Thread: Metacritic and SWTOR - Trouble?

Preface, I never played WoW, or any other MMO other than EVE.

The "storyline" quests are unique, but the side quests are all the same regardless of class. All PVE is repetitive isn't it? You just kill NPCs that do the same thing over and over. In EVE it was no different. I haven't done really any PVP yet, so can't comment on that.

As for characters they are somewhat cookie cutter in terms of each race/class, but there is enough uniqueness for me.

As for end game I think the highest person in our guild is lvl 41 or 42, so no 50s yet to try end game.

Honestly it plays like WoW, so I could see people calling it a clone. But the graphics and story dominate WoW in pretty much every aspect.

The classes do leave a bit to be desired (8 or so in WoW, only 4 in TOR). But I prefer it much to WoW or any clone.

I played the last phase of the beta, and a lot those complaints are why I didn't end up buying the game when it went retail. Every class has their own story, but it's also in line with another class. An example would be the smuggler, and commando both do a lot their story quest in pretty much same places through most the game. The graphics were uninspiring for me, and I think blame that on long release time frame. Creating a character doesn't come with many options your going see plenty of your doppelgangers hanging around.

It certainly doesn't try be anything other than your standard MMO fair you've got the trinity for classes, and you talk to npc for quests. The side quests were a bore and I found myself running instances for levels rather than run around find npc, and preform the tasks. I really enjoyed the instance play more than anything else in the game. That all said if this was buy 2 play or free 2 play I'd highly recommend it, but since that's not case I wouldn't. The current price point is much to high, and I'd say unless your die hard star wars fan you won't find to much innovation here for 60 bucks + subs.

I was going to wait until 50 and do a review of the game for TPG, but i'll just give a brief synopsis of what I feel.

It is an MMO, at launch. Every MMO launch i've been a part of has been rocky. The true test is whether the company that develops the game can roll with the punches out of the gate and bring the game to be worthy of playing in the long term. MMO's are always plagued by the same problems because of the way human nature is fragmented in its focus and needs. BioWare designed what is essentially KoTR3 or, if you prefer, Mass Effect 3 MMO in the Star Wars universe because A) the model is what they're known for and works for them, B) Star Wars has a huge name recognition, and C) it allows them to spread their wings and try to expand their company into newer (for them) areas. I could sit here all day and list other game companies and their products and where they went wrong or right as I see it, or what they did to fix their issues, but I won't. What I will do is give you a quick rundown of what SW:TOR brings to the table, in number format for your perusing pleasure.

1) It's Star Wars. Lightsabers, explosions, speeders, ships, freaking huge guns, the Smuggler shoots first.
2) 4 Unique story arcs with a Morality alignment BioWare is known for, LS/DS choices just fit in perfect with their methods.
3) 8 Advanced classes, with mirroring factions: 16 different "character feels"
4) Five companions per class that help you craft/kill/quest, with story romance options included.
5) A crafting system that allows you to be doing something else if you so choose while the crafting is taking place.
6) Voice acting and cut scenes that lead to a more personal connection with your avatar.
7) Some one you know will be trying it, or will be playing. It's always funner with a friend.

These are just off the top of my head. My first impression on a hundred scale would be around 80/100. There are a lot of bugs and simple things they left out, but that's to be expected. Where they go from here is what will make or break them. In a year it will be a different game, for better or worse.