Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Vanguard: Last of the True MMORPG's and Worth a Second Look
Teala
Member RarePosts: 7,627
As everyone knows I have a love hate relationship with SOE and of course with their games. Vanguard is just such a game. Here is a game that I feel needs to be given a second chance if you are a fan of MMORPG's and quit a few months back or a first time look for those of you who thought it would be a bad game.
Does Vanguard need a pretty hefty gaming rig to play it still. Yes. To be honest it does still require a good gaming rig(your 1.6ghz and 1 gig ram with a geforce4200 card will not handle this game - sorry. However with that being said the games performance issues have been dealt with continuously since its launch and it has improved greatly since then. The last patch we saw a huge increase in performance in many areas after they developers did a lot of optimization tweaks to the graphics. So the game is definitely running smoother and better then ever.
There are lots of new quest and additions since the game launched and yes you can solo in Vanguard. Whether you are a group player of a solo'er this game can accommodate you. Also, if you're into a game with good customization and character development then maybe you should be looking at Vanguard. This is one place the game is pretty unique and it is one of the last true MMORPG's when it comes to this. With the number of classes(some unique takes on your favorite classes like Cleric) available and playable races(with their own unique traits) and the almost overwhelming ability to tweak your character removes the cookie cutter character development you may have encountered in other games. Add to that titles and the myriad of armor and weapons and you'll see why this game is one of the best games to come along in years.
Other things that have been improved are many of those broken quest are now fixed. Travel in game over great distances is much easier with riftways, mounts and flying mounts!). The crafting is getting better and the balance of crafted and quested items is almost perfect. The economy in game is improving. Lots of new players(like my two brothers - one who use to play came back and he brought the other with him) and I am coming across new players all the time.
The game is definitely worth a second look or a first look. If you're burned out on WoW or looking for a game with more depth then LoTR's then maybe Vanguard is that game.
Comments
^^^^ what he said
I'd like to give it a try ... You dont happen to have a buddy-key... do you?
Yup while I feel that SOE has probably turned the game around I had fully intended to play it a year after it's release. But by the time that comes around I'll more than likely be in AOC as will a lot of people.
^^^^ what he said
Never assume the gender of the poster...because the he might actually be a she....
I am trying to try it out because it sounds very interesting but i don't want to throw away my money, i'd like to get a trial key.
Really good post!! I've been considering getting it, quite often, I play LOTRO and I love it...But I've followed Vanguard for a looooong time, way before it was released....A few friends of mine are considering getting it too, are there referrals or buddy keys available anywhere?
There are reports coming out stating that VG is being fixed steadily by SoE. Good news. SoE turned EQ2 around and made it a much popular game appealing to a wider spectrum of audience after its bad launch. Chances are SoE can do the same for VG. That unfortunately will take a year or 2.
What will VG be competing against by the time it got on its feet? Most likely AoC and WAR in full swing, plus many new inspiring titles in beta. It will not be easy for VG to carve a sizable market, which in turn means deserted maps and ghost towns. For games with lots of instances, solo quests and small maps, population is not a direct killing faction. NOT for VG. VG won't work without a lot of active players.
Sad but true, a game does not have much more than a first launch. With the history of VG and SoE, a second chance is somewhat a luxury. Sad for a game with so much potential, so much to hope for.
SOE is planning a trial release version of Vanguard supposedly before the end of the year so keep your eyes open. I wish I had more trial keys because I would be handing them out like candy!
It really does seem like Vanguard is going to be getting a second chance, and I dont think Ive ever seen a game like this. If they can get that trial out around christmas time (As I'm pretty sure is what they're pushing for), continue to make improvements to the game as well as add content, filling VG out as much as they can, and then go with sort of a Christmas Re-launch... VG may very well get a second chance and draw in quite a sizable amount of players. Guess we'll see?
Oh, and I just reinstalled and resubbed about a week ago.... I sure I am glad a did. This really is a great game.
I hope they allow ex-station pass holders to try it out too. Or I just go to visit my friend again and see him play. I know he is playing with more curse than zeal, so it will be "nice" making fun of him as he swear his way thru the map.
PC friendliness + character customization is sine qua non for a successful MMORPG.
I thought there was nothing distinguishable from my character and class from anyone else's. The models are not visibly distinguishable; we all had the same abilities; our gear looked (and probably was the same or nearly the same); and had done all the same Quests.
Character Development
Character development requires a serious breakthrough in MMORPGs to retain subscribers. When an individual is attached to her character, she is less likely to "quit" or "retire" from the game.
Character development can be achieved by 1) unique races, 2) unique classes, 3) unique religions/dieties, and perhaps 4) political affiliation (empire loyalist, rebel, pirate, free ranger, NPC guilds, societies). Quests can be different for different combinations of 1) race, 2) class, 3) diety, and 4) political affiliation or 5) memberships.
Players should be able to achieve additional abilities, spells, and character attributes through tasking, Questing, and even grinding.
Armor needs to look unique. Your character from mine needs to look unique.
-----
WoW and fast food = commercial successes.
I neither play WoW nor eat fast food.
ABSOLUTELY!
I agree with you completelty and so I do my best to be different then anyone else in game. LOL this is my main in Vanguard and I seriously doubt there are very many charcters running around that look like this.
I am giving Vanguard a second chance right now. I've been in beta but never got a character above level 10 back then.
)
I like how the classes are set up and the variety in spells / abilities. My highest character is a 11 psionicist now, a really fun class. Dungeons seem to be interesting in Vanguard. You can solo quite a few things and grouping is fine as well. Crafting is good from what I've seen and I've only met nice people on the Halgar server up to now.
What I just can't seem to get used to is the rather boring "outside" world of Telon. Most of it seems to be just a pile of clay with a bit of vegetation on the flatter terrrain. Did I just not see the interesting parts yet, or are only dungeons interesting looking / exciting? I run everything on max settings with a Nvidia 7950 GX2 (1 GB RAM on that SLI card) so that shouldn't be the problem. I've been on all continents and it could just be a matter of taste, but still .....
The only area I really liked up to now (and I have started a few characters at different locations) was the Gnome underground city as well as the dungeons nearby (and the accelleration tunnel of course
I would say the performance is definitely better then it was in beta.
Still, it does happen to me quite often that character animations get stuck (models look frozen while moving or fighting). Either mine or NPC animations are affected.
If I do nothing it fixes itself after a bit, or I hit my /flush macro button. Still it's quite annoying.
Does anyone know a permanent fix?
Sexy as ever. Hug
I'm so broke. I can't even pay attention.
"You have the right not to be killed"
I wish the AI on the mobs would be tweaked. Foir instance the Forest Stalkers in Kojan. Imagine if they lived up to therre name and really stalked you like a real jungle cat would. The only way you'd know if they were there is if your dection was high enough to warn you that "you feel a tingling sensation down your back as if you are being watched or possibly stalked." Imagine walking along a high cliff or a tree with big branches and having one of those things leap down or out at you from a grove of bamboo. I mean the do somewhat scare the bejeezes out of you from time to time if you run through some tall weeds and come across one unexpectantly...but I think my idea would be better and make the game more exciting. Also tweak their attack graphics. I dunno if you have ever seen how a large cat attacks its prey but its first couple of swipes it is practically standing on its hind legs and using both front paws to to swipe or strike at its prey.
OK...I am going to have to write a huge thing now on what they need to do to polish Vanguard and make it better. I have tons of ideas and it will take a couple of pages to write it up. Once it is done I'll post it and you guys can tell me what you think.
Actually, with the spelling/grammer mistakes in the first post I questioned whether you were really female.... women are generally more precise online....
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
Actually, with the spelling/grammer mistakes in the first post I questioned whether you were really female.... women are generally more precise online....
Well if we must get nitpicky...the word grammer is spelt grammar.
When I post I am thinking of what it is I am saying and my brains grammar and spelling modes are pretty much toast on these and other boards. As long as what I am trying to convey is understood...and trust me most is....lol....I do not really care to worry to much about whether my sentence structures are prestinely written as if I were going to be turning in a paper for the American Medical Journal or the likes. 
To be honest when I play, a vast portion of my game time is done in the wee hours of the morning when most in the US are asleep, so it would not beright for me to make the call on population. However the couple of times I did play during primetime US I can say I saw a fair or decent number of players. Now whether or not the servers are always like that I do not now. When I play I see plenty of people on.
I run a Pentium IV 3,2Ghz with 2 gigs of DDR-400 and a Radeon 740XL. Not a bad rig, but certainly not super high end. I could play Vanguard just fine on balanced and in most areas even high settings. I recently quit the game, because there are still too many broken quests and other defective game elements. With time and effort, plus a ton more players, the game could be as good as EQII. But for now, it's not worth 14 dollars a month.
AC (retired); EQ (retired); DAoC (retired); Horizons (retired); EQII (retired); CoH (retired); AC II (tested); Lineage II (beta); Neocron (tested); Saga of Ryzom (beta); SWG (retired)...
Like you I decided to give Vanguard a second chance and I have to say i'm impressed how the game has changed from launch and I am enjoying every minute
If you want some nice eye candy I would suggest you tryout a Wood Elf character. The landscape is amazing, the attention to detail is something to behold, I found myself just staring at the beautiful visuals. I will not go into detail, I will leave it to you to check it out. I will admit if the rest of the game turns out to be poor, to me it was worth the 1 month re-sub. This area gave back to me the feelings I got when I first starting playing EQ
As much as I've flamed VG I will give it a try when they are giving out free trials. Maybe they will have things in order by then. One can only hope. I'm sick of all these lame MMOs. My only hope is that EQ comes out with a fun ruleset server.
Thanks Buccaneer!
I'll give the woodelves a try as soon as I've got time to play
.
EQ feelings would be great, I played EQ1 from release until PoP was released.
It's one of the few races I haven't started with yet. I even have to delete one character because all my slots are full right now.
Like you I decided to give Vanguard a second chance and I have to say i'm impressed how the game has changed from launch and I am enjoying every minute
If you want some nice eye candy I would suggest you tryout a Wood Elf character. The landscape is amazing, the attention to detail is something to behold, I found myself just staring at the beautiful visuals. I will not go into detail, I will leave it to you to check it out. I will admit if the rest of the game turns out to be poor, to me it was worth the 1 month re-sub. This area gave back to me the feelings I got when I first starting playing EQ
I love my woodelf Shaman, she just plan rocks. Oh and the lands around were the Woodelves roam on Kojan look something like this.
I played the game for a couple of weeks after launch but wasn't really feeling it so cancelled before the free 30 days was up. I may have to give it another shot, though, to see how it is now. I might as well since I already paid for it and only need to pony up the monthly subscription fee.