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After about 2hrs in beta. First impressions.
xenogias
Member Posts: 1,926
I am not going to do a review because well, I havent put nearly enough time in. Nor will I. I do however have some first impressions.
I am also someone who supports the game in the sense that I hope it does well but have no intentions of buying it as my MMORPG of choice. With that said here is what I can tell...
I'm going to start with the UI and its my largest complaint about the game. Let me start by saying the UI "works" and "functions" just fine. Thats where the positives stop. Its a completely uninspired, basic, non customizable, ugly UI. It really is PATHETIC that a AAA studio with AAA financial backing came up with something even the most tiny of indie developers could come up with better. The whole UI from looks to style to origionality is pathetic. The person incharge of it SHOULD be fired. I would expect a similar UI from a bargin bin $2 game on steam. Not a AAA title. Some of you will try to defend it and I will argue with every single point you could ever try to make about the UI. I mean come on I cant even resize and put things where I WANT IT. In an MMO in the year 2011 that is simply unacceptable.
Graphics. Anyone saying they are awesome or great is blind. Plain and simple. HOWEVER there are some graphics options not even turned on (such as AA) and others that I'm not sure are even working properly. Bloom for example is causing HUGE FPS issues for some people. While ingame people where saying turning off bloom would improve FPS. Now I was getting 50-60 in highly populated areas anyway but I went and shut it off and it jumped over 100. So while graphics are NOT that great right now I can only assume with all options turned on and broken options fixed (like bloom, it should not have a 40+ fps effect and alot of people had that issue) it will look much better. The art style is fine imo.
Now that my gripes are out of the way I will say the combat is smooth. Sounds, voiceovers, stories (so far I havent tried all the classes starting areas yet) are really good. I cant really complain to much here. Especcialy about the combat. I knew going into the beta that it was a themepark style game so I'm basing my opinion on that and that alone. Not on what I am looking for but for what it is. In that sense it does it WELL and I think them removing auto attack is awesome.
I know I ripped on the UI hard (and it deserves it imo) and the graphics need work (not the art style but things like a solid gray wall shouldnt be pixilated and grainy) but I would have to say I would highly reccomend the game for anyone looking for a solid themepark MMO. Based off my first impressions anyway.
TLDR: Other than a completely pathetic UI and some graphical issues that probably wont be there at launch after a couple hours play I think the title will be solid for anyone wanting this type of MMO. Call me a fanboi or whatever I really dont care. I havent ordered the game nor will I. But for a themepark I think it is pretty good.
Edit. Forgot to add I think the game needs to do a MUCH better job at character creation on explaining what the classes are and what there advanced classes are. Such basic information really doesnt work and anyone new to themepark MMO's wont have a clue what to expect from a given class except for if it uses lightsabers or blasters.
Comments
i would say that anyone saying the graphics arent atleast good and artistically very pleasing is either trolling or only plays crysis.
the game runs well, has a great draw distance, characters look nice and environments look even better. animations are smooth and flashy as well.
i dont see how anyone can complain about the graphics. they look a little cartoony, but that is just the style of the game. there is NO WAY this game looks even remotely, IN ANY WAY, worse or even on par with WOW. it is by far superior in every possible graphical category.
granted, the game does not look as great as AOC or Aion.... however it also doesnt require the PC that those games do, and has NEVER touted itself to be a graphical powerhouse. It looks GOOD for MMO standards, and serves to create a visually pleasurable world to play in.
Im tired of reading and the same thing over and over again. Was expecting to see some constructive criticism at the least.
I've only played about 2 hours so I can't really say much.
- I thoroughly enjoy the cinematics. Almost seemed like a movie. I'm looking forward to seeing more cut scenes.
- The mouse sensativity seems high. I slowed it down and it still seems a bit fast.
- The beginner quest seems pretty good at introducing you to some of the game mechanics.
Sorry, thats all I got
I self identify as a monkey.
i will agree with you on the mouse sensativity... it is INSANELY high at first. makes the game feel way out of whack. lowering it gives a much better impression
Geesh, guess I've been about 5 hours at it.
I don't see anything super special here as far as MMORPG is concerned.
But; it is a good Star Wars game.
They're not really trying to fix anything that wasn't broken that's for sure.
The animation, skills, progression =/= World of Warcraft. People saying more or less than that, are flat out wrong.
The graphics look nice considering what they have disabled. The animation is good. Playing a Jedi Knight was responsive enough and using the early on Bounty Hunter ranged attacks felt responsive.
The story / voice acting really is great in some areas / really "crafted at gun point" in others.
Getting to 10 was easier than say games like WAR or RIFT just because the atmosphere was well crafted.
I think it being a good Star Wars game built on proven mechanics will be enoughf for a lot of people.
Personally, I'm not going to pay a sub for something that's been done before.
I used to play MMOs like you, but then I took an arrow to the knee.
I didn't like the way the combat system repsonded, it seemed odd and a little unresponsive/delayed...May of been the class I played last beta, but I am sure combat will get some more polish before release...It is usually one of the last fine tuned things. The abilities seemed a little bland at first, but got better as I leveled, not saying they are great, but better once you hit I think 12+.
I'd say they're on Par for a lot of reasons. Animations aren't overly elaborate, but very effective and responsive to the action inputted. That's always been WoW's strongest "visual". The polygon counts aren't anything to write home about on either game, but they make good use of assets. Plus there's a lot thought going into the background and it's often embellished since 90% of the time it'll be just backdrop rather than a gameplay element.
So yeah, on par with WoW.
But that's not a bad thing.
I used to play MMOs like you, but then I took an arrow to the knee.
His post was in no way all negative without any positive and give reasons for his complaints which I personally agree with him on those points. If you wish to blindly ignore any fair impression of the game I assume you are crazy about then simply stop reading these threads.
An ugly UI that players can not even resize in the "next big MMO" is a big issue. The UI is how the player interacts with the game and if they player can't tailor it to their liking it can be a big turn off.
i do not like the graphics...lots of pixles everywhere. disappointed
on lvl 8 and missing mmo feeling...plays 99% like a solo game, except the chatwindow. but well, thats going to change later.
i really do like the conversation "cinematics". back in game ;-)
The UI is functional. Not revolutionary, not bad. I have noticed a trend in a lot of new games I've played. They almost always have a 'meh' UI to start. Then they start correcting in future patches (probably taking into comments(.
I self identify as a monkey.
Yeah that was a bugger. Moving abilities and buffs that didn't really require being on the number bar was disappointing. You get 3 extra bars and they're located in rather bleh places. I think I'd be okay with the UI if I could move individual components myself; rather than wait for someone to make a mod UI or something.
That'll always bother me. Considering how game from way when could at least let you move the minimap where you wanted it to be.
I used to play MMOs like you, but then I took an arrow to the knee.
I think the removal of an auto attack is totally pointless and just annoying. The free auto attack still exists.. but instead u need to waste your time pressing it over and over instead. Totaly pointless alternative.. at least AoC had a different system in place. SWTOR is basically saying.. now you have to press something over and over for the same result. People think it adds the need for player skill? No, it's more like seeing who has enough tolerance. MMO have enough buttons to press.. now when fighting u will always be pushing buttons without 1 second break.
I can do it.. easily. But i wish I didnt have to.
After playing for 2 hours i uninstalled the game and im back to playing diablo 3 beta.
i garauntee you the poly counts on SWTOR characters are atleast double, if not more, that of WOW characters..... have you seen the hands of WOW characters? they dont even have fingers...
doubt it, on both accounts.
nice try though.
Did you really read what I said about graphics? My complaints about the graphics have nothing to do with the art style or anything like that. What I am complaining about, and actually admit that its probably a product of beta is the fact that its so pixilated, grainy, washed out ect. All of these things can be fixed with minor bug fixes in the graphical options and other options that are disabled being turned on. I think some peoples complaints about the graphics are way off base. Saying its worse than WoW or similar MMO's I do not agree with. I think maybe my complaints about the graphics go beyond your understanding of everything graphics entail. Its not just art style. Its also things like muddy textures, grainy textures, pixelated textures ect. These are all technical issues not art style issues.
Auto attack would screw up the timing and combos at higher levels. It really wouldn't work in this game at all.
Have to to agree with the UI its like something from a bygone era, it really needs to be worked on. I have just played about 3 hours, my impressions were on the whole positive I really did like the VO on quests it adds to the immersion I also loved the nasty overtones with my Sith Inquisitor storyline and the fact that I really could be bad with it not just being implied as in most other MMO's, so big thumbs up for that. The combat was nice without the auto attack it gives it a bit more of an action feel without going full twitch based, it also felt nice there was a degree of feedback to it, graphics are acceptable and I understand their choice in this as they want it to run on as many systems as they can the art style is nice my only other downside is performance for me was choppy at times but that could be my end I'll see as I play over the rest of the weekend. There's not much else I can say until I deleved deeper into it but on the whole a great start TOR has pulled me into its world and I'd like to see more so and I imagine thats exactly what Bioware intended.
This doom and gloom thread was brought to you by Chin Up the new ultra high caffeine soft drink for gamers who just need that boost of happiness after a long forum session.
Oh I dont think it adds any skill by any means. The no auto attack thing is really just preference. Personally I like that to build resources I have to use a skill instead of it doing it for me. Others, like yourself just see it as a pointless thing and I fully respect that opinion.
I do to. Unless its someone who only likes sandbox games and have zero interest in a good story. I mean even if you enjoy single player RPG's the story alone is worth playing this weekend through starter areas imo.
I agree. Unless he wanted to hate it anyway.
I self identify as a monkey.
Really? What did you want me to be more critical of might I ask? I was hardly gushing about the game. I feel it has some flaws which I clearly pointed out. But I'm NOT going to bash the game for the sake of bashing it. I have NO intentions of buying the game but that doesnt mean I cant be fair about what I saw.
What I find funny is ALOT of the complaints I have seen here and on other forums (including pre NDA release forums) I just dont see. Maybe its personal preference but I just dont see clunky non responsive combat just as an example.
And one last point I would like to make. The game may not be for you but if you see the same things over and over and over again then I would say the things being said must be somewhat true. Its not like everyone giving reviews/first impressions all got togeather and decided we would all say the same thing.
Also I would like to point out these are FIRST IMPRESSIONS and should be taken as such. There is a good chance things like combat, the voice overs, story ect may not feel the same to me after 100 hours as they do at a couple hours. Skyrim for example. For the first 30 hours or so you couldnt get me to say anything bad about it except for the UI/inventory system. Now that I'm closer to 120 hours I have plenty of flaws I could talk about.
no honestly i uninstalled it, not really interested in the story, not a big star wars person but not someone who hates on it, the combat just felt very similar to alot of the other MMOs i have tried the last few months, and atm im looking for something a little more action heavy. No hate for the game just playing MMO's like this the combat doesnt hold me anymore. If i was really to say i was hating on a game it would be diablo 3, i got into the beta months ago and only this weekend did i spend more than 10 mins playing it. tho for some reason its holding my attention right now.
Been playing about 5 hours now , I made a few characters , but for this test have settled on a Trooper , I really like it so far I have come across a few bugs such as floating bodies , shooting blaster bolts from my fingers while my Blaster is still on my back , plus some texture tearing in the Story mode bits nothing serious tho.
I really like the UI so I disagree with the OP on that point , its clean crisp and functional and very intuitive to use , my 2 cents.
I'm really enjoying the fast paced gameplay of the Trooper its alot of fun , haven't even scratched the surface yet though so I'll leave my comments at that for now .
One more thing I might add is that I have had no crashes to desktop or Lag or anything else similar so kudos to them for that , I have to be honest and say its the smoothest test I have ever done and I've done alot !
I DIDN'T play this but I watched it played for 2 hours and I can say I'm so glad it was uninstalled... the game looks TERRIBLE.. laminated and 3 years outdated graphicswise. Another big issue is the story ISN'T good and it's all chatter in the start... too much! Anyone notice the retarded chat bubble that appears over ppl who are watching their own chatter with the NPCs? just bad! I can say I am glad I didn't sign up when my husband did because I had more fun playing Aika online for the 2-3 days it will keep me occupied and then it will be back to the wait for a proper next gem MMO... GW2