Originally posted by Mikeha If this was a game based around grouping then I would be home. Going around doing solo questing I cant do.
Luckily for you theres plenty of other games that foster group play..........OH WAIT, ESO has grouping too, and pretty solid grouping at that. You folks and your "forcing your preferred playstyle on others" has got to stop!
Sandbox means open world, non-linear gaming PERIOD!
Subscription Gaming, especially MMO gaming is a Cash grab bigger then the most P2W cash shop!
Bring Back Exploration and lengthy progression times. RPG's have always been about the Journey not the destination!!!
Originally posted by tixylix It isn't an Elder Scrolls game, that is my problem... like there is no open sandbox world, it is totally linear and all the quests are just boring MMO quests.
I thought the same too but fortunately I was proven wrong. There are a TON of places to explore and the world zones are huge. Plus you got 3 factions to explore. That part I give you is not very Elder Scrolls like but after looking at my achievements pane, finishing one faction netted me 3 times as many POI's and quests as was in Skyrim.
Sandbox means open world, non-linear gaming PERIOD!
Subscription Gaming, especially MMO gaming is a Cash grab bigger then the most P2W cash shop!
Bring Back Exploration and lengthy progression times. RPG's have always been about the Journey not the destination!!!
Originally posted by tixylix It isn't an Elder Scrolls game, that is my problem... like there is no open sandbox world, it is totally linear and all the quests are just boring MMO quests.
I thought the same too but fortunately I was proven wrong. There are a TON of places to explore and the world zones are huge. Plus you got 3 factions to explore. That part I give you is not very Elder Scrolls like but after looking at my achievements pane, finishing one faction netted me 3 times as many POI's and quests as was in Skyrim.
wow, I never thought in all my years here that this poster would admit he was wrong. I now respect him lol. Anyway, I agree for once with Bill and think he did a very good write up considering how much I disagreed with him on Wildstar (with my views coming true). The only thing I don't get is how SWTOR is rated higher. Thats a good game, but this is a better overall experience when you take the PVP into consideration and the fact that it caters to explorers more than SWTOR does..not to mention the space dock is a horrible design.
As far as the social aspect, I'm not sure why people have trouble here. I think its more about how social you want to be and what guild you are in. In one of my guilds, we are constantly chatting. I love that. Sometimes a good teamspeak. Then I have a friend I quest with on one character and we teamspeak as well. I see people all over the zones joining in or helping others. I have no trouble generally speaking finding groups without the grouping tool just like I did in the old days by asking..which forces socialization. I do agree however that the grouping tool needs improvement.
Finally, though I love this game, it still ha a ways to go which is why I agree with the 85 score. It needs more rpg aspects, more dynamic type of events, world bosses, anchors that mean something, just more of a sense of danger as you roam around, more quests that don't have exclamation points unless you talk to people, just more random stuff.
Anyway, great job Zenimax, you are heading in the right direction.
Originally posted by tixylix It isn't an Elder Scrolls game, that is my problem... like there is no open sandbox world, it is totally linear and all the quests are just boring MMO quests.
I will give that it isn't Skyrim quality, but nothing says you have to follow the quest hubs. Skyrim had quests, play it like that if that's what you are looking for. In fact you can find a lot of quests just by exploring out of the way places. I personally found the quests in this game much more story based and not as ordinary as other titles have, but that's just my opinion.
Death is nothing to us, since when we are, Death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.
Originally posted by tixylix It isn't an Elder Scrolls game, that is my problem... like there is no open sandbox world, it is totally linear and all the quests are just boring MMO quests.
It depends on what you think makes one game like another. Just by virtue of it not being a single player game you could say it's not an ES game. Or by virtue of it not being Skyrim online you could say it too.
But I've played every ES game since Arena, 21 years ago... and they've all changed in minor and major ways.And everything about ESO feels like an ES game to me... the lore, races and the feel are ES through and through. It IS linear in some ways but also much less linear than the typical themepark. Other than the main story quests that are level-triggered, you can go off in whatever direction you want and either do or don't do whatever quests you find along the way. I don't even play it by quest hub: I go off looking for Skyshards and do side quests, dolmens and world bosses I find along the way, pick the locks of chests I find and harvest whatever resources I find to feed to my crafter alts... I train skills from my class and non-class skills and try different combinations for different styles... I DPS, heal and even tank with my Sorc... and you can do the same with any class by just using different gear and skill load-outs...
Yeah it's not a "true sandbox" with open world ganking and harsh death penalties and zero quests... I wouldn't play it if it was. But it sure as hell is an ES game.
"Social media gives legions of idiots the right to speak when they once only spoke at a bar after a glass of wine, without harming the community ... but now they have the same right to speak as a Nobel Prize winner. It's the invasion of the idiots”
― Umberto Eco
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?” ― CD PROJEKT RED
"SOCIAL - 7: This score is actually lower than the original review, mainly because while the Guild and AvA systems are still fantastic, there are not a lot of people using the LFG tool and most of the game’s leveling content is a solo affair. A group finder for dungeons and other content could go a long way here."
Surely people using chat to recruit players for dungeons rather than using a group finder is more social? I actually prefer the manual method of forming a group for the social reasons. Every game I've played that has a group finder has minimal social interaction, maybe the occasional "Hi" at the start
I had that exact same thought. Adding a Group Finder eliminates people's need to communicate and reach out to other players. That wouldn't improve the social aspect, it would hinder it.
I see people in chat constantly, looking for people for various content, among other things.
Let people continue actually talking. Enough with this "You never have to speak a word to anyone.. just let the game do all the sorting and arranging, and you just run through and collect your loot". This is one of the things that's been hurting community in MMORPGs in recent years. They need to reduce the amount of "automated everything", not increase or sustain it.
It's not going to kill people to communicate with fellow players once in a while.
That said, for the review overall, I agree with it pretty much. I am having a blast with ESO now; playing every night, loving the quests, the storylines, the characters, etc. It's so awesome to see/hear characters who speak like people ... saying things, and reacting to things the way you'd expect a person in their situation (however extraordinary) to.
For me, it's the first MMORPG I've played in a long time that actually deserves to have 'RPG' in its acronym.
The combat, for me, is lots of fun. I prefer mages to melee this time, around... at least for my current main character. But I do have a Nightblade fresh off of Bleakrock, whom I'm looking forward to getting into some mischief with.
For those hemming and hawing over the fact that a game they don't like got a positive review... Oh well? I'm sure you'll get over it?
Originally posted by Mikeha If this was a game based around grouping then I would be home. Going around doing solo questing I cant do.
Luckily for you theres plenty of other games that foster group play..........OH WAIT, ESO has grouping too, and pretty solid grouping at that. You folks and your "forcing your preferred playstyle on others" has got to stop!
Who said anything about Forced Grouping? How am I trying to force anything on anybody? Never said ESO does not have grouping. People like you need to stop getting upset when you hear a person opinion on what they don't like about a game. Some people feel its boring, some don't like the combat, some don't feel like its Elder Scrolls enough. They all have a right to their opinion.
Also you said lucky for me there are other games that foster group play. What games?
Sorry but you have to wonder if people ever played this when it was PAY TO PLAY.
Well it more dead now then ever. Ten times better.. wow have no idea what he is playing
Are you standing off in some remote corner of the world, where no one goes, facing the wall so you can't see anyone?
Because short of that, you're flat out lying, plain and simple. The game is far from dead, and there's no way you can honestly say otherwise. It's quite active. Every time I'm logged in, chat is active, there are people everywhere.. towns/cities are hopping. Bleakrock has new players all over the place.
Better question is.. what game are you playing? Assuming you're actually really playing at all.
Originally posted by Mikeha If this was a game based around grouping then I would be home. Going around doing solo questing I cant do.
Luckily for you theres plenty of other games that foster group play..........OH WAIT, ESO has grouping too, and pretty solid grouping at that. You folks and your "forcing your preferred playstyle on others" has got to stop!
Who said anything about Forced Grouping? How am I trying to force anything on anybody? Never said ESO does not have grouping. People like you need to stop getting upset when you hear a person opinion on what they don't like about a game. Some people feel its boring, some don't like the combat, some don't feel like its Elder Scrolls enough. They all have a right to their opinion.
Also you said lucky for me there are other games that foster group play. What games?
I think you are missing his point and just looking to irritate people with the group thing. All games have areas with group content in them. If you think particular areas are to easy simply go to harder areas. This isn't just a suggestion for ESO, it is a suggestion for all games. Not everyone playing are advanced players and deserve content that they can enjoy. Sorry to say if you are a super duper player you just may be to good for mmorpgs. /shrug
Death is nothing to us, since when we are, Death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.
Great story line but looses a lot on 2nd/3rd play-through
Classes able to fulfill any role
Cons:
PVP imbalances create huge disparities in capabilities in PVE between classes. There's 1 class in PVE that is 2nd fiddle or worse than every other class in every roll available
Armor is biased against females. Plenty of armor endgame that is Sexy/Masculine/Heroic for male avatars. No armor endgame that is Sexy/Feminine/Heroic for female avatars. The Armor designers want the female avatar to be clothed from their chin to their toes.
Frequent game crashes among a large number of players with good computers that's not been resolved.
Frequent game stutters for the majority of players.
Frequent lag spikes for 99.9% of the playerbase moving into cities/dungeons or in population's that render more than 20 people/things on screen at the same time (PVP takes a huge hit here and the Dev's answer is...fight in smaller groups!)
Cash Shop that introduces superior potions that you can only buy with RL currency.
There.
Here's a real review from a real player. I'd vote this @ a 4 for now. If they fixed the above issues sure it'd be higher (if they fixed all of the above 8+ would be warranted), but they are not likely.
Great story line but looses a lot on 2nd/3rd play-through
Classes able to fulfill any role
Cons:
PVP imbalances create huge disparities in capabilities in PVE between classes. There's 1 class in PVE that is 2nd fiddle or worse than every other class in every roll available
Armor is biased against females. Plenty of armor endgame that is Sexy/Masculine/Heroic for male avatars. No armor endgame that is Sexy/Feminine/Heroic for female avatars. The Armor designers want the female avatar to be clothed from their chin to their toes.
Frequent game crashes among a large number of players with good computers that's not been resolved.
Frequent game stutters for the majority of players.
Frequent lag spikes for 99.9% of the playerbase moving into cities/dungeons or in population's that render more than 20 people/things on screen at the same time (PVP takes a huge hit here and the Dev's answer is...fight in smaller groups!)
Cash Shop that introduces superior potions that you can only buy with RL currency.
There.
Here's a real review from a real player. I'd vote this @ a 4 for now. If they fixed the above issues sure it'd be higher (if they fixed all of the above 8+ would be warranted), but they are not likely.
If your score is 4 of 5 you would be pretty close to accurate. Of course all reviews are just opinions, but the community rating on IGN gave it a 7.6 out of 10.
Death is nothing to us, since when we are, Death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.
Originally posted by Mikeha If this was a game based around grouping then I would be home. Going around doing solo questing I cant do.
Luckily for you theres plenty of other games that foster group play..........OH WAIT, ESO has grouping too, and pretty solid grouping at that. You folks and your "forcing your preferred playstyle on others" has got to stop!
Who said anything about Forced Grouping? How am I trying to force anything on anybody? Never said ESO does not have grouping. People like you need to stop getting upset when you hear a person opinion on what they don't like about a game. Some people feel its boring, some don't like the combat, some don't feel like its Elder Scrolls enough. They all have a right to their opinion.
Also you said lucky for me there are other games that foster group play. What games?
I think you are missing his point and just looking to irritate people with the group thing. All games have areas with group content in them. If you think particular areas are to easy simply go to harder areas. This isn't just a suggestion for ESO, it is a suggestion for all games. Not everyone playing are advanced players and deserve content that they can enjoy. Sorry to say if you are a super duper player you just may be to good for mmorpgs. /shrug
You are another person that does not understand. I never said ESO does not have group content. ESO just like other themepark is game that is designed around solo questing. That means that people are going to follow the quest lines and play in those areas. Those quest are easy so people do not group. This is just the nature of themepark mmos. You say go to a harder area but whats the reward? For people to follow you there has to some epic loot or something that makes them do it. Why would anybody leave there questing area and go with me to a harder area?
Originally posted by Mikeha If this was a game based around grouping then I would be home. Going around doing solo questing I cant do.
Luckily for you theres plenty of other games that foster group play..........OH WAIT, ESO has grouping too, and pretty solid grouping at that. You folks and your "forcing your preferred playstyle on others" has got to stop!
Who said anything about Forced Grouping? How am I trying to force anything on anybody? Never said ESO does not have grouping. People like you need to stop getting upset when you hear a person opinion on what they don't like about a game. Some people feel its boring, some don't like the combat, some don't feel like its Elder Scrolls enough. They all have a right to their opinion.
Also you said lucky for me there are other games that foster group play. What games?
I think you are missing his point and just looking to irritate people with the group thing. All games have areas with group content in them. If you think particular areas are to easy simply go to harder areas. This isn't just a suggestion for ESO, it is a suggestion for all games. Not everyone playing are advanced players and deserve content that they can enjoy. Sorry to say if you are a super duper player you just may be to good for mmorpgs. /shrug
You are another person that does not understand. I never said ESO does not have group content. ESO just like other themepark is game that is designed around solo questing. That means that people are going to follow the quest lines and play in those areas. Those quest are easy so people do not group. This is just the nature of themepark mmos. You say go to a harder are but whats the reward? For people to follow you there has to some epic loot or something that makes them do it. Why would anybody leave there questing area and go with me to a harder area?
Of course it's designed that way. There isn't a game and/or hasn't been a game that doesn't have solo questing as the main feature. You are looking for a game where you login and have to form a party to play? Very few people would like to do that. People have work, school, kids, and life, they don't have the time to form groups to do quests every play session. That would become so tedious no one would want to play.
What can I tell you about it being to easy for you? There are thousands of players around the world perfectly content with doing solo content and then when it is necessary group. Again, if it's to easy for you there isn't much else anyone can do for you.
Death is nothing to us, since when we are, Death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.
Originally posted by Mikeha If this was a game based around grouping then I would be home. Going around doing solo questing I cant do.
Luckily for you theres plenty of other games that foster group play..........OH WAIT, ESO has grouping too, and pretty solid grouping at that. You folks and your "forcing your preferred playstyle on others" has got to stop!
Who said anything about Forced Grouping? How am I trying to force anything on anybody? Never said ESO does not have grouping. People like you need to stop getting upset when you hear a person opinion on what they don't like about a game. Some people feel its boring, some don't like the combat, some don't feel like its Elder Scrolls enough. They all have a right to their opinion.
Also you said lucky for me there are other games that foster group play. What games?
I think you are missing his point and just looking to irritate people with the group thing. All games have areas with group content in them. If you think particular areas are to easy simply go to harder areas. This isn't just a suggestion for ESO, it is a suggestion for all games. Not everyone playing are advanced players and deserve content that they can enjoy. Sorry to say if you are a super duper player you just may be to good for mmorpgs. /shrug
You are another person that does not understand. I never said ESO does not have group content. ESO just like other themepark is game that is designed around solo questing. That means that people are going to follow the quest lines and play in those areas. Those quest are easy so people do not group. This is just the nature of themepark mmos. You say go to a harder are but whats the reward? For people to follow you there has to some epic loot or something that makes them do it. Why would anybody leave there questing area and go with me to a harder area?
Of course it's designed that way. There isn't a game and/or hasn't been a game that doesn't have solo questing as the main feature. You are looking for a game where you login and have to form a party to play? Very few people would like to do that. People have work, school, kids, and life, they don't have the time to form groups to do quests every play session. That would become so tedious no one would want to play.
What can I tell you about it being to easy for you? There are thousands of players around the world perfectly content with doing solo content and then when it is necessary group. Again, if it's to easy for you there isn't much else anyone can do for you.
Why do you all keep saying forced grouping? Now I think I know and its because this type of mmo is all you have ever played.
Let me give you an example.
My Lineage 2 character is level 99. I can go to areas that have 99 mobs that I can solo and get good xp and I do that when I feel like being alone. There are also areas that have level 99 mobs that have a lot more HP, alot more ATK, alot for DEF but they give alot more xp.
This is why when I log on I can either go to my solo spots and xp or I can join a party that's fighting those hard to kill 99 mobs.
This is the way Lineage 2 is from level 1-99 so this is how everybody plays because that's the way its designed.
Its not forced so you can play solo if you choose or group if you choose. If you want to group people will follow you because they know the mobs you are killing are the ones that give alot of xp then they could get by them selves.
All mmos are not the same and all are not themeparks that designed around solo questing.
Oh, another of these Bill Murphy reviews that one doesnt have to read to know it's overall dripping with sugar until it concludes to the usual light weighted cons and a free high score.
The game is still far from "value 10" or other slips this "review" contains. Even fans of the game admit that there are still major issues.
It's just that reviews should be done by someone who is actually able to spot a flaw in a product and not be shy to tell about it - not by someone who simply loves everything about every game (as long as it's coming from a top dog company *cough*) and shows just that in about every other of his "reviews". But then... $$$... we get it.
His review is spot on. Not sure what your motivation is besides attention, but I've always thought his reviews were fair.
I couldn't agree more. This MMO has detail, story, depth, and options. It's very immersive and involving. It has the quality of an ES RPG and is soloable but also has grouping options as well. Unlike other MMOs where PvP has little impact on the rest of the game Cyrodiil is crafted to effect everyone that gets involved. If there are still those that dislike this MMO at B2P, Runescape is calling you.
Originally posted by Mikeha If this was a game based around grouping then I would be home. Going around doing solo questing I cant do.
Luckily for you theres plenty of other games that foster group play..........OH WAIT, ESO has grouping too, and pretty solid grouping at that. You folks and your "forcing your preferred playstyle on others" has got to stop!
Who said anything about Forced Grouping? How am I trying to force anything on anybody? Never said ESO does not have grouping. People like you need to stop getting upset when you hear a person opinion on what they don't like about a game. Some people feel its boring, some don't like the combat, some don't feel like its Elder Scrolls enough. They all have a right to their opinion.
Also you said lucky for me there are other games that foster group play. What games?
I think you are missing his point and just looking to irritate people with the group thing. All games have areas with group content in them. If you think particular areas are to easy simply go to harder areas. This isn't just a suggestion for ESO, it is a suggestion for all games. Not everyone playing are advanced players and deserve content that they can enjoy. Sorry to say if you are a super duper player you just may be to good for mmorpgs. /shrug
You are another person that does not understand. I never said ESO does not have group content. ESO just like other themepark is game that is designed around solo questing. That means that people are going to follow the quest lines and play in those areas. Those quest are easy so people do not group. This is just the nature of themepark mmos. You say go to a harder are but whats the reward? For people to follow you there has to some epic loot or something that makes them do it. Why would anybody leave there questing area and go with me to a harder area?
Of course it's designed that way. There isn't a game and/or hasn't been a game that doesn't have solo questing as the main feature. You are looking for a game where you login and have to form a party to play? Very few people would like to do that. People have work, school, kids, and life, they don't have the time to form groups to do quests every play session. That would become so tedious no one would want to play.
What can I tell you about it being to easy for you? There are thousands of players around the world perfectly content with doing solo content and then when it is necessary group. Again, if it's to easy for you there isn't much else anyone can do for you.
Why do you all keep saying forced grouping? Now I think I know and its because this type of mmo is all you have ever played.
Let me give you an example.
My Lineage 2 character is level 99. I can go to areas that have 99 mobs that I can solo and get good xp and I do that when I feel like being alone. There are also areas that have level 99 mobs that have a lot more HP, alot more ATK, alot for DEF but they give alot more xp.
This is why when I log on I can either go to my solo spots and xp or I can join a party that's fighting those hard to kill 99 mobs.
This is the way Lineage 2 is from level 1-99 so this is how everybody plays because that's the way its designed.
Its not forced so you can play solo if you choose or group if you choose. If you want to group people will follow you because they know the mobs you are killing are the ones that give alot of xp then they could get by them selves.
All mmos are not the same and all are not themeparks that designed around solo questing.
On this page you are the only one who has even mentioned "forced" grouping.
Death is nothing to us, since when we are, Death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.
Originally posted by Mikeha If this was a game based around grouping then I would be home. Going around doing solo questing I cant do.
Luckily for you theres plenty of other games that foster group play..........OH WAIT, ESO has grouping too, and pretty solid grouping at that. You folks and your "forcing your preferred playstyle on others" has got to stop!
Who said anything about Forced Grouping? How am I trying to force anything on anybody? Never said ESO does not have grouping. People like you need to stop getting upset when you hear a person opinion on what they don't like about a game. Some people feel its boring, some don't like the combat, some don't feel like its Elder Scrolls enough. They all have a right to their opinion.
Also you said lucky for me there are other games that foster group play. What games?
I think you are missing his point and just looking to irritate people with the group thing. All games have areas with group content in them. If you think particular areas are to easy simply go to harder areas. This isn't just a suggestion for ESO, it is a suggestion for all games. Not everyone playing are advanced players and deserve content that they can enjoy. Sorry to say if you are a super duper player you just may be to good for mmorpgs. /shrug
You are another person that does not understand. I never said ESO does not have group content. ESO just like other themepark is game that is designed around solo questing. That means that people are going to follow the quest lines and play in those areas. Those quest are easy so people do not group. This is just the nature of themepark mmos. You say go to a harder are but whats the reward? For people to follow you there has to some epic loot or something that makes them do it. Why would anybody leave there questing area and go with me to a harder area?
Of course it's designed that way. There isn't a game and/or hasn't been a game that doesn't have solo questing as the main feature. You are looking for a game where you login and have to form a party to play? Very few people would like to do that. People have work, school, kids, and life, they don't have the time to form groups to do quests every play session. That would become so tedious no one would want to play.
What can I tell you about it being to easy for you? There are thousands of players around the world perfectly content with doing solo content and then when it is necessary group. Again, if it's to easy for you there isn't much else anyone can do for you.
Why do you all keep saying forced grouping? Now I think I know and its because this type of mmo is all you have ever played.
Let me give you an example.
My Lineage 2 character is level 99. I can go to areas that have 99 mobs that I can solo and get good xp and I do that when I feel like being alone. There are also areas that have level 99 mobs that have a lot more HP, alot more ATK, alot for DEF but they give alot more xp.
This is why when I log on I can either go to my solo spots and xp or I can join a party that's fighting those hard to kill 99 mobs.
This is the way Lineage 2 is from level 1-99 so this is how everybody plays because that's the way its designed.
Its not forced so you can play solo if you choose or group if you choose. If you want to group people will follow you because they know the mobs you are killing are the ones that give alot of xp then they could get by them selves.
All mmos are not the same and all are not themeparks that designed around solo questing.
On this page you are the only one who has even mentioned "forced" grouping.
You said I am looking for a game that I have to form a party. That's not what I am looking for. When I say designed around grouping I mean that the best rewards for playing should come from being in group with other players but you can still do just fine alone.
I look at mmos how I look at movies like Lord Of The Rings. I want to band together with other people on the journey just like they did.
This is why I cant get into these types of games no matter how much I try.
You said I am looking for a game that I have to form a party. That's not what I am looking for. When I say designed around grouping I mean that the best rewards for playing should come from being in group with other players but you can still do just fine alone.
I look at mmos how I look at movies like Lord Of The Rings. I want to band together with other people on the journey just like they did.
This is why I cant get into these types of games no matter how much I try.
So don't. The alternative and what you described about Lineage is the other type of MMO that comes mostly from Asia - the grinder. I can't get into those.
And about rewards... four people beat-up a bear.... one guy beats up a bear... who should get the most rewards?
I have my own unique schedule that let's me play games at specific times. Grouping and doing group content is a lot of fun and I do that when my schedule coincides with those who I group with or sometimes just PUG with whoever. But as it applies to the times I'm online, I find myself soloing the vast majority of the time.
I don't think I'm unique in that respect. I think the majority of us do it that way. So I appreciate a large variety of interesting solo content that isn't just finding a a spawn spot that gives me lots of XP or lots of loot. I can only take grinding for a short period of time but I can follow story lines--especially if they're engaging stories a hell of a lot longer.
To each their own but I find cheap grindfests the worst type of MMO there is.
"Social media gives legions of idiots the right to speak when they once only spoke at a bar after a glass of wine, without harming the community ... but now they have the same right to speak as a Nobel Prize winner. It's the invasion of the idiots”
― Umberto Eco
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?” ― CD PROJEKT RED
You said I am looking for a game that I have to form a party. That's not what I am looking for. When I say designed around grouping I mean that the best rewards for playing should come from being in group with other players but you can still do just fine alone.
I look at mmos how I look at movies like Lord Of The Rings. I want to band together with other people on the journey just like they did.
This is why I cant get into these types of games no matter how much I try.
So don't. The alternative and what you described about Lineage is the other type of MMO that comes mostly from Asia - the grinder. I can't get into those.
And about rewards... four people beat-up a bear.... one guy beats up a bear... who should get the most rewards?
I have my own unique schedule that let's me play games at specific times. Grouping and doing group content is a lot of fun and I do that when my schedule coincides with those who I group with or sometimes just PUG with whoever. But as it applies to the times I'm online, I find myself soloing the vast majority of the time.
I don't think I'm unique in that respect. I think the majority of us do it that way. So I appreciate a large variety of interesting solo content that isn't just finding a a spawn spot that gives me lots of XP or lots of loot. I can only take grinding for a short period of time but I can follow story lines--especially if they're engaging stories a hell of a lot longer.
To each their own but I find cheap grindfests the worst type of MMO there is.
Guess I hit a nerve.
I feel that cheap themeparks are the worst type. That's why they all fail and go Free To Play soon afther release.
You said I am looking for a game that I have to form a party. That's not what I am looking for. When I say designed around grouping I mean that the best rewards for playing should come from being in group with other players but you can still do just fine alone.
I look at mmos how I look at movies like Lord Of The Rings. I want to band together with other people on the journey just like they did.
This is why I cant get into these types of games no matter how much I try.
So don't. The alternative and what you described about Lineage is the other type of MMO that comes mostly from Asia - the grinder. I can't get into those.
And about rewards... four people beat-up a bear.... one guy beats up a bear... who should get the most rewards?
I have my own unique schedule that let's me play games at specific times. Grouping and doing group content is a lot of fun and I do that when my schedule coincides with those who I group with or sometimes just PUG with whoever. But as it applies to the times I'm online, I find myself soloing the vast majority of the time.
I don't think I'm unique in that respect. I think the majority of us do it that way. So I appreciate a large variety of interesting solo content that isn't just finding a a spawn spot that gives me lots of XP or lots of loot. I can only take grinding for a short period of time but I can follow story lines--especially if they're engaging stories a hell of a lot longer.
To each their own but I find cheap grindfests the worst type of MMO there is.
Guess I hit a nerve.
I feel that cheap themeparks are the worst type. That's why they all fail and go Free To Play soon afther release.
So why did you give Lineage 2 as an example? It's a themepark game and from what I understand is now f2p.
edit: Well never mind. We have gotten way off topic I think. It all comes down to changes in all games and as the OP stated ESO is taking those steps. /salute /bow
Death is nothing to us, since when we are, Death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.
Comments
Luckily for you theres plenty of other games that foster group play..........OH WAIT, ESO has grouping too, and pretty solid grouping at that. You folks and your "forcing your preferred playstyle on others" has got to stop!
Sandbox means open world, non-linear gaming PERIOD!
Subscription Gaming, especially MMO gaming is a Cash grab bigger then the most P2W cash shop!
Bring Back Exploration and lengthy progression times. RPG's have always been about the Journey not the destination!!!
I thought the same too but fortunately I was proven wrong. There are a TON of places to explore and the world zones are huge. Plus you got 3 factions to explore. That part I give you is not very Elder Scrolls like but after looking at my achievements pane, finishing one faction netted me 3 times as many POI's and quests as was in Skyrim.
Sandbox means open world, non-linear gaming PERIOD!
Subscription Gaming, especially MMO gaming is a Cash grab bigger then the most P2W cash shop!
Bring Back Exploration and lengthy progression times. RPG's have always been about the Journey not the destination!!!
wow, I never thought in all my years here that this poster would admit he was wrong. I now respect him lol. Anyway, I agree for once with Bill and think he did a very good write up considering how much I disagreed with him on Wildstar (with my views coming true). The only thing I don't get is how SWTOR is rated higher. Thats a good game, but this is a better overall experience when you take the PVP into consideration and the fact that it caters to explorers more than SWTOR does..not to mention the space dock is a horrible design.
As far as the social aspect, I'm not sure why people have trouble here. I think its more about how social you want to be and what guild you are in. In one of my guilds, we are constantly chatting. I love that. Sometimes a good teamspeak. Then I have a friend I quest with on one character and we teamspeak as well. I see people all over the zones joining in or helping others. I have no trouble generally speaking finding groups without the grouping tool just like I did in the old days by asking..which forces socialization. I do agree however that the grouping tool needs improvement.
Finally, though I love this game, it still ha a ways to go which is why I agree with the 85 score. It needs more rpg aspects, more dynamic type of events, world bosses, anchors that mean something, just more of a sense of danger as you roam around, more quests that don't have exclamation points unless you talk to people, just more random stuff.
Anyway, great job Zenimax, you are heading in the right direction.
There Is Always Hope!
Not asking to group in an mmo? lol!
Death is nothing to us, since when we are, Death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.
I will give that it isn't Skyrim quality, but nothing says you have to follow the quest hubs. Skyrim had quests, play it like that if that's what you are looking for. In fact you can find a lot of quests just by exploring out of the way places. I personally found the quests in this game much more story based and not as ordinary as other titles have, but that's just my opinion.
Death is nothing to us, since when we are, Death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.
It depends on what you think makes one game like another. Just by virtue of it not being a single player game you could say it's not an ES game. Or by virtue of it not being Skyrim online you could say it too.
But I've played every ES game since Arena, 21 years ago... and they've all changed in minor and major ways.And everything about ESO feels like an ES game to me... the lore, races and the feel are ES through and through. It IS linear in some ways but also much less linear than the typical themepark. Other than the main story quests that are level-triggered, you can go off in whatever direction you want and either do or don't do whatever quests you find along the way. I don't even play it by quest hub: I go off looking for Skyshards and do side quests, dolmens and world bosses I find along the way, pick the locks of chests I find and harvest whatever resources I find to feed to my crafter alts... I train skills from my class and non-class skills and try different combinations for different styles... I DPS, heal and even tank with my Sorc... and you can do the same with any class by just using different gear and skill load-outs...
Yeah it's not a "true sandbox" with open world ganking and harsh death penalties and zero quests... I wouldn't play it if it was. But it sure as hell is an ES game.
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?”
― CD PROJEKT RED
Form a group to do what? Quest that are too easy even when doing them solo?
I had that exact same thought. Adding a Group Finder eliminates people's need to communicate and reach out to other players. That wouldn't improve the social aspect, it would hinder it.
I see people in chat constantly, looking for people for various content, among other things.
Let people continue actually talking. Enough with this "You never have to speak a word to anyone.. just let the game do all the sorting and arranging, and you just run through and collect your loot". This is one of the things that's been hurting community in MMORPGs in recent years. They need to reduce the amount of "automated everything", not increase or sustain it.
It's not going to kill people to communicate with fellow players once in a while.That said, for the review overall, I agree with it pretty much. I am having a blast with ESO now; playing every night, loving the quests, the storylines, the characters, etc. It's so awesome to see/hear characters who speak like people ... saying things, and reacting to things the way you'd expect a person in their situation (however extraordinary) to.
For me, it's the first MMORPG I've played in a long time that actually deserves to have 'RPG' in its acronym.
The combat, for me, is lots of fun. I prefer mages to melee this time, around... at least for my current main character. But I do have a Nightblade fresh off of Bleakrock, whom I'm looking forward to getting into some mischief with.
For those hemming and hawing over the fact that a game they don't like got a positive review... Oh well? I'm sure you'll get over it?
Who said anything about Forced Grouping? How am I trying to force anything on anybody? Never said ESO does not have grouping. People like you need to stop getting upset when you hear a person opinion on what they don't like about a game. Some people feel its boring, some don't like the combat, some don't feel like its Elder Scrolls enough. They all have a right to their opinion.
Also you said lucky for me there are other games that foster group play. What games?
Are you standing off in some remote corner of the world, where no one goes, facing the wall so you can't see anyone?
Because short of that, you're flat out lying, plain and simple. The game is far from dead, and there's no way you can honestly say otherwise. It's quite active. Every time I'm logged in, chat is active, there are people everywhere.. towns/cities are hopping. Bleakrock has new players all over the place.
Better question is.. what game are you playing? Assuming you're actually really playing at all.
I think you are missing his point and just looking to irritate people with the group thing. All games have areas with group content in them. If you think particular areas are to easy simply go to harder areas. This isn't just a suggestion for ESO, it is a suggestion for all games. Not everyone playing are advanced players and deserve content that they can enjoy. Sorry to say if you are a super duper player you just may be to good for mmorpgs. /shrug
Death is nothing to us, since when we are, Death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.
How much did they pay for this review?
Pros:
fully voiced MMO
Great story line but looses a lot on 2nd/3rd play-through
Classes able to fulfill any role
Cons:
PVP imbalances create huge disparities in capabilities in PVE between classes. There's 1 class in PVE that is 2nd fiddle or worse than every other class in every roll available
Armor is biased against females. Plenty of armor endgame that is Sexy/Masculine/Heroic for male avatars. No armor endgame that is Sexy/Feminine/Heroic for female avatars. The Armor designers want the female avatar to be clothed from their chin to their toes.
Frequent game crashes among a large number of players with good computers that's not been resolved.
Frequent game stutters for the majority of players.
Frequent lag spikes for 99.9% of the playerbase moving into cities/dungeons or in population's that render more than 20 people/things on screen at the same time (PVP takes a huge hit here and the Dev's answer is...fight in smaller groups!)
Cash Shop that introduces superior potions that you can only buy with RL currency.
There.
Here's a real review from a real player. I'd vote this @ a 4 for now. If they fixed the above issues sure it'd be higher (if they fixed all of the above 8+ would be warranted), but they are not likely.
If your score is 4 of 5 you would be pretty close to accurate. Of course all reviews are just opinions, but the community rating on IGN gave it a 7.6 out of 10.
Death is nothing to us, since when we are, Death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.
You are another person that does not understand. I never said ESO does not have group content. ESO just like other themepark is game that is designed around solo questing. That means that people are going to follow the quest lines and play in those areas. Those quest are easy so people do not group. This is just the nature of themepark mmos. You say go to a harder area but whats the reward? For people to follow you there has to some epic loot or something that makes them do it. Why would anybody leave there questing area and go with me to a harder area?
skyrim is single player. everyone wants eso to be like skyrim except complain its too solo oriented. go figure
Of course it's designed that way. There isn't a game and/or hasn't been a game that doesn't have solo questing as the main feature. You are looking for a game where you login and have to form a party to play? Very few people would like to do that. People have work, school, kids, and life, they don't have the time to form groups to do quests every play session. That would become so tedious no one would want to play.
What can I tell you about it being to easy for you? There are thousands of players around the world perfectly content with doing solo content and then when it is necessary group. Again, if it's to easy for you there isn't much else anyone can do for you.
Death is nothing to us, since when we are, Death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.
Why do you all keep saying forced grouping? Now I think I know and its because this type of mmo is all you have ever played.
Let me give you an example.
My Lineage 2 character is level 99. I can go to areas that have 99 mobs that I can solo and get good xp and I do that when I feel like being alone. There are also areas that have level 99 mobs that have a lot more HP, alot more ATK, alot for DEF but they give alot more xp.
This is why when I log on I can either go to my solo spots and xp or I can join a party that's fighting those hard to kill 99 mobs.
This is the way Lineage 2 is from level 1-99 so this is how everybody plays because that's the way its designed.
Its not forced so you can play solo if you choose or group if you choose. If you want to group people will follow you because they know the mobs you are killing are the ones that give alot of xp then they could get by them selves.
All mmos are not the same and all are not themeparks that designed around solo questing.
I couldn't agree more. This MMO has detail, story, depth, and options. It's very immersive and involving. It has the quality of an ES RPG and is soloable but also has grouping options as well. Unlike other MMOs where PvP has little impact on the rest of the game Cyrodiil is crafted to effect everyone that gets involved. If there are still those that dislike this MMO at B2P, Runescape is calling you.
On this page you are the only one who has even mentioned "forced" grouping.
Death is nothing to us, since when we are, Death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.
You said I am looking for a game that I have to form a party. That's not what I am looking for. When I say designed around grouping I mean that the best rewards for playing should come from being in group with other players but you can still do just fine alone.
I look at mmos how I look at movies like Lord Of The Rings. I want to band together with other people on the journey just like they did.
This is why I cant get into these types of games no matter how much I try.
So don't. The alternative and what you described about Lineage is the other type of MMO that comes mostly from Asia - the grinder. I can't get into those.
And about rewards... four people beat-up a bear.... one guy beats up a bear... who should get the most rewards?
I have my own unique schedule that let's me play games at specific times. Grouping and doing group content is a lot of fun and I do that when my schedule coincides with those who I group with or sometimes just PUG with whoever. But as it applies to the times I'm online, I find myself soloing the vast majority of the time.
I don't think I'm unique in that respect. I think the majority of us do it that way. So I appreciate a large variety of interesting solo content that isn't just finding a a spawn spot that gives me lots of XP or lots of loot. I can only take grinding for a short period of time but I can follow story lines--especially if they're engaging stories a hell of a lot longer.
To each their own but I find cheap grindfests the worst type of MMO there is.
“Microtransactions? In a single player role-playing game? Are you nuts?”
― CD PROJEKT RED
Guess I hit a nerve.
I feel that cheap themeparks are the worst type. That's why they all fail and go Free To Play soon afther release.
So why did you give Lineage 2 as an example? It's a themepark game and from what I understand is now f2p.
edit: Well never mind. We have gotten way off topic I think. It all comes down to changes in all games and as the OP stated ESO is taking those steps. /salute /bow
Death is nothing to us, since when we are, Death has not come, and when death has come, we are not.
Sounds like an opinion to me.