Hellgate: London

I need a bit of a 'diversion' from WoW.  Rather than read these boards and get reviews, I looked at the overall user rating and went ahead with the digital DL and subscription.   Why not?

After 1 day of playing, I like the game. 

HellGate: London is like a FPS version of Diablo w/ EQ2 level of graphics set in a futuristic 'Hell comes to town' fashion. 

I normally 'hate' FPS style MMORPG's.  But in this case, it works.... probably because this seems to be a 'strictly PvE' game.  

The game is fairly straightforward and in your face. 

As I said, I am playing this game as a 'diversion' from WoW (and other MMO"s).  There are certain things about HellGate: London that keep it from being a full-fledged MMORPG replacement.

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1) The community needs help.  The game just isn't really 'group' or 'MMO' centric.  I mean, I played 1 day and hit like lvl 14 or so.  I didnt' group at all.  I didn't need to. 

Is there an auction house?

Is there an in game mail system?  (Not now, but it's coming in an update w/ item delivery)

Outside of the 'stations', are there other areas for players to meet?

2)  SinglePlayer/MultiPlayer options.  This is a curse and a blessing.  A curse because there may be people playing that aren't online adding to community numbers.  It's a blessing because I wish other MMO's would offer single player options or availability to set up local communities/lan parties. So, catch 22.

3)  Somewhat cookie-cutter dungeons and area layouts. 

4)  Lore... I am not really immersed in it.  I'm in London.  Hell is visiting.  What else is there?  None of the lore is really 'in your face' , nor is it 'deep and underlying'. 

5)  FFS, I need more bag space. 

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In short, I think there is a lot of potential with this game.  I hope some thought is put into the game and it becomes a true alternative to other games out there.

As it stands, it's a game that I can pick-up and put down at my own pace.  I don't feel like I'm left behind or out of the loop.  When I log in, I know Hell will still be waiting on me... a lot like when I used to come home to my ex-wife.  I just hope I don't see her in a HellGate: London expansion.

Welcome to Hellgate! Hellgate can be addictively fun if you like those hacknslash type games. Yesterday me and 4 others grouped up for a Wake Hallow run and had a blast. Collected all 4 heads and defeated Moloc for some nice unique items most of us got.

Grouping in Hellgate is fairly easy, All you do is hit the p key and you can either make a party or simply join an existing one. In game mail is coming in Patch 1.2 sometime next week as posted on the official forums and hellgateguru. Non subs can only meet up in the stations while subscribers get the additonal content and can meet up in Stonehenge for Wake hallow and The Wilds farm runs. You can also check on the official forums to check the latest patch releases as well as future content patches such as Patch 2.0 The Abyss Chronicles.

Before Hellgate I was playing GW1 but since Hellgate has been so much fun I play more Hellgate than I do GW1. I might hop in 1-2 times a week to see some guildies in GW1 but after I am done it's back to Hellgate stomping out those nasty demons :P

Level 42 Enigneer Elite Mode

First off, welcome to the game!

Everything you mentioned is some legitimate problems for people who are in it for an MMO experience; really it's no more an MMO than Diablo II was, except instead of chatroom lobbies you get to see others running around the subway stations.

The in-game mail stuff will be arriving soon along with some other features, but I'm affraid the Lore and world will never be amazingly immersive. It's really not meant to be played like WoW or other big world persistent MMO's....it's just a good mindlessly violent hybrid of Diablo and Doom.

Stick around, and when ya get bored just come back after the updates. I play this as my "main secondary" game; it's perfect for pick up when I'm burnt on Guild Wars but wanting something a bit more than an FPS. They've posted some details over the next couple content expansion updates, and pretty soon some meaty group activities like group-focussed PvP and bigger group dungeons are on their way (Although some or a lot of it will possibly be available to subscribers...although to be fair when that stuff comes out, it'll be worth it.)

In the mean time though, it's pretty fun and there's plenty to do.

Feel free to hollar if ya need any running buddies :)

if u like pvp...then you should download Fury.

It is really a good game - that is seriously only lacking one thing...a large population.

PVP the game is pretty good.  For being free - its amazing.

(note: i played Asherons call 1 and 2, Shadowbane, SWG, and WOW)

I feel that AC1 is still the best game (MMO) ever made.  The pvp system was amazing.  A little too complex on the tedious learning curve, component system and running after lost items on death.  That being said...it was the best game ever made in this genre.  AC2 was a bit of a joke imo....

Shadowbane had some good qualities...guild vs guild battles and pretty good pvp.

WOW was made really well - but the game play was average - and pvp was not good at all.

SWG was not very good.  After 2 months I was done.

Thanks for the feedback. 

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Some additional questions:

How is XP in a group?  Do you get less, more, or the same? 

Group buffs?

Group loot?  ( I think I read that you should loot anything you see... because loot is spawned for each player). 

Guilds/Player Associations... ?  Subscribers only feature?

I am a subscriber... I have 5 essences for a few diff 'dungeons'... what now?  Wait til I hit max level, then go try them out?

Are certain bosses/NPC's worth 'farming'? 

Are there 'gear guides' for character classes?

Instance maps? 

Mod's?  Map overlay? UI changing mods?

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Sorry, tons of questions.  I've done some reading, granted not as much as I should... I know.  But if anyone happens to know the answers to some of those questions, it would be great. 

As a long time gamer of Diablo 1/2 and also a gamer of a list of MMORPG's including DAoC, (some UO),EQ2,and of course.. WoW, this game is a nice breath of fresh air to me!

I got burnt from WoW 2 different times during the years of playing and i started from Day 1 ( Useless PvP and raiding just annoyed the living shiz out of me)  and i stopped playing PC games for around 4-5 months cause of no interest and plain old R/L andddd also there was nothing or the market that peaked my interested until.......... i gave Hellgate a try.

I enjoy it alot... doesnt take up too much time so the girl doesnt complain and its fun! Im tired of stressing over games nemore.. all i want to do is have fun.

Hit me up on the US server on PhrozenTempest a lvl 10 Evo.

Played about 4 hours yesterday.... got the 'just one more level and I'll log, one more level' fever. 

BW,

You know I agree, couple months ago I purchased the game played for about an hour and hated it. 

Patched it up yesterday, and damn not sure what they have done but its 100% better.  That first subway is a blast I think they redesigned it, because if I remember it right the last time I ran it to Garden Station it was boring and linear.  Now its great!

I to am sick of WoW, if I do another Mana Tombs or Daily Quest my head will split.  Right now I am taking it slow in Hellgate and loving the instances and exploring the tunnels.  Some good stuff lurk down there, and the gameplay is hot! 

If you like Hack n Slash w/ kicking the S@#$ out of multiple enemies than this is for you.  Great graphics around every corner and I have actually noticed a pretty good AI with enemies dodging my magic.  Free to play or get a subscription (which I am thinking highly on).  Looks like a ton of people are starting to play it because the first couple quest hubs are flowing with advenuterers willing to take on the demons from the surface.

Like I said pick it up, hell it can only get better look who is designing it (guys that made diablo).  PvP coming raid encounters, large zones to run in.  I can't wait.

Fire

Hellgate: London helped pull me out of the WoW spin-cycle that I was in. 

I was honestly looking for a game that I could pick up, play when I want, and have a life... yet, not feel left behind by the masses if I didn't log in for a day or two. 

As I've stated in other threads here on MMORPG.COM, if/when I play a game... I go 'all-in'.  I just do.  Usually I'm a multi-account/multi-boxing type of player.   I do that for many reasons, but honestly... I do it more often when I get bored playing just 1 character at a time.  I haven't done that in Hellgate: London yet. 

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After hitting lvl 20... the dungeons are starting to look more and more like one another.  Does this change later on?

I've run into some issue's completing quests in certain areas where I have NPC 'help'.  They kill the mob's that I need to kill to complete the quest... and I don't get credit.  Then the mob's don't respawn for me.  I've tried zoning in and out... zoning out... waiting... zoning in... Then, I figure... I'll log out, get to it the next evening.  Not a good strategy on my part.  The quest count was reset and I had to start killing mob's all over again.  I'm further from completing the quest than I was before.  WTMF!?

*Idea:  Let me 'group' the NPC's when I zone in.  If there is a group of 6 waiting for me, let me choose 2 to run with me.  They should be different classes and I could pick 2 NPC party mates that would compliment my character.  As a Blademaster, I would want to find a healer and perhaps some ranged dmg... I just want the NPC's to be my backup, not obstacles. 

Crafting... needs more 'in game' information.  When I go to augment something at a station and I'm told... 'skill too low' or something, there should be more information on that.  What can I do to 'level up' my crafting?  Craft?  I guess I'm not seeing a 'crafting' level.  Do I need to level my character, then augment that item?  And, if that's the case... what's the use?  I mean, I looted the weapon, I want to augment it and use it NOW, lol.  I've never been much of a crafter in other games, but in HG: L I kinda need to do it just to keep my gear enhanced.

*Idea:  Portable crafting stations. 

Storage in almost any game is a burden.  It's something that really gets in your way, honestly.  I mean, you're playing along, looting this, looting that, levelling, completing missions, etc.,.. You are having a good time, the way the dev's intended... then, you get that message 'INVENTORY IS FULL'.  What?!?! 

*Idea:  Quests to increase bag space or inventory space. 

**idea:  Like the recall beacon (device to port you back to the last station you visited), have a device that ports a storage unit to you.  It could port in, you throw some loot in there, send it home... and it's waiting for you when you get back.  Instead of the current system where you have to port out, drop off loot, port back and continue. 

Inventory space shouldn't dictate when I have to return to a station.  The storyline or quest completion should. 

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I like the mini-game.  Great idea.  No knocks against it at all.  Love it. 

Love the amount of damage that I'm able to do as a Blademaster.  The character class is great, imho.  Keep health stims on you and a shield in a weapon config, and you are set.  I'm a n00b at this game, and I find Blademaster has been very enjoyable and relatively easy to play. 

I've attempted to play some of the other classes but I just can't seem to get into them.  I think it's because this game isn't quick enough to really be a FPS (like a Battlefield2 or CounterStrike).. I just can't seem to get into ranged characters in this game.  I mean, if I could really snipe... and 1 shot/1 kill creatures, that might be one thing.  But the system doesn't really allow me to do that. 

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That's all I have for now, but the game is still enjoyable and is serving the purpose of stealing cycles from WoW.  And that's a good thing.