No thanks, at the end of the day SWTOR suffers from Wowcloneidis, should have been best MMORPG on market when it released, instead it was WoW with light sabers. Story might have improved for the 10 hours you get with the expansion, but after that it is still WoW with light sabers.
Played SWTOR in total for about 16 months on and off.
But all this stuff about even more singleplayer and less than ever multiplayer makes me completely uninterested to come back. Why cut down one of the more unique things they had with the companion system? Why push for even more instanced singleplayer content?
I think because as a group based MMO they knew they pretty much failed in that. So they changed their dynamic to more single-player with group options. We all saw it coming because...that's how it was played anyways.
I for one am happy with the change...There are other mmo's I play for the grouping experience....I rarely if ever play SWTOR in a group.
To be fair, players in most of the top MMO's rarely group outside of end game activities.
I would disagree with that, when SWTOR first released me and my friends grouped almost the whole way to 50. In WoW I did tons of grouping and instanced dungeons starting at level 15ish. In City if Heroes grouping was one of the main draws and most ppl grouped from lvl 2-50. Alot of ppl get on MMOs who are anti-social so they don't try to team with ppl, but you can't say in MOST top MMOs ppl don't group.
This new update is what the game should have been at launch. I couldn't stop playing. I did all the chapters in one sitting. I was sad that it was over. Love the new companions too. The cutscenes were amazing. And it even had a few WTF moments in the story. I went and subbed the game before the 27th launch so i got to see 4.0 stuff earlier. They did a great job with this one.
Well they obviously did something right as they are increasing server capacity tomorrow. How much of this is due to some folks getting 2 xpacs for free I dunno. It sure didn't hurt in my case lol.
Played SWTOR in total for about 16 months on and off.
But all this stuff about even more singleplayer and less than ever multiplayer makes me completely uninterested to come back. Why cut down one of the more unique things they had with the companion system? Why push for even more instanced singleplayer content?
I think because as a group based MMO they knew they pretty much failed in that. So they changed their dynamic to more single-player with group options. We all saw it coming because...that's how it was played anyways.
I for one am happy with the change...There are other mmo's I play for the grouping experience....I rarely if ever play SWTOR in a group.
To be fair, players in most of the top MMO's rarely group outside of end game activities.
I would disagree with that, when SWTOR first released me and my friends grouped almost the whole way to 50. In WoW I did tons of grouping and instanced dungeons starting at level 15ish. In City if Heroes grouping was one of the main draws and most ppl grouped from lvl 2-50. Alot of ppl get on MMOs who are anti-social so they don't try to team with ppl, but you can't say in MOST top MMOs ppl don't group.
I'm only going off what some companies have stated as well as a few polls. Most people prefer playing solo.
This is nothign like the KotOR I know, you actually had to fight challenging enemies in that game. Haven't found any fights I couldn't let my comp handle. Way to elaborate for a barely choose your own adventure game.
Played SWTOR in total for about 16 months on and off.
But all this stuff about even more singleplayer and less than ever multiplayer makes me completely uninterested to come back. Why cut down one of the more unique things they had with the companion system? Why push for even more instanced singleplayer content?
I think because as a group based MMO they knew they pretty much failed in that. So they changed their dynamic to more single-player with group options. We all saw it coming because...that's how it was played anyways.
I for one am happy with the change...There are other mmo's I play for the grouping experience....I rarely if ever play SWTOR in a group.
To be fair, players in most of the top MMO's rarely group outside of end game activities.
I would disagree with that, when SWTOR first released me and my friends grouped almost the whole way to 50. In WoW I did tons of grouping and instanced dungeons starting at level 15ish. In City if Heroes grouping was one of the main draws and most ppl grouped from lvl 2-50. Alot of ppl get on MMOs who are anti-social so they don't try to team with ppl, but you can't say in MOST top MMOs ppl don't group.
I'm only going off what some companies have stated as well as a few polls. Most people prefer playing solo.
Probablt because most games mess up grouping. It's either harder, less rewarding, or annoying. In this case SWTOR is less rewarding and annoying, so double bad.
The expansion definitely makes the game feel way more like STAR WARS and less like a broken wow-lite MMO with Star Wars naming conventions.
I have only gotten to chapter 4 at this point (yeah, I have a job and responsibilities that keep me from playing any game all day/night anymore.) -- Still, up to this point in the new expansion, I'm enjoying it. The story is amazing, and I really do feel like I'm watching another Star Wars movie.
In regards to the changes of game dynamics, yeah, it's a little dumbed down, but like others have said, that's not really such a bad thing for this game.
I think all the people who still play, or like myself, used to play and come back to see what's new from time to time, have accepted that SWTOR is not the typical MMORPG. They tried to mimic wow systems and features, and the game engine itself stopped any of them from being as enjoyable as WoW in those regards, so they digressed and started to focus on what they do well.
I respect such a change in focus, and I only hope they continue to push content to make SWTOR continue to feel like a really cool, modern Star Wars game that is geared towards the single player experience with OPTIONS for playing with others in the world.
It's not my 'ideal' MMORPG by any means, but for what it is, I think they are finally headed in the right direction.
For those of us that previously have leveled every class to 50 then to 55 then some of those to 60 and now more story to 65 it's a disappointment to me.. Other than 1 new operation there is literally zero new content except the story... which is basically the same for every class. Don't get me wrong I like the story and will do it once for my fave toon but on my 8 others currently at lvl 60 I will prob not. I like the actual mechanics of playing a game and I like to learn the ins and outs of the differing play styles, I like new mechanics and new challenges that add to what I loved previously. It might make me a minority but to not have new Flashpoints or Warzones or Arena or even more than 1 new Operation and especially not having a new big open area to go and explore I feel like I am trapped in some repeating single player instanced story loop. The vast majority of the changes besides the new story were about lvling? as an old experienced player who will never lvl again I feel cheated tbh... also yes the story game play is way to easy... and yes the swtor's ftp model is so abysmal it's sad. But I guess if you are a newer player or even leveling for the first time..it's seems more streamlined and you should have fun.
Po_gg said: It's a shame though that companions were dumbed down into mere tools...
I understand that you like the old system and I can respect that preference, but I like the new companion system and I don't consider them dumbed down to mere tools. I can choose the companion I want now for the story and adventure I want to experience with that character.
I ment the system behind them. Sure, it never was that detailed as STO's BOff system, but I liked to gear them, use them for crafting, picking the right one for the job, etc., all those things they removed. That's why I said tools, now it's like the devices in CO or the skirm soldier in LotRO "hey, come out, I need some tanking / healing / extra dps", just more simpler since you get all of those rolled up in one, and no need even to level them up. Heck, the weakest pet system I saw was in Scarlet Blade (yep, that one, with t&a ), those were just tools as well, but at least there was some weak kinda affection system... that stayed in TOR (gifts, etc) after the update? Haven't red a word about that part in the dev diary.
Mainly agree with OP.
Generally I love expansion, Swtor along with Wow are two my best games ever of all times and all genres (loved a lot Resident Evil on my PS2 though).
Still on top of no-no list I would put the following (and hoping this is remedied with next expansion if not before):
- Dislike a lot removal of specific offensive abilities of certain companions, like HK-51’s Terminate.
- I deeply hate and will NOT do any quest for companions that forces me to PVP
- Really dislike a lot now dialogs where now player character is MUTE and constantly with back to screen, they should never do such abomination to great fully voiced dialogs as usually
For the rest all the best. :-)
Good move turning this game towards a more Co op experience with the depth of the knights of the old republic single player RPG's, instead of trying to be a MMO.
The thing i miss most are storymode FP's while leveling. I understand why they made tactical versions of all FP's, but i allways preferred the trinity type setup. I just see no reason why they had to remove storymode FP's. If they were worried that high level players would farm them for decorations, then levelsync them like they did with planets. Now i have to level to 50 before i can get into a trinity type FP and then it will be a hard mode, that's a bit of a rough start to tanking imo. Tanks and healers could use an easy place to improve their skills and that was what storymode FP's provided before 4.0.
Other that that i dont mind most the changes. A few sidequest on planets were removed is a minor complaint. We dont need the quests for xp anymore even as F2P/Preffered, but why remove content ? Getting into FP's at level 20 ex. that belongs far later in the timeline is also a minor thing, it feels a bit odd, but on the plus side it give alot more variety to your FP's. Companions seem stronger than ever, imo they're probably too strong, but most people seem to love that so i'm ok with it.
I like most of the changes they made, and the new periodic chapter release almost makes it feel like they are trying to provide value to subscribers. However... the main thrust of their incentive to sub is still not in providing value but in crippling non subs. With no changes in that department it seems as if they really aren't very confident in their ability to provide value to subscribers. So at most they will get a 1 month sub for me. If they can ever manage to act like a company I feel like supporting(like back when the doctors were still with Bioware), I will get behind them and I imagine others will too. It is hard to root for a company that treats half their players like shit.
I actually LOVE the changes to the companions. I really like being able to put them in whatever role I choose so I can change out and use the companion I WANT to use.
I actually LOVE the changes to the companions. I really like being able to put them in whatever role I choose so I can change out and use the companion I WANT to use.
That part is great. It's the part about gutting their ability kits that isn't. Everyone has the same abilities, so different companions are little more than skins.
Po_gg said: It's a shame though that companions were dumbed down into mere tools...
I understand that you like the old system and I can respect that preference, but I like the new companion system and I don't consider them dumbed down to mere tools. I can choose the companion I want now for the story and adventure I want to experience with that character.
I ment the system behind them. Sure, it never was that detailed as STO's BOff system, but I liked to gear them, use them for crafting, picking the right one for the job, etc., all those things they removed. That's why I said tools, now it's like the devices in CO or the skirm soldier in LotRO "hey, come out, I need some tanking / healing / extra dps", just more simpler since you get all of those rolled up in one, and no need even to level them up. Heck, the weakest pet system I saw was in Scarlet Blade (yep, that one, with t&a ), those were just tools as well, but at least there was some weak kinda affection system... that stayed in TOR (gifts, etc) after the update? Haven't red a word about that part in the dev diary.
Raising their influence affects their potency in combat. Or more specifically, it gives you a presence bonus, which in turn makes them more powerful overall.
Personally, I'm glad for no longer having to equip them, though I do wish they let you equip them cosmetically. Ah well... at least you can change out their weapons cosmetically.
As MikeB said though... very disappointed in the HK and Treek being homogenized by this system. It really sticks in my craw particularly when devs start messing with cash bought items.
that is my biggest gripe is hk/treek what was the point of buying those. EA tought me a valuable lesson to not buy anything off that store again tell you that. That alliance thing is pointless to i have more comps then i know what to do with and they all do the same anyways so why do i need this "alliance" its stupid not to mention i already have an alliance from the story that can do more then a army of comps LOL. The story was awesome but rehashing content i didnt want to do in the first place no new raids/fp just made me log out after the stories done.
Sad to see people on MMORPG site praising them for essentially making an sprpg in a dysfunctional MMORPG shell. You get the game you deserve I guess
Wowsers. Waxing personal much? You dislike the game, so that's excuse enough to insult those who do? "... an sprpg in a dysfunctional MMORPG shell. You get the game you deserve I guess"
What is that supposed to mean? To me it sounds like you're saying people that like SWTOR or any changes made in the new expansion "deserve a dysfunctional game"
Productive.
tbh the levelsync is realy no problem. Companions are so OP you can solo all types of content exept worldbosses and maybe heroic FP's (haven't tried to solo thoose but a few people could solo them at level back in 1.x and 2.x) and with the strong fokus on allience quests it wouldn't make sense to remove it. Even making it optional seems like a long shot, not realy worth it imo.
This is the game that should have been released in the first place. It should never have been released as an MMO of any sort. Bioware is better than they showed in this game. The new chapters are pretty fun, even if kind of short. I wish I could go back to the previous conversation style, I hate how my character is mute and I really think they did it so they didn't have to pay the actors to voice the characters for those parts.
Agreed. I have even found situations where the level sycning has made things even easier. It also doesn't matter at all in WPVP. I was level scaled down to 30 on Tat (Im 65) and a slinger flagged and opened up on me (he was natural level 30). I literally hit him twice and he just imploded. Its much less of a deal than anyone is making it out to be.
I played through available story and I don't get all the hype? The story wasn't anything special or great, it was just kind of meh. I actually fell a sleep through a few of the cut scenes. Also, the actual game play was abysmal. I started to remove my gear in order to give myself a challenge. It was basically long hallways of evenly spaced packs of 3 with a few easy elites sprinkled in. They would have been better off just making Kotor 3 instead of this monstrosity.
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Heck, the weakest pet system I saw was in Scarlet Blade (yep, that one, with t&a