Curse

ogami_ito · Jul 24, 2006, 10:20 AM // 10:20

I have been playing Prophesies and Factions since last March and I have to say that I like both “chapters” a lot. I like how Tyria seems more “open” with diverse geographies and large areas to run through. Playing Prophesies feels more like playing an MMORPG…almost anyway. Lots of places to go and lots of things to do. I think the story-line sucks though…another “Chosen One” to save the world story. And the Prince of Ascalon seems sort of gay (please no offence to homosexual people intended). I’m happy the Char overran Ascalon…the Char are more interesting. I hope we can play Char characters in a future expansion.

I live in China and am a student of East Asian history and culture, and so I find myself more drawn to the story, lore, and “looks” of Cantha. I really like the architecture found on the starter-island. Sort of like Chinese-style houses with Japanese style roofs; stone bases structures with wooden tops. Very cool. Although everyone seems to hate Kaineng City, I really like it. It reminds me of “The Old Walled City” of Hong Kong, if that was made 400 years earlier. (some pics I could find: http://www.wirednewyork.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4015 ,
http://tenplusone.inax.co.jp/archive...ngkong044.html )

All big city slums and big city sewer systems, with pagodas, roof-top dwellings. And more NPCs walking around so you feel it’s more like a real city. Like most people, I am sick of the repetitive quests within Kaineng…I will only do those quests once probably. Too much backtracking. But if I didn’t have to do that backtracking, Kaineng would be excellent. The backtracking quests makes it feel repetitive…not the locations itself.

Factions lacks the size and openness of Prophesies, and probably that will never be changed. But some things could be improved upon both in Factions and in up-coming chapters.

1. Metropolitan Zones Proportion. Kaineng takes up most of the Canthan continent. I don’t think it should be smaller, but the other zones should be bigger. If the new Nightfall chapter has an ancient “Baghdad” type city (and no reason why not), it can be large and diverse, but should have a lot of countryside land outside of it. Kaineng city ends and all of a sudden…no Kaineng. No Kaineng farms. No Kaineng outposts, etc. This is just a game I know. But usually if there is a city-state that occupies most of the continent, there should be some influence outside of the City. At least farms.

2. Expansiveness. There should also be an option to run across the continent, similar to running to Droknor. This probably can’t be changed in the current factions, but is a suggestion for future chapters.

3. Kaineng environmental content. I think there could have been a little bit more diverse content in Kaineng, which can be added without too much difficulty. For example…roof-top gardens and roof-top farms. Where do all the people in Kaineng get their food? From that Imperial Chef that give food to the poor? If you ride on the highway in Taibei (Taiwan) or Hong Kong, you will see gardens on the top of skyrise appartments. I think some peasants should start farms in Kaineng. Also NPCs with food carts. You got big oxen on the starter island. Should’nt there be some big cow-carts that merchants have in Kaineng? Other things that could make it prettier are more water fountains, More small road-side shrines. Taverns with drunk people getting into kung-fu fights. Burnt-out buildings (Kaineng is a huge fire-trap, so with elementalists running all over, how come you don’t see any burnt out building?) And…would it be so bad if there was a brothel or two? All Asian cities have them…and have always had them. Don’t call them brothels…call them …uh… what they are called today in Asia…entertainment centers, English schools (for This can all lead to new, easy to create quests. Oh! A new quest idea! Protect the merchant cart. Merchants bringing in jade/ amber/food from outside the city need to be accompanied through Kaineng. Repeatable quest for gold and Kaineng faction. New quest idea: escort to courtesan through afflicted-territory to see her john…er…patron.

4. Politics. Really…Kaineng is so much bigger than the Kurzik and Luxon. The Kurziks and Cathans are socially and politically lightyears ahead of the Tyrian states. Maybe I missed it in the lore, but how come Kaineng isn’t trying to invade, or at least manipulate the surrounding powers? There should be Kaineng faction too. Wow…can you imagine a 3-way Factions game? Here’s an idea: Chapter 7 World War! The Empire of Cantha (allied with Kurzik Kingdom) v. Kytra (allied with Luxon tribes) v. Char v. The Bedouin Alliance (or whatever kingdom is in Nightfall). Political intrigue is part of most of the literature of Asia. There was not a lot of politics in the Legend’s of King Arthur, in Lord of Rings, in Beawolf…but the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and all the Samuri stories have intense politics. How about a little more of this? Hey…you can make an expansion to Factions and allow players to side with the Jade Brotherhood.

5. The backtrack quests. This may seem sort of dumb to some people, but how about some new quests that force players to backtrack back into Kaineng again? Before people groan, here is the catch…the quests should be longer and start on the other side of the continent. Backtracking is OK if its taking you back to a place you have not been to in a long time and does not feel like busy-work. This can be tied into the Alliance wars too. For example, complete a quest which starts in the Jade Quarry to go into Kaineng sewers and retrieve a part of a siege machine which had been custom made in Kaineng and was being shipped to the Kurziks. Then, in the mission, party members with the component can give their side a little bit of help in the mission.

Cebe · Jul 24, 2006, 12:03 PM // 12:03

Maybe you should consider applying to work for ANet in their development team!! When I'm playing the game I am sill amazed at the detail they go into, such as the number of different responses you can get then you click on a peasant/guard/citizen who doesn't have a quest for you...and all the text you get when you get given a mission which, I for one, hardly ever read...but someone has to write it in a way which makes it fit in with the rest of the game...

Quote:

Originally Posted by ogami_ito

I hope we can play Char characters in a future expansion.

Hmmm....I'm seeing "Guild Wars: Behind Enemy Lines"
6 new Professions:

Char
Dredge
Am Fah
Naga
Undead
Plant (lol

)

Hmmm - wouldn't the game get a little complicated?? Although think of the power you could have - "I'm using Jade Fury on Unnamed Character!" - PWND!

ischuros · Jul 24, 2006, 12:18 PM // 12:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by ogami_ito

If the new Nightfall chapter has an ancient “Baghdad” type city (and no reason why not), it can be large and diverse, but should have a lot of countryside land outside of it.

Sry to be a bit off topic here, but Nightfall would probably have Timbuktu or Abbis Addaba(sp) style city. The way i think of the names of the continents is like this. Tyria=Terra, meaning Earth or to a leeser degree home. Hence the European/Germanic styling of Ascalon. Cantha=Cathey/Cathay ancient name for China/Orient, hence the Eastern style. Elonia=Ethopia, and we'll probably get more African then Middle Eastern culture. Maybe the next cahpter will be a sort of Arabian nights affair.

But yeah i enjoyed Kaineng City aswell.

Zaganher Deathbane · Jul 24, 2006, 12:22 PM // 12:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by ogami_ito

4. Politics. Really…Kaineng is so much bigger than the Kurzik and Luxon. The Kurziks and Cathans are socially and politically lightyears ahead of the Tyrian states. Maybe I missed it in the lore, but how come Kaineng isn’t trying to invade, or at least manipulate the surrounding powers? There should be Kaineng faction too. Wow…can you imagine a 3-way Factions game? Here’s an idea: Chapter 7 World War! The Empire of Cantha (allied with Kurzik Kingdom) v. Kytra (allied with Luxon tribes) v. Char v. The Bedouin Alliance (or whatever kingdom is in Nightfall). Political intrigue is part of most of the literature of Asia. There was not a lot of politics in the Legend’s of King Arthur, in Lord of Rings, in Beawolf…but the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and all the Samuri stories have intense politics. How about a little more of this? Hey…you can make an expansion to Factions and allow players to side with the Jade Brotherhood.

Wow a faction war! That would be so cool. Large scale battle? Or may be 12 vs. 12 battle almost the same as alliance battle but this time less restrictions so that for everybody can enjoy. Got my fingers crossed for this one

Aisius · Jul 24, 2006, 12:32 PM // 12:32

I like your idea's. I'd love to see a bit more of the factions map open up in places, even if just for non trivial npc's or maybe a special collector or two that requires a run to get to.

While kenieng (the burbs) is kind of a maze to me at most times I do enjoy the city.

The Hand Of Death · Jul 24, 2006, 05:52 PM // 17:52

I like the ideas.

Farming in the city, I don't think that would be possible seeing as it is really polluted. Three eyed fish anyone?

I don't think the city would be imposing its rule over the two factions because it has problems to attend to, dire problems and the Kurzics are being nice enough to send them food. I would like to see more stuff to do though.

actionjack · Jul 24, 2006, 07:09 PM // 19:09

Will you buy a Honpan Expansion pack?

Will offer a addtional Island off to the side of Canthra, with 3-6 new missions, 1 new Proffession (Samurai), Few new exploration area, some new armor pieces, new weapons, 1 or 2 new monsters, and 1 additional character slot, for the price of $25.99?

I am a Advocate of idea of Expansions.

ogami_ito · Jul 25, 2006, 10:50 AM // 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Hand Of Death

Farming in the city, I don't think that would be possible seeing as it is really polluted. Three eyed fish anyone?

I don't think the city would be imposing its rule over the two factions because it has problems to attend to, dire problems and the Kurzics are being nice enough to send them food. I would like to see more stuff to do though. .

Hmmm. I appreciate what you said, but disagree with everything above. Three eyed fish? Bring it on! New mission for the fish-monger in the market to get that fish to serve as a delicacy to customers. But then those customers become afflicted!

The dire problems? Yes...remember that at the end the player helps end those problems. Then what? Canthan v. Other PvP. Why are Kurzics giving food? What is the real trade here? Maybe the Kurzics have an idea of how to gain influence in Raisu. Maybe the Kurzics think they can turn the emperor against the Luxons.

New missions can be more like Ft. Aspenwood and Jade Quarry, but take place on the regular map and incorporate changing political landscape.

Quote:

Originally Posted by actionjack

Will you buy a Honpan Expansion pack?

Will offer a addtional Island off to the side of Canthra, with 3-6 new missions, 1 new Proffession (Samurai), Few new exploration area, some new armor pieces, new weapons, 1 or 2 new monsters, and 1 additional character slot, for the price of $25.99?

I am a Advocate of idea of Expansions.

I too think that Factions DESERVES more content because it is already cool and could just be even bette. I much prefer the story-line of Factions to Prophesies. And the environments are cool, although not big enough. I do not think putting an expansion on an Island is the way to go though. I think its important that it be connected with the mainland, in order to encourage the running professions. In fact, it does not really need much "new" in the way of anything, except a new feeling that its a living land.

Well...new armor and weapons would be nice. Some extra defensive skills for sins could be good too.