Definitely an MMO worth trying out. With the genre so crowded with traditional fantasy quest hub MMOs, The Secret World stands out for its cool investigation quests and fun Lovecraftian setting. I didn't stick with it all the way to the level cap, and it took a bit of time to get past my initial impressions of a clunky combat system, but I had fun and have recommended it to others. It's on Steam now, too, and they always have it very cheap during the big sales.
I agree that TSW is he best story driven MMO to date.
It has a bunch of glaring short comings in other departments though... and ya know, FUncom.
I know I'm the odd man out on this, but when I see Funcom, I think creativity. They're one of the few MMO devs who aren't afraid to try something that goes against the grain. Not to mention the Longest Journey IP. Yes they've had issues with bugs, etc.. I still think they've made some of the best MMO's I've tried since leaving SWG.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
As a subscription game TSW failed to meet Funcom's expectations - and presumably subs fell below a level that they were happy with. That is a business model failure imo not a game failure.
They changed the business model - B2P + DLC rather than free-to-buy with microtransactions. Simpler change and - as they were unlikely to get the many millions f2p games need to make serious money a better choice imo.
The question then becomes is the game, as is, worth $30 or whatever.
Sadly it still has some of the "not worth $15 a month" stigma but it is getting past that.
As others have mentioned you should be able to get a mini-trial if you are unsure - or watch some vids etc. -Make sure you like the graphics style and so forth - which can, of course, be very personal. Essentially though if you like rpg games then you will appreciate TSW. Its a solid game in the same way that Skyrim, Witcher etc. If e.g. FIFA is your thing - possibly not.
Will you like it a lot? Maybe, maybe not. It is a solid game however and - as a b2p game - certainly worth thinking about.
Yes, it was such a flop it made Funcom swear off making MMOs ever again.
The main problem with this game is that all the good parts are the non MMO parts. You can tell it was originally supposed to be a singleplayer COOP game.
i think TSW is a great game i just couldn't understand the combat nor the crafting but the story and quest were fantastic. With the combat you always had to adjust your skills to adjust for the location where you were at, thats not kool. I constantly had to keep adjusting everything it was dumb so i just gave up. The game is a niche game but whomever understands it will have a blast. I couldn't and im mad i couldn't understand it.
I thought TSW was a pretty cool game. It had some of the best quests i've experienced in an mmorpg. I wouldn't consider it a flop at all!
It doesn't matter what you consider it, Funcom and everyone else wrote it off as a flop. Mainly because it's not a proper MMO but they charged MMO price for it.
I thought TSW was a pretty cool game. It had some of the best quests i've experienced in an mmorpg. I wouldn't consider it a flop at all!
It doesn't matter what you consider it, Funcom and everyone else wrote it off as a flop. Mainly because it's not a proper MMO but they charged MMO price for it.
No proper MMO?! What are u missing?^^ It has everything other MMOs have as well including nice dungeons, raids, best quest chains ever and many, many players.
I thought TSW was a pretty cool game. It had some of the best quests i've experienced in an mmorpg. I wouldn't consider it a flop at all!
It doesn't matter what you consider it, Funcom and everyone else wrote it off as a flop. Mainly because it's not a proper MMO but they charged MMO price for it.
No proper MMO?! What are u missing?^^ It has everything other MMOs have as well including nice dungeons, raids, best quest chains ever and many, many players.
^This
It was only ever posted or listed as a flop here...just like everything else.
I thought TSW was a pretty cool game. It had some of the best quests i've experienced in an mmorpg. I wouldn't consider it a flop at all!
It doesn't matter what you consider it, Funcom and everyone else wrote it off as a flop. Mainly because it's not a proper MMO but they charged MMO price for it.
No proper MMO?! What are u missing?^^ It has everything other MMOs have as well including nice dungeons, raids, best quest chains ever and many, many players.
^This
It was only ever posted or listed as a flop here...just like everything else.
This. The game is one of the best MMO's ever made. You won't find a more immersive experience which is the point of playing MMO's isn't it? You can't play the same game day in day out and not get bored of it though and usually when I hit that point it's because of the crafting. Although it's extremely deep I don't find it fun. It's more like work. The games atmosphere more than makes up for the lackluster crafting experience though.
Lets keep it modest, its a very fun game very much worth the money, for those people that like to get involved in awesome modern time stories, the game is actually a must play...
personally i could really enjoy the gameworld despite the fact that i tought the actuall combat was medicore at best
Best MMO experiences : EQ(PvE), DAoC(PvP), WoW(total package) LOTRO (worldfeel) GW2 (Artstyle and animations and worlddesign) SWTOR (Story immersion) TSW (story) ESO (character advancement)
THe game has very good Quests but the worst combat system in history (ok that was a bit harsh ).
The combat system prevented me to go on in this game.
I feel many people starting with this game feel this way simply because their choices at the start are extremely limited
(since at start you know very low number of active abilities).
This however changes completely as you progress and the ability system is actualy one of the most complex around.
Maybe Funcom should consider giving beginner players bigger AP (ability point) pool at the start so they can get little more variety from get-go.
But seriously, filling the basic abilities for your first two weapons shouldnt take more then maybe 10 hours of gameplay..
Hmm, I think you may on something here. At least initially, you are picking only a few abilities to add to the deck and probably aren't doing a heck of a lot with synergy, especially if you aren't using any of the pre-made decks or following any of the deck building advice. It's very easy to just end up spamming a bunch of (or one or two?) random abilities without understanding how they work together.
My guess is that frustration sets in before players get a chance to see everything playing together nicely. It's also VERY easy to think you need only one weapon, since you leave the training HQ with only one. Better tutorials or guidance at the outset would be useful, and Funcom has shown some interest in doing more of that.
According to my own personal taste TSW remains one of the best story driven games ever made, absolutely worth much more then a measly 30$, I bought the grandmaster pack at launch and never once have I regretted that choice!
This game is incredible -- I started playing it again now since it's f2p (already bought the game). Some of the most unique quests in my life. It's very dynamic and draws you in.
--------------------------- Former EQ1 Rallos Zek (PvP) Ascendant Chronei Immortal of Rallos Zek (Now @ Prexus)
The OP just seems to be another case of "I heard this game sucks.....but I'll play if it's free" which never makes sense to me. If you think a game isn't worth it then why play even if it's free.
Originally posted by Oberholzer The OP just seems to be another case of "I heard this game sucks.....but I'll play if it's free" which never makes sense to me. If you think a game isn't worth it then why play even if it's free.
Simply put... boredom... but not so bored as to shell out money to break that boredom.
Originally posted by Oberholzer The OP just seems to be another case of "I heard this game sucks.....but I'll play if it's free" which never makes sense to me. If you think a game isn't worth it then why play even if it's free.
Because you might end up liking it against your expectations.
I am the opposite. I bought the game at release fully expecting to enjoy it; and I did enjoy almost everything about it except the god-awful combat. Unfortunately that killed it for me.
Originally posted by Oberholzer The OP just seems to be another case of "I heard this game sucks.....but I'll play if it's free" which never makes sense to me. If you think a game isn't worth it then why play even if it's free.
Because you might end up liking it against your expectations.
I am the opposite. I bought the game at release fully expecting to enjoy it; and I did enjoy almost everything about it except the god-awful combat. Unfortunately that killed it for me.
Having played EverQuest, I just can't see the complaints about "god-awful combat" in TSW... In either case, I'm here for the great storyline, not piddling side issues.
The combat is among the strongest features of the game. People say its dull and slow, because they did not fully realize the potential of their build.
The combat is extremely fast and deadly requiring high mobility, but can be extremely slow and safe as well, if you make it that way. If you choose +mitigation abilities and gear, your lack of DPS and high survivability can make it look like the combat is dull. However, switch to full DPS gear and youll be a glass cannon.
I thought the combat sucked ass too but kept going because of the story. The early game experience is terrible. Too many mobs, easy to aggro with awful floaty combat and useless beginner skills.
However once you start making some progress into the game and open up more of the "outer wheel" it all starts to click, other than solo questing experience which is still grindy and horrible but you can also get gear that will eventually make that a thing of the past
Basically every early game issue can be fixed by the game eventually but the early experience is one they need to fix. I almost didn't make it through myself if I didnt find the world, story and especially the investigation missions so compelling. My initial goal after my first bad impression was to only play it long enough to experience an investigation mission. Then another one, then I started admiring how everything in their levels had a place, meaning and reason that might not be apparenty until you hit the quest for it.
Then I ended up beating the game and thinking well its not so bad after all lol. Now because of the deck system, its the only game that keeps me long after I've level capped out and seen the content of other games.
For $30 I sure as hell got far than 40 hours out of the core story alone so yes Its worth it
Comments
I agree that TSW is he best story driven MMO to date.
It has a bunch of glaring short comings in other departments though... and ya know, FUncom.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I know I'm the odd man out on this, but when I see Funcom, I think creativity. They're one of the few MMO devs who aren't afraid to try something that goes against the grain. Not to mention the Longest Journey IP. Yes they've had issues with bugs, etc.. I still think they've made some of the best MMO's I've tried since leaving SWG.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
A flop?
As a subscription game TSW failed to meet Funcom's expectations - and presumably subs fell below a level that they were happy with. That is a business model failure imo not a game failure.
They changed the business model - B2P + DLC rather than free-to-buy with microtransactions. Simpler change and - as they were unlikely to get the many millions f2p games need to make serious money a better choice imo.
The question then becomes is the game, as is, worth $30 or whatever.
Sadly it still has some of the "not worth $15 a month" stigma but it is getting past that.
As others have mentioned you should be able to get a mini-trial if you are unsure - or watch some vids etc. -Make sure you like the graphics style and so forth - which can, of course, be very personal. Essentially though if you like rpg games then you will appreciate TSW. Its a solid game in the same way that Skyrim, Witcher etc. If e.g. FIFA is your thing - possibly not.
Will you like it a lot? Maybe, maybe not. It is a solid game however and - as a b2p game - certainly worth thinking about.
Yes, it was such a flop it made Funcom swear off making MMOs ever again.
The main problem with this game is that all the good parts are the non MMO parts. You can tell it was originally supposed to be a singleplayer COOP game.
I thought TSW was a pretty cool game. It had some of the best quests i've experienced in an mmorpg. I wouldn't consider it a flop at all!
It doesn't matter what you consider it, Funcom and everyone else wrote it off as a flop. Mainly because it's not a proper MMO but they charged MMO price for it.
No proper MMO?! What are u missing?^^ It has everything other MMOs have as well including nice dungeons, raids, best quest chains ever and many, many players.
^This
It was only ever posted or listed as a flop here...just like everything else.
THe game has very good Quests but the worst combat system in history (ok that was a bit harsh
).
The combat system prevented me to go on in this game.
This. The game is one of the best MMO's ever made. You won't find a more immersive experience which is the point of playing MMO's isn't it? You can't play the same game day in day out and not get bored of it though and usually when I hit that point it's because of the crafting. Although it's extremely deep I don't find it fun. It's more like work. The games atmosphere more than makes up for the lackluster crafting experience though.
Lets keep it modest, its a very fun game very much worth the money, for those people that like to get involved in awesome modern time stories, the game is actually a must play...
personally i could really enjoy the gameworld despite the fact that i tought the actuall combat was medicore at best
Best MMO experiences : EQ(PvE), DAoC(PvP), WoW(total package) LOTRO (worldfeel) GW2 (Artstyle and animations and worlddesign) SWTOR (Story immersion) TSW (story) ESO (character advancement)
I feel many people starting with this game feel this way simply because their choices at the start are extremely limited
(since at start you know very low number of active abilities).
This however changes completely as you progress and the ability system is actualy one of the most complex around.
Maybe Funcom should consider giving beginner players bigger AP (ability point) pool at the start so they can get little more variety from get-go.
But seriously, filling the basic abilities for your first two weapons shouldnt take more then maybe 10 hours of gameplay..
Hmm, I think you may on something here. At least initially, you are picking only a few abilities to add to the deck and probably aren't doing a heck of a lot with synergy, especially if you aren't using any of the pre-made decks or following any of the deck building advice. It's very easy to just end up spamming a bunch of (or one or two?) random abilities without understanding how they work together.
My guess is that frustration sets in before players get a chance to see everything playing together nicely. It's also VERY easy to think you need only one weapon, since you leave the training HQ with only one. Better tutorials or guidance at the outset would be useful, and Funcom has shown some interest in doing more of that.
$30 a high barrier? Sounds like a personal problem.
Herald of innovation, Vanquisher of the old! - Awake a few hours almost everyday!
---------------------------
Former EQ1 Rallos Zek (PvP)
Ascendant Chronei Immortal of Rallos Zek
(Now @ Prexus)
Simply put... boredom... but not so bored as to shell out money to break that boredom.
Because you might end up liking it against your expectations.
I am the opposite. I bought the game at release fully expecting to enjoy it; and I did enjoy almost everything about it except the god-awful combat. Unfortunately that killed it for me.
Having played EverQuest, I just can't see the complaints about "god-awful combat" in TSW... In either case, I'm here for the great storyline, not piddling side issues.
http://gnomophobia.com
The combat is among the strongest features of the game. People say its dull and slow, because they did not fully realize the potential of their build.
The combat is extremely fast and deadly requiring high mobility, but can be extremely slow and safe as well, if you make it that way. If you choose +mitigation abilities and gear, your lack of DPS and high survivability can make it look like the combat is dull. However, switch to full DPS gear and youll be a glass cannon.
REALITY CHECK
I thought the combat sucked ass too but kept going because of the story. The early game experience is terrible. Too many mobs, easy to aggro with awful floaty combat and useless beginner skills.
However once you start making some progress into the game and open up more of the "outer wheel" it all starts to click, other than solo questing experience which is still grindy and horrible but you can also get gear that will eventually make that a thing of the past
Basically every early game issue can be fixed by the game eventually but the early experience is one they need to fix. I almost didn't make it through myself if I didnt find the world, story and especially the investigation missions so compelling. My initial goal after my first bad impression was to only play it long enough to experience an investigation mission. Then another one, then I started admiring how everything in their levels had a place, meaning and reason that might not be apparenty until you hit the quest for it.
Then I ended up beating the game
and thinking well its not so bad after all lol. Now because of the deck system, its the only game that keeps me long after I've level capped out and seen the content of other games.
For $30 I sure as hell got far than 40 hours out of the core story alone so yes Its worth it