Curse

PAC · May 12, 2005, 10:22 PM // 22:22

So here're my take and feelings about the game after two weeks play.

First of all I should mention that contrary to 99% of the posters here I'm new to rp (done mostly solo FPS) and seemingly not that skilled of a player (at least that's how I feel when I read about how easy it is to get to 20, that every mission is a breeze etc. etc.). Also, I don't have time to sit at the computer for extensive times, so I need to solo most of my stuff (e.g., often need to take brakes during missions). In addition, I’m kind of a quest/explorer nerd, like to wanderer around and see what's around the next corner rather than having someone telling me that there's nothing to see (which inevitably happens when you quest with real players, who most of the time just want to stress through to get to the next level). In short: I always wanted to play an rp game but never felt I have had time to take on the challenge, including the online community. Up then comes GW - an rp that promises to cater for all sorts of players - where it's possible to just log in and play an hour and have fun etc. Exactly what I had been looking for!

So my impressions/feedback:

Overall this game has certainly got me hooked. Some days I just can't wait to log in. I think the mix of quests/missions advances the game in a great way. It's beutiful, and great fun to build your character. I also really like the skill system, and am getting used to the combat system - which was quite a chock in the beginning. However, some of my initial enthusiasm has been dampened. This is mainly due to The GRIND aspect of the game. There are two aspects to this:

1. During questing: It's great that a killed scorpion remains dead while you're on the same map, but having to face it again just because you changed to the next map and went back is sooooooo frustrating. I'm not a game designer, but there must be some way to keep track at least during the current log-in session which enemies you have killed and not across the different maps (thus if you want to farm you can log out and then log in again). I realize this is complicated by the online aspect (you may change teams) - but then, at least: keep track of the killed/not killed if you are soloing or continue on the same team

2. During missions: Oh man, it’s bad enough when the frigging Rurik runs right into the mob 30 min into the mission and dies, or, the aggro suddenly covers the whole of Tyria. Now, to make your sorrows worse, you are put back to the outpost, having to fight the frigging scorpions et.al. you just fought 30 min ago again – it’s unbelievable. Please, at least make it work as in the quests where you have a rez zone and a dead scorp is a dead scorp. Even better tie a save to each cut scene or every 15min of play. I mean, GW is about having fun: IT'S NOT FUN to repeatedly kill the same monsters for 30 minutes because you (or someone else) made a small mistake, and it’s definitely not a challenge. It’s a nerve-wrecking grind! Now, I know (from reading these boards) that there're a lot of people out there who actually think this is fun/a challenge (beats me, but I respect your opinions). Interestingly most of these people also seem to be the ones I mentioned earlier who passes each mission the first time (often only with a henchie monk in the team) - so they wouldn't be affected anyhow. I also know that many share my feelings although for different reasons (the PVP grind discussions). Now, here's one suggestion: after your team is beaten a box pops up asking if you either want to play the missions from the beginning (back to the outpost, rez all scorps etc - the obvious choice for the hard core gamer), or, continue from a rez area, cut-scene or 15min save point depending on where you are. If someone thinks this is not fair - OK: I wouldn't mind if my character was tagged as a rookie for the rest of the game - showing that I didn't complete the mission the grind way - if that makes your ego happy. Hey, here’s another idea: why not have a pve-only character… (it's actually quite funny how much grind people seem to be able to take in rp. E.g., when Far Cry was released with its automatic save system virtually every reviewer went down on them - screaming for the save button and took off a point in the review. I've played through Far Cry at least 4 times and I tell you: the amount of repetitive play at its worst is far less than I've endured on some of the missions in GW)

A few other things that I think need to be addressed:

- Obvious, and I assume A-net is working hard on it: getting stuck in the terrain, behind pets and have to restart. Again would be great to have a save to go back to when things like this happen after an hour of questing (like a position save every 15 minutes). This would also help if you happen to be logged out during play

- Henchmen/pet: command to halt/freeze them (should be possible to stop Rurik also!)

- Aggro: Would be nice to be able to lure out smaller groups instead of typically engage the whole party..

- No jumping, not being able to pass the smallest crest: I mean, am I supposed to be a hero or what. Also, impacts the exploration negatively (quest/mission can really only be approached in one way – very linear. Kind of doom3 feeling) and makes it difficult to avoid mobs (man, wouldn’t it be nice not to have to fight every monster on your path)

Also, would be nice to have some puzzle quests mixed into the game

Finally: GW is a game trying to cater to many different gamers, and does so quite well. Given my comments, and what I read on these boards, I feel that right now the sweet spot profile is a devout team pver, who doesn't mind investing hours in building his/her character and then going pvping. That's great - but I don't think A-net should limit themselves to this crowd. Instead, I'd welcome continued focus towards tailoring the experience towards different gamers. I see at least 3 crowds: team pve:rs that might dwell into pvp or not, pure pvp:rs (team or solo), solo pve:rs that might dwell into pvp or not. I for one know that I'll buy the expansions if the grind factor can be reduced.