Unless i'm mistaken Fallen Earth isn't doing that well which really suprises me. I haven't actually played it but from what I'm reading it seems EXCACTLY what 50% of the threads on here are asking for.
-No classes, you can make your character how you like it.
-A very large sandbox type world to explore.
-An innovative crafting system which also means a more player orientated economy.
-Not endless amount of grind.
-Skill based unlike the "Click a button to shoot" type gameplay.
It's everything you constantly ask for, I don't get it, unless I have misunderstood something?
By doing well if you mean 1+ million accounts? then no. So i guess our definition of doing well is different. As long as a MMO is making enough money to pay the bills and salaries and also supports the development of future content, it's doing well.
The only time MMO does not do well is when servers shut down.
What Shastra said. According to the most recent state of the game letter, the game is growing.
I don't know by how much, or how big the player-base is, but if it keeps growing slowly but steadily it'll do very well.
All I really know is that it's the first of the post-2004 MMOs that has kept me subbed for six months, that in itself is good enough for me.
I don't think they've promoted themselves as what type of game they really are. I was always under the impression that it was a pvp game, so I didn't bother to try it. Then recently in a post where someone was looking for a good pve game, I saw Fallen Earth suggested several times. So I gave it a try.
I really did like the character models, at least the females. They were one of the better looking models I've experienced. Nice faces and hairstyles. But of course given the environment, the attire was very drab. Ultimately, it was the environment I didn't like. A post-apocalyptic wasteland was just too depressing for my tastes and I couldn't even finish the trial.
People who want sandbox games will always find reasons not to play sandobox games. that's the sad truth and that's the reason most people don't care about ppl who want sandboxes.
maybe
but this game is not a sandbox
I agree. It's a theme park with no rides.
Aside from the lack of both things to accomplish (themepark) and havign an effect on your world (sandbox). It's also a painful money grind. I can't just craft to level, because I need to grind mobs for stuff to sell.
The other BIG issue I had with it is the lack of player interaction. BIG mistake allowing one character to skill up in all of the trades. You need interdependence to have interaction.
"" Voice acting isn't an RPG element....it's just a production value." - grumpymel2
Unless i'm mistaken Fallen Earth isn't doing that well which really suprises me. I haven't actually played it but from what I'm reading it seems EXCACTLY what 50% of the threads on here are asking for.
-No classes, you can make your character how you like it.
-A very large sandbox type world to explore.
-An innovative crafting system which also means a more player orientated economy.
-Not endless amount of grind.
-Skill based unlike the "Click a button to shoot" type gameplay.
It's everything you constantly ask for, I don't get it, unless I have misunderstood something?
Theyre looking for the MMO that exists inside their heads, not one based in reality, hence why sandbox games like Ryzom and Wurm arent doing well and old skool EQ style games like Vanguard are barren. Im sure Xyson will quickly get rejected as well.
You could take all of the features that crowd is asking for and put them in a game and theyd still reject it.
I've been playing FE for about two months or so, and I am, indeed, starting to become disinterested. Reasons:
No classes, but little starting information about skills - and, without respecs, you get exactly one shot at getting it right. Choices made early on affect your character throughout the game, but without the information needed to truly make informed choices, it's a crap shoot.
A very large world to explore, yes. However, level is everything - roam into an area with creatures a mere one or two levels higher than you, and prepare to die. Exploration is best done later, when you're reasonably sure you're higher than whatever you're going to encounter. Also, a large world doesn't mean an interesting world. I spent about four hours one day driving around the south end of Sector 1. I found little that was interesting.
Crafting is as complex and and interesting as pre-NGE Star Wars Galaxies, and that's high praise. The crafting model is, indeed, one of the real high points of the game. The flip side, though, is not only that everybody can do it, but that all of the "special" recipes are attainable through the quest system. As everybody goes through the quest system (you don't really have much choice) there is no real differentiation among crafters. No competition and no differentiation means an economic "heat death."
The grind here is well camoflaged, but, yes, there is indeed grinding. For example, "working the wheel" to unlock various mutations and abilities requires a painful, strategically planned grind.
The combat system does mean it's nearly impossible to AFK the game, and I like that. However, it also screens out those would play for the crafting and exploration, but can't because they're not skilled at shooting games. For example, my wife enjoyed Star Wars Galaxies, DDO, WoW, and EVE, but backed away from this game.
The game appears to be a highly scripted single-player game.
There's little reason to talk to other people in the game, never mind group with them. Once you hit max level (46 now, I think) there's nothing, really, to do. The social aspect of MMOs is non-existent, or at the very least unnecessary, in FE.
There are a few technical issues, as well. I'm running what is now considered an "old" machine, having bought it more than two years ago (Phenom 2.3Ghz quad core with 4Gb memory and 2 linked Radeon HD3850 cards on an MSI motherboard) and my machine crawls when attempting to run FE with even moderate settings. Most folks have difficulty in town when there are a goodly amount of folks logged in, as the game's lag becomes epic. Customizing the user interface, even with something as simple as key bindings, is limited - for example, there are no three-key combinatiosn. Ctrl+Shift+1 is right out.
Fallen Earth has a lot of promise - the storyline is original, the subject matter is interesting - but without adding more advanced technology into the game, providing additional outlets for socially-inclusive play (player made "towns", for example, or end-game content that requires grouping), it's not going to attract the type of gamers that keep an MMO alive.
Unless i'm mistaken Fallen Earth isn't doing that well which really suprises me. I haven't actually played it but from what I'm reading it seems EXCACTLY what 50% of the threads on here are asking for.
-No classes, you can make your character how you like it.
-A very large sandbox type world to explore.
-An innovative crafting system which also means a more player orientated economy.
-Not endless amount of grind.
-Skill based unlike the "Click a button to shoot" type gameplay.
It's everything you constantly ask for, I don't get it, unless I have misunderstood something?
Theyre looking for the MMO that exists inside their heads, not one based in reality, hence why sandbox games like Ryzom and Wurm arent doing well and old skool EQ style games like Vanguard are barren. Im sure Xyson will quickly get rejected as well.
You could take all of the features that crowd is asking for and put them in a game and theyd still reject it.
Well, I guess until even one game comes somewhat close to this mark (none recently have gotten even close so far) then we'll find out, until then, the world may never know.
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
The systems in FE are what a lot of people are clamoring for, it's true, but the other half of the equation is execution. Fallen Earth just doesn't pull it off very well. It's a medicore game with dated graphics. It kind of feels like what SWG used to be except it doesn't have that licensed hook to draw people in.
Many MMO gamers are achievers, and FE doesn't offer much to achieve. The only thing I gained by leveling is the opportunity to get to the level after that. There's no sense of accomplishment or purpose. It feels like work, and I have enough work to do in this life, I don't need to have a simulated job as well.
Unless i'm mistaken Fallen Earth isn't doing that well which really suprises me. I haven't actually played it but from what I'm reading it seems EXCACTLY what 50% of the threads on here are asking for.
-No classes, you can make your character how you like it.
-A very large sandbox type world to explore.
-An innovative crafting system which also means a more player orientated economy.
-Not endless amount of grind.
-Skill based unlike the "Click a button to shoot" type gameplay.
It's everything you constantly ask for, I don't get it, unless I have misunderstood something?
Maybe if you'd played it (and wanted it to be those things) you'd see how it fails on just about every one of those points. The biggest thing that undermines its potential though, is the weak gameplay that gives players a terrible first impression, right after the tutorial. They should have made the fundamental combat and mob ai mechanics more.. well, more anything, really.
When I want a single-player story, I'll play a single-player game. When I play an MMO, I want a massively multiplayer world.
It is doing amazing ain't it? In their news they said the player base were increasing recently in double digit amounts. Compare that to other games where the subscription numbers stay the same or go down, that's amazing.
That FE won'T have as many players as Aion or WoW or something is clear, as it aims at a totally different audience.
I played FE for about 4 months (really gave it a chance) and ultimately it just plays really unpolished. Mobs warp and jump around weirdly, the ragdoll mechanics are laughable, and the gameplay is pretty boring. Furthermore, theres NO endgame. So you quest, quest, grind, grind, get to the final level and then...... sit there and do nothing.
Fallen Earth is definitely a great game. It's more of an open-ended theme park game than a sandbox game in my opinion, though. It's kind of a stepping stone between games like WoW and games like EVE.... which is by no means a bad thing. It just fails to cater to the (very vocal) extremes on either side of the sandbox vs. theme park discussions.
Sandbox fans want more tools available to them to affect the world. (More advanced economics, politics, settlements, etc.)
Theme park fans want a treadmill that is more interesting than spinning the wheel and collecting all crafting recipes.
It'll be interesting to see which direction they take it in.
I spent 8 days in Fallen Earth, to be honest I didn't like it too much. Game play in general is a bit boring and AI is weak. I spent around two years in AO when it came out. In general, AO is much more fun than FE in pretty much every count. FE doesn't give me any straggle feeling at all. Make a living in post apoc world should be really hard! Combat in FPS style isn't so exciting either due to weak AI. Maybe they made starting area too easy... In general, between 1 to 10, I give the game 6. Better than Vanguard and many other MMOs. However, the game doesn't fit the theme. I love Fallout but this game is nothing like that.
I tried the free trial for a little bit, but didn't like it much and I like sandbox type games.
Dislikes for me:
1. Graphics aren't a big deal for me, but the world was too bland/barren, I know it was supposed to be.
2. Didn't like the melee combat system, seemed odd. I didn't really try ranged much.
3. Quests seemed to be the same boring kill x quests.
4. I prefer fantasy mmos, even though I did play SWG due to a friend getting me to try it. Not the games fault...but its a reason.
5. Nothing felt 'new'/'cool', it didn't immerse me, maybe mostly due to liking fantasy more.
I admit I didn't give it a ton of time, it just seemed bland, and I play games with my wife usually and she didn't like it from watching me play either....
I am looking at Earthrise, but I think I may suffer the same non-fantasy letdown, but it doesn't look as bland, so I will see. I may give Xyson/CoG a try, if they aren't crud....Not much is really exciting me atm to be honest.
Unless i'm mistaken Fallen Earth isn't doing that well which really suprises me. I haven't actually played it but from what I'm reading it seems EXCACTLY what 50% of the threads on here are asking for.
-No classes, you can make your character how you like it.
-A very large sandbox type world to explore.
-An innovative crafting system which also means a more player orientated economy.
-Not endless amount of grind.
-Skill based unlike the "Click a button to shoot" type gameplay.
It's everything you constantly ask for, I don't get it, unless I have misunderstood something?
What I think you must keep site of is that MMORPG is not a pulse on the mmo community but more or less the pulse of hardcore/veteran mmo players. The truth is a very small percentage of the members of this community post often and of those who do it is the vets/hardcore players who do so the most which is why you see so many of those posts.
A game that caters to pvp for the forseeable future will never do that well beyond niche game status. The vast majority of mmoers are just gamers who if they are forced to need others to play with will just as well go and pull out the latest final fantasy, and why would a fps player be bothered with the countless hours of grind associated with having to be competitive in an mmo when you can play a multiplayer fps and be on a pretty even keel from start.
I've not heard too many people straight dispute this point but until a game is released that treats pvp and pve equally (much like wow did) there will never be a sandbox game that does well (since people seem to always associate sandbox with pvp).
I did often get into this debate inthe Darkfall forums and can't figure for the life of me why people would be so opposed to seeing DF as live and pve complete as WOW, it would only increase the number of people you have access to and I for one can attest if a game offered me as much pve content as LOTRO or WOW I would have no problem playing if it also had a rabid pvp population just waiting to gank me on my way to a quest.
but yeah, to call this game Fantastic is like calling Twilight the Godfather of vampire movies....
I really enjoyed Fallen Earth and for a small studio, they did really well with what they have.
I think the games lack of lasting appeal is that there isn't much in it to really band people together. You have these great factions, but they don't really mean much. People just spin the faction wheel to unlock what they need from each one.
The PvP was pointless and easily exploited, so most people just stayed away from it. I would have loved to see a DAoC style system with 3 opposing factions and a 'frontier' to fight over. That would give people a focused location to fight in and choose when they wanted to do so. I didn't like the way the quests/resource needs forced people into PvP areas, especially crafters who were of a weaker combat build. Again people would just avoid doing it.
The other big problem with the game was that it was very much a 'loner' game and there was little that forced people to group and no special rewards for people who did so. I played with a bunch of friends and people just drifted away.
The game is a great concept and I think that it can be improved and will continue to grow as a sleeper hit.
Unless i'm mistaken Fallen Earth isn't doing that well which really suprises me. I haven't actually played it but from what I'm reading it seems EXCACTLY what 50% of the threads on here are asking for.
-No classes, you can make your character how you like it.
-A very large sandbox type world to explore.
-An innovative crafting system which also means a more player orientated economy.
-Not endless amount of grind.
-Skill based unlike the "Click a button to shoot" type gameplay.
It's everything you constantly ask for, I don't get it, unless I have misunderstood something?
What I think you must keep site of is that MMORPG is not a pulse on the mmo community but more or less the pulse of hardcore/veteran mmo players. The truth is a very small percentage of the members of this community post often and of those who do it is the vets/hardcore players who do so the most which is why you see so many of those posts.
A game that caters to pvp for the forseeable future will never do that well beyond niche game status. The vast majority of mmoers are just gamers who if they are forced to need others to play with will just as well go and pull out the latest final fantasy, and why would a fps player be bothered with the countless hours of grind associated with having to be competitive in an mmo when you can play a multiplayer fps and be on a pretty even keel from start.
I've not heard too many people straight dispute this point but until a game is released that treats pvp and pve equally (much like wow did) there will never be a sandbox game that does well (since people seem to always associate sandbox with pvp).
I did often get into this debate inthe Darkfall forums and can't figure for the life of me why people would be so opposed to seeing DF as live and pve complete as WOW, it would only increase the number of people you have access to and I for one can attest if a game offered me as much pve content as LOTRO or WOW I would have no problem playing if it also had a rabid pvp population just waiting to gank me on my way to a quest.
This is dead on correct. This is what many Dev's do not get, and some players as well. Limitations only hurt a games future. The more options, the better the game can be.
The best game would be the game that has a large amount of PvE content and PvP content in a sandbox style. That would mean that every play style would be viable in a complete game would. Complete factions with large amounts of PvE content. A large world filled with PvE content that is persistant and can change as players interact with it. Crafting that is deeply tied into the PvE content that would be used for PvP. And player built and controlled cities or settlments.
There is no reason that a sandbox game should only be PvP player created content only. Just as a PvE game sould not be only a linear progression with raiding as the only option. Two example would be EVE for the sandbox PvP and LOTRO for PvE linear progression. Both are about equal in subs, but could be much better with an expansion of content from the other.
On a side note, AoC's expansion is getting closer to this combo on the PvP servers. It will have many more large, open zones for the same end game level of players. There will be many factions to quest from for PvE to gain gear and AA skills. This will be completely open to the player to choose what they want to do. Not linear progression for the expansion. At the same time, you will be fighting many other players while doing PvE in large open zones. It should be a much better experience. Something not there yet, but closer than many other games.
How many people long for that "past, simpler, and better world," I wonder, without ever recognizing the truth that perhaps it was they who were simpler and better, and not the world about them? R.A.Salvatore
The first person view is the reason I do not play. If it weren't for that, I'd be on it in a heartbeat.
Then you should try it. You don't ever have to go into first person view if you don't want to, and you can even zoom quite far out in 3rd person view. The only time you have to use first person view is while using binoculars or a sniper scope. It's arguably easier to use ranged weapons in first person view, but still optional if you suffer from motion sickness or something.
Did you read the replies your thread has received so far? People have listed many of the reasons why FE isn't appealing to them and that translates in a large part to the less the spectacular sub number numbers. (though I doubt anyone really thinks any sandbox style game will be a WOW killer, they just don't appeal to the mass market, more casual player)
Let me recap some of the issues.
1) FE launched with little fanfare and quite a few problems in the areas of stability which is never good for getting off to a great start and retaining the early player base.
2) Graphics, although improved, lack from some player's perspectives.
3) Content, or lack thereof. Improved a lot in past 6 months, but from all accounts, get to level cap and there's really not much else to do.
4) PVP - Mostly pointless, there are no land areas or resources for players to control and fight over (a la EVE) nor any unique 'dungeons' to control or gain access to by controlling certain things in the world, (a la DAOC)
5) Crafting - One of the game's shining bright spots, however it has not managed to create a viable economy (a la EVE) where players crafted goods are vital to the market. No idea why, perhaps because everyone can be a crafter and self-sufficient? In EvE you can't do this, 3 years of playing with 3 accounts and I still don't have any crafting ability, I have to buy my gear from those who took the time to master it. Don't think FE works the same way.
6) Levels - There's a lot of disagreement over what makes a sandbox game, but almost everyone agrees sandbox games do not have levels and FE has them which is a big turn off.
7) Quests - While sandbox games can have quests, they should not be the primary form of character progression or the game is a theme-park IMO which of course would not appeal to most of the people looking for a WOW alternative.
8) From what I understand, players are lead from one area to another, based on the story and quest line, which does not a sandbox make. In a game like EVE, you might visit the main market hub Jita on your first day, and return their regularly for the rest of the game. In fact, you can access every area of EVE on your first day (theoretically) which doesn't sound like the case in FE. If so, its more of a themepark than a sandbox.
I could go on for a few more, and I haven't even played the game yet. Sandbox games are more about the players creating the story rather than following the script the developers build for them. It doesn't sound like FE is really that sort of game therefore it holds me back from plunging in and giving it a go.
And if anything I've said above is incorrect, then its a failure of marketing by the FE team to make sure we understand what the game is really like to encourage players like me to give it a whirl.
IMO you guys are looking at it in far to complex a manner. As features are just that, features... Which FE has plenty of that could be considered decent enough. The problem with FE is it's production, this is why it hasn't generated the amount of success the OP seems to be expecting it would.
Much like SWG it just doesn't have the polish a trully successful game needs. The animations are clunky, the FPS shooting feels floaty and unresponsive. The world has very little distraction to it, nothing catches the eye so to speak. MOBs can be spread to thin within areas, as well as the questing being largely forgettable.
These issue all arise from a low budget, that is FE's number one issue. It is also the root cause to it's perceived lack of success. All of this can change given time, in 6 years the game (if alive) could be far better simply because the amount of polish and positive additions added. Much like EVE's gradual climb to being a successful title. That's how things go in the indie world, to reach mass success they need more time, they aren't instant smash hits (usually) it's the same way in the film world, Evil Dead and other cult films, as well as in music.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
I don't want to say it was laggy, but there was a definite pause for every action. Pressing buttons to attack, looting, moving, it all felt too slow to respond. Just couldn't get into it.
This. I know I'm late to the party but what this guys says is the same for me too. The game is right up my alley but I couldn't get past the 'laggy' controls. it was a constant irritation that just made me put it dowm. I do most of my PvP playing UT so I need it fast and smooth. While I realize that an internet based MMO will have more lag issues than a UT server, I also played Tabula Rasa and the controls, pve abd pvp wise, were much more responsive than FE. I know an MMO can do it but FE seems to suffer in that regard. I think the game is pretty good and I hope it improves but I think that part of the gameplay put a few folks off of it.
I'll put up with bugs and dodgy graphics if the control mechanics are responsive and engaging. Sadly FE seems to have trouble on this front and without that fundamental in place, my enjoyment was severly limited. I may reactivate my sub in future if they can work o that.
There is NO miracle patch.
95% of what you see in beta won't change by launch.
Hope is not a stategy. ______________________________ "This kind of topic is like one of those little cartoon boxes held up by a stick on a string, with a piece of meat under it. In other words, bait."
Comments
What Shastra said. According to the most recent state of the game letter, the game is growing.
I don't know by how much, or how big the player-base is, but if it keeps growing slowly but steadily it'll do very well.
All I really know is that it's the first of the post-2004 MMOs that has kept me subbed for six months, that in itself is good enough for me.
I don't think they've promoted themselves as what type of game they really are. I was always under the impression that it was a pvp game, so I didn't bother to try it. Then recently in a post where someone was looking for a good pve game, I saw Fallen Earth suggested several times. So I gave it a try.
I really did like the character models, at least the females. They were one of the better looking models I've experienced. Nice faces and hairstyles. But of course given the environment, the attire was very drab. Ultimately, it was the environment I didn't like. A post-apocalyptic wasteland was just too depressing for my tastes and I couldn't even finish the trial.
I agree. It's a theme park with no rides.
Aside from the lack of both things to accomplish (themepark) and havign an effect on your world (sandbox). It's also a painful money grind. I can't just craft to level, because I need to grind mobs for stuff to sell.
The other BIG issue I had with it is the lack of player interaction. BIG mistake allowing one character to skill up in all of the trades. You need interdependence to have interaction.
"" Voice acting isn't an RPG element....it's just a production value." - grumpymel2
Theyre looking for the MMO that exists inside their heads, not one based in reality, hence why sandbox games like Ryzom and Wurm arent doing well and old skool EQ style games like Vanguard are barren. Im sure Xyson will quickly get rejected as well.
You could take all of the features that crowd is asking for and put them in a game and theyd still reject it.
I've been playing FE for about two months or so, and I am, indeed, starting to become disinterested. Reasons:
No classes, but little starting information about skills - and, without respecs, you get exactly one shot at getting it right. Choices made early on affect your character throughout the game, but without the information needed to truly make informed choices, it's a crap shoot.
A very large world to explore, yes. However, level is everything - roam into an area with creatures a mere one or two levels higher than you, and prepare to die. Exploration is best done later, when you're reasonably sure you're higher than whatever you're going to encounter. Also, a large world doesn't mean an interesting world. I spent about four hours one day driving around the south end of Sector 1. I found little that was interesting.
Crafting is as complex and and interesting as pre-NGE Star Wars Galaxies, and that's high praise. The crafting model is, indeed, one of the real high points of the game. The flip side, though, is not only that everybody can do it, but that all of the "special" recipes are attainable through the quest system. As everybody goes through the quest system (you don't really have much choice) there is no real differentiation among crafters. No competition and no differentiation means an economic "heat death."
The grind here is well camoflaged, but, yes, there is indeed grinding. For example, "working the wheel" to unlock various mutations and abilities requires a painful, strategically planned grind.
The combat system does mean it's nearly impossible to AFK the game, and I like that. However, it also screens out those would play for the crafting and exploration, but can't because they're not skilled at shooting games. For example, my wife enjoyed Star Wars Galaxies, DDO, WoW, and EVE, but backed away from this game.
The game appears to be a highly scripted single-player game.
There's little reason to talk to other people in the game, never mind group with them. Once you hit max level (46 now, I think) there's nothing, really, to do. The social aspect of MMOs is non-existent, or at the very least unnecessary, in FE.
There are a few technical issues, as well. I'm running what is now considered an "old" machine, having bought it more than two years ago (Phenom 2.3Ghz quad core with 4Gb memory and 2 linked Radeon HD3850 cards on an MSI motherboard) and my machine crawls when attempting to run FE with even moderate settings. Most folks have difficulty in town when there are a goodly amount of folks logged in, as the game's lag becomes epic. Customizing the user interface, even with something as simple as key bindings, is limited - for example, there are no three-key combinatiosn. Ctrl+Shift+1 is right out.
Fallen Earth has a lot of promise - the storyline is original, the subject matter is interesting - but without adding more advanced technology into the game, providing additional outlets for socially-inclusive play (player made "towns", for example, or end-game content that requires grouping), it's not going to attract the type of gamers that keep an MMO alive.
The crafting system would (with a couple of major tweaks) be a great component of a sand box MMORPG. Frankly, the rest of the game is mediocre.
"" Voice acting isn't an RPG element....it's just a production value." - grumpymel2
Well, I guess until even one game comes somewhat close to this mark (none recently have gotten even close so far) then we'll find out, until then, the world may never know.
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
The systems in FE are what a lot of people are clamoring for, it's true, but the other half of the equation is execution. Fallen Earth just doesn't pull it off very well. It's a medicore game with dated graphics. It kind of feels like what SWG used to be except it doesn't have that licensed hook to draw people in.
Many MMO gamers are achievers, and FE doesn't offer much to achieve. The only thing I gained by leveling is the opportunity to get to the level after that. There's no sense of accomplishment or purpose. It feels like work, and I have enough work to do in this life, I don't need to have a simulated job as well.
Maybe if you'd played it (and wanted it to be those things) you'd see how it fails on just about every one of those points. The biggest thing that undermines its potential though, is the weak gameplay that gives players a terrible first impression, right after the tutorial. They should have made the fundamental combat and mob ai mechanics more.. well, more anything, really.
When I want a single-player story, I'll play a single-player game. When I play an MMO, I want a massively multiplayer world.
It is doing amazing ain't it? In their news they said the player base were increasing recently in double digit amounts. Compare that to other games where the subscription numbers stay the same or go down, that's amazing.
That FE won'T have as many players as Aion or WoW or something is clear, as it aims at a totally different audience.
Let's play Fallen Earth (blind, 300 episodes)
Let's play Guild Wars 2 (blind, 45 episodes)
I played FE for about 4 months (really gave it a chance) and ultimately it just plays really unpolished. Mobs warp and jump around weirdly, the ragdoll mechanics are laughable, and the gameplay is pretty boring. Furthermore, theres NO endgame. So you quest, quest, grind, grind, get to the final level and then...... sit there and do nothing.
I think the quests are enjoyable. They're very well written and more interesting than in most other MMORPGs I played.
Let's play Fallen Earth (blind, 300 episodes)
Let's play Guild Wars 2 (blind, 45 episodes)
At what audience is it aiming?
"" Voice acting isn't an RPG element....it's just a production value." - grumpymel2
Fallen Earth is definitely a great game. It's more of an open-ended theme park game than a sandbox game in my opinion, though. It's kind of a stepping stone between games like WoW and games like EVE.... which is by no means a bad thing. It just fails to cater to the (very vocal) extremes on either side of the sandbox vs. theme park discussions.
Sandbox fans want more tools available to them to affect the world. (More advanced economics, politics, settlements, etc.)
Theme park fans want a treadmill that is more interesting than spinning the wheel and collecting all crafting recipes.
It'll be interesting to see which direction they take it in.
I spent 8 days in Fallen Earth, to be honest I didn't like it too much. Game play in general is a bit boring and AI is weak. I spent around two years in AO when it came out. In general, AO is much more fun than FE in pretty much every count. FE doesn't give me any straggle feeling at all. Make a living in post apoc world should be really hard! Combat in FPS style isn't so exciting either due to weak AI. Maybe they made starting area too easy... In general, between 1 to 10, I give the game 6. Better than Vanguard and many other MMOs. However, the game doesn't fit the theme. I love Fallout but this game is nothing like that.
Not the best, but always the first.
I tried the free trial for a little bit, but didn't like it much and I like sandbox type games.
Dislikes for me:
1. Graphics aren't a big deal for me, but the world was too bland/barren, I know it was supposed to be.
2. Didn't like the melee combat system, seemed odd. I didn't really try ranged much.
3. Quests seemed to be the same boring kill x quests.
4. I prefer fantasy mmos, even though I did play SWG due to a friend getting me to try it. Not the games fault...but its a reason.
5. Nothing felt 'new'/'cool', it didn't immerse me, maybe mostly due to liking fantasy more.
I admit I didn't give it a ton of time, it just seemed bland, and I play games with my wife usually and she didn't like it from watching me play either....
I am looking at Earthrise, but I think I may suffer the same non-fantasy letdown, but it doesn't look as bland, so I will see. I may give Xyson/CoG a try, if they aren't crud....Not much is really exciting me atm to be honest.
What I think you must keep site of is that MMORPG is not a pulse on the mmo community but more or less the pulse of hardcore/veteran mmo players. The truth is a very small percentage of the members of this community post often and of those who do it is the vets/hardcore players who do so the most which is why you see so many of those posts.
A game that caters to pvp for the forseeable future will never do that well beyond niche game status. The vast majority of mmoers are just gamers who if they are forced to need others to play with will just as well go and pull out the latest final fantasy, and why would a fps player be bothered with the countless hours of grind associated with having to be competitive in an mmo when you can play a multiplayer fps and be on a pretty even keel from start.
I've not heard too many people straight dispute this point but until a game is released that treats pvp and pve equally (much like wow did) there will never be a sandbox game that does well (since people seem to always associate sandbox with pvp).
I did often get into this debate inthe Darkfall forums and can't figure for the life of me why people would be so opposed to seeing DF as live and pve complete as WOW, it would only increase the number of people you have access to and I for one can attest if a game offered me as much pve content as LOTRO or WOW I would have no problem playing if it also had a rabid pvp population just waiting to gank me on my way to a quest.
but yeah, to call this game Fantastic is like calling Twilight the Godfather of vampire movies....
I really enjoyed Fallen Earth and for a small studio, they did really well with what they have.
I think the games lack of lasting appeal is that there isn't much in it to really band people together. You have these great factions, but they don't really mean much. People just spin the faction wheel to unlock what they need from each one.
The PvP was pointless and easily exploited, so most people just stayed away from it. I would have loved to see a DAoC style system with 3 opposing factions and a 'frontier' to fight over. That would give people a focused location to fight in and choose when they wanted to do so. I didn't like the way the quests/resource needs forced people into PvP areas, especially crafters who were of a weaker combat build. Again people would just avoid doing it.
The other big problem with the game was that it was very much a 'loner' game and there was little that forced people to group and no special rewards for people who did so. I played with a bunch of friends and people just drifted away.
The game is a great concept and I think that it can be improved and will continue to grow as a sleeper hit.
I never even gave the game a chance because the factions don't mean anything outside PvE. The PvP is just another FFA deathmatch.
Vault-Tec analysts have concluded that the odds of worldwide nuclear armaggeddon this decade are 17,143,762... to 1.
The first person view is the reason I do not play. If it weren't for that, I'd be on it in a heartbeat.
Sub par graphics, clunky combat controls, quest grind, lack of sandbox elements, general lack of fun.
Its not an awful game, but for me it felt lacking.
The best game would be the game that has a large amount of PvE content and PvP content in a sandbox style. That would mean that every play style would be viable in a complete game would. Complete factions with large amounts of PvE content. A large world filled with PvE content that is persistant and can change as players interact with it. Crafting that is deeply tied into the PvE content that would be used for PvP. And player built and controlled cities or settlments.
There is no reason that a sandbox game should only be PvP player created content only. Just as a PvE game sould not be only a linear progression with raiding as the only option. Two example would be EVE for the sandbox PvP and LOTRO for PvE linear progression. Both are about equal in subs, but could be much better with an expansion of content from the other.
On a side note, AoC's expansion is getting closer to this combo on the PvP servers. It will have many more large, open zones for the same end game level of players. There will be many factions to quest from for PvE to gain gear and AA skills. This will be completely open to the player to choose what they want to do. Not linear progression for the expansion. At the same time, you will be fighting many other players while doing PvE in large open zones. It should be a much better experience. Something not there yet, but closer than many other games.
How many people long for that "past, simpler, and better world," I wonder, without ever recognizing the truth that perhaps it was they who were simpler and better, and not the world about them?
R.A.Salvatore
Then you should try it.
You don't ever have to go into first person view if you don't want to, and you can even zoom quite far out in 3rd person view. The only time you have to use first person view is while using binoculars or a sniper scope. It's arguably easier to use ranged weapons in first person view, but still optional if you suffer from motion sickness or something.
IMO you guys are looking at it in far to complex a manner. As features are just that, features... Which FE has plenty of that could be considered decent enough. The problem with FE is it's production, this is why it hasn't generated the amount of success the OP seems to be expecting it would.
Much like SWG it just doesn't have the polish a trully successful game needs. The animations are clunky, the FPS shooting feels floaty and unresponsive. The world has very little distraction to it, nothing catches the eye so to speak. MOBs can be spread to thin within areas, as well as the questing being largely forgettable.
These issue all arise from a low budget, that is FE's number one issue. It is also the root cause to it's perceived lack of success. All of this can change given time, in 6 years the game (if alive) could be far better simply because the amount of polish and positive additions added. Much like EVE's gradual climb to being a successful title. That's how things go in the indie world, to reach mass success they need more time, they aren't instant smash hits (usually) it's the same way in the film world, Evil Dead and other cult films, as well as in music.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
This. I know I'm late to the party but what this guys says is the same for me too. The game is right up my alley but I couldn't get past the 'laggy' controls. it was a constant irritation that just made me put it dowm. I do most of my PvP playing UT so I need it fast and smooth. While I realize that an internet based MMO will have more lag issues than a UT server, I also played Tabula Rasa and the controls, pve abd pvp wise, were much more responsive than FE. I know an MMO can do it but FE seems to suffer in that regard. I think the game is pretty good and I hope it improves but I think that part of the gameplay put a few folks off of it.
I'll put up with bugs and dodgy graphics if the control mechanics are responsive and engaging. Sadly FE seems to have trouble on this front and without that fundamental in place, my enjoyment was severly limited. I may reactivate my sub in future if they can work o that.
There is NO miracle patch.
95% of what you see in beta won't change by launch.
Hope is not a stategy.
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