Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Convince me to switch to Vanguard.
AcidRainO
Member UncommonPosts: 24
I'm looking for a new MMO. I really enjoyed WoW, but I've gotten sick of it's horrible community, and want a better game. EQ II, LotR:O, and Vanguard are what I'm looking at, and any other one people suggest. I want to know what Vanguard fans think about the choice. What is it about Vanguard that makes it better than the competition?
Comments
If you like a persistent world, you will like VG more then EQ2. I'm not a fan of instancing, so I like this aspect. VG is a lot more challenging then EQ2.
LOTRO is a bit harder to say, as it isn't out yet. LOTRO is lower on the graphical scale, has no real PvP (if yer into that), and has a much smaller world compared to VG. It is also a low magic setting (again, matter of opinion).
One thing to consider though is VG's achilles heel. System requirements. If you can't run it well, and aren't looking to upgrade, you would be better off waiting for VG to become polished, and then upgrading (when it would be cheaper or more worth your money).
IMO, I wouldn't go with EQ2, having played beta and release (as well as WoW beta and release). I would go with LOTRO or VG, depending on what you want in a game, and what your computer can handle.
At this point I've chosen not to buy VG, mostly because:
1) The quests sound basically the same as WoW (kill X of Y, etc). Plus, after level 10 or so, the quests (apparently) get longer and harder. Plus there appears to be semi-forced grouping, and having played DDO and faced the Nightmare of the PUG night after night, that's not an appealing aspect.
2) Likely performance issues (I have a decent rig that plays Oblivion at full detail, yet VG scares me from what I've been reading) and the fact that many people do not gush over the visuals even at higher settings. Graphics don't really mean a heck of a lot to me, but I don't want ugly if I need to run at lower graphic levels.
3) I get the impression there are LOOOONG travel times, even after getting the level 10 mount.
Good luck with your replies and with VG should you bite the bullet!
At this point I've chosen not to buy VG, mostly because:
1) The quests sound basically the same as WoW (kill X of Y, etc). Plus, after level 10 or so, the quests (apparently) get longer and harder. Plus there appears to be semi-forced grouping, and having played DDO and faced the Nightmare of the PUG night after night, that's not an appealing aspect.
2) Likely performance issues (I have a decent rig that plays Oblivion at full detail, yet VG scares me from what I've been reading) and the fact that many people do not gush over the visuals even at higher settings. Graphics don't really mean a heck of a lot to me, but I don't want ugly if I need to run at lower graphic levels.
3) I get the impression there are LOOOONG travel times, even after getting the level 10 mount.
Good luck with your replies and with VG should you bite the bullet!
1. Find me a half decent game that doesn't have this.
2. VG is painful, but I've seen people with moderate specs play great. But it is kind of a crapshoot.
3. Full agreement here. There are mutterings of teleports, but the community is massively split on this.
But it seems VG is quite unstable and so on, new game also.
Wait a year or so and i think VG will be alot better.
Starwars Galaxies, An Empier Diveded, That's what it says on my box anyway.
Kiss my foot..........
Do your own research. Go to the websites and read up on the game. look at the screenshots and the reviews. When all that is said and done if you can look at the information you have and say "nah thats not for me" Why would I waste my time trying to convince you that it is?
Critical thinking is a desire to seek, patience to doubt, fondness to meditate, slowness to assert, readiness to consider, carefulness to dispose and set in order; and hatred for every kind of imposture.
I am not going to tell you which to chose but rather give you my view on the "world of telon" the good and the bad.
I am not running a high end PC and I can run the game fine. My system specs are.. 3.6 Ghz, 1GB Ram, Geforce 6800 Ultra. The only thing different that I would recommend is having 2 GB of RAM. I am purchasing a 2nd GB now and that is all. With a system equivalent to this one you shouldnt have a problem running on Medium settings. I currently get 30-40 fps when others are not around and ~15 fps when others are around, and that is with 1 GB of Ram and alot of Paging to my HDD.
There are still gameplay and few graphical issues, but the game was released 3 weeks ago. Many bugs have been ironed out and class balancing is happening right now. With the speed that bugs were corrected at the end of Open Beta and the Beginning of release I suspect things will continue to progress in the right direction but dont expect the error free world that WoW has had 3 years to create. In 3 years I would expect this would to be as stable as WoW has.
The Grind. This game is not WoW. If you are looking for a game that is more challenging, time consuming and even at times frustrating (in a fun way to me) then Vanguard would be your choice. There are many of the types of quests that WoW and many other MMO's have had but that is the genre. There are quests to Kill x number of y and to deliver something to someone. But these help to progress and give direction in the game. I have soloed entirely in this game thus far. It is possible. But Soloing involves more grinding. There are many Dungeons and Grouping things to do when you have the time.
Diplomacy is fun. No other way to explain it. Especially the starter Diplomacy quests. Civic Diplomacy can be a bit of a grind but a group of Diplomats working together can sway the bonuses given to everyone in and around many cities.
Crafting is not a cake wake but fun in the sence that you are not always gauranteed to get the item you start crafting. You have to make it correctly and solve complications during the crafting process that may arise.
Graphics. If you liked wows cartoony style of graphics then be aware that the graphics in Vanguard are much more of the realistic side than they are cartoony. From what I have seen of LotRO I think it looks cartoony as well.
Community. The community in Vanguard is pretty good especially within the guild setting. Guilds are similar to the WoW guilds. Raid sizes will be 24 people instead of the WoW 40 making guilds easier to be a tight nit community in themselves.
Beyond all that I dont know much about LotR but I know I am having fun in VG. If you like a challenge, non cartoony graphics and can deal with the bugs that exist until they are resolved this could be the game for you. My only suggestion would be to not come to the game thinking it is going to be the same as WoW. Hope this helps.
Total time played: 9125 Days, 21 Hours, 29 Minutes, 27 Seconds
Time played this level: 39 Days, 1 Hour, 24 Minutes, 5 Seconds
I've had nothing but a great experience in VG. It IS what I've been waiting for since I quit EQ almost three years ago.
I think we've beaten the Diplomacy and Crafting to death, so I won't praise it anymore than it already has. It rocks, period. Don't believe me? Try it!
The Adventuring aspect. Yes, it is a group focused game, but Sigil has never hidden this fact. Brad has time and again stated the game's goal is 20% solo, 20% raid, 60% group, and I have to say they've kept pretty much on this mark.
If you don't like grouping, then you probably want to avoid this game. I personally like the fact that you have to group for the majority of the content. PUG's or guild groups, it matters not. If a person is a thud f**k in a PUG, their reputation quickly becomes known and they simply do not get groups anymore, just like in EQ. Guild groups are more common and tend to be more successful as, for the most part anyway, they have conducted some sort of recruiting process for their prospective members. Guilds actually MEAN something in this game. With a tight group of people supporting you, not just adventuring wise, but crafting and diplomacy wise, you are almost unstoppable. It's up to the community to police itself in this aspect, and it does it well.
The community is probably the most mature I've seen in awhile. Does it have it's "D00dz!?1"? Occasionally, but again, the community tends to weed these folks out. They either shape up or they decide to quit and go back to their other game. Either way, it suits me just fine.
I LOVE how Sigil has taken a stand against gold farmers, straight from the get go. For the most part, players have made it a permanent side mission to report these folks. Any large money transfers are investigated by the GM's in game, which brings me to my next point: GM's.
In WoW, I NEVER recieved a single communication directly from a GM. Lots of emails 12 hours after the fact, and always a form letter. You would think after two years, I'd have experienced just once, a real live conversation with a GM. Since VG has launched, I've petitioned and discussed various topics with a GM regarding either Gold Farmers (They're sending emails! LMAO!), broken quests or something else ingame. They've always been polite and very quick with their fixes. I really do hope that they implement a guide program, as that would help the service even further. They get a thumbs up from me for their customer support.
If you want to know about this game, I suggest starting at vanguardsoh.com and go to the links from there. See what the company has to say, I'm pretty sure you'll find that Sigil has been nothing but forthcoming about their game, both good and bad.
If you want a game that doesn't hand it's levels, loot and experiences out like a dish of candy, then you've come to the right place. If you are looking for something easier.....well, there's LOADS of games out there, pick one.
Funny you say this, because the support is the thing they really really can improve. (Then again, I am used to Saga of Ryzom, which had the best support in any mmo, and yes 'had' - past tense). I dont say the support in VG is really bad, as I've seen much worse, but can be much much better as well.
(Beside that, I think VG is pretty good. Having lots of fun in the game. And as the game is just 3 weeks old, I think it is pretty stable as well as new mmo.)
You guys must be either insane or on terrible servers to say the community here is worse then WoWs. Played on 5 WoW servers and 2 VG, and I've only once had any issue with another VG player, and they were still civil about it.
Try asking for help in a city like khal or tanvu, then log on WoW and ask for help in the barrens or duskwood. Note the difference. And from all the ventrilo's I've been in, I wouldn't say it is a stereotype that WoW is full of 12 year olds, unless there are a lot of older men with poor acting and high pitched voices.
The first things is the grind. I've always had a bit of trouble with groups. I can never really seem to find good people. This may be due to the fact that I've been playing WoW, but if groups are required to play, I may have a little trouble. I enjoy grouping, but I'm a bit shy.
Stability is another problem. I actually got a trial key from a friend, but I could never actually play. It always crashed instantly, as soon as I got into the game world. I have a fairly good computer, so this should not happen. I tried for those whole 10 days to get a response from customer service, but nothing. I'm worried that if I buy the game I would actually be able to play it.
Basically, my choice is now between Vanguard and EQII.
I would recommend EQ2 over VG for sure.
VG is buggy and unfinished. It also needs a pretty high end computer and video card to run well. There is also stil a lot missing from the game as it was released far too early. I might recommend VG in 4-6 months, but not now.
I have a station pass, so I get EQ, EQ2, and VG all for one price, but I find myself playing VG in bit and pieces and playing EQ2 mostly.
VG can also be pretty frustrating, and past level 15 it can get to be a real boring grind as so many quests are either broken or not in yet.
And I would also say that the player community in EQ2 is far above both WOW and VG. For different reasons, but still above.
I'd just hang out for a bit.
Having played all the games you listed, I chose Vanguard. Mainly for the depth of the game, the crafting abilities, and the total expansiveness feel of the whole game.
LOTR is alot like wow. I liked EQ2 but hate "zones". Coming from a SWG backround, I prefur Vanguard.
Hope this helps you decision some. Alos maybe check out Vanguardsoh.com and look at some screen shots. The link on my signature will take you to my character page that shows alittle more into the characters of vanguard. You can see alot of things from the "players" page. This is also a cool feature about Vanguard that no other game has (that I know of).
Thalos Vipav
Star Wars Galaxies: R.I.P.
So you don't want to get Vanguard because the quests are kill X of Y, yet after level 10 when they get more complicated you don't want that either??
To the O.P., if you like an open ended world with a higher level of difficulty than the average MMO, aren't afraid to group with one or more people and have at least a medium spec rig, then Vanguard is your game.
Vanguard still has some bugs to be worked out, is a system hog, has amazing graphics with a killer view distance and I haven't enjoyed a game as much since EQ. Hopefully you get to try it yourself and don't have to rely on messages on a forum.
Hi AcidRain0
I am playing EQ2 and Vanguard and have played wow for many years.
At this point I would tell you go for EQ2. Its stable, fun and its very easily Solo-able and it has a healthy fun community.
Vanguard is promising. I am happy I can play both games though(station access). This way I can go in have a look if I like it and go on with the other games. Many things in Vanguard are the base of something very good but the fun factor is not there yet for me.
In vanguard you have three spheres. crafting-Diplomacy-Adventure
Crafting: Well I think crafting might be fun at some point. But for me its far to lifelike. You need to really get into your craft there. Nothing is easy. And the explanation is far from easy too. There are some pretty good ideas but they have made it very difficult to understand.
Diplomacy is fun. You get to play a card game with good stories and very filled lore. It needs strategy which is good. Everything is hard though. The explanations are not to easy. I enjoy Diplomacy.
Adventure: Fighting is rather fun. But not perfect. Animations are not too good in my opinion. The weapons and clothes look nice although I find it such a shame that all those mmo’s haven’t found a way to leave weapons out of body parts or shields etc. (Clipping) The quests are not very original. Some stories are good. Some are really much fun. But the world doesn’t react to you like it should. Like when you go to a different starter place you get the same story as the people that live there. In some cases that’s really dumb since some people start with a story that should be unique to them. But like I wanted to say nothing very new on the horizon here.
The world is big: (but EQ2 is also big) It still has different servers though but very crafty hidden. You notice the different servers when there is lag (big community) You run over a road and poof you seem to stand still. Then you at once aren’t riding your mount anymore. Animations in EQ2 are superior to Vanguard. You can see they have a lot of work to do still. With my system I can run EQ2 at the almost highest setting which means when you swim you see the water move. In Vanguard the water is pretty but silent and it doesn’t move when you enter the water. Vanguard will be very difficult to solo in my opinion.
You seem to get a lot more xp when you are in a group. (Wouldn’t it be nice if they gave people npc group mates that help just like in nwn, nwn2 and Guildwars.)
I hope Vanguard will be the game since I love the idea of having a flying mount everywhere I want to go. And having a ship to sail the seas. Freedom. Having very crafty looking houses and cities. I have no idea how that will be but it looks so promising. I hope there will come a goal in the world. Seems somehow there is no big goal at the moment but levelling your character and trying to figure out what they have planned for us. I very much hope that solo players will make a chance. Then the community. I hope the Role play server will become role play some day. At this moment a lot of them seem to think shout in brackets is less annoying then shout without them.
I hope I have given you a good view. If able go for both the games… I think EQ2 is fun now… Vanguard is hopefully fun in the future…
Yes, Vanguard does have its fair share of flaws, but what game doesn't? The performance issues are getting better everyday. The quests while sometimes kill X of Y, are usually more involving than that. For instance to get my horse as a quest reward I needed to go find the injured animal and protect him from several hyena looking beasts. I thought it was interesting and fun.
Crafting in Vanguard is more fun to me than EQ2's method crafting. It is not nearly as evolved as SWG if you played that before NGE. Compared to WoW, well WoW is a lot more easier.
Diplomacy in Vanguard is a fun way to experience the lore and lvl up you char at the same time. And I find it a good way to take a break from adventuring.
So whatever you do, you should know the truth. Most the these people on here are insanely biased against Vanguard for reasons I do not know.
If I had to choose a game for you I'd say, either Vanguard, LotRO, War, of AoC. I wouldn't play EQ2.
First, there are so many wonderful features to Vanguard that really have grabbed my attention. The huge world, crafting, diplomacy, persistant houses, flying mounts, player-owned boats, ect. all really grab my attention.
Second, the community seems better than EQII. I've played the trial of EQII quite a bit now, and I've never had any interaction with other people, and what I see in general chat is pretty stupid, especially since I'm a roleplayer, and on the RP server, no one was RPing. Vanguard seems like it has a pretty good RP community. I found a site, Vanguard Roleplayers, that has a ton of helpful, nice people who RP, and I'm excited to join them.
Third, and probably one of the biggest factors, is I want to support a game that is trying to be a bit different. This game is not perfect, but has tons and tons of potential. I want to help the devs out by buying their game so they can tap this potential. Without money, that isn't happening. I like to support start-up companies, so this seems like a good choice.
I just hope the game will run when I buy it tomorrow. My computer is good enough to handle it(3gHz processory, Radeon X1600, 1G RAM), so the only thing that can stop it would be bugs.
Hope to see you all in-game ^-^
That has to be a joke.
EQ2 has more different things to do than almost any other game I have triied - and I have tried nearly all in the past 10 years but WOW.