Disclaimer: Note that a great deal of this is subjective, so bear that in mind. In addition, I'm referring to Star Trek Online as it was at launch. I haven't played it since that point, so I can't speak for its current version, nor do I believe it's germane to the point here since we're discussing the state of The Old Republic when it launches, presumably.
Considering the fact that that the main draw of The Old Republic (for me and many others, if you read the official forums) is the fully voiced Bioware-style storyline that I, as a KotOR fan, would love to see implemented (successfully) in an online game, it's really a bit unfair to juxtapose it with Star Trek Online, which had little in the way of fully voiced, engaging multiple outcome plots from what I recall. Much of Star Trek Online's gameplay was space-centric, too. What ground based combat existed was clunky and stupefyingly simplistic from my perspective, although I'm not the only person who has voiced that sentiment from what I've heard from others on various forums and in the game when I played. What I have observed of TOR's footage so far (recent builds, anyway) looks to transcend STO's combat greatly in terms of complexity and implementation.
(There will be three chapters for each class in TOR, with the first chapter ostensibly being
longer than the original KotOR. I don't know what they used as a benchmark for the playthrough time on KotOR, but, regardless, that sounds pretty long considering we have eight base classes. As I said, this is the main enticement of the game for me.)
Starship combat in STO felt very insular due to the zoning limitations, and since the vast majority of my time was spent in space, this was extremely detrimental to my overall enjoyment. Sector space completely negated the intrigue and mystique of space "exploration" as it was presented in the television series. Of course, then Cryptic added "exploration" missions, which turned out to just be random grinding/collection quests that were rehashing the same graphics from other missions with just a slight adjustment, such as the layout of the map or the color hue of the geometry. It didn't feel as if I was exploring at all.
I quit at level twenty six, so I'm sure someone more knowledgeable about STO could offer a better overview of the game's abysmal launch state, but everything I've seen from TOR contravenes the notion that it will be in as dire a state as STO was at launch (there is beta footage floating about as well). Rift would even be a better comparison in terms of gameplay mechanics, but neither Rift nor Star Trek Online had fully voiced over quests and a main story that you follow, which is what I'm counting on to contrast TOR with its competitors.
Combat in TOR is not groundbreaking, I admit, based on the footage I've seen, but I'm hoping Bioware can take what they have and polish it extensively so that we don't have a buggy release. (Although feedback from fans who played it recently seems to be on an
overall positive note.)
Granted, Bioware had the opportunity to showcase content they wanted people to see, so I will concede that point. Still, there were commentators who played the game offering complaints, and those are worth a read, certainly, as well. I'm not blind to the game's faults. I'm simply hoping for the best. I'm a little disappointed that there will be no swimming in the game at launch and the lack of a day/night cycle, just as two examples.)
You could make the argument that space combat in TOR will be severely lacking (and I wouldn't contend that point, personally, as it's single player at the moment), but it's not mandatory in relation to your primary quest line, from what I understand. It's completely optional.
Also, if you are looking for more detailed answers about The Old Republic, I would suggest you
look here for all available knowledge compiled on the game to this point. (Regularly updated.)
If you want a game to revolutionize many of the pivotal staples of the MMO industry (the "trinity" and associated combat mechanics), I concur that The Old Republic probably won't give you what you're looking for; however, in my case, I'd like a solid Bioware-style presentation translated into an MMO environment (that it's Star Wars makes it even more appealing to me personally) so I can enjoy a more cinematic experience with some of my fellow Star Wars fans (and good friends).
Am I purporting this to be THE industry changing MMORPG that people have been waiting for? Not by a long shot. I haven't played it personally, so I certainly don't have the authority or desire to make such a ludicrous claim. With that said, while I typically like sandbox games, this might be the one theme park style MMO that I'll actually derive some enjoyment from if Bioware succeeds in adhering to their promises ("if" being the operative term here). Like many people who have weathered the spate of banal mediocrity that we call "launch" for numerous MMO releases over the years (I started playing in 2003 with Star Wars Galaxies), I, too, have become jaded and cynical.
Right now I'm not even playing an MMO, as I mentioned in an earlier post. If this one doesn't finally appeal to me, I might be on an extended hiatus from the MMO industry in general. If this game isn't multiboxer-friendly, that would serve as a deterrent, too, I admit, as I don't think I can last in an MMO game where I can't dual-box at the very least.
Originally Posted by Gomotron
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