Gave it a solid go, but looking over the entire game and what it has to offer at a $15 a month price tag, was kjust not adding up for me. The pvp is entertaining  but the sheer lack of over all content was not as immersive as other games I've played.

I can clearly see why people like or love this game, there is a good many things that are pretty cool, but for my gaming needs these things just don't fit into my category of great game. AoC at one point made it past VG on my top list, but after looking deep and hard, VG as moved up once again.

Think the biggest turn off is the control combo system, being some one who is older gamer, this combo system is pretty ridiculous for melee players. For people not using the g15 game keyboard a g13 gameboard, I feel bad for your hands, seriouly, The controls , control mapping and all around interface are huge minus for me, Even after unbinding shift and alt, they still switched my hotbar rows, annoying. The onlly reason for this is because the controls are hard coded for xbox 360 testing, annoying.

Graphics are good looking but over all they just don't fit a world like conan, the graphics are to pretty, there is no sense of atmosphere withing instances and the over all instace are almost ALWAYS surrounded by mountains, even the fracking desert area, annoying.

I got caught up in the game after level 20 on a few great designed instances like the one with the statues that move and you got to fight them all to get inside the chamber to kill boss statue. That was amazing, but those amazing thingss are very very few and far between.. Truthfully played that instanced , and ever since that instance was waiting for another moment like that, never came.  We went inside the one Ymirs instance, Ampitheatre and I was yawning through the entire thing, it felt so much like diablo that it was boring. Seeing the big Ymir guy should of been a great amazing things, but it felt out of place, and it is a very cliche object. How many Ymirs can consist over so many mmorpgs ? 

Think the bottom line for myself and no one else , but myself is the game just isn't  thought out, everything was rushed at the end to get it on the market, and if the xbox360 version flops, we won't be seeing Funcoms next mmo.

I stand by my first veiw of the game cause that is how it played, but this is a month time frame, made it to 62 and the game just had no outlook of getting better or that feeling of wanting to continue.

Not everyone likes the same games. Thankfully there's hundreds of MMO's to play nowadays so i'm sure you'll find a game more to your liking :)

Wow...A guy gives an honest and fair view of the game, and this is the response he gets. I was thinking of trying the game, but if the community is anything like you, I'll pass.

It's funny really how the biggest turn off for some is what makes others tick. The melee combat system with combos is probably one of the main reasons why I like this game (and I only use a regular keyboard). I really like how you have to time your attacks and combine moving your character and building up for the combos. This for me is a level of interaction that I have never found in any other MMO. Thanks for your thoughts though and for keeping it clean :)

The combat system is probably one of the most loved and hated systems of AoC. I'm 32 this year and consider myself to be one of the older gamers. The combo system was one of the things I instantly loved. I do have the G15 keyboard, but none of the macro buttons are being used for any game. Sure I could macro the combo's and make things easier for myself, but I do like to know I actually play the game myself. Bought DF yesterday to test it out, and whilst the game is ok and seem to be fun I do miss the combat system from AoC. In many ways it feels more innovative and more that I actually control's the outcome of the fight myself. Time will show what game I stick to, but for now I will give DF some testing to see how it is.

Not all games are for everyone, and with the diversity we have in games today finding the game you like should be easy. AoC was a fresh breath of air when it came to melee combat, and time will show if DF will be good enough to replace that feeling or not.

Originally posted by Crashloop

The combat system is probably one of the most loved and hated systems of AoC. I'm 32 this year and consider myself to be one of the older gamers. The combo system was one of the things I instantly loved. I do have the G15 keyboard, but none of the macro buttons are being used for any game. Sure I could macro the combo's and make things easier for myself, but I do like to know I actually play the game myself. Bought DF yesterday to test it out, and whilst the game is ok and seem to be fun I do miss the combat system from AoC. In many ways it feels more innovative and more that I actually control's the outcome of the fight myself. Time will show what game I stick to, but for now I will give DF some testing to see how it is.

Not all games are for everyone, and with the diversity we have in games today finding the game you like should be easy. AoC was a fresh breath of air when it came to melee combat, and time will show if DF will be good enough to replace that feeling or not.

When you're ready, please give us an AoC vs. Darkfall review in here. I'm really interested in seeing the pros and cons of each other versus the other.

Thanks,

A.

AoC is a great game too bad it's plague with really stupid design decisions - the pvp xp system is the worst I have ever seen, wish they would have taken lessons from WAR.

Gameplay is great though if you play ranged class, if you play assassin the stealth system is going to drive you insane in pvp.

Originally posted by abal

Originally posted by Crashloop

The combat system is probably one of the most loved and hated systems of AoC. I'm 32 this year and consider myself to be one of the older gamers. The combo system was one of the things I instantly loved. I do have the G15 keyboard, but none of the macro buttons are being used for any game. Sure I could macro the combo's and make things easier for myself, but I do like to know I actually play the game myself. Bought DF yesterday to test it out, and whilst the game is ok and seem to be fun I do miss the combat system from AoC. In many ways it feels more innovative and more that I actually control's the outcome of the fight myself. Time will show what game I stick to, but for now I will give DF some testing to see how it is.

Not all games are for everyone, and with the diversity we have in games today finding the game you like should be easy. AoC was a fresh breath of air when it came to melee combat, and time will show if DF will be good enough to replace that feeling or not.

 

When you're ready, please give us an AoC vs. Darkfall review in here. I'm really interested in seeing the pros and cons of each other versus the other.

 

Thanks,

A.

That I will do.

I personally think the graphics fits the world quite good and some parts of the combat system are very good like the fact that you don't actually need to target someone, just swing your sword at them.

However the content is far from enough and as I see it, the game will be nowhere near it's potential before one or several expansions are out. However, this is not the first game like that. EQ2 is a very good game now but at launch the content was extremly thin. Same thing with LOTRO.

Oh, and the crafting sucks too. But still, the game have potential and the group dynamic is great. The combo system should have a revamp, it got dumbed down in the early beta and never really felt right because of that.

i tryed aoc i lasted about 2 weeks the combat system just got on my nerves. it was really cool and new at first and was fun but after 10 days of up right or up left it just got really boring. when i played the game was full of bugs also so that really didnt help the game at all for me. but im glad some ppl are having fun with it game looks great though and i had high hopes for it. but i also cant find any game to stick with for very long at all. warhammer was a blast till lvl 40 then after i got my gear i was really disapointed how little end game there was for a game that was supposed to be all end game. sorry i got off topic

Good review, but what you said about the game lacking content is not true at all. There are dungeons for every level range, and multiple questing areas loaded with quests.

Also i thought the game world was the most immersive i have seen in an mmo.

Finally the combat system is one of the thing i like the most in the game, it's harder yes, but combine it would directional movements, weapon range and you have one of the best combat system in an mmo. A better player will always win, no matter the gear.

We probably don't enjoy the game type of game, but i think you didn't expenrience everything AoC has to offer from your review.

As the OP stated when he started playing AoC, nothing will take him away from his LOTRO, and it makes for a good point.

The systems in AoC and LOTRO are two different worlds. LOTRO went with the familiar global cooldown on skills in a turn based like system for combat, AoC went for a more active skills based system which you need to stay on top of.

LOTRO as we all know is a true high fantasy setting. AoC is a low fantasy realistic world with real world mechanics (loot being more realistic clothing, etc.)

LOTRO is for the casual player who does not PvP very much, and likes more downtime features like housing and crafting. I consider AoC more of an Action MMO, with action game stylings.

I for one have found zero issues with content (I am level 67 and have yet to run out, but I am also running two alts), I have had zero issues with stability and playability (except for a current DX10 issue, which I prefer DX9 anyways at this time)...

But, for the OP, we can pretty much see it is their leanings toward gamestyle that makes the difference. The requirement of housing, crafting and other downtime activities seen in high fantasy games is what is considered content, and this makes for a more enjoyable playstyle for the person.

If anything, people need to decide what they want out of their MMO and stick to that style of game, because when you compare two very different settings, with a preference for one particular type of world, the other will disappoint.

Good luck in LOTRO.

 i would have taken your points of view seriously if you were not the same guy who was just claiming a few days ago that AoC DX10 destroyed ! his video card. lol
yes we all know that AoC needs more content, and thats actually normal for every relatively new MMO.
if you are comparing AoC to games which existed for several years then it is not a fair comparison and that makes your argument pointless.
all that i needed to know as a player is wheather Funcom were taking it seriously, which they did prove true by adding a considerable amount of content. so the content argument is no argument.

and you can complain about melee combos when you have something better, but as long as whatever you are playing is a left click fest then your complaints are kind of ridiculous.

as for your personal point of views regarding gfx etc... well, those are your point of views and nobody can force you to like the superior AoC gfx if you dont. and if not liking the mountain at the end of desert is reason enough for you to quit an MMO ! then this tipo is probably reason enough for you to stop reading and leave this thread all together.

come on man, be serious for once...

I gave the game a good try, played the full free month, made several character up to level 15 before settling to my bear shaman that i level up to 37 in a month.   When time came to pay the montly fee i just did'nt see the point of continuing.   Guess i'm just burned out with mmo's, it's not a content problem, hell most of the time you have to delete quest cause your book can only contain 30 at the time.

A thing that could have kept me subscbribed for 1 more month was DX 10.  They launch it and my performance at 1680x1050, everything on high with DX 9, averaging 80fps went down to 15fps with dx 10...... 

Originally posted by clearSam

come on man, be serious for once...

Can you specifically post where I said "destroyed my video card"  The card reached a temp that was high, and shutdown. This was my veiw, not a review, and as my veiw , it is my personal opinion, no one elses but my own. Seriously need to just let it go and play the game if you like, cause the more you argue about it the more transparent is to me atleast your searching for reason why you like this game, seriously.

Thanks for your thoughts, I was wondering whether I should really sub or not, seeing as I'm a slow leveler and just got out of Tortage.

I'll be sharing my thoughts too.

In my veiw, only my veiw and no one elses , the crafting system, I would argue what system ? Think this node farming crafting this is pretty bad. An entire zone dedicated to gathering resources , really felt like a "o crap , we forgot crafting" Not having a more robust way to create items will leave any crafter typpe player wondering why they did it like they did. Compared to Vanguard's system , which in my opinion is one of the best crafting systems to date, AoC is last. LotrO crafting system even though it is not as robust as VG's has way more to offer then standing in a spot and magically creating items out of thin air.

Another poster mentions being an "older gamer" , I guess I should be more specific, older gamers who work at jobs where they use there fingers to type, sort, lift stack for long periods of time, will eventually grow tired of these control. Maybe folks with trust funds won't find it to annoying, but my self personally, have worked hard jobs , hard on the body and hands, and the last thing i want to do when playing a computer games is work just hard doing a combo. Get out in the work force and do some assembly work for a year , and then play AoC, let me kno how that works out . :)

Originally posted by solareus

Can you specifically post where I said "destroyed my video card"  The card reached a temp that was high, and shutdown. 

You wording made it sound like it had "ruined" your card,

http://www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/post/2743194#2743194

"dust on the video card burned immediatley. Be careful on this kind of bull crap. You can damage your hardware instantly"

http://www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/post/2743272#2743272

"went to get the loc and upont steeping to it, my system smelled of smoke, I emmedialyy ctrl +alt+del to see the temps , My card spike to 189degrees. I've never seen that."

Guess clearSam should have said "You made it sound like AoC could destroy your video card". Which it cannot...but the dust you mentioned on your card can.

In so many words, we could see how he would find your information fallible.

Cheers

I live in a city of about 300,000, i visited the 5 EBgames stores in town, each AoC copy was exactly $10 more then other places such as Walmart and Future Shop/Best Buy.

Not a single EBgames had game time cards, nor did any Walmart or Future Shop, yet they all sold the game.

Found that really strange anyway.

I dont have a CC unfortunately and can't find a place to purchase the game time card online via Paypal.

Any help would be appreciated.

Originally posted by solareus

Another poster mentions being an "older gamer" , I guess I should be more specific, older gamers who work at jobs where they use there fingers to type, sort, lift stack for long periods of time, will eventually grow tired of these control. 

I am 46 years old, work for a Web Development and media division for a Non-profit. I also blog, twitter, etc.

I build computer systems on the side, which requires small screws, small tools, working in confined spaces.

9/10's of my time is using my fingers,

AoC is hands down the best combat system I have ever used, as it requires more than pressing one number and waiting around for my next skill.

I will take action which requires dexterity anyday!