Gaming Star Wars: The Old Republic

[CaNz]

I played as Imperial Agent during the third Beta testing weekend. Right off the bat I was impressed with the character builder, since it was easy, encompassed a bunch of races, and actually made characters that looked decent. It definitely feels like a more in-depth Mass Effect character creator, but that is fine with me. Like always, the equipment looks different based on what is equipped, however I think they also allow you to lock your appearance (that way you don't have to look like an idiot with the OR headgear. The graphics in the game in general were pretty good, but I don't think it looks fantastic. Comparing it to something like Mass Effect, or if I want to be cruel, Skyrim... they aren't that great. It is a very expansive game but I don't think that is an excuse. Talking and expressions are decent. The more I think about it, the closer this game resembles Mass Effect. There is also tons of frame rate issues, making all the character movements hilariously bad.

The resemblances end with the appearance and story though. Gameplay definitely seems like a total WoW rip, Combat is very cut and dry, and though the skills look cool and Star Warsy, it didn't feel like I had the control like I did in KotOR. The game also felt either far to easy or far too difficult for no reason. The enemies spawn in packs, and whever two groups spawn at the same time you can wind up in a mess of trouble (unless other people are around) and you might get killed. The respawn process is easy, and fixing your gear is cheap (not that I ever found a good use for credits) so dying isn't that frustrating. The exception is in those instance quests. They are actually the most fun I had, but loosing makes you restart from the beginning. All in all I think the gameplay is fine though. These games are supposed to be repetitive.

Finally the RPG aspect is not all that I desired. There were plenty of skills, and leveling up felt right for the most part... it was just not much instant gratification I guess. Half of the ability and skill perks I got, I just didn't care about. Sure getting +3 to whatever stat, or increase the damage done by my poison dart... but they don't make me feel more powerful when the enemies in the area are stronger. I had to go back to the start of the game a few times just to make sure I was getting any better. KotOR did well to improve most of the powers by giving you visual changes. Shock looks much different than force storm, and you got to pick from tons of powers right away, instead of waiting till you specialize. Also, partner leveling is even more bland.

The game in general really did entertain me, but like most Bioware games it is the story that carries it. I really like the fact that you can join in your friends story quest so long as you aren't the same class or enemies. If I get ti, I would spend a really long time just because I would want to see all the stories. Edited December 9, 2011 by CaNz

[Gavin]

[font="Tahoma"][size="2"][url="http://www.swtor.com/news/news-article/20111207"]www.swtor.com/news/news-article/20111207[/url]

[quote]News > News Article
Pre-load STAR WARS: The Old Republic Now!

Early Game Access* for Star Warsâ?¢: The Old Republicâ?¢ is only a few days away! Starting December 13, 2011, The Old Republic will begin emailing invitations to start your Early Game Access. Invitations will be sent throughout the Early Game Access period offering rolling access to the game in the order in which you redeemed your Pre-Order Code, so be sure to check your email inbox!

To ensure that players can get into the game as quickly as possible when their Early Game Access begins, we are now allowing everyone who has redeemed a Pre-Order Code at our Code Redemption Center to pre-load the game to their computer.

In order to download the game client before Early Game Access begins, you need have already logged into your account and redeemed your Pre-Order Code. Once you have done this, you can download the game client by clicking on â??My Accountâ? in the upper-right of the window and then click â??Pre-Order.â? On your Pre-Order page, click the large button that says â??Download Game Clientâ? to begin download of the game!

If you participated in our recent Beta Testing Weekend between November 25th and 28th and still have the game client installed, you will be able to patch this client instead of re-installing by simply launching your client, logging in and allowing the download to complete. If you did not participate in the November 25th â?? 28th Beta Weekend, first uninstall the Game Testing Client and then re-install to ensure your game client will function correctly during Early Game Access.

Learn more about how to get ready for Early Game Access!

If you havenâ??t pre-ordered Star Wars: The Old Republic yet, you still have time. Visit our Pre-Order Page, secure your copy of the game and redeem your Pre-Order Code at the Code Redemption Center to pre-load the client and qualify for Early Game Access.

If you have any issues installing or patching the game client for The Old Republic, check visit the Customer Service Support section for information and assistance.

*Customers who redeem their Pre-Order Code at the Code Redemption Center prior to launch will be able to pre-load the Star Wars: The Old Republic Game Client before the official Game launch. Pre-loading the Game does not grant you access to the Game. Pre-Ordering the Game only allows you access to the Early Game Access period and your Color Crystal. Early Game Access may be up to 7 days. The length of your Early Game Access depends on the date and order in which you redeemed your Pre-Order Code. In order to continue playing the Game after the Early Game Access period, you must redeem your official Game Product Registration Code at the Code Redemption Center.[/quote]

Well, that's rather big news. I guess preorders must have been higher than even BioWare expected if they're increasing headstart by two days to make sure there'es a steady flow of players to the servers. Preordered a CE on the third day they became available so I'm hopeful I'll get in on the first EU wave.[/size][/font] Edited December 7, 2011 by Gavin

[Darth Vectis]

As per your request Gavin, moving into the actual Thread from my status area. To answer your previous question, I was actually a very neutral SW, only ever so slightly into the light side at about 50 points. I received the email today about Early Access and I got very excited that it was actually 2 days sooner then I originally thought they were going to send it out. I hope I get in on the 13th, but as long as I get to play when it comes out I'll be ok as I rule the galaxy with a mildly closed fists.

[Gavin]

[font="Tahoma"][size="2"]Cheers Tulas. Were you just making the decisions you agreed with at the time, as opposed to say aiming to be neutral overall? I was full Light Sided and even I have to admit I was surprised by some of the LS vs DS decisions in the beginning.[/size][/font]

[Darth Vectis]

That is the actual reason I was so neutral, I made choices on personal feelings really. If I felt someone needed to die, they were murdered, if I felt someone needed to get away from something because of a simple mistake, maybe they escaped before I could reach them. Things like that made it interesting for me, I could of gone the route of just straight evil and maimed and slaughtered every person i saw, but not everyone needed to die. Don't tell Darth Baras i said that, he's really dick about that kind of stuff :)

[Gavin]

[font="Tahoma"][size="2"]Yeah Baras can be pretty damn scary when he wants to be. [spoiler]You remember that bit where he's interrogating the Republic spy before and roars that he can't break him?[/spoiler] I literally backed away from my screen over that.[/size][/font]

[Darth Vectis]

Oh great googly moogly did that really set the tone for the SW, but I got to say that I loved it and I LOVED heckling him whenever I got the chance. He never really appreciated my back talk, but my companion sure did.

[Gavin]

[font="Tahoma"][size="2"]I generally try to be respectful or neutral, only really nipping at him if I really like the sound of the line. Frankly I can't wait to [spoiler]drop Vette for the Padawan companion.[/spoiler][/size][/font]

[Juu]

[size=3]I managed to get to about Level 30 as a Sith Inquisitor/Assassin. Total blast being Empire. Although I admit I feel some remorse after doing Sithy things. I just have to be an overachiever when it comes to being evil too I guess. My companion loved me for it, at least. My BF by contrast played an Imperial Agent with a more complicated position - like 50/50 light v dark points. May possibly try Jedi eventually ... the whole BioWare setup is pretty fun! [/size]

[size="3"]Super excited to get back into playing in a few months because I finally reached the level where I actually fight other real players. Just annoying to get attacked by guilds though ... I wanna roll with a crew too! :0 [/size]

[size="3"]Also, I don't know if people normally do this for MMOs, but I'm thinking about streaming on Twitch when I start playing again ... [/size]

[Gavin]

[font=tahoma,geneva,sans-serif]What server are you on Juu?[/font] Edited July 15, 2012 by Gavin