That most of you aren't seeing the rest of the game like us closed beta people (I CAN talk about some stuff due to NDA drop due to this demo weekend).

Just PLEASE keep in mind that The Secret World isn't any different than SWTOR except for a MUCH more gritty art-style that is a sight for sore eyes. The game is essentially a well written sci-fi horror/secret society book that you follow the storyline of. Literally, the story IS that good, but the gameplay & combat is horribly stale. 

If you love playing solo, or with RL friends, in a well written story in an MMO then TSW will probably be your gem. However, if you're looking for a social experience similar to EQ, DAOC, UO, SWG etc etc you're in for a tough ride. The game, as I said before, is HEAVILY linear with stale combat but a VERY well written storyline.

As you might imagine the game falls short on replayability after you've essentially run out of "Story". I unfortunately cannot talk about anything past what you've seen in the Demo Weekend (ie: "End Game") as that's still under NDA. 

Also keep in mind that it's Funcom's usual "Placeholder" stuff for combat that will then be revamped 3months after release (not official, but the last time they stated that combat had a lot of "PlaceHolders" we didn't see anything done in AOC until 3-5months post-release). So pretty much what you've seen so far is about 80% of the game on release.

TLDR; The game is a linear-themepark that centers 90% on storyline content to keep you entertained similar to SWTOR. Combat & Gameplay will get stale if you try to concentrate on different "Builds" or abilities after the first 10hrs. Concentrate on the storyline or you'll get bored VERY quickly. If you're NOT a fan of "Themeparks" this game is NOT for you unfortunately.

Just wanted to clear some misconceptions up that people seem to be having. Cheers :)!

Disappointing to hear about the combat. And in my opinion the combat in AoC at release was miles better than what i've played in TSW.

It is easily my biggest gripe about the game so far.

Is he telling the truth?

Originally posted by Caldicot

Is he telling the truth?

Well, I could say "Yes, yes I am", but I assume you weren't asking me :). 

At the end of the day it's only my "Opinion". However, to give you some perspective I thought SWTOR's combat was absolutely dull, uninspiring, and quite simply a kick in the face for StarWars fans. I also hated SWTOR's questing system, and horrible linear elements as well as MASSIVE instancing & solo oriented gameplay.

TSW? Not as horribly instanced as SWTOR, but doesn't incorporate grouping that much. In fact, most instances in TSW in KingsMouth (NDA dropped for Kingsmouth btw) are "solo" instances. Literally you'll probably spend 10hrs in kingsmouth if you rush through everything. 10hrs solo for "rushing" the content is NOT cool, and shouldn't be acceptable. Hell, I thought 3hrs on Tortage was Torture, and shouldn't have been repeated. Apparently Funcom like to repeat their mistakes, and then make them worse.

Does that mean TSW is a bad game? Certainly not, however my goal is to make sure YOU know exactly what kind of game TSW is so you don't misunderstand why it ISN'T the game you may have thought it was.

Take that for what it's worth :)!

Originally posted by Caldicot

Is he telling the truth?

No clue, first time playing the game. After a couple hours in my impression is pretty much exactly what the OP wrote already though. Great setting, some very good story moments, but the underlying game systems seem rather lacklustre. So much so in fact, that I wouldn't even want to play anything else but the story in this game. Naturally there are tight limits to the amount of that sort of content FunCom could possibly provide, so it's hard to see any kind of longevity in TSW.

If it was a more focused single player adventure/rpg I might actually go for it, but as a MMO at full price+subs+shop ? Nah, I don't think so.

Originally posted by Caldicot

Is he telling the truth?

Imho you should look at the OPs previous posts and scan a little (as I did). Not do go into Ad-hominem attack or something but I was having a hard time finding a positive post about a game. It is nothing bad to be critical. just to put into a perspective an opinion.

Originally posted by Amegashie

Originally posted by Caldicot

Is he telling the truth?

No clue, first time playing the game. After a couple hours in my impression is pretty much exactly what the OP wrote already though. Great setting, some very good story moments, but the underlying game systems seem rather lacklustre. So much so in fact, that I wouldn't even want to play anything else but the story in this game. Naturally there are tight limits to the amount of that sort of content FunCom could possibly provide, so it's hard to see any kind of longevity in TSW.

 

If it was a more focused single player adventure/rpg I might actually go for it, but as a MMO at full price+subs+shop ? Nah, I don't think so.

Yea pretty much :/. I'm banking on TSW going "Free to Play" by January next year. What what I have seen, so close to release, the game isn't worth the Box AND Cash Shop AND monthly sub. If it were just the Cash Shop AND Monthly sub, or Box and Cash Shop then yea I'd probably play it, but not ALL 3 at once.

I think Funcom are still behind on how to actually make a proper MMO :(. They've made a fantastic Single-Player RPG with TSW though :D!

Originally posted by n3v3rriv3r

Originally posted by Caldicot

Is he telling the truth?

Imho you should look at the OPs previous posts and scan a little (as I did). Not do go into Ad-hominem attack or something but I was having a hard time finding a positive post about a game. It is nothing bad to be critical. just to put into a perspective an opinion.

I've been posting about quite a few games that are unfortunately bad :(. 

What does a Book Critic do in a sea of horribly written books? Does he lower his expectations and start writing decent reviews for work he knows is bad, or does he speak his mind and provide clear opinions based on the idea that he knows it should be much better?

I won't hide the fact that I'm heavily disappointed, and frankly disgusted by some games, such as:

-SWTOR

-The Elder Scrolls "Online"

-TERA

Does that mean I can't say anything "good" about a product? Certainly not, but you also won't find me saying "This game is AWESOME!" like MANY review sites, and reviewers on THIS VERY SITE will do for money. 

Do I think TSW is a bad game? Certainly not, but it is what it isn't. TSW is NOT anything other than another Linear Solo Driven MMO with a fantastic storyline. Does that make the game horrible, or bad for the matter? Only you can decide that for yourself, or with your wallet.

I like the story, hate the gameplay, hate the combat, and relatively enjoy the "Classless" system they have. I just wish they'd expand upon the actual gameplay rather than continue to write in random "Go here, kill x, explore this, plant this here" side quests that people tend to ignore.

Originally posted by Fadedbomb

Originally posted by n3v3rriv3r

Originally posted by Caldicot

Is he telling the truth?

Imho you should look at the OPs previous posts and scan a little (as I did). Not do go into Ad-hominem attack or something but I was having a hard time finding a positive post about a game. It is nothing bad to be critical. just to put into a perspective an opinion.

I've been posting about quite a few games that are unfortunately bad :(. 

 

What does a Book Critic do in a sea of horribly written books? Does he lower his expectations and start writing decent reviews for work he knows is bad, or does he speak his mind and provide clear opinions based on the idea that he knows it should be much better?

 

I won't hide the fact that I'm heavily disappointed, and frankly disgusted by some games, such as:

-SWTOR

-The Elder Scrolls "Online"

-TERA

 

Does that mean I can't say anything "good" about a product? Certainly not, but you also won't find me saying "This game is AWESOME!" like MANY review sites, and reviewers on THIS VERY SITE will do for money. 

 

Do I think TSW is a bad game? Certainly not, but it is what it isn't. TSW is NOT anything other than another Linear Solo Driven MMO with a fantastic storyline. Does that make the game horrible, or bad for the matter? Only you can decide that for yourself, or with your wallet.

 

I like the story, hate the gameplay, hate the combat, and relatively enjoy the "Classless" system they have. I just wish they'd expand upon the actual gameplay rather than continue to write in random "Go here, kill x, explore this, plant this here" side quests that people tend to ignore.

With posts like this I always write: I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it.

Have a good day :)

I'm playing beta right now and having a break coz i got tierd of killing zombies (6h killed some 150+). My impresions are the same as those of op for me he hit the nail on the head. But it all comes down to personal flawor  i guess.

Thanks for the update OP.

Question though, are their any multiplayer features that would warrant a monthly charge + the cash shop? Because i dont understand why Funcom didnt release this game as just a single player one. I have my theories, and they all include being money hungry.

Iv got about 50 hours play time in so far just in last week or so. I just finished the first dungen actualy, well we failed on the last boss. 

Hes telling his perspective of the game, and for the gernal populas that might be close to the truth but this isnt a game like SWTOR, its not ment to be marketed to the masses in groves, its not ment for the entire family to enjoy and the kids to, its more of an adult theme game.

Ok let me just start off by saying, im of the opinion still that I really like whats going on with the game and im going to buy it upon release.  With that said, Im a huge horror fan, all I ever watch in movies is strictly horror, thats it!  So I could literaly sit there and bash zombies for days and weeks and id be a happy camper.  Most people arnt like that though, they like more fantasy in there soup and thats where the lines are drawn with this game. 

Its definitely not ment to be compared to a fantasy game what so ever.  I dont know about the poster, but Iv seen it being compared to SWTOR and to be honest, I have no clue in hell where there getting that from, sure its a topic of discusion cause there both AAA mmos looking to break some new ground but in reality in my mind there is no comparing the two what so ever.  At least in my 50 hours of play time not once has the game reminded me in any way to SWTOR in the slightest.  Just because there both themeparks dosnt give anyone the right to say there the same thing.  I can understand if you sit down and start running your brain about how the two games seem alike, you might come up with something  but from a players perspective, not just a journalist, I dont see them being similar in any way.

The combat, well theres alot to like about the combat in relation to the ability wheel where you get all your abilities from.  Its very ingenoious, and you can mix and match alot of different play styles to form your own you like. 

I liked the game so much when I first started playing I told everyone it was my new favorite mmo, thats with all the glitches,bugs,client problems just because im a horror fan.  The ambience is very well designed along with the flow of the areas and the quests. 

Its an mmo though, you have to encourage the 200 people that work on it to do good, not bash them, its how this genre of gaming works.  This game is a take it as it comes for now at least, there seems to be a hard niche of people that are in love with the game, and the rest just blow it off like theres nothing to it.  Deciphering that, well thats not so easy in beta stage and to ask if the poster is telling the truth, for him Im sure it is no doubt.

Originally posted by supbro

Thanks for the update OP.

Question though, are their any multiplayer features that would warrant a monthly charge + the cash shop? Because i dont understand why Funcom didnt release this game as just a single player one. I have my theories, and they all include being money hungry.

I've not personally found anything that would warrant a sub + cash shop + box purchase nor have I found anything that warrants a month sub + box price alone. All 3 is simply insult to injury.

However, I DO see funcom making TSW another "Free to Play" title by early next year.

Thanks for the seemingly honest review.

---

Originally posted by Fadedbomb
I won't hide the fact that I'm heavily disappointed, and frankly disgusted by some games, such as:

-The Elder Scrolls "Online"

---

[edited: I was being trolled]

Originally posted by Banquetto

 

---

Originally posted by Fadedbomb
I won't hide the fact that I'm heavily disappointed, and frankly disgusted by some games, such as:

 

-The Elder Scrolls "Online"

---

Damn, I was planning to pick up Elder Scrolls Online next week, but if you've played it and reckon it's that bad, I guess I'll give it a miss.

 

From all of the official information out about TheElderScrolls: Online it doesn't take a rocket scientist, or a genius for that matter, to realize it shouldn't have "Elder Scrolls" anywhere in the title. 

A bit of googling might help you out though :)! If you need more info about TESO simply PM me.

Originally posted by Chrome1980

Originally posted by Fadedbomb

Originally posted by Chrome1980

TSW comaprison to SWTOR is absured. Also please have a look at posting history of OP. Next time you see his name you would know he is going to say something negative to say.

This guy just thrives on negativity. 50+ hours in game and i fail to see any similarity between this MMO and SWTOR.

[mod edit]

You can not anger me because i don't take your posts seriously. I have never seen you say anything positive about MMOS..ever. I just dropped in to contribute my 2 cents so that others also get a little idea as to why trusting your so called preview is waste of time.

And yes TSW comparison to SWTOR is abusred. 

Deleting your reply just makes my point.

First, I've said quite a few good things about MANY MMOs. However, it appears I've said something you didn't like about "some random MMO" in the past that has angered you. For that I won't appologize for speaking my mind from past experience I've had with MMOs, their development, and the thought processes that go into making an MMO.

You're also in the minority believing the TSW comparison to SWTOR was absurd. All you have to do is go play the TSW Weekend Demo for more than 10hrs and you'll see it. Simply thinking that "Graphics" or "Artstyle" is the singular purpose behind a comparison is highly flawed. Gameplay, Linear Story Elements, and Themepark driven mechanics are what comparisons are made behind. For that, my comparison was balanced, and accurate from my point of view (and apparently a few others also share that view).

Simply because I haven't gotten caught up in all the hype over the past few months for GW2, SWTOR, etc etc doesn't mean I cannot say nice things about a product that deserves it. Furthermore, I haven't actually said anything "bad" about GW2, just not overly positive as it's not my slice of pie.

Originally posted by Fadedbomb

That most of you aren't seeing the rest of the game like us closed beta people (I CAN talk about some stuff due to NDA drop due to this demo weekend).

 

 

Just PLEASE keep in mind that The Secret World isn't any different than SWTOR except for a MUCH more gritty art-style that is a sight for sore eyes. The game is essentially a well written sci-fi horror/secret society book that you follow the storyline of. Literally, the story IS that good, but the gameplay & combat is horribly stale. 

 

If you love playing solo, or with RL friends, in a well written story in an MMO then TSW will probably be your gem. However, if you're looking for a social experience similar to EQ, DAOC, UO, SWG etc etc you're in for a tough ride. The game, as I said before, is HEAVILY linear with stale combat but a VERY well written storyline.

 

As you might imagine the game falls short on replayability after you've essentially run out of "Story". I unfortunately cannot talk about anything past what you've seen in the Demo Weekend (ie: "End Game") as that's still under NDA. 

 

Also keep in mind that it's Funcom's usual "Placeholder" stuff for combat that will then be revamped 3months after release (not official, but the last time they stated that combat had a lot of "PlaceHolders" we didn't see anything done in AOC until 3-5months post-release). So pretty much what you've seen so far is about 80% of the game on release.

 

 

TLDR; The game is a linear-themepark that centers 90% on storyline content to keep you entertained similar to SWTOR. Combat & Gameplay will get stale if you try to concentrate on different "Builds" or abilities after the first 10hrs. Concentrate on the storyline or you'll get bored VERY quickly. If you're NOT a fan of "Themeparks" this game is NOT for you unfortunately.

 

 

Just wanted to clear some misconceptions up that people seem to be having. Cheers :)!

I disagree with the combat not being good, it's actually very similar to GW2 combat, and not as generic as every other MMO out there, you can move while casting any spells, and if an enemy gets in the way of the enemy you are targeting that enemy gets hit instead.

Combat is very fun. Investigation missions are fun too. But apart from these things, the game is very generic but set in a modern world rather than fantasy/sci-fi.

The game is good.

Originally posted by Fadedbomb

Furthermore, I haven't actually said anything "bad" about GW2, just not overly positive as it's not my slice of pie.

Now I am a little curious: what is your slice of pie?
if you dont mind going offtopic a little more :p