So I was able to test out The Old Republic this past weekend...

[CodeWeasel]

I'm not a very big fan of MMOs, or even RPGs in general (hell, the last time I played an MMO was when Galaxies was still around, and didn't suck), so let that be a fair warning to you all.

The main verdict is that it appears to be a re-skinned WoW. And I mean that both literally, as well as figuratively. I'm pretty sure it uses some variant of the same engine, in fact.

The big difference is that it has the attention to story (with high quality writing, cutscenes, and professional voice actors) that Bioware is known for, which is about the only plus the game has. Other than that, it's pretty much WoW, from what I can tell based on my blessedly short WoW experience. It even has the cartoony-feeling scenery.

Needless to say, I was pretty disappointed. I was hoping for a massively multiplayer KOTOR. I thought maybe it would be more than just:

1. Pick a side, Republic or Sith (*cough* Alliance or Horde *cough*)
2. Pick from a weak selection of classes (only 4, though you do specialize into one of two sub-classes after reaching level 10)
3. Now go run around killing baddies, collecting trinkets, and flipping switches! YAY!

One of the reasons I liked Galaxies so much was that there was so much variety in the paths open to you. In addition to the popular smuggler/trooper/bounty hunter classes, you could also be an entertainer, a miner, an architect/engineer, etc. And Force-sensitive players were rare! It actually did feel like you were living in the Star Wars universe, instead of just playing a video game alongside a bunch of other people. In TOR, pretty much 4 out of every 5 players was a Jedi of some kind. Whenever you're in a heavily populated area you almost literally hear nothing but lightsabers humming and being switched on and off.

I am disappoint. It's nothing like I'd hoped it would be. That, coupled with the fact that I have a real life where I'm grinding leet skills like new languages (Здравствуй, EOCF! Как это висит?) and other constructive hobbies, is why I won't be buying the game when it's released.

Of course, there's always Skyrim... but I don't like fantasy stuff, with orcs and hobbits and dragons, etc. I wanted Star Wars, ****it!

[Macro9]

I only managed to play it twice due to wait times. Got to level 8 on a Sith character.

I didn't really care for it. Standard MMO stuff and nothing really revolutionary. The cutscenes and voice acting are nice, but I need more than that to keep me interested. That all to familiar MMO gameplay doesn't do it.

I don't think I could justify buying it and paying a subscription when there are plenty of free to play games out there, many of them with years of fleshed out content and additions. There are even more on the horizon. The Secret World looks to be very interesting to me. If that turns out well I could see spending the money on it. Otherwise I'll stick to stuff like City of Heroes, and f2p games like Mechwarrior Online. Which isn't in the same category, but is riding the wave of f2p games that seem to be offering high quality fun for hardly any monetary investment.

[Amish]

It is more of the same but in the Star Wars universe.I dig it. I liked WoW though.

[CybrSlydr]

I'm not a very big fan of MMOs, or even RPGs in general (hell, the last time I played an MMO was when Galaxies was still around, and didn't suck), so let that be a fair warning to you all.

The main verdict is that it appears to be a re-skinned WoW. And I mean that both literally, as well as figuratively. I'm pretty sure it uses some variant of the same engine, in fact.

The big difference is that it has the attention to story (with high quality writing, cutscenes, and professional voice actors) that Bioware is known for, which is about the only plus the game has. Other than that, it's pretty much WoW, from what I can tell based on my blessedly short WoW experience. It even has the cartoony-feeling scenery.

Needless to say, I was pretty disappointed. I was hoping for a massively multiplayer KOTOR. I thought maybe it would be more than just:

1. Pick a side, Republic or Sith (*cough* Alliance or Horde *cough*)
2. Pick from a weak selection of classes (only 4, though you do specialize into one of two sub-classes after reaching level 10)
3. Now go run around killing baddies, collecting trinkets, and flipping switches! YAY!

One of the reasons I liked Galaxies so much was that there was so much variety in the paths open to you. In addition to the popular smuggler/trooper/bounty hunter classes, you could also be an entertainer, a miner, an architect/engineer, etc. And Force-sensitive players were rare! It actually did feel like you were living in the Star Wars universe, instead of just playing a video game alongside a bunch of other people. In TOR, pretty much 4 out of every 5 players was a Jedi of some kind. Whenever you're in a heavily populated area you almost literally hear nothing but lightsabers humming and being switched on and off.

I am disappoint. It's nothing like I'd hoped it would be. That, coupled with the fact that I have a real life where I'm grinding leet skills like new languages (Здравствуй, EOCF! Как это висит?) and other constructive hobbies, is why I won't be buying the game when it's released.

Of course, there's always Skyrim... but I don't like fantasy stuff, with orcs and hobbits and dragons, etc. I wanted Star Wars, ****it!

Sounds like I'll be skipping ToR then.

[Rudboy]

I had the opposite experience. I think the game is just fun as hell, I'm actually enjoying it more than Skyrim which was also fun. I haven't yet found any flaws.

[Amish]

I agree. Being an X-WoW player I have to say that Tor is it's own game as much as any current MMO can be these days. They all steal from each other. WoW is by no means original but whatever. I enjoyed WoW and I enjoy Tor even more. I mean it's Star Wars!

[ohm]

Everybody has there own opinion, so here is mine (for what it's worth)... been playing for a week (lvl 29) and I haven't had this much fun since Diablo II. My favorite part is the social aspect and cut scenes when playing w/ a group of friends. Haven't laughed my arse off this much since I quit smoking the funny stuff... well I did quit smoking cigarettes. And you get to send your companions out to farm crafting which saves me hours of running around lowbie areas and hanging out around the action houses. Almost forgot, need something to play besides Eve until PS2 and GW2 are released.

[Rudboy]

Yeah nothing but fun so far, I just can't focus on one toon. I usually do just that, but I really like all 3 of the my main classes (Sith Juggernaut, Mercenary, Jedi Counselor) I'm playing right now almost equally. This means I have to split my time between the three of them, which is a bonus really . . . keeps the pace down a bit so it take longer to get through the content (which is a good thing)

[makaveli-313]

If you liked the large amount of classes and/or complexity that came with SWG I don't think you'll be seeing that anytime soon in an MMO. Just doesn't appeal to a mass audience. I want to try out this game but atm WoW has me still hooked...not to mention I lack monies for 2 mmo subs..
- Former BH, Farstar EU :P