Comment Vanguard: Saga of Heroes (Score 1) 95
"Originally written by Sir Bruce - Also demoed at the ATI booth, V:SoH looks intriguing, but unfortunately their servers were down when I went to take a look at the title, so all they could show was a tour through some of the game world and dungeons to show off the artwork and level design. This title is highly anticipated by some of the MMOG hardcore, as it comes from ex-EverQuest developers Brad McQuaid and Jeff Butler, but aside from the graphics and the promise of in-game voice chat it does not seem to be very innovative over the original EQ1 design. The game is designed to be group-focused and highly challenging, which may mean it's too much of a time investment for the more casual MMOG player. If the game were coming out this year, I would have higher hopes for it, but I feel it may get lost behind the mass of other fantasy-themed MMORPG titles."
I wonder that Sir Bruce got any kind of an accurate representation of this game when the servers were down and he was unable to see many of the amazing qualities of Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. There are other videos that show a spectacular panorama of the game, as well as a visual look at the races starting on the three opening continents. Go here to see them and form your own opinions. (I can't post the direct URL, so be sure to click on SV's E3 coverage at the top to take you to the video links.)
Although I am a fan, I am first and foremost a reporter and feel my first loyalty in my news coverage is to the subscribing public. Having said that, I also have to say that this hardcore MMO group referred to in Sir Bruce's report has been following the game religiously since it was first a twinkle in Brad McQuaid's eyes. They have extracted as much as they could from the zealously guarded "sekret sauce" (an in-term for game developments).
In addition to videos, there is a seamless world, with little to no zoning, and it is HUGE. The crafting in this game is amazing, much more detailed and relevant than any other game I have heard of (with the possible exception of ATITD), and players can advance through crafting skills. The art of diplomacy, in addition to adventuring and crafting, rounds out the triumvirate of themes whereby a player can move ahead in levels.
All the characters are customizable with such lifelike appearance and movements that it is genuinely heart-stopping. Player-built homes will be a part of the game. PvP will be part of it as well, from the start, on special PvP servers, and although Sir Bruce is right about grouping being a major focus of Vanguard, there will be ample opportunity as well for the more casual player to solo. Instancing will be all but done away with in Vanguard and replaced by a mechanism that provides maps that drop from mobs and allow groups to move through exclusive pathways to treasured items and quests. Environment, NPC attitudes, skills acquired--these all impact on how the game plays for the individual. Grinding to level has been replaced by skill and knowledge.
Without writing an entire article myself, it is hard to tell you all the things I have observed and written about in the last year. I urge readers to check it out for themselves. And I respectfully invite Sir Bruce to take another look at what is available.
I wonder that Sir Bruce got any kind of an accurate representation of this game when the servers were down and he was unable to see many of the amazing qualities of Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. There are other videos that show a spectacular panorama of the game, as well as a visual look at the races starting on the three opening continents. Go here to see them and form your own opinions. (I can't post the direct URL, so be sure to click on SV's E3 coverage at the top to take you to the video links.)
Although I am a fan, I am first and foremost a reporter and feel my first loyalty in my news coverage is to the subscribing public. Having said that, I also have to say that this hardcore MMO group referred to in Sir Bruce's report has been following the game religiously since it was first a twinkle in Brad McQuaid's eyes. They have extracted as much as they could from the zealously guarded "sekret sauce" (an in-term for game developments).
In addition to videos, there is a seamless world, with little to no zoning, and it is HUGE. The crafting in this game is amazing, much more detailed and relevant than any other game I have heard of (with the possible exception of ATITD), and players can advance through crafting skills. The art of diplomacy, in addition to adventuring and crafting, rounds out the triumvirate of themes whereby a player can move ahead in levels.
All the characters are customizable with such lifelike appearance and movements that it is genuinely heart-stopping. Player-built homes will be a part of the game. PvP will be part of it as well, from the start, on special PvP servers, and although Sir Bruce is right about grouping being a major focus of Vanguard, there will be ample opportunity as well for the more casual player to solo. Instancing will be all but done away with in Vanguard and replaced by a mechanism that provides maps that drop from mobs and allow groups to move through exclusive pathways to treasured items and quests. Environment, NPC attitudes, skills acquired--these all impact on how the game plays for the individual. Grinding to level has been replaced by skill and knowledge.
Without writing an entire article myself, it is hard to tell you all the things I have observed and written about in the last year. I urge readers to check it out for themselves. And I respectfully invite Sir Bruce to take another look at what is available.
