1. This game has been heavily advertised for having a strong single-player element. If my theoretical subscription runs out (likely, since there is no way I'll pay hundreds of dollars, just to keep playing it year after year) and I can no longer connect to any servers, will I still be allowed to play this game on my own?
2. If there's a bright center to the universe of quality writing, Star Wars in general and that drearily awful computer animated series called Clone Wars in particular are the farthest from it. I won't even allow anyone to argue with me on that one, it as much a proven fact as.. I don't know.. evolution.
So generally speaking, it seems like all Star Wars franchise is undergoing a process of simplification. This rule somehow doesn't seem to apply to the KOTOR games, in particular KOTOR 2 which has one or two characters that have been written so decently that they alone lift up the entire game.
Now, I've sat down behind my you tube and watched playthroughs of The Old Republic (Jedi Knight, first forty minutes or so), and I can't really say I saw enough to make up my mind about the quality of writing.
Is this 'simplification' really still the case with The Old Republic, or does it have a lot of clever, fresh writing that's capable of provoking intrigue? I mean, I still expect to see a measure of bland Star Wars cliches, but KOTOR 2 for instance didn't do all that bad with it.
Two post-release questions.
Two post-release questions.
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1. Definite, sold, NO. (Unless it goes free to play within X years, but nothing indicates that.) However, the other players can be happily ignored, if you so choose.
2. Don't judge it by those playthroughs, since due to the nature of the game, effective instances of story are farther between than in singleplayer. (Do you do a lot of exploration in between? Sidequests? Or do you just follow the mainstory?)
I won't say that everything is as good as KotOR (It's 8 different stories, only played 1), but the story kept me playing at times. (For the Jedi Counselar, at least, no idea about the rest.) The Trooper story seems pretty good too.
2. Don't judge it by those playthroughs, since due to the nature of the game, effective instances of story are farther between than in singleplayer. (Do you do a lot of exploration in between? Sidequests? Or do you just follow the mainstory?)
I won't say that everything is as good as KotOR (It's 8 different stories, only played 1), but the story kept me playing at times. (For the Jedi Counselar, at least, no idea about the rest.) The Trooper story seems pretty good too.
Thanks Gawain. I think the game would in theory be interesting to try out, but there's just no way I'm doing the subscription unless I really know it's worth it. It makes no sense to keep paying for something you already own. That's all there is to it, I suppose.
[INDENT]'..tolerance when fog rolls in clouds unfold your selfless wings feathers that float from arabesque pillows I sold to be consumed by the snow white cold if only the plaster could hold withstand the flam[url="http://bit.ly/foT0XQ"]e[/url] then this fountain torch would know no shame and be outstripped only by the sun that burns with the glory and honor of your..'[/INDENT]
Given the vastness of the game, the continued updates, and the sheer cost of the servers, the subscription makes perfect sense, and I won't even allow you to argue with that, as it is as proven as evolution. 
If you solely look at this as a singleplayer game, then yes, the subscription would be wasted.
If you solely look at this as a singleplayer game, then yes, the subscription would be wasted.
Hehe. I had to edit a little line there, as it would have made no sense for me to ask if I wasn't going to play it anyway.
Vast or not, I have yet to find a decisive reason to play it. If I do, I'll make sure we can settle our differences in one duel or another.
Vast or not, I have yet to find a decisive reason to play it. If I do, I'll make sure we can settle our differences in one duel or another.
[INDENT]'..tolerance when fog rolls in clouds unfold your selfless wings feathers that float from arabesque pillows I sold to be consumed by the snow white cold if only the plaster could hold withstand the flam[url="http://bit.ly/foT0XQ"]e[/url] then this fountain torch would know no shame and be outstripped only by the sun that burns with the glory and honor of your..'[/INDENT]