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f13.net General Forums => Hellgate: London => Topic started by: Falwell on October 30, 2007, 04:55:59 AM



Title: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Falwell on October 30, 2007, 04:55:59 AM
Since I know many of you are on the fence about Hellgate, I figured I'd post some things I've found here and there so you can make an informed decision.

The following review is a 12 page monster. Chock full of videos, screens, details etc. IMO it hits the bulk of the major points of the game and then some. (It's also riddled with spelling errors etc. so be warned)

http://www.gamersglobal.com/special/hands-on/hellgate-london

I'll keep adding to this OP as the day rolls out. With the launch tonight I'd wager we're gonna see a media landslide.

Here is the world map,  all of it. Definitely spoilers here if you want to keep yourself in the dark.

http://img508.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hglmapcleanjy1.jpg

As you can see acts 4 and 5 are roughly the same size as 1-3 put together.



Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on October 30, 2007, 05:31:38 AM
Quote
Gamersglobal.com is primarily a news website where every gamer can publish news just as we editors can. Still, we all have an extensive print and online magazine background, so a review without a rating at the end just doesn't feel right.

:awesome_for_real:



Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Mrbloodworth on October 30, 2007, 07:42:54 AM

http://img508.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hglmapcleanjy1.jpg


Dungeon Runners Map Build 0.95  (http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5237/dungeonrunnersmap095zy8.png)


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on October 30, 2007, 07:45:15 AM

http://img508.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hglmapcleanjy1.jpg
Dungeon Runners Map Build 0.95  (http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5237/dungeonrunnersmap095zy8.png)
I don't understand the comparison.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Mrbloodworth on October 30, 2007, 07:50:19 AM
There isn't one, not really.

But i am of the opinion that Dungeon runners is a better diablo type game. But the two games are completely different tones... I think DR is more fun and funny.

Anyway, that map just reminded me of the DR map. *shrug*


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: tkinnun0 on October 30, 2007, 09:42:07 AM
http://img508.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hglmapcleanjy1.jpg
Dungeon Runners Map Build 0.95  (http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5237/dungeonrunnersmap095zy8.png)

Compare those maps to this map (http://mapwow.com/). What are the implications to the game's design and gameplay? Discuss.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Hoax on October 30, 2007, 09:44:21 AM
I still can't get over the fact that there were no pictures in the news release or the thread on f13 about the chunk w/ more cleavage in DR...


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Xanthippe on October 30, 2007, 09:48:01 AM
So how exactly does the mmo part of this work?  Is it like BattleNet?  GuildWars?  DungeonRunners?

Why does it have an M rating?



Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Morfiend on October 30, 2007, 09:50:55 AM
So how exactly does the mmo part of this work?  Is it like BattleNet?  GuildWars?  DungeonRunners?

Why does it have an M rating?


Its like GuildWars, but with much less interaction and grouping. Also it has a lot of cussing from some of the NPCs.

I like the game, and plan on getting it, but it has been so over hyped, I am expecting a clusterfuck launch of epic proportions.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on October 30, 2007, 09:52:46 AM
If anything, this game has been COMPLETELY underhyped. Due to the length of the NDA and crap PR they have, it has been ANYTHING but overhyped.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Jamiko on October 30, 2007, 10:01:47 AM
If anything, this game has been COMPLETELY underhyped. Due to the length of the NDA and crap PR they have, it has been ANYTHING but overhyped.

Correct. I've told over a dozen people about this game, people that I know would be interested in it, and none of them ever heard about it before.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Mrbloodworth on October 30, 2007, 10:21:10 AM
I still can't get over the fact that there were no pictures in the news release or the thread on f13 about the chunk w/ more cleavage in DR...

lol, yeah. I relay enjoy the news letters.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Morfiend on October 30, 2007, 11:54:29 AM
If anything, this game has been COMPLETELY underhyped. Due to the length of the NDA and crap PR they have, it has been ANYTHING but overhyped.

Did you miss the fact that they had 4+ page ads in PC Gamer, and Intel is using the game for their latest ad?


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on October 30, 2007, 12:00:51 PM
If anything, this game has been COMPLETELY underhyped. Due to the length of the NDA and crap PR they have, it has been ANYTHING but overhyped.

Did you miss the fact that they had 4+ page ads in PC Gamer, and Intel is using the game for their latest ad?

Once again, I don't even notice ads.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: MrHat on October 30, 2007, 12:06:19 PM
If anything, this game has been COMPLETELY underhyped. Due to the length of the NDA and crap PR they have, it has been ANYTHING but overhyped.

Did you miss the fact that they had 4+ page ads in PC Gamer, and Intel is using the game for their latest ad?

Once again, I don't even notice ads.

Neither do we.   :awesome_for_real:


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: sam, an eggplant on October 30, 2007, 12:11:52 PM
It hasn't been underhyped. It's on the cover of next month's PC Gamer too, with the first magazine review. In classic PCG fashion, the review must have been written during beta. PCG gave it an 89%, which I strongly suspect will be the highest score HGL gets. It's a solid 8 on the 7-9 scale.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on October 30, 2007, 12:16:00 PM
Sam, an eggplant, newsflash.

People don't read fucking magazines. Especially not PC game ones.

They have not been hardcore with ads. Their community outreach is dick. And they JUST started tv ads in a tiny dosage.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: MrHat on October 30, 2007, 12:21:40 PM
Sam, an eggplant, newsflash.

People don't read fucking magazines. Especially not PC game ones.

They have not been hardcore with ads. Their community outreach is dick. And they JUST started tv ads in a tiny dosage.

I read magazines.  At the book shop.  I like the HGL ads.

But ya, it's not so much the advertising as they (marketing) didn't really define what the game is to the user at all.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on October 30, 2007, 12:25:45 PM
You have 3,380 posts on f13.net.

You are not the public. You hunt down information and devour it like a wolverine.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: MrHat on October 30, 2007, 12:27:39 PM
Wrong.

The public devours information.  The information being projected is inaccurate.

Edit: I'd like to add that 70% of those posts are made while procrastinating.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Sky on October 30, 2007, 12:34:09 PM
Sam, an eggplant, newsflash.

People don't read fucking magazines. Especially not PC game ones.
Err...you are incorrect. Before you tout my post count and information devouring trait, remember where I work.

I'd also like to point out that a 70% procrastination posting rate is amazingly low imo.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Mrbloodworth on October 30, 2007, 12:37:34 PM
Sam, an eggplant, newsflash.

People don't read fucking magazines. Especially not PC game ones.

They have not been hardcore with ads. Their community outreach is dick. And they JUST started tv ads in a tiny dosage.

Its gotten a good amount of "talk" over at MMORPG.com, mostly about what to classify it as.. But as far as news articles about it there, its been fairly slim.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on October 30, 2007, 12:39:25 PM
ONCE AGAIN, PEOPLE READING A FORUM ON THE INTERNET.

Please stop pointing at hardcore motherfuckers who browse specialty types as evidence of anything.

It's not even anecdotal, it's just silly.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: sam, an eggplant on October 30, 2007, 12:40:39 PM
Of course people read magazines. They just aren't terribly relevant when the only way to get the review out before the game releases is to unethically evaluate an early beta.

MMORPG.com probably didn't cover it because HG:L isn't a MMORPG, just like GW or diablo2. It's not massively multiplayer, it's just multiplayer.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Signe on October 30, 2007, 12:41:51 PM
Why is schild shouting at us?   :|


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: MrHat on October 30, 2007, 12:42:36 PM
ONCE AGAIN, PEOPLE READING A FORUM ON THE INTERNET.

Please stop pointing at hardcore motherfuckers who browse specialty types as evidence of anything.

It's not even anecdotal, it's just silly.

I think it might be time to shift your perception on this.  We're not that special if we show up in google when you search for information about a game.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Miasma on October 30, 2007, 12:43:44 PM
People who don't know about Hellgate are not going to be able to google it.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Mrbloodworth on October 30, 2007, 12:43:53 PM
ONCE AGAIN, PEOPLE READING A FORUM ON THE INTERNET.

Please stop pointing at hardcore motherfuckers who browse specialty types as evidence of anything.

It's not even anecdotal, it's just silly.

It is valid, because in contrast LOTRO and many other AAA games get Lots of news articles there... That why i brought it up, even on the "hardcore motherfuckers who browse specialty types" sites, there is, and was next to nothing as far as hype/advertising.

I was agreeing with you...

Tell me then, what are valid advertisement then? Who should they have targeted if not gamers and gamers outlets?

Sometimes you don't make sense.

Quote
MMORPG.com probably didn't cover it because HG:L isn't a MMORPG, just like GW or diablo2. It's not massively multiplayer, it's just multiplayer.

They did cover it, and it is listed there as it does quallify for thier rules as a MMO, they also have Guildwars ETC...

Point being, there was no news to be posted, from the HG:L people, or otherwise. They definitely didn't take out many ads in comparison to other games that ARE listed there. They do have a few (http://www.mmorpg.com/gamelist.cfm/setView/overview/gameId/314).



Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: eldaec on October 30, 2007, 12:44:03 PM
Here is the world map,  all of it. Definitely spoilers here if you want to keep yourself in the dark.

http://img508.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hglmapcleanjy1.jpg

I notice that even after our inevitable slide into hell, there *still* won't be any decent transport links south of the river.

Ho hum.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: eldaec on October 30, 2007, 12:46:14 PM
Why is schild shouting at us?   :|

I read all schild's posts in his shouting voice.

I suspect I have the tone right more often than wrong.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Velorath on October 30, 2007, 12:47:59 PM
ONCE AGAIN, PEOPLE READING A FORUM ON THE INTERNET.

Are there any PC gamers in HG:L's target market left who don't browse forums on the Internet?


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on October 30, 2007, 12:50:57 PM
ONCE AGAIN, PEOPLE READING A FORUM ON THE INTERNET.
Are there any PC gamers in HG:L's target market left who don't browse forums on the Internet?
I bet most Diablo players don't. It sold what, 6M worldwide?

That would be part of their target audience, no question.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Mrbloodworth on October 30, 2007, 12:54:22 PM
ONCE AGAIN, PEOPLE READING A FORUM ON THE INTERNET.
Are there any PC gamers in HG:L's target market left who don't browse forums on the Internet?
I bet most Diablo players don't. It sold what, 6M worldwide?

That would be part of their target audience, no question.

What outlet do you recommended then?


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on October 30, 2007, 12:59:30 PM
ONCE AGAIN, PEOPLE READING A FORUM ON THE INTERNET.
Are there any PC gamers in HG:L's target market left who don't browse forums on the Internet?
I bet most Diablo players don't. It sold what, 6M worldwide?

That would be part of their target audience, no question.
What outlet do you recommended then?
f13. We catch nearly everything.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: eldaec on October 30, 2007, 01:01:53 PM
ONCE AGAIN, PEOPLE READING A FORUM ON THE INTERNET.
Are there any PC gamers in HG:L's target market left who don't browse forums on the Internet?
I bet most Diablo players don't. It sold what, 6M worldwide?

That would be part of their target audience, no question.
What outlet do you recommended then?
f13. We catch nearly everything.
I thought we were talking about where we should look to decide if HGL is hyped?

Here it has a whole subforum.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on October 30, 2007, 01:02:42 PM
Quote
I thought we were talking about where we should look to decide if HGL is hyped?

Here it has a whole subforum.

Oh.

Conversations these days are impossible to follow.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Mrbloodworth on October 30, 2007, 01:03:07 PM
ONCE AGAIN, PEOPLE READING A FORUM ON THE INTERNET.
Are there any PC gamers in HG:L's target market left who don't browse forums on the Internet?
I bet most Diablo players don't. It sold what, 6M worldwide?

That would be part of their target audience, no question.
What outlet do you recommended then?
f13. We catch nearly everything.

Well then, all is well with the world then.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Signe on October 30, 2007, 01:34:59 PM
WHAT?


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Sky on October 30, 2007, 01:43:52 PM
Please stop pointing at hardcore motherfuckers who browse specialty types as evidence of anything.
Again, in case I was unclear. Library. Periodical room. PC Gamer. Every month it gets read by dozens of kids. One copy.

Maybe PC Gamer survives because they run hookers out of their office...but I would imagine it's because they have a decent sized readership.

Are you one of those 'print is dead' dorks?


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Furiously on October 30, 2007, 01:44:44 PM
For PC gaming in print yes. Whatever is in them is at least a month old.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Morfiend on October 30, 2007, 03:05:00 PM
PC Gamer has a decent amount of readers. Every time I got to my local Barnes and Noble there is a copy ether being read by some one, or sitting still warm on a chair cause some one just got finished.

So, tell us oh great one. If you where to hype a action-rpg game, where would you put ads? I personally think PC Gamer and Play is a pretty good start. Also like I said, Intel is featuring Hellgate in their new ad. Compared to a lot of new games it has WAY more coverage in the advertisment department.

Gone are the days where Joe gamers doesnt surf the net. Hell, my bestfriends wife spends a few hours a day reading Viva Pinata forums, and she is about as non gamer as they come.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on October 30, 2007, 03:28:16 PM
I put them where Blizzard put WoW ads.

Fucking everywhere.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Raging Turtle on October 30, 2007, 03:32:39 PM
They've had ads on PA for a while. 

Any word on a magical post-gold patch?


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Morfiend on October 30, 2007, 03:46:28 PM
The ads are also on Break.com all over it, including a countdown clock.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Trippy on October 30, 2007, 05:21:08 PM
If anything, this game has been COMPLETELY underhyped. Due to the length of the NDA and crap PR they have, it has been ANYTHING but overhyped.
That's cause the game is not that good.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Signe on October 30, 2007, 06:04:51 PM
The game is okay fun.  I can see it being good with a group of friends but I can also seeing it getting old quickly if they don't provide new stuffs.  Random maps are a nice thing but unless they give a whole lot more in the way of content, I don't see it lasting long.  People aren't going to pay a subscription fee for long unless they give them lots of cool junk and new thingies to look at.  Having housing will only be a draw if, in addition to lots of storage, you're able to have the machines for mods.  Otherwise, I don't really see the point.

Also... the hair for women in this game sucks.  REALLY sucks.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: WindupAtheist on October 30, 2007, 06:40:51 PM
There were four pages of Hellgate ads last time I flipped through a Maxim.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Trippy on October 30, 2007, 07:19:27 PM
Also... the hair for women in this game sucks.  REALLY sucks.
Yes, and the faces, and the body slider.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Venkman on October 30, 2007, 07:21:37 PM
And they JUST started tv ads in a tiny dosage.
You don't notice ads ;)

They've had ads in all three of my gaming-related magazines (PCG, GFW and EGM), the four-page variety, the ones with the three characters and the London Underground map, for a few months now. The game hasn't been hyped, but they certainly have been spending ad dollars on traditional media.

And I have a hardcore postcount and read the magazines. They cover games I'd never otherwise even look at and are easier on the eyes than my PSP.

As to the game itself, I finally grabbed the demo. Unlike apparently a bunch of others, I had no real problems, running at maxed DX9 settings (you can have my WinXP when you can pry it...)

It's a fun shooter. Haven't tried the blademaster yet though. At first I didn't even realize there was a third-person perspective, and I didn't mind in the same way I don't mind it in other FPS games. This is the sort of responsive semi-twitch stat-adjusted combat UI TR should have had and SWG really wanted.

I was surprised, a lot, by how it at first didn't feel like Diablo after all. Then 20 minutes in, it decidedly did. Fun, fast, not sure about longevity but really don't care. There's a hole in actiony-RPG gaming right now this may fill nicely. And the weapon options are fun enough to even drag in some other types of gamers.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Xanthippe on October 31, 2007, 08:12:20 AM
If there's no Horadric Cube, forget it.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Venkman on October 31, 2007, 08:31:42 AM
There's a crafting station where you can improve items. The only one I saw improved stuff you inserted if you also inserted resources. I don't know where the resources come from though presumably it is from deconstructing loot drops, or something not available to Demo-mode players. I'm also not sure if this is the same station you use to insert mods onto weapons, mods which seem to be like D2 gems.

So no Horadric Cube per se, but ample (maybe) ways to customize what you've got.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: rattran on October 31, 2007, 08:42:33 AM
Mods just drop right in, no need for a machine. You do have to use one to get them out 'demodificator' gives you back the gun and the mods, so no reason to not slot something other than feed cost, and $$ to get the mod out


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Tige on October 31, 2007, 08:50:20 AM
I keep every single mod until I have a fully modded weapon for each mob type.  It can get expensive removing and swapping mods, especially on 8 slot rifles, but once you get a base set it really pays off on the more difficult or pita maps.  Especially flying mobs and those bugs that tunnel around.



Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: sam, an eggplant on October 31, 2007, 08:53:09 AM
One fine point is that socketing mods is restricted by item level. So if you have an ilvl 5 mod, it can only fit in items between levels 4 and 8 (for example). This can lead to issues with the nanoupgraded items where unsocketed mods can't be resocketed and are rendered instantly useless.

I believe they removed the ability to nanoupgrade items an infinite number of times, so this is less of an issue than it once was.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: rattran on October 31, 2007, 09:19:33 AM
On the Test Center before launch, it was 5 upgrades (10 item levels iirc)

Up to level 22 at least, you'll find enough decent weapons not to need upgrades except on early legendaries. And pseudo-uniques like Shaun's Trusty Sidekick.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Xanthippe on October 31, 2007, 12:14:40 PM
So no Horadric Cube per se, but ample (maybe) ways to customize what you've got.

For me, the Cube was not about customizing as much as it was about the whole combining things.  The Cube was the most awesome thing in all of Diablo II. I'm ever wistful about the Horadric Cube.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Typhon on October 31, 2007, 05:30:43 PM
I think what schild was getting at is this - the latest Halo was hyped.  Hellgate, not as much.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: UnSub on November 01, 2007, 12:19:49 AM
I think what schild was getting at is this - the latest Halo was hyped.  Hellgate, not as much.

Using WoW and Halo as benchmarks for advertising / hype doesn't work. Both are established franchises and backed by millions of dollars just in advertising budget. Hellgate: London is a newcomer that is likely better suited to a niche. It's like complaining that Dr Pepper doesn't advertise as much as Coke or Pepsi. It can't afford to.

Hellgate: London failed in the advertising I saw because it didn't have a clear message. Is it a MMO? Is it a first person action game? Do you really need an internet connection? And it costs how much?

The only thing schild has been right on regarding HG:L's marketing has been the PR / marketing strategy. NDA should have dropped weeks ago to let fans get out there and advocate the game to build word of mouth. The ads needed to do a better job of distinguishing HG:L from every other demon-fighting game that is out there. Also, the 'hype' has been building for so long, it had petered out quite a bit by the time of actual launch.

Plus: launch appears to be a disaster.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Rasix on November 01, 2007, 12:40:46 AM


Hellgate: London failed in the advertising I saw because it didn't have a clear message. Is it a MMO? Is it a first person action game? Do you really need an internet connection?

Plus: launch appears to be a disaster.

Fuck, I played beta and I'm not even sure how to answer those questions.  Launch day problems?  Can't you just fucking play this game single player?

I think I'm going to buy STALKER or Witcher instead.  I'd rather have eastern bloc bugs than MMO fuckups.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on November 01, 2007, 12:47:02 AM
Also, the 'hype' has been building for so long, it had petered out quite a bit by the time of actual launch.

This, I do not agree with.

The hype for this game was half as long as most MMOGs.

Of course, lulz, it's only half-MMO.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: LK on November 01, 2007, 01:00:45 AM
I feel real dirty after playing, the feeling I get when I think I'm playing a Retail game but it's actually a beta product.

I managed to get the Act 1 Boss to infinitely respawn.  He kicked my Marksman pansy ass all over the British Museum each time, but, hey, eventually, lots of blues because he wouldn't stop spawning!

I want to study the game systems now because I have no fucking clue what's going on.  I can't seem to kill a regenerating monster.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on November 01, 2007, 02:56:13 AM
Man, that's nothing. When I hit level 15, my health started ticking down. Turns out my health regen reversed itself.

I beat all the parts of the Mind of 314 without dying once.

That's right. My health was a time limit. Halfway through the final little guy, I had to eat my fucking Halloween Apple to delay my inevitable death. Finally as I was leaving my health ticked down to 1 and just stayed there. :awesome_for_real:


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: MrHat on November 01, 2007, 06:13:23 AM
lol.

You still take this week off?


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Signe on November 01, 2007, 06:55:50 AM
I ate my caramel apple as soon as I got it.  I don't why.  It looked so good.  I just can't help it.   :|


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: stu on November 01, 2007, 07:24:22 AM
For PC gaming in print yes. Whatever is in them is at least a month old.

I used to read PC Gamer during my first year in Iraq. Since reintegrating into the civilized world, I haven't picked one up. Why pay eight bucks for news I can use when I can get it here and only risk a verbal skullfucking. :awesome_for_real:

I ate my caramel apple as soon as I got it.  I don't why.  It looked so good.  I just can't help it.   :|

Caramel apples are tasty.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Furiously on November 01, 2007, 08:00:14 AM
I hope mine doesn't have a razorblade in it.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Morfiend on November 01, 2007, 10:25:03 AM
Why pay eight bucks for news I can use when I can get it here and only risk a verbal skullfucking.

Cause using your laptop on the toilet sucks?


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: sam, an eggplant on November 01, 2007, 10:47:13 AM
Why pay eight bucks
Who pays for magazines? Get free subscriptions from sites like fatwallet, slickdeals, etc.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: stu on November 01, 2007, 11:34:42 AM
Why pay eight bucks for news I can use when I can get it here and only risk a verbal skullfucking.

Cause using your laptop on the toilet sucks?

I don't bring my laptop to the bathroom. Jacking off at my desk is more convenient... uhh.... Wait, what were you trying to say?


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Fabricated on November 01, 2007, 11:16:10 PM
So far I'm digging it but I have no idea how long I'll stay interested.

(http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/5151/bathk3.png)

I got that within the first 10 minutes of playing as a guardian and I'm having a good time. The loot is pretty cool at least.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: UnSub on November 01, 2007, 11:27:29 PM
Also, the 'hype' has been building for so long, it had petered out quite a bit by the time of actual launch.

This, I do not agree with.

The hype for this game was half as long as most MMOGs.

Of course, lulz, it's only half-MMO.

I don't think MMOs get any real benefit out of launching their marketing campaign 3 years before they even have a beta product. It also provides a lot of time for people to get distracted by other things or for your key features to get trumped by someone else.

For instance, if I want demon fighting, Jericho looks like a better bet.

However, I think we agree that the marketing for HG:L was seven different types of tragedy.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on November 02, 2007, 12:33:23 AM
Jericho isn't a better bet.

Painkiller Overdose is though.

Also, loot. So, Hellgate wins.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: UnSub on November 02, 2007, 06:43:39 AM
Jericho isn't a better bet.

Painkiller Overdose is though.

Also, loot. So, Hellgate wins.

Jericho isn't a good bet, but it's a better bet than HG:L.

Also, loot means fuck all during CTDs, memory leaks and bugged quests that stop character progress dead.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on November 02, 2007, 06:50:08 AM
Actually you're wrong. Loot is still awesome. Awesome loot is awesome. Much like Longcat is looooong.

Also, the load times make me not be bothered too much by the crashes and memory leaks. Today I never actually experienced the memory leak even though there wasn't a patch. It may have something to do with the number of people in an instance at any given time, 99% of the crashes I had were in Charing Cross.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Oban on November 02, 2007, 07:46:49 AM
Charing Cross is where my memory leak CTD incidents occurred as well.

 :star: Monument Station rocks.   :star:


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: tkinnun0 on November 02, 2007, 12:21:42 PM
Also, the load times make me not be bothered too much by the crashes and memory leaks.

Someone bashed in my head with a baton so now it doesn't bother me at all that people keep stepping on my toes. Or is it the other way around?


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on November 02, 2007, 03:43:22 PM
Also, the load times make me not be bothered too much by the crashes and memory leaks.

Someone bashed in my head with a baton so now it doesn't bother me at all that people keep stepping on my toes. Or is it the other way around?

Nah, this is more like struggling with a fast-loading version of Bloodlines for me. It just loads really really fast.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: fuser on November 05, 2007, 04:36:59 AM
(Disclaimer: I had no expectations when purchasing this game, and I really think word of mouth advertising on this game is very low.)

 Been playing the game for a bit, experienced the CTD, memory leak (do not even try this game with 1gb or less of ram), and stuck problems. Something else I found is running a bittorrent session along with the game severely effects lag, but it usually doesn't effect games such as eq2/wow as drastic.

 Overall, even with the terrible chat/guild system/bugs I'm really enjoying the game. The main story is pretty good with the conclusion of act 2 (314 quests) being the funnest time playing an "Action-RPG"(or wtf its called) in a while.  I have been able to play it every time I sat down (exception of lolpatch), without any lag or server crashes or fuss. If a friend logs on we group hit party portal and I'm instantly helping him on his quests and we both have separate loot tables.

What really shocks me is the vile in which people speak of the game. It's like :pedobear: showed up, stole their ice cream and proceeded to violate them six ways from sunday.


:mob:
General asshattery (http://www.bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/board.pl?action=viewthread&threadid=82325)
"this was never as much of a game as it was a marketing experiment..." (http://www.bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/board.pl?action=viewthread&threadid=82447)


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on November 05, 2007, 04:41:51 AM
You know. Someone had to point the ads out to me.

I don't know why people keep complaining about the fucking ads. They're goddamn motherfucking elegant. If all in-game advertising were like this and developers could make an extra buck, I say do it. Even show it to subscribers. It's hard enough to make money in the industry. We don't need a bunch of self-righteous motherfuckers running around saying ads are ruining games. Ads before movies, in magazines, in cd cases, on tv, etc. You pay for all of that. Games are a natural extension of it. And I welcome it with open arms. As for some of the EA ads that have been put in games, whoa hey, look at me, still don't care. If I made games and could elegantly put some adds in with the razor sharp non-interruptive precision that the Flagship guys did it, I'd have them in faster than you can say moneyhat.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: fuser on November 05, 2007, 05:02:22 AM
You know. Someone had to point the ads out to me.

If I made games and could elegantly put some adds in with the razor sharp non-interruptive precision that the Flagship guys did it, I'd have them in faster than you can say moneyhat.

I had this exact same discussion at work.

A co-worker brought up the point over lunch about how terrible it was, and how this game is crap because of it. We tried to list a few games without product placement over the past few years and honestly I cannot confirm how little there were(I argued portal had advertisement from the American egg board due to all the cake references). The ad's in this game fit in so well and unintrusive its a moot point.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: rk47 on November 05, 2007, 05:42:02 AM
The subway ads are ok. I find it strange why people hate ads like that, it fits.  Funny thing is I brought up the point on City of Heroes as well, there's a lot of 'fictional' billboards all over the city...why not get some ad revenue by putting Coca Cola or something like that? ....Everyone just went  :mob:  like the ads raped their mother.  :|


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Ixxit on November 05, 2007, 06:21:42 AM
Personally I don't mind the ads in Hellgate , espcecially since they are so well implemented as schild has said.  I am suprised howerver that Flagship didn't leverage the general hatred for ads among the gamers by making it a subscriber perk to have an option to remove them, like NCsoft does with Dungeon Runners and for Exteel  (assuming it will be the same).  I think it would have had a perceived value for many people and removed some of the hate , because at the end of the day the free part of the revenue model has to be supported some how.  Gamers understand this as in, don't like the ads then pay up or shut up.

I mean come on, if it wasn't for ads I would have a small penis and I wouldn't have that big chunk of money coming to me from Dr. Ubutu Bungdooku in Nigeria





Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Musashi on November 05, 2007, 09:28:44 AM
It is kind of odd that in a post-hellspawn apocolypse there are Alienware ads in the subway.  Are they supposed to be left over from before portals from hell opened and demons swallowed the surface of the Earth?  Or did Alienware employees, upon hearing of the rift, activate contingency plan 1 and make their way to the emergency demon-proof bunker so that they could continue to crank out game-worthy computer equipement. 

I'm not really pointing that out to be a lore whore or anything, and it doesn't bother me at all.  In no way do I have some high-minded moral objection.  I just thought it was kind of odd.  So I actually took the time to check them out to find out who's after our money.  Only other time I really pay attention to an ad is if it is funny and/or during the Superbowl. 


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Miasma on November 05, 2007, 09:47:09 AM
I don't notice them in-game, I didn't even know they were paid ads until I read it somewhere here, I thought they were just there to make the stations look more realistic.  What I want to get rid of are the half dozen damn intro movies I have to escape through everytime I start the game, usually they are just bink files I can delete but not this time.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: WayAbvPar on November 05, 2007, 09:54:01 AM
If an ad is part of the background environment and not a flash across my screen obscuring everything else, I could care less if they are there. Especially in a modern urban environment- ads are EVERYWHERE in cities. Not having them is actually more jarring, and having fictional ones is like setting fire to money.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Jamiko on November 05, 2007, 10:18:21 AM
I thought it was kind of cool how they did the ads, totally not in-my-face. I didn't even notice them for a while. My favorite so far is the tattered cover of the PC Gamer Hellgate issue that was framed and on the wall of a destroyed building.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: UnSub on November 05, 2007, 09:05:23 PM
The subway ads are ok. I find it strange why people hate ads like that, it fits.  Funny thing is I brought up the point on City of Heroes as well, there's a lot of 'fictional' billboards all over the city...why not get some ad revenue by putting Coca Cola or something like that? ....Everyone just went  :mob:  like the ads raped their mother.  :|


There are some people of the CoH/V forums (in fact, probably everywhere) who are very vocally against ads in games. But it's too late - there are advergames (which suck, sure), there is product placement in games and their are a lot of different sponsorships for ads in games that are coming up.

From a survey I read earlier on this year (from a website that may be biased to this kind of thing), about 40% of MMO players don't want ads in-game, about 45% don't mind provided it fits in neatly to the game and the rest don't care. Provided a game launches with ads neatly intergrated into the experience, I don't think there is an issue. Ad revenue can provide a nice income boost to the games that have them.

The only issue becomes if games become so addicted to ad income that they start skewing content to suit advertisers. That's where it starts to cross the line.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Tmon on November 06, 2007, 05:57:32 AM
I don't notice them in-game, I didn't even know they were paid ads until I read it somewhere here, I thought they were just there to make the stations look more realistic.  What I want to get rid of are the half dozen damn intro movies I have to escape through everytime I start the game, usually they are just bink files I can delete but not this time.

The choose multiplayer from the launcher, escape the six movies, choose multiplayer again thing bugs me way more than the presence of some posters for real products scattered around the game.  In fact they are so well integrated and nonintrusive that II didn't even realize there were adds in game until someone mentioned it here, which seems to defeat the purpose of having adds but I'll let the people paying for them worry about that.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Jamiko on November 06, 2007, 10:24:12 AM
What I want to get rid of are the half dozen damn intro movies I have to escape through everytime I start the game, usually they are just bink files I can delete but not this time.

There are intro movies? Perhaps it's because I was in the beta, but I don't see any intro movies at all. Also, I thought there was a single player option but I only get the multiplayer option. And yes, I did buy the box and activate my key. I don't really care, but it seemed odd to me.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Morfiend on November 06, 2007, 10:32:53 AM
What I want to get rid of are the half dozen damn intro movies I have to escape through everytime I start the game, usually they are just bink files I can delete but not this time.

There are intro movies? Perhaps it's because I was in the beta, but I don't see any intro movies at all. Also, I thought there was a single player option but I only get the multiplayer option. And yes, I did buy the box and activate my key. I don't really care, but it seemed odd to me.

If you install the client from the DVD you get intro movies and also crappy little cut screens at the end of each act. Also, you get the option to play singleplayer.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Signe on November 06, 2007, 11:45:56 AM
You get all that when you use the EA Trojan Spyware Asswipey Piece of Shitey Crap thing to download the retail version, too.  The movie is nice.   :-)  Single Player game... not so much.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Morfiend on November 06, 2007, 11:55:50 AM
You get all that when you use the EA Trojan Spyware Asswipey Piece of Shitey Crap thing to download the retail version, too.  The movie is nice.   :-)  Single Player game... not so much.

Sorry, let me amend that. You get it any time you install the "release" version of the game. Some people from beta just continued using the beta build which is the online part of the game with no cinematics.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Tmon on November 06, 2007, 11:59:45 AM
What's wrong with the single player game?  I've played it a few times when I couldn't get to the server and it seems to work fine, granted I'm only up to level 8 or something so I'm not too far in.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on November 06, 2007, 12:15:32 PM
There's just no reason whatsoever to play the Single Player part of the game.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Jamiko on November 06, 2007, 12:36:20 PM
OK, then I guess I can just keep playing on the updated beta version then. Not sure I see a benefit to installing off the DVD at this time.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Furiously on November 07, 2007, 08:43:13 PM
OK, then I guess I can just keep playing on the updated beta version then. Not sure I see a benefit to installing off the DVD at this time.

I suppose if you never want to know the plot that is a good idea.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: geldonyetich2 on November 07, 2007, 10:56:56 PM
Finally got my mitts on the retail copy.  I ordered slow shipping to save a few bucks.  Never again.

I've only one thing to say about it that hasn't been said yet:

After so many times of seeing it not make a difference, It amazes me when the release build really is significantly better than what I was using at the end of the beta.   The retail game to find something much more efficient.  I can actually run this sucka at pretty high detail and 1280x800 resolution without significant lag.  On my ATI Radeon 1600XT.

Looking forward to seeing what happens after Act 3.  Haven't bothered to shell out for a subscription yet - it's not like I can get into Elite or Hardcore modes until I finish the normal mode anyway.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: eldaec on November 08, 2007, 10:40:29 AM
There's just no reason whatsoever to play the Single Player part of the game.

I dunno, you typically can't talk to or see any other players due to bugs and stupid design decisions.

Going single player and skipping any lag issues might be an idea...

Quote
Some people from beta just continued using the beta build which is the online part of the game with no cinematics.

And some people can't see the cinematics because they are corrupt on the DVD.  :oh_i_see:


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Hoax on November 08, 2007, 10:59:04 AM
I can't see them because they keep pop'ing up when I'm in a panic due to all the blue/orange loot sitting on the ground back where I was before I got whisked away by some portal.  I keep esc'ing the cinematic even though there are no other players to take my loot.  I don't want to to Vanish while some oracle whosawhatsit blabbers on about charts or whatever.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Ratman_tf on November 09, 2007, 09:11:37 AM
Ok. I passed on Dungeon Runners because it was too cute with the humor. I got to play a little HG:L today and I might have to purchase it for myself.



Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Simond on November 10, 2007, 02:00:47 AM
SA has a review up: http://www.somethingawful.com/d/news/hellgate-london-subscription.php


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Mosesandstick on November 10, 2007, 04:08:45 AM
Can someone explain how different this game gets as you progress in levels?

I found playing the game at lower levels a chore, will I find any semblance of fun at higher levels?

I'm not interested in loot (an inordinate amount of time playing DII turned me OFF loot), are the skills better at higher levels? What about grouping?

What has this game got going for it apart from the shinies?

(No sarcasm, all serious questions, my butt is firmly planted on the fence currently)


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Oban on November 10, 2007, 08:19:11 AM
There's just no reason whatsoever to play the Single Player part of the game.

Some airplanes do not have Internet access.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: lesion on November 10, 2007, 08:35:31 AM
shinies
The big three of this game are grindables (loot/skills), killing suckas en masse and difficulty progression. I am making up a "big three" for this game.

If you dislike loot, either coordinating an outfit or the collection thereof, it doesn't bode well. New skills are fun to get for the sake of getting; there is no cool black hole grenade, there is no telekinesis. Monsters die in droves to explosions, spells or otherwise hurty effects. It is satisfying in the way that breaking down a flimsy door with furious hands is. There is a hardcore difficulty mode so that you can lord your awesomeness over lesser beings, even though their chat window is hidden. Look upon my dirks, ye mighty, and despair.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: taolurker on November 10, 2007, 01:00:16 PM
Can someone explain how different this game gets as you progress in levels?

Harder enemies, nicer loots, and more skills to choose from. It's not really different at all as you progress if you don't count any of those things, and one negative to leveling is starting to run out of stats to equip new and better things you find.

Quote
I found playing the game at lower levels a chore, will I find any semblance of fun at higher levels?

If you found the low levels a chore, it's not likely that you'll enjoy anything about progressing in levels.

Quote
I'm not interested in loot (an inordinate amount of time playing DII turned me OFF loot), are the skills better at higher levels? What about grouping?

What has this game got going for it apart from the shinies?

(No sarcasm, all serious questions, my butt is firmly planted on the fence currently)

Basically the only thing about this game is the shiny loot, grouping makes it somewhat more fun, but shiny loot and ramped up difficulty are all there is to look forward to in this game.. So, if loot/levels isn't an appeal, I can't see you liking this game, unless you like random broken shit, half done games, or your machine crashing.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Mosesandstick on November 10, 2007, 04:20:30 PM
Thanks for the answers, easier to understand than the "this is manna from heaven" or "WTF BROKEN SHIT?!!?" posts.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on November 10, 2007, 05:00:22 PM
Take anything Taolurker says with a grain of salt though. On another site he talks about it being the biggest broken piece of shit ever and over here he's discussing strategy. Even when he speaks truth, it may as well be a lie.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: taolurker on November 10, 2007, 09:20:42 PM
Take anything Schild says with a grain of salt though. On his site only he is allowed a negative opinion and just because he's not experiencing issues doesn't equal it not being the biggest broken piece of shit ever. Even when he speaks truth, it may as well be a lie.


BTW Beta accounts are still good till Nov14, and Schild is mostly pissed that I haven't paid for this game, but am still playing it waiting for it to be worth my dollars.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: lariac on November 10, 2007, 09:36:51 PM
http://kotaku.com/gaming/erased/asian-hellgate-london-servers-to-get-wiped-321249.php

Asian servers get wiped.

Wonder why this didn't have the same effect on the US servers?


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on November 10, 2007, 10:51:59 PM
Because IAH has no fucking clue how to do anything. Period.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: tkinnun0 on November 11, 2007, 03:00:03 AM
Because IAH has no fucking clue how to do anything. Period.

Could have happened like this, too:

Day 0: FSS cannot deliver patch0 to IAH in time for launch, so IAH is faced with a choice: launch with beta servers or delay the launch until they get patch0.
Day 1: IAH launches with beta servers.
Day 2: FSS gives patch0 to IAH, who are faced with a choice: bring down servers and wipe everyone or demand a patch from FSS that doesn't require a wipe.
Day 3-6: FSS works on a patch.
Day 7: People start to hit the level cap.
Day 8: IAH have run out of time, so FSS gives them what they have. IAH patches the servers.
Day 10: Every high-level character is fucked up beyond belief, FSS throws their hands in the air and IAH is forced wipe anyway.

(Day numbers are for illustrative purposes only)

Bottom line: IAH works with what FSS gives to them, if IAH fucks up it's only because FSS allows them to.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on November 11, 2007, 03:01:07 AM
You mean IAH couldn't have tested the patch on an internal server? How do I shot patch?

Edit: I'm not defending Flagship here. They are chockfull of fuckups and they have at least 3 months of bugfixing ahead of them before they can really start churning out content that doesn't fuck things up beyond all recognition. Thing is, I'm pretty sure most of the people playing here are willing to wait those 3 months. As for IAH, meh, get some QA. They already knew Flagship was fucking up.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Dren on November 12, 2007, 07:33:42 AM
I got the game Saturday morning.  I installed it with no problems.  Patched with no problems.  Had no problems running right from the start with default settings.

I got stuck on geometry twice.  I learned not to jump on top of things too much.  I wish they had a /unstuck command like SB had.

I played the crap out of the game for an unnatural amount of time.  I actual catassed this.  I have a level 18 Guardian with some forays into Evoker and Blademaster.  Evoker = Hard as hell to play in the beginning.  Swordsmaster = Easy, but not near as easy as Guardian.  Summary: Guardians are extreme easy mode.  Evoker = Extreme Hard mode (I'm sure they get pretty kick ass later.)

I had flash backs to DDO for melee fighting.  Very fast and chaotic with a lot of running around, strafing, and backing up.  This is all in a fun way, not annoying (like DDO got sometimes.)

Lewts.  My God, the Lewts!  The crafting!  Yes, the crafting.  I love it.  I really do.  While I'm sure there is a lot of fixing left to do, I got my money's worth already out of the box.  I'll hold off on a subscription until I feel like I "NEED" to get it.  That will probably happen as I near the end of Normal.  Although, I will want to play through on another class too, maybe on single player just to feel them out (to avoid lag issues.)

I think I had one true crash.  I had a few other issues but I think they are with my ISP.  It was obviously not enough to keep me from playing too much.  I just called them "Get your ass up and do something else" breaks.

Yeah, if you are on the fence on whether to purchase the box, I do believe it is well worth the cost for just playing single player or by yourself (without sub) online.  I didn't group up, didn't talke to anyone, and still had a blast.

You can always decide to sub later, but there are many hours of enjoyment to be had before you have to make that decision.  I'm estimating about 50 hours of playing before I'll feel I'm forced to decide.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Wolf on November 12, 2007, 07:46:28 AM
I got stuck on geometry twice.  I learned not to jump on top of things too much.  I wish they had a /unstuck command like SB had.

It's /stuck :)


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Rendakor on November 12, 2007, 07:48:11 AM
There is a /stuck command, to teleport you to the zoneline. It has a 30 second cooldown.

Edit: beaten by Wolf.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Dren on November 12, 2007, 09:03:45 AM
Ugh.  Ok, thanks!


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Falconeer on November 12, 2007, 11:10:07 AM
Hey CS Geldon, help me.

Where the in hell are the Armor Sets?! That was one of my personal faves from Diablo 2. Are there armour sets here, and if so what colours do they have?


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on November 12, 2007, 11:11:53 AM
Item Sets aren't in yet. They are tier 4.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Falconeer on November 12, 2007, 11:31:52 AM
Nice.

Uhm, are you serious by the way? What's tier 4 in HGL terms? And any leaked hint about the possible colour of set items? (I am a sucker for colours)


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on November 12, 2007, 11:43:30 AM
In between Epic and Legendary.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Falconeer on November 12, 2007, 12:12:36 PM
Uhm.

Could someone fix this for me?

Tier 0 - White - Common
Tier 1 - Green - Uncommon
Tier 2 - Blue - Rare
Tier 3 - Orange - Legendary
Tier 4 - Color... ? - Sets Item (not yet released)
Tier 5 - Color... ? - Epic

Tier ? - Yellow - Unique




Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on November 12, 2007, 12:14:16 PM
Tier 5 is epics. Yellow.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Morfiend on November 12, 2007, 12:20:18 PM
Uhm.

Could someone fix this for me?

Tier 0 - White - Common
Tier 1 - Green - Uncommon
Tier 2 - Blue - Rare
Tier 3 - Orange - Legendary
Tier 4 - Color... ? - Sets Item (not yet released)
Tier 5 - Color... ? - Epic

Tier ? - Yellow - Unique



I know Uniques are yellowish brown, also the star system has Legendary items as 5 stars. Does that mean they are t5?


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Falconeer on November 12, 2007, 12:23:29 PM
So:

Tier 0 - White - Common
Tier 1 - Green - Uncommon
Tier 2 - Blue - Rare
Tier 3 - Orange - Legendary
*Tier 4 - Color... ? - Sets Item (not yet released)*
Tier 5 - Yellow - Unique/Epic (like the Fawkes' gloves)

We basically miss a tier, colour unknown.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: geldonyetich2 on November 12, 2007, 01:30:13 PM
I think (and I'll get schooled on this if I'm wrong) that the set gear in Hellgate: London (which is currently not enabled as set gear) is currently identifiable by the name.  For example, Faulker's <something something>.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: rattran on November 12, 2007, 02:10:39 PM
The names on gear seem just to be properties, not set parts. ie, Fawkes stuff (even pre-gloves) adds ignite points. I had a helm and boots that were of wildly different levels, one blue one orange, both Fawkes.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: geldonyetich2 on November 14, 2007, 05:19:59 PM
PC Gamer has given it a 89%, the highest rating yet for Hellgate: London.

Unfortunately, they gave Two Worlds (this generation's Ultima 9) an 81% in the same issue.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: sam, an eggplant on November 14, 2007, 10:04:34 PM
PCG reviewed the september beta on private servers. It was an exclusive, given 5 full pages, and got the cover. Also note that there's no byline for the review, because the author didn't want his name to be associated with it. They are dirty whores.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Margalis on November 14, 2007, 10:08:02 PM
The 1up review was pretty funny. They gave it a 4.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: sam, an eggplant on November 14, 2007, 10:10:19 PM
It's a 4 on a true 1-10 scale, not the 7-9 used in many other publications. The 4 means it's below average; the equivalent of IGN's 7.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Simond on November 15, 2007, 04:13:29 AM
PC Gamer has given it a 89%, the highest rating yet for Hellgate: London.
Any time a game gets an 89% review, it should send up immediate warning flags. 89% means "We got paid to give this game a good score but even such amoral prostistutes as ourselves cannot bring ourselves to give this game the magic 90%+ rating. Ignore this entire review"


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Margalis on November 15, 2007, 05:01:53 PM
It's a 4 on a true 1-10 scale, not the 7-9 used in many other publications. The 4 means it's below average; the equivalent of IGN's 7.

According to their rating it is "bad", but really "below average" ain't no great shakes either.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Hoax on November 15, 2007, 05:20:16 PM
The 1up review was pretty funny. They gave it a 4.


Quote
You're not all bad. Underneath the frustrating instability, behind the graceless chat window, and beyond the procession of NPC dialog boxes, you tickled that deep primordial need to gather more stuff and get stronger. Loot and leveling are the essence of any RPG, and you're equipped to satisfy that jones. Now, if only you could straighten up the rest of your act, you might be more than a partner in whatever dysfunctional need you meet for those unfortunate players willing to put up with you. You might be an actual good game. But for now, get help. Patches, add-ons, reboots...whatever. If that happens, give me a call.

This guy should get the f13 seal of not sucking cock while writing about a video game.  Not that the writing itself was stupendous or anything but at least he called a spade and spade without getting all "OMG SUXXOR ANGST!"  I thought this final paragraph was a damn good summation of how I feel about the game myself.

Do not get me wrong (Schild) this is not some kind of endorsement of this "review" (it really isn't Schild) it was way too short and vague and didn't actually tell anyone who hasn't been playing HG:L since launch wtf is going on (I know that Schild) but he still sucks considerably less ass then most reviewers (can't we give him that Schild?).  Taking that into consideration I think we should send him a: f13 says- "I don't suck as much dick as the guy two cubicles down" pen. (r)



Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on November 15, 2007, 05:30:50 PM
I don't think he's getting shit. That reviewer is Tom Chick. He runs Q23.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: rk47 on November 15, 2007, 06:39:18 PM
Quote
Loot and leveling are the essence of any mmoRPG, and you're equipped to satisfy that jones.


Fixed. Seriously.   :x


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on November 15, 2007, 06:49:22 PM
Actually, Loot and Leveling are the essence of all current MMORPGs.

But HEY, think whatever you want. Even ATITD is about loot and leveling.
So it Eve.
Anyway, everything.

Also, Tom Chick knows more than you rk47.

Q23 is to wankery silly bullshit as f13 is to WANTING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. Which is to say, they're on the other side of the mirror.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Falconeer on November 16, 2007, 04:12:24 AM
Actually, Loot and Leveling are the essence of all current MMORPGs.
[...]
So it Eve.

Eve? Not sure.
And Shadowbane?


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Trippy on November 16, 2007, 04:33:11 AM
Without loot and levelling (skilling) in EVE everybody would still be flying around in their newbie Frigates.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Falconeer on November 16, 2007, 04:40:46 AM
I think it's a bit stretched but I can see your point.

This leaves us with Shadowbane being the only MMORPG not being (anymore) about loot and leveling. Just until they pull the plug.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Trippy on November 16, 2007, 04:55:39 AM
I didn't play Shadowbane but how did you get the resources to build your city?


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Falconeer on November 16, 2007, 05:18:01 AM
That's the stretch I was talking about.

Back to Schild's quote:

Quote
Actually, Loot and Leveling are the essence of all current MMORPGs.

Not in SB.
There's a difference between "needing resources to build something in your game" and "the essence of your game". And loot is 50% of that quote anyway.
Shadowbane is all about the conflict. Leveling doesn't matter anymore as everyone gets to 75 (the cap) in 3 days and the best or close to best gear is pretty easy to obtain and it's basically "capped" too.

It's not like there's no loot, it just isn't the essence of SB. Not even a smaller bit of it.
Unless you call "loot" the cities you can "steal" to your enemies after wiping them off the map.

To answer your question, while in all the other MMORPGs the "loot" is needed by ANY character unless you want to go out naked, in SB once you are decently equipped there's a fair chance that someone else who cares more built the cities and gather the resources for you and you can just focus on fighting, warring and pillaging.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on November 16, 2007, 06:33:17 AM
What are you babbling about? Just because Loot is easy to obtain doesn't mean it's not part of SB. And the fact that you even referenced SB has me on the lollercoaster. Also, the reason everyone gets to 75 in 3 days is because you have to to compete. And once again, just because it's easy to obtain level 75 doesn't mean it can be avoided.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Falconeer on November 16, 2007, 06:44:04 AM
What are you babbling about? Just because Loot is easy to obtain doesn't mean it's not part of SB.

"part of" definitely different from "the essence of".

Anyway I don't care about nitpicking and this is (because of me) getting too long already.
I just wanted to point out that some MMORPGs definitely have something else as the "essence", and in the case of EVE, SB and Pre-Trammel Ultima Online, it isn't/wasn't leveling nor loot, but instead humans and the way they deal with each others.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on November 16, 2007, 07:21:45 AM
Humans and the way they deal with eachother are metagame, always. Devs can't predict or program for that on a reasonable scale.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Hoax on November 16, 2007, 07:43:22 AM
What's a Q23?

I tried to  :google: but the top 3 responses to "Q23 tom chick" are f13 links and my brain has been trained never to look below the top three.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on November 16, 2007, 07:45:32 AM
What's a Q23?

http://www.quartertothree.com/


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Hoax on November 16, 2007, 07:51:57 AM
Here are two links to make Schild mad because I bet he will click them and read way too much...

Link#1 (http://www.quartertothree.com/game-talk/showthread.php?t=39984)
Link#2 (http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=208265)

What are these sites? Suddenly its like I almost know what the fuck Schild has been on about all those times.


fucking late for work now, thanks a lot tom chick...


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Falconeer on November 16, 2007, 07:53:38 AM
Humans and the way they deal with eachother are metagame, always. Devs can't predict or program for that on a reasonable scale.

Ok, so loot and levels are "the essence" of EVE and Shadowbane? You convinced me. Sheesh.  :awesome_for_real:


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on November 16, 2007, 08:20:53 AM
What are these sites? Suddenly its like I almost know what the fuck Schild has been on about all those times.

You should read other sites where the admins post a lot. I'll seem like the sanest of the entire bunch and it'll even make people like Geldon drive you less insane.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Ixxit on November 16, 2007, 08:38:36 AM

What are these sites? Suddenly its like I almost know what the fuck Schild has been on about all those times.

fucking late for work now, thanks a lot tom chick...

Quarter to Three has been around for years and the  community has members from the gaming industry, members of the gaming press, and a large number of everday gamers.  Both Lum and Raph post there and even Serek Dmart until he got banned  :awesome_for_real:.   Been posting there for years; a lot of good and different perspectives there.

Oh, and  Tom Chick's Hellgate Review? I thought it summed up the strengths and weaknesses pretty well.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: lariac on November 16, 2007, 09:13:42 AM
Even though I had my suspicions about HGL due to the closed beta (and they were correct), and have swore not to give my gaming money to a half-baked product, I think Tom's review was pretty good; matching the general consensus to what I have read on here and Q3.

However, I do disagree with his review of Assassins Creed.

Good thing out of all this is that I went out and bought Titan's Quest and been enjoying the hell out that game. I probably will pick up HGL in a year or so, after the bugs are worked out, and hopefully after they change their pricing model.


and Schild,

You are passionate about games and that is a good thing, but sometimes that inner fanbois of yours comes out. Sometimes you are right and sometimes you are wrong. Keep it up though cause it makes a decent discussion .


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Margalis on November 16, 2007, 04:10:05 PM
I like the shortness of 1up reviews. If you look at multi-page reviews most of them are just tedious recounting of backstory and move lists.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Hoax on November 16, 2007, 04:18:13 PM
Yeah but if I hadn't been playing HG:L for the last week or so I wouldn't have been able to figure out anything useful from that review.

Did he nail exactly how anyone sane should feel about HG:L?  Pretty much.  But he fucking only glossed over with the lightest of touches the reasons why they should feel that way.  I was giving him credit for not being a cockshill which I thought was considered a pretty novel thing among game journalists, I wouldn't know because I don't read fucking reviews unless one of you people links me to them.

I do agree though, long reviews suck balls too because eventually they are just spoilers and crap about the development cycle which means nothing to me in my role as Joe.Gamer


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Evildrider on December 22, 2007, 03:18:44 PM
hmm.. looks like I got this for Christmas.

However from looking at the threads and shit here.  I'm not sure that's a good thing.
Damn you Witcher, for being sold out!


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Ratman_tf on December 22, 2007, 03:47:58 PM
Eh, it's a fun little dungeon romp, as long as you don't scarf the game down in two days and then go ballistic over the plethora of bugs you'll get slammed with by gobbling up all the content in one go. Like Schild.  :grin:


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: schild on December 22, 2007, 03:58:20 PM
I can be blamed for many, many things. But not bugs and developer incompetence.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Evildrider on December 22, 2007, 04:48:59 PM
Eh, it's a fun little dungeon romp, as long as you don't scarf the game down in two days and then go ballistic over the plethora of bugs you'll get slammed with by gobbling up all the content in one go. Like Schild.  :grin:

Yeah I don't tend to burn through games that often.. it really has to grab my attention from the first hour of gameplay, or I'll play it an hour here or there. 

Question though, is it even worth it to sub?  I wasn't planning on it right off the bat.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Tmon on December 22, 2007, 06:57:17 PM
No real point in subbing before you finish your first run through unless you desperately need item storage.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Ratman_tf on December 22, 2007, 09:31:27 PM
I didn't sub, and I have no reason to for now.

Hell, I mostly play offline.


Title: Re: First Hellgate Reviews Start to Roll In (and for those of you on the fence)
Post by: Furiously on December 23, 2007, 06:53:55 PM
I can be blamed for many, many things. But not bugs and developer incompetence.

Syphilis?