WAR (Warhammer Online)

Lets cut to the chase ---- I didn't originally plan on writing a review on my OB experience, but it needs to be done.

First, let it be known I'm running an 8800GTS model graphics card, 2 gigs on XP pro, and an AMD 6000+.  Not a low end rig, not a ridiculously high end rig.

That being said.

1) Graphics:  On the regular 1024X768 resolution the graphics are on par with just about every other MMO out there.  Yes, they are "WoW cartoony" in some aspects.  I feel the character models are nice, and the customization is pretty much on par with WoW as well.  *Lets note, that yes I am comparing certain aspects of the game to WoW, but lets face it, the character creation and graphics are pretty similar here* Not comparing these graphics to World of Warcraft would be like not comparing Mcdonalds to Burger King.  (you just read that line and you're thinking about the similarities as we speak -- don't lie, I read minds)

2) Gameplay:  I'm going to step aside on the performance and speak just about the gameplay.  I played on the side of Order as I heard that it was grossly outnumbered.  I played a multitude of classes to get my bearings.   Before speaking on my favorite chosen classes in which I will base my review, I have to say don't expect anything new in combat. 

Mythic decided to go with the simple hotbar route used in many MMOs today.  This isn't a gamebreaker.  You've seen it before, so what, most of you've seen a pair of breasts before, for some reason you like different versions of them, why should hotbars be any different?  Attacks were quick on all the characters I played --- Including the Dwarven Ironbreaker, the Elven White lion, all the way to my Runepriest and Warrior Priest.  At no point did I feel that my experience was hindered by slow attack speeds.  I did find that depending on what class you play certain skill selections can interrupt other skills not exactly queueing them which can make you miss some desired effects, especially in PVP situations.  Again, not a gamebreaker.. but it'll force you to learn your character. 

3) Performance:  I wouldn't classify Warhammer as being top notch performance, but I would rate it very high in this beta stage.  I crashed to desktop twice, I've also had small issues with the patcher upon restart of the game -- I also get stuck every 2-3 hours of gameplay for at least a couple minutes. (due to terrain issues).  Sometimes animals I'm attacking decide they don't want to fight me anymore and just walk off in which I can no longer attack them because they are "fleeing" after I've beaten them within an inch of their life.  Thats kind of annoying and I'm not sure if it's a bug or glitch... sometimes animals disappear altogether, but that happens extremely rarely, but it still happens.

I have not experienced any large amount of lag.  The monsters as not being attackable is annoying at best and would save some minor frustration to get that fixed.  Overall I did not find anything to prohibit gameplay enough to make the game unplayable. 

4) Classes:  I have played every class with the exception of the Witch Hunter, the Bright Wizard and the Engineer (three of the most desired classes in the game at the moment).  I chose not to play them specifically because I interacted with them the most and I decided to try classes that were less popular.

I'm not going to comment on each class and how they played, I'd rather comment on only the good and the bad of particular classes. 

For starters, the healing classes were done right -- I had the most fun playing healer classes from the start.  The Warrior Priest takes the cake as my favorite at this point as far as playabilities sake, but the most balanced I feel is the Archmage.  The mixture of DoT and HoT makes the Archmage class a wonder in PVP so you can both heal your team and still have time to dish out damage.    The Warrior Priest was mor of a one-or-the-other type of class, but in the heat of battle its good to know you can go toe to toe with damage dealers such as marauders.

I found the tanking class Ironbreaker to be a very standard tank class with very little use in PVP.  I couldn't play the ironbreaker for long as the damage dealt was too low to make a difference and I would rarely get targeted due to being a tank.  Even selectively choosing my targets and trying to prey on the weak yielded minimal results demoralizing me enough to not even try after level 4.  The question is... why would other players want to attack the ironbreaker?  He isn't strong enough to give out enough damage to become a threat so why not just attack the others and let the ironbreaker play tag as he chases you around?

The certain stance aspects of the shadow warrior was notable as it was reminiscent of the warriors in Vanguard which increases difficulty and mastery choices when playing that class.  It allows for players to maximize their effectiveness if they truly know how to play the character which takes skill.

5)RVR and PQs:  Realm vs Realm and Public Quests are what makes this game stand apart from the others.  Yes you could say the Scenarios are comparable to the Battlegrounds.  You'd be a fool not to, they are very similar.  However ---- I love the scenarios.  Most of my leveling came from running scenarios --- yes I could have leveled faster in PVE --- but the game was made to have fun... and I can PVP -- level -- and have fun all at the same time!  The ability to PVP from level 1 increases the funability (which is now a word) 10 fold.   Also queueing up for it while still completing PVE quests lets you make the most of your time spent.

On the flip side, the Public Quests are a nice addition.  Whereas the game is so new, the community isn't even comfortable spamming questions let alone idle chit-chat, I like being thrown into objectives where I still have the fun of working together with a group without having to waste my time looking for one.  It really brings in a community feel --- in a good way --- that you're working with the people next to you instead of pretending they don't exist while you go about your questing. 

These two things are worth playing the game for, not because they're just dolled up, painted versions of the same old rehashed content, but because they are fun -- simply -- because they are fun.  I hate PVP and the scenarios are fun.  Even when I lose 51 to 500 the scenarios are fun, and you can continuously run them again, and again.

One other notable option is when zoning into certain areas, a window pops up telling you what groups are available in your area.  Very helpful.

6) Closing Remarks:  DO NOT PLAY THIS GAME if you are looking for a change in the basic RPG fighting structure.  You won't find it here.  You will find, however, a close-to-polished game with gameplay on par with all major MMOs out there to date with some minor twists and turns that could potentially increases funability over what games you are currently playing.  WAR is not the next generation of the MMORPG, but it is a step in the right direction to what new aspects can be added to future game releases to make players happy.

The next gen MMO will not be created overnight --- expect to see a slow progression towards the next great game.   Warhammer is the first step forward, new questing systems that are fun and exciting.  Next we'll see who can successfully create a worthy combat system upgrade.

So to everyone willing to give Warhammer a try.... WAAAGH on my friends.

 I know it's down to a personal view point, but I don't know personally how anyone can say the graphics are "on par with just about every other MMO out there".

I've found the game to be a visual let down, and while that will improve for the full version the animation is just awful.

Dunno what classes you were playing that made you think it was "awful".  It all really is a matter of opinion and NO one's opinion is any more valid than someone elses.  Especially when it concerns art/graphics.  Personally I think Picasso was a complete and utter hack but that sure isn't going to change what someone else thinks, now is it?

Agreed animations could use some work if you like the flash.  I don't care for it much.  Bells and whistles is al lthat is.

Look at WoW, Everquest, SWG, Vanguard, and the like, and compare them to WAR.  NO, its no AoC, and thankfully such.  Yes DX10 would have been a nice addition, but you have to cut somewhere to have good performance. 

I don't find these graphics a let down, I just don't find them revolutionary.  Nothing special.  I won't condemn this game for that though.

With regards to the graphic's they seem fine nothing new but easy on the eye,I grew up playing jetset willy and attic attack where your guy was made up of 6 square blocks but still found myself playing them games for hours upon hours on end,gameplay is where it is at.

I will be playing a runepriest something a little new with the runes and healing is always a good challenge and rewarding at times,I can maybe understand if you play a tank type or similar it could feel the exact same as some games out there.

Anyway nice honest review thanks for writting it,always good to hear as many opinion's as possible. 

 My issues are I crash to desktop at least once every 2 hours and for some reason the ground is black with no grass or roads.

Originally posted by karat76

 My issues are I crash to desktop at least once every 2 hours and for some reason the ground is black with no grass or roads.

Thats got to be a graphics card problem.  Install the new drivers if possible.

I find the lighting and textures to be far superior to WoW.. Never played AoC, but damn.. Looks awesome to me.  But then again, I just got a new computer last week.

Specs:

AMD Athlon X2 +6000
4GIG DDR800
Geforce 260 GTX
Windows XP Pro SP3

Game running in:
Windowed Mode (1152x864)
8X AA
8X AF

Smooth as silk. Haven't had a single game-breaking problem. Not a single crash that wan't the server going down, which happens rarely for me.  Lighting, shadows, textures.. Top notch. Did I mention smooth as silk? Even with 40 or 50 people on the screen? Best Quality settings?

Yeah.. Don't know what people expect in an MMO where 200-300 people in a small area at one time. Especially if they're running on older systems.

Having a blast. Wouldn't play anything else.