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Vanguard: Saga of Heroes Previews: First Look: Hands-On
Jon Wood played for several hours in San Diego and brings us this first look at what he experienced. Expect a more detailed preview soon.
By Jon Wood on November 01, 2006
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Jon Wood gives us his first look impressions of Vanguard
Not only did the event give us the access and interviews that led to my previous Vanguard article, but we also had the chance to sit down for a while to get a hands on experience with their game. The first thing that struck me about this game when I sat down to play was the general look of it. I don't just mean graphics, either. I find the overall art style of this game to be very appealing. Vanguard does a pretty good job of skirting the line between realism and fantasy. Often companies make a decision about the look of their game and take it so far in one direction that takes away from the other. The cartoony style of a game like World of Warcraft sacrifices realism for the sake of having a "fantasy" feel, while I have also played games that tried to look ultra-realistic and in that effort, took the fantasy feel out of their game. Vanguard doesn't succumb to either extreme, looking real enough to satisfy me, while still free enough to be fantasy. Character creation is serviceable. It's a perfectly functional system that does everything that you need it to do. This is one of those areas of a game that can make or break it for me. My main complaint about Vanguard's character creation system is the same complaint that I've had about character creation in most of the major MMOs: there isn't enough choice. Sure, the character models look pretty, and it's not like you're not given choices, or control over the character's look. I just want more. I don't want to look like other players. I want to look different and unique. The first character that I made was a Human Paladin. He was a recreation of a character I've been playing in D&D for a while. I'll be honest, for any complaints I may have about their character creation, I was able to make a pretty good representation. The questing system is pretty much what we've all come to know and expect from AAA MMORPGs. At least the opening quests are very much cut and dry and seem to be well enough put together that they will function as a tutorial. That's something that I've come to appreciate in MMO gameplay, seamless tutorials that teach newbies how to get around in the world without coming right out and being an obvious tutorial.
After each quest that a player completes within the game, a screen will come up asking beta testers to rate the quest and give in their feedback. This approach is, in my opinion, head and shoulders above the "hope they come to the beta boards" approach that I've seen from companies in the past. This method, right there and in your face, prompts you to take a few seconds and make a comment and indicates to me that Sigil is actually interested in what players have to say about the game and ways to improve it. The next system I tried was the Diplomacy system. Before I got started, I decided to head back to character creation and create a Dark Elf.
Diplomacy is run through an in-game card game that sees players deciding what kind of card to play when in order to verbally defeat their opponents. I know that some people are down on the concept of a card game, but I really enjoyed it. The card game, while certainly unconventional, offers a fresh take on what can be done in MMOGs. I am impressed by the entire system, which seems to fall into the category of "easy to learn, difficult to master". This is most definitely a game that is worth watching. Vanguard has all of the elements that have the potential to make it a hit game; an engaging story, a good consistent artistic style, strong quests and innovative systems. Most importantly, the early parts of the game make a player want to play more, to improve and continue to climb in whatever mode of advancements they should choose. While I only got a few hours of hands-on time at the event, I definitely felt the urge to play more.
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It feels and reads like you were holding somthing back.
Anyway, good read.
Hm, no comments on the intricate combat system? No time to try to craft anything?
Yeah, pretty hard for any game with visible equipement to compete with a game such as CoH for the character creation, if not outright impossible. Unless you leave the option to the player as to what is visible and what isn't, so if the breastplate is choosen as not visible then the player could have more options, regardless of what is equipped...which then open a new problem about consistancy, if someone is wearing a robe can he be displayed as wearing a plate mail? There is no easy way out of this for any game with equipement.
Anyway, I still hold to what I have been saying for years now. Raid-free server and I buy the game, the absence of such servers will results in my absence from the game althogether.
Overall the game could be made more intuitive, but that is easier said then done. "Easy to understand but hard to master", the game is still not that easy to understand...been intuitive is a challenge for any game, and CoH put the bar quite high for every competitor on the "Easy to understand, yet hard to master". Example, you are wandering around searching a NPC, while realist it isn't intuitive, choices have been made. Still, with raid-free servers this game could be the next jewel...without offering raid-free server it will lack the unique advantage EQ has in it time, EQ was offering a PvE ambiance to players...what is Vanguard offering that competitors doesn't, raid-free server could be that special edge.
I agree Bloodworth , it seems that this article was written with the strict instruction not to give anything away.
The reason I read articles like this is the simple fact that I'm seeking new information about the game & to be quite frank this article told me nothing I didnt already know.
The main issue I see with Vanguard is what are the plans for endgame and more specifically PvP ? as without an 'end game' there is no point to developing a character and everything else becomes somewhat pointless as eventually you hit the level cap & quit ( ala WoW) .
Vanguard looks a very promising game however the lack of information about key facts such as combat & PvP does worry me & I just hope we start seeing some updates which contain real information sooner rather than later .
Ummm... SWG? Ryzom? Matrix? Conan? Lord of the Rings?
I understand what you are getting at, but i think your slightly misinformed.
Layered clothing and armor is entirely possible.
This article isn't and wasn't meant to be an in-depth analysis of the game, but rather just a quick article with my initial responses to playing it. It's a First Look Preview.
I haven't had enough time to really sit down with the game and do a full-on preview full of details. Once I've put enough hours into the game, we'll run a full preview.
I'm still learning a lot of the systems in the game, just like any new player would have to. I tried to give a breif overview of what I've done and experienced so far. I'm sorry if that's not enough.
Cheers
Jon Wood
My first MMO was WoW. I enjoyed it alot untill I really got bored about the static world. I tried the trial of EQ2 but when I saw the NPC's standing around I quickly quit the game.
Something I really hope that quests will make a difference and change the world a little and NPC do their thing rather than stand/sit at one place.
Lets see if Vanguard is really the next-gen MMO.
Have you forsaken eating, and hygiene yet? If not, of course it's not good enough! Get back to playing, and give us more info!
And don't forget that despite the fact that we all hate you, you must be polite, solicitous, and respectful at all times.
Looks good so far...good reading!
While I appreciate the compliment, I wouldn't discount Jon's article--as he said, he hasn't had the time to get into an in-depth look at the game yet, and attempting to write more than a first look article when you haven't really sunk your teeth into beta yet would be irresponsible.
It's also unfair to compare the two articles. Jon's running an entire MMOG community while I have the good fortune of being able to focus solely on ONE game. I think he did a fine job with what he had to offer. We sat next to each other while testing the game at the press event, and Jon knows his stuff. Cheers, Jon!
I play WOW and quite frankly am getting sick to death of kill... loot... repeat type of quests with nothing else to do as a distraction. When I heard that SoH had not only a decent crafting system but also had a diplomat system, I got very excited about playing it. I really don't mind a game that is complicated to become good at and has a time sink as long as there is a reward for all the effort put forth. Even if the reward is a good feeling of accomplishment.
I'm not a PvP'er and never will be. That end really doesn't concern me. I suppose if I were, I'd probably be looking forward to Warhammer.
I for one can't wait till the realease of this game. Just my $.02
Nice review. I'm looking forward to this game.
One thing though...when are game developers going to appreciate how important it is to not be a look alike clone to everyone else in the game. Part of taking ownership of a character, sort of speak, is making him/her unique.
So far, SWG is the only game I have seen with a decent character creation system that allowed for some individuality.
Also, I am looking forward to the day that technological advances propel us into an age when hair and skin does not look plastic.
Thanks for those examples. Laughed when I read the initial posters comment.
People, at one time folks would have thought it would be impossible for a computer performing the simple funcion of calculater to be smaller than a wharehouse.
What is impossible one day is possible the next, thanks to huge strides forward in technology and software.
But there are ALREADY several games that allow you to customize with equipment and play around with avatar creation.
You sound like me and my entire guild :) The sandbox feature is really the one that stands out. I would be happier if SoH was skill-based, and class based systems just annoy me to no end, but as an MMO refugee without a home, I'll take what I can get.
Oh, to the OP thanks for the review. Don't let the haters get to ya. I haven't been waiting for this game half as long as most, and even at that I'm getting frustrated waiting for information...just make sure to keep us updated :)
Game is still under an NDA so its no surprise they are holding back. Know doubt it had to be approved by Sigil before being published.
Jon - i'd be interested to hear what sort of machine the game was running on when you played it.
Initial reports suggest that you need one hell of a machine (2 gig of DDR2, nvidia 7950 - sli preferred, high end dual core CPU) to run it properly. anything but a full high end specced machine, will not currently be able to run the game in anything but medium to low settings with lots of additional stuff turned off.
So if you say it looks graphically good, then i'd be curious to find out what machine you were playing on.
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Originally posted by ZeGerman1942:
Jon - i'd be interested to hear what sort of machine the game was running on when you played it.
Initial reports suggest that you need one hell of a machine (2 gig of DDR2, nvidia 7950 - sli preferred, high end dual core CPU) to run it properly. anything but a full high end specced machine, will not currently be able to run the game in anything but medium to low settings with lots of additional stuff turned off.
So if you say it looks graphically good, then i'd be curious to find out what machine you were playing on.
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If the game requires that much hardware to run, i seriously doubt Sigil/SOE could make any money of the sale of it since they would alienate all but the highly elite players. Since they don't seem to be whole heartedly targeting that group and most gamers grumble over being forced to upgrade hardware just for one game, i highly doubt that the requirements will be that high, however since graphics settings are a personal choice issue and i personally won't sacrifice performance for eye candy, my ideal vanguard system may be much lower end than the next guys.
otherwise, interesting preview, i think i will definetly try the game.
Looking forward to your follow-up full preview.
I am currently playing Dark Messiah on my machine in the highest graphic settings no problem. With the same setting i would not be able to play Vanguard in medium settings.
Yes games will need upgrades and Vanguard is not the only one that will require it, but at the moment you are looking at a 2.000 to 3.000 USD worth of computer in order to play Vanguard in semi decent graphcis and maintain a framerate. and thats a bit rich.
QFT. If Vanguard indeed goes the same route as EQ2 and requires a top end machine then I think they'll be seriously surprised when no one but the power gamers buy it.
I'll be looking into this game and seeing what it offers if there is a free trial. Free trial=good thing. If they do it better than EQ2 did their "Trial of the Isle" then I might be interested enough to stay. However if the game does'nt play well on my computer (2.4 Gig CPU, 1 gig memory, Raytheon 9600, DSL connection)....well, that's what free trials are for right?
BTW (in reference to another post you did up here), you don't need to turn the graphics all the way up for the game to look good. I've seen screenies taken in native low-rez and let me tell you that while a lot of the effects were off and viewing distance not as far as in other screenies, the game still looked great.
I wish I could find the link to those now :( I think they were on FOH's board.
That being said, you will still be able to enjoy the game on a lower-end machine and not hurt your eyes doing so. Here are the tentative minimum specs that Brad posted a few weeks ago:
That's pretty close to the minimum, although I am *not* annoucing official specs at this point.
Unofficially, a 2.8, 1 gig, and an x800 or x850 (or nvidia equvalent) would be good.
Unofficially, a 3.0, 2 gigs, and an x1800 or higher (or nvidia equivalent) plus pci-express and a fast FSB would be the high mark.
Again, UNOFFICIAL. We have a lot of optimizing left to do and prices will continue to drop and new cards and machine configs will become available between now and release.
Also seen somewhere else that one of the prime requirement for your vid card is to do Shader 2.0, has it has been known to run on older vid cards than the x800 series.
and i think your definition of what makes a game look good and does not is different (but thats fair enough and not meant as an insult).
Ummm... SWG? Ryzom? Matrix? Conan? Lord of the Rings?
I understand what you are getting at, but i think your slightly misinformed.
Layered clothing and armor is entirely possible.
I can't talk for LotR or Conan, but SWG, SoR and Matrix don't compete with CoH, they are LEAGUES behind as far as character customisation goes. In CoH, your toon can be under 4' or over 8', can be anorexic, athletic or muscular, you can have limbs that aren't naturals, tails, and so on, I am merely starting...and the cloak is nice, unlike in these games which either lack cloaks or are plain and not affected by the wind.
I have to see 1 MMO that is even remotedly close to CoH as far as customisation goes. However, I understand that in an item centric game, it is hard.
Concerned about having to get a new computer....
Check out refubished systems....Dell usually has some pretty nice refurbished systems that are decently priced. I'm sure other companys also sell refurbished systems.
On a AMD Semptron 3100+ (1.81ghz) with 1gig of ram and a Geforce 7300 GS on high setting the game runs at an average of 25 fps in town and around 30 fps out of town. Settings tweaked of course. So anyone worried about not being able to run the game. If you have a pixel shader 2.0 card and atleast 1gig of ram you should be good to go. Though 2gig is highly recommened for improved preformance.
Also a good start to a review there. I'm glad to see you didnt try and cover features you didnt have time to play through first or learn about.
Respect to the devs of Vanguard for introducing many new ideas to the mmo arena. Diplomacy is a nice USP!
However as previously mentioned in this thread why another fantasy class based game?
Don't we have enough already??? just fell asleep at my pc thinking about it...yawn!
Why another fantasy based game?
1) Sci Fi has too much tech which becomes complicated and dificult to program from teleporters to jet packs to flying machines to space combat to tanks to hovercraft to replicators to laser blasters high tech security systems etc etc etc.
2) Sci Fi games don't have near the following that fantasy genre games do. Eve Online already pretty much is dominating right now...no one else has come close to putting at a decent Sci Fi MMORPG.
3) Sci Fi has laser blasters...so essentialy the game becomes another Halo where you just blast things and strategy and role play goes out the window. Kind of like the difference between Warhammer and Warhammer 40K
4) Western MMO would have too limited a following...and pretty much be Sci Fi...except with far less buttons and whistles.
5) What other genre is there? Whatever it is...would be a limited niche..therefore limited market. With a limited market and having to go up already established MMO giants like WOW it becomes hard to have a profitable product....in the end it boils down to the financiers saying "Will we make gobs of money off of this?"
Sadly but true...a World of Starcraft would probably be the most profitable and successful Sci Fi MMO but blizzard has already said they will not do that.
Ofcourse...all of this is completely unfounded personal opinion....who can truly say...
I was really trying to say why another CLASS based fantasy game?
Some of your points on sci-fi indicate why fantasy is the predominant genre for mmo. However how many skills based fantasy games out there? Ryzom is the only one I know of! It all goes back to Gygax's D&D which like WoW now is the template for core game design. Of course there were many skills based rpg and so really there should be more skills based mmorpg.
A lot of people also specualte that fantasy is the most popular genre because people wish to escape from the modern world and hi-tec society. Returning to a fantasy genre is more escapist, appeals to the human psche (which is still adapting to the post-industrial world), and uses the fairy tale elelement to appeal to the child in all of us.
Not my personal opinion but one argued clevery in a British National paper.
How about you not speak for Sigil friend?
It's that Psudo Hardcore mentality that's almost ruined the boards over there.
Brad and company ARE already entertaining the thought of alternate rule servers so why not raid free ones.
BTW I was in a Elemental/Time lvl EQ1 guild so I know the score.
Months upon months of raiding to garner 5-6 items isn't all that it's cracked up to be.
Zarraa Voltayre
Zero Sum/Ancient Legacy/Silver Phoenix/Damage Inc.
EQ1 EQII DAOC AC2 COH COV GW WOW EVE MxO L2
Agreed, not much else to say. It was an all-in-all preview, and i'm sure many people are now just dying to play Vanguard (me included
).