Nov
16
Weak in the knee
There has been a bit a drama…not much, but a bit regarding a recent “review” over at TTH of EQ2′s latest expansion RoK.
First, some background on the review itself. When I read the “review” the first thought in my mind was “Wow…that was quick.”, and I continued to read with that thought in my head. The article is good and gives a nice summary of what the expansion can offer to new and old players. I found this to be quite an odd statement to make for the review of the expansion:
Although it’s not specific to this expansion, combat in EQ2 has always been a sticky point for me. Players trigger a sequence of spells that create something called a Heroic Opportunity. Pulling of an HO grants some bonus in the form things like additional damage or group buffs. Groups have the ability to create more interesting and beneficial Heroic Opportunities, and that can become a fun exercise in teamwork. But in solo play HOs are nothing more than a lot of lather-rinse-repeat. I find them uninspired, which can make combat lackluster.
That mechanic has been in the game since 2004 and, honestly I have no idea why it’s mentioned specifically in this review…it kind of hits you from left field. Another thing that hit me was this statement:
Probably the biggest downer with Rise of Kunark, at least for long-time EQ2 players, is that the highly anticipated epic weapon quests that SOE has been talking about for some time were not ready for launch. Although Dalrymple told our group of touring reporters that they were “in for testing,” it was later announced that they would not, in fact, make it into Rise of Kunark. Alas, they will have to arrive via an update later on.
Here’s a question for everyone out there: if a feature has been pulled from an MMO, should that count against it in a review? My answer is that it shouldn’t, but I’m curious as to what everyone else thinks. Also, the most disappointing thing that I’ve been reading for the expansion for long time EQ2 players seems to be loot drops, experience in areas like Karnor?s Castle and group experience rewards…not the fact that they pulled the epic weapon quest features.
So, other than those two things, I think the review itself was informative for the audience that it was written for (…notice my wording there…).
Now some did not like the review or thought it wasn’t a review at all. Me, I’m handing everyone a cookie because this piece was not written for gamers like a Kendricke or a Tipa or a Darren or a Michael….it seems like it was written for someone who has either been away from EQ2 for a while or has never heard of it. I think there is enough generality and history in that article to make that kind of statement, honestly.
Maybe it should have been called a preview? I don’t know. Do I think it’s a review? No. I don’t think any publication (…for an expansion or not…) can have a thorough review the day after launch…and I honestly think that we as a “reporting” community should sit on these things for a couple weeks at a minimum…but now I’m talking crazy. Regardless what you call it; it still gives new players enough information to want to try this game out, which is what we all want in the end.
My thoughts on the RoK are still brewing in my head. If you want the short version, here it is: I like it. I think it was a huge win for SOE on multiple fronts. I’ll expand on that next week sometime.
D out.
