Star Wars: The Old Republic

[Buzz Killington_v1legacy]

I've been playing it for a few days. My first thought: I'd enjoy it a lot more if I had a computer that was actually capable of anything but the lowest graphics settings. =/

That being said, I really like the way it handles the first few levels--you're an actual character starring in your own bit of the story, not just Generic Adventurer #8675309. ("Oh, yay. It's another $CLASSNAME. Equip your $CRAPPY_STARTER_WEAPON and we'll begin your training.")

 

[Seventh Actuality]

Finally got into the beta last week myself, and it surpassed all expectations. Yeah, people who don't like WoW will not like it. A triple-A MMO isn't going after the crowd who don't like MMOs, shocker. It's a great game, it's getting my subscription for at least a while (I'll probably go back to WoW sooner or later) and it's easily enough of a BioWare game to tide me over till Mass Effect 3 or the next Dragon Age.

The thing I especially want to gush about, oddly, is the codex system (the same thing that was in DA and ME, basically). Being set in a totally different time period to the movies, SWTOR is deep in expanded universe territory so people who aren't massive Star Wars nerds like me could've been a bit at sea, but getting little lore snippets to read as you go really helps you ease into the setting and start geeking out over little details (I especially enjoyed finding out the history of the Sith as I levelled my warrior, since I was puzzled as to how they went from a race to an empire to two evil guys).

 

[DrgoFx]

I've been playing it for a few days. My first thought: I'd enjoy it a lot more if I had a computer that was actually capable of anything but the lowest graphics settings. =/

That being said, I really like the way it handles the first few levels--you're an actual character starring in your own bit of the story, not just Generic Adventurer #8675309. ("Oh, yay. It's another $CLASSNAME. Equip your $CRAPPY_STARTER_WEAPON and we'll begin your training.")

Honestly, as I said before, that's the only thing I liked about the beta. Everything else, no. Judging by how Guild Wars 2 is coming along, not only am I going to get that "staring character feel" but I can make the exact same race and class for that character and have a different personal story. And to top it off, the combat looks more fun to me. This is all my opinion. I know people that like the combat in TOR but it looks so boring to me, I've done it already.

 

[Zack Alklazaris]

My wife bought me the Collectors Edition, wondering when its going to finally hit the bank accounts.
I'm nervous, I loved KoToR, but I'm worried that they may of fluffed this game up because its an MMO. We shall see.

 

[Delsana]

In a factual comparison, it is technically better, that's not really biased to say, I'd say the opposite if other games were "better". As for it being WoW? Well WoW copied off UO and all the others, so naturally any new MMO will be compared to WoW as it is the newest popular thing, but I'd have to say that WoW and TOR are very very different, in almost all regards.

WoW copied UO? In what aspect? UO is one of the most unforgiving games, you can be THE jerk, you can kill every player and steal their stuff, you can design your own houses... What of those did WoW copy?

Please overthink what you just wrote. WoW didn't copy shit from UO, if it did WoW would have never been so succesfull (fyi: I LOVE UO).

That's even a common fact from game design college... you'll learn it everywhere, even there.

 

[Delsana]

My wife bought me the Collectors Edition, wondering when its going to finally hit the bank accounts.
I'm nervous, I loved KoToR, but I'm worried that they may of fluffed this game up because its an MMO. We shall see.

December 20th will be when it hits you and when the pre-order turns into 150. You get a special store, be happy <.<.

I thought of doing the CE, but I'd much prefer a few extra months of gaming than I would 90 extra charge. I can get some good cigars and wine to enjoy while I play if I so desired with that, which is much more... fulfilling.

Finally got into the beta last week myself, and it surpassed all expectations. Yeah, people who don't like WoW will not like it. A triple-A MMO isn't going after the crowd who don't like MMOs, shocker. It's a great game, it's getting my subscription for at least a while (I'll probably go back to WoW sooner or later) and it's easily enough of a BioWare game to tide me over till Mass Effect 3 or the next Dragon Age.

The thing I especially want to gush about, oddly, is the codex system (the same thing that was in DA and ME, basically). Being set in a totally different time period to the movies, SWTOR is deep in expanded universe territory so people who aren't massive Star Wars nerds like me could've been a bit at sea, but getting little lore snippets to read as you go really helps you ease into the setting and start geeking out over little details (I especially enjoyed finding out the history of the Sith as I levelled my warrior, since I was puzzled as to how they went from a race to an empire to two evil guys).

Actually, I didn't like WoW all that much, they butchered most of the story and most people just skipped right on through it. I enjoy TOR because it is a story-first game with a lot of potential, and because it it Star Wars from BioWare. I have some things I don't like, but I disagree that it's very similar to WoW. To each their own though, I guess. They actually even said WoW wasn't their target.

 

[Smooth Operator]

Well I played for an hour with my mates 20+ Jedi-something character and my spidey senses went off immediately, I was obsessing over MMOs for years and I have seen all the tricks to keep you wasting away in those games, this is just all that again and again.

Granted they have the best attempt at a story in any MMO, but it's still just a subpar game stretched out over thousands of hours till it's all paper thin soulless grinding, or as my buddy calls MMOs "gaming concentration camps" and you even pay rent...

 

[Delsana]

Well I played for an hour with my mates 20+ Jedi-something character and my spidey senses went off immediately, I was obsessing over MMOs for years and I have seen all the tricks to keep you wasting away in those games, this is just all that again and again.

Granted they have the best attempt at a story in any MMO, but it's still just a subpar game stretched out over thousands of hours till it's all paper thin soulless grinding, or as my buddy calls MMOs "gaming concentration camps" and you even pay rent...

I certainly know where you're getting those thoughts from, but I vehemently disagree, with the addition of story chapters and acts, as well as a different focus on combat, the raids and end-game content NOT only being pvp and hack and slash till you grow old, and the further inclusion of the Legacy system and other features... I'd very much argue that it isn't going to become soulless or that at all. If it does? Well atleast I got a good romp out of it, though every class has multiple endings and multiple path's and if they upgrade the LS / DS into a bit more realistic form, well then it is only going to get better.

I wish they'd made it an M game, that'd give them a bit more creative freedom with the stories.

Alright so I looked over the beta for Old Republic and I'm sadly going to say my prediction is true. The only thing the game has running for it is Bioware's Name, dialog and Star Wars brand. If you remove Bioware's name and the Star Wars universe and just make it a different sci-fi world, this game wouldn't do so well.

I'm not a diehard star wars fan. I have the first three movies on DVD but the prequels are shit, I agree with that. I did play Galaxy before and after the shit update. But as I said, it looks just like how I predicted. Probably not even worth a subscription, at least to me.

I'm honestly just tired of the target, 3, 4, 1, 1, 1, 2 style of combat. It's not fun to me, at all. It's actually the reason why I've been taking so much interest into Guild Wars 2 and DCUO since it's free launch. I played WoW and when my friend realized how boring end game was, I soon realized it too. I don't blame Bioware for anything. I honestly think Bioware just wasn't in control as much as they should have been, otherwise there would be a lot more to this game.

First off, insulting the prequels because you weren't their target is just wrong. They were to get the younger generations interested in it, as was the Clone Wars series, and it made a massive amount of money and spoke to a further audience, which allowed the EU to continue its expansion and for this game as well to be made through such continuations and lore-build up. The people who are insulting the prequels are really just looking for something to complain about in my opinion.

I would say that if it wasn't Star Wars and wasn't BioWare then the features would be entirely different, though if it somehow maintained everything but had a different story I'm pretty sure it'd still be appealing. But the "well if it didn't have this or them making it" argument is just a poor excuse when you can't really give a real reason, at least in my perspective, as that can be used about anything in the world.

To each their own, though.

If it was a traditional single-player Bioware RPG in the mould of KOTOR I'd buy it in a heartbeat. But I just can't bring myself to care that much about a Star Wars MMO, much less pay a monthly access fee for it. Obviously I haven't played the beta or anything, but the gameplay videos I've seen didn't really grab me.

Now if it was a Mass Effect MMO, that might be a different matter...

Well.. you should at least try it, because many people felt that way at the start and then they didn't once they actually got into it for a few hours. You can't just look at something and judge it when you don't know how it feels or what it really is like. You have to... play with it.

 

[Zing]

Well my country was completely excluded from the beta as well as the initial release, still I caved and pre-ordered the game on amazon(the only way to get TOR at release).

I still hate EA with a passion but I won't let it spoil my enjoyment of the game(if it's good).

 

[Saltyk]

I'll be playing it this weekend. I can't wait. A friend of mine plans to come over to watch it, much to me surprise.

 

[Delsana]

I'll be playing it this weekend. I can't wait. A friend of mine plans to come over to watch it, much to me surprise.

I doubt he'll be too excited to watch it, so be sure to give him a little time with one of the classes... It's only accommodating and kind to be expected for you to do.

 

[Delsana]

In a factual comparison, it is technically better, that's not really biased to say, I'd say the opposite if other games were "better". As for it being WoW? Well WoW copied off UO and all the others, so naturally any new MMO will be compared to WoW as it is the newest popular thing, but I'd have to say that WoW and TOR are very very different, in almost all regards.

As for DotA 2... seeing as how Defense of the Ancients made by Eul in WC3 Reign of Chaos over 6 years ago was modified, then cracked, and then stolen by numerous individuals as they modified the game into some item-spam fest... I can't really say I'm all that pleased with it having an actual game spin-off which just emphasizes the same problem which is a negative standard in my view.

Before you go any further, present those facts.
It's one things to claim a game is better but you have zero evidence of it actually being so, as of right now this is strictly down to your opinion.

What have you compared "technically"?

So yes right now, your argument is biased because you have been playing it and you believe it to be better without any evidence to suggest it.

I'm not even going into the "Wow copied other MMOs" point because that just seems like a terrible deflection you're using in order to defend the game some more.

As for DotA have you actually played it or are you just talking aloud here?
It's DOTA with a new engine and a face lift.

What Defense of the Ancients is (at least give it some respect with using its name) was a stolen IP from Eul. Back in WC3, I played with Eul, I know his vision for the user-created content. It wasn't item spam fest. Yes, I've played all the DotA's.

 

[Delsana]

I had an invite to the beta in my inbox on my Bioware account but I didn't notice it until the deadline was gone. I don't really intend to ever buy the game but it woulda been nice to play the beta.
I assume it involved thousands of guys swinging light sabers at each other?

No... the other classes were as prominent.

---

TOR isn't a traditional MMO, but people can only find that out if they at least try out the game.

---

I'm hearing about a lot of suppositions and hypotheticals but it seems those against it haven't really looked too into it outside of a video or trailer or some such. I can tell you that the bad rep from other MMO players pretty much vanished almost in entirety when they actually spent a quality amount of time playing the game. Yes, at first they saw similarities as all games will have based on such a foundation, but they quickly became hooked and quickly saw how, while it may not be the next generation of MMO's or some such, it is a quality game and something special.

I understand people have opinions, but there's a lot of knocking of this game for no literal reason outside of it being an "MMO" or having RPG style mechanics. If you would only play it as a SP RPG then perhaps it's because you want more control and you'd probably get that, true, but you do yourself and BioWare, and the universe of Star Wars a disservice by judging it so harshly without even trying it out.

 

[Smooth Operator]

I wish they'd made it an M game, that'd give them a bit more creative freedom with the stories.

And I wish they would wrap it up into a tight 40 hour single player experience and call it KoToR 3, alas we cannot have it all in life.

 

[Delsana]

I wish they'd made it an M game, that'd give them a bit more creative freedom with the stories.

And I wish they would wrap it up into a tight 40 hour single player experience and call it KoToR 3, alas we cannot have it all in life.

There are over 2 million lines of voiced dialog. That wouldn't fit in 40 hours.

---

Someone mentioned the Codex earlier, and while it has one, I have to admit I never read a single part of it even though I'd researched a lot of things. I feel I know the lore extremely well from my hundred Star Wars books and the other content I've read.

 

[Lyri]

What Defense of the Ancients is (at least give it some respect with using its name) was a stolen IP from Eul. Back in WC3, I played with Eul, I know his vision for the user-created content. It wasn't item spam fest. Yes, I've played all the DotA's.

Strawman much?
Are you intentionally avoiding the topic of discussion you created for a reason or do I require more DotA history because I remarked that I was going back to the beta?

 

[Delsana]

What Defense of the Ancients is (at least give it some respect with using its name) was a stolen IP from Eul. Back in WC3, I played with Eul, I know his vision for the user-created content. It wasn't item spam fest. Yes, I've played all the DotA's.

Strawman much?
Are you intentionally avoiding the topic of discussion you created for a reason or do I require more DotA history because I remarked that I was going back to the beta?

I find that whenever someone uses or references a classification of argument, that they have no argument, and I hold them in serious disdain and suspicion.

Regardless, your response was far too trivial to take time gathering evidence when that information has been as common as ever and anyone would really just have to have been in WC3 for its entirety until most of the community died to understand that. Even being there for just a few years and not being obsessed with one style of "map" would have also done it. As such, I figured you were trying to be facetious or sarcastic or joking or dismissive or some such term.

--- That wasn't my intention for the discussion though, it was more a side comment.

-------------

I fought a Terentatek on Korriban, and when I saw it I was like "Oh shit, I'm going to have forced death in a minute." but I survived. But it WAS A TERENTATEK on KORRIBAN and I was an idiot and yet it was an awesome experience.

 

[Krion_Vark]

Funny thing. I got an email saying I got invited to the beta. And on it said they would send me another email with information to get into it. I never got the second email. I am a bit bummed about that.

 

[Zack Alklazaris]

My wife bought me the Collectors Edition, wondering when its going to finally hit the bank accounts.
I'm nervous, I loved KoToR, but I'm worried that they may of fluffed this game up because its an MMO. We shall see.

December 20th will be when it hits you and when the pre-order turns into 150. You get a special store, be happy <.<.

I thought of doing the CE, but I'd much prefer a few extra months of gaming than I would 90 extra charge. I can get some good cigars and wine to enjoy while I play if I so desired with that, which is much more... fulfilling.

What about in-game cigars and a crate of wine that gives +10 to ass kicking?

 

[targren]

Didn't post because I hadn't heard that the NDA was lifted. Now that it has been, I'm afraid I have to disagree with you. After playing the beta last weekend for about seven hours, I cancelled my pre-order. It was very disappointing, to say the least, and some of the bugs were just surprising, this close to release (Not able to exit the game? Lolwut?). It had the generic MMO mild fun-factor, but didn't offer me anything I haven't seen in WoW, AoC, etc... other than being based on an IP that has pretty much become a greasy, vaguely dead-horse-shaped smear on the pavement.