What is your view on Wildstar?

I have bought the game, I have tried the game and...I could only think about my GW2 title:"Been there, Done that".

The game in itself is excellent. Yes, the combat system is innovative, it is a new world to explore, and everything else that has been said about it. However, it has a strong taste of "all over deja vu again and again".

I have not played many different MMOs but every time I switched; I had a good reason.

WoW to Rift: WoW annoying security issues related to PWs and a growing base of unlikable players.

Rift to GW2: My Gaiscioch family moved on, I like (still playing the game) the questing system in GW2 and the gear for my characters is very nicely designed. WvW activities are nice too. however, Anet is messing around with maps (the destruction of Lion's Arch was not my favourite moment)

If I were to describe my dream MMO it would be:

WoW player base minus "the unlikables" (aka gold sellers, idiots, elitists and so on).

Rift Character creation and some of their graphics. If they could include the gnomes in the character panel it would be nice (Dwarves were not tiny and cute enough;-)

GW2 questing and events systems and gear stats

Wildstar combat system and difficulty (yes, you do have to concentrate when fighting in WS).

and every character being able to have any roles A Chua Stalker would be fun.

I tried Wildstar on a 7 day pass. I decided not to get it.

I can see the appeal, and it looks like a high-quality game. There appears to be quite a lot to do. But the setting, character design, and artwork just didn't draw me in. As much as I may be a bit tired of the fantasy/Sword & Sorcery trope in MMOs, I guess it feels more at home to me.

Technically, I think Wildstar is a great game.  Combat mechanics are easy to learn but uniquely challenging.  Quests and puzzles have variety to them.  The housing and mounts are entertaining and useful.  There is a lot to like about the game.  I also appreciate how much effort the development team takes into communicating with the public.  You get the feeling that they really love their game.

That being said, it's one of those games that will appeal to a certain audience but lacks the broader appeal that some games have.  One part of it is that it's cartoony graphics aren't exactly cutting edge.  The other part is that it's a Sci Fi MMO which takes some getting used to also. 

For me personally, I've played it off and on but it hasn't really differentiated itself enough from ESO that I feel like quitting one and playing the other.  Like the OP, I'm not particularly thrilled with any of the MMO's currently out so I'm just playing the one that I've spent the most time with already at the moment lol.  We'll see what the other new games on the horizon bring.

Again, I do think Wildstar is a well executed game.  Besides the queue lines, I never experienced any other issues at all.  And the game is refreshingly different in tone because it really doesn't take itself very seriously at all. 

Wildstar was designed for a particular type of gamer.  If folks try it and find that its not to their liking, then its them, not the game.  Now I'm not saying that's its anything wrong with the player, I'm just saying that its a taste compatibility issue.

Its a lot like dating:  You and a friend meet this quirky chick that's cute in an unique way, but while he finds her entertaining and attractive, you're annoyed and put off by her.  (girls, you can switch around the he's and she's to relate from your PoV)

They didn't set out to compete with AAA generic titles, they aimed for a niche market and being one of those players who does like quirky, I think that they hit their mark.  Like any game, sure its got its issues, but its just so freaking fun that I tend to overlook them, unlike ESO.

I absolutely love Wildstar.  I agree with Sekkerhund completely,  It is very quirky - and that is either a great fit for you or not.  For me, I have not had this much fun and enjoyment from a game aspect in years.  There is endless amounts to do.

I've come full circle. I had decided Wildstar wasn't for me because it looked cartoony, and that's not usually my thing. Then two things happened: recurrent login issues which left me unable to play ESO, and JaeOnasi was kind enough to send me a 7-day guest pass to Wildstar.

I love Wildstar. It doesn't feel like the "cookie cutter" MMO to me; the presentation is so quirky and different. I never played SWTOR or Rift though so maybe that's why it seems so refreshingly new to me. It's just so much fun, and one of the things I really like about it is that it's easy to "pick up and play" without feeling like I'm falling behind or losing track of my goals for my characters if I can't log in daily.

I'm building a small army of Dominion Chua who all look like a fusion of Sonic the Hedgehog, Crash Bandicoot and Alvin Chipmunk. ;)

Thanks to a 7 day pass, kindly gifted to me by a guildie, I've finally had a look at this game. My first night playing, I wasn't drawn in as much as I would have liked (I put that down to a rough day at work, tiredness and having to learn new keys - not the best combo for the right frame of mine to start a new game in) - I've come to expect quality voice overs, cut scenes etc from my games now too and found these lacking.

But... once I got out of 'tutorial' and off the ship things really opened up for me. I chose explorer and I really loved the baby jumping puzzle style of some of the early missions for this. I LOVE the double jump! hehe I found the story interesting, and also found myself becoming attached to some of the main NPCs. I love the quest hubs (I've discovered thanks to GW2 that I really prefer to have quests to follow. I need the drive and the sense of accomplishment from having them - I got really bored with GW2 hearts and events *shrugs*). I enjoyed combat as well. I didn't get a chance to progress far to really have an opinon beyond these things though.

The downside is that I can only afford one sub game at the moment, and I'm still content with ESO. I'd be interested to hear how the C.R.E.D.D. system goes with Wildstar... maybe I can play it that way. Or I may end up just gamecarding it so that when I feel that I need something new I can easily switch to Wildstar for a bit.

I too have enjoyed WildStar since beta. At first I did not like it because of the combat style was somewhat different but as I moved along in the game, I became more interested in it. The cartoon type characters are entertaining to me and I like the colorful graphics. I have made several characters on different servers and found a few good gaming communities called GRIEVANCE and another called THE OLD TIMERS GUILD which was in the ESO spotlight. I still play ESO even though at times I get very frustrated with some of the issues I am having trying to level up my characters, but it is a challenge for me and I do like challenges as long as I can keep the patience. 

Old Timers is a good group of folks.  What server/faction are they on?

@Sekk

Totally agree about OTG being a good bunch of folks.

Looks like they're on:

Thunderfoot (PVE) -- Exiles

Caretaker (PVE) -- Dominion

http://www.oldtimersguild.com/vb/showthread.php?202077-Wildstar-Servers

9 months ago when I tried the game in beta I swore i would never look at it again.  I picked it up out of boredom shortly after release and have not put it down, loving the game.  I too am playing with OTG on Thunderfoot - Exiles.   So those that gave it a try in beta and were on the fence, come back and give it another try....and check out The Old Timers Guild.

I tried it during beta, there were just waaaaaaaaaaaay too many walls of text and not enough cutscenes. Add to the fact that questing and combat just felt really un-challanging and tedious, I just bored myself out of actually buying it.

I wanted to play Wildstar because I thought it was going to be humorous and have lots of cut scenes, and that the humor was going to be similar to Ratchet and Clank. But it just did not meet my expectations.

Wildstar doesn't do it for me. If I want to go play a space game, I will go back to SWTOR. It just doesn't appeal to me in any way.

Ah cool, my Dommies are on Caretaker too.  I'm in a position where I can reroll my Exiles easily.  I have all of my toon creations saved, so would just be a matter of hoping I can get my names on Thunderfoot.

I was in the same boat as Ironbars.

I played in a couple beta weekends and it just wasn't for me (I think because I bought into the Wow-clone hype at the time, and though I played WoW in the early years I ended up detesting WoW). BUT...after release I decided to give it a try as ESO was just not doing it for me :(

Needless to say, I absolutely fell in love with it. I liked the art style, and loved the attitude of the game. I'm a huge Rachet and Clank fan, and combined with the art style that is reminiscent (to me at least) of the movie "Meet the Robinsons", of which I am a HUGE fan, it clicked.

With ESO I couldn't bring myself to log in after a few weeks, but with Wildstar I can't seem to log out, although I force myself to to maintain marital bliss ;)

I am playing Exile on Evindra with a guild called "Blazing Saddles", and have a Dominion character on Stormtalon, but haven't really found a Dommie home just yet. I might take a look at the OTG on Caretaker. I used to play with them back in the day.

Anyhoo, I LOVE Wildstar! Love love love love it!!! IMO it is a much better game than SWTOR. Like SWTOR it is on rails, but whereas SWTOR is like the Orient Express; Wildstar is like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad driven by Charlie Sheen with Ozzie Osborne providing the live entertainment, Willy Wonka running the dining car and George Carlin as Mr. Conductor.

Good stuff.

I am strangely intrigued by these posts. 

 I haven't had a lot of time to play but thus far I think it's a pretty fun game.  In relation to the rpg aspect of the games quests and story line it's probably one of the funnest I have played in a long time. Very comical.  The graphics in a sense play into that coyote, road runner tone of the story line in my opinion. That being said I just can't seem to get into the game. Still trying but I can't figure out why I'm put off. Maybe because I don't belong to a guild yet,  maybe it's because I have my sights set on EQ Next,  maybe it's because I was so hopeful that Destiny was going to be for PC, who knows. I agree it's a game thats not for every one maybe I'm just one of those people. Still I give it a thumbs up.  

I've put in an app to OTG on the Caretaker Dominion side (happily my Dominion toons were already on that server). I tend to run solo most of the time, but it gets too lonely without a friendly guildchat.

I think that Wildstar showed a lot of promise, but it is a very niche setting.  If I could describe the setting with comparisons, I would say it is a cross between Firefly and Road Runner.  I think it will be a great game for people that are interested in playing in that kind of setting.  Even though I'm a huge fan of Sci-Fi, especially Wild West style Sci-Fi (like Firefly), I personally prefer medieval settings for MMORPGs.  Just because I'm not really into the setting doesn't mean it's a bad game though, I think it will do great if it can keep that niche fan-base happy.

It doesn't need to be said at this point, but another vote of confidence for OTG.  Although I did not join their guild, I happily ran raids off and on with some of their members in DDO.  Nothing but class from all their players.

They have the Gaiscioch mindset.

@Rkiivs

That was my experience of them too. I was in a different WoW guild years ago but crossed paths with them in PvP battlegrounds. Maturity and respect for other players isn't something you see often in a WoW BG, so it made a big impression.

 OTG are good people meet a few of them back in WoW  years ago used to group up with them a lot back then , fun bunch .

@ DelboyAmaryliz - loved your post. i really agree with your thoughts. 

WoW pre-Cata was a decent game. left @ Cata due to unpleasant pugs.

Rift was fun, graphics were great but without raiding, there wasn't enough content for me at end game

GW2 was a bunch of fun. the questing was excellent. i may go back.

ESO - very disappointed from the folks who brought us Morrowind...

best,

Malle

Funny you guys should mention OTG as I run with them off and on in ArcheAge =p

Great group of people!

I'm absolutely loving WildStar and am still a little sad it didn't get a Gaiscioch offshoot. The graphic style, the character creation, the crazy wackiness and comedy. This is the most fun I've had in a n MMO since I first started playing RIFT. 

If anyone wants to come play on a PVP server the guys you might recognize as Richtor (Miiah) and Bachada (Anthony/me) have a Dominion guild.

Server - Warbringer (PVP)

Faction - Dominion

Guild - Hand of the Eldan

Look for Alphatrion, Wreckgar, Talia, Ratchet, Aia, Maire, SirThrocken, AvenKal, Bachzz, or Bachtron for an invite. 

All are welcome. 

I actually got almost all of my Exile names on Thunderfoot, except for one, but made up for the loss by getting one that I prefer, but can never find free.

I'd forgotten how much less stressful non-global naming was. Was very surprised when my one-word names were available on Caretaker, which is populated enough to be offering free transfers out. 

Haven't tried it, never even considered it for one reason. The graphics quality of the game is as old as Wow and I don't play games that look like a comic book.  I gave up comic books when I grew up. Smile.

Caytlynne of Skye

If you view graphic hyperrealism as indicative of game quality and player maturity, you're going to hate Wildstar, and a bunch of other games.

"Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional."  Quotes Chili Davis.  :) 

I've been playing it since launch. It was one of those games that took me by surprise - I wasn't interested in what I saw as the obnoxious cartooniness, and sci-fi didn't really appeal to me. A friend gave me a beta key, and at first, I didn't think I liked it, but the next morning I woke up wanting to play some more. It won me over slowly, but I love it now. If I had the funds, I'd buy a year subscription.

I'm also very impressed with Carbine's work ethic, their communication with the players, and the way that they give back to the community.

If any of you are familiar with Philanthropy from Rift, they have a large (300+ members) Exile guild on the Caretaker realm. I've been running with them and it's been a great experience so far.

» Edited on: 2014-06-29 19:50:44

I have to make one addition to my post. The fact that there is a "scheduled maintenance" every single time i want to play ( and I do mean every single time) doesn't help the game.

I was considering the option of getting a sub and was looking forward to some fun today (because it is a fun game). Logged on, played for 3 minutes before loosing connection due to the realms being taken down. estimated down time 4 hours!

One thing to say: Bye bye, Wildstar (I somewhat feel sorry for having spent 75 bucks on that). 

If you have some time to burn, here's a series of videos that the Dev's created during the Beta, that explain some of the design and mechanic decisions.  They're very interesting, if you're into that sort of thing.

Don't just look at the game on the surface (as in graphically) and think "oh gee, I saw this once, in a game called World of Warcraft." because you will be wrong.  Very wrong.

whoops forgot the link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4Yt7jkWoyvmmnQIbaIEOR_AY-smwRt1l

DelboyAmaryliz I'm sorry to hear that. I havn't had any downtime since I bought the game. Been playing it since pre-launch and it's been flawless. In fact with the three weeks I wasn't able to play ESO ( due to being stuck in celarius ) I was able to buy and play Wildstar perfectly fine the whole time. That was one of the major reasons for jumping ship for me. 

Plus as it's already been mentioned the amount of communication from their dev team has been a refreshing sight coming from ESO. 

When it's looked at overall I think that what they have is something game changing for me. From launch it's been a smooth experience with absolutly no glitches or bugs. No having to relog to complete a quest, no being stuck in a zone to have to wait for a CSR to move me, no massive trains of bots stopping my progression because I can't hit a dungeon boss for completion. 

I just wish we could all coordinate to get on the same team and play together.

Wow Kaitlyn, that makes me sad to hear that :(

I was on the PTS of WS. I've played many a MMO over the last 16 yrs. I still have GW2 still love the game, playing ESO fan of the series. I could afford to have a 2nd sub for WS. But them game time would be split to few in between games. I liked the syfy aspect and the challenges and everything else about WS. Forgot to mention I also play D3 to lol. Alas I am one person with only 2 hands and one head otherwise would be playing WS as well lol. 

Like Kaytlin, I won't play a MMO that is too cartoonish.  That's also why I didn't play WOW much past it's launch.

I watched some Wildstar game play videos before it's launch and was not interested in the game.

To me, the ambience of an MMO is quite important.  I like the immersive feel of ESO.  A lot of effort went into crafting the game world.  I feel soothing playing in the ESO world.  Which is where a lot of the money got spend on in ESO I guess.

Going cartoonish probably save money on the graphics so that Wildstar was able to release with more features.  But it won't capture my type of audience.  Just a matter of taste is all.

Just love it. IMO it's doing almost everything right. I really wish that Gaiscioch had decided to move there, or at least have an official presence. But I found a good Guild and my RL friends have formed a Circle and we're having a blast.

I lot of the comments here are pretty spot on. Gameplay is engaging, fun, and varied. The sense of humor is refreshing. The SciFi setting is a nice change of pace. It really feels like a game they took their time to build, with lots of input from experienced Devs and Players. Carbine is crazy responsive and communicative. And it's fun, really fun, right from the get-go.

And the writing is so good that I genuinely hate the Dominion. I go out of my way to kill every Chua I run across. I never PVP, and I', thinking I need to learn so I can make them pay for their crimes. So yeah, the story has pulled me in. Burn, Dominion, burn... :)

[I am now out of 7 day passes, but am still happy to share guild info for people who want to meet up in game.  Drop me a PM- I still check them once a week at least.]

I went from having absolutely zero interest in this game to having a friend get me into a beta after we both had issues in another game, to having it be the only game I have any interest in at all.  Some things I really like that I haven't seen mentioned in this thread:

-It has a decent guild set up, shows when you've been online last and gives you the ability to leave notes on your character's name on the guild roster- I am in a community oriented PvX, medium sized, very easy going, 18+ Exile side guild on the Stormtalon server, in our guild we put in the notes our Guild Forum name, the roles our character can cover, and whether it is our main character or an alt.  Its a real contrast to some seriously poor implementation in some MMORPG's the last couple of years.  Not only the guild system but the trade and commodities as well.

-Its great for solo play yet gives a specific type of reward that increases the more people you're playing with.  The mentoring system is one thing in particular that shines.  I was especially happy to find that I got reasonable experience mentoring down to play with my husband who just started playing a month after I did, even in the starting zones.  I wasn't getting XP in the caliber I would get at my own level's zone but it wasn't bad either.

-The housing & crafting- which are compatible, and feel

worth the effort I've put into them and fun to work on.  Making neighbors with other people in the housing plots and in my guild, so we can fill each others' mail up with crafting mats by using each others' nodes and gardens, or using another person's, or an alt's crafting table if you don't have one, and doing each others' jumping puzzles, taking advantage of each others' challenges, special portals, dungeon and raid hubs - I've found it to be a nice addition.

Like any game its not going to appeal to everybody- but I think the fact that it wasn't designed with everybody in mind has allowed the designers and developers to work harder toward pleasing the audience they were aiming toward.  I didn't think it would be me, but this one turned out to be just right. 

My one real big complaint with WS, and its rather small, all things considered

is that if you break aggro for even a moment, the health bar of the enemy you're fighting resets instantly. Its only really an issue when fighting solo, but its pretty irritating unless it happens to save my butt via one of those skills that drops all threat and tosses me out of aggro range from a fight I never should have started.  Most of the time, though, I just need a second to kite and jump back into the fray and this mechanic just leaves you in a worse position. I'm sure there will be more things to like and dislike as I play more. 

(I'm sorry to hear about the maintenance- maybe its the hours that I play but I haven't seen many since the 1st couple days (when that happened to me a lot- I'd get through the queue and bam, maintenance.  The ones I have seen lately haven't been often and not longer than 15-30 mins.)

» Edited on: 2014-07-06 00:30:21

» Edited on: 2014-07-06 05:57:48

The coloration is similar to World of Warcraft, as is some of the art style, but the texturing is completely original (well, as best as I can word it).  One of the artists that helped developed the "WoW look", is the art director that designed Wildstar's art.  That's why the look is similar.

http://www.wildstar-online.com/en/news/art_director_matt_mocarski_its_all_about_style.php/

http://wow.gameguyz.com/news/wildstar-comparisons-antique-world-warcraft-are-obsequious.html

But if folks don't like the look, then that's fine.  Its an artistic taste that has strong polarizations.