Curse

wolfe2dale · May 04, 2006, 09:28 AM // 09:28

Hmmmm...

Speaking as a pve player I have the following observations:

- We get an online game with no monthly charges that is pushing out new chapters every 6 months.

- If chapter 2 is anything to go by Anet have really tried to give us a great new environment with two wonderful new character classes to play.

- If your not an 'uber-leet' player obssessed with completing the game as quickly as possible then you actually get quite a lot of new gameplay out of this as a pve player. I, for one am happily moving along at a steady pace enjoying the new environments, monsters & missions.

- I am happy with the level of challenge this new chapter offers, it seems quite acceptable.

- The elite mission being available only to top guild alliances is the only problem I have with this game. I feel Anet have made a mistake with this part of the game dynamic.

- All in all I would like to thank Anet for revitalising my interest in GW. As a majority pve player I had almost lost interest in this game, but Cantha will keep me playing until the next chapter release.

I feel that this thread is a little ungrateful, the price tag for chapter two is completely acceptable when you take into account that there are no monthly charges. Anet have managed to give us a good, solid new environment to play in a very short time, (comparitively), since initial release.

HOXMAN · May 04, 2006, 09:30 AM // 09:30

/Agreed!

wscICE · May 04, 2006, 09:51 AM // 09:51

Well maybe im spoiled by GW:P then?

As it is now, GW:F is just a lot smaller and all the same everytime then GW:P

Tryll · May 04, 2006, 09:58 AM // 09:58

It's really nice to see I'm not the only one who's been feeling this way. Stand-alone game my bum. Factions was made as an expansion for Prophesies players to unlock more skills for PvP and ANet can deny it til they are blue in the face if they want, but that's the truth. People who've bought solely Factions don't stand a chance, especially if they are playing PvE. To go from the "newbie" area straight to level 20 mob zones, timed missions and side-quests that have you running around like a blue-arsed fly, is a bit much to take if you haven't played Prophesies, whereas high level players from Tyria can do these areas with their eyes closed.
Plus the fact you have to buy all the skills instead of them being a reward for all your troubles. Can you say BS, ANet? It's not very balanced, is it?

And don't get me started on armours. ANet dangled and nice big fat juicy carrot right there during the FPE. Ascalon collector's armour skins?? I don't want that horrid Ringmail Armour for my Warrior, when the FPE waved that glorious Sentinel armour under our noses. Did the guys over at ANet just get lazy? Couldn't be bothered thinking up new armour skins?

Henchie AI has gone to pot. I'd rather have Alesia tanking than those idiotic healer henchies who run away from you instead of heal you.
I'm not even going to comment on the areas because I can't even bring myself to play enough to get out of the city.

I was so rooting for ANet before the Factions release. After the FPE I thought they'd done a great job and couldn't wait for Factions but now I'm so disappointed. ANet have really dropped the ball this time. It saddens me to say it, but I don't think I'll be buying Chapter 3.

Time to go back to FoW.

Thallandor · May 04, 2006, 10:35 AM // 10:35

/disappointed

But still getting Factions to play with friends in guild....NWN2 RELEASE damn it release it already i cant wait X_X.

Ado · May 04, 2006, 10:56 AM // 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thallandor

NWN2 RELEASE damn it release it already i cant wait X_X.

It's funny that you mention NWN2. Those guys are developing the game for like 2 years now. IMO that's about the time you need to create a descent and huge RPG. Creating a new chapter every 6 months, it's simply too quick. They had 1 year to develop chapter 2, that gives me little hope for chapter 3.

Arduin · May 04, 2006, 11:17 AM // 11:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ado

It's funny that you mention NWN2. Those guys are developing the game for like 2 years now. IMO that's about the time you need to create a descent and huge RPG. Creating a new chapter every 6 months, it's simply too quick. They had 1 year to develop chapter 2, that gives me little hope for chapter 3.

I remember some Anet official stating they started creating Factions a year ago (that is, right after the realease date of Prophecies). Moreover, development of Chapter 3 started Fall 2005, ensuring it could be released after 1 year development (6 months from now). I don't know if work already has started on Chapter 4, but i suppose it has.

So basically, for each Chapter they got 1 year development time. Because of multiple development teams working at the same time, they are able to release a Guild Wars edition every 6 months, but this doesn't mean those Chapter's only got a development time of 6 months

Ado · May 04, 2006, 11:20 AM // 11:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arduinna

I remember some Anet official stating they started creating Factions a year ago (that is, right after the realease date of Prophecies). Moreover, development of Chapter 3 started Fall 2005, ensuring it could be released after 1 year development (6 months from now). I don't know if work already has started on Chapter 4, but i suppose it has.

So basically, for each Chapter they got 1 year development time. Because of multiple development teams working at the same time, they are able to release a Guild Wars edition every 6 months, but this doesn't mean those Chapter's only got a development time of 6 months

You just gave me hope again

felinette · May 04, 2006, 11:22 AM // 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tryll

To go from the "newbie" area straight to level 20 mob zones, timed missions and side-quests that have you running around like a blue-arsed fly, is a bit much to take if you haven't played Prophesies, whereas high level players from Tyria can do these areas with their eyes closed.

That's true--the three Tyrian characters I brought over for the Tengu event had no problems in the city. The new Canthan characters struggled a bit when they first arrived on the mainland, even though it was the same player (me) controlling them--because they arrived in the same area with no elite skills and without enough time to practice using some of the new ones. But I'm getting better now.

I've complained quite a bit about Factions and also said what I like. Overall, I'm enjoying it and I'm glad I bought it. As a player who only PvE's though, there are a couple of things that really bother me: the timed bonuses, and the elite missions. The timed bonuses are incomprehensible to me--there are so many other factors they could have tracked for the different completion levels without making everyone rush. It's PvE--what's the rush? As for the elite missions, I guess I just won't be playing those, so I paid for content I'll never get to use. Most of all--fix the henchies.

Bottom line is that I'm enjoying the game regardless, but I'd like to see them come out with PvE more similar to Prophecies for chapter 3.

MelechRic · May 04, 2006, 01:12 PM // 13:12

After an initially positive feeling towards the game I've began to feel somewhat enthusiastic. Overall I have three gripes:

1. It's spelled F-A-C-T-I-O-N-S, but it's pronounced FedEX. Many many many of the quests invovled running from points A --> B --> C --> A --> B. I should have known that's what was in store for me after doing the Black Moa quest in the FPE. FedEX style quests are fine for a place like pre-searing where you're trying to get people to get skills, items, armor and map knowledge. In Factions it's just annoying grinding.

2. Alliance controlled towns. This has got to be one of the worst ideas ANet has ever had. What you basically have is a small group of PvP elite guilds that will now controll outposts and elite PvE content. Prices for outposts are now around 500k-600k and the House Zu Heltzer is around 1.3 million faction. Thats not easily attainable by smaller PvE guilds or even by an alliance of small PvE guilds. At least with FoW a good small PvP guild could gain access to that PvE content. Now the access takes massive effort. This is not a casual gamer friendly feature. In fact it's downright hostile to the casual gamer.

3. The Factions world is dead. Yes, maybe this is because it's new and people aren't as far as I am. I haven't played crazy amounts of time and have found myself in the Kurzick area. I'm not done with the game by far, but I find that most outposts devoid of human activity save the House Zu Heltzer that has a population of about 30 people. (Most of them teens talking about their lives/relationships.)

I won't complain about gates/locked portals and such because I've never been a person to use runners. I've found the game to be visually interesting and I like the new skills which I'll employ in TA/RA and maybe HA (if I can get a group). However, the visuals and skills aren't enough to sell me or smooth over a lot of the roughness/weaknesses this game has.

ANet I hope you're listening. Factions is what I consider to be a "swing and a miss."

EDIT:

Thought I'd say that I do like three things very much:

1. Challenge missions. These are a kick and I do enjoy trying to get a high score. I think you should have added many more of these.
2. I like the fact that normal missions have levels of mastery. This is cool since I always found the bonuses in Prophecies to be a pain. I like knowing if I completely destroy a mission I will get more skill points and XP.
3. XP bonus for capturing elites. A very nice perk.

Mr. Matt · May 04, 2006, 01:28 PM // 13:28

As a PvE player, I never had any intention of buying Factions. Guild Wars itself was OK for a bit of fun every now and then, but it certainly didn't impress me enough to regularly spend money on it. I had no illusions that it would get any better in future chapters. I've been more than willing to get my PvE entertainment from other games, games with monthly fees no less, and this only confirms that I was right to keep my debit card in my wallet in this instance.

Loralai · May 04, 2006, 01:30 PM // 13:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by CK0

That is the key thing they can do right there. Add new content that would warrant the purchase. Many have said that the game feels rushed, and in many ways it is. It is such a stark contrast from Prophecies. I'd really just prefer a Prophecies game in the Cantha environment, but they had to have Alliances and Factions which is a terrible or terribly done concept (my opinion_).

Everything in this game is about rushing, and if there weren't areas that were blocked to prevent running/runners, this game would be renamed Guild Wars: Time Trial. Leveling is much faster. The entire map is much smaller than what we are used to (GW:P). Missions are time-based; bonuses are determined by how fast you finish. Challenge missions. AND THEN!, it seems they added mobs around every claustrophobic corner, just to slow you down, extending game time perhaps? Or just frustration. I will leave this one alone because many people may enjoy this. Back on topic, I just don't enjoy Factions from a PvE perspective. "Hey look! I paid ANET $50 to do delivery boy missions in a pretty exotic environment!"
Perhaps the game is so completely different in design, that even if they added content, it still would not be the same. I am hoping they will do something else in CH3. If this is the current trend, well then, so long.

I have deducted the reason, from my standpoint, why I finished the game so quickly, and why it has the "rush" mentality. Yes, timed missions with time-based bonuses...umm whose idea was that. Terrible, just terrible. Most PvE'rs relished the fact that we learned what the bonuses were the first time...explored the map in order to find them. Exploration was shot out the window when the bonuses became a trial of how fast you can finish the mission.

On top of that the knowledge that you will not be able to enter the next town via exploration, but only through completing primary quests and missions also eliminates the need for exploration. In Prophecies, the first time around, I was thrilled when I was working on a quest and saw the little swirly on my map indicating a new portal. It was a discovery I made, and a little added bonus. Now, if I see one it's an annoyance, knowing when I get to it, it's too bad..can't go in until you finish X quest.

Explorability is the equivalent of replayability. And regardless of what people may think, as far as Anet already having your money, and being happy to have your money and you never play again, believe me they want us playing to some degree. If a game has no replayability value, consumers lose interest, as well as faith in the company, and that company then has lost their core market audience.

felinette · May 04, 2006, 01:51 PM // 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by MelechRic

3. The Factions world is dead. Yes, maybe this is because it's new and people aren't as far as I am. I haven't played crazy amounts of time and have found myself in the Kurzick area. I'm not done with the game by far, but I find that most outposts devoid of human activity save the House Zu Heltzer that has a population of about 30 people. (Most of them teens talking about their lives/relationships.)

Yes, it's a bit worrisome, isn't it? I was in an outpost last night for one of the missions (the seaboard one), and it was hell getting a group, not because of my profession, but because there were only about twenty players in town, and most of those were afk. This was during prime-time EST and in the only district. Not good for a game that was only just released last week.

Quote:

3. XP bonus for capturing elites. A very nice perk.

I like this too. Couldn't care less about the challenge missions, but I think it's great that they're there for those who do. At least Anet made them optional--good move.

Quote:

Most PvE'rs relished the fact that we learned what the bonuses were the first time...explored the map in order to find them. Exploration was shot out the window when the bonuses became a trial of how fast you can finish the mission.

Yeah, why not base bonuses on how much of the mission map you explore, or how many enemies you dispatch, or how many deaths occured in your team, or something like that. Things that reward exploration, planning, and strategy. As I said in another thread, having timed bonuses for PvE says to me that whoever came up with the idea doesn't understand the PvE player base in the least.

Mister Muhkuh · May 04, 2006, 01:58 PM // 13:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ado

First, the game is waaaaaay too easy. I completed it in 4 days including all the sidequests and I did most of it with henchies (in fact, I only did Raisu Palace with a full pug-team).

exactly how i did it...(tried to find an assassin for killing shiro, but there was no1 there lol)

the storyline was very short, and not that hard, i expected something more challenging...

i wish there would have been some missions where u have to fight luxons or summit, coz the war between the two "factions" was kinda short in game(about 5 minutes in a mission, thats all...)

TubamanRH · May 04, 2006, 02:15 PM // 14:15

I'm not going to play Factions until my exams are over (so I start the game on Tuesday), and reading this thread makes me sad. I'm more of a PvE player than PvP, and it sounds like I'm going to be disappointed. I guess I'll keep my fingers crossed that the next chapter will be more like GWP.

agentnull · May 04, 2006, 02:23 PM // 14:23

I always wondered how they could get away with saying it was a stand-alone game after they released the fact that it had ~1/2 the missions of Prophecies.

Edit (Addition): As someone who didn't play the original until November of last year, I have no knowledge of how "bad" the game was at release. Could someone please send me a message about this, or refer me to threads if there are any? There could still be hope that Factions will get much better.

Xeeron · May 04, 2006, 02:27 PM // 14:27

I dont understand people complaining about factions being hard, whether playing with henchies or PuG, I had a *much* higher rate of success during missions compared to Prophecies when I played that the first time.

And I always suspected that the content would not reach the huge amounts of prophecies, that is ok with me. However 2 points are really annoying:

1) Time based bonuses. This furthers rushing (when the content is not really long as it is) and stops you from actually looking at all the nice areas they created

2) The map is still only half used. Now that they made the Cantha only half as big as Tyria, they could at least have done away will all the annoying unreachable parts. Just stick a few mobs and collectors in there and nothing else, but let us go there.

- Xeeron

wsmcasey · May 04, 2006, 02:50 PM // 14:50

I prefer exploring over doing quests and mission. I've only played factions for about 4 hours on the starter island, but I'm already getting pretty tired of having to do quests to advance further in the game.

I WANA FARM!

I WANA RUN!

I WANA BE FREE TO EXPLORE!

I miss prophecies

I think I'll be going back to running and farming pretty soon if it's the same type of game play once I get off the starter island.

Since when do Asians have guilds anyways. Guild Wars was based around magic and melee set in medieval times. Moving to an Asian theme was kinda a bad move imo. I would have prefered them to just say "okay, here's an expansion for prophecies" and expand the prophecies map with a new continent and keep the same theme for Guild Wars. Even though we can connect thru Lions Arch I feel that the games are divided, and that the player base is divided.

My example:

Your a happy young family that moves into a one story house. Your happy in you new home and your pretty comfortable, but you decide to expand and add a second story to your new home. You call a builder (Anet) and pay them to add a second story to your home, but they accidently add the second story to the asian families house across the street! Unfortunately the builder as skipped town and you've already paid them in full with no hopes of getting a refund

Of course you can always walk across the street to visit the asian family to enjoy your new two story addition, but WAIT! It's not your home!

Tyria is our home, and has been for a year now. Factions just doesn't feel like home yet.

My solution to this mess:

1) Anet should fess up, and just make this an expansion.
2) Take the new factions map and merge it with prophecies to make one large map.
3) Reduce the amount of exp or raise the lvl cap. You might as well just start everyone out at lvl 20. Hell, why even have levels, your just trying to rush us to lvl faster. Once your lvl 20, then what?
4) Fix all of the cut scenes in both chapters. The voice overs suck, the mouths don't move. Hell, let me purchase a cinematics disks separately and charge me $15 bucks or something, ill gladly pay for the upgrade!
5) Listen to your community of core players. 9 out of 10 posters on gwg are hardcore loyal gw players. Without us, you have nothing.

It was once said that Zeus and the other gods cease to exist if the people don't believe in them anymore.

Theos · May 04, 2006, 02:51 PM // 14:51

Let's first look at the main problem people are having with comprehending Factions and if it is a standalone or not.

I come from Tyria, I am a mesmer. I steam roll the missions and enjoy the scenery and beat the game in about one day. For me it is an expansion, with alot of nice things in it. Now I finish the game, I have yet to explore and I simply steamrolled through the game for my guild so that I could form an Alliance. I am left with 70% of the game to explore, admire, and grow fond of.

Now I make my second Lyssa based character, the assassin. I spend time playing around in on Shing Island, do the missions, and explore the island. I discover I just spent two days having fun creating a character. I move to mainland and pow, does it get hard. This is where the game is standalone. I have no elites, no ASB, and no super armour and runes. I start by exploring the mainland. My assassin is still just roaming and enjoying. To me this is a standalone for those who start from Shing.

This is the problem many seem to experience in their cognitive ability to understand words. The game is standalone, no if and or butts about it. Just because you have the urge to blow through the game is your own problem. Also its been, what, four days? Honestly please complain after at least a week, at least then you will have explored most of the world. Either way, the PvE is great, though the gates may be pesky.

Though I suppose everything can be bad if you see the glass as half empty as most people seem to. To each his own.

MelechRic · May 04, 2006, 03:01 PM // 15:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theos

Let's first look at the main problem people are having with comprehending Factions and if it is a standalone or not.

I come from Tyria, I am a mesmer. I steam roll the missions and enjoy the scenery and beat the game in about one day. For me it is an expansion, with alot of nice things in it. Now I finish the game, I have yet to explore and I simply steamrolled through the game for my guild so that I could form an Alliance. I am left with 70% of the game to explore, admire, and grow fond of.

Now I make my second Lyssa based character, the assassin. I spend time playing around in on Shing Island, do the missions, and explore the island. I discover I just spent two days having fun creating a character. I move to mainland and pow, does it get hard. This is where the game is standalone. I have no elites, no ASB, and no super armour and runes. I start by exploring the mainland. My assassin is still just roaming and enjoying. To me this is a standalone for those who start from Shing.

This is the problem many seem to experience in their cognitive ability to understand words. The game is standalone, no if and or butts about it. Just because you have the urge to blow through the game is your own problem. Also its been, what, four days? Honestly please complain after at least a week, at least then you will have explored most of the world. Either way, the PvE is great, though the gates may be pesky.

Though I suppose everything can be bad if you see the glass as half empty as most people seem to. To each his own.

Your point about the standalone game would be valid if it weren't for the fact that ANet has based it's business plan on selling new chapters to existing customers as well as garnering new ones. What did you think most people with Prophecies would do? For that matter, what did ANet think they'd do? Not play their faithful level 20's through Factions? Surely the vast majority of people did a 50/50 split. One new character, an assassin or ritualist, and then brought over their favorite level 20. Even more to the point is the number of new slots we got which was two. So I would think that ANet would expect us to use our level 20's over here and should have anticipated that a little better. This game is only stand alone if you don't have Prophecies.

I agree that it's much harder when you start out on the island and level a character to 17 or whatnot. Then on the mainland you're immediately outgunned. However, that in itself doesn't make this a stand alone game. By your reckoning it would only be stand alone if we forget about all the Prophecies characters. That's not possible is it? Unless you're talking about deleting all of them. Besides, I want my two other mini-pets. Mini-pets, by the way, are a reward for keeping older characters around. It would seem ANet wants us to use our older characters.