VG for PvE

GW2 for PvP

Although content updates for VG are few and far between. Dispite being a big game, you will probably run out of stuff to do at the 3 month mark, 6 if you are a slow leveler or cant get into a raid guild. The F2P conversion didn't really help either.

I would still recommend you play VG if you have never played it, its a good game, just not well supported.

I played Vanguard briefly, the only reason I didn't continue too is that I couldn't convince any of my friends to play. I had a blast for the short time I spent in it, the graphics were suprisingly good, the classes interesting and fun (races too), and I have never played a game that rivals the immersion of that game, nothing comes close in my opinion. I was actually reading quests, I almost refuse to do that unless its subtitles in a TSW cutscene.

GW2 I played to max level, yet I played it about the same amount of time it took me to get to 20 in VG, so that should tell you something. GW2 feels more like an arcade game with some RPG features, and with the exception of WvWvW it doesn't feel like an MMO at all. At launch the dynamic events sucked because like 200 people would be doing one vent (exaggeration) and by the time Id tab to something it would be dead. 3 weeks to a month later youd be lucky to even see another person doing DEs, even in the high level zone, except for a few people who found a way to farm the supposed "dynamic" events in a giant circle. The game was a normal quest grinder, they just hid it really well. There was nothing dynamic about it.

So I would say VG by far. The game doesn't hide what it is, which is a throwback more to EQ than to UO, and what it does it does well, it just has a very small but dedicated community. GW2 almost feels... fake or forced. It just wasn't the game I thought it was going to be, which is fine, but I think the word dynamic should not be used in describing that game except for the WvW which is a ton of fun if you like massive PVP battles and you are on a good server.

Both have cash shops by the way, but if you sub to VG (or get yourself a better deal and get the station pass) you get most of what you need with your sub plus extra points to spend on vanity crap. GW2 the cash shop may as well not even be there, I find it impossible to imagine someone actually using it.

Originally posted by gordiflu

I have not played GW2, since I am not interested in what it offers, but I did play VG very intensively (first world kills and all that), so I ll give you some input about this game, trying to be objective and honest althought I loved the game to death.

 

Bad points:

- Low population. It's an old niche game. The massive size of the world adds to it. Look for an active guild if you want to enjoy the game.

- Bad engine. Performance is just acceptable, but not actually good.

- Grindy once you get to the end game. Not becouse there's little to do, but becouse you need to do it over and over to complete certain stuff.

- Old game. Graphics can't compete with the latest games.

 

 

Good points:

- Insane amount of content. The world is massive.

- Depth. Deeper than virtually any modern MMO.

- Good crafting system that actually matters.

- Excellent community.

- Diversity. Lots of different classes, races and feasable builds. Many classes have different sub-classes available.

 

 

Poins that are good or bad depending on what kind of players you are.

- No PVP.

- Challenge. The game is not easy. Reasonable death penalties.

- Group oriented. While you can solo your way to level cap, grouping is way more profitable, even when it comes to farming crafting materials. Most end game content is group content. Holy trinity plus crowd control beeing very important. Backup healing and buffers very welcome for most content.

that pretty much sums it up.

I would say both, because they are both amazing games! Here are some steps you should follow, to enjoy them:

1. Buy GW2! Enjoy it, have a great time and when you hit max level and feel like everything is done, then take a brake! Now, wait some months until they add more content and make the game worthwile to play for a very long time. The game is superb all the way to 80, but then there is a "stop", so go and play to that point first!

2. Meanwhile, while you play GW2, you can slowly level up in Vanguard. I am now talking about Free 2 Play, so try to level up as much as you can for free! It will be slow, so you don't have to pay monthly sub for a very long time! (Only IF you get boored with GW2 sometimes)

3. So, when you have hit max level in GW2 and done everything, you go over to Vanguard and start to play it for real!

Originally posted by Theocritus
      If you go with VSOH jsut make sure your PC can run it.....The game is a technological piece of crap.....There doesn't seem to be a rhyme or reason why some cant play this but it doesnt work on certain configurations.....I used to play it in beta, but when I went to download it at f2p it would never run...Its the only game I cant run on my PC.

Thanks for this!

I just downloaded it fully last night and am going to check it out before work. 

Worried about lag etc.  I can run WoW flawlessly but I know that is not too demanding on a PC.

If not, might be time for Santa to gift a new PC.  

Originally posted by tort0429

Originally posted by Vesavius

Originally posted by Selyse

First: I love this community.  People are helpful without being obnoxiously coddling or foolishly rude.  That's a balance hard to meet. 

Anyway I got soe good suggestions a month or so ago about finding a new game and I think I've narrowed it down to two:

GW2 and Vanguard: SOH.

Watched countless videos of both last night. 

With GW2 being B2P I have concerns that there's an online store where I can have the option to purchase things to better my toon?  I'd personaly just rather pay the monthly subscription fee rather than mess around in a game shop.

Vanguard seems to have a steep learning curve, and I'm unsre of it's player base.

I like a healthy blend of PvP and PvE and like to be able to solo some quests when necessary.

My only requirement is no panda bears. 

I'm a veteran of UO and WoW and spent a few months on other MMOs that didn't hold my attention for various reasons.  I think a huge problem is that I am constantly trying to find a game to replicate the experiences I had in UO which were amazing!

Also UO had no pandas.  ;)

Thanks in advance for the help.  I have two weeks off for holiday break starting Thursday and am anxious to spend some of it relaxing in front of a new MMO. 

-Sel

 

At this point I would say take the middle road and try EQ2.

The breadth (in terms diversity) and depth (in terms of quantity) of it's content are hard to match and it has a robust sub model that allows you to play with no hassle and even gives you some SC each month to spend on the odd treat from the shop.

It has a great community and caters for solo, small group, and raid play.

I like VG, and even GW2 as a single player RPG, but neither of them are simple as much fun to me as EQ2.

^ Agree with this 100%.  I recently went back to EQ2 and I am reminded how much fun it is and how much other MMO's lack.  Some of it really blows my mind.   The 3 leveling systems (adventure lvlng via the usually killing creatures and completing quests) the achievement system (from discoveries and special quetss) and Tradeskill leveling (from crafting).  The game allows you to have in so many ways, I'm having a blast.  But to be honest, nothing was better then meeting up with old Guild mates and grouping/raiding again.  Fun and friendship, the two things MMO's lack these days, eq2 still has it.

Sorry for the multiquotes.  I fail at forums.

Replying to what I underlined and italicized - I completely get that. The first game that got me into MMOs was Ultima Online and, since then, I've been trying to find a replacement for that  with regard to guildmates and grouping.  Early WoW was good for that for awhile but the close-knit comunity aspect is long gone.

UO had pve, pvp and a slew of crafting stuff.  I also loved how you could talk to your enemies. Yea there were no factions but you could PK someone, res them and accuse them of running a speed hack or w/ever.  Guess that just added to the fun?

The graphics were rudimentary at best but the game was a blast!

Hi!!  

PvP is a must so, sadly, it seems that Vanguard is out.  The graphics and lore of that game look amazing. 

Looking into EQ2 now and it reminds me of the MMO I played the longest (WoW) with the dungeon finder but without the cartoony feeling. 

How is the community of EQ2?  

Like most of you the game is most fun when you're playing with awesome folk and the people that my husband and I used to game with have fallen off the radar.  

I do not have the time to grind dailys for gear/recipes/mats in WoW or else I would likely stick with that game but the PvP seems to have turned into gear score v. gear score.  

Basically the time that we do have to play is best doing something active and fun, not repetative dailies. 

Ah, maybe I should just stick to Friday Night Magic nights and work on my deck. =)

TY in advance for any insights/advice!! 

I find it ironic that so many people suggest VG yet the game has a low pop.

If PvP is critical, yeah it has to be GW2.  I'm surprised VG was even a consideration if PvP is that important.

Vanguard is a great game and since it went F2P there are more grouping oppertunities.There is just loads to do.

I also agree with EQ2.I played EQ2 for nearly 7 years and for me it was the best MMORPG,although its gone too easy by far now for my taste.I still miss the shiny ? collection quests whenever I try another game,its beyond me why others don't do these.EQ2 is still better than any other theampark by far and has the most content than any other game currently on the market.

VG is one of the best :) too bad SOE let it rot for years, and missed the opportunity to pick it up until now.

You can actually get lost in VG :) How about that!

I have played both a lot.

Vanguard is more of a true RPG MMO.  Crafting is a huge game on its own and can take up months.  Its really an old school feeling when you play Vanguard and some of my best memories in the MMO space is playing this title. 

some Pros

- Extensive and deep

- Open world and numerous mount options etc

- crafting is still the best on the market

- Housing in open world and extensive build options

Some cons

- Slightly old now

- population issues? Not sure since its FTP now

- Not a good MMO for a fast login gaming fix

GW2

GW2 is more like fast food of the MMO world. This is not a bad thing. I actually love the game but I play it for what it is.  A quick jump in and mess around for 1-2 hours and then I log out and play something else.  Personally I would consider both since GW2 has no sub.

Pros

- new and fresh with a beautiful world to check out

- instant satisfaction if you have just 30 min to spend

- some great puzzles if you are into that sort of thing

Cons

- Not the type of MMO you can spend countless hours playing. 

- It really feels like a theme park albiet a great one

For a proper MMO I would check out Vanguard, easy enough to do with FTP

The two games aren't really anything alike.

Everquest 2

I would recommend EQ2 over Vanguard any day.  Vanguard environments look okay, but the game bored me to no end.  EQ2 is similar in many ways and has tons more content and depth to it.  It even sports a weird TCG like VG both of which I don't like.

I've been playing EQ2 for years and it is still fun with some great communities.  It's not too expensive if you want to unlock things.  If you learn how to work the Station Cash triple rewards deal then you can unlock a lot for $45.  The cash shop in EQ2 is more prominent and necessary to me than in GW2, but it's not a bad cash shop in my opinion.  It has useful stuff in it and if you're patient can get some nice stuff on deals (plus triple SC :p).

EQ2 is a stat progression game where you level through questing and have better gear tiers at each level.  The tiers are labled with the best being something you must have premium status to wear or unlock via the cash shop.  For leveling purposes you don't need this gear.  At end game it's not terribly expensive to unlock a fabled set of gear and skills.  In EQ2 you get unlock skills as you level.  The game gives you the weakest version of the skill/spell and you must craft, buy, or get a lucky drop to improve them.

Leveling is slower and done most efficiently through quests supplemented by kill xp along the way.  Crafting is fairly engaging and a worthwhile investment.  There is a robust housing system with free form item placement and resizing.  A simple free house option is provided with nicer houses available through in game gold or store purchases.

Combat is tab targeted rng based.  Each of the 25 classes has skills that are clicky/hotkeys and fairly well defined major and minor roles.  Every class is viable solo, but some are sought out more than others for raiding.

One of the strongest points about EQ2 is how well everything is integrated and weaves together.  There are quest chains that link to quest chains that link to other quest and language quest chains.  None of them are requied, but some are deep and interesting.  Crafting, questing, housing (items), adventuring, and slaying are all integrated together.  You can get housing items from kill quests, from crafting, and through special quest chains to display your accomplishments.  Crafters mostly don't have to adventure (at least not heavily) but there are adventure based crafting quests.  There are deities and deity quests.  There are factions and unique rewards and achievements for faction rep.

The game has a lot to offer.

Guild Wars 2

So GW2... It's fun.  The combat is action-oriented with a mix of active dodging and soft tabbing.  Tabbing will keep you focused on a target but doesn't mean you will hit them.  You can dodge attacks and spells, and move out of their way.

The classes all have some specific focuses but there is no hard aggro taunts in the game and no specific dedicated healer.  Everyone is supposed to account for their own survivability and also support the survivability of their team mates.  Combat and gruop interactions work differently than other trinity mmos.

There is a simple gear progression to the game, but nothing like progression focused games like EQ2, rift, and WoW.  So gear plays a role, but not the major role.

The world is open and large.  It is zoned with portals between zones much like EQ2 only the zone environments feel like they transition better in GW2 than in EQ2.  The cities in GW2 are large and feel much more vibrant than most other games I've played.

The game features an open tapping private looting system.  You can help others and be rewarded and won't lose rewards if someone helps you.  It's a very nice system.

The drawbacks to GW2 are that it has no housing type of feature, no mounts, and limited cosmetic options (a lot of the gear looks alike).  The community is new and not established like EQ2 and the game is young and not as robust as EQ2 with systems and content.

My Recommendation

Download and install EQ2.  Start playing it and find out if you like it.  If so then find out the best things to purchase and unlock as a new player on their forums.  There is a better way to go about working that system to save you money.  If you have the extra cash buy GW2.  It's a good game and it's fun if gear progression is not a must have for you.

If you're open to something that is set in an alternate reality then The Secret World is a great game.  It's character building and questing is awesome.  It's a real deal at $30 - buy to play (no sub).