I’ve been playing for about three days now, and I made it to Level 30. Still struggling to level. I mentioned in my last post, how this is no “WoW Killer”. It upsets me that it is.
Yet what upsets me more (and also makes me question), is how in the fuck can people stand this… minimal leveling experience? That’s my only real complaint with this game.
Again, mfish warned me about this. But I never knew it would be this bad. Yet no one seems phased by it. Maybe because they’ve been doing it for 2 & 1/2 years, and it’s just burned into your skull of what to do.
Why is it this ‘Heart’ quest system, the only true way to quest? Fish said not to expect ‘breadcrumb’ quests, yet said I have to look for them. I thought, that’s fine. Yet now I disagree with myself. Exploring only goes so far to the point it’s tedious.
He also warned, no mounts. I thought that meant “Ok, so the levels are going to be small”. No. They’re not. There are those waypoints, which are very helpful indeed. However I feel at times, they take full advantage of your misfortune (for not having mounts in this game).
I did get a Signet that gives me a 25% movement increase (“Signet of the Hunt”).
I do the ‘Heart’ quests, and… that’s it. My only other options are to risk my virtual life, trying to get 100% of the zone (Waypoints/Vistas/POIs/Skill Points).
I’ve looked for a Youtube video to help me get the Vistas(as most are fucking annoying to get to.. seriously, fuck Parkour-based puzzles). The issue is trying to find an up to date video. Anything 1-2 years old, the zone isn’t the same shape, or things aren’t there like they would currently. It makes that video worthless. For example, trying to find a video for the Vistas in Lion’s Arch. All but one, showed the portals to the other cities in a different area than currently (or things moved around). Very annoying.
Anyway, I did ask if it’s worth going to the other starting areas and work to my level, to help me level even further to 80. They say yes, and also add that finding all of that crap helps. Ugh. Why am I so against it?!
Because it’s not what I’m used to. In WoW, your primary form of leveling is questing. There’s TONS of quests to help you get from 1 to whatever the level cap is.
This game… there’s so VERY LITTLE. And when I do complete them and seek out a new Scout to get the next, they’re 2-3 levels above me! I’m literally screwed!
The fact I’ve been so used to WoW(playing off and on for over 8 years), I….I just don’t think I’ll ever get over this new system. It just doesn’t feel “natural” to me. It doesn’t feel normal. Yet no one else is having an issue.
Another thing that really pisses me off, especially how they (the developers) said in one of their promotion videos about how they hate it when you have to grind, and how something you kill stays dead… then why is it I keep getting repeat random events?
For example, the Centaur are mortal enemies of the Humans. A random event comes up to defend a town I just helped out with a heart quest. I do so. 20 minutes later.. the same town goes under attack with the SAME issue as before!
This isn’t grinding? Really?! Killing the same mobs. Doing the same things, over and over (all to level up), IS GRINDING!!! D:<
And what I get told, it "helps with leveling". It's still grinding! It's the developers lying to me. And I've had enough with devs lying to me (aka Blizzard).
And, oh yeah. This Level 25-35 area? Constantly I see "Boss X up". Now I see where Blizzard got their idea for the world bosses. I thought the devs in GW2 said "something you kill stays dead". Not here. More lies.
.
EDIT: So, I made a thread in the GW2 forum, going over the fact the devs lied. I thought for sure that the thread would either go ignored, or would get bad replies. Actually… no. I even got a link to a discussion about grinding in MMOs (and gaming in general).
Other people are actually tired of this, yet I've never met any of them online (which is quite obvious, as they're too busy having fun with their friends to give a fuck).
Anyway, was also obviously told that I don't HAVE to do these random events. But, that's also interesting. Since I heard that your actions as a player, can either doom or save something. Hmm. Now, it doesn't seem to matter. That's actually good. This means I can play my way, and not suffer consequences for not saving a town.
Maybe, this is something else I'm thinking of (like Level 80 content).
But a problem is, how I'm struggling to level up. I'm forced, to do these repeat random events, JUST to level! That’s what sucks about this game!
All I can say is…. I’m glad this is a F2P game. Because, if I had to pay a monthly fee for grinding (and a sub-standard way of leveling), I’d be pissed.
One thing that worries me. That I do all of these starter areas, and the areas beyond that, that I’ll eventually run out of options to get XP. Because I would had filled every heart, I’ll have every Vista viewed, every POI reached, and I’ll have every Skill Point earned. That’s all. That’s all my options, outside of dungeons, PvP, and crafting.
I’d be screwed. But hopefully it’ll be enough to get me to 80. If not… I dunno what I’m going to do.