I've played every single AAA MMO title on the market. All of them... at length.

I just quit WoW for about the 17th time.. because well, I saw a box of sodas in wal mart with an orc on the front, with the words "game fuel" written on it.  I don't mind a game being popular, but when it becomes pop culture.. I've had enough.

The announcement of FF14 was the greatest news I've heard in years. I expect that this game will be the game to play in 2010.. but right now its still 2009.

I resubbed to FFXI because well, I figured I could reminisce all the good times I had while waiting for 14. However, my friends are all trying to get me to play Aion with them.  But, all the reviews I am reading say the game is basically the WoW model, with a anime/manga skin tacked on? What is there to do besides quest/grind/pvp? And how deep is the storyline of the game? Honestly, after playing WoW, LOTRO, WAR and Conan.. is there any reason for me to think this will be any more fun than those?

I was going to preorder it and try the free weekend.. but I just don't even know if its worth the effort.

My impression of  AIon is it will be very focused on PVP with  some PVE content.  I didn't much care for what little of the game i played.  So if you like PVP and the aerial combat intrigues you,  it couldn't hurt to try

Clearly you have selective reading. Not everyone says that's it like WoW in fact that's probably the biggest argument at this point. Plus everything you listed is what makes up and MMO so I don't know what you expect. Sounds like you should go play a console game or something because most mmos do the same thing but in different ways. You also can't ask how deep the storyline is because that is personal opinion. Some people will say it's average, some will say there is story everywhere, and others will say the story is boring. Try it yourself or don't if you're not convinced. *shrug* 

Originally posted by raystantz

 What is there to do besides quest/grind/pvp?

At some point I feel like...

What is there to do besides quest, grind, pvp, harvest, craft and be social?

What are you looking for an MMO to do?

If you quest/grind/pvp its because you choose to... if you harvest/craft its because you choose to... if you make friends and have fun .. its because you choose to..

At some point I think I get lost in exactly what anyone seems to be looking for.

If you said "I don't want a game entirely based on quests.." as an example..

I could think of EQ Camps... or like DAoC .. and understand the concept of socialized game play.. rather than how fast you can run from Point A to Point B.

If you said you wanted a game like EQ when it launched... (it was difficult compared to current games) I'd understand that.

But you basicly list every actitivy any MMO has ever had... and then ask if there is more to do than...

I, for one, hated WoW...played it for a bit...just couldnt do it anymore despite friends.  In contrast, I love Aion...the style, graphics, the mechanics, creativity...I find it more challenging and that's without abyss and raiding later on.

I too am excited about the new FF MMO and can't wait for it.  However if history has taught us lessons, just because the 1st MMO is sucessful or it's an established company doesnt gurantee anything...SoE for example.

i would say it's worth it...access to events plus Im sure youll play it for a while...some games that gor for 60+ today only last a few hours.

Originally posted by natuxatu

Clearly you have selective reading. Not everyone says that's it like WoW in fact that's probably the biggest argument at this point. Plus everything you listed is what makes up and MMO so I don't know what you expect. Sounds like you should go play a console game or something because most mmos do the same thing but in different ways. You also can't ask how deep the storyline is because that is personal opinion. Some people will say it's average, some will say there is story everywhere, and others will say the story is boring. Try it yourself or don't if you're not convinced. *shrug* 

no I don't...

FFXI is definitely not anything at all like WoW..

so therefore all mmos aren't "like that".

I don't like easy games. WoW is easy, LOTRO is easy, WARHAMMER is easy, Conan is easy... is Aion just as easy?

So, you quit playing WoW just because it has a soda pop promotion?

Also, you say you hate it when games become too popular yet you are playing a Final Fantasy game and eagerly awaiting a Final Fantasy game?

Your double standards confuse me.

I deside what i'm going to play for the long haul by testing the game out to see if it's fun for me.  I don't think you are going to find the answer to your question by posting it on a forum board.

 An MMO is an MMO is an MMO.

What I'm saying is the MMO wheel cannot be recreated over and over again. At some point, most if not all of the mmo mechanics will have been tried and refurbished and retooled.  Maybe just maybe Starwars TOR will try and recreate the story mechanic of mmos. I'm not holding my breath for it.  As for Aion its a polished version of todays mmo. It doesn't try and reinvent the mmo wheel and for me thats just fine.  If the mmo style of gaming is boring then I suggest play some FPS or RPGS.  Most importantly play games for the fun of it.  If the fun isnt there then dont waste your time. 

Originally posted by raystantz

 

I just quit WoW for about the 17th time.. because well, I saw a box of sodas in wal mart with an orc on the front, with the words "game fuel" written on it.  I don't mind a game being popular, but when it becomes pop culture.. I've had enough.

This tells me everything I need to know about you.

Ok Maybe I wasn't clear enough the first time.. let me elaborate.

1. I have played WoW for a very long time. Long enough to quit and come back 17 times, and have multiple accounts. I've been there, done that. Seeing the pop just cemented just how monstrous of a advertising beast WoW really is. Its not a game anymore, its a media explosion. Ask your average person what WoW is, and they will know exactly what you are talking about. Ask the same people about FF and they MIGHT know, but regular folks most likely won't have heard of it, when they will have heard of WoW because its been pushed to the limits of advertising. I want a game, not a publicity stunt. WoW is the equivalent to Myspace in the social website world, and WWE in the professional wrestling world, and top 40 Pop on the radio.

2. Here is how the WoW model works..

- Create toon

- level to cap as fast as you can via quests (quests that are marked so you know who gives them and who to take them back to)

- obtain mounts

- rush crafting skills to cap if you didn't do it while leveling, crafting consists of clicking a button and waiting.

- run an instance (they are all the same, other than the skin and the boss at the end. Its hard to get lost in them, and most are easily defeated without much effort)

- PVP (either out in the world or instanced. Most likely the instanced PVP has rewards associated to it.)

- end game (farming instances, same thing  as the other instances only larger with larger groups and more sought after gear)

when you break it down, its pretty lackluster..

In FFXI you have the same "premise" but its not done the same way.

- create toon

- level to 10 solo, but the rest of the game you will have many different paths you can follow to achieve goals and leveling mostly takes place in a group.

- quests aren't marked, and aren't a means to level to the cap. Most of them have stories to go along with them, and are all completely optional.

- PVE comes in different flavors (its not just "Hey, here's a guy with a marker over his head.. lets see how many rat tails he wants?") You can do that, yes.. but there are other options available. Its not just "instances" or "questing". There are different types of quests, different difficulty levels for those quests. Missions that are seperate from quests, that follow  a linear storyline similar to an offline rpg. When you logon, while the end result is the same.. the mechanics behind it are not. Sometimes I have a hard time deciding what I want to do, because there is so many different types of pve to partake in.

since the PVE is the bulk of the problem, I am not even listing the PVP as PVP is not something that an MMO MUST have.. to succeed. And usually its imbalanced, or just plain has no point.

What I am saying is..

if Aion follows the same exact model of play as WoW or Lotro? Why not just play one of those?

Originally posted by raystantz

Ok Maybe I wasn't clear enough the first time.. let me elaborate.

 

1. I have played WoW for a very long time. Long enough to quit and come back 17 times, and have multiple accounts. I've been there, done that. Seeing the pop just cemented just how monstrous of a advertising beast WoW really is. Its not a game anymore, its a media explosion. Ask your average person what WoW is, and they will know exactly what you are talking about. Ask the same people about FF and they MIGHT know, but regular folks most likely won't have heard of it, when they will have heard of WoW because its been pushed to the limits of advertising. I want a game, not a publicity stunt. WoW is the equivalent to Myspace in the social website world, and WWE in the professional wrestling world, and top 40 Pop on the radio.

2. Here is how the WoW model works..

- Create toon

- level to cap as fast as you can via quests (quests that are marked so you know who gives them and who to take them back to)

- obtain mounts

- rush crafting skills to cap if you didn't do it while leveling, crafting consists of clicking a button and waiting.

- run an instance (they are all the same, other than the skin and the boss at the end. Its hard to get lost in them, and most are easily defeated without much effort)

- PVP (either out in the world or instanced. Most likely the instanced PVP has rewards associated to it.)

- end game (farming instances, same thing  as the other instances only larger with larger groups and more sought after gear)

 

when you break it down, its pretty lackluster..

 

In FFXI you have the same "premise" but its not done the same way.

- create toon

- level to 10 solo, but the rest of the game you will have many different paths you can follow to achieve goals and leveling mostly takes place in a group.

- quests aren't marked, and aren't a means to level to the cap. Most of them have stories to go along with them, and are all completely optional.

- PVE comes in different flavors (its not just "Hey, here's a guy with a marker over his head.. lets see how many rat tails he wants?") You can do that, yes.. but there are other options available. Its not just "instances" or "questing". There are different types of quests, different difficulty levels for those quests. Missions that are seperate from quests, that follow  a linear storyline similar to an offline rpg. When you logon, while the end result is the same.. the mechanics behind it are not. Sometimes I have a hard time deciding what I want to do, because there is so many different types of pve to partake in.

since the PVE is the bulk of the problem, I am not even listing the PVP as PVP is not something that an MMO MUST have.. to succeed. And usually its imbalanced, or just plain has no point.

What I am saying is..

 

if Aion follows the same exact model of play as WoW or Lotro? Why not just play one of those?

 

Because it is the new kid of the block so to speak. Aion looks beautiful and plays just as well if not better then the older mmos.I only got to level 9 in the last beta but the time I had I had a great time playing it. The scenery was awesome, the music is great and people were having a great time. Can't wait for the official launch!

If you believe everything you read, or you're only noticing the negative stuff on purpose and then seeking reassurance here for not playing (or looking to indirectly bash Aion), then don't play Aion. Seriously.  IMO, it's clear you're not in an open frame of mind to really give it a fair chance even if you were to try it.

If you will believe some ridiculous reviews (most of which are based on extremely limited game hours over the first 20 lvls), and you don't even want to bother to get the game and try it for yourself, then don't. Don't play the game, don't use your own brain to form your own opinion. Be a follower and allow others to form your opinions for you.

I only say this because it's like you're asking for permission not to play and not to think for yourself and form your own opinion about the game. So, you have my permission.  Don't play.  Believe all the negative stuff you've read.  It's just like WoW and will be a letdown, so don't even bother trying it out.

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?  ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?

IS THIS NOT WHY YOU ARE HERE?
 

Originally posted by monarc333

 An MMO is an MMO is an MMO.

What I'm saying is the MMO wheel cannot be recreated over and over again. At some point, most if not all of the mmo mechanics will have been tried and refurbished and retooled.  Maybe just maybe Starwars TOR will try and recreate the story mechanic of mmos. I'm not holding my breath for it.  As for Aion its a polished version of todays mmo. It doesn't try and reinvent the mmo wheel and for me thats just fine.  If the mmo style of gaming is boring then I suggest play some FPS or RPGS.  Most importantly play games for the fun of it.  If the fun isnt there then dont waste your time. 

I'm not saying they should reinvent anything. Just stop being lazy.

I can think of tons of easy to implement ways to come to the same result, without using the EXACT same mechanics as another game. Sure, use the "good points" but don't pull an exact copy of the concept.

for example.. runes of magic.. a free game..

implemented a "quest board" where players could create their own quests. Sure its nothing new or exciting.. but it gives you another "option" of pve other than the meat and potatoes "quest to level" scenario. I'm looking for options.

Originally posted by raystantz

Originally posted by natuxatu

Clearly you have selective reading. Not everyone says that's it like WoW in fact that's probably the biggest argument at this point. Plus everything you listed is what makes up and MMO so I don't know what you expect. Sounds like you should go play a console game or something because most mmos do the same thing but in different ways. You also can't ask how deep the storyline is because that is personal opinion. Some people will say it's average, some will say there is story everywhere, and others will say the story is boring. Try it yourself or don't if you're not convinced. *shrug* 

 

no I don't...

 

FFXI is definitely not anything at all like WoW..

so therefore all mmos aren't "like that".

 

I don't like easy games. WoW is easy, LOTRO is easy, WARHAMMER is easy, Conan is easy... is Aion just as easy?

Yes it is, only hardcore games I know are the old ones, you might want to try one of those.

Free advice, don't waste too much time playing hardcore video games they dont pay back, but then again you are free to do with you life whatever you want.

Aion's core game play is RvR (PvP).  I'm not quite sure what your looking for really. Look at the info about the game and if it does not intrest you at this stage then you need to keep looking.

I would try it, Aion (aionsource) in particular seems to have a large FFXI following.

Originally posted by MustaphaMond

If you believe everything you read, or you're only noticing the negative stuff on purpose and then seeking reassurance here for not playing (or looking to indirectly bash Aion), then don't play Aion. Seriously.  IMO, it's clear you're not in an open frame of mind to really give it a fair chance even if you were to try it.

If you will believe some ridiculous reviews (most of which are based on extremely limited game hours over the first 20 lvls), and you don't even want to bother to get the game and try it for yourself, then don't. Don't play the game, don't use your own brain to form your own opinion. Be a follower and allow others to form your opinions for you.

I only say this because it's like you're asking for permission not to play and not to think for yourself and form your own opinion about the game. So, you have my permission.  Don't play.  Believe all the negative stuff you've read.  It's just like WoW and will be a letdown, so don't even bother trying it out.

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?  ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?

IS THIS NOT WHY YOU ARE HERE?
 

I've seen both the positive and the negative.

There are things about Aion that I like..

those being..

- interesting pvp mechanic with the wings

- asian themed

- interesting spell effects

- interesting music

- good graphics

Originally posted by Haiken

Originally posted by raystantz

Originally posted by natuxatu

Clearly you have selective reading. Not everyone says that's it like WoW in fact that's probably the biggest argument at this point. Plus everything you listed is what makes up and MMO so I don't know what you expect. Sounds like you should go play a console game or something because most mmos do the same thing but in different ways. You also can't ask how deep the storyline is because that is personal opinion. Some people will say it's average, some will say there is story everywhere, and others will say the story is boring. Try it yourself or don't if you're not convinced. *shrug* 

 

no I don't...

 

FFXI is definitely not anything at all like WoW..

so therefore all mmos aren't "like that".

 

I don't like easy games. WoW is easy, LOTRO is easy, WARHAMMER is easy, Conan is easy... is Aion just as easy?

Yes it is, only hardcore games I know are the old ones, you might want to try one of those.

Free advice, don't waste too much time playing hardcore video games they dont pay back, but then again you are free to do with you life whatever you want.

not sure who coined the term hardcore as being challenging. Hardcore to me just means that one has to play for hours upon hours to progress in the game. That does not equal challenging. A game can be hard, without being like that.

 If those are the things about Aion you like then just ask yourself: is that enough reasons to give it a try. Case solved. *shrug* Besides it all comes down to a matter of opinion again. Some people will say it's like WoW others wont, it just depends on what you think.

You need to think for yourself and come to your own conclusion. You can ask our opinions but there are tons of thread already with other peoples opinion on the game. Guess I just don't understand what you expect people to say that isn't already all over these forums.

Another point is the thread where you commented on WoW. It's not as you say "Rush to the max level as fast as possible" if you don't want it to be. While I kind of agree it's still a matter of opinion and experience.

Most MMOs are what you make of it.