Star Wars: The Old Republic - Now Free to Play
Posted: 2012-11-16 12:00pm
Well, STO got a thread for it, why not TOR?
I was never interested enough to play the game when it was sub-only, but I did download it (Jesus fucking Christ 25+ gigs???) now that I can just pop in whenever and check it out. And...well it's pretty meh. I think I'll just copy and paste my post on it from elsewhere:
So I started playing The Old Republic now that it's F2P. And honestly it's a little meh. I mean I suppose the story choices and stuff may or may not set it apart the further along it goes, but right now it just feels too much like World of Star Warscraft with more dialogue branches and voice acting.
It certainly isn't helped that EA/BioWare have really, really bullshitted the F2P thing. You only get 5 "Medical Probes" which can revive you on the spot for the entire length of your character - unless you pay for it in the cash shop or sub up. Otherwise? Bullshit MedCenter which makes you have to run back like WoW. Oh and when you hit Level 10 they reduce your XP gain unless you buy XP boosts in the cash store or sub. And you can't even motherfucking use the sprint command (unless you buy it with cash or at Level 15 with in-game Credits) which makes all the "run back and forth" questing really, really tedious. Well, moreso than it otherwise would be.
It's also kind of stupid with the Standard MMO Convention of shit newbie gear. Here I am, an Elite Republic Trooper just assigned to the Best of the Best special forces squad. So naturally when they send me to a warzone I show up completely without armor and wearing a long-sleeve shirt and pants. Uh huh...
Honestly I think I'll stick with STO. As annoying as lockboxes are, their F2P isn't totally gimping you with petty bullshit meant to annoy you into a sub or at least cash store purchases. And I far, far prefer their uniform system so you don't have to look like a lowbie scrub when you just start the game. Sure the armor and kits do get more impressive looking when you level but they do manage to look like respectable armor, and actually showing them is entirely optional and most people don't even bother. So you can look like a respectable Starfleet Officer right out of the gate.
I am getting one of those rebate debit cards relatively soon-ish though. Maybe I'll play TOR with their money for a sub to see if the various storylines (which is what everyone likes to rave about with that game) will actually make it worthwhile to either A) sub for reals or B) put up with the nickel-and-dime F2P bullshit.
I was never interested enough to play the game when it was sub-only, but I did download it (Jesus fucking Christ 25+ gigs???) now that I can just pop in whenever and check it out. And...well it's pretty meh. I think I'll just copy and paste my post on it from elsewhere:
So I started playing The Old Republic now that it's F2P. And honestly it's a little meh. I mean I suppose the story choices and stuff may or may not set it apart the further along it goes, but right now it just feels too much like World of Star Warscraft with more dialogue branches and voice acting.
It certainly isn't helped that EA/BioWare have really, really bullshitted the F2P thing. You only get 5 "Medical Probes" which can revive you on the spot for the entire length of your character - unless you pay for it in the cash shop or sub up. Otherwise? Bullshit MedCenter which makes you have to run back like WoW. Oh and when you hit Level 10 they reduce your XP gain unless you buy XP boosts in the cash store or sub. And you can't even motherfucking use the sprint command (unless you buy it with cash or at Level 15 with in-game Credits) which makes all the "run back and forth" questing really, really tedious. Well, moreso than it otherwise would be.
It's also kind of stupid with the Standard MMO Convention of shit newbie gear. Here I am, an Elite Republic Trooper just assigned to the Best of the Best special forces squad. So naturally when they send me to a warzone I show up completely without armor and wearing a long-sleeve shirt and pants. Uh huh...
Honestly I think I'll stick with STO. As annoying as lockboxes are, their F2P isn't totally gimping you with petty bullshit meant to annoy you into a sub or at least cash store purchases. And I far, far prefer their uniform system so you don't have to look like a lowbie scrub when you just start the game. Sure the armor and kits do get more impressive looking when you level but they do manage to look like respectable armor, and actually showing them is entirely optional and most people don't even bother. So you can look like a respectable Starfleet Officer right out of the gate.
I am getting one of those rebate debit cards relatively soon-ish though. Maybe I'll play TOR with their money for a sub to see if the various storylines (which is what everyone likes to rave about with that game) will actually make it worthwhile to either A) sub for reals or B) put up with the nickel-and-dime F2P bullshit.