Hey Everyone,

   First off I want to say I have a 1 year old child so money for me right now is very tight.  Thus the reason for this post.  I am so sick of the current crop of MMOs I can't bear to log into the game but I hate TV and I need something to do in the evenings while the wife is posting status updates on Facebook.  =)

I am really hoping to get some personalized advice before I invest $50 that I would rather not waste.  

I'm 33 years old and self-employed so I work a lot of hours.  I need a game that I can play for an hour or so and make progress.

One of my favorite games for the C64 was wasteland.  I also played and beat all the fallouts except for the one with the stupid time limit.  I think it was part 2.   Great game... hate time limits.  

I played and enjoyed Gamma World if you are old enough to remember that...

Graphics are important to me... it doesn't have to look like Aion or AoC but it needs to look a good bit better than EQLive or DAoC.

Are the bugs and animations really as bad as some people here say they are?  I know we internet types tend to exaggerate on both sides of the coin.

How is the community?  If I can't find people with goals that we can work towards I get very bored very quickly.  For example in SWG I had the most fun every building a thriving city with my guild.  I don't know anyone who plays FE so a good community would really help.  I even LOVED grinding daily to help my guild in Shadowbane get our city built up.  Large goals are what I enjoy most.

Well, since posts with too many questions tend to get ignored I'll just leave it here.  Any help that some of you can provide would be much appreciate.

-Dojo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU3wFeJRDRo&feature=youtube_gdata

First minute was a simple display of new emotes but after that is a scavaging run that took less then a hour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZnpxTgBOY0

Probably the most informative FE game utube out right now.

Should answer most of your questions.

Originally posted by Dojo

Hey Everyone,

   First off I want to say I have a 1 year old child so money for me right now is very tight.  Thus the reason for this post.  I am so sick of the current crop of MMOs I can't bear to log into the game but I hate TV and I need something to do in the evenings while the wife is posting status updates on Facebook.  =)

I am really hoping to get some personalized advice before I invest $50 that I would rather not waste.  

Well, since you asked my opinion (which you did) let me give it: No game is worth $50 (+ monthly fee) when you have a young child, especially claiming money is tight for you.  There will always be something cropping up that you would need that money for - diapers, cold medicine, car breakdowns, give your wife a night out.  Give some thought to that paragraph above and really think if there isn't something better you can do with that $50.  There has got to another way you can kill an hour each night.

 

That being said . . .

I'm 33 years old and self-employed so I work a lot of hours.  I need a game that I can play for an hour or so and make progress.

Once you learn the mechanics, it seems this game is very casual-friendly.  I can squeeze only an hour or two every other night and I'm enjoying it.  I think the skill system helps as opposed to chasing the next level (though leveling is there).  It also depends on whether you need to get to "end game," however that is defined.  Also, everything is new to me, so just wandering about has its place.

One of my favorite games for the C64 was wasteland.  I also played and beat all the fallouts except for the one with the stupid time limit.  I think it was part 2.   Great game... hate time limits.  Never played any of the Fallouts

I played and enjoyed Gamma World if you are old enough to remember that...  Oh yes.  Hated it.  FE is nothing like it.  If you want a P&P game to compare, this is close to Twilight 2000, only with mutants.  Some have described FE as feeling like a "Mad Max" movie.  I think it's more "The Postman."

Graphics are important to me... it doesn't have to look like Aion or AoC but it needs to look a good bit better than EQLive or DAoC.  A lot complain about the graphics.  I don't see the issues.  Obviously, it varies by machine.  Mine's a midgrade rig and the graphics are just fine.  Not the best out there, but good enough not to think about it.

Are the bugs and animations really as bad as some people here say they are?  I know we internet types tend to exaggerate on both sides of the coin.  Animations suck.  When running, the toon looks like its on a treadmill.   There's some attempt at ragdoll physics that is just hysterical, especially when the MOB dies and inexplicably flies backwards about ten feet as if struck by a speeding Caddy, instead of my closet rod.   No, animations are not this game's strong suit.

Bugs- I've enountered a few, no game breaking.  Actually fewer than I expected.  Not a single broken quest.  But I've only been in the game about 2 weeks. 

How is the community?  If I can't find people with goals that we can work towards I get very bored very quickly.  For example in SWG I had the most fun every building a thriving city with my guild.  I don't know anyone who plays FE so a good community would really help.  I even LOVED grinding daily to help my guild in Shadowbane get our city built up.  Large goals are what I enjoy most.

I've found the community helpful and responsive to n00bs.  I haven't yet encountered any missions I needed help with, so I can't talk grouping.   I do see all the signs of a good community ready to bloom.  Kind of exciting being on the ground floor again.  There is active guild recruitment in game and on the Oboards.

Well, since posts with too many questions tend to get ignored I'll just leave it here.  Any help that some of you can provide would be much appreciate.

Ultimately, no one can tell you if a game is worth the investment for you.  Opinions are very subjective.   If all things were equal, I'd tell you to take a chance and jump in.  But all things aren't equal, are they?

-Dojo

Originally posted by tman5

Originally posted by Dojo

Hey Everyone,

   First off I want to say I have a 1 year old child so money for me right now is very tight.  Thus the reason for this post.  I am so sick of the current crop of MMOs I can't bear to log into the game but I hate TV and I need something to do in the evenings while the wife is posting status updates on Facebook.  =)

I am really hoping to get some personalized advice before I invest $50 that I would rather not waste.  

Well, since you asked my opinion (which you did) let me give it: No game is worth $50 (+ monthly fee) when you have a young child, especially claiming money is tight for you.  There will always be something cropping up that you would need that money for - diapers, cold medicine, car breakdowns, give your wife a night out.  Give some thought to that paragraph above and really think if there isn't something better you can do with that $50.  There has got to another way you can kill an hour each night.

 

 

 

Big assumption there. Why assume the worst when in fact the guy could be taking very good care of his family, making sure the kid has everything they need and the wife gets taken out to dinner once a week. Maybe, just maybe, he's not wanting to waste "his" $50, you know, the money he has gradually put away after taking care of all those other responsibilities to do something "nice" for himself.

It's not a crime for guys to spend a little on themselves if they are taking care of the other stuff. As an example I'm 32 and still on an allowance. Yep, we take our income, pay all our bills (we have zero credit card debt though a year or two ago that was not the case, heh), put some into savings, buy groceries/gas and the remainder is split down the middle as spending cash.

If you don't spend a little on yourself for something nice it can easily build resentment, which leads to anger, which leads to the Dark Side.

Originally posted by Khalathwyr

Originally posted by tman5

Originally posted by Dojo

Hey Everyone,

   First off I want to say I have a 1 year old child so money for me right now is very tight.  Thus the reason for this post.  I am so sick of the current crop of MMOs I can't bear to log into the game but I hate TV and I need something to do in the evenings while the wife is posting status updates on Facebook.  =)

I am really hoping to get some personalized advice before I invest $50 that I would rather not waste.  

Well, since you asked my opinion (which you did) let me give it: No game is worth $50 (+ monthly fee) when you have a young child, especially claiming money is tight for you.  There will always be something cropping up that you would need that money for - diapers, cold medicine, car breakdowns, give your wife a night out.  Give some thought to that paragraph above and really think if there isn't something better you can do with that $50.  There has got to another way you can kill an hour each night.

 

 

 

Big assumption there. Why assume the worst when in fact the guy could be taking very good care of his family, making sure the kid has everything they need and the wife gets taken out to dinner once a week. Maybe, just maybe, he's not wanting to waste "his" $50, you know, the money he has gradually put away after taking care of all those other responsibilities to do something "nice" for himself.

It's not a crime for guys to spend a little on themselves if they are taking care of the other stuff. As an example I'm 32 and still on an allowance. Yep, we take our income, pay all our bills (we have zero credit card debt though a year or two ago that was not the case, heh), put some into savings, buy groceries/gas and the remainder is split down the middle as spending cash.

If you don't spend a little on yourself for something nice it can easily build resentment, which leads to anger, which leads to the Dark Side.

Not an assumption at all.  He stated "money is very tight."   He did not say "I've saved some cash and . . ."  I guess we need to agree what defines "very tight."   To me, it means you have a limited amount of funds that, if lost or misspent, would be financially damaging or at least emotionally painful.   I've been in that position.   It is not something I think you'd want to drop on a subscription game, especially when starting a family (my "big assumption" here is this is his first child.)   Children bring surprises.  My response might be different if this were a one-time payment, SP game.

I'm not at all assuming he's scrimping on formula or such.  But kids have a nasty habit of outgrowing clothes faster than expected and one simple ear infection could cost $20-30 in medicine.

Again, I'm going with the "money is very tight" line.  But it's the OP's call.  Only he knows his true status.
 

Originally posted by Dojo

Are the bugs and animations really as bad as some people here say they are?

No.

Originally posted by tman5

Originally posted by Khalathwyr

Originally posted by tman5

Originally posted by Dojo

Hey Everyone,

   First off I want to say I have a 1 year old child so money for me right now is very tight.  Thus the reason for this post.  I am so sick of the current crop of MMOs I can't bear to log into the game but I hate TV and I need something to do in the evenings while the wife is posting status updates on Facebook.  =)

I am really hoping to get some personalized advice before I invest $50 that I would rather not waste.  

Well, since you asked my opinion (which you did) let me give it: No game is worth $50 (+ monthly fee) when you have a young child, especially claiming money is tight for you.  There will always be something cropping up that you would need that money for - diapers, cold medicine, car breakdowns, give your wife a night out.  Give some thought to that paragraph above and really think if there isn't something better you can do with that $50.  There has got to another way you can kill an hour each night.

 

 

 

Big assumption there. Why assume the worst when in fact the guy could be taking very good care of his family, making sure the kid has everything they need and the wife gets taken out to dinner once a week. Maybe, just maybe, he's not wanting to waste "his" $50, you know, the money he has gradually put away after taking care of all those other responsibilities to do something "nice" for himself.

It's not a crime for guys to spend a little on themselves if they are taking care of the other stuff. As an example I'm 32 and still on an allowance. Yep, we take our income, pay all our bills (we have zero credit card debt though a year or two ago that was not the case, heh), put some into savings, buy groceries/gas and the remainder is split down the middle as spending cash.

If you don't spend a little on yourself for something nice it can easily build resentment, which leads to anger, which leads to the Dark Side.

Not an assumption at all.  He stated "money is very tight."   He did not say "I've saved some cash and . . ."  I guess we need to agree what defines "very tight."   To me, it means you have a limited amount of funds that, if lost or misspent, would be financially damaging or at least emotionally painful.   I've been in that position.   It is not something I think you'd want to drop on a subscription game, especially when starting a family (my "big assumption" here is this is his first child.)   Children bring surprises.  My response might be different if this were a one-time payment, SP game.

I'm not at all assuming he's scrimping on formula or such.  But kids have a nasty habit of outgrowing clothes faster than expected and one simple ear infection could cost $20-30 in medicine.

Again, I'm going with the "money is very tight" line.  But it's the OP's call.  Only he knows his true status.
 

Exactly. Which is pretty much what I was getting at. With that in mind I wouldn't have seen it my place to make comments about his financial situation. I don't know him well enough to assume that he hadn't take care of all those other things, even if money is tight. I just would have answered the rest of his questions as you did for him and left his family business to him.

Now, if he had of asked "Should I spend $50 on FE or save it in case of an emergency with my kid or use it to take my wife out as I haven't in a while?", well, then yeah, I'd have answered pretty much as you did at first.

It's all good.

Wow...  I really didn't see my post going in that direction.  However, in the interest of clearing up the situation I felt I needed to clarify.

Khalath was spot on in his appraisal of the situation.  I would never spend money on games when the needs of the family are not being met.   Basically I was going to sell some of my older games and use the proceeds to grab FE.   My wife and I also have some "mad" money that we each get to spend on whatever we want each month.   I should have been more clear in my initial post.  Yes, money is tight but I am not buying games while my little boy licks crumbs from the floor. 

I do appreciate the answers though and for the amusing speculation on my family life.   LOL

Take Care!

-Dojo

Originally posted by Dojo

Wow...  I really didn't see my post going in that direction.  However, in the interest of clearing up the situation I felt I needed to clarify.

Khalath was spot on in his appraisal of the situation.  I would never spend money on games when the needs of the family are not being met.   Basically I was going to sell some of my older games and use the proceeds to grab FE.   My wife and I also have some "mad" money that we each get to spend on whatever we want each month.   I should have been more clear in my initial post.  Yes, money is tight but I am not buying games while my little boy licks crumbs from the floor. 

I do appreciate the answers though and for the amusing speculation on my family life.   LOL

Take Care!

-Dojo

Well, I may have taken a left turn and I apologize for commenting where I should not have.  My intent was simply to convey that children often result in unexpected expenses.  But it seems you have a good plan so good luck however you decide.

(Give this game a try)

Originally posted by tman5

Originally posted by Dojo

Hey Everyone,

   First off I want to say I have a 1 year old child so money for me right now is very tight.  Thus the reason for this post.  I am so sick of the current crop of MMOs I can't bear to log into the game but I hate TV and I need something to do in the evenings while the wife is posting status updates on Facebook.  =)

I am really hoping to get some personalized advice before I invest $50 that I would rather not waste.  

Well, since you asked my opinion (which you did) let me give it: No game is worth $50 (+ monthly fee) when you have a young child, especially claiming money is tight for you.  There will always be something cropping up that you would need that money for - diapers, cold medicine, car breakdowns, give your wife a night out.  Give some thought to that paragraph above and really think if there isn't something better you can do with that $50.  There has got to another way you can kill an hour each night.

 

That being said . . .

I'm 33 years old and self-employed so I work a lot of hours.  I need a game that I can play for an hour or so and make progress.

Once you learn the mechanics, it seems this game is very casual-friendly.  I can squeeze only an hour or two every other night and I'm enjoying it.  I think the skill system helps as opposed to chasing the next level (though leveling is there).  It also depends on whether you need to get to "end game," however that is defined.  Also, everything is new to me, so just wandering about has its place.

One of my favorite games for the C64 was wasteland.  I also played and beat all the fallouts except for the one with the stupid time limit.  I think it was part 2.   Great game... hate time limits.  Never played any of the Fallouts

I played and enjoyed Gamma World if you are old enough to remember that...  Oh yes.  Hated it.  FE is nothing like it.  If you want a P&P game to compare, this is close to Twilight 2000, only with mutants.  Some have described FE as feeling like a "Mad Max" movie.  I think it's more "The Postman."

Graphics are important to me... it doesn't have to look like Aion or AoC but it needs to look a good bit better than EQLive or DAoC.  A lot complain about the graphics.  I don't see the issues.  Obviously, it varies by machine.  Mine's a midgrade rig and the graphics are just fine.  Not the best out there, but good enough not to think about it.

Are the bugs and animations really as bad as some people here say they are?  I know we internet types tend to exaggerate on both sides of the coin.  Animations suck.  When running, the toon looks like its on a treadmill.   There's some attempt at ragdoll physics that is just hysterical, especially when the MOB dies and inexplicably flies backwards about ten feet as if struck by a speeding Caddy, instead of my closet rod.   No, animations are not this game's strong suit.

Bugs- I've enountered a few, no game breaking.  Actually fewer than I expected.  Not a single broken quest.  But I've only been in the game about 2 weeks. 

How is the community?  If I can't find people with goals that we can work towards I get very bored very quickly.  For example in SWG I had the most fun every building a thriving city with my guild.  I don't know anyone who plays FE so a good community would really help.  I even LOVED grinding daily to help my guild in Shadowbane get our city built up.  Large goals are what I enjoy most.

I've found the community helpful and responsive to n00bs.  I haven't yet encountered any missions I needed help with, so I can't talk grouping.   I do see all the signs of a good community ready to bloom.  Kind of exciting being on the ground floor again.  There is active guild recruitment in game and on the Oboards.

Well, since posts with too many questions tend to get ignored I'll just leave it here.  Any help that some of you can provide would be much appreciate.

Ultimately, no one can tell you if a game is worth the investment for you.  Opinions are very subjective.   If all things were equal, I'd tell you to take a chance and jump in.  But all things aren't equal, are they?

-Dojo

 

 I think this guy's review is spot-on perfect.  Been playing since official launch.  30 years old, small business owner but without the kid/wife.  I also have little to no time to play.  Days go by without a log-on and then suddenly I'll have 3 hours to play. 

My only fear/concern is end-game content/options.  My hope is that I progress slowly enough to allow the developers time to build-out the game.  I've read mixed reviews on end-game content but I have zero experience with it, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt. 

Originally posted by Khalathwyr

Originally posted by tman5

Originally posted by Dojo

Hey Everyone,

   First off I want to say I have a 1 year old child so money for me right now is very tight.  Thus the reason for this post.  I am so sick of the current crop of MMOs I can't bear to log into the game but I hate TV and I need something to do in the evenings while the wife is posting status updates on Facebook.  =)

I am really hoping to get some personalized advice before I invest $50 that I would rather not waste.  

Well, since you asked my opinion (which you did) let me give it: No game is worth $50 (+ monthly fee) when you have a young child, especially claiming money is tight for you.  There will always be something cropping up that you would need that money for - diapers, cold medicine, car breakdowns, give your wife a night out.  Give some thought to that paragraph above and really think if there isn't something better you can do with that $50.  There has got to another way you can kill an hour each night.

 

 

 

Big assumption there. Why assume the worst when in fact the guy could be taking very good care of his family, making sure the kid has everything they need and the wife gets taken out to dinner once a week. Maybe, just maybe, he's not wanting to waste "his" $50, you know, the money he has gradually put away after taking care of all those other responsibilities to do something "nice" for himself.

It's not a crime for guys to spend a little on themselves if they are taking care of the other stuff. As an example I'm 32 and still on an allowance. Yep, we take our income, pay all our bills (we have zero credit card debt though a year or two ago that was not the case, heh), put some into savings, buy groceries/gas and the remainder is split down the middle as spending cash.

If you don't spend a little on yourself for something nice it can easily build resentment, which leads to anger, which leads to the Dark Side.

Or in a nutshell: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_work_and_no_play_makes_Jack_a_dull_boy

Hey Tman,

  No need to apologize!  I take the blame for being unclear and probably giving TMI anyway.   BTW - I took the plunge after selling off some old gameboy games on Amazon (they all sold in an hour... weird stuff).  I LOVE the game so far.  I'm having almost as much fun as I did when UO was in it's prime.

If any of you guys know of a good guild in game let me know.  Thanks!

-Dojo

PS - In game my name is Skaven.

Originally posted by Dojo

Hey Tman,

  No need to apologize!  I take the blame for being unclear and probably giving TMI anyway.   BTW - I took the plunge after selling off some old gameboy games on Amazon (they all sold in an hour... weird stuff).  I LOVE the game so far.  I'm having almost as much fun as I did when UO was in it's prime.

If any of you guys know of a good guild in game let me know.  Thanks!

-Dojo

PS - In game my name is Skaven.

Skaven, huh. Damn "Kruti Skaz" . (only diehard Warhammer Fantasy nerds will get that so if your not one, ask someone who is, lol!)

Originally posted by Dojo

Hey Tman,

  No need to apologize!  I take the blame for being unclear and probably giving TMI anyway.   BTW - I took the plunge after selling off some old gameboy games on Amazon (they all sold in an hour... weird stuff).  I LOVE the game so far.  I'm having almost as much fun as I did when UO was in it's prime.

If any of you guys know of a good guild in game let me know.  Thanks!

-Dojo

PS - In game my name is Skaven.

http://www.theoldergamers.com/

Really only one rule, +25 years old, and I do not hink even that rule is followed to the letter.

Most of the people are in situations like yours, short bursts of play time were one does what ever they want but still with the backing of a rather huge community.

I think we are like 300+ members now and I do not think I have even seen one I really disliked, mostly mature level headed people who realises that gaming, allthough a lot of fun, has to take the backseat in terms of priority in ones life.

And as often is with people who realises games are for fun and not much else, most if not all are generous and accomodating (sp?).

My IGN is Corwin, allthough I have not played much lately because work have been killing me, but I think I will be with FE for a very long time.

It really is one of the few "go at your own pace" games out there.