Living, breathing world....

Oh I didn't say swtor was a better game than rift, just that I found the environment way sparser than swtors.

Exactly. For the past few weeks I tried to work out why I didn't feel like logging in, why the game felt like a chore. I tried to convince myself, that I was overlooking the things that worked, and that the game had potential, which Bioware could and would realize within a relatively short time frame. I tried forcing myself to engage with every quest I took, paying attention to the details of the world and my character.

Then I realized, that if this game did what it was supposed to, I would never have to do this consciously. It's like watching a show with underdeveloped characters and a thin, confused plot line, that you *want* to like because it's based on some book series that you really care for. You're just deluding yourself.

To the other poster above, I agree. Bioware has given us such amazing experiences in other games. I cannot even begin to describe the feelings a game like Baldurs Gate:SOA managed to stir in me, even just thinking about it now brings back so many vivid memories. In two years time, I doubt I'll even remember the details of my main characters plot line, and this was the strongest emotional experience this game managed to provide in my opinion. Maybe they're over the hill as a company, I don't know. Dragon Age had great moments too, but felt so flat towards the end. I never even played the sequel, because it seemed weak based on reviews and what not. Mass Effect had AMAZING potential as a universe. By the time I was done with the Citadel I thought I was in for the ride of a lifetime. Then before I blinked, the game was over, apart from the ressource mining, worm killing and sterile bunker-like missions. Never picked up the sequel, though perhaps I should.

Heres hoping something else will come along that provides a more lasting experience. Keeping my fingers crossed for Diablo 3, and maybe some of the other MMO's set to release sometime soon.

NDA been lifted then ?

Bioware game cities always feel lifeless. Its been one of their noticeable weaknesses over the years.

I KNOW RIGHT IT'S SO AWESOME I LOVE WATCHING THE NPCs!

Like on Tython when I first started playing it blew me away how awesome the NPCs are!

I mean, I know it's 2012, but I wasn't expecting even THIS level of polish!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3Rrk6lgi24


/joke

Could they not add some stuff client side, like undergrowth, if that is a major issue? Perhaps you could have visual only NPCs like that?

Yeah, thats an astute observation...
Rifts team beats the BW outsourced mess to a bloody pulp without breaking a sweat.

That's a wonderful video.

I know what you mean. This game is a ton of fun, but it might take some time for it to feel more lived-in. I do wonder if it will ever have that same type of real live peristent world feeling that some other MMOs have.

I too think that something is missing regarding the ambience in this game.

Maybe it's their decision to make two exact copies of space stations the main hubs of the game? Coruscant and DK would have been way better hubs in my opinion.

Maybe it's also the lack of vivid flora and fauna on the planets. Many of the background npcs are not even targetable btw. It's like they are painted to the wall. They don't move enough too. And they should have added way more voice to these background npcs.

Every outpost is manned by only a couple of soldiers. The worlds don't feel like they are truly at war. They need way more manpower, wounded soldiers, skirmishes taking place etc. to make this world more lively. You just run around in mediocre suroundings, doing (for the most part) mediocre quests that have absolutely no variation to kill/inspect quests. And a lot of the stories are also extremely lacking.

Some of the planets look really good designwise, but all seem to lack some soul. especially those that should be more populous. I don't mind not seeing a soul on tatooine or hoth, but on other planets that's different.