World of warcraft impressions?

[Galaril]

I am not into the MMO/MMORPG stuff since I like solo gaming but this one sounds like you can solo on separate servers without having to deal with 15 year kids walking up to your character and killing you for no reason.Anyone got impressions soloing in this game?Is it worth the $13 monthly charge

[Godzilla Blitz]

Played for about 3 hours tonight. My impressions tonight were heavily influened by my only other online gaming experience, so I have to lead in with that.

My first online RPG playing NeverWinter Nights on the Avlis server, which was a heavy role-playing world. There, people would sit around and talk for an hour, cracking jokes and telling stories. Events, to a certain degree, had meaning in the world, and there was a sense of community. The characters had personalities, if not a bit stereotypical ones.

One of my biggest reactions tonight was disappointment that the general environment of WoW is so far removed from any sense of true role-playing. I suppose this is the nature of MMORPGGOGSOS, or whatever they are called. Hardly anyone talks to anyone, everyone is frantically running and jumping this way and that, going off to kill stuff to get to the next level. What little conversation I saw consisted of either asking someone how to find something so they could go kill it, or was filled with things like "selling +5 bracers mail" stuff. Very disappointing.

The world and the leveling system is set up to be so very addictive, but I'm not sure that I found it all that much fun when I started getting sucked into the "gerbil on a running wheel feeling", in a world full of gerbils on their own running wheels. "Compulsive" is the only word that came to mind when I found myself thinking, "Ok, I've killed 7 of the 12 kobolds I need to complete this quest. Where's number 8?" I guess I'm just not really into that kind of thing.

I kept telling myself to slow down and enjoy the ride, and when I was able to focus on that, I had a much better time. There is a lot to enjoy here. It is a beautiful game, with rich scenery everywhere. The quests are creative and varied. The character system is rich, the world appears incredibly deep, and there are simply tons of things to do. This is really a splendid envirornment to play in.

For me, ultimately the game will hinge on finding players to do stuff with, and finding players a little more geared to adventure than getting to the next level. I may try some of the RPG servers, or try to get together with some of the people here. I think the game could be a blast if you could get together consistently with a group of people looking to have fun.

[Ragone]

For me.. i had a guild in everquest that jumped over to WoW.. we do all kinds of instances.. quests.. etc together.. the instances are where the real fun is in wow

Going into this game not knowing anyone though.. i could see how that would be alot less fun :)

[Anthony]

Godzilla, i have your same issues. we even started off on Avlis as our first exposure to this genre. Avlis, it seems, is a very different beast. i wish WoW was more RPG, because what it is now is exactly as you described - a gerbil on a running wheel. no sense of community (if you're not in a guild, which i happen to finally be in), so sense of adventure, just grind, get to this level to get this weapon to make it easier to kill so you can get to the next level to kill some more. i guess that's MMORPG in a nutshell. but Avlis showed there is so much more.

the prob i had with WoW was that everyone seems to be in their own world. if you're lost (on a quest, on a path, lost in any sense of the word) and you try to ask someone who's running by you more often than not they'll just pass you by. everyone is in a rush in this game. you basically have to ask a question on the general channel to get it answered. if you're not in a guild WoW can be a very huge and lonely place.

i had cooled off on the game a week ago, but i'm now back in ful throttle because i finally cracked lvl 20+. once you do that you actually become useful in quests and in groups. lvl 30 is when the fun starts, i'm told. most people ask for lvl 30+ for various quests. once you hit that lvl i think you'll find it easier to group with people - as long as you're in a group and you're contributing to the group's success and exploring parts of caves or mines that you normally wouldn't be able to on your own you tend to have more fun.

i highly suggest getting into a guild - there's a wealth of knowledge and most often a ready partner to help you on a quest. i've been in 3 - my first guild was way too small (although the guild leader was a very kind person who gave me a ton of bronze even after i left); the second no one seemed to care, it seemed like they just wanted to be in a guild for the sake of it and not actually do any work. the one i'm in now has been awesome, i actually had to apply to be in it but i think they take themselves seriously and thus there's a higher quantity of quality guild-mates. it does make a difference. i had made these same gripes in the other FOFC WoW thread. no one seems to care, no one wants to role play. everyone is trying to sell/buy goods, trying to group, running to and fro. i don't think this is any different in other MMORPG's though. in the end the game can only take you so far, at some point you have to depend on the human element and i think ultimately that's what makes or breaks a MMORPPG game. i find people aren't willing to slow down, develop a character, stop and smell the roses. i've accepted the game and it's players for what they are instead of what i wanted them to be and i've had a better time ever since.

after playing in WoW for a while i can see why people decided to create a world like Avlis. the drawback to Avlis was the extremely slow leveling - you coudln't do much till you were lvl 10 and it took eons to get there. at least in WoW if you put in the time you can reach a high enough level to at least solo. any of the important quests need to be done in groups, but you get that immediate satisfaction of "i put in an hour and now i've gained a level or two".

in any event WoW is a tremendous game with stellar graphics, but the developers can only take it so far, they aren't responsible for the players. the role-playing element comes from those who play the game, so you can't knock Blizzard because people run around doing their own thing instead of trying to make the world more engaging.

[Godzilla Blitz]

HA,

Good points. I agree. I actually didn't mind the slow leveling on Avlis, but had trouble with the lag. It was awful sometimes. I think you're right about finding a good guild, but I would think there are opportunities to work together even on the lower levels.

I just did some checking about the role-playing servers, and a few people directed me to Argent Dawn. I just spent 30 minutes there as a Night Elf Hunter, and it was much better. People talked, somewhat in character. People are still running to and fro (I guess the intro area is like that everywhere), but it was mellower. I saw a couple of groups of people just standing around and talking. A Tauren Warrior--no idea how he got there--came up to me and waved, cast some kind of protection spell on me, then tried to communcate through emoticons. It was pretty funny. I was shooting some little grell thingies, and leveled up in the process, and he clapped for me. A couple of other people came by to join us, and explained to me that the tauren didn't understand what I was saying, and that I had to communicate through gestures. Another thing: people said goodbye when they left the conversation.

All in all it was just a short ten-minute interaction, but it reminded me of Avlis, and it was satisfactory role-playing for me. I'lll be going back to that server to play some more.

[Thomkal]

Alas it is the nature of the beast that most people are not into roleplaying in MMORPG's. WoW is no different there. Glad you found the RPG server though, but I have found even there in these types of games there isn't a lot of roleplaying going on. But you are much more likely to find a roleplaying guild there, and if you find a good one, you are all set.

I like WoW though I don't think the graphics compare to Everquest2. They certainly aren't horrible though. Walking into Ironforge for the first time though was awe inspiring. WoW is the most "solo-friendly" MMORPG game I've found so far. But a lot of people (myself included) are having major technical problems with the game and it seems like every patch or maintenace creates more problems. The tech board on the main site is full of many frustrated people.

For me the appeal of these types of games is completing goals (finish a quest, reach a certain level, defeat an "elite" (for WoW) for the first time, craft a certain item, etc). I think for many people that's the appeal to them too. Thus all the rushing around. My "problem" is that it takes so long for me to get a high level character because I can't resist playing so many of them. :)

[Blackadar]

I think I'm the resident WoW junkie on these boards - with a level 46 rogue and a 23rd level fighter.

I'm very guilty of powerleveling - running to and forth. But I know when I get to 60, it'll slow down quite a bit and I'll play more in character.

I tend to solo QUITE a bit - it's just my way. But grouping through an instance can be a blast. Using teamwork and strategy to defeat mobs much bigger than you is a helluva lot of fun.

[Shkspr]

A Tauren Warrior--no idea how he got there--came up to me and waved, cast some kind of protection spell on me, then tried to communcate through emoticons.

Who was the traitor? The Tauren must die for his crimes.

[Fidatelo]

I've been playing for about a week now, and am strictly into solo so far. I find it super addictive, and lots of fun. It's my first MMOROPEOPR experience and I'm really enjoying, just wish I had more time. Oh, and I hate having to spend 5 minutes to run back to my dead body, only to have to respawn surrounded by the same NPC's that killed me before and to get killed again. That gets old real quick.

[Deattribution]

WoW unfortunately has the Blizzard following, people from diablo, warcraft and starcraft, but if you're looking for a better enviroment, definitely try one of the RP servers. I initially started on a PVP server but got tired of mature comments like -

Question from someone else in general = 'anyone have room for me in a group?


Answer from someone in general = ' I HAVE ROOM FOR U IN MY ANUS '

That, among several other stupid things convinced me to change servers, still not a stellar community experience but I think it'll be enhanced once the PVP aspect really starts meaning something.

[Anthony]

i play in the Normal server (you have to turn on your PVP in roder to fight other humans). there is none of that immaturity. sure, things will get silly once you mix teens with mature adults, but it's not anything like what you posted. i'm in my guild chat and there's none of that, i use my guild chat more than anything, i only use the general chat to see if anyone is selling anything useful. if you don't like it you can leave the general chat by typing /leave general. after a while you need it because you can't do all of the quests on your own (at least not the ones that matter), so you need to request to join a group. also when you get a high enough level and get enough loot you're able to buy some of the useful items that go on sale. if not you have to travel all the way to iron forge to the auction hall. you obviously can't buy enchants on any items without hooking up with an enchanter. it's useful. if you're low level with no money and you're playing solo you're really on your own small island.

[Schmidty]

I play mostly on Bronzebeard, but I'd like to run into other FOFCers on an RP server. It sounds like Argent Dawn is a good one. I guess I'll try that out if anyone wants to join me there. We could create a guild or something (I've never been in a guild).

[daedalus]

GB, since you are/were a GGer, you should talk to the Wanderers or the other group. I would imagine that you'll have more fun playing with those guys.

I agree with Thomkal about people rushing around to try to do things for the first time. I would imagine that once the game has been around for awhile and a more regular group settles in, you'll have far less running around. I don't think you can really ever get away from the level grind in a MMORPG, though.

[Blackadar]

I play mostly on Bronzebeard, but I'd like to run into other FOFCers on an RP server. It sounds like Argent Dawn is a good one. I guess I'll try that out if anyone wants to join me there. We could create a guild or something (I've never been in a guild).

Most of us are on Lothar

[Godzilla Blitz]

Alas it is the nature of the beast that most people are not into roleplaying in MMORPG's. WoW is no different there. Glad you found the RPG server though, but I have found even there in these types of games there isn't a lot of roleplaying going on. But you are much more likely to find a roleplaying guild there, and if you find a good one, you are all set.

I've been thinking about the role-playing stuff the past couple of days. I don't think it's hardcore role-playing that I'm looking for, but more of a relaxed, open community where people are interested in enjoying the game world together.

Some of the hardcore role-playing on Avlis wasn't really my bag, but I really enjoyed the fact that when you were searching for an item in a store, you'd end up having conversations with two or three people. Or on your way someplace, you'd end up bumping into a group of three or four people just hanging out and talking, who would share with you some information about the game world. Or how taverns were alive with people sitting, drinking, and talking. It felt like a community. Lothar felt like I was driving my car in a big city. Everyone going their own way, with little convention for communicating with one another.

I'm going to try Argent Dawn later this evening and see how things go. I'm interested to spend a couple of hours in that realm and see if there is any sense of a community. I'll probably drop by Lothar with my first character as well. From what everyone is telling me, the world/game changes significantly once you get to level 20+, but I'm hoping to take it slow and enjoy the world from the beginning.

[Godzilla Blitz]

GB, since you are/were a GGer, you should talk to the Wanderers or the other group. I would imagine that you'll have more fun playing with those guys.

I agree with Thomkal about people rushing around to try to do things for the first time. I would imagine that once the game has been around for awhile and a more regular group settles in, you'll have far less running around. I don't think you can really ever get away from the level grind in a MMORPG, though.

Thanks. I'll look them up!

It's not so much the level grind I'm trying to get away from. I enjoy the reward of leveling, or getting a new skill, or finding a new item. It's more that I want the leveling to come as a secondary part of the game experience, not the overwhelming focus of what I'm doing.

[Godzilla Blitz]

Double dola...

Spent three hours on Argent Dawn this evening, mostly in the beginner area, which is still very much a run around and kill everything place. Still, there was some role-playing going on, and everything seemed friendly enough.

Once I got out of the beginner area, things seemed to be better. Hung out in the inn in the next Night Elf town to the south (forgot the name) and ended up just talking with people for about 30 minutes. Some interesting in-character role-playing going on, but it's too early to judge for me whether that was the exception or the rule. I'm definitely going back to give it a bigger test, though, and tonight was enjoyable.

[Icy]

I'm tempted to try it, but my last online game was World War II Online and it was my worst addiction ever. I'm still trying to not to think on it after 4 months not playing it... and this weekend i got an email about having a week of free time if i want to come back to WWII.... noooooooo!! i need to avoid to click on the email link!

[Galaril]

What are the system requirements for this game anyways?

[Godzilla Blitz]

Icy:
Getting addicted was (is) my biggest fear with an MMORPG. I was afraid that I would need a few hours a day to feel like I was making progress and enjoying the game.

I decided to try WoW after reading that you can actually have a lot of fun with the game in small play-time segments. I've found that's really true. The game, so far anyway, works great for soloing, and with all the different ways to improve your character, you can do something fun in 20-30 minutes, playing alone.

What are the system requirements for this game anyways?

P3 800mhz 256MB RAM. I've read that performance is good at the lower ends, although the graphics have to be toned down.

[Blackadar]

What are the system requirements for this game anyways?

FYI, I play on a P3-866, 512M RAM and a GForce 4200 and it works well. It gets choppy in the Auction House and on large raids, but otherwise it's smooth.