Short version: Very good beta.
Long version
The soul system is impressive but what really stunned me is the role, truly a fantastic idea. As a casual player, I play mostly solo. Now, I will have my solo build, my group build and my PvP build. Done being useless in group because my build is solo oriented. I am so happy with this system that will allow me to finally be useful in a group.
I played only warrior up to level 19 and think I will roll a warrior at release.
I think Trion did a good job with this unexpected game. They really implanted all the goodies from other games.
I played on a PvP Rp server and did not have lag expect few moments at day 1 of Beta. I participated to several public group and we were sometimes 20 to 30 people fighting an invasion and did not see any lag. I played on my laptop which is good but nevertheless the game does not require high end system.
On the less positive side, I played day time on Thursday and we were not that many playing. It is true that fewer invasions occurred but it was very very tough for 2 to 3 players to close a gate. Knowing this, you need to start playing at release and follow the wave. It will be tougher for players after release to participate to fun public group and consequently unlock souls. Trion really needs to address this issue and see that mobs strenght should be adjusted on the number of players in the area.
Crafting is similar to WoW while resources’ gathering is easier (at least at early level). Even on crowded area, I found plenty of nodes because respawned rate was fast. I also did some armorship which allows me to create useful armors. That is one of usual concern with crafting, what you create is never par to what you can find while playing or quests gifts. In Rift the armors I created were good at least few hours. We shall see if crafting is useful, certainly it is more entertaining that EQ2 that have the worst crafting system I ever experienced.
Graphics: I found graphics ok but since I play on my laptop it was just fine. I am not so interested in graphics as long as it is smooth.
Combat: this is what I care about; I like combat in WoW and Rift has the same responsiveness. My only concern is that the world is really packed with mobs, hence it is difficult to avoid agro and respawn rate is fast. There is not many safe spots in the wilderness and you cannot relax a lot between fights.
Public group: great concept, worked well in the Beta.
Questing: same as WoW but easier because of the map support provided. In WoW you need to look at external web site to find where to go etc. No need to do this in Rift which is good and convenient for casual players.
I never pre-order a game, this time, I did it and I will likely start playing at day 1 on a PvP RP server. We shall see what will be end game but I really care little about end game. I will need at least 4 to 6 months to reach max level so by then they will have fixed the reported issues.
I might be wrong but I have a feeling that Trion cares about there customers and are not trying to impose us their bloody vision. It always surprised me that games developers talk about their vision and what they want us to do. Hey, I am the £¢¤¢¤¬ customer here, I will tell you what I want not the reverse. It’s like going to the restaurant and the chef tells you what you will eat tonight. Now if Trion stay pro-active and pleased the customers, we might have a winner and not a so-called niche game which is a polite description of a failed AAA game. If your customers stop playing, you did something wrong, then you need to adjust yourself and make the changes they want.
Anyway, sorry for the long text
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Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils ...
- Louis Hector Berlioz
