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How do you think Companions will change the game?
maskedweasel
Member LegendaryPosts: 12,195
They are our friends, allies, and moral (or immoral) counterparts. They are our personal diplomats, crafters and protectors.
We'll have them when we rush into battle, or when we need materials gathered. We'll hear from them when we kill the Jedi apprentice, or spare his life (regardless of the reason).
Companions will do more then be JUST an optional game play choice. They will be essentially an extension of our character.
My personal feelings aside, how do you think this will change the game? Is this an exciting new feature -- like an exceptionally detailed "pet" system? Or is it a detriment to the game?
Comments
For me this is certainly an exciting new feature. I remember an older game that crashed and burned was trying to delve into this idea somewhat (I think it was Dark and Light) where you would have companion characters but I think the difference there was you would have to pull them out as opposed to having set number that fought alonside you.
That was something that always interested me as a mostly solo player anyway, but the things that BW seem to be doing are so above and beyond what I would expect I'm at a loss to describe.
I remember when I first played Baldurs Gate and thinking how awesome the interactions were between your main guy and his party members, I grew really attached to those party members and I think BW is going to expand on those feelings exponentially with this game.
but yeah, to call this game Fantastic is like calling Twilight the Godfather of vampire movies....
Its my personal opinion that it'll turn the game into a more single player experience. As we will find some resemblence of human interaction with them - the comapnnions... Which is so hard to actually find amongst players in a MMO. It'll be the "easy way out" fro the need of some sort of companionship.
I find it is a big flaw to state "there is group content that you need other people for" as a proof of the multipayer nature of this game. Its not a way to create an online community. By neccessity of this kind.
One does feel the need to enjoy the game with someone else. If that someone else is there at a reach without any real effort... Talks like a human, acts like it. Has engading dialogue and personality even if preprogrammed and reacts to our "choices" then that fills in a way the need for a community... That'll make people looks less for interation. Atleast thats what i think.
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The game is designed with two games in one. And yes, you can play the game as a BW SPG if you want. With 8 different and unique storylines to play through. At the same time, there is the open world quests that are like all the other MMO's. As well as the flashpoint group quests , Warzone PvP and world group quests.
The reason for the design IMO is because of the many BW fans out there. They are used to the type of companion system TOR will have. They are a part of your characters experience and is welcomed in the BW RPG. So the solo RPG or co-op part needs to be done well and stand alone for the pure BW fans. But with the MMO dev's they have and from what has been seen and what has been talked about but not seen make me believe the MMO part of TOR will be just as good. Including the use of companions for crafting, grouping and PvP. It will be the total package for those who want it IMO.
How many people long for that "past, simpler, and better world," I wonder, without ever recognizing the truth that perhaps it was they who were simpler and better, and not the world about them?
R.A.Salvatore
GW Nightfall with a Star Wars skin.
I know that sounds rude but that's the impression I get to be honest. I anticipate that SW:TOR will end being a coop rpg much like GW is now... not because the Devs will make it that way but because the Players will play in that way.... and in the end it's the Players that set the tone of a MMO much of the time.
My opinion is that SW:TOR would be better off with more class choices for players and no companions, but my opinion doesn't matter squat.
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It will most likely make people solo even more than already!
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It's most likely going to depend on how hard they make the encounters. There just might be some encounters where you need a live person and companions won't cut it. I forsee most group encounters being this way.
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I got this feeling that there will be a CS for companions species or genders, spacecraft layouts and costumes just like STO lol.
Pardon my English as it is not my 1st language
I see. I can't agree that it will increase the amount of soloing. Group content will still be group content, and companions don't equal players. As it stands, soloing is pretty common in many MMOs, and in most cases, its very rarely necessary to group. Groupers will still want to group, and solo players will still be solo players.
I feel that companions will honestly be more of an extension of your character, and not hired help like in GWs. These characters are extremely customizable, with specific gear that you can outfit them with, and different kits to change the characters ability sets. Having certain characters with you will change dialogue in your missions. You'll also have alignment choices for each companion. Include the crew system with that, and you've got a companion system that is even more in depth then the regular BioWare companion system.
In some sense it is almost as if each player is a kind of pet class. In that respect I severely doubt it will weigh so heavily on the characters specialty that grouping won't be necessary. Those who want to solo will always solo, thats regardless of the game they are playing.
Well you can only have one companion out at a time. So no army for you to solo everything. Also, the devs are balancing the encounters to a character and companion for regular quests and 4 characters and 4 companions for group play.
As far as class choices, there will be 16 different classes after level 10.
Guardian: Single Saber/Heavy Armor/Leadership-Party Buffs/Tank
Sentinel: Dual Wield Saber/Saber fighting specialist/Melee DPS
Shadow: Double Bladed Saber/Stealth/Burst melee damage
Wizard/Sage: Single Saber/Powerful Telekinesis/Healing/Ranged Damage/Damage or Healing
Gunslinger:Dual Pistols/Quickdraw/ Fast Attacks/Ranged DPS
Scoundrel: 'Shot gun'/Stealth/Medicine Healer/Burst ranged damage or healing
Commando: Heavy Blaster Cannon/Grenades/Ranged DPS
Vanguard: Blaster Rifle/Energy Shields and Defense/Tank
Juggernaut: Single Saber/Heavy Armor/Fear and Darkside Auras/Tank
Marauder: Dual Wield Sabers/Armor/Saber fighting specialist/Melee DPS
Sorcerer: Single Saber/Force Lightning/Force Drain/Ranged DPS or Healer
Assassin: Double Bladed Saber/Stealth/Burst Melee DPS
Powertech: Flamethrower/Defense/Energy Shields/Tank
Mercenary: Dual Wield Guns/Missiles/Ranged DPS
Operative: Blaster Rifle/Energy Blade/Stealth/Burst Ranged damage - Healer
Sniper: Sniper Rifle/Cover, Ambush,Orbital Strikes/Ranged DPS
How many people long for that "past, simpler, and better world," I wonder, without ever recognizing the truth that perhaps it was they who were simpler and better, and not the world about them?
R.A.Salvatore
I think it is a unique take on the MMO. Although essentially it is making everyone a 'pet' class.
I don't recall not playing with other people just because I had a 'pet' in other MMOs so don't think it'll have that much of an affect though.
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