Played for two months, done now. Is this average?

[CaptBlanc]

I am a bit dissapointed with the structure of the game, and I re-post my "Exit Survey" here to share with the SWTOR community:

 

"Sadly, the game has no thinking or tactics in the gameplay...just automatic-clicking-and-winning. Spaceship-related content is so thin as to not make any impact on game enjoyment. ("Rail-Shooter") and, most importantly, the whole game experience is VERY linear. I tried several character types and the "gameplay" was the same in every one, no exploration is possible as the planets are all level-zoned....many in-game items are only used once the character is level 50, but I cannot "grind" through the boring, repetitive play untill that level. (I need to be entertained while playing a game, not bored to death!) Most missions are just "go kill 30 guys and click five objects" ... dull. Dull...deadly dull! Very unlike "Star Wars"...however the graphics and music were nice and well done.

 

I think that the "Level Based" game system is a very quick-and-dirty way to handle a game. Kind of primitive. And makes some of the content feel rather silly. (What exactly is a Level 40 Taun-Taun??!!?) Heh.

 

Also, the game encourages you to group, then makes that difficult by eliminating any experience gain if the level difference between characters is more than two levels. So I soloed almost all the time. As there is no benefit from gaining levels, (The gameplay remains the same, only with bigger numbers. So each combat runs the same length and way. With no reward for defeating lower leveled NPC's only equal level. - And higher leveled ones are immune to your damage.) It underlines the lack-luster game design.

 

Plus, the game is ONLY about combat. Even the nifty dialouge-scenes are just a set-up to a grindy-shootout. I wanted my smuggler to be able to acutally...SMUGGLE stuff or trade cargo goods...but that cannot happen."

 

..It seems to me that this game represents a missed chance for Bio-Ware and EA to create a game that stands out from the crowd. I can think of many, many improvements for this game, but alas...they would all involve re-designing the core game system, and I don't think THAT is going to happen.

 

My buddies who joined up, also have quit, even earlier than I did...for much the same reasons. The last bit for me was "Bounty Hunter Week"....I had been excited as I'd created a BH the week before. But the mission(s) were simple "Go click on a guy several times, earning "Investigation Points" without even a dialouge wheel to make it slightly interesting....then go summon the fugitive at the set point and shoot him till I can carbonite-freeze him."

 

Bleah. (Aside from the fact that, in the SW universe, carbonite-freezing was a highly experimental trick that Vader was hoping to use to capture Luke with, and as he was unsure that it would be effective or safe, he used Han as a test-subject, much to Boba Fetts worry...)

 

Anyway..after discussing it with other players, hoping to see if it gets better at higher levels, but finding that it pretty much stays the same, but with bigger "numbers"... I just cancelled my sub as I can't bring myself to log in and play anymore. I was just thinking that this is the shortest time I have EVER played an MMO for. And wanted to know if this is average here.

 

Your thoughts?

[XCONQUESTX]

Peace out...

[Prototypemind]

I enjoyed the storyline very much. If you look elsewhere you'll see that players want more of said "boring" content.

 

As to the "two levels" issue, Never really had much trouble there. People generally group for missions in their level range and call it a day. FPs queue you into the appropriate levels, and Ops are endgame so it's a non-issue there.

 

The movement up the ladder to 50/55 isn't the major hang-up for most people. Not sure what you were looking for but the voice acting, dialogue, and unique characters are some of the best you'll find anywhere overall. Not perfect, but quite a bit of it is very memorable and well put together.

 

Maybe PvP will be more your cup of tea. Find what floats your boat.

[Sala]

The game was also designed w/different story arc for all of the classes and both factions.

 

If you've played DA, DA2, ME, ME2 etc.. you might know of this already.

 

I'd guess that most of the drop outs are players who play only 1 class and then they're done.

 

What might serve your interests better is to really play thru all of the major classes. For instance, I did commando and didnt think I'd play anything else... then a nerf hit and I went to try another class (smuggler). The class stories are totally different and I didnt think I'd like another class as much as I did commando. I was totally wrong, and happy to find out a way to keep on playing the game and genre I love. Star Wars.

 

I've played thru every class now and I spend my off time worriing about which class I'm going play, gear up, whatever. I suggest you try a few other classes, you may just find the there a truckload of things to do.

Edited August 26, 2013 by Sala

[jedip_enguin]

You're complaining about levels and quests? Have you ever even played an MMO before? These are fundamental aspects of nearly every modern MMO.

 

It would be like complaining about having to shoot stuff in an FPS.

[mmjarec]

Their misguided thinking that somehow all voiced content would be more than a gimmick wasted their resources instead of making a compelling game

[CaptBlanc]

Oops!

Perhaps I should have said that, if I did NOT mention a aspect of the game in my original post, I am fairly happy with those bits.

 

Not to say that the "Dialouge-Wheel, Mass-Effect style" story stuff is bad. No, not at all. THAT was the one bit I really liked, and I have a fairly good idea of the expense and trouble they went through to put the voices in, as I am a professional voice-actor, myself.

 

Kudos and applause for that, I say.

 

But I don't subscribe to the "Well all MMO's do it this way, so no use trying to do it better and we gamers need to just suck it up and pay for something we don't care for." style of consumerisim.

 

And, yes...I admit that folks may have a point in that MMO play is not the game for me, as I vastly prefer problem-solving and actual skill styled games to the "Click-to-Win" MMO format. I was merely hoping, what with this being a newer game based off of Star Wars, and made by Bio-Ware, to boot, that it would have been something superb.

 

I loved my Smuggler's story...but I got tired of chewing through endless hours of NPC shooting that required me to merely show up and press my attack buttons just to see that.

 

I lived for the cut-scenes.

 

To sum THAT bit up....if players call it "Grind"..thereby implying that it's a boring task...WHY would you do that in your valuable leisure-time, instead of doing something fun and engaging? And why would a game company not choose to make a fun game, instead of another "grind-fest" just like the last one?

 

Heck, I was happy that there were spaceships!...It's Star Wars, correct? However, all the missions are exactly the same, no matter what class you play or what side you are on. And, that aside, you can't really DO anything in the space missions, just move around the screen a bit and "Space-Bar-Barrel-Roll" occasionally. No, taking buddies along to man the guns while you fly, no other Player ships at all...ect.

 

I intend to keep an eye on the games advertising from time-to-time, to see if they change or add anything nice, so that I may want to return, but I won't get my hopes up.

 

But I can't truthfully say I hated EVERYTHING about it. No. Of course not.

[mmjarec]

You're complaining about levels and quests? Have you ever even played an MMO before? These are fundamental aspects of nearly every modern MMO.

 

It would be like complaining about having to shoot stuff in an FPS.

 

And thats why the majority fail. To scared to do something unique like ultima online did or archeage will

[ZETA_SCORPII]

I'm a huge Fett fan so being a Bounty Hunter in this game has been the best gaming experience I've ever had. The story was great and as you level up you gain new abilities that change the dynamics of the gameplay so I can't really complain, gearing up at endgame has been super fun too! No game is for everyone so I hope you find what you're looking for.

[Wopr]

I would have to total agree with the OP. The link to a video explains the problem that I feel is what happen to this game and why there's mix feelings on the game.

This video was done over a year ago.

[DaxCalvo]

Leveling gameplay is meant to be easier, soloable. To allow you to get to endgame. Higher level Flashpoints, Ops, and other content like that requires more strategy than simply "show up, click attack buttons". While it would be more interesting to have that strategy be required throughout, keeping it more simple during leveling leaves the game more casual-friendly, which keeps the audience larger, while letting people who want a more strategic approach to the gameplay have that as well, once they reach endgame.

[GratuaCuun]

Played for two years, going to keep playing. Is this average?

[chuixupu]

I think in this case, this is simply just not the right game for the OP.

[morfius]

For 2 months you maybe just played 1 of the story... there is 7 more.

I am here form beginning & still have 1 story/class to finish.

This is MMO, there is no casual MMO that doesn't rely on same system.

So if you cannot get MMO games, there is many other in the wild.

[Aries_cz]

And thats why the majority fail. To scared to do something unique like ultima online did or archeage will

 

Funnily, most of other games that tried to go different way failed even more horribly or are kept alive by a small niche group

[SweKaiser]

Good Riddance - Green Day

[Izorii]

I think the OP view matches what a lot of people who un-sub feel, maybe not exactly but along the lines of "I was expecting XYZ and I got X with a tiny bit of Y thrown in and no Z what so ever". This day and age people just expect more from an MMO than the old days, and every new AAA MMO claims to offer everything. I remember when SWTOR first got announced. A fully voiced MMO where choices mattered, what you did would effect your story and the world around you, the PvP would not be mindless killing but would story driven with reasons for the players to be there and battles over space ports and the like to bring down more troopers, fully cinematic combat, and missions that were heroic not just 8 heroes beating on one mob. 90% of the promises made about this game failed to live up to the hype, and the problem is while the next batch of MMO games is unlikely to live up to the hype they generate they will generate it and it causes some people to leave these games waiting on big MMO to come out.

 

I would like to see SWTOR do well but the SSSP is going to have to be amazing and they are really going to have to think out side the box for new updates not just the same Kill 50 mobs or click on 12 objects as we have seen so far.

[Selven]

Oops!

And, yes...I admit that folks may have a point in that MMO play is not the game for me, as I vastly prefer problem-solving and actual skill styled games to the "Click-to-Win" MMO format. I was merely hoping, what with this being a newer game based off of Star Wars, and made by Bio-Ware, to boot, that it would have been something superb.

 

Quick question; did you try the seeker droid or the macrobinocular quest series? Or even the HK quest line? I know many people say parts of those quests are boring, but I love them!

 

You get to do some very nice "dungeons" with puzzles and if you don't run to dulfy's for help, it's so much fun solving a problem on your own and not having to constantly fight your way through hordes of enemies. (Not saying there's none there). And I think that's the future of SWTOR. If they're to still stand out from other MMOs, they need to keep adding quests like theese.

[DarkForcesith]

I am a bit dissapointed with the structure of the game, and I re-post my "Exit Survey" here to share with the SWTOR community:

 

"Sadly, the game has no thinking or tactics in the gameplay...just automatic-clicking-and-winning. Spaceship-related content is so thin as to not make any impact on game enjoyment. ("Rail-Shooter") and, most importantly, the whole game experience is VERY linear. I tried several character types and the "gameplay" was the same in every one, no exploration is possible as the planets are all level-zoned....many in-game items are only used once the character is level 50, but I cannot "grind" through the boring, repetitive play untill that level. (I need to be entertained while playing a game, not bored to death!) Most missions are just "go kill 30 guys and click five objects" ... dull. Dull...deadly dull! Very unlike "Star Wars"...however the graphics and music were nice and well done.

 

I think that the "Level Based" game system is a very quick-and-dirty way to handle a game. Kind of primitive. And makes some of the content feel rather silly. (What exactly is a Level 40 Taun-Taun??!!?) Heh.

 

Also, the game encourages you to group, then makes that difficult by eliminating any experience gain if the level difference between characters is more than two levels. So I soloed almost all the time. As there is no benefit from gaining levels, (The gameplay remains the same, only with bigger numbers. So each combat runs the same length and way. With no reward for defeating lower leveled NPC's only equal level. - And higher leveled ones are immune to your damage.) It underlines the lack-luster game design.

 

Plus, the game is ONLY about combat. Even the nifty dialouge-scenes are just a set-up to a grindy-shootout. I wanted my smuggler to be able to acutally...SMUGGLE stuff or trade cargo goods...but that cannot happen."

 

..It seems to me that this game represents a missed chance for Bio-Ware and EA to create a game that stands out from the crowd. I can think of many, many improvements for this game, but alas...they would all involve re-designing the core game system, and I don't think THAT is going to happen.

 

My buddies who joined up, also have quit, even earlier than I did...for much the same reasons. The last bit for me was "Bounty Hunter Week"....I had been excited as I'd created a BH the week before. But the mission(s) were simple "Go click on a guy several times, earning "Investigation Points" without even a dialouge wheel to make it slightly interesting....then go summon the fugitive at the set point and shoot him till I can carbonite-freeze him."

 

Bleah. (Aside from the fact that, in the SW universe, carbonite-freezing was a highly experimental trick that Vader was hoping to use to capture Luke with, and as he was unsure that it would be effective or safe, he used Han as a test-subject, much to Boba Fetts worry...)

 

Anyway..after discussing it with other players, hoping to see if it gets better at higher levels, but finding that it pretty much stays the same, but with bigger "numbers"... I just cancelled my sub as I can't bring myself to log in and play anymore. I was just thinking that this is the shortest time I have EVER played an MMO for. And wanted to know if this is average here.

 

Your thoughts?

 

Sooo let me get this straight:

 

1.["Sadly, the game has no thinking or tactics in the gameplay"]:No tactic?This is a MMO not a strategy game.The tactic is how and when you use you're skills and CD's to stay alive and kill things more efficient..I have not yet tried the operanions and yes I admit flashpoints may be easy but thank god they are;there are already people that have no idea what they are doing at least if i have a healer I can manage tanking it(last time i tried to heal as a lvl 20ish merc i got myself with a tank that had a dps spec but he was "tanking".

 

2.[ I tried several character types and the "gameplay" was the same in every one]:This is some ******** you are saying.Ok first of all there is no other MMO out there that has a different gameplay(no, action mmo's like TERA don't count).You tried several character types and it was the same??My friend when I play my juggernaut I feel completely different than when I play my mercenary.They don't play the same way.

 

3.[i think that the "Level Based" game system is a very quick-and-dirty way to handle a game. Kind of primitive. And makes some of the content feel rather silly. (What exactly is a Level 40 Taun-Taun??!!?) Heh.]...The level based game system is primitive?Can you please fking tell me a MMO that has no level system on Jupiters CAWK that I would play the fck out of it but there are no such MMORPG's out there.And waht u mean what's a level 40 taun taun...it is a mount that has 90% speed so lvl 40 and it is a living mount not a spedder bike...it is also there to take ure credits

 

4.[Also, the game encourages you to group, then makes that difficult by eliminating any experience gain if the level difference between characters is more than two levels. So I soloed almost all the time. As there is no benefit from gaining levels, (The gameplay remains the same, only with bigger numbers. So each combat runs the same length and way. With no reward for defeating lower leveled NPC's only equal level. - And higher leveled ones are immune to your damage.) It underlines the lack-luster game design.]....Eliminating any experience gain?*** are you talking about...by completing the heroic mission you get a ton of xp.No reward for defeating LOWER level npc well *** reward you want from that.If the game actually gave something usefull everyone would just 2 shot some mobs and end the day...You soloed?play with some friends dude,a mmorpg is VERY BORING when you just play solo trust me I know what I am saying ....and higher lvl ones are immune to your damage?actually I think you just miss them a lot and well if you could kill a +5 level mob usually the game does not give u xp on it...what is the point in it.

 

Conclusion: I am guessing you do not play many MMORPGs so yeah swtor is not really for people who have no idea about mmorpg's.I mean I truly play it cause I am a star wars fan..a real one not just loving da movies...So yeah please tell me a MMORPG that met you're standards that I quoted above on the numbers I am curious if there is one out there in this vast universe

Edited August 26, 2013 by DarkForcesith

[Aries_cz]

A fully voiced MMO where choices mattered, what you did would effect your story and the world around you, the PvP would not be mindless killing but would story driven with reasons for the players to be there and battles over space ports and the like to bring down more troopers, fully cinematic combat, and missions that were heroic not just 8 heroes beating on one mob. 90% of the promises made about this game failed to live up to the hype, and the problem is while the next batch of MMO games is unlikely to live up to the hype they generate they will generate it and it causes some people to leave these games waiting on big MMO to come out.

Choices did matter (permadeath of companions, larger story choices implications, etc), but early testing audience whined about it, so it got removed.

Edited August 26, 2013 by Aries_cz

[Blackardin]

My thoughts?

 

It would seem that the MMORPG genre is not your cup of tea, and I can respect that. Were we part ways is in your slight defamation of the game rather then the understanding that this type of game is not for you.

[VitalityPrime]

I love people who stick around and frequent the forums of a game they clearly hate. They are the best kind of people.

[hadoken]

Probably average behavior in a sub based MMO, yes. Burn through whatever solo content interests you, get bored and leave, then come back for patches/expacs. Has kept WOW in business for years

[Dallayna]

Choices did matter (permadeath of companions, larger story choices implications, etc), but early testing audience whined about it, so it got removed.

 

No Kidding!

 

In fact, it's still happening. How many times do we still keep see people QQing about not being able to change their Advanced Class?

[oaceen]

i think some of the concerns raised by the OP are valid, but they apply to the entire MMO genre, not swtor specifically.

 

in this instance, there's nothing really wrong with swtor or anything wrong with the OPs stance; they just don't align.

 

i would wager a guess that the OP similarly doesn't play other MMOs for very long either.