jonathonpatches Posted November 2, 2015 Posted November 2, 2015 (edited) I said it. It's out there. I am not in the majority (or at the very least, the most vocal) that KOTFE signals the end of SWTOR, or that it brought more harm than good. Is there some flaws? Certainly. However, you can expect that with every launch, patch, addition, expansion, add on, etc. I have played the game since Launch, and have subscribed since launch. I have been here since 1.0, seen the changes in 2.0, 2.7, 3.0, etc. I have always leaned towards content, the story, flashpoints and raids (never been much into PVP, though I do dabble every now and then). I have Eighteen characters, many of which were leveled to 50 when it used to be a grind (I am talking about no sprint to start, speeders weren't til lvl 25 if I recall, quick travel had a cooldown, and you had to do the sidequests to level). Those characters have been raised to 55 with Makeb, and 60 with Shadows of Revan. I am not one of those "entitled" that just started that many people like to label. I have seen it's ups and downs, and I am here to say, I like where the game is going. I like the new story, the new companions. Those that say they "KOTFE is done in 8 hours, now what", are completely ignoring all of the content that comes after. The building up your base, the relationships with companions, gaining new ones, etc. There is A LOT more than 8 hours in content (I will concede some of it recycled, but that's not a bad thing if you enjoyed it before); so much so, that I am going to have to probably pick a couple of characters on each side when the new episodes are released, because I honestly don't have the time to do them all through the chapters and do the extra content. Is it a bit grindy? Sure, but show me an MMO that isn't. Will it become a bit repetitive after awhile? Probably. However, I have my guild and my friends that I play with that will make it far more enjoyable, and that is my take away from this game, and always has been. I like that the old content is challenging again, and look forward to fighting Brontes again with both new friends and old. Hardmode flashpoints were always a weekend favourite in 1.0 and 2.0, and they will be once again in 4.0 Would I like a switch that I can flip to make it more challenging sometimes? Sure! Heroics are not nearly the grind and difficulty level they used to be, but I have moved on (part of that is probably my fault for having my characters so well geared, for all of the presence I have gotten on my companions and all of the datacrons I have collected, and generally having gotten better at the game). I will accept some responsibility for that. Are companions a bit overpowered? Maybe. Am I disappointed that I spent all that time on their relationships to get them to 10,000, only to find out that it translates to a measly 10 on the new reputation system? Certainly! But if I am rolling a companion, in truth, I am probably doing content as a means to an end (i.e. leveling up, or getting to the next mission and/or cutscene in KOTFE) and want it over with as quickly as possible so that I can do the more social content (FP's and OPS) with my guild and friends. I actually LIKE that they have made some of the content that I have played many a times over easy with Companions and character gearing. I have played it a bunch of times, and proven myself with every class. Let me roll it over it with ease so that I can get to the good stuff! So please, let the companions make this as quick and painless a process as possible. However, I always had my companions in top of the line gear, so it's nothing new to me; in fact, I don't have to spend comms and credits gearing them anymore! I enjoyed the story in KOTFE. Some of Biowares best work? Maybe not. However, it felt real in the universe I had created with my various characters. Old companions and relationships rekindled, some lost... If that is the story that I am given, fine. Instead of complaining about lost companions, I will look forward to the new ones and any old faces my characters meet a long the way. I wish there had been a more social aspect to the content, but at the same time, my character may not have agreed with my friends, so I understand. It's my own personal story. Bioware/EA is telling us a story, and I am here to enjoy it. Do I like everything about it? Not entirely. However, I am excited to see what sort of weight the choices that my characters make will carry down the road. I am excited for the next chapter. I look forward to grinding old content for new rewards. I think Bioware set a dangerous precedent shortly after Mass Effect 3 launched. There was a universal uproar over the ending, people didn't like it, and they wanted change. Bioware made those changes, tied up loose ends, and essentially gave them their alternate ending. Now everyone seems to think that if they complain long enough, loud enough and hard enough (SWTOR certainly isn't the only one) that they will get the game that they want. Here is the thing, every game is different to everyone, and that is especially true in an Online gaming experience like this and others. Everyone is here for their own reasons. Some are here for Raids/Ops, story telling, Star Wars lore, the relationships they have built in game, or because they want to wield flashy light sticks that cut down enemies. I am even told a small minority is here for PVP (though that has yet to be confirmed). My experience with SWTOR will always be unique to myself, and me alone. I do not expect to share the same views as others, nor be so bold as to think I know what is best for the game and how to change it. This isn't a "Good Job Bioware/EA, I am complacent" post. I hope there is NEW FP's and OP's in the future, more challenging content. There are MANY things I would like to see change about the game. However, I don't understand all of the negativity and requests for immediate change after KOTFE's launch. I also recognize that my monthly subscription since Launch (though seriously, can't a guy just be a "life time subscriber for services rendered" after nearly 4 years of subcription? No? Meh, worth a shot) doesn't entitle me to anything more than the opportunity to play a game designed and run by Bioware and EA. It's a game that I have (for the most part) enjoyed to date, and hope to continue to do so with the launching of each chapter, and whatever new content arrives. Should my relationship with the game ever run it's course, or I ever find myself with nothing left to do in the game, I will move on, and probably cease my subscription. If you feel this way about the game already, you should probably do the same. There are lots of alternatives out there. Now that I have said my peace, I will gladly get back to KOTFE. Those companions aren't going to build my base up themselves! Edited November 3, 2015 by jonathonpatches
Swissbob Posted November 2, 2015 Posted November 2, 2015 Thanks for posting your thoughts. As much as I disagree with you (I am one of the doom and gloom people), it was a good read. And regarding this: I am not in the majority (or at the very least, the most vocal) that KOTFE signals the end of SWTOR, or that it brought more harm than good. From what I've seen, people in my camp (who really, really hate the expansion. even to the extent of saying it ruined the game for them) aren't the majority. In fact, I don't even think they're the majority of people being vocal.
Icestar Posted November 3, 2015 Posted November 3, 2015 I have played since pre-launch and I agree, the expansion is awesome!
jonathonpatches Posted November 3, 2015 Author Posted November 3, 2015 Thanks for posting your thoughts. As much as I disagree with you (I am one of the doom and gloom people), it was a good read. And regarding this: From what I've seen, people in my camp (who really, really hate the expansion. even to the extent of saying it ruined the game for them) aren't the majority. In fact, I don't even think they're the majority of people being vocal. I am sorry that you feel that way, and hope you can find something to enjoy in the game. I've actually enjoyed redoing a few of the heroics (emphasis on a few) and just ran through Battle of Ilum for nostalgia the other night (loved how with a good smuggler you could avoid over half the mobs in that FP). I in no way think it's perfect, but for me at least, there is value there, and I very much look forward to the future chapters each month.
Jumajin Posted November 3, 2015 Posted November 3, 2015 (edited) I can't say that the expansion is bad, but since they continued the SoR method of pure single player storytelling, which drove the wife away since she dislikes playing solo to this degree, I'm just going to have to wait until the remaining 7 chapters are all released, then resub for a month to finish the story. The wife likes us to play as a duo, and I don't blame her. There's just not enough new in KoTFE to warrant me not playing with the wife just to stay here month to month. So, I'll be back when the remaining chapters are all out, but until then I'll be playing with the wife elsewhere. Edited November 3, 2015 by Jumajin
oneupkev Posted November 3, 2015 Posted November 3, 2015 i'm a new player of about a month and i've taken my powertech straight into KOTFE after doing the class story and the other expansions and i'm really enjoying KOTFE. The change in dynamic is welcome, i'm loving the dynamic between myself and my own personal force ghost Valkarion. i only just started chapter 5, while i got through chapters 1-4 in about 3 hours or so it's still very enjoyable. looking forward to starting on an Alt lightsaber user to go through the game with and eventually KOTFE
JattaGin Posted November 3, 2015 Posted November 3, 2015 I partially agree and partially disagree. But it was surely a good read.
jonathonpatches Posted November 3, 2015 Author Posted November 3, 2015 I can't say that the expansion is bad, but since they continued the SoR method of pure single player storytelling, which drove the wife away since she dislikes playing solo to this degree, I'm just going to have to wait until the remaining 7 chapters are all released, then resub for a month to finish the story. The wife likes us to play as a duo, and I don't blame her. There's just not enough new in KoTFE to warrant me not playing with the wife just to stay here month to month. So, I'll be back when the remaining chapters are all out, but until then I'll be playing with the wife elsewhere. I do agree, that the lack of content to do with a friend/group was a bit disappointing; however, given how "personal" this story is (or at least the gameplan is long term), I am not sure how that would have been accomplished. Should they have let some major decisions take place base on a RNG on whom rolled higher to win the dialogue option? To be fair though, they could have countered this with doing the "stories" for the heroic weeklies when you are doing them (and gain social points)... but then again if I am soloing them, I don't care, and like that they are skipped for speed. It's a catch 22 really.
Rafaman Posted November 3, 2015 Posted November 3, 2015 Nice post, OP. I agree. It bodes well that I read it all the way through too. Walls of text are usually just a skim and a TL;DR, but not this one. Thanks!
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