Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Review of STO Closed Beta and early Open Beta.
brihtwulf
Member UncommonPosts: 975
There seem to be a lot of short little posts about "This game is just missions", or "the space combat doesn't have strategy. You either win or die fast.". It seems like people either don't get this game and how to play it, or are expecting something the game is not. One thing to understand immediately is that this is not EVE; it's not a "sandbox" MMO. It's not some space sim where you just wander around and do whatever you want. The content is organized into "Episodes", keeping a smiliar format to what the television shows were. A series of connected events that you have to solve/complete. So, from the expectation of "Episode-like" content, and the viewpoint of both an MMO-player and Star Trek fan, here is what I've seen so far:
Graphics - 10
The game looks very nice. The fact that you can customize you own race is a really nice feature, and makes a lot of sense considering the number of inhabited worlds across the ST universe. The space regions look nicely detailed, and the ground environments have interesting and varied "alien" environments. One thing that seems lacking in this aspect was the "Sector Space" component of the game. This is when your ship travels in "warp" to and from distant locations. It's mostly like navigating around a large overlay map. I am one who would prefer bridge-based travel for this as the sector space map travel seems to take a little away from the immersion of the game.
Sound - 8
It's great hearing those classic Star Trek sounds, from phasers to the computer interface. The music is also very well-done and fits well with the theme. There don't seem to be any current problems related to sound. Here are my 2 critiques though, which take my overall rating down a bit. First, there needs to be more voice-over content. And second, there needs to be more variation to the music that plays during combat.
Character Creation/Customization - 10
Of course as children of CoH and CO, STO has an excellent character creation system. You can choose from a number of pre-existing races, or use the outstanding "Unknown" options to create any amazing alien race that strikes your fancy. There is also the ability to customize your ship from a number of parts in its tier/category. So you have some options for the look of the struts/engines/saucer sections. I would like to see more ships earlier on, but I'm sure they will be adding more as time goes on.
Tutorial & Early Gameplay - 8
The tutorial does a good job of acclimating you to the game and environment. Quickly you should realize that the Federation is at war, and there is trouble all throughout the Star Trek universe. One thing some of the fans seem to forget here is that this is NOT ST:O, ST:TGN or any of those timeframes. This game takes place AFTER those shows, and in a time of WAR. So, while there may be some applications for diplomacy, those talks have broken down and things are very heated. There is going to be a lot of invasions, attacks, lies, and treachery. One criticism i have is that there aren't enough "rewards" for level/ranks earlier on in the game. You will go through about 10 levels with what seems like almost no rewards. You may find some better equipment, but there simply aren't enough abilities/bonuses/etc. given to make your progress feel more meaningful.
Space Combat - 9
They did an excellent job at capturing the essence of the ST space combat in the game. First, understand this is not "dog-fighting". You're not flying around and super speeds with a joystick trying to get hits on the enemy. Nor is it the "auto-orbit" style of EVE. In STO, you need to strategically approach the enemy, keep in mind your shield quadrants, as well as the locations and capabilities of your weapons. You must also do the same for your enemies. On top of that, there are a number of functions to control power between engines, shields, weapons, and aux. Depending on your approach, you will likely need to change your output throughout the battle. There are then special attacks/abilities that you can use based on the skills you have and those of your chosen bridge crew.
Ground Combat - 7
I do enjoy the away missions, but I must admit it could use a little more work. Must of the combat is trying to aim or find cover, but using the same 2 phaser attacks over and over. There is an additional special power you'll start with, but they are not quick about adding in more ground combat abilities. So, for many levels you will use the same things. They could also stand to do some more graphics optimization on the ground to increase performance. On extremely open areas, performance takes a big hit. The diferent aspects of the missions are fun though. From infiltrating enemy ships and posts, to rescue missions, etc. The stories and activities in the missions stays acceptably varied.
There are some things that you really can't judge in the beta, such as community, support, socialization, etc. The game is full of people who are just in there to mess around and are often just immature idiots who just want to complain becuase it's not exactly like their regular game. This game, first and foremost, is STAR TREK. And due to the timeline of the game, the focus is going to be very combat-oriented. If you wanted to play a game where you do nothing but talk and negotiate with enemies, you're going to have one boring MMO. It's not a social chatroom, it's an MMO. Have any of the other ST games released been focused on diplomacy? No, they haven't. So don't expect this one to be. This game not only has to keep Star Trek fans in mind, but also fans of MMORPG's in general.
Overall I will give the game and its early player experience an 8.5/10.
This is a fun game with a lot to offer and a whole new universe to explore and enjoy. But, this isn't going to be everything to everyone. Go in just wanting to have fun and don't expect the world. Crypic is one of the better developers when it comes to listening to their players, so you can also expect things to improve over the coming months. So if you also tried the beta, but don't feel like it's quite your cup of tea: wait 3-6 months and see what things look like then. For me, I'll be ready to jump in the head-start play at the end of this month and have myself some more Star Trek themed fun...
Comments
Thanks for the review. Some of the complaints by a posters are baffling like "Space combat is too slow." Either they are ignorant of the IP this game is based on or they are just looking to say anything negative.
Currently Playing: World of Warcraft
TY for the review Op! Im still gonna wait and see with this one though.
(AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Jancie Rand learns plunger combat from the Raving Rabbid! )
All my opinions are just that..opinions. If you like my opinions..coolness.If you dont like my opinion....I really dont care.
Playing: ESO, WOT, Smite, and Marvel Heroes
I found the game boring don't see whats baffling about that? Some people are going to like this game and some aren't...some are venomous because its not the Perpetual design..some are just generally not impressed. I like Champions Online for instance but ...something about STO jsut doesn't grab me. I dont think its ultra fail and recongize there's a lot of good points..but the only thing thing that mattesr to me in the end is ...was I having fun? Answer...No.
Surely, with decades of advances, the combat would have sped up a bit.
"" Voice acting isn't an RPG element....it's just a production value." - grumpymel2
Well to the OP,you do realize that when you rate something a TEN that means there is absolutely no room for improvement?Being as that is 100% false no matter what,your review is toast.
I will form my own review after i play it and will be unlike many others ACCURATE.
Never forget 3 mile Island and never trust a government official or company spokesman.
I agree with this. You give things a ten then give reasons on why they are not perfect.
The only other thing I disagree with the OP is the ground combat. Even the OP admits how outrageously boring its is, yet he gives it a 7 and says its not that bad.
Lower the 10's to something more appropriate and try not to sugar coat the weaknesses and you won't look like you are biased.
I get you.
But for me it was the otherway around. ^^ Champions didn't grab me, couldn't hold me, despite that I wanted it to.. STO on the other hand I'm having loads of fun with, and I actually expected it to generally suck donkey. ^^
However, in EVERY aspect of the game there are room for improvements - just like in Any MMO or game - but I'm having loads of fun.
The skilltree system, even if I haven't checked it out fully yet, seems damn intersting too. 
I can understand that this isn't everyones cup of tea though. ^^
The only person for which your review will be "accurate".... is you. His review is his opinion, which is 100% accurate for him.
So far, I mostly agree with the review of the OP, but I've only been playing a day, so haven't seen as much upon which to base my final opinion of the game. Still, it has been a fun start.
Hell hath no fury like an MMORPG player scorned.
Poor review.
PvP?
End-game?
Longetivity?
Group/Solo content?
Leveling pace?
Crafting?
Klingon content vs Federation content? Similarities? Differences?
Also you gave it 10/10 in gfx. This game needs to have some amazing gfx to score that high. Crysis level I would say, atleast.
My gaming blog
Surely, with decades of advances, the combat would have sped up a bit.
With decades of advances.... lol.
Ktanner3 nails the point - the combat in the game is reflective of the IP. Star Trek always provided a very naval feel to the combat that was shown on the screen, which is the same feel the game provides. If the space combat in the game depicted the speed of Star Wars-esque fighter combat, a different set of people would be complaining.
So far, I believe the space combat in STO is extremely well done, and is a lot of fun. It does capture the essence of Star Trek combat, which is the point.
Hell hath no fury like an MMORPG player scorned.
It's comments like this that show the kind of shallow attempt people are giving the game. I don't have a problem with people's opinions on the game, but it would be nice if they had the capability to provide a reason why they claim the game is so bad. Playing the game for 15 minutes, then declaring it "pathetic" is just trolling.
They probably havent even played the game. He's probably just bitching because he didnt get in or his friend left WOW or something.
Soon as I saw you gave graphics a 10 I knew where this was going. If you view the graphics in the game as a 10/10 then your views on other topics are likely just as largely scewed. The graphics are FAR from a 10 and if it is a 10, I guess that makes AOC a 13/10 and Aion a 12/10.
Yamoto this is a poor post. Were in the 2nd day of Open beta. Yes he has a max out character on both Federation and Klingon already!!!
I got through to the klingons and then played them a little then it was 4 in the morning. I am currently falling asleep typing. I know alot of ppl in the closed beta and they only had limited access to the game, certain parts were not accessible.
About leveling pace well its funny because everytime you kill something or do a mission you get points u can use towards ur skill so you dont really feel like your grinding even though you are. I know crafting is an option I personally havent got that far. I would also give it 10/10 graphically not because its the most advanced realistic, but because it looks sounds feels like im playing star trek. All the customization from character to ship is really nice, and more is too come from what i understand.
Shatter this game isnt supposed to be far cry or crysis etc... Its supposed to be star trek and it really looks like star trek. I agree with the fact that its a 10/10 because of the ships and customization. Although i would put ground combat at 6/10 not 7. Ground combat from what i have experienced so far is button mashing.
Yeah, a ten is pushing it. Maybe my view will change once I'm in game, but from what I've seen of BETA videos it certainly isn't on par with AOC graphic wise.
Currently Playing: World of Warcraft
The graphics are nice, but surely not a ten. There are a lot of things in the game that break the immersion feel for me, and the game just felt stale. The ground combat was very boring. I wanted to like this game because I'm a fan of the series, but the game just isn't Star Trek to me.
Alot of people will not like the game as it does depict large space battles well. Having said all of that it is too early to review or for that matter preview the game. We are restricted to level 16 and alot of the content is turned off.
I am not going to defend the game but it is a open beta with restrictions. I do feel the ground combat needs some love though. Graphic 10 lol more like 5 from my perspective. But then the total package is not in my hands yet and they are having problems with nividfia drivers and are working with nividia now to correct them.
Last night the game was buggy in the space portion and I sent in reports. Gotta love a review of a game that is in OB for a day. My best advice is for someone to play the game for a bit and complete the OB, then post their thoughts on the total package. If I was to post my feeling after last night the game would suck with all the crashing going on. But I have done many and this is expected.
Personally I'd rather not see any "reviews" for a game, until the reviewer has at least a month of experience in game with the final product. Not some rushed write up about a title that just went to OB. Pretty much any game I can think of that I've played for under a few hours (that's released), I can't imagine writing a review for it. My opinion always changes after a few days, then weeks, and finally at the month's end.
I would like some info on STO as much as anyone here, but writing a review for a game that isn't even an infant yet? That's just premature.
"Mr. Rothstein, your people never will understand... the way it works out here. You're all just our guests. But you act like you're at home. Let me tell you something, partner. You ain't home. But that's where we're gonna send you if it harelips the governor." - Pat Webb
Yamoto this is a poor post. Were in the 2nd day of Open beta. Yes he has a max out character on both Federation and Klingon already!!!
I got through to the klingons and then played them a little then it was 4 in the morning. I am currently falling asleep typing. I know alot of ppl in the closed beta and they only had limited access to the game, certain parts were not accessible.
About leveling pace well its funny because everytime you kill something or do a mission you get points u can use towards ur skill so you dont really feel like your grinding even though you are. I know crafting is an option I personally havent got that far. I would also give it 10/10 graphically not because its the most advanced realistic, but because it looks sounds feels like im playing star trek. All the customization from character to ship is really nice, and more is too come from what i understand.
Then call it what it is, which is a first impression, and not a review. I mean, give it atleast a week, and get to half of max level atleast before writing a review.
I mean PvP, end-game and crafting are quite important aspects of a game and no review can not have those and still be considered a review.
My gaming blog
Based on very initial impression I would say that is not far off, I would score it as follows though:
Graphics - 9
Sound - 8.5
Character Creation/Customization - 9.5
Tutorial & Early Gameplay - 8.5
Space Combat - 8.5
Ground Combat - 8
Overall 8.6
I think this is a fair comment - this is no WoW killer, no genre defining masterpiece, but it is a fun game with enough of a good IP to be interesting and it is different than most MMOs with the tank and spank or holy trinity and banks of toolbat buttons to mash. It is Champion's like, call it Champions evolved in terms of core mechanics (though the space ads a lot new that Champions doesn't have) but it seems, at least initially, much better made and more complete than Champions was at the same point.
--------------------------------
Achiever 60.00%, Socializer 53.00%, Killer 47.00%, Explorer 40.00%
Intel Core i7 Quad, Intel X58 SLi, 6G Corsair XMS DDR3, Intel X-25 SSD, 3 WD Velociraptor SATA SuperTrak SAS EX8650 Array, OCZ 1250W PS, GTX 295, xFi, 32" 1080p LCD
Wow you sure gave this game really high marks..
From my 2 days experience..(I know not much.. but still enough to leave an impression so far)
Graphics-6. These are not the greatest graphics in the world.
Sound-4. All the "star Trek" sounds to me sound replicated, they just do not sound like authentic "phaser fire..ect" Only thing that sounds spot on to me are the Tricorder sounds.. of course this just might be me.. oh and the Voice acting was Horrible, no one can say it wasnt
Character Creation-10. I will give this part thumbs up.
Tutorial-7. Its okay, shows you what to do, its not amazing, its not bad.
Space Combat-7. Its okay, hate the re-spawn thing, perhaps I am missing something as I have only played it for 2 days but I do not see any penalty for dying yet. Again the weapon sounds really bug me here.. and sometimes I get the.. "am I actually moving?" in combat lol
Ground combat-3. (for me).. its your tap #1 ground combat. The more people on the screen the slower and chopier it gets (for me and I have a good system, Aion, LOTRO..ect maxed out no problems).. problems aside perhaps it gets better later on.
Multiplayer-2. Huh? MMO?.. I am giving this a low mark because so far I have not even really noticed it is a MMO except for all the chatter on the chat box. You get put into groups in certin missions.. and no one talks, I tried talking but no one felt like saying anything back lol. Might as well have A.I ships with you.. float in.. attack.. get blown up.. fly back attack.. blow up..fly back.. lol. Again I have to say this is only from my 2 days experience, perhaps it gets better. I can only comment on what I have experienced so far.
Warp Speed-Fail. yeah its not a number.... I do not like how they did it..
Load times-Fail. Leave the space station.. 30-90 seconds load time, Leave the Sol System to go to warp.. 30-90 load time, spend 20-60 seconds playing the game to fly to a target (system or such and enter it).. Load time another 30-90 seconds.. perhaps beam to the planet.. guess what.. 30-90 seconds. I know this was instanced.. but wow.. this alone might make me stop playing.
I think this is a fair comment - this is no WoW killer, no genre defining masterpiece, but it is a fun game with enough of a good IP to be interesting and it is different than most MMOs with the tank and spank or holy trinity and banks of toolbat buttons to mash. It is Champion's like, call it Champions evolved in terms of core mechanics (though the space ads a lot new that Champions doesn't have) but it seems, at least initially, much better made and more complete than Champions was at the same point.
This is the second post I've seen that has said this game is different from the Holy Trinity aspec of most MMOs. All I can think of is that long winded bunk of a thread that was awhile back claiming the opposite. I love watching false rumours being shot down.Thank you.
Currently Playing: World of Warcraft
Pretty good review I thought.
I don't know if I'd score it the same, but I don't trust myself to score the game atm cause I'm still pretty excited about it, lol.
"Because it's easier to nitpick something than to be constructive." -roach5000
First impression is the graphics are much better than the small clips of video I saw and do Star Trek justice. I'm having fun playing both the ground and space combat so far. Some said they used only one of their 3 available moves for ground combat, to me this makes the battles last longer as my second attack really helps out the first attack a great deal. I also love sending my enemy sprawling with my 3 attack which is a hand to hand move. The starships move how I would expect a large ship to move, and the combat seems to be about positioning. As others have said way to early to know if it has enough content or lastability, but for now its great fun!