I’m pleased I got this game, as it’s the first title that’s actually got me using a VR headset for an extended period of time (3-4 hour sessions).
That said, I have a number of issues that concern me, I appreciate we’re in the early life of this game and there’s potential to address these, so thought I’d voice my opinion.
I’m one of those MMO players that likes to play in a living world with other players, but I probably only spend at max, a quarter of my time grouping. For one reason or another I just find soloing more relaxing (but if it was a solo game, I’d get bored much more quickly). There are several reasons why I prefer solo but that’s a topic for another day. However, since I reached level 5 (I’ve been playing the bow class) exp feels like it’s hit a brick wall. I just killed about 30 wargs and it didn’t really feel like the xp bar even moved. I don’t mind grinding but from what I gather, group-play is much better for experience (and, also as a consequence loot) and it feels like it’s disproportionally skewed. Much group play is just a zerg fest and often requires less skill, but is better rewarded, this has always seemed odd to me.I walked away from today’s game session with very little sense of achievement and for me that reduces the fun level and the desire to return.
Now for the spellcaster, I’m sure a lot has been said about this but boy it’s frustrating to have to go back to Redtails to try and get some kills. As a newb it was a bit of a shock to realise that I lost all my armour class bonsues from the armour I had on, once I equipped my wand, despite the armour items staying equipped. Because loot only drops for the class being played at the time (at least that’s my understanding) it’s so hard to get a foothold. If I could just get a basic set of mage gear, I’d actually be able to survive a few miscasts, and yet as far as I can tell that gear magically won’t drop unless I’ve got a wand in my hand. Feels a bit contrived. I really want to get somewhere with spellcasting but it’s sooo frustrating to only be able to survive a few hits from a rabbit. Let’s just say that every time I die, it’s just as well my Vive is on mute (at least I hope it is!).
I’m also a little confused about my /con level vs mobs as a spellcaster. I’m level 1 in that profession, but the redtails are /conning yellow at best when I wield a wand… Is this right? Is this something to do with being ranger level 5? Even if I do manage to kill one of the bloody things using a wand it means I’ll hardly get any experience.
I feel that the aggro range of creatures is a bit large, in that, by the time I’ve got close enough to see what colour icon they have above their heads, I’m about one step from aggroing them. Being able to get a bit closer would be nice, as would some way of ‘zooming in’ to a part the field of view (spyglass for example?). Also it’s a pet hate of mine when a game still makes mobs aggro you when they no longer give exp. Would be nice to see green /con creatures act with a bit of self-preservation and become passive/neutral.
How about a graveyard /bind command? Going exploring only to get one-hit by something and being dropped into a graveyard further into high level territory isn’t cool. I know there’s a recall device but the 20 min cooldown means it’s not a solution to this problem.
I really enjoyed the fishing mini-game. I have a few little suggestions. Would it be possible to have the line go taught when a fish is on? The bowed line when a fish is meant to be tugging kinda spoils the immersion. It would also be nice to get some more feedback from the rod when a fish is hooked- but perhaps this happens with larger fish? I’m hoping there are reels in the game later that have more than a 1:1 winding ratio. As it is, I almost dread a long cast as if I hook something right out there it will take forever to bring back in. (I know this is balanced around the limited number of casts per lure, making long casts attractve, but still, the winding in feels sooo slow). It would be great if the graphic of afish, when you pull it out of the water, reflected the weight. In other words a 2lb sunfish should look smaller than a 5lb sunfish. Fluff, I guess, but it would be a nice touch and you’ve clearly gone to a lot of effort to make fishing decent.
Oh yeah, one more thing, fish-related. I drank the potion of fish attractant, but had no idea how long it lasted for. Is there meant to be a buff icon for this?
That’ll do for now. Thanks for your time and good luck with the game, I think you’ve done a great job so far.
