[mod edit] Sure the iconic locations you mention are fantastic to look at, but the lack of player immersion into the surroundings is one of SWTOR's failings. Sure you have epic towers and marvelous buildings here and there. I don't think there is one opportunity in the whole game to explore the world from a high vantage of one of these buildings. No windows in offices you enter, no vistas from the open air parts of Coruscant, no pleasure to being part of the Star Wars worlds.
Originally posted by Effin_Rabbit Unfortunately the designs to these places tend to feel like hallways or levels/boards. While I really like the artwork for SWTOR, the planet designs are some of the worst in the industry so while it looks good it certainly doest feel good.
FYI, it always helps to use extreme words like "the worst in the industry" to get people to believe that point.
WoW was an ok game I guess, hardly as good as EQ but certainly more accessible and casual. Although, since most players I know don't really play an MMO for it's systems but for the setting, it is really hard to compare SWTOR to WoW. No real need either.
We have a ridiculous multitude of generic run-of-the-mill fantasy MMO's like WoW, and exactly one Star Wars MMO. If we like SW, and want to play in that setting, we get to choose that single game, with it's strengths and weaknesses, and like it!
And the game is good, have nice visuals, and a Star Warsey feel. That's not opinion. That's fact!
We have a ridiculous multitude of generic run-of-the-mill fantasy MMO's like WoW, and exactly one Star Wars MMO. If we like SW, and want to play in that setting, we get to choose that single game, with it's strengths and weaknesses, and like it
Originally posted by BillMurphy Yeah, people can say all the want about SWTOR, it's still a great story-driven themepark with some topnotch art design.
I think you succinctly stated the only strengths of the title. It's pretty much the mantra of SWTOR. It's interesting that SWTOR arrived in what was apparently a downward swing in the genre, so it benefits from the subsequent poor offerings in the industry. I'm glad to see some posters actually admitting that they really only play it because it is Star Wars. Nothing wrong with that, but for a long time that was also a prevalent pretense.
It's a Star Wars single player story driven themepark with some nice visuals, and not at all anything else.
But is has a lovely view! Especially from on top of your high horse.
Kyleran: "Now there's the real trick, learning to accept and enjoy a game for what
it offers rather than pass on what might be a great playing experience
because it lacks a few features you prefer."
John Henry Newman: "A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault."
FreddyNoNose: "A good game needs no defense; a bad game has no defense." "Easily digested content is just as easily forgotten."
LacedOpium: "So the question that begs to be asked is, if you are not interested in
the game mechanics that define the MMORPG genre, then why are you
playing an MMORPG?"
Originally posted by BillMurphy Yeah, people can say all the want about SWTOR, it's still a great story-driven themepark with some topnotch art design.
Have to agree. I feel it's one of the better story driven group minded online RPG's of today's generation. Pehh that was a mouth full...hehe. Sure the game can be played solo, but taking missions duo or grouped to me most of the time taking missions/quest breaks immersion in most MMO's because most of the time those quests are tailored towards only you, one person even if you are grouped. SWToR in my opinion did a great job that as a group you felt connected even when accepting new quests your group member actually had influence.
Sure I admit it's not the Star Wars MMORPG I rather would have seen made but the clear fact remains SWToR was never intented to be that game. There for I always look at what they deliver regardless my personal wishes. And what they delivered is what I expected from all the info before release which is meant in a positive way.
Along with Wow best game ever made. Wow is more polished, but is also older, Swtor have best ever in and mmo fully voiced questing. Well, at least was in original release and I hope with next expansion they return to their roots.
SWTOR makes for great pics and wallpaper, however the game play to me doesn't have that alive feeling or big world feel. I feel like I am placed in a restricted area with 4 corners on every planet and feel limited in where I go.
Originally posted by BillMurphy Yeah, people can say all the want about SWTOR, it's still a great story-driven themepark with some topnotch art design.
Have to agree. I feel it's one of the better story driven group minded online RPG's of today's generation. Pehh that was a mouth full...hehe. Sure the game can be played solo, but taking missions duo or grouped to me most of the time taking missions/quest breaks immersion in most MMO's because most of the time those quests are tailored towards only you, one person even if you are grouped. SWToR in my opinion did a great job that as a group you felt connected even when accepting new quests your group member actually had influence.
Sure I admit it's not the Star Wars MMORPG I rather would have seen made but the clear fact remains SWToR was never intented to be that game. There for I always look at what they deliver regardless my personal wishes. And what they delivered is what I expected from all the info before release which is meant in a positive way.
I feel like you have explained what you mean about expectations in a very diplomatic manner, but I have to say that there was/is a lot of information pre-release, release, and into its lifespan that kind of invalidated any expectation that SWTOR would be something other than a theme park game with simplified features and mechanics.
However, the depth of that deficiency is something you cannot know until you actually play the game for more than 3 weeks.
So whatever your expectations, good or bad, the game in the end stands on the experience. The experience is quite good for casual play, but anything beyond that and you are now taking long family vacations on a moped.
MMORPG players are often like Hobbits: They don't like Adventures
And yet, not a single planetscape in SWTOR is worth, the Imperial Prison on Dathomir at night when a sudden red dot reveals a Dark Jedi Knight is approaching. Ten years gone. Sigh.
As much as I have been enjoying playing SW:TOR again, (until I broke my hand), the game isn't alive. It's a beautiful painting. Static, and nice to look at.
What some posters above have said about being unable to actually explore the locations in TOR is definitely untrue. On many of the listed planets, you can in fact run around for hours without exploring everything.
However, the devs never really utilize any of that potential and players instead sit around on the most boring capital ever conceived in MMO history: the fleet. A donut shaped iron prison of convenience, only noteworthy because everything you need is there.
That place is also the reason I end up quitting TOR each time after periods of returning. I just get sick and tired of running circles there when I need to meet up with other people. You can't even duel there, for god's sake.
The day that place gets blown to hell and replaced by a better alternative by the devs I'll probably make TOR my main MMO again.
Feel free to use my referral link for SW:TOR if you want to test out the game. You'll get some special unlocks!
What some posters above have said about being unable to actually explore the locations in TOR is definitely untrue. On many of the listed planets, you can in fact run around for hours without exploring everything.
Tell me how you can access those marvelous towering buildings, scale those beautiful mountains and explore those lush forests off in the distance. oh yeah...you can't because it's only artwork. The first time I went to Tattooine and I looked around and I thought YES, I can finally explore a planet. I couldn't wait to get on my speeder and hit the dunes. I quickly hit an exhaustion zone and was instantly deflated.
Comments
[mod edit] Sure the iconic locations you mention are fantastic to look at, but the lack of player immersion into the surroundings is one of SWTOR's failings. Sure you have epic towers and marvelous buildings here and there. I don't think there is one opportunity in the whole game to explore the world from a high vantage of one of these buildings. No windows in offices you enter, no vistas from the open air parts of Coruscant, no pleasure to being part of the Star Wars worlds.
[mod edit]
Ever play telephone?
Yep, you like WoW. Good to know.
WoW was an ok game I guess, hardly as good as EQ but certainly more accessible and casual. Although, since most players I know don't really play an MMO for it's systems but for the setting, it is really hard to compare SWTOR to WoW. No real need either.
We have a ridiculous multitude of generic run-of-the-mill fantasy MMO's like WoW, and exactly one Star Wars MMO. If we like SW, and want to play in that setting, we get to choose that single game, with it's strengths and weaknesses, and like it!
And the game is good, have nice visuals, and a Star Warsey feel. That's not opinion. That's fact!
Not long now though before there is another.
But is has a lovely view! Especially from on top of your high horse.
Epic Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAigCvelkhQ&list=PLo9FRw1AkDuQLEz7Gvvaz3ideB2NpFtT1
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Kyleran: "Now there's the real trick, learning to accept and enjoy a game for what it offers rather than pass on what might be a great playing experience because it lacks a few features you prefer."
John Henry Newman: "A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault."
FreddyNoNose: "A good game needs no defense; a bad game has no defense." "Easily digested content is just as easily forgotten."
LacedOpium: "So the question that begs to be asked is, if you are not interested in the game mechanics that define the MMORPG genre, then why are you playing an MMORPG?"
Have to agree. I feel it's one of the better story driven group minded online RPG's of today's generation. Pehh that was a mouth full...hehe. Sure the game can be played solo, but taking missions duo or grouped to me most of the time taking missions/quest breaks immersion in most MMO's because most of the time those quests are tailored towards only you, one person even if you are grouped. SWToR in my opinion did a great job that as a group you felt connected even when accepting new quests your group member actually had influence.
Sure I admit it's not the Star Wars MMORPG I rather would have seen made but the clear fact remains SWToR was never intented to be that game. There for I always look at what they deliver regardless my personal wishes. And what they delivered is what I expected from all the info before release which is meant in a positive way.
I feel like you have explained what you mean about expectations in a very diplomatic manner, but I have to say that there was/is a lot of information pre-release, release, and into its lifespan that kind of invalidated any expectation that SWTOR would be something other than a theme park game with simplified features and mechanics.
However, the depth of that deficiency is something you cannot know until you actually play the game for more than 3 weeks.
So whatever your expectations, good or bad, the game in the end stands on the experience. The experience is quite good for casual play, but anything beyond that and you are now taking long family vacations on a moped.
The Top 21 Locations in SWTOR:
1. Republic Fleet / Imperial Fleet
2. Republic Fleet / Imperial Fleet
3. Republic Fleet / Imperial Fleet
...
21. Republic Fleet / Imperial Fleet
That is indeed the issue.
What some posters above have said about being unable to actually explore the locations in TOR is definitely untrue. On many of the listed planets, you can in fact run around for hours without exploring everything.
However, the devs never really utilize any of that potential and players instead sit around on the most boring capital ever conceived in MMO history: the fleet. A donut shaped iron prison of convenience, only noteworthy because everything you need is there.
That place is also the reason I end up quitting TOR each time after periods of returning. I just get sick and tired of running circles there when I need to meet up with other people. You can't even duel there, for god's sake.
The day that place gets blown to hell and replaced by a better alternative by the devs I'll probably make TOR my main MMO again.
Feel free to use my referral link for SW:TOR if you want to test out the game. You'll get some special unlocks!
Tell me how you can access those marvelous towering buildings, scale those beautiful mountains and explore those lush forests off in the distance. oh yeah...you can't because it's only artwork. The first time I went to Tattooine and I looked around and I thought YES, I can finally explore a planet. I couldn't wait to get on my speeder and hit the dunes. I quickly hit an exhaustion zone and was instantly deflated.