Finally a review that gives the game the score it so rightfully deserves. 

Those of you that say "other" sites give the game 7'ish grade, should look up what grades those sites gave to other MMO's (not to name names) and compare. 7 is a shitty score based on todays standards among reviewers. 

SWTOR should NOT be a 9/10 if TSW is a 7/10!!!

Originally posted by toddze

 

...

However, this game has no real longevity 8.0 is a joke.  Just another classic example of a honeymoon write up. Its just another 60-90 day mmo.

I am not even going to address the other points, because basically this author is the same one who gave SWTOR insane high marks in every category. He/She has no business writting up reviews, has absolutly 0 credability. When I read a review I do not want to read a mother %^&*$%^ sales pitch! I want to know good points of a game and bad points of a game. Once upon a time this site did a decent job on its reviews, gave you the good and the bad, and not lie to you saying everything was great.

 

This.

Can we have the real review now? Pretty please? Afterall that's what we are here for.

Great score! :) I completely agree with it for once.

Originally posted by BillMurphy
@Toddze: This reviewer, Suzie Ford is a she, and is not Mike Bitton (who reviewed SWTOR). Additionally, the reviews levies the good and the bad. Don't mistake disagreement with a score as "right" or "wrong". It's merely opinion and you're welcome to yours.

oh yes your right, my apologies. Suzie ford had the article, "Innovations in SWTOR" or something along those lines. But was just as comical as the review.

Great Review..and I think it 's worth every point it got..

Got to laugh at some of the comments it's gotten here..

Players seems to think there is nothing diffrent with this game compared to WOW or SWTOR, well I can tell you this, either are they lieing or they simply try to convince them selves there is not..

Most features in TSW, if not all is made in a slight diffrent manner compared to the other games out there..

1 . Combat..Sure u use TAB to target enemies, but it feels like an action game because YOU CAN ALWAYS MOVE, this is the biggest diffrence ..In most of the other games that use TAB you can't move at all or only with a few selected skils..For me this is closer to Age of Conan than WOW..In Conan you had to aim aswell..

2. Crafting. Not sure its better, but it's diffrent ...Im totally convinced however that this will be better than every MMO out there once it get's a few updates.

3 PvP is neither better nor worse than most games..Nothing really diffrent in here thou..Not what I can see thou..

4. Questing. Well..just had to laugh at the first responder to this thread saying that quests is just same old..Quests in TSW is by far the best  in MMORPG standards, they are interesting and you will completly succumb to the story , If you like these sort of stories . Sure you can ignore all the lore (press esq in cutsscenes) and just go ahead and do them and even cheat to get all the investigatiom missions done , but then you have also MISSED THE POINT of  TSW and you should NOT play this game.

5 . Skillwheel .. Well I think It's a brilliant idea to let everyone just do as they please in the skillwheel ..But I kind of agree that in It's current state..It's not that deep..For it to really create "UNIQUE" builds it needs more diversity in the individual skills, for exampla many of the sword skills has only small diffrences. They could really use some "stealth" skills for example, like sneaking, aspecially since several missions let's you play HITMAN/THIEF esque missions.

If you don't care in the LORE that TSW tries to tell, this game is NOT for you, you will only react like a few individuals above me has done..

TSW is a brilliant game, and YES it may go FTP in a few months, but it's still a great game

I agree with the review, however I would have scored TSW as an 8.0 for one reason only: universal appeal.

TSW is an excellent game, but it will not appeal to the "average" gamer. Compared to the current crop of themepark MMO's, the game is simply too hard. Because there are no pre-defined classes, it places all the responsibility for character building and skill selection squarely on the player, and many people will not like that.

There have already been a few players who have quit TSW because they found the game too "hard", which is something you rarely see on MMO forums these days. The only other game that I've seen where that's happened is EVE-Online. Of course, many other players claim they quit because the game is "too easy", but that's a common complaint in most modern MMO's.

The investigation and sabotage missions are really good, and are a very refreshing take on MMO quests. But many people will not enjoy them and will just google a walkthrough video on YouTube. That would mean they skipped one of the highlights of the game, and it will have a significant impact on their overall appreciation of the game.

If you like rich lore, good story and a beautifully crafted game world that requires you to THINK, you will love TSW. If you play through as fast as possible with your eye fixed on the "endgame", you will hate TSW.

Originally posted by Fadedbomb

None of your scores make sense.

Aesthetics – 9.5??

How in the bloody hell did you find it "ok" to take what essentially boils down to "Graphics" and turn it into a major scoring point for TSW? Graphics =/= a game. This shouldn't be a scoring point!

Because people care about graphics and eyecandy. The interface is actually very nice and unlike any game I've played. Aesthetics isn't just about graphics.

Game Play – 8.5??

This is a highly opinion based score area given the fact that people whom like WoW will like TSW's gameplay, but generally speaking people whom like DAOC, EQ, SWG, or even Age of Conan's combat system will dislike it immensely. You should put near the beginning of your article which game you mostly relate to for your scores. Obviously I don't agree at all with an "8.5" given TSW's horribly clunky & non-intuitive combat system. Not to mention the horrible animations.

TSW's gameplay isn't like WoW's

Value & Longevity – 8.0??

Your primary reason, as stated, for this scoring point was based on SWTOR's recent announcement about F2P and that since TSW already has a cash-shop it'll make a clean transition to F2P should subs prove to dip too low?!

Value & Longevity is a scoring point, in most reviews, that dictate replayability & end-game enjoyment. At the VERY LEAST it has nothing to do with the payment model associated with the game.

NONE OF THE POINTS YOU RAISED FOR SCORING MAKE ANY SENSE AS A PRIMARY REVIEWBASE!

I think he covered all the aspects people care about in a game quite well. What more were you expectign from this review?

Next, we look at your overall Pros/Cons that have zero connection to any of your previous scoring points:

Pros

Deep skill system - Just a facade, not actually "deep" Explain please... It's pretty deep to me, there are hundreds of abilities and combinations to choose from. It was to the point of being overwhelming for me in the beginning... If that's not deep then I would love to know what is.  GREAT story - Agreed, but so did SWTOR IMO, SWTOR's story was mediocre at best... It didn't hook me like TSW's has.  Meaningful dungeons - How exactly are they "meaningful", they have no impact at all on the world outside those instances?! There are many ways for things to be meaningful. The dungeons are extremely fun and are teeming with story/lore. I personally almost creamed myself after running the Polaris dungeon for the first time.  Tiered and unique questing - Same quest system used by WoW. Go to point A get quests 1 - 9, do quests, go to Point B for higher tiered/chained quests. Nothing unique here other than the occassional "gem" with a half-decent story behind it. It's extremely obvious you've never played this game. Questing is definitely done more by exploring than anything... there's no real set path from what I've seen so far. WoW doesn't have investigation quests where you actually HAVE to think and solve. There are very few "kill" quests.

Cons

Lack of initial character customization - Yup I think more emphesis needs to be put on "INITIAL" because the customization is definitely there.  Lackluster PvP - Yup Maps can be fun and interesting and requires some strategy/teamwork. The game's combat is what holds it back... But I have seen much worse.  Repetitive trash mobs - Yep This I don't agree with. While there may be a lot of particular mobs, they're mainly zone specific. The reviewer's complaints about aggro have yet to be witness myself, then again some people are just terrible at judging aggro ranges.

 

 

Originally posted by toddze

Well I am of the biggest funcom critics out there but in 1 aspect it time to give credit where credit is due. I will admitt Funcom did a good job with the launch, much better than their other 2 games. So basiacally I was wrong folks. It happens every once in a while.

I had 2 major concerns about this game, Launch being one of my main concers (which I already addressed), longevity was the other.

However, this game has no real longevity 8.0 is a joke.  Just another classic example of a honeymoon write up. Its just another 60-90 day mmo.

I am not even going to address the other points, because basically this author is the same one who gave SWTOR insane high marks in every category. He/She has no business writting up reviews, has absolutly 0 credability. When I read a review I do not want to read a mother %^&*$%^ sales pitch! I want to know good points of a game and bad points of a game. Once upon a time this site did a decent job on its reviews, gave you the good and the bad, and not lie to you saying everything was great.

I think the DAYS are over where a newly released MMO's will last for a year  on content that is in at release..Don't blame FUNCOM blame the market.

As the new standard format for MMO's the longevity has to be measured compared to other modern MMO's not Everquest at release..those days are gone ..Even if you and I dislikes it or not.

I wish reviewers actually played games for a month before reviewing.

The BAD...

Crafting and inventory management - terrible - hate it.

Banking / AH only in London - terrible idea - hate it.

Building 5 resource counters for combat - terrible - hate it.

Gear manager doesn't work, forgets settings.

Open skill sytem - not really - very disappointed.

Interesting skills? - no very disappointed.

PVP sucks.

No lfg tool. LFG Spam is brutal

The Good...

5 mans are awesome!

Quests are awesome!

Skill deck although bland and fairly restrictive, is deep and really makes you think to put together a build with synergy.

Mobs have great AI.

Death system handled well.

Great story.

Verdict - I'll be playing GW2

Good write up. I love the game and personally would have given it an 8/10. Nice read. Thank you.

My wife thought it looked like Half Life 2, and the game, ahem, "borrows" a cut scene of being dragged semi conscious between two grunts in the Illuminati beginner area from the original Half Life.

The story work is ripped off from every horror book and film out there, and even the zombies are straight from Scooby Doo.

Innovation? I'm sure they heard of it.

Originally posted by TheAncient

My wife thought it looked like Half Life 2, and the game, ahem, "borrows" a cut scene of being dragged semi conscious between two grunts in the Illuminati beginner area from the original Half Life.

The story work is ripped off from every horror book and film out there, and even the zombies are straight from Scooby Doo.

Innovation? I'm sure they heard of it.

You showed some serious innovation when you created your name.

Seriously, ANY game/movie/whatever can be picked apart and looked at the same way you just did.

Originally posted by cyress8

Originally posted by vtravi

I love the game. One of the best MMo's I have played and I have played them all. The bugs are annoying and the crafting is usless so I think an 8.5 is right on.

I am not sure how people say there is not much content. I have played over 125 hours and I am not done with egypt yet. I have only finished 22% of the skill wheel. I guess if you look up hints online and rush through everything then it would go quick, but this is a different game. You are not supposed to just blow through the investigative missions. Several of them have taken me over 3 hours to complete. The most fun I have had in a MMO.

I mainly finished up with the game quickly because I was grouping with friends.  If you have 3- 4 people doing the investigation missions.  Do you think it will take that much time to finish them?  Playing the game like an mmo makes the game shorter.   If you do not repeat any missions you will also move through the content faster also.  The game only has about 400-500 missions.  With almost half being side missions that take a few minutes to complete.  If you do not believe me, go look at all the mission givers.  A majority only give 1 to 2 missions.  Some giving 3 to 5 and there are usually only 9 - 10 of them in each zone.  There are only 8 zones.  Add them up and see what you get.

I see your problem, the game really wasn't designed for grouping with that many, sure you can do it, but you're right, you will end up facerolling the content and not finding much challenge. Try doing it solo and you'll come away with much longer playing times, (I'm much like vtravi)

I have in fact grouped up with folks on a few occasions, and it did turn all the missions into quick burn down sessions, especially since my groupmates knew exactly where everything was and as a team we just rolled over everything.

It is faster, I'll grant you that, but wasn't particularly fun, I find it much more challenging to try and complete the missions as they were largely designed, for the solo player.(or perhaps with one other)

Guess I'd better go read the review so I can comment on it., but just on my own personal grading scale this is a solid 7 to 7.5.

(and no, SWTOR didn't deserve the high marks it go, but no reason to pad up this score because of it)

Originally posted by tkoreaper

Originally posted by TheAncient

My wife thought it looked like Half Life 2, and the game, ahem, "borrows" a cut scene of being dragged semi conscious between two grunts in the Illuminati beginner area from the original Half Life.

The story work is ripped off from every horror book and film out there, and even the zombies are straight from Scooby Doo.

Innovation? I'm sure they heard of it.

You showed some serious innovation when you created your name.

 

Seriously, ANY game/movie/whatever can be picked apart and looked at the same way you just did.

Well considering how the whole concept of how "everything is true" concept, how can you not expect some heavy "borrowing."

Great review, I gave the the game a 8/10 which it deserves in my book.

Everyone has an opinion, plain and simple.  Some will agree and some won't.   I truly wish if you're going to comment on what is right or rong with the game, you would have at least played the game.  Some of the comments on here are made by people that obviously have either played very little or not played the game at all.   Adding misinformation just to  boost your own ego is immature and unprodductive to the legitimate conversations occuring in this and other threads.

Originally posted by cyress8

Originally posted by vtravi

I love the game. One of the best MMo's I have played and I have played them all. The bugs are annoying and the crafting is usless so I think an 8.5 is right on.

I am not sure how people say there is not much content. I have played over 125 hours and I am not done with egypt yet. I have only finished 22% of the skill wheel. I guess if you look up hints online and rush through everything then it would go quick, but this is a different game. You are not supposed to just blow through the investigative missions. Several of them have taken me over 3 hours to complete. The most fun I have had in a MMO.

I mainly finished up with the game quickly because I was grouping with friends.  If you have 3- 4 people doing the investigation missions.  Do you think it will take that much time to finish them?  Playing the game like an mmo makes the game shorter.   If you do not repeat any missions you will also move through the content faster also.  The game only has about 400-500 missions.  With almost half being side missions that take a few minutes to complete.  If you do not believe me, go look at all the mission givers.  A majority only give 1 to 2 missions.  Some giving 3 to 5 and there are usually only 9 - 10 of them in each zone.  There are only 8 zones.  Add them up and see what you get.

I think you're forgetting the fact that the quests aren't as simple as accepting them, completing them, and then turning them in. the quests have SEVERAL steps/tiers. A lot of quests have 6 or more steps/tiers.

Originally posted by TheAncient

My wife thought it looked like Half Life 2, and the game, ahem, "borrows" a cut scene of being dragged semi conscious between two grunts in the Illuminati beginner area from the original Half Life.

The story work is ripped off from every horror book and film out there, and even the zombies are straight from Scooby Doo.

Innovation? I'm sure they heard of it.

 That cutscenes isn't a cutscene in that sence , It's just there to tell you that you have failed in the mission..It's what half a second.. !! How can you picture this diffrently --lol

And yes it "borrows" from every horror story, but it's still innovation..I totally comvinced NO ONE can write a story belonging to any genre without borrowing from existing fiction..there is no such thing..It's even talked about when describing the game that it's highly influenced by HP Lovecraft and King etc etc..