A beast of a post – sorry 
So anyways, it’s the usual suspects I’ve played this year… Lotro, Minecraft, Skyrim with forays into EQ2 and Vanguard. It will probably be a similar list in 2014 with hopefully the additions of Elder Scrolls Online and Dragon Age: Inquisition.
I’ve recently picked up a new free to play app ‘Heroes of Dragon Age‘ which is surprisingly fun and addictive. It does rely a little too much on luck with the RNG when opening packs, but that’s nothing new for this type of game. Of course you can pay real money for a better quality pack, although the game is fairly generous in awarding free gems. The PvP has potential to be fun, however I’ve stopped as I am bored of continually coming across units which stack stun and aoe characters. It’s very effective but makes the fight very boring and down to luck. The quest side of the game is fun though and pretty difficult which is nice. There isn’t much in-depth play though, you build, develop and choose your squad then hope you’ve got it right. It’s a shame they didn’t go a little further and add some element of interaction in the actual fights, it could have been a nice turn based rpg. However, for what it is, I like it. I’ve started a new game of Dragon Age: Origins again anyway!
Vanguard – I didn’t have much time to play here this year. However, after reading the lotro producer’s letter, I’m already back and subbed in Vanguard and having a blast, hopefully will find time to write a post soon. Loving it
EQ2 – With Dimzad’s help I got my guild to level 30, bought a Guild Hall, got halfway through decorating it, got one character from 90 to 91 (a real slog when premium) and… not much else. I have popped back in very recently and was amazed by the new Frostfell zone. Absolutely stunning, see shots below The new wintry home premium house is astonishingly beautiful too, and I’m very tempted to buy and decorate one. I suspect that I will continue popping in to EQ2 next year as well.
Skyrim – I’m still playing on and off. I haven’t finished the two DLCs yet, so that is on my list of things to do.
Minecraft – I’m still messing about there. I’ve found a new ruleset to play under. I usually play on survival veering between peaceful and *cough* easy mode as I like the hunger bar and challenge of gathering but only like the combat in small doses. Creative is also fun for when I’m in a building mood. So anyway, if you type /gamerule doMobSpawning false , the monsters do not spawn, animals do and your hunger bar decreases. Mobs from dungeon spawners will still spawn however (which actually adds a cool element of danger imo). I’ve been doing a mad build with my littlun which includes a massive castle, a wizards tower, a floating park, a maze and a circus. We’ve also been playing a bit together on MCPE but we haven’t had much time to do anything cool yet.
So… lotro… this probably needs an in depth post of its own, which I may or may not write. So I will just briefly say that with the lack of challenge and the lack of endgame I was already considering other games (quietly hoping Elder Scrolls Online is going to be good). I’ve now read the producer’s letter, and I have to say I find it extremely difficult to view her statement as positive. I think it’s going to be best to just take a break from the game and just keep my main character ticking over as and when. So lotro is relegated to my secondary MMO for now and Vanguard is my main until we have further news on Elder Scroll Online.
So, Elder Scrolls Online. I have tightly boxed up hopes for this game. Aside from not getting into beta (pah to not inviting EU peeps yet :P) I am mostly worried about the current seeming focus on PvP and the stupid faction thing. I would also have liked to have to seen useful player housing, it really has been an integral feature of Elder Scrolls since Daggerfall (excepting Morrowind) so it’s a real shame it’s not there. Although it is a lack, it isn’t a deal breaker. Hopefully we will start getting more PvE endgame info soon because if the main focus is PvP then it’s not going to be the game for me long term.
Hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
