I figured there isnt a new mmo out that interests me so maybe I will reinstall an old one and give it another shot. Enter DAOC.
Graphics
For such an old game I am pretty impressed with its graphics. What really impresses me is Mythic actually updating the graphics of the game. Most MMO's never receive this kind of attention. To be honest, graphics are not everything to me. If the game is fun, the graphics really dont matter that much.
Controls
This game has a decent control layout. It takes a bit to learn. This game is not noob friendly. The controls are not as tight and immediate like WoW, but they will do just fine. I am just glad that there is a jump button.
Gameplay
Killing mobs is pretty simple. Most classes can solo just fine. Gear is easy to come by. My only beef comes in the form of lag. It gets old, seeing a player lag through a wall and cast an instant off on someone thats on the other side. I also tire of chasing ghost characters. Then there are the horrible pet AI problems. I love pet classes. I just wish they pets had a decent AI.
Balance
Balance does not exist in the 1v1 sense. Also, i dont really believe it exists at all. People will say that the game is balanced upon group tactics, but I do not buy that. Some classes are horribly built for group combat. If the game was balanced around group tactics than why make certain classes solo well and certain classes totally gimp solo. If it was based around group tactics than shouldnt all classes be gimp solo?
Balance is also thrown off through leveling. You might find your <insert class> was OP in killaloe but in Thid you get stomped. Heavy tanks are a good example of horrible balancing through the levels. Heavy tanks are one of the worst classes at low levels for RvR. At high levels heavy tanks are indispensable due to their mes breaking abilities, etc.
In the end certain classes stand out above the rest. If you ignore balance and just pick a class that you enjoy, the game is fun even with out real balance.
RvR
For a game thats supposedly all about player vs player interaction, it seems you get little reward for it. You may gain exp and level through RvR, but it seems the game forces you to PvE to attain gear. Would it be so difficult to create PvP attainable gear or simply have aurulite drops on fallen players.
My biggest beef with RvR is that the game is to mes heavy. The game is all about putting your opponent in a position to where he can not retaliate. Its annoying as hell to be mesed for 40+ seconds, standing there watching you group die. There are realm abilities to counter mes, but in my opinion, you should not create over powered abilities to counter over powered abilities. Basically its a never ending chain, you get an OP ability, I get an OP counter, than you pick up a new must have OP ability, then I pick up a new must have OP counter.
Summary
For the most part, I do enjoy this game. I like that there are objectives to the BGs. I love how I can level while RvRing. I simply wish there was a bit more balance and the ability to obtain gear through RvR.
I enjoyed playing DAoC in PvE mode, but left because of the imbalance in the RvR mode. I leveled a Paladin to 47, and in PvE, he rocked. But in RvR, it was stun/mez/die, stun/mez/die, ad nauseum. Paladins had no ranged abilities, and was completely useless in RvR while casters and rangers stood across valleys hurling ranged attacks at hapless melee types. I kept hoping that Mythic would heed our cry for a role for Paladins, but they insisted that the game was working as intended.
I still think about DAoC from time to time as I really enjoyed the setting and PvE aspect. However, I was looking for a PvP type game, and DAoC just didn't cut it. BTW, I'm still looking for a PvP game that is enjoyable and isn't a gankfest.
Sat Jan 05 2008 9:07PMDAoC was my first modern MMORPG game. I really enjoyed it, and had an incredible amount of fun playing it.
I was a ranger, and yes, the element of range was a huge advantage in RvR. However, forget about PvE grouping with anyone at high levels, they will simply refuse.
I also agree with Ionselon regarding stun/mezzes -- an average RvR encounter was simply two groups running at each other; whoever got the first CC off would win.
Great game though, and I look forward to Warhammer Online.
Sun Jan 06 2008 1:43AMI never played DAoC thus I have no right to speak on anything concerning RvR. I thank you for this blog it helps paint a more accurate picture of DAoC. I hear so much praise on it but it all reads 'nostalgic'. Thank you tonyd for helping us that missed "the wave" on RvR to see back into the glory days through your eyes
Sun Jan 06 2008 4:36PMThe problem is Mythic.They never saw a nerf they didn't like. Given the time and cost to shape , equip and train a character only to have Mythic change the way the class works is infuriating to say the least.
Sun Jan 06 2008 10:03PMBuffbots and bored high level characters make the level 20-25 BG hell and that was where all the action was at. Higher level characters could afford to twink their lowbies and so many had buffbots it was rather hopeless for a new player to truly compete. RvR, regardless, was the some of the most fun PvP i've experienced (I was a scout, so I still posed a rather large threat). PvE was fun and really fun because each realm was a different experience and different set of mythology (one of the coolest things about DAoC).
Sun Jan 06 2008 11:44PMMMORPG.com writes:
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