Binuven
02-18-2006, 08:47 AM
Well, always looking for a new thrill, I've been looking at a number of up and coming MMO's and would like to share my opinion (and hopes and dreams, etc, etc) on some of them.
Keep in mind that these are only a personal opinion and people are free to express their own points of view.
1) Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
- Brad McQuaid, the person you love to love and hate. This guy seems to have a hard on for players that love to play a hard game hehe.
I'll admit the game looks great and sounds interesting, but it's been how many years since this was announced and still no release date? Do I smell another Daikatana? I can only hope that this game lives up to the hype. I'm not looking to play hard core again, but at the same time I do soooo much like a challenge. It's all about balance!
Website address: http://www.vanguardsoh.com
2) Age of Conan: The Hyborian Adventures
- Funcom is doing this one. From what I'm told, they've learned a LOT from their time with Anarchy Online. From what I've seen and read, this game has the potential (potential mind you, no beta invites yet dammit) to be the sleeper hit of 2006.
This game (so far, could change) is supposed to offer PvE servers and various flavours of PvP servers (Every man for himself, Faction vs Faction, Guild vs Guild).
Some of the aspects of this game that makes it VERY interesting:
a) Single player game till lvl 20. Yep, you don't pay a monthly fee until you ding 20 and decide you want to set out into the big, bad world. From lvl 1 to 5 you're a commoner. At 5 you choose your archtype (Warrior, Rogue, Mage, Priest). At lvl 20 you branch off (2 or 3 paths for each archtype depending on your homeland). There are only humans, though three types, the Aqulilonians (sp), the Stygians, and Cimmerian. At lvl 40 you pick a sub class: Craftsman (make stuff), Knight (Squire lackey 4tw!), Commander (required to expand a group beyond 5 people, PvP bonus!), and General (Siege bonus').
b) Siege weapons and player cities. Yep, you're shaking your head like I was, SIEGE freakin combat baby! Read the site, nuff said.
c) Directed attacks. The days of stan and auto attack are done. This game will have a Mature rating due to the blood, violence and beheadings....yes, beheadings that will result from the comat that ensues.
d) Mounted Combat. Finally! Extra damage from hitting someone while on horseback!
e) Bountys for griefers! Hehe, this is a neat concept and I hope it makes it to live publish.
First example: Two lvl 60's meet and fight it out. One wins, one loses, Crom be praised! And that be that cause that's what PVP is all about.
Second example: Lvl 25 gets run over by lvl 60. Lvl 60 continues to corpse camp his ass. What's a lvl 25 to do? Why, play a bounty on his head! This option is only enabled after being griefed (I believe there is a lvl range between the attacker and the victim). The next time the lvl 60 enters a town, a number of NPC's will arrive and insist he come with them. The lvl 60 has a number of options:
i) Spend time in time out (how this is gonna work I have no idea)\
ii) Pay the bounty, plus an "inconvenience" fee to walk away. As the person griefs more and more, the inconvenience fee increases.
iii) Fight his way out. Win and he has to fight his way out every town he goes to. Lose and he loses (so far it's hinted at) coin on his person and an item.
Great stuff! Wanna be a dick? Pay the price asshole! I love it!
f) Bar Brawls! Pure silly stuff, but FUN! The moment you buy a drink, all players in the bar are made the same "brawl" level. Depending on how drunk you are (and the type?!?!), depends on hitting bonus', proficiency with the weapons at hand (barstools, tankards, tables, etc). Hehe, could be neat.
I hope these guys deliver the goods!
Site: http://www.ageofconan.com
3) Stargate Worlds
Information just released on this one. I'm excited but kinda skeptical since Star Wars Galaxies, but I hope and pray that they get this one done right.
It's in concept stages now, but feel free to check out it out at http://www.stargateworlds.com
4) Dungeons and Dragons Online
About to release. Not all that hot on this one. Played the three day preview and gave away my account a day and a half into it. Too much instance! Tavern is an instance. Parts of town is an instance. And they want $14.99 USD a month for this? My advice to them is this: make two types of software: Players Handbook (client) and DM's guide (server). Have people set up their own stuff and let em rip. There's not enough meat on this bone to even really call it an MMORPG, it's merely an overpriced glorified version of Neverwinter Nights. Also, Eberron? What happened to the Forgotten Realms? Bah! I had such high hopes for this one.
Site: http://www.ddo.com
Feel free to add to this as you see fit. As I read and review more, I'll let you all know.
Keep in mind that these are only a personal opinion and people are free to express their own points of view.
1) Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
- Brad McQuaid, the person you love to love and hate. This guy seems to have a hard on for players that love to play a hard game hehe.
I'll admit the game looks great and sounds interesting, but it's been how many years since this was announced and still no release date? Do I smell another Daikatana? I can only hope that this game lives up to the hype. I'm not looking to play hard core again, but at the same time I do soooo much like a challenge. It's all about balance!
Website address: http://www.vanguardsoh.com
2) Age of Conan: The Hyborian Adventures
- Funcom is doing this one. From what I'm told, they've learned a LOT from their time with Anarchy Online. From what I've seen and read, this game has the potential (potential mind you, no beta invites yet dammit) to be the sleeper hit of 2006.
This game (so far, could change) is supposed to offer PvE servers and various flavours of PvP servers (Every man for himself, Faction vs Faction, Guild vs Guild).
Some of the aspects of this game that makes it VERY interesting:
a) Single player game till lvl 20. Yep, you don't pay a monthly fee until you ding 20 and decide you want to set out into the big, bad world. From lvl 1 to 5 you're a commoner. At 5 you choose your archtype (Warrior, Rogue, Mage, Priest). At lvl 20 you branch off (2 or 3 paths for each archtype depending on your homeland). There are only humans, though three types, the Aqulilonians (sp), the Stygians, and Cimmerian. At lvl 40 you pick a sub class: Craftsman (make stuff), Knight (Squire lackey 4tw!), Commander (required to expand a group beyond 5 people, PvP bonus!), and General (Siege bonus').
b) Siege weapons and player cities. Yep, you're shaking your head like I was, SIEGE freakin combat baby! Read the site, nuff said.
c) Directed attacks. The days of stan and auto attack are done. This game will have a Mature rating due to the blood, violence and beheadings....yes, beheadings that will result from the comat that ensues.
d) Mounted Combat. Finally! Extra damage from hitting someone while on horseback!
e) Bountys for griefers! Hehe, this is a neat concept and I hope it makes it to live publish.
First example: Two lvl 60's meet and fight it out. One wins, one loses, Crom be praised! And that be that cause that's what PVP is all about.
Second example: Lvl 25 gets run over by lvl 60. Lvl 60 continues to corpse camp his ass. What's a lvl 25 to do? Why, play a bounty on his head! This option is only enabled after being griefed (I believe there is a lvl range between the attacker and the victim). The next time the lvl 60 enters a town, a number of NPC's will arrive and insist he come with them. The lvl 60 has a number of options:
i) Spend time in time out (how this is gonna work I have no idea)\
ii) Pay the bounty, plus an "inconvenience" fee to walk away. As the person griefs more and more, the inconvenience fee increases.
iii) Fight his way out. Win and he has to fight his way out every town he goes to. Lose and he loses (so far it's hinted at) coin on his person and an item.
Great stuff! Wanna be a dick? Pay the price asshole! I love it!
f) Bar Brawls! Pure silly stuff, but FUN! The moment you buy a drink, all players in the bar are made the same "brawl" level. Depending on how drunk you are (and the type?!?!), depends on hitting bonus', proficiency with the weapons at hand (barstools, tankards, tables, etc). Hehe, could be neat.
I hope these guys deliver the goods!
Site: http://www.ageofconan.com
3) Stargate Worlds
Information just released on this one. I'm excited but kinda skeptical since Star Wars Galaxies, but I hope and pray that they get this one done right.
It's in concept stages now, but feel free to check out it out at http://www.stargateworlds.com
4) Dungeons and Dragons Online
About to release. Not all that hot on this one. Played the three day preview and gave away my account a day and a half into it. Too much instance! Tavern is an instance. Parts of town is an instance. And they want $14.99 USD a month for this? My advice to them is this: make two types of software: Players Handbook (client) and DM's guide (server). Have people set up their own stuff and let em rip. There's not enough meat on this bone to even really call it an MMORPG, it's merely an overpriced glorified version of Neverwinter Nights. Also, Eberron? What happened to the Forgotten Realms? Bah! I had such high hopes for this one.
Site: http://www.ddo.com
Feel free to add to this as you see fit. As I read and review more, I'll let you all know.