Ten Ton Hammer Reviews Vanguard

Compiled by Ralsu

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September 17, 2007
This review is compiled from 4 sources:

1. Ralsu's review
2. Another View by Dalmarus
   
3. Some Perspective by Machail
4. Reviews from forum members who ranked the same categories as the Community Managers
   

Each category gets a score of 1 to 5 hammers (with 5 being best). The ratings of the CMs counted for 50% of the score. The ratings of the forum community counted for the other 50%. Thanks to all those who took the time to share their views!

Graphics

The Good
Ralsu: I've been playing Vanguard for almost a full year (dating back to Beta 3), and I still sometimes top a ridge and feel my jaw drop in awe of a beautiful vista.
Dalmarus: I go crazy with the amount of screen shots I take, just to show friends that still aren’t playing the game.
PokerKid: Show me another MMO that has graphics even close to Vanguard and I'll consider something lower than a 5.

The Bad
Machail: There's not a lot of use of the color spectrum as most of the world is in browns, greys and greens.
schroedingercat: It is marred by the fugliest character graphics since Luclin was released in [EverQuest].
Kathas: VG has some of the best graphics out there...on machines that can run them.

Sound

The Good
Machail: I remember the first time walking into Leth Nurae and hearing the soprano vocals, and feeling shivers.
Enscheff: If you have a decent set of 2.1 speakers, you should really enjoy hearing all the different combat effects coming at you from all different angles depending on where group members are in relation to you.
Bhagpuss: The music in Vanguard is by far the best I have heard in any MMO over the last 8 years, and certainly the only music from any video game I would consider buying on CD.

The Bad
Ralsu: Sound effects seem like reactions to unsatisfying sex.
Dalmarus: It's this utter lack of excitement generated by most of the sounds within the game that is at odds with the gorgeous world they reside in.
Handell: My biggest complaint is voice-overs and effects. I craft a LOT and get really tired of hearing my toon "grunt". And little is more annoying than crafting next to a goblin.

Game Play

The Good
Dalmarus: The fact that I can see for “miles” and actually go explore that set of ruins I saw off in the distance as I gazed down from a cliff is more awe inspiring than I can express.
Machail: The dual-targeting system in Vanguard was simply a stroke of genius.  It just makes good sense to have a defensive target AND an offensive target.
Malleable: I LOVE the variety of races (hello, goblins/orcs/vulmane/kurashasa, just need frogs and lizards) and classes (Blood Mages - finally!)

The Bad
Ralsu: Mobs don't provide nearly the challenge I'd hoped for, and the dot system is horribly watered down.
Arthfayel: Kind of a grind
Metallikov: The economy needs work...I'd like the ability to make brief notes about "Friends" to remind myself when/where I last grouped with them and how things went. Game Update 2..."dumbed down" the game by throwing out a very well designed and flexible equipment expertise system.

Stability

The Good
Dalmarus: I...have had virtually no stability issues with Vanguard since the second week or so after release.
myris: My comp has zero issues running [Vanguard]...SOE has done wonders to fix Sigil's mistakes.
Lunis: There was only ever a brief period when I had trouble with CTD's and that has been cleared up a long time ago.

The Bad
Ralsu: Patches that perform miracles for a handful of players ruin the gaming experience for others.
nikudada: My laptop...had (and still has) a slew of problems. Cities were impossible to navigate.
scally: With lack of ...stability with game...I can't recommend this to friends yet.

Raid Content

The Good
Machail: Raid content [currently on the test server] is a challenge.  A very big challenge.  The creatures in [Ancient Port Warehouse] are unlike any you've seen anywhere else in game.
schroedingercat: [SOE knows] how to make a good, solid raid encounter.
myris: Raid testing we've done makes me very excited for the future...GU3 should do wonders for the game.

The Bad
elf8bliss: This needs to be added, "Content is king", remember!
Metallikov: There is no raid content.
Lunis: Not in game.

PvP

The Good
myris: Its about as good as you could hope for in a PvE game.
elf8bliss: I still enjoy it.
(editor's note: I could only find two positive comments among our raters)

The Bad
PokerKid: Couldn't get into it in Vanguard. No point, no rewards, no fun.
nikudada: Stupid.
Enscheff: PvP in VG seems to be exactly what it is--a tacked on system to a great PvE game.

Overall (not an average)

Vanguard rates somewhere between "so-so" and "I love it" for our site managers and community. Even players who disagree seem to be able to reach consensus on strengths (graphics and game play) and weaknesses (raid content and PvP). Where accounts of the game vary greatly are in the stability. Those who experience no trouble are able to enjoy the finer points of the game and recommend it to others. Those who have problems with crashing and have to turn the graphics settings way down (and sound off), are a little more hesitant to give the game a thumbs up. Most of us are still playing because the game just has so much to offer. We're all hoping that SOE can patch the holes and let the rest of the world know that Vanguard is a fun game.

The Bottom Line:
Graphics: 4/5
Sound: 3/5
Game Play: 4/5
Stability: 2.5/5
Raid Content: 2/5
PvP: 2/5

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