Post by Swim on Nov 16, 2011 16:19:11 GMT -5
This last weekend I got to play the beta for Star Wars: The Old Republic. And I really, really enjoyed it.
Many of us are probably familiar with Bioware and the style of games they've been pumping out in recent years with such titles as Mass Effect, Dragon Age and of course Knights of the Old Republic. I've really grown to be a fan of the company because they make fun games, with gripping plotlines and by the time I'm finished with the game I'm totally blown away by it - something not many games will do for me these days. SWTOR plays very much like these games, except its an MMO.
Some of us probably like MMOs, some of us probably hate having to cooperate with a bunch of strangers to play a game. From what I can tell, SWTOR will let you do either. Even if you don't want to raid and such, the game is still worth picking up because of the sheer amount of content, its like KOTOR 3-10 basically in terms of content. You could play most of it by yourself if you wanted to, or with a small group of friends. Or you could join larger guilds and participate in larger group events, whatever you want to do.
I didn't have a lot of time to play this weekend, but I managed to get three characters to level 10, which is the point where you leave your origin world, can start doing flashpoints (dungeons) or warzones (pvp battlegrounds) and when you can choose your class specialization. For example, I could choose to either make my Sith Warrior into a Juggernaut, wielding a single lightsaber and heavier armor, being able to soak up damage for my teammates, or a Marauder with two sabers specializing in more damage. My Smuggler could either become a Scoundrel, armed with a stealth generator, knives and a shotgun or a Gunslinger, which utilizes two pistols and gets to dress like a space pirate. And my Jedi Consular could either become a Sage, and either specialize in force based attacks or healing, or a Shadow which is another stealth class utilizing a double bladed lightsaber. All of which were really fun to play in PvP.
Much like Battlefield 3, players are encouraged to approach PvP in the manner of their choosing. Unlike other games where only kills are rewarded, Tanking classes also have a place in warzones, you get points based on how much you help the team. My Sith Juggernaut could guard another player, transferring 50% of their incoming damage to me, which is further negated by my heavier armor. And I could still hit like a truck. The battlegrounds all have a fun design and there are lots of ways characters can use their abilities to interact with the field. I think I'll probably spend a lot of time doing PvP come launch.
Flashpoints are like dungeons in many other MMOs, you get together with a party of three other players and take on bosses and squads of enemies. The idea is that the players will work together, that they will use their abilities to stun/isolate certain enemies until the group is ready to deal with them. The small size of the party really contributes to a squad like feel, but its the story elements which really bring the group together. Frequently you will be asked to make difficult choices, whether or not to execute a captain for treason for example, or to spare his life and make use of his military experience. These choices will have a direct impact on the events of the flashpoint, your run through might end very differently from someone else's, both in regard to the enemies and bosses you'll face and the end story result. Its like a "choose your own adventure" type deal, and its all very well voice acted. I'm really in love with my Smuggler and all the witty things I can make him say, I really feel like he is me if I were somehow in the Star Wars universe.
And then of course there's the companion system which no other MMO has done before. Sure other MMOs have 'pets' but they are really nowhere close to what companions are. Each class recruits 5 companions which are tied to your class's story - very similar to the companions in the KOTOR and Mass Effect games, you'll use them to help fight, to drive the story and unlock new plotlines. They will approve or disapprove of your actions. They will craft items for you while you're logged out of the game. And you will really grow to love some of them, they are really cleverly written. What's more, they really keep combat fresh. In most other MMOs you'll fight one monster at a time. In SWTOR that one monster is 3-5 enemies, which makes you have to plan each encounter. Maybe I want to open up with a grenade, if I throw it at enemy B I can potentially knock all 3 foes down, in that time I can stun foe C, send my wookie to beat on enemy A while I light up B. By the time C is unstunned both my companion and I are ready to deal with him. Really makes each encounter feel exciting and different.
There's really nothing else I can think of to say that won't violate the Non Disclosure Agreement, but if you have a question you can post it and I'll answer as best I can. If you enjoy Bioware games, MMOs or just like Star Wars I'd really encourage you to give this game a shot. SWTOR launches this December 20th, but there'll be one more beta weekend before then if you want to get a free preview of the game. I've been waiting for this one for a long time for good reason, I know I'm going to enjoy it.
Many of us are probably familiar with Bioware and the style of games they've been pumping out in recent years with such titles as Mass Effect, Dragon Age and of course Knights of the Old Republic. I've really grown to be a fan of the company because they make fun games, with gripping plotlines and by the time I'm finished with the game I'm totally blown away by it - something not many games will do for me these days. SWTOR plays very much like these games, except its an MMO.
Some of us probably like MMOs, some of us probably hate having to cooperate with a bunch of strangers to play a game. From what I can tell, SWTOR will let you do either. Even if you don't want to raid and such, the game is still worth picking up because of the sheer amount of content, its like KOTOR 3-10 basically in terms of content. You could play most of it by yourself if you wanted to, or with a small group of friends. Or you could join larger guilds and participate in larger group events, whatever you want to do.
I didn't have a lot of time to play this weekend, but I managed to get three characters to level 10, which is the point where you leave your origin world, can start doing flashpoints (dungeons) or warzones (pvp battlegrounds) and when you can choose your class specialization. For example, I could choose to either make my Sith Warrior into a Juggernaut, wielding a single lightsaber and heavier armor, being able to soak up damage for my teammates, or a Marauder with two sabers specializing in more damage. My Smuggler could either become a Scoundrel, armed with a stealth generator, knives and a shotgun or a Gunslinger, which utilizes two pistols and gets to dress like a space pirate. And my Jedi Consular could either become a Sage, and either specialize in force based attacks or healing, or a Shadow which is another stealth class utilizing a double bladed lightsaber. All of which were really fun to play in PvP.
Much like Battlefield 3, players are encouraged to approach PvP in the manner of their choosing. Unlike other games where only kills are rewarded, Tanking classes also have a place in warzones, you get points based on how much you help the team. My Sith Juggernaut could guard another player, transferring 50% of their incoming damage to me, which is further negated by my heavier armor. And I could still hit like a truck. The battlegrounds all have a fun design and there are lots of ways characters can use their abilities to interact with the field. I think I'll probably spend a lot of time doing PvP come launch.
Flashpoints are like dungeons in many other MMOs, you get together with a party of three other players and take on bosses and squads of enemies. The idea is that the players will work together, that they will use their abilities to stun/isolate certain enemies until the group is ready to deal with them. The small size of the party really contributes to a squad like feel, but its the story elements which really bring the group together. Frequently you will be asked to make difficult choices, whether or not to execute a captain for treason for example, or to spare his life and make use of his military experience. These choices will have a direct impact on the events of the flashpoint, your run through might end very differently from someone else's, both in regard to the enemies and bosses you'll face and the end story result. Its like a "choose your own adventure" type deal, and its all very well voice acted. I'm really in love with my Smuggler and all the witty things I can make him say, I really feel like he is me if I were somehow in the Star Wars universe.
And then of course there's the companion system which no other MMO has done before. Sure other MMOs have 'pets' but they are really nowhere close to what companions are. Each class recruits 5 companions which are tied to your class's story - very similar to the companions in the KOTOR and Mass Effect games, you'll use them to help fight, to drive the story and unlock new plotlines. They will approve or disapprove of your actions. They will craft items for you while you're logged out of the game. And you will really grow to love some of them, they are really cleverly written. What's more, they really keep combat fresh. In most other MMOs you'll fight one monster at a time. In SWTOR that one monster is 3-5 enemies, which makes you have to plan each encounter. Maybe I want to open up with a grenade, if I throw it at enemy B I can potentially knock all 3 foes down, in that time I can stun foe C, send my wookie to beat on enemy A while I light up B. By the time C is unstunned both my companion and I are ready to deal with him. Really makes each encounter feel exciting and different.
There's really nothing else I can think of to say that won't violate the Non Disclosure Agreement, but if you have a question you can post it and I'll answer as best I can. If you enjoy Bioware games, MMOs or just like Star Wars I'd really encourage you to give this game a shot. SWTOR launches this December 20th, but there'll be one more beta weekend before then if you want to get a free preview of the game. I've been waiting for this one for a long time for good reason, I know I'm going to enjoy it.