There's "borrowing" ideas from another game, and then there's literally cut and pasting them from another game. This game is  a very poorly done CUT AND PASTE of WoW. Literally right down to the graphic engine, the talent trees, the icons, EVERYTHING. My husband and I got a good laugh out of it.

Well, I tried for a while again today. I still think the basic idea of the game was neat and I like the amount of work the devs have put into this, but the gameplay is just too wooden and the graphics even at max settings make my eyes hurt. Matter of taste, I know, but I really can't stand looking at them.

So I uninstalled and will be waiting for a different mmo that will hopefully grab me a bit better than this one.  I see a lot of hype on these (and other) forums but I just didn't see much to this game I haven't seen elsewhere (besides the theme, which I like a lot, and the class-less system which is good) personally. Then again, I didn't see much to Aion, LOTRO or WAR either so I am probably a bit hard to please and rather picky.

Good luck to all those sticking around. Maybe in a year or so after they clean it up a bit I'll give it another shot.

Against my better judgement I bought the game, and like so many other games before I felt that gut feeling of  "don't do it," I'm pretty dissapointed. Mind you, this isn't a troll, and maybe someone can give me some insight as to just what I might be missing here. Frankly any game I dump 50 bucks on I WANT to like and so I'm still more than willing to give FE a chance.

So far this is what I've seen in the past few days of playing.

Cons:

- Dated graphics. Yes folks, they are pretty bad. At least to me. It's not the barren landscape or the shades of brown, it's the animations and models that do it. It's true that pretty graphics don't a good game make (just look at Aion) but they certainly COULD polish these up a bit. I do run this game at Med-High settings and it still looks rather poor, like a game from the early 2000's. I know it's an indie company  that doesn't have the cash and resources like the big studios,but some improvements could still be made.

- Poor mob AI. We all know that MMO's aren't known for great mob AI. However from what I've seen in FE, the AI here is even more sub-par than normal for the genre. Heck, you can practically run right up to an agro mob and it won't do anything for a good few seconds. Half the time they don't even seem to attack despite being supposedly aggressive mobs. When you shoot at them, sometimes they react, sometimes they just stand there.  I'm not asking for a glorious AI system here, but this one is pretty bad in my opinion.

- Same basic structure as most other MMO's out there.  Very little "sandbox" about it, frankly - except for the character build system which I will touch on in a minute. You have the options of PVE questing, farming, and PVP.  Farming is rather tedious as it is in all MMO's and I still haven't even crafted anything remotely useful despite being out there farming nods and mobs for materials for a few hours straight. Eh.  The quests are pretty standard... go kill xx of these, go take this item over there...etc. PVP I haven't tried yet, admittedly, so I can't say anything on that.

- Somewhat clunky gameplay. I've played both traditional 3rd person MMO's and I've played FPS games that require you to aim and shoot.  But everything I do in FE feels... sorta stiff and laggy. The combat feels wooden and stiff to me. There is no hit collision when you land a blow on a mob, and the controls are a little awkward. Pressing tab all the time gets a little irksome.

Pros:

- Good general idea. I like the whole post apoc. theme and I even like the world setting, despite the poor graphic quality.

- Crafting almost anything you can equip.  I like this idea a lot,  but man it takes a lot of farming to get the mats to craft anything useful.

- Vehicles that don't magically fit into your pocket.

- The different factions you can join - nice basic variety, even though I've heard others say they don't "mean" much at this point in time. I still like the fact I can go be some eco-terrorist or anarchist or military enforcer at my own discretion, rather than being tossed into a faction based on class or race.

- FPS + targeting idea is a nice feature. It just needs to be made more fluent and not so clunky and wooden, IMHO.

- Classless character and choosing your own path. Self explanitory.

So now I have to ask... this game is getting good ratings. I kind of wonder why. I mean, I see the potential in a game like this, but the controls and combat feel so wooden, the farming requirements are atrocious (unless there's some method I'm missing) and the graphics are pretty awful, and there's really not much more "sandbox" to it than any standard MMO. There are no alternate ways to progress through diplomacy or owning your own shop, etc, no politics other than seemingly meaningless factions (though there is huge potential there of course) and generally a lot of unrealized or unutilized opportunities here.

Am I missing something? Am I not playing this game right? Or is it really just either not for me or being a little -too- overhyped?

So I tried it despite my gut feelings and  just on the pretense everyone seems to be giving it rave reviews.

And I'm left wondering just -why- it's getting those reviews.  Now I did like the initial idea a lot. I've always thought a Mad-Max-ish game would be awesome and I think the people behind this game had a good basic idea but...

Yeah. The graphics really are pretty bad. I guess some people might like them but to me it looks like something from the early 2000's and is sub-par to even EQ2, which is one of the ugliest games I've ever played.

 I could have overlooked the poor graphics, but everything in this game feels really clunky.  Movement, combat, everything... again, it really does feel like a game made 10 years ago with that technology of the early 00's. Mob AI seems non-existent, it's even less than most MMO's, and so far it really is just the same old "go out and level, craft, and farm" that I've found in any other theme-park MMO... so I'm not sure where the sandbox part comes in at ALL so far minus the whole "pick your own build" idea, which is admittedly a good one.

The game has some potential, but it would take a lot of bug fixing, getting rid of the clunkiness of basic gameplay, and doing something with the mob AI to where it doesn't feel like you're shooting or beating on cardboard cutouts that hardly seem to react even when you run right up to them and whack them with a board.  Updating the graphics wouldn't be a bad idea either. I get that this is supposed to be a bleak landscape and all... but it really does not look up to par with -any- other MMO that's been released within the past 5 years, and like it or not graphics are a crucial selling point to many gamers.

Originally posted by cyrana

[quote]Originally posted by KaitarBesh 
I wasn't "put off" by what the supposed troll said. I was trying to see if the game had a bit more to offer than most MMO's. So far it seems that most people here have said that you can craft, farm, or quest.  Which currently I can sort of do in the other MMO's I already own, so for now I'll hold off buying another one that offers those same things. I was asking if there was -more- to this game than crafting, questing or farming. If there's not, that doesn't mean it's a bad game, but I'm hoping for something a little more innovative and less same ol' stuff. That's all.[/b][/quote]
Well, is there ever somehing else to do? The only thing ever different in games is the presentation of the same things from what I can see. At least its mixed up a bit in FE.

Almost never is there anything new.

Hence why I am WAITING for an MMO that does offer something new. That's why I came to ask about this game, because the term "sandbox" was used in describing it. I'm not bashing the game, it's probably just not my thing if it's following the usual MMO template, is all.

Originally posted by Strap

Originally posted by KaitarBesh

Hm, so less sandbox than what I've initially heard via the grapevine, with somewhat typical  quest/farm/grind set up, but open class development and (so far) limited RP options?

 

I think I'll wait on this one a little longer and see how it progresses. I just really don't want to spend more money on another game I end up sticking in the computer game box in the closet and never looking at again :/ so many of those these last 2 years.

 

Thanks for the replies.

 

Well, if you are put off by a forum troll, then you are probably not ready to take advantage of what FE has to offer... kind of a pity as a LOT of us feel FE is the most refreshing game to come onto the mmo scene for a long time.

 

Regarding RP in Fallen Earth, I think people are just getting to know the game at the moment and an RP community will grow steadily. Just the other night someone posted if there was interest in an RP guild he was thinking of forming. I responded and we chatted a while. He said he'd had 5 other responses from just one comment in regional chat - and that was a faction specific RP guild.

 

If you'd like to make a decent, informed decision I'd head to the official site and read about the factions and the skill system for starters. I'm beginning to see that forums such as these are difficult to use for those truly wanting information. You could also ask people who do enjoy FE why they like it... that might give you some insight. In fact, there are quite a few threads which already answer this question.

 

 

I wasn't "put off" by what the supposed troll said. I was trying to see if the game had a bit more to offer than most MMO's. So far it seems that most people here have said that you can craft, farm, or quest.  Which currently I can sort of do in the other MMO's I already own, so for now I'll hold off buying another one that offers those same things. I was asking if there was -more- to this game than crafting, questing or farming. If there's not, that doesn't mean it's a bad game, but I'm hoping for something a little more innovative and less same ol' stuff. That's all.

Hm, so less sandbox than what I've initially heard via the grapevine, with somewhat typical  quest/farm/grind set up, but open class development and (so far) limited RP options?

I think I'll wait on this one a little longer and see how it progresses. I just really don't want to spend more money on another game I end up sticking in the computer game box in the closet and never looking at again :/ so many of those these last 2 years.

Thanks for the replies.

I hear this game is rather sandbox, which is nice. However, before I dump 50 bucks into it (I've been duped enough by recent MMO's to do that again ) I want to clear up a few concerns and questions first.

Firstly - I understand that this game has a lot of solo and duo play, which is good - but to what extent can you solo or duo (spouse is also mildly interested and may play )?

How much of a "sandbox" is it, and at end game does it follow the formula of either farm, craft, or raid - or are there other gameplay options?

Just how awful are the graphics and the bugs? Screenshots often don't do a game justice so I'd like to know firsthand if they are really subpar, average, or decent graphics. I know that graphics don't make a game good or bad, but I really couldn't stand the graphics in say.... EQ2 or Aion. One was way too sparkly pretty and the other just had awful art design and animations (EQ2)

Lastly, how's the RP community? I'm a casual RPer and it seems that a post apoc. world would be a great setting for some roleplay, but I know MMO's often have a distinct lack of an RP community.

Thanks in advance
 

The hype has mostly come from the rabid Aion fankids that are screaming about how new, exciting, and revolutionary this game is and how it trumps all other games and has the best graphics EVAR and...

yeah. They've taken a fairly average (but solid, I'll admit that) game and tried to make it a godsend, and woe to those who don't agree.

Don't feel bad. I knew within the first few hours I wasn't going to like the game either. There'll be others coming out that might hold your interest a little better.

Originally posted by grandpagamer

Originally posted by MMO_Doubter

Originally posted by grandpagamer

Levels 1-20 were a lot of fun in War and were a lot of fun in AOC as well. Anyone remember how great those games were after 20?

WAR sucked after L20.

Are you giving Aion credit for getting to the suck right at the start?

The worse the initial leveling experience is, the fewer people will do it with alts. Which means after a while, the lower levels will be less populated and that grouping will be more inconvenient.

So, what's end game in Aion like?

 

Your right, all game companies should suck people in with the meat of the game being in the first 20 levels and an empty experience after that. lol you sir are hilarious with your logic.

Or they could, you know, make a solid game start to finish. *GASP* The concept!! Ohnoes!

Originally posted by -aLpHa-

 

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Originally posted by KaitarBesh

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Originally posted by supbro

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Originally posted by KaitarBesh

 

The OP and several others here have figured out what I discovered within the first 30 minutes of gameplay.
 
I suspect others will soon follow suit after the whole "sparkly shiney new MMO" syndrome wears off.

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How are you meant to get anything out of an MMO after only playing it for 30mins?? This why people like you shouldn't be allowed in a beta. Also they had to add 4 more beta servers since last CB4, i guess that "shiny" experience hasn't worn off yet lol

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Oh you're right. Only rabid fanbois should be allowed to beta test a game. That way the devs only get shining reviews and nothing ever gets fixed if the game itself is rotten or needs work.
 
Yeah.... great idea! 
 

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That would be the dream of any business man. The blind sheep who would buy just about anything without moaning.
 

Sadly you do have a point.

Originally posted by supbro

Originally posted by KaitarBesh

The OP and several others here have figured out what I discovered within the first 30 minutes of gameplay.

 

I suspect others will soon follow suit after the whole "sparkly shiney new MMO" syndrome wears off.

 

How are you meant to get anything out of an MMO after only playing it for 30mins?? This why people like you shouldn't be allowed in a beta. Also they had to add 4 more beta servers since last CB4, i guess that "shiny" experience hasn't worn off yet lol

Oh you're right. Only rabid fanbois should be allowed to beta test a game. That way the devs only get shining reviews and nothing ever gets fixed if the game itself is rotten or needs work.

Yeah.... great idea! 

/shrug

We'll see.

Be that as it may, it's plain to see that it is going to lack staying power for quite a few players.  Trying to deny the fact is folly.  If a goodly number of people are sick of it after four beta weekends, what about in 3 months after release? I just don't think it brings enough to the table to keep half its numbers playing for more than a few months, at most.

The OP and several others here have figured out what I discovered within the first 30 minutes of gameplay.

I suspect others will soon follow suit after the whole "sparkly shiney new MMO" syndrome wears off.

I still think it's great that the Aion fankids will lick someone' s feet if they come in here saying "OMG AION AWESOME IT WILL KILL WOW 1 BILLION SUBS SO GREAT!" but the second someone is like "meh, it's ok"  or "meh, didn't like it" they just get rabid and start with the "don't judge it u stupid WoW player" BS.

Aion is a decent game. It's nothing new. It's nothing innovative. It has ok graphics if you like anime style artwork. It has wings. It has semi-open PVP and a lot of grinding late game.   The end.

Take that how you will.

I dislike cut and dry black and white evil vs. good.

I dislike cackling warlocks who blow up orphanages because "lol its evil!!"

Likewise I don't get into heroic paladins who fight the cackling warlocks because "lol they're evil!"

Boring. It's been my experience that most "bad guys" - tabletop or otherwise - are at least as poorly thought out, shallow and predictable as the good guys. So really, if you're going to generalize about the good guys, point that finger back at yourself OP, because from what I've read, your bad guys are pretty standard as well.

Now then. On topic - sort of.

I'd like to see a game where there's far more a gray area than good or evil, with full political/economical/etc manuevering available as well as adventuring and quests that you can... you know...actually have a few choices about the outcome and how it might effect the character's reputation in the world.

But there probably will never be an MMO quite like that and so I'll just keep waiting for GRRM's next book of Ice and Fire to come out, I guess.

Originally posted by bobfish

What two games?

DDO for example is going free to play on 6th August, at the moment is costs a massive $5 to buy it off the shelf or digitally online. So it is hardly a massive loss if you buy it and the next day it goes free to play, though for that $5 you do get VIP access for 30 days, rather than the pathetic free access which has no good content in it.

ArchLord went free to play a few months after it went live, but then ArchLord boxes are worth credits, so you aren't losing any money, you just convert the box credits and buy from the store. And all subscribers had their subscriptions coverted to credits, so they were rewarded for their subscription time, not like they lost anything.

 

Can't think of anything else that has gone free to play whilst there has been retail stock available.

Chronicles of the Spellborn is going to relaunch as F2P in a few months.

I love how the hardcore groupers keep saying it's the casual crowd that likes to solo now and then that are complaining...

and yet they're the ones I see griping constantly on these forums and making these threads.

Pot...meet kettle?

Originally posted by Scalebane

I think his post was pretty good and hit the nail on the head in many areas, and all the responses you see here just goes to show the truth hurts.

What hurts is someone tossing around generalizations about a whole community of players that makes all look like the Cyber-whiney-thouwhilst crowd, when that's hardly what most RPers in MMO's are like at all. THAT'S why people are pissed.