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True Fantasy Live Online - Still Xbox's Killer MMO App?
Thanks to XBN for its in-depth preview of Level 5's Japanese-developed Xbox MMORPG, True Fantasy Live Online, the long-in-development Microsoft funded title which is finally "hitting Xbox Live in early summer 2004." The piece points out that Level 5's RPG portfolio "...is stunningly impressive; in addition to Microsoft's Fantasy, the studio is developing the Dark Cloud series for Sony and Dragon Quest VIII for Square Enix", before speaking to chief game designer Akihiro Hino, who "believes it's possible to play and enjoy a noncombat character without fighting for the entirety of a lifeline in Fantasy", and the article ends by boldly claiming: "Fantasy already has more environments, enemies, vehicles, items, skills, classes, monsters, pets, and foods than any console RPG to date." Are you remotely, significantly, or excessively excited about this Xbox Live exclusive title?
Checking out the article, it looks nice. But I wonder how many people may buy it mistaking it for a Final Fantasy title?
pure nonsense
people clock up hours on both games because they prefer one to the other
you need depth *and* gameplay not one or the other
why do you think counterstrike doesn't have just 1 weapon and 1 map?
DAOC, for instance, had less item depth, each class at each level has an optimum set of kit. Part of the fun of Everquest was the array of items. Even though I was a specialist in 2H Axe I used to carry a set of thulian claws and a rapier. I could then choose whether to deal damage or interrupt casting. No such need in DAOC, the scope of your activity was much less.
I have played quite a few MMOs and EQ has by far the best items. We'd often just go on an adventure to get specific items even though we didn't really need them because that was the fun.
The real variety needs to be in the way the MOBs fight the party. DOACs approach was poor in this area. It wasn't until I hit level 36 that there was any difference in the way one pulls and kills the mobs (chain pulling the pygmies). However, the game was really aimed at PVP so it's slightly excusable.
As for this game, I couldn't care less.
EQ2 is the one the hardcore people are waiting for.
There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
Well, I can think of a few reasons:
- The Xbox is now only 149.00. If you have an out of data machine, you may spend at least that much to upgrade it.
- Ease of use. Some people may not like to use a computer, but they love video games. Open the DVD tray, drop the game in, and off you go.
half of the "new" titles coming out for the X-Box are three year old PC titles?
If you can show me that Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow, Steel Batallion, or Doom III (coming in June) have been out for three years, then I'll give you credit. Otherwise, nice troll attempt.
"Well, I am mad, and I'm a crazy fucka when it comes to tea"
An XBox costs less than a reasonable CPU upgrade
Less than most decent 3d video cards
Less than a new motherboard and ram
Less than a case, hard drive, and power supply
So the better question is, (and as a Mac user, I get this *all* the time), why should I spend more on a PC when an XBox is 90% as good?
GPL Deconstructed
> Part of the fun of Everquest was the array of
;)
:) I stopped playing EQ 9 months ago and hadn't seen BTC's for years at that point.
> items.
Sort of. There was still always an "absolute best" that every gamer insisted on owning. The only time weapons varied were when new expansions released and people were finding new gear.
I'm not sure that there's a real solution for it. You mentioned DAoC, and they had a novel idea of giving different weapons varying effectiveness against different types of armor. I think something like that is a good start for a system that rewards all weapon choices.
Finding some way to require skill to inflict damage instead of just hitting auto-attack and damaging as dictated by an arbitrary damage rating would help too. Again, DAoC had a fair idea for this with their style system as indicated by how many games are now copying the idea.
But I agree, it still isn't quite nirvana yet. I'd like to see an MMOG utilize some form of rag doll physics.
> Even though I was a specialist in 2H Axe I used
> to carry a set of thulian claws and a rapier.
Wow, when was that.. 1999?