SW: The Old Republic, Will you Buy it?

[AlternatePFG]

Maybe if they go F2P. I've never played games on a subcription basis. Yeah, I get that there is probably enough content to justify it, but it still doesn't seem like a worthwhile investment. And the series really should have stayed single-player. No one played KotOR I and II and then thought it would be so much better to do it with other people.

Unlike other KotOR I and II fans, I don't really think there was a massive cliffhanger. KotOR II ended poorly because LucasArts had unrealistic development time expectations for Obsidian, not because the plot for a third game was well set up. Kreia speaks some about what Revan did after the events of the first game, and it does sound intriguing. But there's not much more to it than that.

Still, I would probably play the game if they did away with the subscription.

I was pretty much done caring about TOR once I realized that they retconned all of the interesting plot aspects of KOTOR II out of existence.

Even if they didn't, it still looks like nothing new as far as MMO's go. I heard a lot of quests are still the 'Kill X rats' and 'Take X to Y' that are in a lot of other MMO's. No matter how much voiceacting and plot sparkle you put on it, that quest design is still shit.

 

[Sixcess]

I do wonder about the lack of changing daylight/night. Come on every MMO has that. The companion thing is just stupid. We should of been able to custom make our character not because it makes sense story wise (it doesn't) but because nothing zapped me out of the game more than having 30 of the same guy running around.

I played galaxies for a while, so I'm used to the whole rain thing. And they technically have exploration. You earn points for walking into new places. But I get what you mean there was tons of goodies in SWG to explore. I once spent a day just wondering around the planets looking for new places.

One thing my experience with TOR has done is really bring home to me what I love about a couple of the MMOs I do play. Lord of the Rings Online has a fair number of superficial similarities to TOR, being based on a huge IP and set in an established fictional setting, but the sheer amount of work that went into building Middle Earth is breathtaking and leaves TOR looking shallow by comparison.

There's an absolute ton of Middle Earth that's just there - it has no particular purpose other than to be there. The Shire alone is several times the size of any of TOR's starter worlds and a lot of it is just villages, little forests, and hobbits wandering about talking about beer and pies and pipeweed. On paper it sounds dull but in practise it's one of the most stunning, and immersive MMO environments I've ever experienced, and the first time I went there I spent literally hours just wandering around, taking it all in, looking for well known landmarks and drinking in the utterly delightful atmosphere. A lot of LOTRO is like that.

LOTRO has a world. TOR has a backdrop.

I'm still going to buy it, for many reasons, but mostly because I woke up on sunday and thought I wonder what happens next. I've never "wondered what happens next" with an MMO before.

I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I should be clear in that I don't think it's a bad game as such, but it's not remotely what I look for in an MMO. I just don't see this game winning over the MMO loyalist crowd, nor does it seem likely to hold the Bioware fanbase for longer than it takes to play through a few class storylines to the end.

 

[AlternatePFG]

One thing my experience with TOR has done is really bring home to me what I love about a couple of the MMOs I do play. Lord of the Rings Online has a fair number of superficial similarities to TOR, being based on a huge IP and set in an established fictional setting, but the sheer amount of work that went into building Middle Earth is breathtaking and leaves TOR looking shallow by comparison.

There's an absolute ton of Middle Earth that's just there - it has no particular purpose other than to be there. The Shire alone is several times the size of any of TOR's starter worlds and a lot of it is just villages, little forests, and hobbits wandering about talking about beer and pies and pipeweed. On paper it sounds dull but in practise it's one of the most stunning, and immersive MMO environments I've ever experienced, and the first time I went there I spent literally hours just wandering around, taking it all in, looking for well known landmarks and drinking in the utterly delightful atmosphere. A lot of LOTRO is like that.

LOTRO has a world. TOR has a backdrop.

To be fair, out of all of the MMO's I've played, I've never played one with a better realized world than LOTRO.

 

[Jimbo1212]

In some areas it is, but in others it is not.
The levelling slows horribly making the game very tedious.
Also, the end game looks identical to WoW - pointless about about whos dressed up barbie makes the biggest numbers.

If the end game does suck, I'll just quit. No big deal. The time from 1 to 50 is worth the price by itself.

How?
I found it that what I had played consisted of mainly running, lots of crappy talking, small amount of combat, and a glimpse of what could be the foundation of a decent storyline. Seeing that I am not a fan of playing games where you only have fun for the minority of the time playing it, I will pass on levelling through this one.

Also, I have levelled from a level 1 to level X in numerous hotkey mashing mmo's. Why the hell would I want to do it yet again ?

 

[Jimbo1212]

How?
I found it that what I had played consisted of mainly running, lots of crappy talking, small amount of combat, and a glimpse of what could be the foundation of a decent storyline. Seeing that I am not a fan of playing games where you only have fun for the minority of the time playing it, I will pass on levelling through this one.

Also, I have levelled from a level 1 to level X in numerous hotkey mashing mmo's. Why the hell would I want to do it yet again ?

Because I really like the story and I find the combat to be a lot of fun. ^_^

It's especially fun if you send your companion away to do crafting or whatever and try to survive on your own. Very challenging, very fun.

*facepalm*
...because?????

Just because you say like something and claim it is fun is not an explanation.

What is an explanation is something such as: I find the tank/healer/dps set-up to be stale and tired with no challenge, the speed and progression of the game is slow thus you lose interest and is essentially boring, and the graphics combined with bad aesthetics choice kills any possible immersion.

So, second time lucky, why do you find the game fun?

 

[DrTobiasWho]

No I won't be... this game looks inferior to KoTOR1 in terms of gameplay. It just looks boring and I'd be wasting money to play the game for 10 hours, quit and go back to Skyrim.

 

[Chris Keane]

MMO = NO, should have been KotOR3, especially after the abrupt ending of 2.
Probably end up reading plot details several years from now, a`la The Matrix Online.

 

[agent_orange420]

i wish, i can't justify playing an mmo, especially one that has you paying full price at launch, and then each month an additional figure.

Think it is a bit of a let down as cant see why it couldnt' have been single player offline, with the ability to online play the same game (if you so wanted to).

The story in the beta grabbed me, but the grind started getting on my nerves and got to bits where i couldn't progress as i wasn't at a high enough level/not in a bit enough group and had to go back and finish of side quests to level/become part of a group to cakewalk it.

Loved the multiplayer for Jedi Academy, but that was after finishing the single player 2 or three times. then i found out the multiplayer was a massive giggle. It seems a step back to have a MMORPG where you can chose to have a single player campaign, but only online and for a monthly subscription.

In short i liked what i played of it, but MMO's just are not my thing. shame that, cause of anything could, star wars could.

 

[Atmos Duality]

No, because it's an MMO.

^
Precisely why I'm not going to even bother with it either.
No more grind, please.

 

[Jimbo1212]

*facepalm*
...because?????

Just because you say like something and claim it is fun is not an explanation.

What is an explanation is something such as: I find the tank/healer/dps set-up to be stale and tired with no challenge, the speed and progression of the game is slow thus you lose interest and is essentially boring, and the graphics combined with bad aesthetics choice kills any possible immersion.

So, second time lucky, why do you find the game fun?

Because the game is challenging enough to force me to think. I can't just steamroll the content. The game provides several opportunities for me to test my intellect and my skill. And it can become really hard. Making the game that much more fun.

And in a good context to top it all off too.

Huh, that is odd as I found it to be just as easy as WoW. Just pull one group at a time and work out an efficient dps rotation. Instances are just the same. The space is retard proof as the majority of enemy don't actually shoot at you, and the pvp is just like standard bg.

 

[RagTagBand]

Played the beta, found it to be quite a lot of fun, Thankfully I never played WoW so i've skipped any similarities completely. I'm not sure if i'll get it though as a monthly subscription is quite an investment.

It depends, right now it's a "No" but if I come into enough time and money then I probably will.

 

[Jimbo1212]

Huh, that is odd as I found it to be just as easy as WoW. Just pull one group at a time and work out an efficient dps rotation. Instances are just the same. The space is retard proof as the majority of enemy don't actually shoot at you, and the pvp is just like standard bg.

That's why I keep my companion dismissed for most of the time. Because BioWare thought that having the game be challenging was a "bug."

That way, I can have the difficulty I want without having to nerf my gear.

Companion or no companion, it is still easy and dull. How you kill one group is the same as the other 400 identical groups in that area. I kill one group, work out the best way when I kill the next group, and demolish the third group. Why would anyone want to do that thousands of times more over the course of months?

 

[Kaymish]

yes yes oh hell yes i was in the beta weekend that just past and it was awesome fun i did a couple of flash points and some heroic missions grouping was so easy combat was fun as the game as a whole was engaging it was awesome
of course it will not be something that can be played exclusively but no game is and it has some flaws but they can be over looked in favor of the good bits

 

[AD-Stu]

Based on everything I've read... no, I won't be. I simply don't want to pay retail plus a monthly access fee when all I want is a single player experience. KOTOR3 I would have bought. This, I won't.

 

[Jimbo1212]

Companion or no companion, it is still easy and dull. How you kill one group is the same as the other 400 identical groups in that area. I kill one group, work out the best way when I kill the next group, and demolish the third group. Why would anyone want to do that thousands of times more over the course of months?

Going to say you're just flat out wrong then. There are thousands of different kinds of groups, encounters and enemies to deal with. Each with their own abilities that will wreck you if you mistreat them. You have to approach each situation differently.

I'm not going to argue with you on this though.

Wut? Thousands of enemies split into 2 types, ranged and close combat. Their ability difference is utterly superficial, and the same applies for the instances. From what I have seen, all the enemies can be approach the same. Do you have any good examples which could help support your claim?

 

[JimmyC99]

Yes, i played in the recant stress test beta, and it assured me this game is worth it. is it the next evolution in MMO's probaly not, that title will likely go to GW2, is it the best Hotkey MMO i've ever played, yes. its fun, the combat is fluid and slick, the story is enormous and great the VO is Bioware level quality, and its a continuation of the KoTOR universe. one i enjoy greatly. imo EA and Bioware have pulled of their most ambitious project to date, i wish this game the success it deserves. may it be here as long as WoW has.

 

[Jaeke]

Ever since its announcement I've been waiting for the fateful day when thousands of disappointed people troll the internet until the next 2-week MMO.

 

[DarkhoIlow]

During this weekend's beta I managed to get a Sith Marauder(fury warrior in WoW terms) to lvl 26,get myself a speeder(mount)and get my companion to give me one of her quests from her storyline along with 4.5k affection for her(reputation a la Dragon Age/Kotor).

I've enjoyed the fully voice acted quests and story of the class itself.The lore in this game is very huge if you are a Star Wars fan and if you have enjoyed the KoTOR series.Then it's a must buy.

Think of it this way..in the month free that you receive for purchasing the game you will manage to max out your character,level your profession and finish the end game content(since there is usually little of it at the release of a new MMO).It's more than your money's worth in my honest opinion.

I will buy it myself if I can fix a game from my WoW guildie friend who volunteered to help me out by buying it because my country is "region locked" for the launch.

tl;dr Yes,I'll buy it if I can get my hands on in before or on launch.

PS: On the other hand,waiting for the game to be so called "released" in March here I won't bother after so many months,because I'll be busy playing Diablo 3.

 

[Craorach]

Probably, but not at release.

It seems like it could be alot of fun, and I'm not a huge SW fan. At the end of the day, though, I've been burned by enough MMOs now that I'd rather wait and see how others react.

 

[Makon]

After playing it over two Beta weekend events, I will give my short summary here before I return to more writing.

When pre-orders were able to be placed, I ordered one of the $150 Collectors Editions. Now, after playing it, I can safely say that I will not regret a single cent of that pre-order. While the game feels very 'MMO Veteran friendly', it feels fresh enough in the right areas that it is definitely worth it. Stacked with that, it's amazing how much having a properly done story with Voice-Acting (Especially on your character) effects the experience.

I kept telling myself "It's beta, all this is gonna be wiped when it shuts down"...but I couldn't stop playing. I kept playing it and playing it, finding new things I enjoyed immensely (Commando as a class...Heavy Auto-Cannons, mortars, grenades, ect.../foam), and wanting to stop playing even less. Normally for me to stop playing a beta after I've gotten a taste is easy, but here it was like trying to drag a fat kid out of a cake shop.