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A veteran's summary of the game's current state - Nov 2006
RealDarkseer
Member Posts: 2
I've been a community member of RV since the beginning of 2005 and since receiving my acceptance into the beta there has been less than 20 days where I have not been active in game, on the forums or in IRC chats with other community members. The following appraisal of the game is to enlighten the MMORPG.COM community on one veteran's opinion based on the features promised in The Official State Of The World (SOTW)
As a background, I am Patron of House Valerii one of the largest Roman houses (aka guilds) in Roma Victor. My team and I have stretched every aspect of this game in both Beta, Gamma and now release so we know our stuff :-).
Onto my summation - Be warned it's long!. You may take it or leave it as the opinions expressed are purely my own and in some cases that of my house. You may also want to read it in conjunction with the SOTW (linked above)
*Real-time 'twitch' combat balanced with character skills
As Patron of a crafting house I don't spend much time fighting however I am avid table-top wargamer in RL. At present there is not much player control apart from movement, targetting and the weapon you use. Dodge/Parry/Block are all automatic and many of the fighters complain this is useless. However I have seen some fun combats occurring but I don't expect any large scale battles with a thousand per side for some time. In relation to the SOTW it is generally accurate but sounds a little more exciting than it is.
Rating: 3/5
* Crafting
The concept here is simple. You cannot do it all yourself so the crafting system encourages interaction with players and unless you are a large guild such as House Valerii you will find it hard making everything you need yourself.
It is a slow and arduous job to manufacture anything but the simplest of items and in my opinion is not for the faint hearted, but the implementation is great. A loner can survice by focussing on a select group of skills (Say mining and smelting) then sellingthese to larger groups or individuals but don't expect to ever be able to min, smelt, smith, craft and use a longsword and have all the necessary skills mastered. Unfortunately my house masters new items and skills very quickly so the content can't come fast enough for us!
Rating: 4/5 - We just need more content and skills to keep us entertained.
* Construction
Like crafting the implementation is great but at present we can't build anything larger than a medium hut and have no options for bridges, temples, concrete domus or workshops.
Rating: 4/5 - Again just need the content
* Player housing
We can rent most buildings though the limited number in the RV made towns mean it's a battle to find something free to rent. At present we can't build more than a medium hut so until we can construct larger concrete buildings this is less than exciting. On a positive note, our house recently expanded to another area and the excitment generated when we tried to establish our setllement (and succedded) in one real week was amazing.
Rating: 4/5 - IMplementation is great but again need more options
* Day & Night
In my opinion nightime is too bright. The lighting as the day progresses is great but the static skybox (no moving clouds, no sun, no moon) takes away from the attractiveness.
Rating: 3/5
* Open PvP and safe areas
Romans cannot attack Romans anywhere that is Roman Provincial Territory. We are restricted to certain buildings to train. This is a shame in my books...how am I meant to get people assasinated? Apart from that you can attack anyone else anywhere.
Rating: 4/5 - Let anyone attack anywhere and suffer the consequences
* No levelling treadmill
Very true. I've had new players jump straight into the house and begin production for us.
Rating: 5/5
* Realistic character limitations
This works well, skills decay over time and lack of use, others raise as you work them, however we can view our numerical levels on our account page so some goal setting with respect to your 'level' is still down by players.
Rating: 4/5
* Wounds, Injuries & Treatment
The wounds seem to work well, the treatment of them is all but non-existant. If you plan on being a healer type person I suggest waiting a couple of months till all the features are in. Right now a healer doesn't do a great deal.
Rating: 2/5
* No camping
Since there are next to no spawns of animals, NPC's are restricted to static merchants and guards and there are no bandits or threats at all apart from other players this isn't an issue anyway.
Rating: 0/5 - No spawns, can't rate it.
* Fully freeform gameplay
Can't argue with this one! You can choose to do anything you wish. The only negative is that what you wish to do may not be viable right now. Politics are limited to a single magistrates role with little power. Crafting and careers are limited to those implemented at present. However, the freeform aspect is still great and many people have chopped and change to suit their desires.
Rating: 3/5 - Only a lack of implementation drops the rating here.
* Historic authenticity
Excellent work done here. As far as I can tell it is very authentic.
Rating: 5/5
* Many communities, one world
The community 'playing' the game is small. The community on the forums is a larger. So many of the playboards are unbuildable which means the few of us capable of expanding are restricted to where we do this. The concept RB are pushing will indeed work but for it to be realised they need to entice more players online and this will only be done as content comes in to attract them back to the game.
Rating: 4/5
* Furniture & Decoration
Non-existent. Apart from placing a single Sella_a (Type of chair) we can't construct, buy or craft any other decorations and furniture.
Rating: 0/5
* Clothing & Armour
More variety is needed but I have seen this part of the game grow in the past few months so I have high hopes. At present there are a few types of tunics, kilts, togas and Hamata armour.
Rating: 3/5
* Realistic avatar characteristics
Improved somewhat recently but we still cannot see pigmentation or weight reflected in our avatars. Height based on your stats and facial features based on what you chose at character creation are all there though. Beard and hair growth is not implemented so we are forever young at the moment.
Rating: 3/5
* Lore
As in real life Lore in RV will remain a matter of faith. Did that offering to Vulcan make my swords better quality or was it luck?
I think the devs should pop in and randomly reward someone praying just to start the rumours that lore is really effective..:-)
Rating: 5/5 - I have faith hehe
* Elysium
Boring as hell (pardon the pun) - It needs something challenging there before you get released but it serves the basic purpose at the moment.
Right now you arrive there and run around till you find Phlegyas and he sends you back to your start point a little worse for wear.
Rating: 2/5
* Weight
Not implemented but I can't wait (hehe).
Rating: 0/5
* Liquids
Works ok though the only liquids at this point are water and tar.
Rating: 4/5 - Just need more liquids ;-)
* Shops
We can place merchants anywhere though the playerbase is too small so the economy cannot support the two major commercial houses well (mine and...another guy's :-) )
We cannot offer services through the merchants and right now they are too specific (for instance I need three merchants to sell the three types of wooden bucklers instead of a single buckler merchant selling all three)
Rating: 3/5
* Resources & Trade
Fairly limited resources right now (Limestone, flax, barley, sand, mud, gravel, iron ore, woodstuffs etc) but the process works well and the distribution means travelling a fair way to get some.....opening the way for trade caravans and battles for control of resources.
Rating: 4/5
* Elders & Masters
Very average right now. All the quests are identical and don't cater for your ability to complete specific types of activities. Not dynamic and most people find them annoying.
Rating: 2/5
* Game mail
It's ok but not used anywhere near the forums are. Unfortunately when you logoff outside then when you next login you are sent a mail from the master saying it's a silly thing to do......so most people ignore the mail system. However, I would like to see it used more for in game RP. Also, there is no interaction with NPCs as stated yet it's all done like e-mail.
Rating: 2/5
* Ranged chat
Works nicely. Everything from whispering to screaming.
Rating: 5/5
* Socials & Animations
Note quite 200, but quite a few none-the less so far and some of them are hilarious. Try /flail and run around the arena as a gladiator chases you (ala mont python)
Rating: 4/5
* An ever-growing range of characters, faces and ethnicities
Been the same since they brought the options in however I am sure we'll see it grow further. Your body shape is the same as everyone elses right now since over-eating and diet are not implemented.
Rating: 3/5
* Badges, Reputations, Friends and Foes
Apart from the serious badges like murderer and criminal the NPC's don't seem to care what your reputation is at the moment. Faction scores have remained constant without varying as well so I don't believe these features are implemented yet. However the badges do come and go based on what you do.
Rating: 2/5
* Encounters
Apart from guards that won't talk to you and Merchants who only train or sell to you there are no encounters as yet.
Rating: 1/5
* Weather
I saw rain in beta and gamma but none since, must be El Nino ;-). If you don't wear enough clothing you are cold and it affects your ability to raise and use skills however the effects of weather are not apparent and there's been no change since release to seeing rain, snow, stronger winds etc.
Rating: 2/5
* Tracking
Not implemented to my knowledge yet.
Rating: 0/5
* Diet
Not implemented yet
Rating: 0/5
* Guilds
ONly basic guild functionality at present (Recruit into, they can resign from). I can see this as being an important feature that needs completion quickly but I think more important issues are on the devs plate.
So at present manage your guild through a forum.
Rating: 1/5
* Households
Interface does nothing at present and there's no indication this feature is there yet. Though I'm looking forward to it.
Rating: 0/5
* News networks
No story tellers and the news on each board (through a /news command) only relates deaths and a few magistrate actions for accoutnability.
Rating: 1/5
* Law & Politics
At present there is only a magistrate (or lord/lady) office available. Powers are limited however the politics played by the community on the forums promises that once more positions and powers are in play it will be exciting indeed!
Rating: 2/5
* Quests
Barely any apart from little message errands set by the guards and merchant NPCs/
Rating: 1/5
* Interactive story arc
Waiting till the devs kick this off though the day Governor Ulpius came to town cuased quite a stir and most everyone online got their RP hats on nicely.
Rating: 1/5
* Combustibles
Not implemented yet (apart from torches)
Rating:0/5
* First & Third-person perspective
Works fine and I believe there will be an option to re-enable a realistic first person view (it was there in test for a while)
Rating: 5/5
* 3D audio
I don't run a full surround system but the music and sound effects are quite good. There's no thumping rock and roll soundtrack but Apollo's work on the themes has been great. (and contrary to reviews it's not a crappy midid soundtrack)
Rating:5/5
* South Caledonia
Luguvalium isn't in the picture though we have a few forts about, some player made settlements and Corstopitum. A few villages North of the wall including one hill fort at erring.
A little more items of interest throught the countryside would be nice on those long journey's though. Some rocky features, animals, etc.
Rating: 4/5
* SpeedTreeRT
No variation in resources gathered from the different trees but aesthetically this seems to work nice.
I'd like to see some grass and wildflowers and bushes around though adding some more depth to the terrain.
Rating:3/5
* Dynamic lighting & Shadows
No shadows as yet. Lighting in towns is disconcerting as it flickers in brightness to abruptly as you move between areas. No sun or moon in the sky and fires are a 2D sprite.
On the positive side the intensity of the natural lighting does vary day to day and night to night. Some nights are darker than others for instance and the lighting does arc over the sky casting darkness on the opposite side of hills.
Rating: 3/5
* Patch system
Seems fine to me :-)
Rating 5/5
Overall Summation
All in all there is still plenty of work the dev team need to do to make this a truly impressive MMORPG, however if a great community, excellent crafting and basic combat interest you then jump ino the game now. There will be some amazing things over the coming months I hope so now is a great time to get in and learn the basics before the better stuff arrives.
If you are looking for a completely implemented game with WoW or Guildwars anime graphics then this is not for you however I was hooked a couple of years ago and the community alone keeps me involved and helping where I can to devlop the game and the community.
Cheers,
Publius Darkseer Valerius
Comments
When it comes to combat to me its pretty simple .If it looks boring it is boring.
And sadly it does look terribly boring and feels even worse.The crafting system i hated because it takes too long to make anything in this game.Even a flight simulation gives you the option to fly that plane from london to new york in 20 mins.
When it comes to combat to me its pretty simple .If it looks boring it is boring.
And sadly it does look terribly boring and feels even worse.The crafting system i hated because it takes too long to make anything in this game.Even a flight simulation gives you the option to fly that plane from london to new york in 20 mins.
What does a flight sim time lapse have to do with anything besides showing your lack of patients (sp?)
@ Dark /yawn
yes, I had to insult you in here also, only place i havn't done so.
When it comes to combat to me its pretty simple .If it looks boring it is boring.
And sadly it does look terribly boring and feels even worse.The crafting system i hated because it takes too long to make anything in this game.Even a flight simulation gives you the option to fly that plane from london to new york in 20 mins.
I don't really like fighting, be it in games or in real life, so personally I don't care. I would like, however, if it LOOKED more fancy, because then I could be a fat, obnoxious guy sitting at the arena, looking at cool fights in the pit. Unfortunately, there are no cool fights, I cannot be fat, and I cannot even sit. The only thing left to me is being obnoxious...
But the crafting system I like.
I hate the WoW type crafting, where you don't really DO anything.
At the moment, though, I can not recommend this game to ANYONE, seeing as it is not a product that should have been out of testing yet. I play it and enjoy it, mostly due to my brilliant family/guild mates.
If the PERFECT game is 100%, this game is for me somewhere around 20%, with the promise of 85-90% when implemented as promised.
Gjerulf / Ieshua
Erm then why bother with mmorpgs at all?
Darkseer- I'm going to have to disagree with you about lore. I like the idea alot, but your other scores are about how well the ideas are implemented. At the moment, lore is sorely lacking. We only have the major Roman gods (no minor or foreign gods), and only one command. Whatever /pray does, we can be reasonably sure it only affects the user, which makes any kind of trade in lore impossible. There is alot more that could and should be done with the concept than what's in now.
If you're building an mmorpg, or if you'd like to share ideas or talk about this industry, visit Multiplayer Worlds.
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I don't think it sounds boring. It just sounds horribly unfinished
gooluk
Ryld
Thanks for the review Darkseer that was very well written and good to read. I played Beta for a few months in late 05 and really havnt been back to it. Im tempted to have another peek based on your writings.
Thanks
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"MMOs, for people that like think chatting is like a skill or something, rotflol"
http://purepwnage.com
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"Far away across the field, the tolling of the iron bell, calls the faithful to their knees. To hear the softly spoken magic spell" Pink Floyd-Dark Side of the Moon
But I will still keep my eye out in case I do come back!!
In response read this post http://www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/thread/107392
I would say darkspeer review was very biased .The above review has a scoring from vlad probably one of the best known RV players of all time.
What the heck does that mean? Darkseer is quite possibly THE "best known RV player of all time."
I'm pretty sure he's been around longer than Vlad (though I agree Vlad/Matthius/Tontis' review is very accurate).
What the heck does that mean? Darkseer is quite possibly THE "best known RV player of all time."
I'm pretty sure he's been around longer than Vlad (though I agree Vlad/Matthius/Tontis' review is very accurate).
Dark started playing about march of 05 and Vlad....last summer
The point is between the three of us we all bring different viewpoints and we felt that between our old combined week game time, of what must have been over 150+ hours, we brought a unique and well-rounded viewpoint to the review.
No offense to Darkseer as he is a great guy, but he doesn't play that much anymore (nor do I as of late), and certainly not enough to judge features which cannot be judged without great time invested in their most recent versions.
The Dragon Legion, Bringing Forth Eternal Light. First Roman Legion of Roma Victor.
Erm then why bother with mmorpgs at all?
This same thinking lead to SWG's NGE. Hey, everyone go raid now, were emulating World Of Warcraft's raid system where you HAVE TO GROUP.
One day a fun game will be made.
Erm then why bother with mmorpgs at all?
This same thinking lead to SWG's NGE. Hey, everyone go raid now, were emulating World Of Warcraft's raid system where you HAVE TO GROUP.
One day a fun game will be made.
You didn't answer my question. The only purpose of a multiplayer game is to interact with other players, whether cooperation or competition. Working together is inherent to cooperation, and those who try to out compete collectives by themselves are likely to fail. In the pre-NGE, even if you could take on all the mobs by yourself, at some level you still depended on crafters, doctors, and entertainers. I can understand wanting some solo content in a PvE game as a break, but if you don't want to depend on others at all, there have been plenty of good single player games made over the years.
If you're building an mmorpg, or if you'd like to share ideas or talk about this industry, visit Multiplayer Worlds.