As someone who's been on this infernal MMO train since it first set off, I share your love of grinding. I absolutely loathe this new-fangled questing nonsense, spending 80% of my time traveling (!!) between areas where I have to kill 10 rogue beavers and collect forty bushels of corn. Give me a good camp with lots of baddies and I'm in gaming heaven. Maybe I should give Darkfall a try.
Nice, honest review. Something of note towards your thoughts on full loot. Duping is bad in general, if that was implimented for ideally non-worthless items it could be easily exploited and ruin the economy.
It should also be noted that every wearable/consumeable item in the game can be crafted. Also maybe one of the most interesting aspects of the game being sieging, you can lay siege to one of an enemy guilds' holdings (city/hamlet) and take it over if you win. Some of the fights are hundreds vs hundreds, which is why some of the cosmetics of the game are not quite 'there' for 2011.
Loading that many particles (spell effects plus high poly count character models) doesn't allow for many facial variations, hitboxes (only front and back), or model complexity (although everyone looks cool in mixed dragon armor and some of the other better gear variations imo) and still be able to withstand latency issues. With aiming being a factor lag is a lot more unforgiving. Anyways, just some additional thoughts I felt could be added.
MMORPG.com . ... thanks for rating the game a little better I guess but next time you may want to have someone over 20 who is actually willing to play the game long enough to give an actual review.
Its blatantly obvious that he hasn't really played . .. and has the point of view coming from a 20yr old who is used to the latest console game graphics, etc. LOL
Sorry but this is a pretty FAIL review .. . please have someone age 30+ review the game after the next expansion!
If the game requires a month (or more) of indepth gameplay before it becomes fun, it isn't worth reviewing. (three times)
I am surprised myself by Sid's response. I wouldn't have thought Darkfall, with all it's hardcore old school cred, would have been home to the rabid fanboism that has unfortunately engulfed many other games. Sid, correct (civilly) me if I'm wrong, but your response came off as "You don't like it?! Well you're... DUMB!"
EDIT: I also strongly agree with Quake. If a game takes that long to begin to enjoy, it stops being a game. You shouldn't have to suffer through a month (that you're paying for) to enjoy a game. I realize I'm about to be flamed for being a carebear or somesuch nonsense, but it's a game. Those are supposed to be fun. Remember? I don't need to be l33t from day one ingame, but I should be having fun.
I don't mean to be rude but I doubt that someone who is 20 is old enough to see their vision and what they are doing unless you have been gaming since you were born . .. I guess but still most of my favorite games would be considered crap by todays average 20 yr old.
I very much appreciate the review, I would just have picked a different person is all. He didn't seem to want to play it at all. Read the survivor thingy he posted before that.
I would rather have someone who was into way into EU or UO when it came out review the game. Coming from other types of games is a very difficult adjustment, especially todays gamer who is spoiled from easy MMORPGs and high-graphic solo games. They definitely tend to raise the bar higher imo but lower in areas that do not matter for many of us old-school gamers.
NEWS FLASH!"A bank was robbed the other day and a man opened fire on the customers being held hostage. One customer zig-zag sprinted until he found cover. When questioned later he explained that he was a hardcore gamer and knew just what to do!" Download my music for free! I release several albums per month as part of project "Thee Untitled" . .. some video game music remixes and cover songs done with instruments in there as well! http://theeuntitled.bandcamp.com/Check out my roleplaying blog, collection of fictional short stories, and fantasy series... updated on a blog for now until I am finished!https://childrenfromtheheavensbelow.blogspot.com/Watch me game on occasion or make music... https://www.twitch.tv/spoontheeuntitled and subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUvqULn678VrF3OasgnbsyA
Great concept of a game...but this is what turned me off.
After the 24 hour grace period were you can not be harmed I asked someone in the game about the looting. The player told me if you die your enemy could take all of your stuff. I said to myself, ok lets ask the next logical questions.
Q: So do people run around with their best gear?
A: No, most actually run around with no gear at all. Unless they are really high up skill wise.
Q: Wait. so where is all your stuff?
A: In the bank vaults. But you have to be careful because someone could kill you at the vault and take all your stuff.
Q: Ok, so does your stuff help your stats, and be able to kill others and survive?
A: Of course.
Q: But you never use it because someone might take it?
A: Yes.
Q: So you spend all this time acquiring good stuff, that you may never be able to use, which means you won't be as good as someone who is trying to steal it from you after they kill which they could do since they probably have much better gear than you because they have been around longer?
A: Maybe this game isn't for you.
Q: Well I just wondering what the point is if you either can never use your best gear or have to wait forever for it? This is hardcore fun?
A: bye
LOL
Game is many times more fun by wearing your best stuff at all times. It's how I have played since I rerolled my character and I have never grind, but get my skills/stats up as I craft and visit mobs for certain mats. My gear isn't even that good but I find it a lot of fun with the approach that I have to this game. I tried the approach that many people have and did not have fun . .. you know the macroing, not wearing gear you dont want to lose, etc. The most grinding that I ever did was about 12 hours over a week period of debuffing mobs (now that theres meditation it should fix this when they adjust the means of earning points . .. probably will get them from quests and stuff as they are revamping the entire questing system).
The adrenaline rush is much more intense by having this approach that I've had since I rerolled (over a year ago I rerolled and did a trial for fun to see how the grind is these days). Emotional highs and lows are more extreme with the more risks that you are willing to take. You win a hell of a lot more if you are willing to take risks too.
; )
NEWS FLASH!"A bank was robbed the other day and a man opened fire on the customers being held hostage. One customer zig-zag sprinted until he found cover. When questioned later he explained that he was a hardcore gamer and knew just what to do!" Download my music for free! I release several albums per month as part of project "Thee Untitled" . .. some video game music remixes and cover songs done with instruments in there as well! http://theeuntitled.bandcamp.com/Check out my roleplaying blog, collection of fictional short stories, and fantasy series... updated on a blog for now until I am finished!https://childrenfromtheheavensbelow.blogspot.com/Watch me game on occasion or make music... https://www.twitch.tv/spoontheeuntitled and subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUvqULn678VrF3OasgnbsyA
Fair review. I don't agree with your statement on full loot though, I consider it a big plus. Your suggestion to make it less harsh could be exploited a lot aswell; allies could kill eachother in order to duplicate items.
Anyway, why doesn't this review go along with new screenshots of the updated graphics?! You set the graphics as a clear negative point in your review, but aren't showing the significant improvements that have been made, and instead show pre-beta screenshots?
Great concept of a game...but this is what turned me off.
After the 24 hour grace period were you can not be harmed I asked someone in the game about the looting. The player told me if you die your enemy could take all of your stuff. I said to myself, ok lets ask the next logical questions.
Q: So do people run around with their best gear?
A: No, most actually run around with no gear at all. Unless they are really high up skill wise.
Q: Wait. so where is all your stuff?
A: In the bank vaults. But you have to be careful because someone could kill you at the vault and take all your stuff.
Q: Ok, so does your stuff help your stats, and be able to kill others and survive?
A: Of course.
Q: But you never use it because someone might take it?
A: Yes.
Q: So you spend all this time acquiring good stuff, that you may never be able to use, which means you won't be as good as someone who is trying to steal it from you after they kill which they could do since they probably have much better gear than you because they have been around longer?
A: Maybe this game isn't for you.
Q: Well I just wondering what the point is if you either can never use your best gear or have to wait forever for it? This is hardcore fun?
A: bye
This is of course total rubbish. Even I, that played the game for no more than 3 months, did use the best equipment when went to do some PvP. Only when I gathered resourced I rarely had anything other than the pick axe. Why dont you check out one of the numerous PvP vidoes on youtube, where you could easily see that all the players actually wear the best gear they could.
i've been playing darkfall for around 8 month's now and wish i had find it earlier..
This game have everything openworld pvp, seabattles, citybuilding, openloot, no tab target ( swing where ya hit ) economie based on the people crafting skills, player housing, and ofcourse the adrenaline rush while playing this game..
grafhics, most of people playing darkfall can't even play it on full mode.. because of the fps but the grafhics are not bad there really nice..
Poeple have comments of the game by playing darkfall for 2/3 month's and expect to have seen everything.. no deal here.
I don't even have see everything in darkfall..
don't see any difference between either leveling your char up from 1-80 or getting up skills (darkfall)
Yes darkfall is hardcore game and won't appeal to all. The combat system is skill based and not enterly about the stats..
I see poeple walking around with a 2 month's old char killing vets in darkfall. so its possible.
I do agree on the player base of darkfall which needs a boost.. the game would be must more enjoyble with more players.
Besides the fact that most of players don't attack newbies..
I had to laugh when you had the balls to say many people enjoy grinding. No one enjoys grinding, though some people endure it if the end result is worth it. Poor graphics and animations are definitely a negative but if the gameplay is solid easily overlooked. A poor ui however can be a deal breaker, coupled with what sounds like only having one true "bestest" skill layout makes me happy i wasted no time on this. Sounds like a grindfest watered down version of shadowbane minus the rubberbanding,sb.exe crashes,and mouse click movement.
Yes darkfall is hardcore game and won't appeal to all. The combat system is skill based and not enterly about the stats..
I beg to differ here, that-s what people claim but its not true, in fact its quiet the contrary to me.
Combat system is made in such a way all the fps aspect that could have made it skillfull have been taken from the designers. Did you ever asked why in hell everyone use magic in this game, they are no blade fight, no archery fight whatsoever. Blade and bow are just there as an addition to magery, why is that? did you ever asked you why, after all anyone can feely use swords or bow, why nobody do so as their main playstyle? Because it is just a shooter game, so people shoot spell, just like they woudl have used machine gun in a shooter game. There combat system is crapy period, swords are useless, people only use the 360degree twirl move and magery thats all. When you fight with same gear, same character skill with blade you will end in a tight everytime, because there is no way in hell your player skill could influence the combat. Put 2 guys in front of each other and have them macro, or have them run around like mad monky with their uber twitch skill it would be the same result. NO skill is involved, there is no dodge but for magery because it is range stuff so you have all the fucking time needed to make you little twitch move to sprint from the spells bolts. In close combat this is a nono. This is not about player skill i'm sorry, go play Mount and Blade and see the difference by yourself. The combat system is just a shooter game with magery in place of machine guns. Honestly such a waste of everyoen time, the dev for making that, they could have make just a cheap shooter for 3 years and sell it, why did it took them 10years to make this, and its a waste for us player because they just deliver us shitty product. So yes if you don't want to use magic the combat system is about stat and gear stat, nothing else, everyone knows it, and everyone is playing accordingly to that.
Anyway Darkfall is so much bett than it was.. the grind when released was jsut crazy.
I recently came back a few weeks back and now the game is so much better your skills progress at a good rate and you can get competitive in group pvp within a few weeks.. Sure you wont take on the vets that ahve been around since start 1on1 but this is an MMORPG your character develops over time so did theirs...
I play the game without macroing and have great fun going out hunting different mobs and the guild im in also lots of PVP action nearly every night..
Player built houses is prob not a good idea esp if you can build them where u want.. the world would just be covered with them.. maybe certain zones in the world where u could build would be ok..
I have been playing Darkfall 'Casually' since launch.
Reading your review was intresting... a few points I would like to mention.
Regarding the graphics, yes there abit dated but does graphics matter at the expense of gameplay... darkfall has gameplay while graphics are all well and good without that gameplay you are nothing.. I ask you whats easyer... improving graphics or improving gameplay?
With there motion capture studio and improved textures of late... I dont have a problem with the graphics and expect the new player models / armour types etc to bring the graphics up a notch.
Regarding the Looting system.... Sorry I have to shoot down your idea... ONE thing (a big one).. If you dont fear loosing your stuff then you loose what makes darkfall exiting... Also any system that limmets what you can loot and removes the loss is exploitable and carebear which is not what darkfall is about... Simple system and if you cant take it then you should not play. Low to mid level gear is so easy to come by most players trash it.. and vets often will only loot regs, gold, and enchanting mats.
You failed to mention the impending expantion that is set to fix the issues regarding the must be a jack of all trades issue.
Regarding the grind...
Yes there is a long long... Long LONG grind but Its only so much a grind if you make it one.. A player can be quite viable with some skills such as a good melee mastery, mid level utility spells etc..
The slowest grind is that of stats in this game, it takes alot of time to get your stats up to max...
But reall the grind to be pvp viable is only a few good weeks of playing... DF is a multi player RPG game so expecting to be a god on your own is not going to happen when you could be rolled by a large group at any time!.
Join a guild and enjoy the game the way it is.... The servers are not as quite as people make out... Its not launch numbers but there is a healthy player base and its growing... Look at it this way if everyone who doesnt play because they think the population is too low played there would not be a low population lol...
O... And Marmite is yeast extract and contains no meat... Bovril is more like beef.. yet this is also a none meat product... and for the record Marmite is horrible.
Yeah those graphics are nice and all but how are they actually changing the game? I mean can I log into DFO and handcraft a heavy armor pike swinging warrior type with maybe a self heal for oh shit moments and still be viable? Can I design a archer type and not get completely destroyed againsts the macro jack of all trades? If not why bother? If everyone is going to be the same to be viable why have raisable skills at all?
@Sid_Vicious: I thought it was a fair and balanced re-review, albeit more a preview rather than a full blown re-review even though I do not play Darkfall. The re-review should have compared the state of DF then to how it is now, and also included a fuller range of what is possible in the game (sand wise). That said, there were a couple of points that I think should have been changed and/or included:
1. Open loot - both a Plus and a Con. One of the reasons I was attracted to Eve Online - how this [open loot] gaming mechanic was implemented within the game's philiosophy of player control of territory and resources I really liked the implementation of high sec and low sec space (you CAN be killed even in 1.0 space - but you will also be destroyed by NPC ships guarding 1.0 space) - but I think that Aventurine need to tweek to the alignment system to stop blue players assisting red players without penalty i.e. turning them gray.
2. Fails to properly consider the vault system and it's mantra: use only what you can afford to lose (in Eve, fly only what you can afford to lose), and bank, bank, bank, spare items, gold, equipment, before venturing out. No need to change the system (duplication of items is a BAD idea) rather than change one's mindset.
3. No discussion on the range of activities inc. PvE, in Darkfall (such as they are)
I'll keep DF in mind, for such time in the future than when I have more than 4 hours a week play-time available, but the deal-breakers for me are points (3) & (5) in Polarisation's 'Cons' list.
"If you think I'm plucky and scrappy and all I need is love, you're in way over your head. I don't have a heart of gold or get nice. There are a lot nicer people coming up. We call them losers."
Yeah those graphics are nice and all but how are they actually changing the game? I mean can I log into DFO and handcraft a heavy armor pike swinging warrior type with maybe a self heal for oh shit moments and still be viable? Can I design a archer type and not get completely destroyed againsts the macro jack of all trades? If not why bother? If everyone is going to be the same to be viable why have raisable skills at all?
You can't. That's DF's #1 issue at the moment, adding diversification to character development. Prestige Classes are supposedly going to address this issue in the next expansion, but we'll see how it goes...
Yeah those graphics are nice and all but how are they actually changing the game? I mean can I log into DFO and handcraft a heavy armor pike swinging warrior type with maybe a self heal for oh shit moments and still be viable? Can I design a archer type and not get completely destroyed againsts the macro jack of all trades? If not why bother? If everyone is going to be the same to be viable why have raisable skills at all?
Rockgod yes you can log in wear heavy armour and melee and be viable, it's called Destroyer and you gain 30-40%(?) more damage v.s. anyone with a staff out. Protections on armour have been raised and mean more now, a guy in Full plate takes like 15-20 damage from a decently leveld spell. Ofcourse to be truely competitive you'd want witches brew and archery however. Destroyers mostly shine in group fights where they can easily come at the back of any spell casters not paying attention and rape.
You can not design an archer type as it stands. You've got a few choices though. You can pick from aquashot (underwater), jumping shot, manashield, mage killer/hunter. Archery these days is considered one of the highest DPS, it's all about your aiming though. I wouldn't say you'd be competitive as an archer alone.. you'd get wrecked if someone got close.
Upcoming expansion we're going to have prestiege classes which should throw the current 'use any ability' thing off the map.
Variety is the spice or life fellas. In a sandbox you need multiple templates that are viable for the game to give the illusion that players have a choice. Once DF 2.0 is released if prestige classes give Darkfall that illusion then I'll actually recommend the game as a viable sandbox but until then I simply can't with how limited the game is template wise.
I really loved almost everything about Darkfall, but there were certain aspects I just could not stand. The focus on PvP, full loot, and the FPS combat system were all GREAT in my opinion and created a feeling of immersion I have not felt in another MMO since Ultima Online.
Unfortunately the massive grind and total imbalance between newer players and veterans eventually made the game unplayable to me.
I haven't seen everything in Darkfall and have been playing almost 2 years . ... I've seen about 70% of the map and about half of the dungeons. Many places in the world I have not seen for a year or more. Most of the new content that came out I haven't seen yet .. . treasure maps, ice dragon, etc. I haven't even capped a sea-tower yet and that came out long ago.
NEWS FLASH!"A bank was robbed the other day and a man opened fire on the customers being held hostage. One customer zig-zag sprinted until he found cover. When questioned later he explained that he was a hardcore gamer and knew just what to do!" Download my music for free! I release several albums per month as part of project "Thee Untitled" . .. some video game music remixes and cover songs done with instruments in there as well! http://theeuntitled.bandcamp.com/Check out my roleplaying blog, collection of fictional short stories, and fantasy series... updated on a blog for now until I am finished!https://childrenfromtheheavensbelow.blogspot.com/Watch me game on occasion or make music... https://www.twitch.tv/spoontheeuntitled and subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUvqULn678VrF3OasgnbsyA
It is so refreshing to see this much buzz on the review I love it. It just shows you how many people are actually interested in DarkFall. I have been playing this game for quite sometime now and I can tell you first hand that there isnt another game out there that can compete with its game play. With just a few additions and upgrades this will truely be the modern day Ultima Online. All I hope is that they dont fall into the carebear players crys and end up making a trammel. Its funny how the players that call it too harsh are the ones who are still playing the game. Its a rush to play and guess what your not always gonna win like you do with other games.
I very much appreciate the review, I would just have picked a different person is all. He didn't seem to want to play it at all. Read the survivor thingy he posted before that.
I would rather have someone who was into way into EU or UO when it came out review the game. Coming from other types of games is a very difficult adjustment, especially todays gamer who is spoiled from easy MMORPGs and high-graphic solo games. They definitely tend to raise the bar higher imo but lower in areas that do not matter for many of us old-school gamers.
Do you think it's like if Urkel was reviewing Harley Davidson motorcycles and leather jackets?
MMORPG.com . ... thanks for rating the game a little better I guess but next time you may want to have someone over 20 who is actually willing to play the game long enough to give an actual review.
Its blatantly obvious that he hasn't really played . .. and has the point of view coming from a 20yr old who is used to the latest console game graphics, etc. LOL
Sorry but this is a pretty FAIL review .. . please have someone age 30+ review the game after the next expansion!
If the game requires a month (or more) of indepth gameplay before it becomes fun, it isn't worth reviewing. (three times)
I am surprised myself by Sid's response. I wouldn't have thought Darkfall, with all it's hardcore old school cred, would have been home to the rabid fanboism that has unfortunately engulfed many other games. Sid, correct (civilly) me if I'm wrong, but your response came off as "You don't like it?! Well you're... DUMB!"
EDIT: I also strongly agree with Quake. If a game takes that long to begin to enjoy, it stops being a game. You shouldn't have to suffer through a month (that you're paying for) to enjoy a game. I realize I'm about to be flamed for being a carebear or somesuch nonsense, but it's a game. Those are supposed to be fun. Remember? I don't need to be l33t from day one ingame, but I should be having fun.
I don't mean to be rude but I doubt that someone who is 20 is old enough to see their vision and what they are doing unless you have been gaming since you were born . .. I guess but still most of my favorite games would be considered crap by todays average 20 yr old.
I very much appreciate the review, I would just have picked a different person is all. He didn't seem to want to play it at all. Read the survivor thingy he posted before that.
I would rather have someone who was into way into EU or UO when it came out review the game. Coming from other types of games is a very difficult adjustment, especially todays gamer who is spoiled from easy MMORPGs and high-graphic solo games. They definitely tend to raise the bar higher imo but lower in areas that do not matter for many of us old-school gamers.
But if you have someone review it who already likes that kind of game, the review will be biased. But I also agree with you. Honestly we have to accept that reviews will be biased (like Anthony Lane's review of "Watchmen" in the New Yorker which was horrific, and barely deserved the minimal honor of being called a review). The only way a review can be in the middle is when the writer understands where the media in question is coming from artistically, but isn't already a fan of other, similar media.
Comments
As someone who's been on this infernal MMO train since it first set off, I share your love of grinding. I absolutely loathe this new-fangled questing nonsense, spending 80% of my time traveling (!!) between areas where I have to kill 10 rogue beavers and collect forty bushels of corn. Give me a good camp with lots of baddies and I'm in gaming heaven. Maybe I should give Darkfall a try.
Nice, honest review. Something of note towards your thoughts on full loot. Duping is bad in general, if that was implimented for ideally non-worthless items it could be easily exploited and ruin the economy.
It should also be noted that every wearable/consumeable item in the game can be crafted. Also maybe one of the most interesting aspects of the game being sieging, you can lay siege to one of an enemy guilds' holdings (city/hamlet) and take it over if you win. Some of the fights are hundreds vs hundreds, which is why some of the cosmetics of the game are not quite 'there' for 2011.
Loading that many particles (spell effects plus high poly count character models) doesn't allow for many facial variations, hitboxes (only front and back), or model complexity (although everyone looks cool in mixed dragon armor and some of the other better gear variations imo) and still be able to withstand latency issues. With aiming being a factor lag is a lot more unforgiving. Anyways, just some additional thoughts I felt could be added.
quit playing games that have no potential of being good.
darkfall has a trial
http://www.darkfallonline.com/trial
http://www.lordsofdeath.com
I don't mean to be rude but I doubt that someone who is 20 is old enough to see their vision and what they are doing unless you have been gaming since you were born . .. I guess but still most of my favorite games would be considered crap by todays average 20 yr old.
I very much appreciate the review, I would just have picked a different person is all. He didn't seem to want to play it at all. Read the survivor thingy he posted before that.
I would rather have someone who was into way into EU or UO when it came out review the game. Coming from other types of games is a very difficult adjustment, especially todays gamer who is spoiled from easy MMORPGs and high-graphic solo games. They definitely tend to raise the bar higher imo but lower in areas that do not matter for many of us old-school gamers.
NEWS FLASH! "A bank was robbed the other day and a man opened fire on the customers being held hostage. One customer zig-zag sprinted until he found cover. When questioned later he explained that he was a hardcore gamer and knew just what to do!" Download my music for free! I release several albums per month as part of project "Thee Untitled" . .. some video game music remixes and cover songs done with instruments in there as well! http://theeuntitled.bandcamp.com/ Check out my roleplaying blog, collection of fictional short stories, and fantasy series... updated on a blog for now until I am finished! https://childrenfromtheheavensbelow.blogspot.com/ Watch me game on occasion or make music... https://www.twitch.tv/spoontheeuntitled and subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUvqULn678VrF3OasgnbsyA
LOL
Game is many times more fun by wearing your best stuff at all times. It's how I have played since I rerolled my character and I have never grind, but get my skills/stats up as I craft and visit mobs for certain mats. My gear isn't even that good but I find it a lot of fun with the approach that I have to this game. I tried the approach that many people have and did not have fun . .. you know the macroing, not wearing gear you dont want to lose, etc. The most grinding that I ever did was about 12 hours over a week period of debuffing mobs (now that theres meditation it should fix this when they adjust the means of earning points . .. probably will get them from quests and stuff as they are revamping the entire questing system).
The adrenaline rush is much more intense by having this approach that I've had since I rerolled (over a year ago I rerolled and did a trial for fun to see how the grind is these days). Emotional highs and lows are more extreme with the more risks that you are willing to take. You win a hell of a lot more if you are willing to take risks too.
; )
NEWS FLASH! "A bank was robbed the other day and a man opened fire on the customers being held hostage. One customer zig-zag sprinted until he found cover. When questioned later he explained that he was a hardcore gamer and knew just what to do!" Download my music for free! I release several albums per month as part of project "Thee Untitled" . .. some video game music remixes and cover songs done with instruments in there as well! http://theeuntitled.bandcamp.com/ Check out my roleplaying blog, collection of fictional short stories, and fantasy series... updated on a blog for now until I am finished! https://childrenfromtheheavensbelow.blogspot.com/ Watch me game on occasion or make music... https://www.twitch.tv/spoontheeuntitled and subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUvqULn678VrF3OasgnbsyA
i thought this game already died.
Fair review. I don't agree with your statement on full loot though, I consider it a big plus. Your suggestion to make it less harsh could be exploited a lot aswell; allies could kill eachother in order to duplicate items.
Anyway, why doesn't this review go along with new screenshots of the updated graphics?! You set the graphics as a clear negative point in your review, but aren't showing the significant improvements that have been made, and instead show pre-beta screenshots?
This is of course total rubbish. Even I, that played the game for no more than 3 months, did use the best equipment when went to do some PvP. Only when I gathered resourced I rarely had anything other than the pick axe. Why dont you check out one of the numerous PvP vidoes on youtube, where you could easily see that all the players actually wear the best gear they could.
REALITY CHECK
Marmite is made of yeast, not beef
i've been playing darkfall for around 8 month's now and wish i had find it earlier..
This game have everything openworld pvp, seabattles, citybuilding, openloot, no tab target ( swing where ya hit ) economie based on the people crafting skills, player housing, and ofcourse the adrenaline rush while playing this game..
grafhics, most of people playing darkfall can't even play it on full mode.. because of the fps but the grafhics are not bad there really nice..
Poeple have comments of the game by playing darkfall for 2/3 month's and expect to have seen everything.. no deal here.
I don't even have see everything in darkfall..
don't see any difference between either leveling your char up from 1-80 or getting up skills (darkfall)
Yes darkfall is hardcore game and won't appeal to all. The combat system is skill based and not enterly about the stats..
I see poeple walking around with a 2 month's old char killing vets in darkfall. so its possible.
I do agree on the player base of darkfall which needs a boost.. the game would be must more enjoyble with more players.
Besides the fact that most of players don't attack newbies..
I had to laugh when you had the balls to say many people enjoy grinding. No one enjoys grinding, though some people endure it if the end result is worth it. Poor graphics and animations are definitely a negative but if the gameplay is solid easily overlooked. A poor ui however can be a deal breaker, coupled with what sounds like only having one true "bestest" skill layout makes me happy i wasted no time on this. Sounds like a grindfest watered down version of shadowbane minus the rubberbanding,sb.exe crashes,and mouse click movement.
I beg to differ here, that-s what people claim but its not true, in fact its quiet the contrary to me.
Combat system is made in such a way all the fps aspect that could have made it skillfull have been taken from the designers. Did you ever asked why in hell everyone use magic in this game, they are no blade fight, no archery fight whatsoever. Blade and bow are just there as an addition to magery, why is that? did you ever asked you why, after all anyone can feely use swords or bow, why nobody do so as their main playstyle? Because it is just a shooter game, so people shoot spell, just like they woudl have used machine gun in a shooter game. There combat system is crapy period, swords are useless, people only use the 360degree twirl move and magery thats all. When you fight with same gear, same character skill with blade you will end in a tight everytime, because there is no way in hell your player skill could influence the combat. Put 2 guys in front of each other and have them macro, or have them run around like mad monky with their uber twitch skill it would be the same result. NO skill is involved, there is no dodge but for magery because it is range stuff so you have all the fucking time needed to make you little twitch move to sprint from the spells bolts. In close combat this is a nono. This is not about player skill i'm sorry, go play Mount and Blade and see the difference by yourself. The combat system is just a shooter game with magery in place of machine guns. Honestly such a waste of everyoen time, the dev for making that, they could have make just a cheap shooter for 3 years and sell it, why did it took them 10years to make this, and its a waste for us player because they just deliver us shitty product. So yes if you don't want to use magic the combat system is about stat and gear stat, nothing else, everyone knows it, and everyone is playing accordingly to that.
aint marmite left over beer lol..
Anyway Darkfall is so much bett than it was.. the grind when released was jsut crazy.
I recently came back a few weeks back and now the game is so much better your skills progress at a good rate and you can get competitive in group pvp within a few weeks.. Sure you wont take on the vets that ahve been around since start 1on1 but this is an MMORPG your character develops over time so did theirs...
I play the game without macroing and have great fun going out hunting different mobs and the guild im in also lots of PVP action nearly every night..
Player built houses is prob not a good idea esp if you can build them where u want.. the world would just be covered with them.. maybe certain zones in the world where u could build would be ok..
I have been playing Darkfall 'Casually' since launch.
Reading your review was intresting... a few points I would like to mention.
Regarding the graphics, yes there abit dated but does graphics matter at the expense of gameplay... darkfall has gameplay while graphics are all well and good without that gameplay you are nothing.. I ask you whats easyer... improving graphics or improving gameplay?
With there motion capture studio and improved textures of late... I dont have a problem with the graphics and expect the new player models / armour types etc to bring the graphics up a notch.
Regarding the Looting system.... Sorry I have to shoot down your idea... ONE thing (a big one).. If you dont fear loosing your stuff then you loose what makes darkfall exiting... Also any system that limmets what you can loot and removes the loss is exploitable and carebear which is not what darkfall is about... Simple system and if you cant take it then you should not play. Low to mid level gear is so easy to come by most players trash it.. and vets often will only loot regs, gold, and enchanting mats.
You failed to mention the impending expantion that is set to fix the issues regarding the must be a jack of all trades issue.
Regarding the grind...
Yes there is a long long... Long LONG grind but Its only so much a grind if you make it one.. A player can be quite viable with some skills such as a good melee mastery, mid level utility spells etc..
The slowest grind is that of stats in this game, it takes alot of time to get your stats up to max...
But reall the grind to be pvp viable is only a few good weeks of playing... DF is a multi player RPG game so expecting to be a god on your own is not going to happen when you could be rolled by a large group at any time!.
Join a guild and enjoy the game the way it is.... The servers are not as quite as people make out... Its not launch numbers but there is a healthy player base and its growing... Look at it this way if everyone who doesnt play because they think the population is too low played there would not be a low population lol...
O... And Marmite is yeast extract and contains no meat... Bovril is more like beef.. yet this is also a none meat product... and for the record Marmite is horrible.
Playing: Rift, LotRO
Waiting on: GW2, BP
@Sid_Vicious: I thought it was a fair and balanced re-review, albeit more a preview rather than a full blown re-review
even though I do not play Darkfall. The re-review should have compared the state of DF then to how it is now, and also included a fuller range of what is possible in the game (sand wise). That said, there were a couple of points that I think should have been changed and/or included:
1. Open loot - both a Plus and a Con. One of the reasons I was attracted to Eve Online - how this [open loot] gaming mechanic was implemented within the game's philiosophy of player control of territory and resources I really liked the implementation of high sec and low sec space (you CAN be killed even in 1.0 space - but you will also be destroyed by NPC ships guarding 1.0 space) - but I think that Aventurine need to tweek to the alignment system to stop blue players assisting red players without penalty i.e. turning them gray.
2. Fails to properly consider the vault system and it's mantra: use only what you can afford to lose (in Eve, fly only what you can afford to lose), and bank, bank, bank, spare items, gold, equipment, before venturing out. No need to change the system (duplication of items is a BAD idea) rather than change one's mindset.
3. No discussion on the range of activities inc. PvE, in Darkfall (such as they are)
I'll keep DF in mind, for such time in the future than when I have more than 4 hours a week play-time available, but the deal-breakers for me are points (3) & (5) in Polarisation's 'Cons' list.
"If you think I'm plucky and scrappy and all I need is love, you're in way over your head. I don't have a heart of gold or get nice. There are a lot nicer people coming up. We call them losers."
You can't. That's DF's #1 issue at the moment, adding diversification to character development. Prestige Classes are supposedly going to address this issue in the next expansion, but we'll see how it goes...
Rockgod yes you can log in wear heavy armour and melee and be viable, it's called Destroyer and you gain 30-40%(?) more damage v.s. anyone with a staff out. Protections on armour have been raised and mean more now, a guy in Full plate takes like 15-20 damage from a decently leveld spell. Ofcourse to be truely competitive you'd want witches brew and archery however. Destroyers mostly shine in group fights where they can easily come at the back of any spell casters not paying attention and rape.
You can not design an archer type as it stands. You've got a few choices though. You can pick from aquashot (underwater), jumping shot, manashield, mage killer/hunter. Archery these days is considered one of the highest DPS, it's all about your aiming though. I wouldn't say you'd be competitive as an archer alone.. you'd get wrecked if someone got close.
Upcoming expansion we're going to have prestiege classes which should throw the current 'use any ability' thing off the map.
Playing: Rift, LotRO
Waiting on: GW2, BP
yup! totally agree with you mate
those two elements really killed it for me. Heart breaking!
I really loved almost everything about Darkfall, but there were certain aspects I just could not stand. The focus on PvP, full loot, and the FPS combat system were all GREAT in my opinion and created a feeling of immersion I have not felt in another MMO since Ultima Online.
Unfortunately the massive grind and total imbalance between newer players and veterans eventually made the game unplayable to me.
Open Loot is NOT a con!
I haven't seen everything in Darkfall and have been playing almost 2 years . ... I've seen about 70% of the map and about half of the dungeons. Many places in the world I have not seen for a year or more. Most of the new content that came out I haven't seen yet .. . treasure maps, ice dragon, etc. I haven't even capped a sea-tower yet and that came out long ago.
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It is so refreshing to see this much buzz on the review I love it. It just shows you how many people are actually interested in DarkFall. I have been playing this game for quite sometime now and I can tell you first hand that there isnt another game out there that can compete with its game play. With just a few additions and upgrades this will truely be the modern day Ultima Online. All I hope is that they dont fall into the carebear players crys and end up making a trammel. Its funny how the players that call it too harsh are the ones who are still playing the game. Its a rush to play and guess what your not always gonna win like you do with other games.
Rondor Kinsmith
Easy Company
NA Server
Do you think it's like if Urkel was reviewing Harley Davidson motorcycles and leather jackets?
But if you have someone review it who already likes that kind of game, the review will be biased. But I also agree with you. Honestly we have to accept that reviews will be biased (like Anthony Lane's review of "Watchmen" in the New Yorker which was horrific, and barely deserved the minimal honor of being called a review). The only way a review can be in the middle is when the writer understands where the media in question is coming from artistically, but isn't already a fan of other, similar media.