Open Beta First Impression

Thubub

First a bit about myself.  I am a long time MMO player (since launch of DAoC).  I have played over a dozen major titles, been in several betas, and tried out a few freeplays as well.  I tend to prefer games with a strong PvP element to them.  So that may help give you some insight as to where I am coming from.

I spent about 15 hours playing the second open beta, not very long.  That said this is just a first impression rather than a total review of the game.

Graphics

The graphics in this game are fairly dated.  If I had to compare it to another game I would think that DAoC or darkfall come to mind.  Certainly it doesn't have the clean polished look of an Aion, LotrO, or AoC.  Some of the scenery is probably in an unfinished state I am guessing (see the opening tutorial area).   Additionally, the combat animations are clunky and fairly rudimentary, but this may have a bit to do with my ping (I am in North America).  Finally, your character avatar is as other posters have already said, a bit homely.  Granted, it is fine to have some plain/homely options, but when you go to the website you see this badass looking character and think "Oooh, I want to look like that."  When you get to the creation screen it becomes "oh, well I guess this is the least ugly I can be."  If I were leading the development team and could only make one graphics change before release, I would be working 24/7 to retool character avatars so they are more appealing or "badass".

Now, having said all that, for the most part the scenery in Craft of Gods is quite appealing.  Also, I am completely willing to give up some graphics "love" for PvP functionality.  This game won't force you to update your video card and hopefully the toned down graphics will lead to a very playable RvR environment.  Final thought, the graphics won't wow you over, but they aren't game breaking either.

Character Development

Ok now we get to the coolest part of this whole game, character development.  I have been in skill based systems before.  Usually what you get in skill based systems is skills that level up with use.  So, you use them... over and over and over.  This leads to macroing, which in turn leads to botting, which very quickly kills the game.  Another problem with skill based games is that they claim to have a wide variety of character choices.  But the reality is that certain skills are effective in PvP, and those are the skills that everyone has to have.  So eventually everyone is exactly the same, but the level to which there skill has been augmented is different.  Craft of Gods skill system is level based.  However, you aren't restricted to class base skilled.  You will get a set amount of points to place in various skill trees, but you can have any skill you desire.  Want to be a demon summoning, healer that shoots arrows?  Do it!  Want to be a berserker that shoots firebolts and raises the dead?  Do it!  Want to be a jack of all trades?  Do it!  Want to follow a standard tank-and-spank melee class route?  You get the picture. 

This will also help alleviate another problem that all PvP games face (I know it is technically RvR, but for simplicity sake I am just going to call it PvP).  The dreaded class balance.  Now there is no need to nerf -x- class so that -y- class is competitive.  Everyone has the freedom to choose their skills.  So long as each tree has powerful/usefull skills throughout the tree, you will have a strong variety of choices for all the different playstyles.

Next is the talent timer.  This is a very interesting addition.  You get a list of various talents that augment your character and these are set on a timer.  You don't have to do anything save select what you want to devolop, and watch it ding once time elapses.  As the talent increases, the amount of time you must devote to it increases as well.

Then finally are the ability points.  As you level, you receive ability points to put into things like intelligence or strength.  What does all of this add up to?  A lot of choices and variations available for you while you play.

Level cap is at 100.  Now, that sounds like a pretty big mountain to climb.  If the early levels are any indication though, it should be a fairly fast level curve.  One nice aspect is that quests give you substantial experience compared to simply grinding it out.  Grinding games make my brain hurt and promote the creation of bots so anytime you can reduce grind I am a happy camper.  Also, with so many things you are developing (skills, talents, abilities) it should be fairly easy to pop on for a couple of hours and see some progress in your character's design.  The character development system is hands down the most interesting part of this game.

Mounts

You can get a mount at level 1 (HURRAY!! /emote the crowd going wild).  Also, you can make almost any creature in the game your mount. (/emote the crowd going "ooh... ahh").  I rode a moose, a horse, a cow, and a wolf just to name a few.  You can fight while mounted.  Turn in quests while mounted.  Shop at a vendor while mounted.  Hurray for being mounted.

Crafting, Housing, RvR, and all the other Bells and Whistles

Didn't test any of them, but they is a lot there to explore.

Customer Service

Ok, I can only go off my experience, but for me it was amazing.  I had two issues that needed solving, one a password issue, the second a compatibility issue.  I used the customer service ticket in the accounts function of the website and within minutes I had a response in my e-mail.  Not an automated response saying "Yep, you are having problems, we will get around to it."  It was an actual solution from a representative.  Very fast and completely solved both issues.  Also, in the forums I see a lot of gm interaction with the gaming community.  If they keep this up after beta is over, then they will have passed a crucial test that so many games of late lack.

Verdict?

I will definitely be trying this one out.  Sure there is a lot of work to be done grinding out the bugs, translations, and polishing some graphics.  But the design, playability, RvR element, and character development are worth it for me to give this one a shot.  I recommend anyone interested in a new MMO give this one a tryout when the next open beta rolls around.  The more the merrier.

 

 

 

 

 

delete5230

Very good review, it's as I see Craft of Gods also.

As far as graphics " yes " their dated, but I'm in it for game play and screw graphics, and I have a better computer than most of you out their.

chaoster89

 I dont understand why people say the graphiqs are outdated they are still better than the top MMO's today.

angus858

Originally posted by chaoster89


 I dont understand why people say the graphiqs are outdated they are still better than the top MMO's today.

 

I don't know how you came to that conclusion.  CoG's graphics are nowhere close to what LotRO and AoC provide at maximum settings!  In fact I don't think CoG's graphics compare well to any top MMO released within the last three years.  Not that any of that matters to me.  I think the landscapes in CoG are pretty nice and the avatars are, well,  good enough.  Obviously I care more about gameplay than graphics.  CoG has a lot to offer in that department. 

scuubeedoo

If they made the graphics just a bit better than they currently are, we would have other guys here whining that the game won't perform well on their system...