Bad first impressions... gets better.

gelraen

I'm curious if this has been the experience of others also.  I had a pretty terrible first impression of the game yesterday... playing for about 5-6 hours.  I was really feeling that I wanted a refund -- which is pretty extreme for me.  I'm a big Elder Scrolls fan and I generally put a lot of effort into a new MMO before a judge it too harshly.

Part of the issue is visual -- I think the game is a big step down from Skyrim, and though that's expected to some extent, it's still a bit disappointing.  Also on the surface, it feels like they've gone with a very generic MMO design.

BUT!  That seems to be the tricky thing about it.  After playing another 5 hours or so, I really find I'm discovering the not-so-generic MMO details hidden beneath a very generic surface.  I think there's some pretty interesting exploration incentives, for example, and just infiltrating enemy hide-outs in the world for a shard and a bit of loot is quite fun.  Crafting has a few twists (though the interface is insanely clunky) that make it interesting, and I like the idea of having the choose skill points to upgrade it which would otherwise go into min/maxing your character combat wise.   

So my impressions so far are that the game gives a very bad first impression, but has at least some less obvious design choices which make it worth a deeper look.  It's going to be interesting at the end of the 30 days though, if it really has enough to demand a subscription.

Sephiroso

Originally posted by gelraen

I'm curious if this has been the experience of others also.  I had a pretty terrible first impression of the game yesterday... playing for about 5-6 hours.  I was really feeling that I wanted a refund -- which is pretty extreme for me.  I'm a big Elder Scrolls fan and I generally put a lot of effort into a new MMO before a judge it too harshly.

Part of the issue is visual -- I think the game is a big step down from Skyrim, and though that's expected to some extent, it's still a bit disappointing.  Also on the surface, it feels like they've gone with a very generic MMO design.

BUT!  That seems to be the tricky thing about it.  After playing another 5 hours or so, I really find I'm discovering the not-so-generic MMO details hidden beneath a very generic surface.  I think there's some pretty interesting exploration incentives, for example, and just infiltrating enemy hide-outs in the world for a shard and a bit of loot is quite fun.  Crafting has a few twists (though the interface is insanely clunky) that make it interesting, and I like the idea of having the choose skill points to upgrade it which would otherwise go into min/maxing your character combat wise.   

So my impressions so far are that the game gives a very bad first impression, but has at least some less obvious design choices which make it worth a deeper look.  It's going to be interesting at the end of the 30 days though, if it really has enough to demand a subscription.

so what you're telling me is, you didn't play any of the open betas for no reason, and ended up (potentially) wasting your money on preordering the game.

 

had so many opportunities to play open beta with them giving the keys literally throwing them in our faces at like every major site so don't know how you missed that.

MikeJezZ

Originally posted by Sephiroso

Originally posted by gelraen

I'm curious if this has been the experience of others also.  I had a pretty terrible first impression of the game yesterday... playing for about 5-6 hours.  I was really feeling that I wanted a refund -- which is pretty extreme for me.  I'm a big Elder Scrolls fan and I generally put a lot of effort into a new MMO before a judge it too harshly.

Part of the issue is visual -- I think the game is a big step down from Skyrim, and though that's expected to some extent, it's still a bit disappointing.  Also on the surface, it feels like they've gone with a very generic MMO design.

BUT!  That seems to be the tricky thing about it.  After playing another 5 hours or so, I really find I'm discovering the not-so-generic MMO details hidden beneath a very generic surface.  I think there's some pretty interesting exploration incentives, for example, and just infiltrating enemy hide-outs in the world for a shard and a bit of loot is quite fun.  Crafting has a few twists (though the interface is insanely clunky) that make it interesting, and I like the idea of having the choose skill points to upgrade it which would otherwise go into min/maxing your character combat wise.   

So my impressions so far are that the game gives a very bad first impression, but has at least some less obvious design choices which make it worth a deeper look.  It's going to be interesting at the end of the 30 days though, if it really has enough to demand a subscription.

so what you're telling me is, you didn't play any of the open betas for no reason, and ended up (potentially) wasting your money on preordering the game.

 

had so many opportunities to play open beta with them giving the keys literally throwing them in our faces at like every major site so don't know how you missed that.

Still, many people cannot play in the weekends, or there have been other obstacles for them to play this.

 

I'm glad OP that you enjoy the game. I myself can't wait to play later today. I played the beta up to level 8. In the beginning the game felt crappy to me, but I actually enjoyed it later on. Sadly I never made it to 10, due to having work to do in the weekend so I could only play a little on friday and sunday, but I cannot wait to try out the PvP in this game.

Fusion

Originally posted by Sephiroso

Originally posted by gelraen

I'm curious if this has been the experience of others also.  I had a pretty terrible first impression of the game yesterday... playing for about 5-6 hours.  I was really feeling that I wanted a refund -- which is pretty extreme for me.  I'm a big Elder Scrolls fan and I generally put a lot of effort into a new MMO before a judge it too harshly.

Part of the issue is visual -- I think the game is a big step down from Skyrim, and though that's expected to some extent, it's still a bit disappointing.  Also on the surface, it feels like they've gone with a very generic MMO design.

BUT!  That seems to be the tricky thing about it.  After playing another 5 hours or so, I really find I'm discovering the not-so-generic MMO details hidden beneath a very generic surface.  I think there's some pretty interesting exploration incentives, for example, and just infiltrating enemy hide-outs in the world for a shard and a bit of loot is quite fun.  Crafting has a few twists (though the interface is insanely clunky) that make it interesting, and I like the idea of having the choose skill points to upgrade it which would otherwise go into min/maxing your character combat wise.   

So my impressions so far are that the game gives a very bad first impression, but has at least some less obvious design choices which make it worth a deeper look.  It's going to be interesting at the end of the 30 days though, if it really has enough to demand a subscription.

so what you're telling me is, you didn't play any of the open betas for no reason, and ended up (potentially) wasting your money on preordering the game.

 

had so many opportunities to play open beta with them giving the keys literally throwing them in our faces at like every major site so don't know how you missed that.

Not everyone is a 'beta-rat' (joins every beta and views them as a free-trial).

Sephiroso

Originally posted by Fusion

Originally posted by Sephiroso

Originally posted by gelraen

I'm curious if this has been the experience of others also.  I had a pretty terrible first impression of the game yesterday... playing for about 5-6 hours.  I was really feeling that I wanted a refund -- which is pretty extreme for me.  I'm a big Elder Scrolls fan and I generally put a lot of effort into a new MMO before a judge it too harshly.

Part of the issue is visual -- I think the game is a big step down from Skyrim, and though that's expected to some extent, it's still a bit disappointing.  Also on the surface, it feels like they've gone with a very generic MMO design.

BUT!  That seems to be the tricky thing about it.  After playing another 5 hours or so, I really find I'm discovering the not-so-generic MMO details hidden beneath a very generic surface.  I think there's some pretty interesting exploration incentives, for example, and just infiltrating enemy hide-outs in the world for a shard and a bit of loot is quite fun.  Crafting has a few twists (though the interface is insanely clunky) that make it interesting, and I like the idea of having the choose skill points to upgrade it which would otherwise go into min/maxing your character combat wise.   

So my impressions so far are that the game gives a very bad first impression, but has at least some less obvious design choices which make it worth a deeper look.  It's going to be interesting at the end of the 30 days though, if it really has enough to demand a subscription.

so what you're telling me is, you didn't play any of the open betas for no reason, and ended up (potentially) wasting your money on preordering the game.

 

had so many opportunities to play open beta with them giving the keys literally throwing them in our faces at like every major site so don't know how you missed that.

Not everyone is a 'beta-rat' (joins every beta and views them as a free-trial).

then you better not come to forums bitching about bad experiences when you had every opportunity in the world to 'sample' the game for free.

Knotwood

I'm betting your playing in the Ebonheart Pact area.  That area is 80% worse graphic then Aldmeri and Daggerfall areas.  I would reroll and start in either of the two other areas.   Its well worth it graphicly. 

 

but then again...  at 50+ and 50++ youll be playing in the other two areas, so its really up to you what areas you want to see at end game or starting.

Gestankfaust

Daggerfall area just did it for me

Sovrath

Originally posted by gelraen

BUT!  That seems to be the tricky thing about it.  After playing another 5 hours or so, I really find I'm discovering the not-so-generic MMO details hidden beneath a very generic surface.  I think there's some pretty interesting exploration incentives, for example, and just infiltrating enemy hide-outs in the world for a shard and a bit of loot is quite fun.  Crafting has a few twists (though the interface is insanely clunky) that make it interesting, and I like the idea of having the choose skill points to upgrade it which would otherwise go into min/maxing your character combat wise.   

So my impressions so far are that the game gives a very bad first impression, but has at least some less obvious design choices which make it worth a deeper look.  It's going to be interesting at the end of the 30 days though, if it really has enough to demand a subscription.

The quests get more interesting as you go along. I'm talkign about the quests one finds in the world, not the main story per se.

Mardy

I got hooked after the starter island.  The werewolves quest series are really fun to do.  Werewolves and zombies, what's not to like

gelraen

So, I'm the original poster in this thread and I just have to check back after a few days more play.

I have to seriously eat crow here and say that I have never been so wrong about an MMO in my first impressions. 

And I've played them all really.  ESO really, really has a shitty start in my opinion. I mean not in a completely obvious way, just that it misrepresents the completely excellent exploration, immersion and questing experience which comes later.   I honesty haven't the hooks of addiction dig in so deep since the good old days of BC in WoW (though I got just a bit of it in the early days of Rift).

Good stuff.  I'd delete this thread entirely, but maybe someone will be helped to push through the early levels by my later thoughts.

TheDarkrayne

Sometimes, when we go into something with a sceptical mind-set, we aren't relaxed enough to sit back and appreciate something for what it is. Because you were analysing the game at the start it became more like you were studying the game, instead of playing the game. No one likes studying. Now you're playing the game.

Yoda_Clone

The game starts out in a very linear fashion, but does get better.  It does still have its warts, some of them significant.

As another poster already noted, the Daggerfall Covenant and Aldemiri (sp?) Dominion areas are much better than Ebonheart (sp?).  I have characters in all three alliances; they were obviously written by different developer sub-teams, although there are a lot of shared quests (e.g., Mages Guild, Fighters Guild quests).  The DC and AD alliances have well-ordered questlines; the Ebonheart questlines and map are, quite frankly, haphazard.

Be aware that there are lots of little niggling issues that will eat at you over time; just as your bad first impressions got better, the little issues will eventually add up to a level of frustration with the game.  Be aware of them and maybe you won't rage-quit.

JonnyBigBoss

I played for 20 hours. I'd say that everything outside of the first hour or so was not good for me. I felt like I was playing a game from the 90s most of the time.

MagikarpsGhost

The visuals are quite nice actually. im running them on ultra high and loving every second of it. i have played TES from morrowind to skyrim and ESO does feel different deep down it still feels like TES to me. with more ppl

SirBalin

Originally posted by gelraen

I'm curious if this has been the experience of others also.  I had a pretty terrible first impression of the game yesterday... playing for about 5-6 hours.  I was really feeling that I wanted a refund -- which is pretty extreme for me.  I'm a big Elder Scrolls fan and I generally put a lot of effort into a new MMO before a judge it too harshly.

Part of the issue is visual -- I think the game is a big step down from Skyrim, and though that's expected to some extent, it's still a bit disappointing.  Also on the surface, it feels like they've gone with a very generic MMO design.

BUT!  That seems to be the tricky thing about it.  After playing another 5 hours or so, I really find I'm discovering the not-so-generic MMO details hidden beneath a very generic surface.  I think there's some pretty interesting exploration incentives, for example, and just infiltrating enemy hide-outs in the world for a shard and a bit of loot is quite fun.  Crafting has a few twists (though the interface is insanely clunky) that make it interesting, and I like the idea of having the choose skill points to upgrade it which would otherwise go into min/maxing your character combat wise.   

So my impressions so far are that the game gives a very bad first impression, but has at least some less obvious design choices which make it worth a deeper look.  It's going to be interesting at the end of the 30 days though, if it really has enough to demand a subscription.

Depends on what you are looking for.  I'll say this, I've found very few that liked the game at all in the early levels...all the run around questing is just silly.  Once you get going into the level 20's, the game is a blast.  End game is amazing both pve and pvp.  

Tutu2

Originally posted by gelraen

I'm curious if this has been the experience of others also.  I had a pretty terrible first impression of the game yesterday... playing for about 5-6 hours.  I was really feeling that I wanted a refund -- which is pretty extreme for me.  I'm a big Elder Scrolls fan and I generally put a lot of effort into a new MMO before a judge it too harshly.

Part of the issue is visual -- I think the game is a big step down from Skyrim, and though that's expected to some extent, it's still a bit disappointing.  Also on the surface, it feels like they've gone with a very generic MMO design.

BUT!  That seems to be the tricky thing about it.  After playing another 5 hours or so, I really find I'm discovering the not-so-generic MMO details hidden beneath a very generic surface.  I think there's some pretty interesting exploration incentives, for example, and just infiltrating enemy hide-outs in the world for a shard and a bit of loot is quite fun.  Crafting has a few twists (though the interface is insanely clunky) that make it interesting, and I like the idea of having the choose skill points to upgrade it which would otherwise go into min/maxing your character combat wise.   

So my impressions so far are that the game gives a very bad first impression, but has at least some less obvious design choices which make it worth a deeper look.  It's going to be interesting at the end of the 30 days though, if it really has enough to demand a subscription.

Yup, in the same boat and feel exactly the same so far. I also wasn't blown away with the whole Coldharbour starting bit either and that really needs some work, but the game opens up and starts becoming more enjoyable with a few more hours. The game strikes a pretty sweet balance between MMO and Skyrim. I'm still not convinced I'll retain interest after 3 months max though, but we'll see. I am liking it much more then Guild Wars 2.  The main problem with this game is that doesn't exactly break much new ground. I just don't know how it will stand up to competition like EQNext and ArcheAge.