| 22 posts found | |
|---|---|
|
Just want to start off by giving my background, since it's important to know someone's history when reading their opinions. I played UO for about 4 years.. half before Trammel, half after. I've been playing WOW for the past 3 years. I've also dabbled in AOC ( 1 month), Earth and Beyond ( 6 months) and AC1 for about 2 months (way back). I enjoy all major aspects of MMORPGS except endgame extreme raiding. I enjoy PvP, crafting and exploring. I enjoy guilds, but also like my quiet time soloing. To sum it up, I'm an average player who has tried a bunch of games :) To begin, I was a bit intimidated about EVE since I've heard it is very complex and has a steep learning curve. Because of this, I spent a few days reading guides before I started playing. Because I plan on playing awhile (not just here for the free 3 weeks). I decided to take some advice and went the 'learn how to learn' route with my skills, even though I know it makes things a bit harder in the beginning. I'm going to mainly play miner/merchant. At the end of 2 days, I have learning4, the basic attributes skills to 2-3 and my mining and refining at 5 (started with them there). I've also bought and trained a bunch of other skills up to 1-2. First Impressions - Character creation was pretty straight forward. Because of my prep work I basically knew the way attributes affected skills and knew which ones to raise to help my future playstyle. I went Gallante-Intakes-Reborn. The overall character creation was fun, and I think the descriptions are enough to steer people to their desired playstyle. The facial disortion part was funny, since as far as I know, the 2d portrait is all you ever see. Why spend 10 mins making your face? :) The tutorial started out pretty easy and explained the interface pretty well. The first missions were 'mmorpg basics'.. but I do have to give my first negative part of the game. The interface is very unwieldy when it comes to agents and moving to them. There are just too many small windows/tabs/drop-downs that you have to navigate through in order to turn in a completed mission. Maybe I just don't know a fast way, but I was 'click people/places' go to agent tab, expand 'missions', right click on the name of the person you are locking for, then scroll down and 'set destination', then close all that and hit auto pilot. That is just a lot of menu navigating to 'return to questgiver'. The entire missions/journal and people/places interface just needs to be merged and made more stream-lined. The menus, tabs and windows are just too small and require too much manipulation to accomplish basic tasks. So after doing about half the tutorial missions, I just abandoned them. I got frustrated trying to do one of the tutorial missions that require you to make 2 items from a blueprint. The tutorial really didn't tell me how to make the items... so after fumbling around for awhile, I thought I got it to work. But couldn't see any feedback and didn't get the item in my storage. The blueprint, however, was gone. I messed around for awhile, asked in the chat channel, but really didn't have anyone explain what happened. Frustrated, I abandoned the mission. Overall Tutorial 3/10 Missions 3/10 Now onto gameplay. After blasting some pirates fairly easily, and doing some mining in 1.0 I decided to head off to darker areas. I found a nice .7 area that seemed to be off the beaten track in which I could explore the game a bit. At this point, my gameplay improved greatly. I really love the 'new skill in 10 mins' thing. I bought my first 'new ship' which was the Gallante special mining ship (can't remember the name). I also bought two new hybrid guns and two mining laser upgrades. I then spent the last two days in my .7 solar system mostly mining (with 2 mining lasers) and occassionally refitting to my 2 guns to kill some pirates. Once I learned how to bookmark dense asteroids, it made the money really fly in. It's a lot of fun navigating through asteroids and coming upon pirates... running like a coward (because I only have mining lasers equipped), then coming back after refitting and killing them. The ship graphics are OK, but a little worse than the ships in Earth n Beyond. The solar system graphics are ok, not as good as I was expecting. ( I'm playing on the premier graphic client). There just aren't enough colors and texures used on planets. They mostly all look like blanched white globes. Overall, none of the graphics have made me say 'Cool'... which is something other games I played have done (especially WOW and EnB). Also, all the 'zones' look nearly identical and really don't have much personality. A star, some planets and x amount of asteroid belts. I've been in all levels from 1.0 to 0.5 and there was nothing that really disquinished any zone. Graphics 5/10 Combat... It's very basic for now.... target pirate, approach, lock weapons and auto-fire and sit back and watch. I didn't do any group fighting, and my ship isn't equipped with any cool toys yet, and I haven't done any pvp yet, so I'll reserve judgement for now. I'm also not sure if 'rats' get any more complicated in the future, but right now there isn't much of a challenge... the only time I got in trouble was when I was attacked by 3 mobs at once. There was no danger at all, as soon as I saw the odds, I simply warped back to the station... never even had my shield 50% red. I don't see how I could ever die, the worst I see happening is warping back to station. Of course in most games I played, the 'real combat' only comes along in group pve or pvp.. and I've heard great things about EVE in those areas. Skill system... by far the highlight of my game so far. I just love the way skills work, and how you train them. The whole interaction with skills and ship additions is awesome, very complex, yet very easy to understand. Coming from WOW and UO, it feels much more strategic like Civilization. It's also cool training a long skill while I"m logged off (will have Learning 4 after expansion) and training 'quick skills' while playing. Skills/Training 10/10 Economy/maketplace... awesome... I'm addicted to the auction house already. I've sold a ton of titanium and bought a new ship, new weapons and a buttload of new skills. It's cool that prices are regional. Do I take the 10% lower price here, or do I spend an hour shuttling my stuff somewhere else and make more? It's also amazing how easily I can sell my newbie minerals. In other games I've played, you really couldn't 'play the market' after playing only a day. Community... Good so far, but I have stayed mostly off the radar ( no corp). The GMs in the rookie chat channel are very helpful (and patient). I haven't been attacked by a player yet, probably because most of my time has been spent in 1.0 or .7, but even when I was messing around in .5 I was left alone. Overall, I think the other reviews are right on. Great, complex game. I'll be playing for awhile. I know a new tutorial is part of the expansion, I hope it is a big improvement over the current one. I think the 'learning curve' that people talk about with EVE is simply the fact that the tutorial is really bad. The missions are also really boring and basic. I have to read more, but for now I'm just ignoring them. WOW gets a bad rap for 'kill 10 boars'.. but the truth is that WOW has mostly great, creative quests.... EVE's missions are just a big step backwards from what I'm used to. I'd love some comments, feedback. |
|
|
3/10/09 1:40:41 AM#2
Originally posted by steven1966 My comments in red...being an ex swg player, waiting on TOR, and been playing EVE for 6 months almost. I am just pissed i never game this game a try alot earlier in my gaming. also here is a vid i made last night of my corp's first run at level 4 missions, they make the game feel epic in warfare.
|
|
|
3/10/09 1:47:02 AM#3
Hey steven, well i will try and clear a few thing up for ya that i think you may have got wrong due to not having much experience with the game as of yet, i will try my best to siv through your text. :P
UI - The ui does indeed have multiple ways of doing things, if you have a certain icon related to something no matter where concerning the ui, you will be able to right click and use commands..... for example you can search for a system using people and places or you could search by using the map. You can also use the agents tab when in a station to talk to a agent or you could talk using the agents tab in people and places. After a while you get used to the ui and can do things pretty fast. Alot of people fly around while looking at contract, market or the map etc. Missions - The higher level missions get alot harder....... :P tbh missions are there just as like a side thing to increase your worth and getting lp points/standings for stuff. They are, in my opinion, not to be taken as a core part of the game but more just to fund your ships buying/equipment/skills etc etc. Gameplay - Believe me there is hard pve out there as you will find out later on in game but the main challenge is the pvp, this is what properly tests your combat skills and it becomes very strategic afterall this isnt so much an action game but more of a "i have better strategic maneuver's" kind of game. Theres alot of strategy involved including knowing equipment and setups, identifying others strategys and trying to outwit them. Its not just a orbit each other and pewpew type of game at all when it comes to pvp its alot more indepth and strategic. Later on if you get into 0.0 alliance stuff you may be doing fleet roaming or group roams and will encounter people looking for fresh blood often (but depending on the alliance and space your in ofcourse).... you gotta have your wits about you if you want to survive in the harshness of 0.0 space. Graphics - There are alot of different stations and ships in the game, some of the ships are indeed impressive especially some of the battleships etc btw also the background does change but it just depends on the space your in.... you may have not traveled tot he right systems yet in which it changes. I agree with you on the planets they could of made them look better but i think some of the stations, ships and jump gates look fking awesome on premium graphics. Space is vast and some systems dont have very nearby planets or stars. Market - Yep you can truly play the market in this game and reap the benefits if you know what your doing.... be wise and watch the money flow. :)
And ofcourse i see you chose to be a miner...... now if you get in a good corp you can possibly start doing mining ops which includes a group of members from corp or alliance going and destroying belts with a flurry of mining lasers. hehe Believe me you can make alot of money mining once you get in the good mining ships and if you decide you want to start pvping and getting better combat skills believe me when i say your mining skills will pay off because you can fund your ship needs nicely. Like for me, i am a combat pilot and i mainly make money by ratting in 0.0 space at astaroid belts.... now if i die thats my bs gone and money lost which can be a pain in the ass if i really want to make some serious money, but a miner can make money waaaaayyy easier with little risk (compared to ratting in 0.0) to fund your ships and equipment to pvp so if you do start to pvp in the harshnes of 0.0 space, its very handy to have these tradeskill skills under your belt.
Anyway i hope you enjoy Eve, you will continue to find out new things you can do in the game as you play, there truly is alot you can do if you keep your mind open to the possibilities and find a corp because its alot more fun that way than solo, also more rewarding. :) |
|
|
3/10/09 1:56:11 AM#4
Originally posted by miagisan Mine in Cyan. If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude; greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel, nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you; May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen. |
|
|
3/10/09 1:57:46 AM#5
My advice is look up a player corp called EVE University. They can help train you in whatever area you want to progress in. Being in a good player corp is where EVE shines. |
|
|
3/10/09 3:51:09 AM#6
Originally posted by Shohadaku
Yes. Eve university is great way to learn the game. Members from all different alliances will come in and teach "classes" or the fundementals of the game. I remember hearing about an all noobship fleet that was actually getting some kills. Sounds like a lot of fun for all involved. The leaders are also great guys, which always helps in Eve :P But thats not the only path you can choose. I just went around talking to people until I found a group I liked. Once you become part of the eve community you'll really start to enjoy the game. ------------------- Brothers, we must rise. |
|
|
3/10/09 6:29:38 AM#7
Hi, steven1966. I like your review, even though there are many points I disagree with but that's fine. Tutorial: Also do not expect any improvements of tutorial in today's patch. The way CCP is introducing new players into the game is wrong - they simplify the mechanics instead of educating. Missions: Do not expect any changes about PvE with Apocrypha. The mission will be more 'storyline' but that's it. Still same rats, talks about improved AI is just fluff. Journal stores more information than your mission data and it is perfectly fine as it is. To look up your mission data and set waypoints, open journal and read up mission description. Gameplay: Market: EDIT: Welcome and enjoy :) |
|
|
3/10/09 6:44:17 AM#8
After the Apoc expansion has been released today and the servers get up again, I will certainly do the tutorial missions again. (Said as a 6 years old vet). Apoc will bring a lot of new content, do not miss out on it. |
|
|
3/10/09 8:15:07 AM#9
Op that was a fair write up. I think its cool that the problems you had in game are being adressed just as you begin to play LOL! Planet graphics/particle graphics, UI, new missions, AI. GL with the rest of your Pod pilot career :) Playing: Nothing |
|
|
Thanks for the comments. On graphics, I know that it is personal taste thing, and I also know that the 'space' thing means a more limited experience compared to something like AOC or WOW. But the real comparison I'm making is to Earth and Beyond. In EnB, planets had unique colors and patterns.... and you could really tell where you were just by the graphics. In EVE, besides some background colors, every zone looks the same. I guess a lot of that has to do with warping too. In EVE, you don't really 'travel' anywhere, you basically warp to POI. it's a bit disconcerting to not really know where you are without pulling up your map. But that is moot, since the graphics are 'good enough' and are not something I care much about. The biggest problem so far is the UI. it is a distraction to gameplay. They just need to reduce the number of 'manipulations' needed to accomplish basic tasks. |
|
|
3/10/09 11:02:33 AM#11
just one addition, may not dirrectly connected but the way I percieved the game back when I started influenced how I enjoyed the flying and fighting. You'r ship is not you and how ships handle in space is much similar to how you would handle a big ship in RL (frigate, destroyer, cruiser, carrier etc.). When I stopped imagining myself as being a guy with a joystick-type controller in my hand sitting in a fighter aircraft (tie - fighter, X wing, flight sims in general) and started imagining myself as a captain on the bridge (ok, ok it*s a pod but still the principle is there :P) of a ship ordering crew arround ( set course yada yada, speed 100 .... arm turrets, target this and that - you get the point), everything fell into place and the way the controlls worked and the ship flied almost instantly became great in my mind. Basicaly Imagine yourself similar to the captains when the two submarines in "hunt for the red october" are hunting each other :) welcome to EVE and fly safe o7 |
|
|
3/10/09 6:25:35 PM#12
thx for the write up op im thinking about buying the game when it comes out in the box at the end of this week. im dling the trial right now to make sure its worth my money. the only problem i have with the game is the ui. when i tried out the game awhile ago the ui drove me crazy but maybe idk how to use it. |
|
|
cosy
Newshound
Joined: 9/15/04
EvE Rules #491 you should never, ever attack Russians on winter months |
3/10/09 9:44:18 PM#13
wait wait this dude play 2 days and believe is ready to make a review lol |
Originally posted by xbellx777
After another day of playing (and the expansion).. the UI is getting better. I think it's just very different than what I've been used to from my other games. Some of the stuff seems unnecessarily complicated. For instance, I have 3 combat drones in my bay, a pirate attacks me... I then have to launch the drones, target the pirate, then right click a different place and order the drones to attack. It's similar to my experience with the missions (where it takes way too many menus in order to set your destination to the agent). I think part of my problem is I've been playing WOW for a long time. In my mind, combat is 'fast' so while the enemy is right in front of me, it kinda annoys me to go through all those motions to get my drones to attack. In WOW, your reaction time (and UI speed) is much more important and you could easily die in the few seconds it takes to get your drones to attack. In EVE, that speed isn't as important. BTW.. Kudos to the poster who recommended me picking up combat drones so I could kill stuff while being fully equpped for mining. It has saved me a ton of time (not having to go back to a base to re-equip my weapons). As a continuation.. my experience has continued to get better the further I get into the game. The new 'skill queueing' system is awesome and makes a great system even better. |
|
|
3/10/09 11:35:44 PM#15
your welcomed!
|
|
|
3/11/09 2:07:38 AM#16
You are the first person I've ever seen actually complain about EVE's graphics. They are arguably one of its strongest points. |
|
|
3/11/09 4:29:58 AM#17
Hint 1:
|
|
|
3/11/09 5:23:35 AM#18
I don't like the graphics too and not due to a technical level but the game hides behind the UI and feels very 2D, it just lacks atmosphere because of it and you just feel like a ship on a background rather than a ship in space. THe backgrounds also look really low detail and I don't understand why they all have Nebulas..... just makes them look the same but just different colours. I also don't understand why there arn't more things going on in space and granted space is a big empty place for the most part but like why arn't there any red giant stars or dead planets or missions where something has gone wrong on a station and you have to go into the station and investigate Dead Space style. http://www.eveonline.com/download/videos/Default.asp?a=download&vid=87 I was watching this video and at 1:00 it is so atmospheric and the Space looks really great and thats what I want from a space game, not what EVE looks like with all it's pre generated Nebulas. |
|
|
3/11/09 7:43:50 AM#19
Originally posted by John.A.Zoid
I acknowledge it's prettz much down to personal taste. Not many people complaining about EVEs graphics. I for one think that they are really good and I wouldn't want to have any more colorful stuff. Space is a cold dark place and in EVE it feels that way and I like that. As for having more complex missions, they are just not for the most part, but I'm content with the knowledge that CCP is always innovating their game and I'm sure that as much as it is in their power to advance it, they do. Show me one other game company that makes MAJOR advances in game mechanics in every big expansion patch. None. All the rest just re-skin the models and change mission text from "kill 10 rats" to "kill 10 bigger rats" and sell it as an expansion. |
|
Originally posted by Sheista
Ships are great, space stations are great, backgrounds are 'ok'.. the biggest beef I guess I have are planets/moons... where every one i've seen are just pale white and identical. The other 'beef' is that there are no graphical defining items in a solar system. Maybe I'm wrong, i've probably flown around in less than 30 or so systems so far... but that is the reason I titled my 'review' as from a new player :) so you vets could correct me. |
|
|
3/11/09 2:31:55 PM#21
Originally posted by steven1966
Ships are great, space stations are great, backgrounds are 'ok'.. the biggest beef I guess I have are planets/moons... where every one i've seen are just pale white and identical. The other 'beef' is that there are no graphical defining items in a solar system. Maybe I'm wrong, i've probably flown around in less than 30 or so systems so far... but that is the reason I titled my 'review' as from a new player :) so you vets could correct me.
You're pretty much right.
The new wormhole systems look simply breathtaking, but unfortunately they haven't applied the new awesome backgrounds to non-WH systems yet :( |
|
|
3/11/09 2:50:23 PM#22
Originally posted by Zyke
You're pretty much right.
The new wormhole systems look simply breathtaking, but unfortunately they haven't applied the new awesome backgrounds to non-WH systems yet :(
Yeah the Skybox and planet graphics revamps should be coming soon.
Playing: Nothing |
|