If you're expecting something deep, immersive and engaging.... then yeah, you will find it lacking.  But, if you're playing it for the action-online-rpg that it really is, I think you'll find it exceptionally fun :)

My personal list of current games to keep an eye on....

1) TSW - Best "leveling" experience.  Best dungeons.  End-game is kind of grindy.  With the right developments, this could become this generations 'Eve".  

2) FF14 - Was released and will soon be re-released.  I think Yoshida and his crew are pulling in just the right number of notes from what we expect from MMOs while retaining some of the interesting qualities of the original and throwing in an even heavier dose of FF Fanfare.

3) GW2 - Not a huge fan, but I appreciate much of what ANet did with this one.  I'm excited to see where they take it as 2013 winds down.

4) NWN - Perfect when you just need those short, quick doses of fun.  I think this game will live and die by its foundry.  It seems relatively capable now, hope for something even more capable at the end of 2013.

5) Defiance - Like NWN, its perfect for those short, quick doses of fun.  I haven't had any issues, and the gunplay is addictive.  I think the game could use a bit more depth and am interested in seeing where Trion takes it.

If you play the game as it's intended, the leveling curve is exceptionally fast. Most casuals will hit the cap in probably 3-4 weeks.

Non-exploitive foundry missions will reward comparable xp to similar Crytpic created content.  The change wasn't a global "nerf" to cover up an exploit, it was an actual fix to the exploit itself.  I understand there are gamers out there that hold grudges and will find -anything- to scream about (and usually about games they don't even play!)

The only players truly impacted by the change are those who intended to take advantage of the exploit.

Originally posted by elocke

I've been having a blast on my Control Wizard.  The "on rails" aspect of the game is softened I think by the fact that it is free to play.  If this required a sub I'd be a bit miffed, but I can just log in and follow the rails for awhile and have fun without worrying about payments and such. 

I'm only level 24 but just combat alone is making me want to play over other games right now.  I like the diversity in choosing which skills best suit my play style and and where to put feat points and power points.  It feels fairly flexible although I'm dreading the respec cost when I hit cap as I hear it's based on Zen or Astral Diamonds instead of in game gold.  Not a good thing, that.

Love the sound design, too.  Certain spells, especially the dailies really pack that visceral punch many other games lack.  My only negative comment on the sound would be the over usage of what seems to be the exact same music I've heard in Star Trek Online and Champions Online.  More music diversity would be great.

Couldn't agree more.  The game is really fun.  It does lack some of the 'immersiveness' that some more memorable MMOs have.  But it makes up for it in just straight up fun factor.  It's actually 'fun' to swing some spells around.  I would argue that DDO is more immersive, but combat is just wonky as all get out (and not very fun).

The game has gotten a lot of flack for its advancement system, but it gets surprisingly diverse after level 15 and even more so after level 30... as your choices do impact how you play.

The game has also gotten a lot of flack for its business model.  You get a surprisingly amount of game for free.  I do think there is a large vocal group of gamers that will scream P2W with just even the presence of a cash shop - which is what happens when gamers refuse to pay for a box and/or subscription.

As an action oriented MMO/RPG it works very well.  Yeah, you are "pigeonholed" into a specific style of a certain DnD 4.0 class, but your choices really open up after level 15 or so.  Before then, it is pretty straightforward as to what abilities to upgrade/pick (as options are limited).

However, being only level 23, I am some times having a tough time determining if I want to upgrade an ability or pick up a new one.  Will this new ability enhance my playstyle and build? Or should I upgrade an ability I already have?

When compared to DDO, yeah DDO provides the more "traditional" DnD leveling experience.  But combat isn't as polished and feels awkward at times.  Neverwinter... combat just flows albiet a bit chaotic at times.  Combined with a fairly nice toolset in the Foundry.

I don't know why people think its P2W... it's not.  In GW2 you could use the same exact tactic to rush to endgame.  Spend a $$$$$ and buy crafting materials (which can be very very cheap) and craft to the top.  

I do agree with some complaints that the conversion rate from AD to Zen is kind of high - this isn't dictated by Cryptic.  I believe it is as high as it is mostly due to the fact that Guardian and Hero pre-orderers have tons of AD at their disposal.  I could be wrong, but I imagine the conversion rate will drop.

I would prefer foundry creators limit missions to 15-30 minutes in length.  There is one really nice campaign with a set of 3 missions - each being exceptionally fun and engaging.  That, and each being about 20 minutes, I was able to experience the set over the course of a few days.

I've been avoiding this one purely because of its length.  I'll have to try this weekend.

The game is free-to-play, meaning it is supported by a cash shop.  However, it is far from P2W.  You can enjoy the game perfectly without paying a dime.

There are no "locks" on content.  You can experience everything, freely, without paying a dime.  It is the same model as Guild Wars 2 in the sense that you can trade between cash-shop currency and in-game currency.  As a player, you can exchange your astral diamonds for zen (if you want something from the cash-shop but don't want to spend money).  The cash-shop is truly fodder for the "I got to have it now" crowd.

As for the player you leveled up purely by working the cash-shop, the same could be done in Guild Wars 2. Spend a lot of $$$$, convert all those gems to in-game money and then splurge on materials/resources and craft your way to the top.  Same thing.

Originally posted by Torvaldr

Originally posted by evilastro

Originally posted by eric_w66

While this review touts "customization"... why does my rogue wear the same armor for 10+ levels? The item changes, but the look remains. When EQ1 had as many 'looks' as a newbie as a game that comes out 14 years later, there is a problem. I don't care if alternate looks aren't 'epic', I just want to go 'cool, I'm wearing my new +1 Armor of Slightly Betterness instead of those newbie rags I started with'. But... no, I'm still (Visually) wearing my newbie rags.

 Oh please. Name one MMO where you dont wear the same looking gear for the newbie levels. EQ2, GW2, WoW, Rift, TSW (until you get some unlocks), TERA... they all have you wearing slightly different coloured variants of the same item. Why? Because if they used all the epic looking armor at low levels, theres nothing to work for later on.

Gear diversity in Neverwinter starts at level 20. Which isnt really that hard to get to.

You can also take the look from one piece of armour and forge it into your current armour to create a custom look.  Maybe they're expecting Walmart style cosmetic shopping.

There are a lot of armours, even at high levels, that look alike by default.  Players need to make the effort to customize their duds.  I think that can get expensive though, so I'm waiting until I hit level cap before I start down that road.

 

I saw that you could change an item's appearance.  For the appearance, you can change the color via dyes or replace the skin/model with that of another similar type item.  However, while that is great, I've only encountered two different looks for robes (and they are almost exactly the same for all visual intents and purposes).

I am hoping the game is just poorly itemized at lower levels or its like Tera and the visual options progressively open up with each "Tier".

Originally posted by eric_w66

While this review touts "customization"... why does my rogue wear the same armor for 10+ levels? The item changes, but the look remains. When EQ1 had as many 'looks' as a newbie as a game that comes out 14 years later, there is a problem. I don't care if alternate looks aren't 'epic', I just want to go 'cool, I'm wearing my new +1 Armor of Slightly Betterness instead of those newbie rags I started with'. But... no, I'm still (Visually) wearing my newbie rags.

Couldn't agree more.   As a control wizard, it seems my "robes" come in two varieties: purple with odd midriff and purple with odd midriff with shoulder and waist accents.  Thankfully, I've found 2 different "arm" pieces with different looks.  One added sleeves to my robe and the other was a set of bracers.

This has been my one grudge point with the game.  Otherwise, I'm enjoying myself and hope gear look open up extensively post level 20.

It was originally unveiled as a online action rpg.  At least initially, cryptic was hesitent about throwing around "Massively Multiplayer".  "Massively Multiplayer"  happened after the PW acquisition and development continued beyond the original launch date.

I kind of agree with other posters that is some sort of hybrid between MMO and Online Co-Op.  There are some "persistant/shared areas" but the meaty bits are going to happened in solo and group instances.  It at least feels that way. 

Originally posted by Cirin

Someone clearly hasn't played and might actually be blind.  Even just watching a video you can clearly, and easily, see that it's NOTHING like diablo.  At all.

You might not like an active combat, but it is the way things are going.  Take your static "stand there and spam abilities" MMO's....because they take skill, right!?  (haha)  Now, I'm not necessarily saying that Neverwinter is amazing, however, at least it's not completely static, like Rift/WoW/etc..  Wildstar will prove to be very similar and, hopefully, quite amazing.  Really, though, you couldn't be further from right with your "analysis".

 

Furthermore...you've clearly never played 4e...the system isn't open at all.  There's basically one way to build each type of each class, otherwise you're just wasting feats/abilitlies.  

I do think it is more Diablo than it is WoW... No, it is not an isometric ARPG, but it is a ARPG nonetheless.  The emphasis here isn't a persistant world (economy, expansive persistant areas, world events, etc...) as it is on action combat and small pockets of content (heavily instanced persistant areas, group/solo dungeons).  To me, that is the epitomy of an ARPG (jump in and jump out gameplay).

While it isn't suitable for a traditional MMO-fix, I think NWN is a very fun ARPG with MMO trappings.  And yes, Cryptic, when it initially revealed the game, was very hesitant to call it a MMO.  They also had at least one other MMO concept in the works (which was tabled in favor of beefing up STO and NWN teams).

No, I am not all too familiar with the 4th Edition of Dungeons and Dragons.  However, I know enough that not every Fighter is pigeon holed into a specific style of play.  Here, the Fighter class is abstracted into two classes (Great Weapon and Guardian).  In the context of more "twitchy" or more action oriented gameplay, it makes sense.  

Imagine trying to develop a fun, action oriented combat system that flows around classes that can run around with a variety of weapon configurations? That'd be a nightmare.  

In fact, during each beta weekend, it reminded me more and more of the console Baldur's Gates games (diablo-esque arpgs) with some MMOish features.  I know everyone wants the Ranger as the next class, but I want the bard.  Cryptic, bring on the bard :)

Originally posted by furbans

Already there are claims of how Neverwitner isn't D&D at all and is just a WoWification typical themepark MMO.  Time will tell how it ends but I have my doubts about the game.  Would love to be proven wrong as I would love to see a great D&D MMO but it seems like the decades old NWN 1&2 PWs will still be the best D&D MMO or closest thing to it and everything else is just some WoW bastardization of a much loved IP.

Have you even played the game?  Its not so much a WoWification as its a Diablofication.  Originally, it was revealed as an Online Action RPG.  The original intent was to provide an online experience similar to that of the Diablo series (persistant characters on a server with content experienced in a group or solo) with the addition of the foundry.

The MMO trappings were picked up shortly after Cryptic was acquired by PW.  Taken for what it is, the game is fun.  Yeah its Dungeons and Dragons... but it is an action rpg take on the Dungeons and Dragons system.  For me, it works well like that.  Yeah, I do wish the class system was more open-ended like the pen and paper system.  However, I found each class to be fun and unique enough.

Kind of like Defiance, this isn't a "MMO" your going to sit and devote all of your gaming time to.  This is going to be a game you jump in from time to time for some fun, quick action (solo, co-op, pvp, etc...)

Having played the beta... I also found the game as a whole confusing.  Yeah, I understand the controls and the mechanics on their own.  I just couldn't understand how everything tied together.  It was very odd and overwhelming.

I also strongly dislked that fact that items from the cash-shop (clothing for example) were rented.  I don't know if that has changed - but I did find it disturbing.

As a MMO, Defiances stumbles quite a bit.

However...

As an always-on, CO-OP/PVP TPS, its quite a bit of fun.  In short bursts here and there, the gunplay is more than fun enough to keep me coming back.  

However...

For my MMO fix, I have TSW and Rift and (crossing fingers on FF14 2.0).

If think if you look at Defiances as a Third Person Shooter with always on CO-OP/PVP, I think most players will like the game.

While it may lack some "depth", it is one of the few games where the actual gameplay is fun and pretty exciting.  I wasn't enjoying it during the beta weekends, but I've logged quite a bit of time since release.

I think it's unfair to throw HeroEngine and Simutronic under the bus for this.  I remember, Simutronics was at some point pushing forward with their own game, Heros Journey.  Shortly after SWTORs release, many players themselves were throwing the "untested" engine under the bus - so it makes sense for EA to adopt a narrative many players already believe.

Having followed SImutronics and Heros Journey closely however, I remember at some point, the "goal" shifted.  Clearly, their own game took a backseat in order to productize the engine (as they apparently couldn't get a publisher but were getting lots of attention for their tools).  As a small developer with limited resources... do you fall in line with what the market is wanting (a sexy set of development tools) or do you continue chasing a product that just isn't exciting potential publishers/investors.

So EA/Bioware got an early/alpha/beta version of the toolset and had a difficult time optimizing it for their needs.  This isn't Simutronic's fault... its EA/Biowares.  Unreal Engine isn't built with MMOs in mind.  We've seen some very performant MMOs released on that tech and some very glitchy MMOs released on that tech (all of which are heavily modified).

Will be pledging soon but this didn't get me all too excited.  I did have a rather long post but I'll just list some positives/negatives.

+ Opening "Camelot Unchained" animation

+ Developer commentary was easy to understand/follow and documented well (felt very professional)

+ Like the idea of seeing bits of the tech going into the game

- In this case, the tech is being presented outside the scope of actual gameplay (the beef).  Using a work-in-progress model from the game in the demo would have been a much nicer touch.

I went ahead an splurged and picked it up for my TPS fix.  It is fun.  However, I don't see myself dedicating a significant amount of my already limited gaming time to this.

I don't see this as much as a MMO as it is an always online co-op game.  In that regard, it works for me.

From my experiences... I would say its as close as it gets to a Borderlands MMO.  It was fun and derivative enough.  I don't think this is a game players are going to dedicate most of their gaming time to.  Once they play through a bulk of the content, they'll return for new updates or that TPS fix.

I'm personally taking a pass on this one.  I have a ton of single player games in my backlog when I need a break from TSW.

I have high doubts the OPs "prediction" will ever come to fruition...  First, in order for this to work, the PS4 would have to have a sizeable enough install base just to make releasing a MMO exclusively on the PS4 feasible.  If commercials are planned for october, then that would mean EQNext is releasing late 2013/early 2014... the same window the PS4 launches.  That would just spell disaster for any MMO (launching in a fairly limited market niche of an already limited market).  Doesn't make sense.  If anything, I could see them doing a PS4-exclusive beta.

Now, if someone told me SOE was planning on launching EQ Next in late 2014, and doing a timed exclusive release on the PS4... I could believe that.