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My Thoughts on Ryzom
(SoR will make the sixth game i've beta'd, I've also Beta'd and played Ultima Online, EverQuest, Dark Age of Camelot, Anarchy Online, and Star Wars: Galaxies)
Well, this was a game that had so much potential, and the devs didn't follow through with it. I loved the concept, the feel and enviornment that could have been created. Such a waste.
If I was to sum up my opinion of this game with one world, it would be "boring" - Ryzom is the same old thing all over again. Heck, even the pretty graphics got old quick. There was nothing new to see after just a few days play.
Some of the biggest problems with this game.
1) Character sounds are the same no matter what race you play.
2) Just like every other game, magic v. melee is out of balance.
3) Lack of unique and different armor styles. Tie this in with the fact that crafters can make the high end armor even before leaving the "tutorial" isle.
4) Limited and boring crafting. They put a lot of thought into the crafting system in regards to how you can obtain crafting materials, and how those materials affect the end product, but then there are only a very limited amount of products to actually make. bleah.
In a nutshell, if you are thinking about getting this game, I would recommend skipping this product. It was an original attempt to make a fresh game in a crowded market, but the dev's lack of serious content leaves is poorly lacking in key areas. Save your money, wait for WoW, DAoC Catacombs, or MEO.
Hawke
Comments
Unfortunately i have to agree, the release version never cut the potential it had. Game gets very repetitive very fast, with a small world.
Beta Tested: Lineage 2, Ryzom, City of Heroes, RYL, EverQuest 2 World Of Warcraft European
Truly Loved: World of Warcraft
Responding to #4 on Armor Crafting.
You can make and wear all the races armor types for a different look and skin on each. And at level 50 the skill tree branches out to be able to make medium quality light, medium armor, or heavy armor sets. And at higher levels I was told it branches again to be able to make high quality sets. Sure on noob island you can buy the start plans for the first basic set.
Im sure this game doesnt cater to most of the mmorpg audience,, but I think it does well in the older more mature demograpahic. It won't be nearly as big as an EQ2 or WoW, but it will have a dedicated player fan base Im sure.
On a sad note 50$ seems like a steep price with a 15$ a month price tag...
I have to totally agree with the original poster, the individual points and just the over all feeling I now have for the game. I also have similar experience, having beta tested a number of different mmorpgs over the past few years.
Character sounds may seem a little thing, but it's something you expect from a finished product. At least they finally got some combat sounds in near the end of beta. The delay in such basic sound features seems to point to what many of us suspect, Nevrax simply ran out of money. (We still didn't have music at the end of beta, is it in the release build?)
The melee vs. magic balance was skewed way in favor of magic for a long time, but then swung back totally the other way. It still isn't balanced and the fact that such wide swings in balance were occuring so late in beta is once again a bad sign for a mmorpg with a pending release.
I also agree on the armor styles. Another poster mentions the medium and high quality versions available later. They are the same armor models, with a slightly different coloring scheme. Some of the armor actually felt like place holders. Look at the female Matis Medium armor, more a fetish outfit than anything offering any protection.
The Focused Beta Test that began after they closed the first Open Beta and pushed back the release date was the proper set up, but needed a lot more time. It's what they should have done starting a year before launch. The segment on combat and world design was very rushed, with them trying to fit a couple weeks worth of focused beta into each of the last seven days before Open Beta restarted. Crafting and harvesting are what suffered the most here. They had acknowledged the need to focus test these areas, but ran out of time and never did any focus for either.
I want to also respond to the point another poster made regarding who this game will appeal to. The potential game, as laid out in the design, would have had great appeal to more serious, mature players, but I see most of that missing now. Most of us more mature players have been through a lot of mmorpgs and are really getting tired of the same mistakes and let downs. The potential audience for the game that "could have been" is also the most likely to be keenly aware of how unfinished this game is and very jaded against buying a mmorpg that has clearly launched before it's time.
There is potential here still for power guilds to thrive in this game, maybe that will be a big part of a potential niche for Ryzom. I just don't see it having very broad or lasting appeal for those who come to appreciate the huge flaws present in this game, whether through beta testing, word of mouth or simply trying it out for a month or two.
I'd love to be able to play the game Ryzom should have been in a year or so, but I'm honestly not very optimistic it will thrive/survive to the point that it will be able to successfully mature into the game I wanted to play.
Want to know more about GW2 and why there is so much buzz? Start here: Guild Wars 2 Mass Info for the Uninitiated
I am sad... Why? Because I happen to agree with most of what is written here.
I am one of those older gamming pioneers, tired of being sucked in and dissapointed. <Horizons> I beta tested Meridian59 the game that really started it all, then quit Meridian to be logged on the first day EQ went live. Seems game designers are trying to please everyone and not succeeding pleasing anyone. What happened to the days of building a group based on needing a certain skill, talent, or magic? Seems today everyone has to be able to solo or be all encumpassing with their talents. Camelot was close to a perfect system. Had a window to search for levels and classes when putting together a group. Also had PvP (which is not my cup of tea,) but if it's voluntary and done right can be fun too. Personally I play online rpg's to meet people group and have a blast. Saga is not a bad game... and fighting the urge to buy it (out of desperation for a game) when it's released on the 20th... <think Horizons, think Horizons> (learn my lesson) The only options I see out there are still far away and I'm sure Saga was released early, to beat them and slowly draining coffers. As a business owner I totaly understand the pressure of product verses profit.
oh P.S. Forgot to mention I also beta tested Saga
King of the world
King of the world
I think we should wait a month or two to see the reviews of the players who bought ryzom.
Its they who will be testing and playing at the same time now. For me it just doesnt feel polished enough, simple things like collecting loot can feel tiresome as it takes a long amount of time to loot etc. And that combat was so slow.
I played WoW and it has a similar system of loot the body BUT it felt fast because we killed monsters quickly and the loot box didnt seem to 'lag'.
Beta Tested: Lineage 2, Ryzom, City of Heroes, RYL, EverQuest 2 World Of Warcraft European
Truly Loved: World of Warcraft
on the official forums the european players said the game is better than what was in the beta, so it seems that the debvs have workedon polishing it. I'll see when I get the game in a few days though, and I'll let you guys know how it goes if I'm not too busy playng
<HOTFOXFIRE>
<HOTFOXFIRE>
that will be appreciated
.
Beta Tested: Lineage 2, Ryzom, City of Heroes, RYL, EverQuest 2 World Of Warcraft European
Truly Loved: World of Warcraft
King of the world
King of the world
(Sweet Pipe)
-don't ask, darlin'
(Sweet Pipe)
-don't ask, darlin'
From my open beta experience, it does have the repetitive static spawn hunt as the basis for adventuring. There is some variation as foe at a location do vary some.
What it does differently is create a living world. The animation and interaction of the creatures is unique. The crafting and harvesting should support the development of community ( cooperation and interdependence). The challenges of fighting large scale invasions will be a logistical challenge. I think there is plenty to discover via travel. It should be a good game for several months. If the discovery aspect peters out quickly and all that is left is the static spawn hunts, I will be agreeing with the nay sayers. For now, I am looking forward to participating in this world.