Alpha First Look: Video 5 - Quests and Combat

[Taika]

Since you're not a fan of quest based leveling, I guess you don't like side quest.

I assume you prefer killing endless waves of monsters without knowing anything about them, but you'll kill them anyways just for xp.

Don't get me wrong, I like quests and did all the side quests I could in both 1.0 and XI. I guess I should have written "I'm not a fan of quest based leveling as it's usually implemented", which is in a boring, grindy way. I guess having to do them to be able to level up is what kills the fun for me.

I did enjoy the quest based leveling system in TSW and I dream of a quest system that would be based on long storylines with lots of adventuring for both solo players and groups.

I guess I'm just disappointed they didn't create something special. And worried that the grindy quests will be the best option to level.

[ZakarnRosewood]

Don't get me wrong, I like quests and did all the side quests I could in both 1.0 and XI. I guess I should have written "I'm not a fan of quest based leveling as it's usually implemented", which is in a boring, grindy way. I guess having to do them to be able to level up is what kills the fun for me.

I did enjoy the quest based leveling system in TSW and I dream of a quest system that would be based on long storylines with lots of adventuring for both solo players and groups.

I guess I'm just disappointed they didn't create something special. And worried that the grindy quests will be the best option to level.

From the sounds of things most of the quest leveling progression will only support a single class/job, especially if you do all of them. Its not like we have to create a whole new character to level another job so if we complete all the quests in one area, what's left for the other 6 or so classes? Class specific quests, leve quests, dungeons, and mob grinding. Could this be the balance you seek?

[Kiote]

The fact of the matter is, there is a difference between Side Quest, and Main Storylines. What you also saw in that video is a low level quest for players below level 12, and just like any other RPG they have side quest. Expect hundreds of them in ARR.

Apparently, you do not play Final Fantasy Games. Side quests are not simple, one objective throwaways. Side quests in Final Fantasy games are intricately weaved in to the story. The serve to bring greater amounts of depths to Secondary character. They expand upon the world in which the game takes place.

The kind of quests demoed in this video are not side quests. They are XP throw aways. They serve no purpose except to give Solo players a way to gain XP.

If you want a quest base leveling system, you have to do it right. You don't give players five quests that ask them to kill 5 different monster ten times. That's just solo grinding. You make quests that involve the developments of the region in which they take place. You have them lead players to interesting places and to meet knew characters.

If your "Quest" requires you to talk to the starting NPC more than doing anything else, it's not a Quest. It's an XP give away. There shouldn't be hundreds of Quests. There should be dozens of long progressive quests.

[Andrien]

Apparently, you do not play Final Fantasy Games. Side quests are not simple, one objective throwaways. Side quests in Final Fantasy games are intricately weaved in to the story. The serve to bring greater amounts of depths to Secondary character. They expand upon the world in which the game takes place.

The kind of quests demoed in this video are not side quests. They are XP throw aways. They serve no purpose except to give Solo players a way to gain XP.

If you want a quest base leveling system, you have to do it right. You don't give players five quests that ask them to kill 5 different monster ten times. That's just solo grinding. You make quests that involve the developments of the region in which they take place. You have them lead players to interesting places and to meet knew characters.

If your "Quest" requires you to talk to the starting NPC more than doing anything else, it's not a Quest. It's an XP give away. There shouldn't be hundreds of Quests. There should be dozens of long progressive quests.

Apparently you don't have a clue about what you're talking about.

I'll get straight to the point. Side Quest in Final Fantasy is optional. You don't have to do it, you don't have to get a Gold Chocobo, you don't have to get Lion Heart. throwaway quest right? because you don't need them to beat the game.

What they demoed was two quest aimed for Lv12 and below, what else do you expect from a 5min demo?

[Davy]

Apparently you don't have a clue about what you're talking about.

I'll get straight to the point. Side Quest in Final Fantasy is optional. You don't have to do it, you don't have to get a Gold Chocobo, you don't have to get Lion Heart. throwaway quest right? because you don't need them to beat the game.

What they demoed was two quest aimed for Lv12 and below, what else do you expect from a 5min demo?

Well Played Sir!!

[Maxthunder]

I think at least two people have mentioned this already, but Secret World has a really good quest based leveling system. I only played the beta but at least on those levels the quest were extremely well written and thought and they really brought some depth in to the game world and supported the main story. It felt weird at first because you could only have 3 quests open at a time but the system worked well and while doing the quests I actually remembered what I was doing and why.

I'm not a fan of quest based leveling in general and other than TSW I haven't played any MMO that has made it fun or enjoyable. I don't mind having quests that give you EXP in ARR but I'm worried about a couple of things:

1. Firstly, it seems that the quests are the main way to level. Normal mobs don't give you nearly any EXP at all so grinding isn't an option even if you'd prefer that (Yoshi mentioned this in some interview aswell). We'll see what the other options like guildleves and FATE will bring to the table, maybe they really are a valid option to the quest grind for those who prefer them.

2. Secondly, as seen on the video, the quest system is extremely boring. It's not about actually "questing" (read: adventuring), it's about following glowing arrows and blinking lights. You don't have to know anything about what's going on, just follow the signs and wait until you get your EXP reward. Yes, this is how it's done in so many other games, I know. But should we as players accept that as an excuse? I don't think so.

When I first read about making ARR leveling quest based I was honestly hoping for something new, enjoyable, next-gen MMO-questing experience. I imagined it would involve long storyline that would lead me to a journey through the world, one new area at a time, and interesting dungeons for both solo and group play for many different level ranges. Instead we got this.

Ill be honest without mob grind SE stands to lose as many as they gain if not more. The quest based leveling Im sorry I cant stand doing side quests so Yoshi is effectively gonna turn away a lot of players and thats not a good thing. There needs tyo be balance between quest leveling and mob grinding. I honestly dont see Yoshi finding a balace between the 2 and thats something he really needs to not just consider but damn well better do it.

[Andrien]

Ill be honest without mob grind SE stands to lose as many as they gain if not more. The quest based leveling Im sorry I cant stand doing side quests so Yoshi is effectively gonna turn away a lot of players and thats not a good thing. There needs tyo be balance between quest leveling and mob grinding. I honestly dont see Yoshi finding a balace between the 2 and thats something he really needs to not just consider but damn well better do it.

Mob grinding. You mean exp dungeons right? Yeah, yeah they have that.

[Maxthunder]

Mob grinding. You mean exp dungeons right? Yeah, yeah they have that.

Instanced exp dungeons is another thats gonna have some issues and no thats not what I meant. Now seeing you said it open world dungeons would be better than running thru an instanced dungeon and you dont have to worry about a cool down.

[Andrien]

Instanced exp dungeons is another thats gonna have some issues and no thats not what I meant. Now seeing you said it open world dungeons would be better than running thru an instanced dungeon and you dont have to worry about a cool down.

If that is not what you meant, then you're talking about mob grinding at any given place?(You can do this) Do you want to compete for exp mobs, camps, or both inside an open dungeon? I'm not sure what it is you want since you're not making yourself clear, but that seems to be the only option.

With that said, I'm not in favor of competing over something like exp mobs.

Now what issues will instance dungeons bring? Would you please shed light on that. Wait..(edit) there is a whole thread for that already..

[Davorok]

... I imagined it would involve long storyline that would lead me to a journey through the world, one new area at a time, and interesting dungeons for both solo and group play for many different level ranges. Instead we got this.

I guarantee ARR will have a Long Storyline that leads you on a journey through the world (it is the Main Scenario Story).

I guarantee after you finish the sidequests in one area, you will be sent to New Areas with higher level mobs with new sidequests.

I guarantee there are Solo and Group Dungeons for many different level ranges. (well maybe not a lot for solo).

Personally, I am very happy that there will be 1000's of quests as that is what I most like to do, esp when I only have 1-2 hours to play I can just knock off a few sidequests and still make some progress.
When I have more time to play (weekends), that is when I'll try Dungeons, Raids and other group content.

I like the way ARR is shaping up as it looks like there will always be plenty of things to do. I'm not sure how much will be available at Launch but here is a partial list of things I am looking forward to:

Main Story Quests
Side Quests
FATE system
NM Hunting
Dungeon Crawling
Primal Battles (5 at launch?)
Chocobo Raising
Personal/Company Housing
Crystal Tower
Casino
Labyrinth of Bahamut
General Exploration (New Areas & Maps)
Leveling Classes & Jobs (I only have 3 at 50 and I will certainly make new characters as well)
Gathering
Crafting
Materia Melding
Content Finder (I hate shouting for parties)

...and of course more content will be added with future patches and expansions.