre-order, since its unlikely i will want to pay for the game if i'm already disinterested in the beta.
Numerical rating? 6, maybe 7 out of 10. Letter grade?
FLAME ON!
Comments
I agree man, I was in beta, and I wrote multiple thread about numerous OTHER problems and flaws the game has, but I was deleted all the time.
Seems like a balanced review, thanks. Makes a change from the idiot reviews we keep getting.
I kinda liked battlegrounds but just wished I got more of a direct incentive to play them so knowing that they're like battlegrounds is comforting.
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Note: PlayNC will refuse to allow you access to your account if you forget your password and can't provide a scanned image of the product key for the first product you purchased..... LOL
WoW endgame = raiding/arena
WAR endgame = RvR
oh, and as you reach endgame in both titles within 4 weeks, all you do is "endgame".....
Oh, forgot to add...for me at least, the beta was quite stable and mostly bug-free. Have yet to experience a crash, or major glitch that requires a restart. The only major bug i noticed was that alot of mobs are getting stuck on/in/around objects, and are "not attackable".
Also, i can't comment on the custom UI system, as it seems nobody is going to be making UIs until the game is at / near release (for good reason, why make something when it will get broken every day?)
I want to know one thing what game does not involve button mashing ??? geez
since the light of day of video games their was button mashing atari ,genesis,xbox and pc gaming .
You can hate a game because it's not fun for you but to say their button mashing is plain dumb.
I pretty much agree with the OP - Warhammer Online is great fun for a little while, but a few issues with the combat mechanics, animations and clunky UI start to become very blaring after a while. Of course, these issues can easily be fixed before launch if they take the time and effort to listen to the community feedback, which, to this point, I am pleasantly surprised to know is incredibly active. The game devs seem to actually pay attention to the testers.
However, I really can't see myself playing this game for too long - it doesn't innovate at all. Nothing new is really brought to the table, and that is probably the biggest problem at the core of this game. I've played a whole gamut of MMOs (SWG/EQ2/WoW/DAoC/FFXI/CoV+H/VG/LOTRO/AC/UO) and, to be honest, there isn't much to keep me hooked in after a few months come and go. "Satisfyingly average" would be a great epithet for this game, actually.
I have been playing a swordmaster and as far as combat goes this is what has stood out:
1) you start wit ha greatsword of speed 4.0. This is REALLY slow. If you just auto attack. You are litterly standing ther edoing nothing and wondering when he will hit.
2) I have gotten a one handed sword with a speed of 2.2. this one is obviously quite a bit faster and the auto attack seems normal.
3) there seems to be no command queue. Cooldowns and the stances are kind of messed up. When it was laggy in the beginning due to population, I would wind up just spamming things. Because the timers seemed to be wrong and I would get messages about it not being ready. So the best solution to just hit the next attack like 3 times in row. Even when it was not laggy I do this to some extent because the responisveness seems to be off and there is no command queue. Or if there is it does not work. However when it is not laggy and i use a faster sword my guy seems to feel like he is almost doing things in an exciting and fairly interesting way with out awkward pauses.
What I have noticed though is that there is a big variation in how things feel depending on various factors. I think starting Swordmaster off with an extremely slow sword for example is a really bad idea. Should start with a faster but weaker sword. Only people who want huge hits should be using a 4.0 speed sword not every single beginner.
The main thing is the awkwardness and interruptions to flow. Mainly caused by what I described above. Some animation are good some are not so good. But I think things get emphasized by the awkwardness.
Its not bad but it need some polish.
I think people who complain about the combat are basically reacting to a cumulative weight of small but important things like that.
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Nice review. One comment, it's a wow clone but no one copied. I trully HOPE it doesn't attract many wow players, because some wow players are really carebears, haha. You know what I mean, hey if roleplaying is your thing, that's coo...but....this game isn't for you. I had bigger hopes for warhammer too. Fun game but wish it was a little better in atleast the graphics aspect of the game. Agree with you on most of your review, good review.
Game is easy btw. It's def. for the casual gamer and I think in a way they were def. going for that due to Wow becoming so populated due to that factor. I think wow did have an influence on creating some things inside of warhammer. The ease of the game. However, can't say warhammer exactly copied. No one can. Mythic was here long before blizzard. I think not having mana and having action points or whatever the yellow bar is, makes it very easy for healers. I love it to be honest. No resting and bullshit. Always action. But, it does make the game a little easier. Still a neat concept to the game to not have mana.
To be honest, I know I'll get bored of the game sooner or later. I hope it's more so later then sooner. Why? Because no good game is coming out anytime soon that I'm interested in. I even tried Ryzom cause it's now free and hated it. =/
I got it preordered from direct2drive, so now I'm basically forced to play, not really. I just want to make sure my 50 bucks is worth it, so I'll keep playing. Not the real reason though. This will keep my attention until a better game releases, which there will be better.
Release is suppose to be better with better graphics options in the settings, which I'll personally enjoy. Won't bring a WOW OMG THIS GAME ROCKS factor to it, but overall still a fun game to play. Again, good review. Agree with alot of your statements and know that this game will be boring to some because it's very pvp oriented.
Try a healer, I think they would provide more action for you. I think you're just playing an easy class, ex: Chosen. They are pretty easy because they can take so much damage and throw out enough to do what they need to do. With a healer, they are beastlyyy. I'm hoping release brings more things and I'm hoping this game improves. I hope you find your game that you're looking for. Maybe you'll step into the retail version if you see things change in the near future. I hope things are added and tweaked in the near future myself.
We need more reviews by people who played the game up to lv8, bash the WOW similarities and the combat system. Thx man thats a worthless read.
How did you like the renown system, city levels, zone control system,tactics,morale abilities,guild features and stuff? Oh you dont know jack about this game ..
If you are not accustomed to eating kiwi, go slow at first.
World Of Warcraft is solely based around gear, this game is not. That simple. Wow is gay, this game is better, atleast to me. That's why I'll be playing it now. I Still can't truly say that wow sucks and mean it though, sadly. Because I enjoyed it until 6 months after open beta and still to this day, think it's a pretty good game. But due to the game being so gear required for anything and having to run 25 mans and what not 24/7, it gets annoying and I just can't deal with all those people on ventrilo. I would rather be in a 10-15 man max and be with friends. I can't stand wow because it takes SO MUCH TIME to get the gear and that's what makes you good. It's not skill. Warhammer is more so skill.
Hopefully people read what I summarized for them before they read all your depressing garbage. If I had a depression gauge to 10, you made it go from a 1 to a 4 just from reading what you wrote, don't know why, you just sound... depressed and unhappy.
You are burned out of MMOing, I can see that. Sorry to hear it man, move on. Try a new hobby, it sounds like you need to give video games a break for a little while.
I don't read reviews from a new poster.
I don't read reviews, period.
Different games are for different people.
If you want to know where the risk, changeling and fun is, start looking at this game from a team perspective.
VERY good review, can't even express how tired i am of WoW clones (or should i say EQ clones since wow just dumbed down EQ). EQ came out in 99 and 9 years later we still have games being produced with the EXACT SAME COMBAT SYSTEM! I'm actually playing a crappy nexon game right now just because the core of the gameplay, the combat system, is unique and different.
And quest grinding? come on, i think everyone will agree that gets boring and annoying after about an hour or two. They even made it idiot proof and tell you where to go for the objectives.
The pvp is just BGs, nothing really new.
combat system, 9 years old.
achievements have been done before (as in titles and such)
PvE is a joke, no threat what so ever. no reason to group. I know this is a PvP game, but still the game that gets this element right will be the best mmo ever.
MMOs are about the community. hence massively multiplayer. If i wanted to solo i would save myself 15 bucks a month and play a single player game.
I will admit the game is solid for beta other than obvious bugs.
It's better than WoW currently because it took WoW and improved on everything, kind of like a duh situation. anyone could've done that.
yet again, nice review, i'm just ranting.
When animations are off in a game, it drives me crazy. I do NOT have this problem with WAR. I know these things can sometimes be subjective, but to compare the animations to Vanguard is particularly dishonest.
Every class I have played so far plays differently. Even with in the healer archetype, they play differently. If you try a class and don't care for the feel of the game play, try some others. It can be a night and day difference and finding something that matches your playstyle is worth the effort.
The way the game plays and feels improves a lot as your character progresses. If you give up on a class before you've reached at least Rank 9, you're likely not getting a good feel for the game.
It should go with out saying that trying any new MMO will feel akward after playing something else for a long time. People also should make sure to give the game enough time to get past those akward stages and past the steepest part of the learning curve.
Last comment, make sure to mix and match Questing PvE, Public Quests and RvR/Scenarios (for Scenarios, even though you can jump in at level two and be boosted to level 8, the lack of skills and equipment will make it tough. I try to get to level 5 and have some decent drops and PQ items before shifting to RvR). You have great leeway in how you chose to balance those elements while progressing your character. You can level up and get decent equipment by focusing on one of the three or juggling them the way you want. This game does a better job than any other MMORPG I've played at supporting multiple play styles.
Want to know more about GW2 and why there is so much buzz? Start here: Guild Wars 2 Mass Info for the Uninitiated
hehe
Hopefully people read what I summarized for them before they read all your depressing garbage. If I had a depression gauge to 10, you made it go from a 1 to a 4 just from reading what you wrote, don't know why, you just sound... depressed and unhappy.
You are burned out of MMOing, I can see that. Sorry to hear it man, move on. Try a new hobby, it sounds like you need to give video games a break for a little while.
Nah, i love MMOs. I'm burnt out of endless battleground-style PVP: same scenarios x 100, 200, etc.
Amazing how some people get so worked up about opinion, as if i personally came to their house and insulted their mother or something. If you have anything constructive to add here, please feel free. Otherwise.../yawn.
I agree with the OP. This game is not in release shape, no matter what the calendar says. For those who say that 8 levels isn't enough to gauge quality, I respectfully disagree. Game developers need to get it through their heads that you get one shot at a first impression. If the beginning levels are blah, the customer can only rightfully assume that the rest of the game is going to be more of the same. If you don't hook me in the first few levels, pressing on becomes a chore and I start thinking about other things I could be doing.
I'll still buy a box simply because I want a Collector's Edition, but as far as paying beyond the first month, I doubt it. Maybe if they manage to put in the classes and cities that they left out, they'll coax me back. But as it stands, this game is a dressed-up, boiled down version of Dark Age of Camelot 2. Mythic could have done it all with the existing franchise instead of spending so much time and money on this fun, but unfinished, attempt at a game based on the Warhammer Universe.
"Soloists and those who prefer small groups should never have to feel like they''re the ones getting the proverbial table scraps, as it were." - Scott Hartsman, Senior Producer, Everquest II
"People love groups. Its a fallacy that people want to play solo all the time." - Scott Hartsman, Executive Producer, Rift
Sorry, but I doubt you've actually played the game. It's usually easy to spot those because they just regurgitate the same things, with the same inaccuracies, as found in other negative posts.
I'm a huge MMORPG cynic. I've been playing these things for over nine years, way too many hours of my life to admit to. This game is not perfect, but it's actually fun and refreshing. Internet forum reviews can not do the game justice, the positive ones nor the negative ones. The game really has to be played and played long enough to get an honest feel for it.
Want to know more about GW2 and why there is so much buzz? Start here: Guild Wars 2 Mass Info for the Uninitiated
I'd take a warhammer scenerio over a WoW BG any day of the week. The WoW BG's lack imagination. One side is merely a carbon copy of the other.
I find War scenerios to have much more vareity and the landscape along with collision detection offers alot more strategy.
The end game is about capturing the enemy city and looting it. And along the way you can quest, do scenerios, capture battlekeeps with your guild, do dungeons/instances, etc. All it all contributes to your sides ultimate victory and capture of the enemy city. Then you can level your guild and city to unlock all sorts of things.
Sounds like a blast to me.
Tribes 2 is back!!!! http://www.tribesnext.com/
And from the makers of tribes: Fallen Empire: Legions http://www.instantaction.com/
Sorry it was such a worthless read that you chose to read and reply to it
I have no positive or negative feelings at all about you liking the game. It's great that it works for you, so I'm not sure why it irks you so much to find somebody that has a differing opinion...
Go! Be happy and play!
Sorry it was such a worthless read that you chose to read and reply to it
I have no positive or negative feelings at all about you liking the game. It's great that it works for you, so I'm not sure why it irks you so much to find somebody that has a differing opinion...
Go! Be happy and play!
Why should I not reply? I do it for the same reason you wrote this review.
If you have no negative or positive feelings about the key features of the game maybe its too much for you to comprehent and you should stick with playing AV for another 4 years.
I am playing, thx for the suggestion.
If you are not accustomed to eating kiwi, go slow at first.
Sorry it was such a worthless read that you chose to read and reply to it
I have no positive or negative feelings at all about you liking the game. It's great that it works for you, so I'm not sure why it irks you so much to find somebody that has a differing opinion...
Go! Be happy and play!
Why should I not reply? I do it for the same reason you wrote this review.
If you have no negative or positive feelings about the key features of the game maybe its too much for you to comprehent and you should stick with playing AV for another 4 years.
I am playing, thx for the suggestion.
Woah, easy there. Deep breaths
How does "I have no positive or negative feelings at all ABOUT YOU LIKING THE GAME" = "no negative or positive feelings about the key features of the game"?????
Anyway, the anger / bitterness in this forum (mostly from WAR fans!) is really amazing. Somewhat understandable, i guess, given that almost every (or simply every?) MMO since WoW has either been a total disaster, or only a marginal success. Hype & letdown, wash and repeat. I've had my hopes crushed a few times, too, so i can understand why people are so freaking jumpy at this point. If i really liked WAR, i might be doing the same thing as you, shaking a pointy stick at any non-believing interlopers.
I didn't read this response.
Hopefully people read what I summarized for them before they read all your depressing garbage. If I had a depression gauge to 10, you made it go from a 1 to a 4 just from reading what you wrote, don't know why, you just sound... depressed and unhappy.
You are burned out of MMOing, I can see that. Sorry to hear it man, move on. Try a new hobby, it sounds like you need to give video games a break for a little while.
Nah, i love MMOs. I'm burnt out of endless battleground-style PVP: same scenarios x 100, 200, etc.
Amazing how some people get so worked up about opinion, as if i personally came to their house and insulted their mother or something. If you have anything constructive to add here, please feel free. Otherwise.../yawn.
No, you USED to love MMOs, now you just spread your depression of your bordem to everyone else. Where did I seem "worked up"? I said your read made me feel depressed and emotions like depression are hard to come out from text so it must be pretty thick. I didn't say I felt insulted in any way.
What constructive comments do you want? You want me to say 'You're right! Great post...", sorry I don't want to. Stop acting like you're better than the next guy, even though you're doing the exact same thing as he is.
If you don't like the WoW style gameplay, go play EvE, UO, a different genre (single play RPG, FPS, Adventure game). MMOs consist of a general structure, one you are apparently tired of, so like I said, move on. It's like saying "God, why do I always have to be in First person perspective with a gun when I am playing an FPS, shooting people, this is retarded! Do something innovative!"
They did do something new, they added PQs, ToK, 20 new classes with a warhammer setting. It's completely PvP based, which has been done before, but its totally different than WoW, which is all you probably really know.