Overall thoughts on the game.. so far

[Judas7]

I've been thoroughly enjoying this game, so far. With that in mind, take the critique below with a grain of salt. Naval warfare is such a great and refreshing platform and I hope this is a title I can stick with.

 

At this stage, this game isn't for everyone. On one hand, I like the realism factors, but on the other hand, the realism factor causes time sinks that diminish the fun factor. I'm not a powergamer anymore, so I want to pack as much fun into a limited amount of playtime I have in any given sitting. Reaching Open World destinations for missions is a huge example of this. I'm not quite sure what a reasonable solution would be, but while gaining XP, if I can only run a few missions in less than 2 hours, I don't feel like I accomplished much for the amount of time it takes. I'm sure a large segment of players like as much realism as possible, but there has to be a balance towards the fun end to hold the interest of a wide majority of players for any game to be successful. Could be that another server with more realism paired with other servers that allow for faster paced action would be the answer?

 

The Trading/Crafting part of the game seems as if it would be a fun multi-dimensional aspect to change the pace. In reality, every time I've tried to start that aspect of the game, it's too frustrating to follow through with. I spend more time on Google trying to find information that should be easily available, quick to reference and clearly factual all in one place. 

 

I could think of other things, but in a nutshell, if there was more fun factor and less time sink, this game could be my favorite for a long time to come. 

[kumisz]

Don't need to use google, plenty of information is found here, trade and crafting guides too.

 

I agree that the missions should not be 20 minutes sailing away from your base, its just plain annoying, especially when they spawn on the other side of a langmass (known bug).

 

The Trading/Crafting part of the game seems as if it would be a fun multi-dimensional aspect to change the pace. In reality, every time I've tried to start that aspect of the game, it's too frustrating to follow through with. I spend more time on Google trying to find information that should be easily available, quick to reference and clearly factual all in one place.

[Jan van Santen]

The same goes for the second source of exp on PvE server: the AI ship density is way to low. 

 

Main reasons for a decreasing player number on PvE server:

 

1) Low density of missions and ai ships

2)  no ingame source of information other than the help channel. This game desperately needs a manual, tutorial or ingame help file.

3) to much microing for even simple tasks. Microing is fine for getting the last 20% efficiency out of PvP, but it shouldnt be needed for simple things in PvE.

4) a cheating ai that sees targets through smoke, can turn a 3rd rate on a dime etc 

[kumisz]

What do you mean by too much microing?

 

3) to much microing for even simple tasks. Microing is fine for getting the last 20% efficiency out of PvP, but it shouldnt be needed for simple things in PvE.

[Hethwill, the Red Duke]

Time schedules comparisons are not honest. It is dependent on individual value of time.

 

The feeling of accomplishment is also a very personal thing.

 

I can sit through 1 hour and plan my sorties. Do them, have great combat and return to port and fill in the captain's logs.

Perfect.

[Pirate]

The same goes for the second source of exp on PvE server: the AI ship density is way to low. 

 

Main reasons for a decreasing player number on PvE server:

 

1) Low density of missions and ai ships

2)  no ingame source of information other than the help channel. This game desperately needs a manual, tutorial or ingame help file.

3) to much microing for even simple tasks. Microing is fine for getting the last 20% efficiency out of PvP, but it shouldnt be needed for simple things in PvE.

4) a cheating ai that sees targets through smoke, can turn a 3rd rate on a dime etc 

 

 

1. In populated areas (generally the capitals) the AI ships get taken straight away, so of course they are limited. I have never had trouble outside of capitals in finding AI ships on the OS. I don't know what you mean by low density of missions, they spawn within a certain distance of a nearby port. A good method of doing missions is to use two ports that are right next to each other, grab missions and try to get three missions in the same area. Quite often you can get multiple missions right next to each other. 

 

2. Does not make a lot of sense to use time creating tutorials, manuals etc when nothing is set in stone and things are constantly being changed and added to. 

 

3. Do not really know what you are talking about here either. What simple tasks require micro that you want to be easier for PvE? AI is already quite easy to beat once you are past the Basic Cutter. 

 

4. The AI probably isn't effected by smoke, but neither am I when against AI since it is hard to miss at short ranges regardless of how much smoke is in the air. People complaining about the AI turning is quite common for some reason. The AI doesn't have super turning, it uses manual sailing. There are plenty of videos around showing you how to use manual sailing, it is not a difficult task.  

Edited March 4, 2016 by Pirate

[Hyperion74]

So far I think that this game is close to everything that I hoped for. You get to sail, you get to shoot things, you get money for it.

The sailing is excellent. It isn't like driving a speed boat. Wind maters, sail use maters, loading times are realistic, ship mods are mostly realistic.(All of these can cause a lot of frustration as well)

BIG open sea.

The ships are outstanding and beyond. Can't say enough about the ships.

The graphics...wow, just wow.

Love chatting with other players again, you know, in chat. People from all over the place. I sail mostly on pve (yes an evil care bear and I smoke too) and we have some good lads and lasses there.

 

Things that are annoying.(Only a little)

Seems like it's always dark, foggy, raining, cloudy, and just plain low vis on the open world/sea.

Long sailing times are boring and there is never anything on the horizon to see, not that you can see anything cause it's dark, foggy, cloudy...

There is never anything on the horizon.

I REALLY hate that when a broad side is fired, at least two rounds fly off like the gun barrel is bent. I would have those gun captains at the gratings, I mean...really...WTF.

Cheatin' ass AI. Those guys are dicks. There's even an AI captain named PRIQUE. That's proof.

 

And, as always, the wind is foul.

 

Gonna keep sailing. Love this game. Excellent job thus far, Adonis Like Devs.

 

William Gold in game, say Hey if you see me.

Edited March 5, 2016 by Hyperion74

[Judas7]

FYI, I can basically bake a ham in the time it takes to get from one port to the next. Over the last decade, developers keep making cities and/or travel distances needlessly large because they think it gives you the perception that they've created a huge and interesting world. In reality, it is just a huge time sink. A possible way around this would be to travel to a port via "porting". It would only take a few minutes, but you have a range of percentage of chance that you get intercepted by either AI/Player and your journey is interrupted by a battle. 

[Destraex]

Judas depends how you play. Personally I love talking or reading while sailing to battles. And yes it does give a good impression of distance and sea faring. Love it.

The devs have a built in alternative BTW. Small and Large battles don't even require sailing in the open world. You can just jump straight in.

[Macjimm]

Could be that another server with more realism paired with other servers that allow for faster paced action would be the answer?

You just might have a workable idea.

There has been an idea of reducing the number of servers with the next wipe. Perhaps we could combine these suggestions. It could work out well.

Seems there are a bunch of players who are in a hurry to avoid sailing. They apparently get bored of the open ocean easily and would like a faster mode of travel between action points. So here is an opportunity to create a server for the ones who want less sailing and faster paced action. Have one server where teleporting is available by double licking on the map. We could have some restrictions such as: limit of frequency or proximity to enemy. But it might be benificial to consolidate players who want to rush around into the same sandbox. It would be good for them and also good to separate them from other players that get pleasure from the pace that we currently have. Less conflict and more choice.

We could have another server similar to what we have now where players who enjoy navigating and the pleasure of traveling on the sea can continue to do so. From the perspective of those who like the "feel" of Naval Action, the splendor of the seascape and the diversity of the environment ... the game has been turbocharged up enough with the speedboat time lapse movement.

[Judas7]

The pure sailing aspect is fun, but only for awhile. The fun is in the fights. The Small and Large battles were what I predominantly enjoyed, but they nerfed the xp gains. 

 

Another aspect is the money sinks. Repair costs need to drop at least some.

[kumisz]

They didn't nerf the XP gains, they buffed the PvP XP gain and compensated with the small-large battle XP multiplier, so it gives roughly the same amount now as before.

 

The pure sailing aspect is fun, but only for awhile. The fun is in the fights. The Small and Large battles were what I predominantly enjoyed, but they nerfed the xp gains.