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Is it worthy to buy this game?
slyths
Member UncommonPosts: 209
Hello fellas! I've been wandereing about looking for a game to try, currently i just bought EvE Online and really liking it. But i'm also willing to get into the Depths of a Fantasy game. So is it worthy to buy Vanguard? I'm really keen about: characters movement, stablity of the server, community, pvp, in-game economy and the level of the bugs.
I'm willing to read sincere replys: neither overrated nor underated
Sry for my English
My youtuber Attempt: https://www.youtube.com/@eWazzuGaluga
Comments
I recently picked up 2 copies of Vanguard after reading about how the game had evolved into something worth playing - I'd never experienced the release woes that seem universal to most old players with the game but I can give you a rookie point of view from today.
First off, the game was only 17.99/copy at best buy and that was a plus. I did have to buy a couple of vid cards though as it does put forth beefy graphics.
I wasn't in the game but 5 minutes and sent out a general chat question where I received at least 20 responses and a couple of conversations that went into depth to help me. My wife and I rolled on Seradon (sp?) as I'd read a post it was most populated server wise. There are many aspects of the game that are full of detail and depth, diplomacy for example, that a person could get immersed in for hours it would seem. We played casually for a couple of days, taking our time and then my interest levels dropped dramatically...
From a < level 10 aspect it very very much like EQ2, which is a great game but I had the been there done that feeling from it. If you don't have a deep fantasy background then I'd say flip a coin and get either one as they have a very similar feel to them.
I didn't see any major bugs, everything seemed stable.
No lack of people around, but didn't see any crowded areas either...plenty of people advertising groups.
Basic movement and play is very easy to pick up, lots of help built in.
If you have the system for it already and can find a cheap copy like I did I say go for it, you've got 30 days free so that's pretty good entertainment for roughly 18 bucks (I think it's 30 if you dl from SOE).
EDIT: I say my interest levels dropped, it wasn't because the game stinks it's because I had the "been here done that" feeling going on, my wife has a pretty slim MMO background and she loved it and still bugs me to play.
I bought it yesterday. The graphics are so horrible that I actually couldn't stand playing it. Everything is so damn ugly. If you think that really ugly graphics is annoying (and I mean *ugly*) then I wouldn't recommend this. I actually can't believe a 2007 release can have this awful graphics. How it can get a 9.3 rating is beyond me. Sad really.
Vanguard is three seperate games rolled into one. The basics are as follows:
Game 1 - Standard quest-filled monster fighting play. You climb from level 1 to level 50 by adventuring across the massive land of Telon without ever having to zone. You try to collect better gear to make you a better adventurer.
Game 2 - Crafting. You collect (or buy) resources and craft from level 1 to level 50. It can be very profitable as most crafted adventuring gear that I have seen does not last long on the item Broker (like an auction house but all transactions are fixed price). Along the way you collect better gear to make you a better crafter.
Game 3 - Diplomacy. This is a pretty unique aspect of the game that has you running all over the world looking for people to debate with. This portion of the game is played like a card game where you have a bunch of options available to debate with your opponent. By levelling from 1 to 50, you have the opportunity to influence the different social standings in cities so that Peasants, scholars, nobles, etc are influenced and allows you to create buffs that affect ALL players in that town. You also collect better gear that will in turn make you a master debator
The character animations are a love or hate kind of thing. I play a monk and love the weapon and kicking animations however some find the animations not very appealing... I suppose it's a matter of preference.
I have not had a server crash on me since I started playing over a month ago but I have encountered some lag spikes.
The community is very helpful as stated in a previous post. You should have no problems finding help or groups (at least on Seradon where I play).
PVP I can't comment on as I play on a PVE server.
Hope some of this helps you make a better decision.
PS. I didn't experience a feeling of 'been there done that' however I did experience an almost deja vu feeling when I play. The game feels a lot like Everquest 1 to me and that is something I miss and am glad to have the deja vu feeling from Vanguard.
And don't listen to Mr. One Post knocking the graphics.. he's sad because everyone is leaving his Age of Conan pretty graphics game because it sucks.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/28371832@N02/2648951313/[/url]
Chances are if you dont have a farely powerful machine the graphics may look bland. There are many guides around on how to tweak out the settings and i highly recommend enabling shader 3.0 and forcing AntiAliasing in your drivers if you have an nvidia card. Properly tweaked, this game is gorgeous.
If you really feel it is so ugly then you prolly have a problem with your vid card. WoW is ugly, this game isn't all that bad graphics. I am not overly fond of the glossy look on alot of stuffs, but beyond that it is as nice looking as any other MMO on the market.
I know when I get back from vacation I'm going to pick me up a copy of VG, I have only seen 2 people on these forums say they haven't really been into it in about a month, one of which is in this thread.
And to the guy complaining about the graphics, this game has what, like the 3rd best graphics of any MMO to date after AoC and LotRO, doesn't it?
|Mortal Online|Gnostaria|
Everyone else seems to say otherwise. Id like to see some screenshots on how the game looks on your system.
I played VG when it first came out and there were a HUGE number of bugs that should probably been worked out before release.
Shortly after SOE's takeover of VG I returned after the first patch, and was disappointed that a large amount of those bugs remained and I vowed to come back only after SOE had some time to repair those bugs.
I returned recently and am LOVING the game. Crafting is FUN, Diplomacy is Addicting, and there are SO many adventuring possibilities. I find it hard to find a place where I am bored now.
Some suggestions, however. Take time to READ the fluff text on the quests. I think that above all makes the game. Its not grinding through the Tanvu Diplomacy quests, its learning all about the history of those people and why it is that you are doing the quest. It really does make the biggest difference.
I couldn't agree more. The thing that bothers me most in-game is when people ask in regional chat if playing for 20 hours and only being level X is bad. You can tell they are former WoW players looking to gauge how fast they level with that of their neighbors.
I strongly recommend stopping to smell the roses. There is no mad rush to get to level 50. Explore... Enjoy...Experience the game the way MMOs used to be played.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/28371832@N02/2648951313/[/url]
The gameplay is ok now, but I still didn't really like it. I played at release, I came back after the first main batch of patching, and I came back again later. Each time I liked it a little better, but it still sucks IMO.
There are quests, there are a couple dungeons, the crafting is ok, if not a bit tedious...the diplomacy thing is a card game and is an interesting idea.
Outside of that...meh.
PvP is horrible and pointless. There is even less reason to log in every day on this game than there is on WoW.
If you're dead set on playing something right now I'd probably go play EQ2 instead.
Check out my Screenies here:
http://s232.photobucket.com/albums/ee22/sirgeekalot88/Vanguard/?albumview=grid
Hi Sliths
OK first of all DONT listen to what Bronks says and DO listen to what Bliss-bliss is saying about the graphics. Saying he is an AoC fanboy is just the typical thing you can expect to hear from a Vanguard fanboy. Bliss-bliss is telling the truth as the graphics really are bloody awful! The game looks like it is 5 years out of date if not worse. I bought the game when it first came out and me and my flat mates were laughing at how pathetic it looked. I reinstalled it several months ago to see if it had gotten any better and I couldnt see any improvement at all. In its defence though the landscapes can look rather good in some places but then it can also look dreadful in others. The worst aspect of the game are the character models which look like truly horrific plastic dolls.....yes they actually do look like they are made of plastic! Customisation is minimal and the animations are pretty poor as well. Apparently the character models are being changed soon so there might be some improvements in the near future.
The diplomacy aspect of the game is NOT involving at all unless you are very easily pleased. Before Vanguard came out I was intrigued by the diplomacy aspect but then it just turned out to be a rather boring side game tacked on almost as an afterthought. It plays like a card game which seemed appealing at first except that when you lose you just replay it over and over until you win. There is no challenge to it whatsoever. As you play it just simply reveals sections of dialogue that is supposed to be a conversation between you and the npc. You have no control at all over what happens throughout the conversation......its just a block of text that reveals itself a paragraph at a time as you play! Boring! The only impact that diplomacy has on the game is that you can influence the city-wide buffs you receive so its certainly nothing clever. The "conversations" dont influence the game world in any way other than that so its not exactly exciting or involving.......you may as well just read a book while you play the game. It would be a lot more interesting.
Having said all that I believe you can get the game pretty cheap so it wont be a big loss to try it for yourself. You never know you might like it. If you havent played any fantasy mmos before though then you would be better off playing WoW or EQ2. They have bith been around for a while and are very stable and playable. WoW is the most successful fantasy mmo for a reason and EQ2 gives the illusion of being more grown up (although actually its the same kind of game really and content-wise is actually even more childish) and can seem more involving. So yeah go with WoW or EQ2 - they cost a bit more (I think) but unless you're a poor jobless bum then I doubt £10 is gonna make much of a difference now is it.........oh and the first month is free with those games as well. Actually its free with most online games so mentioning it for Vanguard is not exactly a selling feature.
Tis your PC. Don't blame the game.
@Bronks: Umm, why do you write a good post like that and then end it in such a bad style? Anyway, I didn't try AoC but might try it in 6 months or so. I'm just replying to the OP with my opinion on a game I own, just as you are. As someone said in this thread there might be some tweaks to get the game to look better. For me it was not so much the environments that was disappointing but the character graphics/animations, spell effects, UI and how it is all put together. I thought it was quite horrible
Tis your PC. Don't blame the game.
Tis the game. Dont blame the PC.
I totally agree with you Bliss. Vanguard fanboys seem to be blind to it all for some weird reason. Maybe they are just self-delusional, desperate to believe that VG truly is the game they were all waiting for. They always say "Oh its a problem with your PC" even though all the other games look fine. Odd dont ya think? maybe if you play Vanguard past a certain time period it secretly injects you with some kind of halucinogenic that makes it look wonderful. Who knows.
Vanguard is one of the most ugly mmos out there. There are games that are several years older that look better. It may get fixed soon but it certainly hasnt happened yet.
I found this screenshot to be impressive: http://mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/post/2030996#2030996
I totally agree with you Bliss. Vanguard fanboys seem to be blind to it all for some weird reason. Maybe they are just self-delusional, desperate to believe that VG truly is the game they were all waiting for. They always say "Oh its a problem with your PC" even though all the other games look fine. Odd dont ya think? maybe if you play Vanguard past a certain time period it secretly injects you with some kind of halucinogenic that makes it look wonderful. Who knows.
Vanguard is one of the most ugly mmos out there. There are games that are several years older that look better. It may get fixed soon but it certainly hasnt happened yet.
I never actually said it was a problem with anyone's PC... I did however jump the gun on bliss_bliss's post as it seems more and more common for haters to create a new posting ID to bash games and I believed it was his intent to do so. I apologize.
The facts still remain that graphically, Vanguard is beautiful. Ugly MMO? You've never played Tabula Rasa or Auto Assault as every area looked almost the same. Vanguard has continents with changing vegetation and geology. I won't forget my first feeling of awe when I came across my first bamboo forest in a quiet little rolling valley. I won't forget running through the boreal forests that are so thick with trees it blocks the sunlight out.
The problem I find with a game like WoW or original EQ, for example, is that a tree is a tree (unless it's near the night elvesin WOW or the high elves in EQ... then it's a really big tree).
I tried turning down all my graphics setting to the lowest they could go and found that in that mode I could consider the game 'ugly' but I would still be able to appreciate the beauty of the landscapes. No matter how bad a computer might be, the hills and mountains are all still there and traversible if one chooses... and that for me (along with swaying trees, rolling storms, fluid combat actions, excellent water effects (both swimming above and under water), sandbox gameplay, crafting, diplomacy, etc) is why I like Vanguard. It feels a lot more like pre-CU star wars set in a fantasy world with development and depth equal to original everquest.
I am no fanboy, but it is the best bang for your buck on the market... 3 complete games for $10 retail probably.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/28371832@N02/2648951313/[/url]
Its both. People have to understand the history of VG. The world is big and a lot of devs worked on it. The game also was released in an emergeny rush due to lack of money.
The result is that some things in this game are ace and some are sub par. Animations, graphics, adventuring and diplomacy for kojan humans is ace. Monk and disciple really have kung fu animations. The landscape looks like china and the lore of the diplo quests is chinese folklore. There is even a quest where you fly over the roofs like in those old kung fu movies.
Other parts, like the gator caves are subpar. The whole cave has a ugly brownish texture. It looks like a 1999 game inside the cave.
The submarine areas are dead zones. No plants, no fish, nothing. At the same time there are lush rainforests. Some rocks are perfectly txturized, a few others not.
Some landscapes are breathtaking and others look silly/unfinished. Some dungeons look cool, others dull. This is all because the game was released to early and some content was rushed in a few weeks.
An the client still has no AA. With x2 or x4 AA the game would look much better in many areas. And the engine is much better indoors. See the screenshot of the psio in the other thread. Its an indoor shot. Outdoors the lightning is lacking a bit.
You can buy the game for $4, yes, 4 dollars, on Ebay. At that price, why not just buy it and form you own opinion?
Perception is Reality.
Its both. People have to understand the history of VG. The world is big and a lot of devs worked on it. The game also was released in an emergeny rush due to lack of money.
The result is that some things in this game are ace and some are sub par. Animations, graphics, adventuring and diplomacy for kojan humans is ace. Monk and disciple really have kung fu animations. The landscape looks like china and the lore of the diplo quests is chinese folklore. There is even a quest where you fly over the roofs like in those old kung fu movies.
Other parts, like the gator caves are subpar. The whole cave has a ugly brownish texture. It looks like a 1999 game inside the cave.
The submarine areas are dead zones. No plants, no fish, nothing. At the same time there are lush rainforests. Some rocks are perfectly txturized, a few others not.
Some landscapes are breathtaking and others look silly/unfinished. Some dungeons look cool, others dull. This is all because the game was released to early and some content was rushed in a few weeks.
An the client still has no AA. With x2 or x4 AA the game would look much better in many areas. And the engine is much better indoors. See the screenshot of the psio in the other thread. Its an indoor shot. Outdoors the lightning is lacking a bit.
I would also say that graphically speaking AoC > LotRO > VG.
eugam has done a good job of explaining why this is the case.
I quit VG in September, came back for the free month during the holidays, left after the free time expired, patched and logged in when this free time period started. Although I really enjoyed the open world and combat mechanics, I won't be able to give VG a fair shake until they improve the character models and add some challenge back to basic combat. What used to be group content is now solo content -and relatively easy solo content at that. I suppose it was a necessity considering the population.
I fully agree with this statement. Grab a copy on e-bay for $4. It's definitely worth that.
Ok you are way understating this. VG has a ton of dungeons. I'm not counting but I'd estimate off hand they probably have more then 30 dungeons in the game. Dungeons are also one of the best things in VG. They are deep, exciting and loads of fun.
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Ethion
Ok you are way understating this. VG has a ton of dungeons. I'm not counting but I'd estimate off hand they probably have more then 30 dungeons in the game. Dungeons are also one of the best things in VG. They are deep, exciting and loads of fun.
You have to be kidding.. VG has hundreds of dungeons.
Dungeon Finder shows 88.
88 is 12 short of 100, so I might have also guessed the same amount.
It is certainly more than a "couple"