So... I snagged one of the keys. I really should have done a blind let's play because I am sure it would have been indicative of the the first 3 hours anyone spends in game and it was full of "game trolls you moments".
Anyways, I left Boston and my goal was to find maple leaves and Autumn grass. I saw hundreds of what appeared to be maple trees, but when I right clicked on them I didn't get the option to get a leaf. Now, I've played HnH so I understand that trees can run out of leaves. Logic/graphics aside, this is no big deal. The problem is there is no indication if this is the correct kind of tree and out of leaves, the correct tree and I lack skills, or the incorrect type of tree entirely. I also saw a few clumps of grass...... all inaccessible on small slopes. FUUUUUUUUU. When I finally found everything I needed the Tutorial suggested I fast travel back to Boston... which wasn't possible because I didn't have a homestead (getting one is the NEXT step of the tutorial)
These interface/confusion issues continued. Fatigue, for instance, is handled by 4 humors. Each humor has a bar. Mouse over any of the bars and you get a tool tip listing the values for all the bars. This doesn't tell you anything about the convoluted system.
Anyways, not that any of this is bad for an alpha. Bad tutorials and bad interfaces can be fixed.
My main issue with the game, so far, is some of the systems that have changed between HnH and Salem. The humor system, for instance, is so much worse than than the stat system of HnH. Simply put, now you have 4 stats and those stats are consumed by doing specific tasks. They recharge by eating. When you are full you can over eat to increase the stats.
Again, logic aside, the system just isn't a great one for a game. It isn't displayed well and it isn't intuitive. The stats don't logically relate to anything. What the hell is black blood? How do I increase my black blood? Do I need to? WHY IS THE BAR GREEN!? It all takes reading and digging into the game.
Another bad system change is the fast travel one. Unless I am missing something you can no longer fast travel with anything in your inventory. You can't just wander off, collect curos or food, teleport back, and drink your self happy again. Why not?
Finally, the field of view does not work for a 3d game. It is so frustrating to walk for 30 seconds only to realize this path is a dead end.
Some of the changes I do like is that death from non players isn't perma death any more. You lose stats and that is no fun, but you get to keep your character and home.
I also like the homestead situation. It may have been dumb luck, but I needed up in a pretty quiet area.
Overall I think the same things that were enjoyable in HnH will be fun here, but it does not seem like they have addressed some of the most basic issues. Then again, it is still in Alpha.
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Topic: Salem: paradoxe's new free to play MMORPG. (Read 46078 times)