Why I like this game

[Lord_of_Stone]

Well since so many people feel that they need to post whats wrong with the game or what they dont like, I thought I'd give some reasons why (in my opinion) I like the game.

 

Games I played before: TOR belongs to the RPG genre, and more specifically, the MMORPG subgenre. I am an avid fan of RPGs, and Bioware itself. While I have played a few F2P MMO's, I never got into WoW or any microtransaction MMO's. I am a HUGE fan of KOTOR one and two. Both games are tied for my favorite game of all time (only with the restored content mod for KOTOR 2). I enjoyed both mass effects and dragon age origins, but never got around to play the second. I enjoy other games from other genres but they all have one thing in common: an appealing story. Games lacking in that department I never much enjoyed.

 

What I've done in SWTOR: Currently, I have a level 50 JC sage and a level 50 IA sniper. I have 6 other classes, all in the teens. My sniper has dabbled a bit in endgame and pvp, finished a couple HM FPs and an operation. And with that, the reasons why I like this game:

 

Story and Characters:The number one reason I like this game. In terms of length, it took me four times longer to complete the story for one character than either Mass Effect. The Imperial Agent story was rich and compelling, with very interesting characters. I chose to go light side, which proved to be a unique experience in espionage.

 

The Jedi Consular I found equally entertaining, but for different reasons. The class quests on each planet (after act one) related directly to the World Arc, which was different that the IA. The companions were a bit lackluster, but the experience had a lot of character interaction which I LOVED. My favorite parts of Bioware games were exchanges between party members, whether it be Morrigan hitting on Sten, or the crew of the Normandy in a panic before the decent on to Illium. The consular captured that in a way, by utilizing the comm room to summon the crew far more than the IA.

 

Flashpoints:While I understand that the mechanics behind Flashpoints are not original in the slightest, they proved to be some of the most enjoyable things I did in the game. The stories behind each one, their relation to the overarching conflict between Empire and Republic (and its escalation), and awesome multiplayer dialogue and decision making made for an awesome experience. Here is my review of Taral V, Malestrom Prison, Boarding Party, and The Foundry:

Basically, they were my favorite parts of the game. While Revans fate was spoiled for me, its was still incredible. At first, I was disapointed, like many others, that A: Revan died in the first place, and B: that it was merely a mid game flashpoint. After playing it, however, I changed my mind. Its timing in the game was perfect. You get the feeling that Revans escape and battle at the Foundry was the spark that started the war again, as both events happen roughly right before Act 3, when war "officially" breaks out. If it happened sooner, it would have sucked, if it happened later, it would have seemed like the game focused too heavily on Revan, which was something the KOTOR 2 was criticized for.

 

At any rate, I thoroughly enjoyed the FPs and was completely satisfied with how they handled it. No character should live forever, and he went out with a bang. Reading the novel before hand helps alot. His conversations were shorter than I would have liked, but oh well. There will be more oh mag's to KOTOR in the future, of that I'm certain

 

 

Some Flashpoints werent as fun, or didnt have important decisions, like Colicoid Wargames. But they are few, out of many. I was very surprised with the amount of FPs they had at launch.

 

Crew Skills:The only thing I really cant stand in games are grinds. This came about from years of Runescape as a kid, the grindiest of grinds. I told myself never again. Crew skills takes that grind away from crafting, which is just so awesome. I wish it could have a bigger impact on your play style and REing wasnt so much random luck (and Biochem items werent BoP), but for not having to do a damn thing to craft or gather things, its a fine trade off. It will take a lot of refining and updates, but I believe (IMO) SWTOR will have an awesome and intricate economy. Not the best, but good.

 

Replayability:Now, I KNOW I am going to get a lot of flak for this, but just keep in mind guys, this is just my OPINION, based on the time I've spent in game. I believe this game has a lot of replay value. And by that, I mean playing an alt on the same faction. Many, if not all, will completely disagree. But they also say that its too easy/quick to level up in this game. These two things are interrelated.

 

What these critics fail to understand is that its easy and quick to level up in SWTOR because there is just so many ways to level up. Theres space combat, pvp, side quests, exploration, datacrons, bonus quests, bonus series, flashpoints, and a plethora of repeatable content. Any number of these things you can concentrate on to level up along side your class missions. If you were to level a Smuggler to 50 doing your side quests, pvp and a lot of exploration, you would see very little of the same things later if you were to level a Jedi Knight to 50 doing just space combat, flashpoints, and bonus series. Theres just so many things to get exp from you can merely skip content to play for an alt at some point.

 

The replayability is compounded, when you consider that opposing factions have completely different side quests, space combat missions, bonus series, and bonus quests (while sharing about half the flashpoints, some late game heroics, and datacrons). I can tell you, playing the IA and JC was like playing two completely different games. But again, thats just me, my opinion, my experience.

 

 

Well, thats pretty much it. There is a lot I love about this game that I cant put into words or simply dont want to but theres what I got.

 

tl;dr: I like this game because I was a huge fan of KOTOR one and two, and playing this game truly feels like a KOTOR successor, with a lot of new territory and a lot of references and events tracing back to the original games. Story and characters are awesome, I think the game is easy to replay with different classes due to the different avenues of exp generation, and I hope to continue playing for a long time. There are some things I dont like, but not much.

Edited February 4, 2012 by Lord_of_Stone

[Lord_of_Stone]

bumperoo

[jeepoverland]

sad that you have to bump your own post about why you like this game.

 

Re playability? Not really. Only the class quest chain is unique. All side quests are the same. Making 1 alt is difficult and boring enough to go through the same crap let alone doing 3+ alts.

 

To each his own I suppose, but I truly believe the majority of people who have purchased this game are disappointed in someway. By majority I mean >50% and by disappointed I mean, wish this game was better/more than it is. How could you not? With a huge budget and all of its shortcomings....only a Kool-aid drinking Star Wars fan would love it.

[Traumahawk]

sad that you have to bump your own post about why you like this game.

 

Re playability? Not really. Only the class quest chain is unique. All side quests are the same. Making 1 alt is difficult and boring enough to go through the same crap let alone doing 3+ alts.

 

To each his own I suppose, but I truly believe the majority of people who have purchased this game are disappointed in someway. By majority I mean >50% and by disappointed I mean, wish this game was better/more than it is. How could you not? With a huge budget and all of its shortcomings....only a Kool-aid drinking Star Wars fan would love it.

 

Yeah, can't agree with you on re-playability, nor the embellishments about a "plethora" of content through which to level. There are a substantial amount of players that feel an overwhelming sense of doom when even thinking about the prospect of leveling past 30, because of the LACK of choice with leveling content. Not to mention there are about 3 NPC templates that are used on 90% of the quest mobs.

 

MMOs are about staying power and longevity and I see a lot of apologists who tell people to just farm datacrons or explore. Do you honestly think that is a tenable game model with the content-hungry players today?

Edited February 4, 2012 by Traumahawk

[Lord_of_Stone]

sad that you have to bump your own post about why you like this game.

 

Re playability? Not really. Only the class quest chain is unique. All side quests are the same. Making 1 alt is difficult and boring enough to go through the same crap let alone doing 3+ alts.

 

To each his own I suppose, but I truly believe the majority of people who have purchased this game are disappointed in someway. By majority I mean >50% and by disappointed I mean, wish this game was better/more than it is. How could you not? With a huge budget and all of its shortcomings....only a Kool-aid drinking Star Wars fan would love it.

 

I bumped because it hit page 3 in about a minute. I didnt make this thread to watch it fall into the abyss.

 

Also, I dont think you read the replayability part, since I countered your argument before you even posted. But nice try.

 

Also, a 75% player retention rate is pretty good. While continuing to sub doesnt confirm whether or not someone enjoyed the game, if these forums are any indication (and nor does not subbing mean you didnt enjoy it), but thats a very good rate.

[jeepoverland]

I bumped because it hit page 3 in about a minute. I didnt make this thread to watch it fall into the abyss.

 

Also, I dont think you read the replayability part, since I countered your argument before you even posted. But nice try.

 

Also, a 75% player retention rate is pretty good. While continuing to sub doesnt confirm whether or not someone enjoyed the game, if these forums are any indication (and nor does not subbing mean you didnt enjoy it), but thats a very good rate.

 

Lets talk player retention after 90 days.

[Lord_of_Stone]

Yeah, can't agree with you on re-playability, nor the embellishments about a "plethora" of content through which to level. There are a substantial amount of players that feel an overwhelming sense of doom when even thinking about the prospect of leveling past 30, because of the LACK of choice with leveling content. Not to mention there are about 3 NPC templates that are used on 90% of the quest mobs.

 

MMOs are about staying power and longevity and I see a lot of apologists who tell people to just farm datacrons or explore. Do you honestly think that is a tenable game model with the content-hungry players today?

 

No, but it gives variety. Point is, you will run across a lot of the same content, but you can easily avoid it. Or even switch between factions for alts.

[Traumahawk]

No, but it gives variety. Point is, you will run across a lot of the same content, but you can easily avoid it. Or even switch between factions for alts.

 

I can not avoid killing the same NPCs from Hutta all the way to Illum. You know the ones...the guy with a gun that just stands there shooting continuously, the two guys with a vibrosword that walk up to you and hack-n-slash until dead, and the pack of weak guys that are too far apart to effectively AoE, but have just enough health to make it annoying.

 

Trust me, if I COULD avoid that in favor of some variety or actual "heroic" game-play, I would. You have a higher tolerance for it (which is absolutely okay) but a lot of players--myself included--are so, so tired of the same old schtick. And worse (and here is my whole point really) when the enchantment over Star Wars and Bioware begins to fade, that leaves a very shallow gaming experience.

 

Just imagine for a moment that Belsavis was never in the game. Instead, after completing Hoth, you were instructed to report to an Imperial fleet somewhere over a Republic planet. For the next 5 or so levels, your questing would involve First-person space combat, escort missions and battles on Republic vessels.

 

Now if that's too much of a pipe dream, how about a "planet" that's like Cloud City--nothing fancy, just diverse. See where I'm going with this? As it stands, you can't help but load the next planet and think "Why the hell am I having to do this same crap again? To reach 50? To do what exactly?"

Edited February 4, 2012 by Traumahawk

[maxetius]

I like it because I can play and progress at my own pace and the story is quite a bit of fun.

 

Yeah, being forced to group to accomplish anything and Having raids that go for hours and hours a la Everquest and etc. was cool when I was 12-17 years old and had infinite time on my hands. Those days are long gone however, and I have far less time on my hands for recreation.

 

so I'm glad that MMOs have slowly changed with me.

[Lord_of_Stone]

I can not avoid killing the same NPCs from Hutta all the way to Illum. You know the ones...the guy with a gun that just stands there shooting continuously, the two guys with a vibrosword that walk up to you and hack-n-slash until dead, and the pack of weak guys that are too far apart to effectively AoE, but have just enough health to make it annoying.

 

Trust me, if I COULD avoid that in favor of some variety or actual "heroic" game-play, I would. You have a higher tolerance for it (which is absolutely okay) but a lot of players--myself included--are so, so tired of the same old schtick. And worse (and here is my whole point really) when the enchantment over Star Wars and Bioware begins to fade, that leaves a very shallow gaming experience.

 

Granted, there are some things you cant avoid. I'm merely saying theres a lot of ways to level. I've gone through some planets without picking up a single side quest because I overleveled the previous one substantially.

 

Regardless, yes, I would say that I have a higher tolerance for replaying the same thing, at least spaced out. It took me about 3 weeks of playing like 8 hours a day to get to 50, and now that I have a job it will take me substantially longer. Playing the same side quests really isnt all that bad. I barely remember them and if I find them boring theres always a the space bar.

 

But hey, I'm not trying to convince any one. I see too many assertions, too many "I speak for everyone". Not enough people with the humility to admit whats fact and whats opinion, and too many with the pretense to claim they speak for others,

[KennethHoover]

It's a very entertaining game. Lots of people are enjoying playing the game. You are definitely not alone.

[Lord_of_Stone]

 

Just imagine for a moment that Belsavis was never in the game. Instead, after completing Hoth, you were instructed to report to an Imperial fleet somewhere over a Republic planet. For the next 5 or so levels, your questing would involve First-person space combat, escort missions and battles on Republic vessels.

 

Now if that's too much of a pipe dream, how about a "planet" that's like Cloud City--nothing fancy, just diverse. See where I'm going with this? As it stands, you can't help but load the next planet and think "Why the hell am I having to do this same crap again? To reach 50? To do what exactly?"

 

TBH, both sound fun. I dont care much, as long as it has good story, VO's, and characters.

[Jett-Rinn]

Lord_of_Stone ; that was an amazing and very accurate account of why I think so many people are enjoying this game.

 

Is it a hard-core Raid or Die MMO? No, but it was never meant to be...the game appeals to a much broader audience and that is why everyone from my kids to my sixty year old aunt is playing. Bioware like it or not has caught lightning in a a bottle they jumped out of their narrow demographic with SWTOR.

 

My only fear is the developers will panic and use this upcoming summit to gain some sort of e-cred with the hard-cores...that in fact is the worst thing they could do. They need to keep expanding the content keep adding things to do in the leveling and end game (for everyone not just raiders) and they need to keep appealing to the base they have now.

 

If they do that they will have a shiny happy future.

Edited February 4, 2012 by Jett-Rinn

[Lord_of_Stone]

Lord_of_Stone ; that was an amazing and very accurate account of why I think so many people are enjoying this game.

 

Is it a hard-core Raid or Die MMO? No, but it was never meant to be...the game appeals to a much broader audience and that is why everyone from my kids to my sixty year old aunt is playing. Bioware like it or not has caught lightning in a a bottle they jumped out of their narrow demographic with SWTOR.

 

My only fear is the developers will panic and use this upcoming summit to gain some sort of e-cred with the hard-cores...that in fact is the worst thing they could do. They need to keep expanding the content keep adding things to do in the leveling and end game (for everyone not just raiders) and they need to keep appealing to the base they have now.

 

If they do that they will have a shiny happy future.

 

I think 1.1 was a good indication of what's coming in the future. Bioware will continue to release a steady stream of content in updates. More flashpoints, more planets, more characters and companions, and more Acts. Thats what I want to see, and thats what they are concentrating on, along side tackling bugs.

[Rantank]

I too am enjoying the game. I have 2 50's, a jugg and an IA op, and my BH is mid 30's. I'm loving the stories and how each character pads out what was already known by the previous. I'm enjoying switching around light side/dark side and seeing how things change.

 

I'm not too fussed with end game yet as there is so much to do before then. But I wish the vocal complainers would stop claiming to speak for the majority because I'm sure many of us are enjoying the game as it is, and are patient for things to be fixed, and know there will always be new content in the pipeline.

 

It seems that there are some who believe being a forum cowboy is part of the entertainment value that came with the sub.

[Thorun]

I like it because it is Star Wars....

 

and that is pretty much it.

[Aasmund]

Great post OP, and I completely agree.

 

I leveled a Sith Marauder as my first toon, and man, the storyline was awesome.

when you get Jaesa and turn her to the dark side, I had shivers going down my spine and was thinking "whoa"

 

 

Then I leveled a Bounty Hunter, at 42 now. Another great storyline! You really get the feeling you are an important asset to the Empire, and not just another silly soldier like in so many other MMOs.

 

Sure, there are things that could've been different, and things I feel should be added. More planets for the leveling process would be nice and all, but all in all I think its been done pretty well.

 

One of the things I like the best though, is exactly what your signature says;

This game succeeds because the game starts at level 1, and not 50.

 

SWTOR has a lot to offer, of course with room for improvement, but I'm sure we will see new exciting stuff every now and then. All in all, in my book this is a GREAT game.