Originally posted by MightyJudge

Originally posted by TheFirst109

Originally posted by Stradden

Originally posted by TheFirst109

Not to mention the fact that even if you weren't rushing, the 1-20 review should have come like 2-3 weeks ago. 1-20 is a complete joke in how long it takes to do, and then the game takes a nose dive in content. This is quite obvious to most who have played it and have experience with past mmo's. I agree with the others who said this is a blatant attempt to review the nicer side of the game.

Ok, I'm going to step in here for a minute and explain exactly why this is a 1-20 review:

First, yes, I realize that it doesn't take a long time to run through the content of 1-20 if you're running through the content to progress past it. It's a little bit different when you're playing a game to review it. When you're playing a game for the purposes of a review, you have to go much more slowly. You read every piece of dialogue, you go through unnecessary quests, and just generally spend time exploring.

Also, it isn't enough to move through the content with only one character in only one class. Ideally, you should move through the content with every class and see how it differs both in terms of story and functionality. In this case, I have played four different characters through the content.

Also, as you play those characters, you shoud also try playing on the different server types. In my case, I am playing on PvE, FFA PvP and RP.

It would be totally irresponsible to write a review based on a casual viewing or even a typical play-through. A reviewer needs to be as familiar with the body of what they are reviewing as possible.

Why haven't I reviewed the full game? Probably because I have four characters at and around level 20 and have barely ventured into the rest of the game. As the content is properly completed, we will update the review.

Hope that clears things up for you

I understand where you are coming from with this, wanting to review the game in whole.

However, what is irresponsible is releasing a highly unfinished product. It should be relayed to your readers in that sense, if you are buying this game you are buying a product that has content up to around lvl 40 and then after that have fun grinding. I play the game and I stomach it, but when you review something review it in its entirety as it is presented to the public, not how it is as content is eventually added to make up for the lack of it.

"As the content is properly completed, we will update the review" to me just says that you know this game has nothing to review for past a certain level - and for that it should be fairly given a 0/10 for this moment levels 40-80. I have to respectfully agree with the others who have posted that if this were a game like everquest 2 where getting to 20 actually took some time when it first came out then that feat is worth a review, but you gave a review for part of the game that took me 6 hours to do at a casual pace.

~Danke

 

You brought up a great point and a few words I missed, I agree 100% keep reviewing it now, not when content is properly updated, I was under the impression this was an initial review and a 21-40 would be forth-coming,

I missed the "As the content is properly updated, we will update the review". Thanks for pointing it out. I have to agree with the players that if you don't intend to keep reviewing the game as is now then it is half a review, are saying you will update the 21-40 in what 2-3 months or more?

I agree, if this is the case, why bother? Why wait until the game is "properly updated" before reviewing the rest of it? The damn game is released, this means for all intents and purposes it is done. People are paying for it and playing it. New people deserve to know what game they're getting if they sign up now, not in two or three months.

Gotta tell ya Jon, if you want dispell the belief some have of your reviews being biased and  motivated by incentives from Funcom instead of the truth, then review the rest of the game fairly and accurately as it stands right now. 21-40, 41-60,61-80.

what he's saying is that in order to do a complete review it's gonna take a lot longer time than this, he's saying leveling several characters up to lvl 80 and partaking in all aspects of the game. that takes time, lots of time--possibly several months time.

Originally posted by davvin

what he's saying is that in order to do a complete review it's gonna take a lot longer time than this, he's saying leveling several characters up to lvl 80 and partaking in all aspects of the game. that takes time, lots of time--possibly several months time.

What he's saying is that he has a life outside of the gaming world!!!  Unlike the people who have the ability to play 20 hours a day.

Originally posted by Zorvan

 

I agree, if this is the case, why bother? Why wait until the game is "properly updated" before reviewing the rest of it? The damn game is released, this means for all intents and purposes it is done. People are paying for it and playing it. New people deserve to know what game they're getting if they sign up now, not in two or three months.

Gotta tell ya Jon, if you want dispell the belief some have of your reviews being biased and  motivated by incentives from Funcom instead of the truth, then review the rest of the game fairly and accurately as it stands right now. 21-40, 41-60,61-80.

Everything has a conspiracy to it....  oh wait thats right lets call a Congressional hearing to investigate the improprities of MMORPG.com and their reviews being funded by the gaming companies themselves.

Yup, right up there withe Clemens on steriods, the Patriots stealing signs, the federal gov't as teh true mastermind of 9-11.

Give me a freaking break already.  The amount of criticism that spews out of 75% of you all is absurd.  If you know so much about what people want, make a game company, pay Jon to review it, and shut the hell up!

Originally posted by melwe

Originally posted by davvin

what he's saying is that in order to do a complete review it's gonna take a lot longer time than this, he's saying leveling several characters up to lvl 80 and partaking in all aspects of the game. that takes time, lots of time--possibly several months time.

 

What he's saying is that he has a life outside of the gaming world!!!  Unlike the people who have the ability to play 20 hours a day.

It's his job, not his past time. he gets paid to deal with games, including reviewing them, having other people review them, etc., etc.
 

Originally posted by melwe

Originally posted by Zorvan

 

I agree, if this is the case, why bother? Why wait until the game is "properly updated" before reviewing the rest of it? The damn game is released, this means for all intents and purposes it is done. People are paying for it and playing it. New people deserve to know what game they're getting if they sign up now, not in two or three months.

Gotta tell ya Jon, if you want dispell the belief some have of your reviews being biased and  motivated by incentives from Funcom instead of the truth, then review the rest of the game fairly and accurately as it stands right now. 21-40, 41-60,61-80.

 

Everything has a conspiracy to it....  oh wait thats right lets call a Congressional hearing to investigate the improprities of MMORPG.com and their reviews being funded by the gaming companies themselves.

Yup, right up there withe Clemens on steriods, the Patriots stealing signs, the federal gov't as teh true mastermind of 9-11.

Give me a freaking break already.  The amount of criticism that spews out of 75% of you all is absurd.  If you know so much about what people want, make a game company, pay Jon to review it, and shut the hell up!

First of all, comparing this to congressional hearings and 9/11 conspiracies shows you may want to schedule some sessions of your own with the local headshrinker.
 

Secondly, I did not say that he was in fact taking money for reviews. however, many people have accused him and this site of doing such thing, and I simply stated one way this could be shown untrue.

And finally, who are you again?

Exactly.

Originally posted by davvin

what he's saying is that in order to do a complete review it's gonna take a lot longer time than this, he's saying leveling several characters up to lvl 80 and partaking in all aspects of the game. that takes time, lots of time--possibly several months time.

You missed the point, the time it takes to review is very reasonable, the point being made is another review will not even be attempted until the content in the game past level 20 has been updated/added, thus it won't be reviewed as the game stands at release, which is when we are buying it.

Half a review of half a game, the rest of the review will come when the game is complete, that should speak volumes of the state of the game...

Originally posted by Zorvan

 

And finally, who are you again?

 

I'm a nobody in the big picture of life, just like you, and at least I have the intelligence to know that!!  The amount of time I see people waste on knocking a game is beyond me.  And yea, I'm getting caught up with it too and now I'll stop.

Have a good one!

Originally posted by MightyJudge

Originally posted by davvin

what he's saying is that in order to do a complete review it's gonna take a lot longer time than this, he's saying leveling several characters up to lvl 80 and partaking in all aspects of the game. that takes time, lots of time--possibly several months time.

 

You missed the point, the time it takes to review is very reasonable, the point being made is another review will not even be attempted until the content in the game past level 20 has been updated/added, thus it won't be reviewed as the game stands at release, which is when we are buying it.

Half a review of half a game, the rest of the review will come when the game is complete, that should speak volumes of the state of the game...

you must not be reading the same thing i'm reading, cause he's saying that as he completes the content he will update the review.

"Also, it isn't enough to move through the content with only one character in only one class. Ideally, you should move through the content with every class and see how it differs both in terms of story and functionality. In this case, I have played four different characters through the content.

see, he's saying that in order to do a proper review he needs to go through the content with several different characters/classes--he's got 4 and they're on different server types to get a better all around feel for the game. notice that part down at the bottom? see, he's already stated that in order to do a proper review he needs to play it on several characters/classes/servers--that is what he refers to as "proper", and once he completes the content in the "proper" manner (see above--several characters/classes/servers) he will update the review of the game.

he's not saying that he will update the review once the game is complete, he's saying as he completes the content in the proper manner he will update it. do you think that Funcom is going to have the game completely fixed with no bugs and completely full of content within even the next month?! are you afraid of Funcom's patching schedule that they might fix the bugs and content before a full review can be done, lol?! i like the game and i still play the game, but i'm not deluded into thinking that in a couple weeks everything is gonna be fine and dandy--it's gonna take some time to get everything worked out.

Originally posted by davvin

Originally posted by MightyJudge

Originally posted by davvin

what he's saying is that in order to do a complete review it's gonna take a lot longer time than this, he's saying leveling several characters up to lvl 80 and partaking in all aspects of the game. that takes time, lots of time--possibly several months time.

 

You missed the point, the time it takes to review is very reasonable, the point being made is another review will not even be attempted until the content in the game past level 20 has been updated/added, thus it won't be reviewed as the game stands at release, which is when we are buying it.

Half a review of half a game, the rest of the review will come when the game is complete, that should speak volumes of the state of the game...

 

you must not be reading the same thing i'm reading, cause he's saying that as he completes the content he will update the review.

 

 

 

 

see, he's saying that in order to do a proper review he needs to go through the content with several different characters/classes--he's got 4 and they're on different server types to get a better all around feel for the game. notice that part down at the bottom? see, he's already stated that in order to do a proper review he needs to play it on several characters/classes/servers--that is what he refers to as "proper", and once he completes the content in the "proper" manner (see above--several characters/classes/servers) he will update the review of the game.

 

he's not saying that he will update the review once the game is complete, he's saying as he completes the content in the proper manner he will update it. do you think that Funcom is going to have the game completely fixed with no bugs and completely full of content within even the next month?! are you afraid of Funcom's patching schedule that they might fix the bugs and content before a full review can be done, lol?! i like the game and i still play the game, but i'm not deluded into thinking that in a couple weeks everything is gonna be fine and dandy--it's gonna take some time to get everything worked out.

 

"Also, it isn't enough to move through the content with only one character in only one class. Ideally, you should move through the content with every class and see how it differs both in terms of story and functionality. In this case, I have played four different characters through the content.

Also, as you play those characters, you shoud also try playing on the different server types. In my case, I am playing on PvE, FFA PvP and RP.

It would be totally irresponsible to write a review based on a casual viewing or even a typical play-through. A reviewer needs to be as familiar with the body of what they are reviewing as possible.

Why haven't I reviewed the full game? Probably because I have four characters at and around level 20 and have barely ventured into the rest of the game. As the content is properly completed, we will update the review."

First off, my bad on a miss quote, it was "content is properly completed, it will be updated". Sorry. That aside it still can be read either way, content is properly completed as a reviewer, or content is properly completed by Funcom and the the review will update. I think this is the main argument being made, until Jon clears that up we'll have to wait and see.

Also I have no wish to see a good or bad review, I got the CE, had the 10k lag for the 30 free days, cancelled account, all over for me and won't be going back, I hope the bugs get fixed for those who remain. I just want a fair review, if it is the case the review is in the process of being researched while we speak then its all good. So far I think it has been a balanced review. I would still like to know how Funcom fixed his lag.

Review should be most useful to people who haven't played the game yet, who cares what the rest think, I didn't buy it yet and thought this review is very useful in helping me with decision making.

Originally posted by davvin

Originally posted by MightyJudge

Originally posted by davvin

what he's saying is that in order to do a complete review it's gonna take a lot longer time than this, he's saying leveling several characters up to lvl 80 and partaking in all aspects of the game. that takes time, lots of time--possibly several months time.

 

You missed the point, the time it takes to review is very reasonable, the point being made is another review will not even be attempted until the content in the game past level 20 has been updated/added, thus it won't be reviewed as the game stands at release, which is when we are buying it.

Half a review of half a game, the rest of the review will come when the game is complete, that should speak volumes of the state of the game...

 

you must not be reading the same thing i'm reading, cause he's saying that as he completes the content he will update the review.

 

 

 

see, he's saying that in order to do a proper review he needs to go through the content with several different characters/classes--he's got 4 and they're on different server types to get a better all around feel for the game. notice that part down at the bottom? see, he's already stated that in order to do a proper review he needs to play it on several characters/classes/servers--that is what he refers to as "proper", and once he completes the content in the "proper" manner (see above--several characters/classes/servers) he will update the review of the game.

 

he's not saying that he will update the review once the game is complete, he's saying as he completes the content in the proper manner he will update it. do you think that Funcom is going to have the game completely fixed with no bugs and completely full of content within even the next month?! are you afraid of Funcom's patching schedule that they might fix the bugs and content before a full review can be done, lol?! i like the game and i still play the game, but i'm not deluded into thinking that in a couple weeks everything is gonna be fine and dandy--it's gonna take some time to get everything worked out.

"Also, it isn't enough to move through the content with only one character in only one class. Ideally, you should move through the content with every class and see how it differs both in terms of story and functionality. In this case, I have played four different characters through the content.

Also, as you play those characters, you shoud also try playing on the different server types. In my case, I am playing on PvE, FFA PvP and RP.

It would be totally irresponsible to write a review based on a casual viewing or even a typical play-through. A reviewer needs to be as familiar with the body of what they are reviewing as possible.

Why haven't I reviewed the full game? Probably because I have four characters at and around level 20 and have barely ventured into the rest of the game. As the content is properly completed, we will update the review."

i guess i'm missing a huge part of this review...

where is the comparison/contrast to the different classes and server types played?  the only mention i really saw was that some dude on an RP server, RP'ed before attacking...

so, for reading all the quests, trying all the stuff, playing on all the server types and with different toon types -- where's the comparison/contrast?

otherwise, why were all these toons leveled to 20?  because if that's the reason he gave (it is); then, where's the info?  should i just expect RP on an RP server and that was the only diff between servers and toons?

The only suprising thing here is that they didnt try to pull this trick with vanguard.

They could have just reviewed character creation,and  "put off" reviewing all the rest of the things that were screwed up.How long did they try and put off a review on that one ?Shame(for Brad and co) they didnt think of this back than,they could have put a review out day one.

I really have to wonder what the next low in MMO review "journalism" will be.Perhaps they'll go as far as to review the box and packaging for the next train wreck.

"Yes, we give the box and packaging a 9 out of 10.Be sure to pay out the $40 bucks to experience this".

"What ? You'd like to hear about the game INSIDE the box and packaging ?You want to knwo if the features promised are actually in the game and working ?Dont worry, spend your $40 bucks now, and sometime in the future we'll get around to actually telling you about it."

Heck, they could even get D&L some extra cash this way ......

Im sure some people would actually buy the spin .You know, like they are now.

Seems to me like hes written his review on what he thought of the game! how unfair lol.

This is another one of those games where so mny people have so different experiences of it.

Personaly people say there is no content after level 40! i am a level 53 Ranger now and currently am playing in the snowy mountian area, eligolithian mountains or something cant remember at work at min :) but my biggest bug bear is that the quest list is just too small. I'm having to delete quests just to fit others in.

But then again i'm a grinding fan and not a quest fan. i left wow after being in so many groups where during an hour period i was in a group with 10 players! we start a group kill a quest mob and 3 players leave to do a quest hand in nd so on. so yes you can race through all the quests to level as fast as poss or you can play the game. if you played a single player game and levelled to the end level would you complain bout lack of content? yes i know mmo's are different as in there is no end, but lets use our common sense and realise that at the begining there can only be so much content and most is going to be focused on the early levels as thats where we all start, for those that want to race ahead and max out, fine! just dont complin about it later.

you can pick a fault in anyones argument/opinions, actualy anyone can pick a fault with almost anything in the whole world. only experience and wisdom will teach you what to let go over your head.

Originally posted by AlienShirt

It's too bad the best AoC has to offer is levels 1-20. It is downhill from there.

Thats along the same lines I thought also.  The higher level you get the worse it gets.

I do have to say the first 20 levels have a great story behind it and is pretty fun.  Thats the important part.

My god, a lot of you are truly close-minded. Do you even know everything that making a full review of a game implies? Moreover, it's not just "a game", it's a fucking MMO. You do know MMOs are eternal works in progress, right? You do know MMOs are designed to provide for a whole of a lot more hours of gameplay than your average Mass Effect, right? Not only that, but I hope you do know that MMOs are quite deep when it comes to amount of content, and one person blasting through EVERYTHING the game has to offer in a month and writing a believable review about is inconceivable.

Sure, there's reviews out there that go for the whole game. Have you even thought why? Because that's the way games have been reviewed for years and years. When MMOs started coming out, the most logical proceeding was to apply the same reviewing techniques and standards, because they're games too, after all. But you're not counting that these things are bloody massive, and they get even bigger and deeper with the years. Normal reviews don't cut it anymore, because what the reviewer experiences will probably be very different to whatever the reader plays with, and because a person, or even a team of persons, will not be able to explain fully what an MMO consists of, how it plays, and so on, by just going through the content like normal reviewers do with normal single player and multiplayer games, because there's only so many sides to them.

I think this kind of review is a prudent step forward in the ways the media reviews MMOs. Sure, we'll have three different ones, but then again, that's just how MMOs are, unless you really think playing at level 5 in Everquest was the same as playing at level 50. So stop deluding yourselves with the "OMG WE NEED FULL CONTENT REVIEW" because it's stupid and impossible to achieve due to the aformentioned "eternal works in progress" characteristic: when the reviewer reaches level 50 the content might have already changed anyway. Therefore, we have two possibilities: no review at all, or sectioned reviews of what there is NOW under the capabilities and deadlines of the reviewer. I'd rather have reviews from people who try to be objective under the pressure of the public than the random idiotic uncoherent ramblings I see coming from the regular posters in this site.

In my opinion this is the new way of reviewing this particular type of game, and I think it suits its needs a lot better than normal, run-through reviews, which are perfect for other types. It may not be fully accomplished, but it's a step forward from the always-seemingly -incomplete reviews of the past.

I have no doubt this will be a start to a new trend.The industry is so screwed up, and the products in such sad shape they have to do everything they can to hide it.

Of course, its unlikely they will also decide to put off teling people to " BUY IT NOW" while deciding to only give out some approved minuscule amount  of real information about the product.,in their new partial review system .

Can't risk sales, and  hence advertising revenues and stay alive for long.

And make NO mistake, this site's primary purpose is to act as a proxy for MMO companies and sell their products.

Nice to see someone actually telling you what they're reviewing (levels 1-20), thanks for informing people.

Most reviewers will make blanket statements about the game as a whole based on the first 1-20 levels which is just misleading.

Nice review of 1-20.  I pretty much agree with all of it, other than the comments about replayability.  The differences in the quests between the four classes I took through those levels were minor. 

The combat system is fun to play.  My main is a 61 Barbarian, but I'll be canceling and checking back in six months to see if things have improved.  I'm tired of grinding.  There is no siege battle or other PvP to break up the monotony.  The crafting isn't working right and I'm not going to waste time on it as it is.  I leveled all my gathering skills as far as they will go, but for what?  Can't sell the stuff.   The auction system is buggy and I finally got to the point where I stopped trying to use it.  There's just not enough non-grinding stuff to do in AoC yet.  The combat is really fun, though.  Hopefully, things will be ironed out in the future. 

I am begining to think that AoC has not got enough "grinding" things to do. Thats where its starting to go wrong. there are enough quests etc to keep progressing, so far at least i still have a full journal at 54. But other than that theres no grinding like in eq for example i could go and faction grind to gains quests i shouldnt be able to have due to faction. i could just go and grind cash in solA. in AoC theres just no grinding to be done and that's why players are simply burning out to fast. i'm having a few days on AoC then \ few on EQ to grind my AA's.

The trend will change again soon, first it started as we dont want grinding in games ( other than me :) ) but now players look at games like AoC and jump straight on the old grind bandwagon! but lets face it these easy quest orientated games dont need you to grind for yourself they will lead you along the way. And i am missing one huge thing on AoC....... FACTION! Like a others have said i can insult npc's then reopen chat and they will still give me the quest lol. Why cant they refuse to give me the quest due to my actions against thier faction group? i just have to face it..while i do enjoy AoC for what it is. there will never be a game like old eq again :(.

Originally posted by Stradden

As the content is properly completed, we will update the review.

Oops... that's the very point people are making: the game you pay for Now, and therefore reasonably expect to be able to Play Now, isn't feature complete.

Thanks to the review i'll hold off making a purchase until more of the game is Properly Completed.

Someone else said: make a world, not a game,  As the article stated, it seems mmog makers have abandoned this noble vision for what the genre might have been.