1. Trinity - Which I dont see really fitting well here. Having a Jedi stand near the back with their lightsaber out and ready, only to sit and heal the party, does not fit. Occasionally they might pick something up with the force and toss it, but really that lightsaber of theirs just doesnt seem to come into play as it should. Thats not like any Jedi I've ever seen.
2. Space On Rails - Far better to leave any kind of space content out of the game entirely than add this. It didnt please the people who wanted space content ( In fact it pretty much just ticked them off ) and the people who didnt care about space content could have cared less either way. Entirely pointless.
3. Dull Dialogue - So far Ive not seen one single interesting slice of dialogue out of this game. I remember when I watched dialogue cut scenes for Mass Effect. I was instantly drawn in. It might have been out of context, but I could tell they were talking about some interesting stuff, and there seemed to be real emotions present there; a real sense of life. However every time I see a Swtor dialogue scene Im bored out of my mind long before it ends. Just static characters standing there moving their arms around discussing mundane details. How exciting.....bleh.....
4. Gameplay - Looks extremely standard. Reminds me very much of the ground combat seen in Star Trek Online. Which was not that titles strong point. Unfortunately, thats all there is with Swtor. Characters seem to just execute the same moves over and over again. Especially the trooper.
5. Companion Characters - Sure you dont have to take them with you. However thats likely going to mean you're at a disadvantage to other players. Im not fond of the idea of an NPC following me around like a puppy dog every where I go. Not to mention the fact its going to look awfully strange having companion clones following players around all over the place. Apparently all smugglers know a wookie. Oh....and they all look exactly the same.....and have the same name. Right.
If it weren't for these 5 things I would definitely play!
You know what they say "you get what you pay for"
Right, because GW1, the current version of LotRO and GW2 all suck (or will suck). I think it's funny that most people think if you're against paying a monthly subscription you feel you shouldn't have to pay anything. I don't think that way. I have no problem paying for a game - I just don't understand the idea of paying for the privilege of playing it once I buy it. I have seen or played most of these sub games and found they are no better than GW or LotRO (in its current form). I think it's funny that SWTOR is going to be a sub and one of the biggest things people gripe about is the graphics, or the gameplay, or that it's a WOW clone with a Star Wars theme. But, since it will be subscription based, it will be awesome!
You want me to pay to play a game I already paid for???
3) The price of the normal box is the same as most collectors editions of other games.
Wrong.
WoW - $80 (originally)
AOC - $90 (originally)
Halo - $80
SC2 - $100 (originally)
SW:TOR Reg Edition - $60... Just like most games that you buy nowadays.
If you're upset over the collector's edition price of this game, that's another issue, but let's not exaggerate pricing by $20-$40 to make your point about that. It kills your credibility.
Too much carebears and hippies everywhere. Where did all the wondefully acidic hate, sarcasm and bitching go? Or in the immortal words of HK-47: "Shall we find something to kill to cheer ourselves up, Master?"
PLEASE keep in mind: I pre-ordered the CE for 150 Euro (215 Dollar!), after trying out the game. So I am NO hater. I am sure SWTOR will be enjoyable. Still, as adult, mature person I can differ between something I like and some I hate at the same time without being either fanboi nor hater. That said, here comes.
5. SPACE ON RAILS
I admit, space is not SO important to me, so it can wait. Still, for a Star Wars MMO to have this fugly space on rails... thats just so cheap. I think most people realize the context of Space Combat, similar to Paazak (which I can't understand why that is missing)...and since I am not into space shooters or space combat like in STO I could care less. I think most gamers playing the game won't be thinking about this at all.
4.SKIN TIGHT CLOTHING MESHES
I know maybe other people care less about this, but I always felt it looked SO damn ugly. Some of these pants, shirts and whatnot all look like painted on the skin. It has no texture, not thickness, nothing. There aren't even any folds in the clothing. The clothing looks so damn like plastic, and since I am gonna look at it a long time, it's quite a letdown. You've always been very picky about the clothes for over a year..which is fine..its your opinion..even though they have improved drastically over the last two years in that department. Perhaps you could show side by side comparisons of what game (MMO) has clothing today that you like?
3. NO SANDBOX ELEMENTS
Back when SWTOR was first revealed, the Bioware devs said TOR was not a theme park and not a sandbox, but something between, and from what we can see now: thats just bollocks. TOR is entirely and 100% a themepark and I haven't seen any sandbox elements whatsoever. Player cities? Full crafting? Non-linear progression? Heck I can't even decorate my starship interior. While I assume it to be a great themepark game, I really wish it would have *some* sandbox elements as addition. Maybe you've been following the game longer than me, but I can't recall any quote saying this game is not a themepark. Can you provide a link? All I recall for years now is that they stated it is not a sandbox which to most of us (outside these forums) is a good thing...because we all know how fantastic the other sandbox games are either doing, or did "/sarcasm off".
2. NO ALIEN RACES PLAYABLE
This really pisses me off mightly. I know, playing the cool story it won't maybe matter so much. But it is still something I have a hard time to deal with, that all players are essentially humans. (but they are not. I can't find anybody here at work who looks like a Twi' lek. I've never been to Europe so maybe they do there. Regardless, i do wish they expanded it to Wookie) Meesa not liken thisen hisen.
1. GRAPHICS / VISUAL DETAIL
I am sorry to bitch about that again. And while I understand the idea to made a MMO playable for many people, there is also this idea of longevity. EQ2 was a very demanding MMO back then, but the upside is, that it aged very well. SWTOR however will even at launch look way behind everything that people experience as standard from single player RPGs. And you ca say "but it's a MMO" until my ears bleed, people will STILL compare it with their single player experience! While I don't think it looks altogether trash, the textures are especially bland. Too much copy-paste textures, too less detail. I can't help to feel that it does feel cheap in some ways, and a BIT more detail especially in the textures would have worked wonders. Those textures are just so 2001. From a Star Wars MMO of 2011 for a mature audience I had expected something a tad more detailled, gritty and sophisticated. I bit more pushing the boudaries and a bit less conservative and mediocre visuals. (And there is alsot the element of visual design. Some of those cities and villages we saw looked quite dead. Just a handful of people standing there doesn't feel like a big city!)
I think the opposite. The amount of detail is looking to surpass other games I was happy with, like AOC and LOTRO. I think AOC was one of the most overhyped games in terms of the visuals. I don't care what anyone says, I think the Vistas in LOTRO were more pleasing to the eye. I remember riding into Rivendall for the first time and just staring at everything for so long. I still like to go into some of the buildings and admire the reflection off the marble and all the colors they used (not that I'm playing that game anymore). Considering that most people seem pleased at events playing SWTOR with the current builds that have settings missing (like antiliasing) or turned down, I can't wait to see the game on max at release when all of the features are incorporated. Its hard to the true feel of the visuals from screen prints and videos, so I expect to be even more pleased once I get my hands on it.
Special mention: NO SURNAMES?
It would royally suck if we just had first names. For a real RP person, I always felt a character needs a real name, with first and surname. With the exception of a few special characters like Yoda and Chewie, all mayor hero char have surnames, and thery are always referred to as such. Obi-Wan Kenobi, Master Skywalker, Captain Solo, Boba Fett. No one call him just Boba. It's just hilarious and bad for me as RP. So I REALLY hope they add it yet.
So, what are your Top 5?
My Comments in..hmmm...what color to be annoying...ORANGE lol
1. Outdated combat, it looks even more dull than the standard 123 tab targetting snorefest, the lackluster animations don't help at all.
2. The graphics are total crap, and i mean pre-wow crap, some of the character models of SWTOR are borderline deformed with beards of 1 pixel.
3. The VOs are bad and they hear even worse when you see those 1999 cartoon characters moving their mouth, it just doesn't sync.
4. The overall cheapness of the game, example: rainbow Humans instead of different races, really, how LAME is that?, search "29:30 beta update" in youtube and judge for yourself.
I want to snatch up all the people on this forum that need to see #5 on my post and put their names on this post and tell them to do their homework. Yet, I know that MMORPG.com will get mad at me for it.
I'll just say this, companions can be customized now which also includes armor, weapons, and skin/fur color, they are working on a body and face changer for them as well, it's on the wall of crazy. So no people will not all have the same wookie, or rakata.
The games price, yeah that is industry standard, the 150 that started with halo 3, blame bungie. As to the normal editions cost, it's also industry standard, any game bought in the last two years, pc or consol has cost that if it was an a plus title.
As to the dialog and combat, go hunt down the leaked stuff, the offical stuff is bland by comparison to it.
Graphics have changed a lot, look at the first screen shots, then look at the new ones. Aside from noses the current character models are as good if not better than any out there right now.
And number 5, no one ever said it was B2P or F2P, yall decided that one on your own.
1. Only "prettay" races. I played a Mon Calamari in SWG and it was fun as hell. Then again, maybe they're trying to make sure nobody ever says "It's a trap!"
2. Frickin' minions. Reminds me of that evolution shirt where the man turns around at the caveman and apes behind him and yells "Stop following me!" I promise you, your minion will start out like Dick Grayson, an endearing fellow that seems helpful, but a few weeks in and you'll wish he was Jason Todd.
3. Race/Class restrictions. Okay, I get that the blind aliens can't really wandering around with guns, but there is no reasonable explanation for why a Chiss can't be a bounty hunter or sith. On top of that, the Twi'lek are practically a whole species of strippers and majordomos. What keeps them from joining the dark side?
4. Space combat. Either make it the real deal or don't waste my time.
5. The art style. This is not the bloody Clone Wars movie (thank God), so why are the character models leaning in that direction?
1. Yeah, because the old school MMO's were sooo much better. Ever play EQ1? I did and it's something as an adult I never want to experience again. Corpse runs for 3 hours do not make for "Good Times".
2. Those last 5 years Lucas and Bioware have spent funding 100 million into an MMO sure is a way to make a fast buck.
3. Perhaps you have no idea what kind of MMO WAR was but it isn't ANYTHING like ToR.
4. I don't see Bioware and Lucas really over hyping the game. The fans sure. Also, where do you draw the line between good marketing and over hyping? So far I only see good marketing. Most people would say they don't release enough info.
5. I still see a good enough hand holding without going to far. For example map will only show you area that a mob for a quest is in but won't lead you directly to it. This is what I want as a player.
Hate is a strong word, but what I 'strongly dislike' and just have grown to accept in the course of time are the following:
1. it doesn't use MMOFPS style mechanics a la Planetside, TR or Mass Effect, personally I think it would've been more awesome.
2. out-of-proportion body proportions of the avatar: seriously, stylised visuals is ok, but they should have stayed away from the excessive cartoony body proportions as seen with a number of characters, it gives off a totally different vibe and atmosphere to the stylised graphics, without it would have been way better. KOTOR didn't have that kind of exaggerated body proportions.
3. It isn't Mass Effect MMO: I've grown to like Mass Effect as IP more than a Star Wars, it's a shame that BW didn't go for making an MMO based on that IP, I think it would've been awesome.
4. too much adherence to the current themepark design model: while I still enjoy themepark MMO's, I think BW should have gone further and take more risks with certain gameplay mechanics. Introduce a mix of shooter style mechanics even if it's a la Tabula Rasa, or add planetary warfare with territory control of certain areas on planets that provide regional benefits a la DAoC, or implement a sort of 'Wild West' frontier planet where players could be let loose with sandbox type of features a la player towns and faction warfare, that kind of thing.
Graphics was another gripe in the past, but that has been diminished ni the past year, both the looks of the characters as well as the landscape graphics, only body proportions in some cases I find too much. Personally I rate SWTOR's environment graphics among the best in the genre nowadays. In fact, I dare anyone to state and prove that SWTOR's environment graphics are any less than the current AAA level of MMO graphics
The ease with which predictions are made on these forums: Fratman: "I'm saying Spring 2012 at the earliest [for TOR release]. Anyone still clinging to 2011 is deluding themself at this point."
One thing I really hate is branching classes, in all games. It's really a pet peeve, but I want to play my class at lvl 1 not wait until later to start playing it.
Well, not so much what I hate but what I fear will ruin the game.
5. Bioware never did a game that excelled at combat or longevity. This is the company that once produced Baldur's Gate. Do as I did, re-install it and play it again... rest between every fight if you wanted your mages to actually take part with any mage skills? Rest 3 times to heal up? Oh, they learned a lot probably but my god, do I hope they learned from other MMO's.
4. The SW:G crowd. I loved SW:G pre-doc-buff (that is even pre-cu which was pre-nge) but that game is dead. SWTOR will NOT be SW:G, it won't even be close. SWTOR is KOTOR Online. There is nothing to ruin the mood in a game then dis-gruntled players voicing their hatred in their remaining game time. Just ask AoC.
3. The F2P crowd, kiddies in general. A LOT of people think games don't cost money and players should be payed to play them. While they hopefully won't make it into the game, the near constant demand in any game for it to be free is just annoying as hell. And I just don't want another game to become a pay for every piece of equipment.
2. PvP. This is hard, balancing issues are insane especially in a game with huge level differences. Bioware has zero experience with balance, most of the old RPG's simply had no balance, you know if you played a monk in their fantasy games, things were going to be harder, it was in the manual, you were warned. In PvP, even the tiniest imbalance will upset everyone. PvP is in hot demand but no games have been huge commercial successes if they focused on it to heavily.
1. Combat. I am going to commit sacrilige here but Bioware SUCKS at combat. Really, who played Kotor because they just wanted a bit of challenging combat for an evening? Combat was something you had to slug through to get to the story. In a MMO, a game that should last longer then ALL current Bioware games combined, combat is what you will be doing day in day out. If it isn't amazing fun, it isn't fun. From what I seen so far, it doesn't seem all that challenging. Is there any dev video out there that actually show's a player dying? Or even near death? Or any enemy that doesn't just hit hard and requires a pummeling? The most complex strategy I have seen so far is "Tank off-tanks boss while rest DPS adds. Healer heals all 3 players (wow, that is going to challenge me after SWG raids or even fellowships) and shoots a bit. Adds down everyone piles on the boss. Maybe I missed the raid vids but this stuff looks about as intresting as a kotor fight... NOT.
Those are the things I fear. 4 of them can probably be ignored if you go solo or play with real friends but number 1... PLEASE let this be X-wing instead of SW:G space expansion. Jedi Knight rather then rebel assault. It is possible this game will be the biggest thing ever but oh my god if it is going to suck it is going to suck more epic then any Funcom game.
1. Trinity - Which I dont see really fitting well here. Having a Jedi stand near the back with their lightsaber out and ready, only to sit and heal the party, does not fit. Occasionally they might pick something up with the force and toss it, but really that lightsaber of theirs just doesnt seem to come into play as it should. Thats not like any Jedi I've ever seen.
2. Space On Rails - Far better to leave any kind of space content out of the game entirely than add this. It didnt please the people who wanted space content ( In fact it pretty much just ticked them off ) and the people who didnt care about space content could have cared less either way. Entirely pointless.
3. Dull Dialogue - So far Ive not seen one single interesting slice of dialogue out of this game. I remember when I watched dialogue cut scenes for Mass Effect. I was instantly drawn in. It might have been out of context, but I could tell they were talking about some interesting stuff, and there seemed to be real emotions present there; a real sense of life. However every time I see a Swtor dialogue scene Im bored out of my mind long before it ends. Just static characters standing there moving their arms around discussing mundane details. How exciting.....bleh.....
4. Gameplay - Looks extremely standard. Reminds me very much of the ground combat seen in Star Trek Online. Which was not that titles strong point. Unfortunately, thats all there is with Swtor. Characters seem to just execute the same moves over and over again. Especially the trooper.
5. Companion Characters - Sure you dont have to take them with you. However thats likely going to mean you're at a disadvantage to other players. Im not fond of the idea of an NPC following me around like a puppy dog every where I go. Not to mention the fact its going to look awfully strange having companion clones following players around all over the place. Apparently all smugglers know a wookie. Oh....and they all look exactly the same.....and have the same name. Right.
A few comments:
to 1) I don't mind the trinity and like well defined roles; that said, I can agree that the trinity looks odd with a Star Wars setting. I just don't imagine SW heroes with tanks or healers. I never saw a Jedi as tank or a Smuggler as healer in my mind. But I can understand a MMO needs something people can deal with. Still, surely not an ideal solution indeed.
to 2) Hm, I don't agree here. Sure it is the usual Star Wars blah blah, but what do you expect from a SW game? I have yet to see more to make an opinion here.
to 4) Yeah, I said so many times. It is quite 1000 times seen standed fare gameplay wise. Which isn't really bad, but I expected a bit more. Just some more new and innovative bits.
to 5) I am 50/50. See I LOVE companions as part of my story. However, in a MMO I am no pet player. If I want to solo, I want no annoying pet running around me. But I guess mobs are designed with difficulty so you need them.
People don't ask questions to get answers - they ask questions to show how smart they are. - Dogbert
One thing really maybe 2...The hype. If the game is that good it will take over. If it is that bad then it will be like ff14. Hype is not a good thing and over hype is even worse.
the visuals and less-than-innovative combat system are my main gripes. even if the game had an amazing, skill-based, action-oriented combat system, i could not play The Clone Wars Online. stylized graphics worked for the Warcraft franchise, not so for SW. anyway:
1. visuals
2. status quo combat
3. subscription (after paying to play EVE and WoW for a few years on and off, hoping to see some improvements...NEVER AGAIN. never hope the devs will deliver if they have not delivered upon the game's release
4. no PVP focus (battlegrounds and contested pve zones dont cut it; pve is obviously the focus, i wont bet on them balancing the game properly)
5. gear-based (not much has been released on this, but my hunch is the game will be hugely gear-based, especially the end game. there will most likely be a grind)
6. (if anyone cares) the trinity. as someone above me mentioned, the class roles in TOR make no fucking sense.
"I am the harbinger of hope. I am the sword of the righteous. And to all who hear my words, I say this: What you give to this Empire, I shall give back unto you." -Empress Jamyl Sarum I
I too pre-ordered the CE, as $150 for a game I may play for 2-3 months is normal, and the Gentle Giant statue, and other goodies are well worth the investment. as to my top 5..
1) Fanbois- You can't make any question, or comment against this game with out the screaming opposition yelling for you to go back to WOW, or that this won't be SWG, or it's not a sandbox move on. What's worse these fanbois were prolly doing the same thing for other titles before launch like Vanguard, WAR, STO, Darkfall, etc. These other games, and their success is now excuses: STO had a short development cycle, Vanguard was $OE.. yet Fanbois still harass everyone who isn't on board the crazy train that this title will succeed beyond any and all doubt.
2) Cookie Cutter Classes- Every Bounty Hunter pilots a Mantis, every Scoundrel Smuggler has a scattergun, Every glow bat swinger is one, or two, or double bladed pending AC choice. Every class has the same 5 companions, sure you can give them a tan, or lipstick, or a new Jacket, but Bounty Hunters always have a Jawa, and no other class can access a Jawa, just like only Smugglers get a Wookie. This problem gets deeper with races... as EVERY OPTION is Human: Blue skin humans, green skin humans, blind humans, humans with tiny horns, humans with big pony tails.
3) Space combat mini game- I know Bioware doesn't want us going off on our own, as it isn't Star Warsy to explore in space.. I mean in Empire Han Solo input the asteroid with the giant worm to go hide in, right. Hey it worked for Mass Effect, and Lucas Arts didn't have success with JTL, or X-wing / Tie fighter.
4) Art direction- Yay we get a Clone Wars MMO, and don't give that crap about longevity, or high end rigs to support.. How many years ago were other games, with less cartoony looks out?
5) Playing it safe- From their game play choices to the marketing guys saying " we don't want our competition to blah blah" Bioware is producing a stable safe MMO, which is really sad. Bioware, with EA, and Lucas Arts, and more money than many other titles should have said 'Here it is, this is what we got, bring it' not meek about with comments like "our competition may have something ready to counter" or simply copy alot of working elements of other games.
SWTOR. Face it, in the Scooby Doo Mystery Solving Van of coolness, this game is Velma. In this current MMO climate it has about as much chance for survival as a group of inquisitive teenagers in a 1980s slasher flick. -Tardcore May, 2011
6. (if anyone cares) the trinity. as someone above me mentioned, the class roles in TOR make no fucking sense.
Could you expand on why they make "no fucking sense" as you so elegently put it?
Is it because a game that isn't trying to emphasise the extreme need for the trinity isn't stressing it in their classes?
I will still stress that this is a terrible troll thread. I've never understood why so many people get so greatly insulted by video games as if the developers are personally out to get them. You can only play the game when you are afforded the opportunity and decide to buy or not buy it. If I stop playing it a month after release it will be because the game doesn't fit my interest but how the game is made is entirely up to the developers.
Discussions over development can bring worthy debate but far too many simply whine like little children who dropped their pudding. Bioware has made some rather curious design choices I must admit but the premise has not changed much ... making a game based on KOTOR.
Crying over why it isn't something else is the essense of futility compounded with stupidity for even attempting it.
the visuals and less-than-innovative combat system are my main gripes. even if the game had an amazing, skill-based, action-oriented combat system, i could not play The Clone Wars Online. stylized graphics worked for the Warcraft franchise, not so for SW. anyway:
1. visuals
2. status quo combat
3. subscription (after paying to play EVE and WoW for a few years on and off, hoping to see some improvements...NEVER AGAIN. never hope the devs will deliver if they have not delivered upon the game's release
4. no PVP focus (battlegrounds and contested pve zones dont cut it; pve is obviously the focus, i wont bet on them balancing the game properly)
5. gear-based (not much has been released on this, but my hunch is the game will be hugely gear-based, especially the end game. there will most likely be a grind)
6. (if anyone cares) the trinity. as someone above me mentioned, the class roles in TOR make no fucking sense.
The combat is good, you have enviromentals, a new thing in mmos, you have a lot of mobility, and the balancing isn't that bad.
to answer number 4, the game has always been story focused, sure you can level up in pvp but it's never been said hey this is a pvp driven game. The industry made a few of those, they failed. Fury comes to mind as an example.
5) Playing it safe- From their game play choices to the marketing guys saying " we don't want our competition to blah blah" Bioware is producing a stable safe MMO, which is really sad. Bioware, with EA, and Lucas Arts, and more money than many other titles should have said 'Here it is, this is what we got, bring it' not meek about with comments like "our competition may have something ready to counter" or simply copy alot of working elements of other games.
This was one thing that earned Trion my respect. They have taken every oppurtunity they can to basically troll Blizzard and it seems like they do it for the flat out LULZ of it. It is like they have a raffle every month of something they can do to piss Blizzard off lol
Comments
So, even though you are waiting for GW2 to come out, I guess you won't be playing it.
You want me to pay to play a game I already paid for???
Be afraid.....The dragons are HERE!
1. Trinity - Which I dont see really fitting well here. Having a Jedi stand near the back with their lightsaber out and ready, only to sit and heal the party, does not fit. Occasionally they might pick something up with the force and toss it, but really that lightsaber of theirs just doesnt seem to come into play as it should. Thats not like any Jedi I've ever seen.
2. Space On Rails - Far better to leave any kind of space content out of the game entirely than add this. It didnt please the people who wanted space content ( In fact it pretty much just ticked them off ) and the people who didnt care about space content could have cared less either way. Entirely pointless.
3. Dull Dialogue - So far Ive not seen one single interesting slice of dialogue out of this game. I remember when I watched dialogue cut scenes for Mass Effect. I was instantly drawn in. It might have been out of context, but I could tell they were talking about some interesting stuff, and there seemed to be real emotions present there; a real sense of life. However every time I see a Swtor dialogue scene Im bored out of my mind long before it ends. Just static characters standing there moving their arms around discussing mundane details. How exciting.....bleh.....
4. Gameplay - Looks extremely standard. Reminds me very much of the ground combat seen in Star Trek Online. Which was not that titles strong point. Unfortunately, thats all there is with Swtor. Characters seem to just execute the same moves over and over again. Especially the trooper.
5. Companion Characters - Sure you dont have to take them with you. However thats likely going to mean you're at a disadvantage to other players. Im not fond of the idea of an NPC following me around like a puppy dog every where I go. Not to mention the fact its going to look awfully strange having companion clones following players around all over the place. Apparently all smugglers know a wookie. Oh....and they all look exactly the same.....and have the same name. Right.
Right, because GW1, the current version of LotRO and GW2 all suck (or will suck). I think it's funny that most people think if you're against paying a monthly subscription you feel you shouldn't have to pay anything. I don't think that way. I have no problem paying for a game - I just don't understand the idea of paying for the privilege of playing it once I buy it. I have seen or played most of these sub games and found they are no better than GW or LotRO (in its current form). I think it's funny that SWTOR is going to be a sub and one of the biggest things people gripe about is the graphics, or the gameplay, or that it's a WOW clone with a Star Wars theme. But, since it will be subscription based, it will be awesome!
You want me to pay to play a game I already paid for???
Be afraid.....The dragons are HERE!
Wrong.
WoW - $80 (originally)
AOC - $90 (originally)
Halo - $80
SC2 - $100 (originally)
SW:TOR Reg Edition - $60... Just like most games that you buy nowadays.
If you're upset over the collector's edition price of this game, that's another issue, but let's not exaggerate pricing by $20-$40 to make your point about that. It kills your credibility.
My Comments in..hmmm...what color to be annoying...ORANGE lol
There Is Always Hope!
I really only HATE one thing about it..
It's not out yet
1. Outdated combat, it looks even more dull than the standard 123 tab targetting snorefest, the lackluster animations don't help at all.
2. The graphics are total crap, and i mean pre-wow crap, some of the character models of SWTOR are borderline deformed with beards of 1 pixel.
3. The VOs are bad and they hear even worse when you see those 1999 cartoon characters moving their mouth, it just doesn't sync.
4. The overall cheapness of the game, example: rainbow Humans instead of different races, really, how LAME is that?, search "29:30 beta update" in youtube and judge for yourself.
5. EA.
I want to snatch up all the people on this forum that need to see #5 on my post and put their names on this post and tell them to do their homework. Yet, I know that MMORPG.com will get mad at me for it.
I'll just say this, companions can be customized now which also includes armor, weapons, and skin/fur color, they are working on a body and face changer for them as well, it's on the wall of crazy. So no people will not all have the same wookie, or rakata.
The games price, yeah that is industry standard, the 150 that started with halo 3, blame bungie. As to the normal editions cost, it's also industry standard, any game bought in the last two years, pc or consol has cost that if it was an a plus title.
As to the dialog and combat, go hunt down the leaked stuff, the offical stuff is bland by comparison to it.
Graphics have changed a lot, look at the first screen shots, then look at the new ones. Aside from noses the current character models are as good if not better than any out there right now.
And number 5, no one ever said it was B2P or F2P, yall decided that one on your own.
1. Only "prettay" races. I played a Mon Calamari in SWG and it was fun as hell. Then again, maybe they're trying to make sure nobody ever says "It's a trap!"
2. Frickin' minions. Reminds me of that evolution shirt where the man turns around at the caveman and apes behind him and yells "Stop following me!" I promise you, your minion will start out like Dick Grayson, an endearing fellow that seems helpful, but a few weeks in and you'll wish he was Jason Todd.
3. Race/Class restrictions. Okay, I get that the blind aliens can't really wandering around with guns, but there is no reasonable explanation for why a Chiss can't be a bounty hunter or sith. On top of that, the Twi'lek are practically a whole species of strippers and majordomos. What keeps them from joining the dark side?
4. Space combat. Either make it the real deal or don't waste my time.
5. The art style. This is not the bloody Clone Wars movie (thank God), so why are the character models leaning in that direction?
1. Yeah, because the old school MMO's were sooo much better. Ever play EQ1? I did and it's something as an adult I never want to experience again. Corpse runs for 3 hours do not make for "Good Times".
2. Those last 5 years Lucas and Bioware have spent funding 100 million into an MMO sure is a way to make a fast buck.
3. Perhaps you have no idea what kind of MMO WAR was but it isn't ANYTHING like ToR.
4. I don't see Bioware and Lucas really over hyping the game. The fans sure. Also, where do you draw the line between good marketing and over hyping? So far I only see good marketing. Most people would say they don't release enough info.
5. I still see a good enough hand holding without going to far. For example map will only show you area that a mob for a quest is in but won't lead you directly to it. This is what I want as a player.
Hate is a strong word, but what I 'strongly dislike' and just have grown to accept in the course of time are the following:
1. it doesn't use MMOFPS style mechanics a la Planetside, TR or Mass Effect, personally I think it would've been more awesome.
2. out-of-proportion body proportions of the avatar: seriously, stylised visuals is ok, but they should have stayed away from the excessive cartoony body proportions as seen with a number of characters, it gives off a totally different vibe and atmosphere to the stylised graphics, without it would have been way better. KOTOR didn't have that kind of exaggerated body proportions.
3. It isn't Mass Effect MMO: I've grown to like Mass Effect as IP more than a Star Wars, it's a shame that BW didn't go for making an MMO based on that IP, I think it would've been awesome.
4. too much adherence to the current themepark design model: while I still enjoy themepark MMO's, I think BW should have gone further and take more risks with certain gameplay mechanics. Introduce a mix of shooter style mechanics even if it's a la Tabula Rasa, or add planetary warfare with territory control of certain areas on planets that provide regional benefits a la DAoC, or implement a sort of 'Wild West' frontier planet where players could be let loose with sandbox type of features a la player towns and faction warfare, that kind of thing.
Graphics was another gripe in the past, but that has been diminished ni the past year, both the looks of the characters as well as the landscape graphics, only body proportions in some cases I find too much. Personally I rate SWTOR's environment graphics among the best in the genre nowadays. In fact, I dare anyone to state and prove that SWTOR's environment graphics are any less than the current AAA level of MMO graphics
The ACTUAL size of MMORPG worlds: a comparison list between MMO's
The ease with which predictions are made on these forums:
Fratman: "I'm saying Spring 2012 at the earliest [for TOR release]. Anyone still clinging to 2011 is deluding themself at this point."
5.) That people keep complaining it is not a sandbox
4.) It has raids
3.) Sickening feeling it will absorb many thousands of WoW players
2.) No ship customization
1.) It is not out.
One thing I really hate is branching classes, in all games. It's really a pet peeve, but I want to play my class at lvl 1 not wait until later to start playing it.
Well, not so much what I hate but what I fear will ruin the game.
5. Bioware never did a game that excelled at combat or longevity. This is the company that once produced Baldur's Gate. Do as I did, re-install it and play it again... rest between every fight if you wanted your mages to actually take part with any mage skills? Rest 3 times to heal up? Oh, they learned a lot probably but my god, do I hope they learned from other MMO's.
4. The SW:G crowd. I loved SW:G pre-doc-buff (that is even pre-cu which was pre-nge) but that game is dead. SWTOR will NOT be SW:G, it won't even be close. SWTOR is KOTOR Online. There is nothing to ruin the mood in a game then dis-gruntled players voicing their hatred in their remaining game time. Just ask AoC.
3. The F2P crowd, kiddies in general. A LOT of people think games don't cost money and players should be payed to play them. While they hopefully won't make it into the game, the near constant demand in any game for it to be free is just annoying as hell. And I just don't want another game to become a pay for every piece of equipment.
2. PvP. This is hard, balancing issues are insane especially in a game with huge level differences. Bioware has zero experience with balance, most of the old RPG's simply had no balance, you know if you played a monk in their fantasy games, things were going to be harder, it was in the manual, you were warned. In PvP, even the tiniest imbalance will upset everyone. PvP is in hot demand but no games have been huge commercial successes if they focused on it to heavily.
1. Combat. I am going to commit sacrilige here but Bioware SUCKS at combat. Really, who played Kotor because they just wanted a bit of challenging combat for an evening? Combat was something you had to slug through to get to the story. In a MMO, a game that should last longer then ALL current Bioware games combined, combat is what you will be doing day in day out. If it isn't amazing fun, it isn't fun. From what I seen so far, it doesn't seem all that challenging. Is there any dev video out there that actually show's a player dying? Or even near death? Or any enemy that doesn't just hit hard and requires a pummeling? The most complex strategy I have seen so far is "Tank off-tanks boss while rest DPS adds. Healer heals all 3 players (wow, that is going to challenge me after SWG raids or even fellowships) and shoots a bit. Adds down everyone piles on the boss. Maybe I missed the raid vids but this stuff looks about as intresting as a kotor fight... NOT.
Those are the things I fear. 4 of them can probably be ignored if you go solo or play with real friends but number 1... PLEASE let this be X-wing instead of SW:G space expansion. Jedi Knight rather then rebel assault. It is possible this game will be the biggest thing ever but oh my god if it is going to suck it is going to suck more epic then any Funcom game.
No player run economy because lack of crafting elements.
No sandbox features at all. No bases that corp/guild members can hold and battle for new teritory.
I do not hate anyone that plays this game or anyother. I just know what would be a better game experience for me.
A few comments:
to 1) I don't mind the trinity and like well defined roles; that said, I can agree that the trinity looks odd with a Star Wars setting. I just don't imagine SW heroes with tanks or healers. I never saw a Jedi as tank or a Smuggler as healer in my mind. But I can understand a MMO needs something people can deal with. Still, surely not an ideal solution indeed.
to 2) Hm, I don't agree here. Sure it is the usual Star Wars blah blah, but what do you expect from a SW game? I have yet to see more to make an opinion here.
to 4) Yeah, I said so many times. It is quite 1000 times seen standed fare gameplay wise. Which isn't really bad, but I expected a bit more. Just some more new and innovative bits.
to 5) I am 50/50. See I LOVE companions as part of my story. However, in a MMO I am no pet player. If I want to solo, I want no annoying pet running around me. But I guess mobs are designed with difficulty so you need them.
People don't ask questions to get answers - they ask questions to show how smart they are. - Dogbert
One thing really maybe 2...The hype. If the game is that good it will take over. If it is that bad then it will be like ff14. Hype is not a good thing and over hype is even worse.
1. Threads that HATE on something that hasn't even been released yet.
That's all...
All die, so die well.
the visuals and less-than-innovative combat system are my main gripes. even if the game had an amazing, skill-based, action-oriented combat system, i could not play The Clone Wars Online. stylized graphics worked for the Warcraft franchise, not so for SW. anyway:
1. visuals
2. status quo combat
3. subscription (after paying to play EVE and WoW for a few years on and off, hoping to see some improvements...NEVER AGAIN. never hope the devs will deliver if they have not delivered upon the game's release
4. no PVP focus (battlegrounds and contested pve zones dont cut it; pve is obviously the focus, i wont bet on them balancing the game properly)
5. gear-based (not much has been released on this, but my hunch is the game will be hugely gear-based, especially the end game. there will most likely be a grind)
6. (if anyone cares) the trinity. as someone above me mentioned, the class roles in TOR make no fucking sense.
1. Sub
2. $150 CE
3. Ugly graphics
4. The hype
5. EA
"I am the harbinger of hope. I am the sword of the righteous. And to all who hear my words, I say this: What you give to this Empire, I shall give back unto you."
-Empress Jamyl Sarum I
I too pre-ordered the CE, as $150 for a game I may play for 2-3 months is normal, and the Gentle Giant statue, and other goodies are well worth the investment. as to my top 5..
1) Fanbois- You can't make any question, or comment against this game with out the screaming opposition yelling for you to go back to WOW, or that this won't be SWG, or it's not a sandbox move on. What's worse these fanbois were prolly doing the same thing for other titles before launch like Vanguard, WAR, STO, Darkfall, etc. These other games, and their success is now excuses: STO had a short development cycle, Vanguard was $OE.. yet Fanbois still harass everyone who isn't on board the crazy train that this title will succeed beyond any and all doubt.
2) Cookie Cutter Classes- Every Bounty Hunter pilots a Mantis, every Scoundrel Smuggler has a scattergun, Every glow bat swinger is one, or two, or double bladed pending AC choice. Every class has the same 5 companions, sure you can give them a tan, or lipstick, or a new Jacket, but Bounty Hunters always have a Jawa, and no other class can access a Jawa, just like only Smugglers get a Wookie. This problem gets deeper with races... as EVERY OPTION is Human: Blue skin humans, green skin humans, blind humans, humans with tiny horns, humans with big pony tails.
3) Space combat mini game- I know Bioware doesn't want us going off on our own, as it isn't Star Warsy to explore in space.. I mean in Empire Han Solo input the asteroid with the giant worm to go hide in, right. Hey it worked for Mass Effect, and Lucas Arts didn't have success with JTL, or X-wing / Tie fighter.
4) Art direction- Yay we get a Clone Wars MMO, and don't give that crap about longevity, or high end rigs to support.. How many years ago were other games, with less cartoony looks out?
5) Playing it safe- From their game play choices to the marketing guys saying " we don't want our competition to blah blah" Bioware is producing a stable safe MMO, which is really sad. Bioware, with EA, and Lucas Arts, and more money than many other titles should have said 'Here it is, this is what we got, bring it' not meek about with comments like "our competition may have something ready to counter" or simply copy alot of working elements of other games.
SWTOR. Face it, in the Scooby Doo Mystery Solving Van of coolness, this game is Velma. In this current MMO climate it has about as much chance for survival as a group of inquisitive teenagers in a 1980s slasher flick. -Tardcore May, 2011
Could you expand on why they make "no fucking sense" as you so elegently put it?
Is it because a game that isn't trying to emphasise the extreme need for the trinity isn't stressing it in their classes?
I will still stress that this is a terrible troll thread. I've never understood why so many people get so greatly insulted by video games as if the developers are personally out to get them. You can only play the game when you are afforded the opportunity and decide to buy or not buy it. If I stop playing it a month after release it will be because the game doesn't fit my interest but how the game is made is entirely up to the developers.
Discussions over development can bring worthy debate but far too many simply whine like little children who dropped their pudding. Bioware has made some rather curious design choices I must admit but the premise has not changed much ... making a game based on KOTOR.
Crying over why it isn't something else is the essense of futility compounded with stupidity for even attempting it.
You stay sassy!
Things that bug me, but aren't game breaking...
1. Space Combat COULD have been a little more integrated.
2. Combat seems to be a bit static
3. The game has reserved a LARGE portion for singleplayer-like story telling, but charges a monthly fee
4. Games not out
5. See 4.
The combat is good, you have enviromentals, a new thing in mmos, you have a lot of mobility, and the balancing isn't that bad.
to answer number 4, the game has always been story focused, sure you can level up in pvp but it's never been said hey this is a pvp driven game. The industry made a few of those, they failed. Fury comes to mind as an example.
This was one thing that earned Trion my respect. They have taken every oppurtunity they can to basically troll Blizzard and it seems like they do it for the flat out LULZ of it. It is like they have a raffle every month of something they can do to piss Blizzard off lol