Alpha First Look: Video 5 - Quests and Combat

[Ruisu]

Out of context? The first quest in that video had 11 lines worth of dialogue. You're telling me that's a quality quest? 10 of those with voice acting counterweights 290 more of those?

I have high standards is all, and it's one of the main factors I don't play Terra/WoW/Aion and so on. I hate that type of Quest system.

OH NO. A SIDEQUEST HAS LITTLE DIALOGUE. Not everyone is going to pour their heart out to you when you're taking on jobs. Not all dialogue is going to be the best.

What the hell are you all expecting for quests? Seriously, aside from the kill X to whatever, everything I've seen in ARR looks more or less like whatever XI had.

Kill specific person. Interact with object on the field to spawn enemies. Grab certain items that drop from mobs.

Since everyone heralds FFXI to be the most elaborate quest design ever, here's something to take note of:

It's the same goddamn thing.

[Biggs]

Square-Enix doesn't need to reinvent the wheel, but they can at least create a sturdy quality based product rather then churning out hundreds of wobbly unfinished ones. Sending characters on adventures through the world to explore, to undertake grand assignments to better the realm. These are the things I want.

Aside from all all the jokes we could make in 20 seconds about pouring booze in a moist depression, ( greatest quest request ever!!) you have safely determined from that 5 minute video that none of what you are looking for will be in the game..... Impressive.

[Zezlar]

OH NO. A SIDEQUEST HAS LITTLE DIALOGUE. Not everyone is going to pour their heart out to you when you're taking on jobs. Not all dialogue is going to be the best.

What the hell are you all expecting for quests? Seriously, aside from the kill X to whatever, everything I've seen in ARR looks more or less like whatever XI had.

Kill specific person. Interact with object on the field to spawn enemies. Grab certain items that drop from mobs.

Since everyone heralds FFXI to be the most elaborate quest design ever, here's something to take note of:

It's the same goddamn thing.

To be honest the only MMO that i've ever found normal quests to be satisfying is Runescape. Yeah the Java game. Final Fantasy XI has quests that sucked too, but it masked the suckyness decently well with the cut-scenes. Anyways i'll end with that since there is always the thought that ARR could have what I want.

[valetarkus]

Is it just me did any of you make is past level 7 on GW2? I thought the leveling in that game was boring as hell... I much prefer wow quest/dungeon leveling to GW2 leveling. On the other hand the GW2 events which 14 will have will be badass really excited for that.

Holy crap GW2 was super boring! (there are definitely good qualities i liked about it) but seriously just the way it was was just....lack of any other word...boring. I know what you mean.

[Psykotsu]

To be honest the only MMO that i've ever found normal quests to be satisfying is Runescape. Yeah the Java game. Final Fantasy XI has quests that sucked too, but it masked the suckyness decently well with the cut-scenes. Anyways i'll end with that since there is always the thought that ARR could have what I want.

Nostalgia is a game-developer's worst enemy.

[Hestern_Nestern]

We must be patient and prudent in these times of uncertain information. We don't know enough to say that this game will feature quests with little to no finesse or with repetitive elements.

On that same thimble, we also don't know enough to say that this game will feature quests with great heart and purpose that feels unique in every sunflower and sunshine way imaginable.

What we can say is how this video makes us feel. Some of us feel uneasy by the quests featured here. Others feel elated by the delicate touches of lore witnessed within the text bubbles. But ultimately we just don't know enough. Let's try not to make grand statements before we know more. I will freely admit that I don't know much, even if I felt compelled by the dialogue bubbles - and even in spite of my general dislike of "kill x of y" quests.

But I do know how the video made me feel. And I do know my hopes for this game and its quests.

We all can voice at least that much.

[Ruisu]

To be honest the only MMO that i've ever found normal quests to be satisfying is Runescape. Yeah the Java game. Final Fantasy XI has quests that sucked too, but it masked the suckyness decently well with the cut-scenes. Anyways i'll end with that since there is always the thought that ARR could have what I want.

Even Runescape quests were the same thing, if you boil it down. Aside from the cryptic puzzles, you were pretty much doing the same thing. As much as I regret to say, I did every single thing in Runescape as of 2005. One Small Request or whatever that quest was, and the Legend's Guild quest were the most elaborate of the quests and they were pretty much fetch quests in the same fashion as most other MMOs.

Not that I mind it at all, I just don't see why the "WoW-clone" quests are so looked down upon for being simplified versions of those said quests. Especially at earlier levels.

[Denmo]

There is no denial. It's clear that MMOs will use these quest systems. It just comes with being an MMO. Are you asking for quests like:

"Protect this valuable figure while he carries this valuable item, from point A to B!"
"Disguise yourself as these guys and listen in on this conversation to see what they are planning!"
"Make it to this switch in ? minutes before this devastating effect happens!"
"Talk to all these people, figure out who is not saying who they say they are!"

?

Hehe, I like your style.

"The chocobos are rowdy today! Would you mind playing with them while I clean their pens? *chocobo-minigame ensues*"

"We need you adventurers to jury this court case! The defendant is accused of stealing from the Miner's guild! His attorney? None other than Famous Lawyer Hildebrand! *OBJECTION!*"

"You! You are perfect for the part! I need you to stand in for my lead role! She broke her leg! GET OUT THERE. I DON'T CARE IF YOUR A MAN *tosses a dress at you*" *players must /emote at the right time or face eternal shame*

"I'm a ghost haunting this Inn room, and I won't leave until my wife reads this letter!"

"Here, take this contraption of mine and use it imbue these magical plates with the image of what's in front of them! I call it, Magi-picto-tek! Now go to each of these locations and take good photos!"

Quest where a player must infiltrate a squad of Magitek riding Garlean Soldiers, as they march north into frozen territory. *Cue opening credits and sad music* Biggs: "Yep, that's the target" Wedge: "You sure this is the new recruit? He looks kinda funny."

[Nayto]

To be honest the only MMO that i've ever found normal quests to be satisfying is Runescape. Yeah the Java game. Final Fantasy XI has quests that sucked too, but it masked the suckyness decently well with the cut-scenes. Anyways i'll end with that since there is always the thought that ARR could have what I want.

Of course runescape quests were good... they only churned up one or two a year. And most likely it's to either utilize another grind mechanic for you to use or is an actual storyline.... then your off grinding for half a year till the next quest comes.

And I hope you realized that they still have yet to hand out mainstoryline quests/class/guild quests etc.

[Psykotsu]

Even Runescape quests were the same thing, if you boil it down. Aside from the cryptic puzzles, you were pretty much doing the same thing. As much as I regret to say, I did every single thing in Runescape as of 2005. One Small Request or whatever that quest was, and the Legend's Guild quest were the most elaborate of the quests and they were pretty much fetch quests in the same fashion as most other MMOs.

Not that I mind it at all, I just don't see why the "WoW-clone" quests are so looked down upon for being simplified versions of those said quests. Especially at earlier levels.

It's simply because it's WoW. It's really that simple.