I played this game for the better part of 2 months when it was first released. The game's style conflicted so much with my style of play and I couldn't take it anymore. Chaotic players in newb areas without reprecussion, Adena farmers out the buttox, insanely stupid grind, insanely stupid prices - Lineage 2 was far too hardcore for me, and for most everyone else I knew in real life. We finally got fed up and cancelled. Nobody wanted to because the game was beautifully done; certainly one of the more beautful art styles witnessed in an MMO with excellent atmosphere.
We haven't picked up the game since and Lineage 2 slowly became the butt of jokes within our gaming clique. We would call it (and still do to some extent) "Rang Rang II", and we would always jokingly threaten to resubscribe to it if we wanted to provide a moment of horror on ventrilo.
Lately, however, things have become dull. No great MMO's are there for us to experience at the moment. We've pretty much burned out on the rest, though I am currently into Tabula Rasa and thoroughly enjoying it. So we all compiled a list of games we have all played before or haven't and would like to try. Lineage 2 was passed up fairly quickly, nobody had even viewed the official website in over a year, nor have any of us bothered to look into whatever changes had been made.
After one of my buddies noticed that after 4 years, the game finally implemented a new race. That triggered us to check the website out and see what was up. "Sephiroth" echoes into Ventrilo whenever we bring it up. I've never played the game, but apparently the new race is a rip off of some Final Fantasy villain. It brought a few laughs.
But then we saw the changes for newbies and our laughs turned into silent pondering. With nothing better to do, besides Call of Duty 4, we resubbed reluctantly. So far, I am impressed with the changes. Everything has been going smoothly: less of a money grind with loan weapons, no chaotic players in newb areas, frequent loot drops, etc.
I only wish that these changes were implemented back when the game first came out. If so, my friends and me may still be playing it. I just thought I would come onto the forums and say that resubbing actually turned out to be pretty cool and for those still on the fence, starting a new character is a lot of fun, so long as you have a group to roll with. If not, then you'll probably be bored out of your mind solo grinding.
So cheers to NCsoft for being more lenient to the western gamer. I'm enjoying it so far... It's okay to give Lineage 2 another shot...for now.
Happy to hear some people are returning. You are right the game is much more newb friendly now. You can no longer get pked coz of blessing of protection(to some extent) you get free(quest) shots weapons armors... and you now get buffs till lvl 40 from newbie guides. You can level to 40 in a week while it took us months in the begining.
Im sure someone will jump on the occasion to say "Go play WoW" since you mentionned you disliked the grind but in my opinion the lousiest part of the grind is D grade. C-B-A-S is much more fun even if much longer. Just get through D and fun factor goes ^ from there.
Glad to have you back and anyone you managed to drag back with ya :)
Join a clan when you hit lvl 20. Get right into their Academy and see if your Sponsor can getcha some Clan Oath Armor, the bonuses are really awesome and it'll get you to 40, no problem.
I played this game for the better part of 2 months when it was first released. The game's style conflicted so much with my style of play and I couldn't take it anymore. Chaotic players in newb areas without reprecussion, Adena farmers out the buttox, insanely stupid grind, insanely stupid prices - Lineage 2 was far too hardcore for me, and for most everyone else I knew in real life. We finally got fed up and cancelled. Nobody wanted to because the game was beautifully done; certainly one of the more beautful art styles witnessed in an MMO with excellent atmosphere.
The game's main grinding mechanic is not much different so if you didn't like it then you might not like it now.
After one of my buddies noticed that after 4 years, the game finally implemented a new race. That triggered us to check the website out and see what was up. "Sephiroth" echoes into Ventrilo whenever we bring it up. I've never played the game, but apparently the new race is a rip off of some Final Fantasy villain. It brought a few laughs.
Apparently the asian markets don't view borrowing images and ideas like we do so don't look at it as "stealing" as it is common over there.
I was told a story that when the game was first being developed, they borrowed the image of Yoda for a marketing poster.
After they were told that "that wouldn't fly" they had to change it.
Yes, some upgrades are here finally. The grind could be playable i think, but some problems will be here still:
- Poor marketing from developers, few people on empty servers
- Horrible quests, horrible drop rate
- Illegal activities everywhere
I will wait few months, to see if finally they offers different rate/type servers after merging the empty ones. A huge population could change the game.
I will wait few months, to see if finally they offers different rate/type servers after merging the empty ones. A huge population could change the game.
People have been saying that for three years. Don't hold your breath.
if you dont like grind, you wont last long around here. grind has gotten much worse.
*chortle*
no it hasnt. youve just stopped botting long enough to realise you suck.
the grind is VERY easy. after all, 2 weeks 1-52 with enough adena to buy all the necessary B gear i HARDLY call hard.
52-73 is apparently also 2 weeks in one particular spot. 73-79 with a clan in one or two other spots, maybe as much as 3 spots, but also very short time some say. the only thing some people use as a compaint tool is the noble, or 3rd class quests which involve too much run-around.
I mean, for me, there are a lot of things that I like through the L2 ages. I also like the hard grind.
However, something went wrong in the development where everyone is scattered, old areas are no longer frequented and it doesn't seem like there is any cohesive vision (which is most likely true).
no it hasnt. youve just stopped botting long enough to realise you suck.
the grind is VERY easy. after all, 2 weeks 1-52 with enough adena to buy all the necessary B gear i HARDLY call hard.
52-73 is apparently also 2 weeks in one particular spot. 73-79 with a clan in one or two other spots, maybe as much as 3 spots, but also very short time some say. the only thing some people use as a compaint tool is the noble, or 3rd class quests which involve too much run-around.
GF but fail.
For a veteran player, grinding like 18 hours a day, using boxed buffer or with too much luck to find the proper friends, with a lot of adenas ? I dont know if anyone can do it, but the average player will not.
I saw a guy doing something like this, AoEing with a Warlord, boxed Prophet and SE level 78+ both. Is this the way the game could be ? Definately NO !!. Dont confuse new players or returners.
- Poor marketing from developers, few people on empty servers
- Horrible quests, horrible drop rate
- Illegal activities everywhere
/agree
You basically got it in a nutshell!
The quests are awful, i have to say as much dislike Guild Wars nowadays, one thing i can say i did like about it were the quests.
Lineage II quests are just basically grind... which was what you were doing in the first place, and the rewards are pretty unsatisfactory also.
It is easier to level. Atleast at the earlier stages. I'd like to know however, where I can level 52-73 in two weeks!? and weather or not it's attainable by relatively new players to the game?
It is easier to level. Atleast at the earlier stages. I'd like to know however, where I can level 52-73 in two weeks!? and weather or not it's attainable by relatively new players to the game?
I somehow doubt it. At least to new players who aren't "hooked up".
Whenever I hear people saying "it's possible to lvl x to y in just z weeks," it always seems to come down to having a supportive alliance, playing a whole lot, knowing where to go, great gear, proper buffs.
So unless you are in the know or are hooked up with an alliance/clan that is determined to get you into the 70's I wouldn't hold your breath. :o
I'd like to know however, where I can level 52-73 in two weeks!?
Leeching off a stacked bot party in MoS... :mad:
OOOH ill have to try that! ...
Heh no .. I know there are people that can get to 65+ in a matter of days (legitimately) but they have access to 78+ Buffers and stellar gear. Even then tho they have to put in some long hours. It's not instant.
It is easier to level. Atleast at the earlier stages. I'd like to know however, where I can level 52-73 in two weeks!? and weather or not it's attainable by relatively new players to the game?
As a SH/Necro in VoS. You can start as early as lvl 48 there.
Wow, some of you are throwing out a bunch of acronyms and words beyond my understanding of the game =) I'm sure I will pick up on it down the line though.
When I played L2 back in the day, I recall getting to Lv. 20 extremely difficult. Now that I think about it, I only got to Lv. 22 before unsubscribing. NOW, however, I managed to get to Lv. 20 in a matter of a week, which is nice.
Wow, some of you are throwing out a bunch of acronyms and words beyond my understanding of the game =) I'm sure I will pick up on it down the line though.
When I played L2 back in the day, I recall getting to Lv. 20 extremely difficult. Now that I think about it, I only got to Lv. 22 before unsubscribing. NOW, however, I managed to get to Lv. 20 in a matter of a week, which is nice.
The lower levels are fairly easy to obtain. I'd say that getting to level 20 is faster in this game now than some others I've played that are more popular. However depending on the class you've chosen, things start to get really difficult higher up.
Honestly, if you need to be high level and you hate grinding, this game is not for you even now with the changes. However, if you can enjoy the many things to do without feeling you have to constantly push to get higher, you may find that it's a lot of fun.
edit: I should clarify that I think getting to B grade isn't that hard on most characters, though in the late 40s it isn't as easy as many other games.
I am definitely aware that this game places a ton more emphasis on the "hardcore" aspect, and I've been trying to prepare myself for it. I'm willing to curb myself to the playstyle because I find the game to be mostly enjoyable.
However, with a full time job and traveling, it will be awhile before I get anywhere near that steeper grind. I was just glad to see that you didn't have to push yourself so hard to grind money for new equipment anymore.
I hate to start controversy, but are there any plans to implement a server merge? Things seem really dead after 4 years.
I am definitely aware that this game places a ton more emphasis on the "hardcore" aspect, and I've been trying to prepare myself for it. I'm willing to curb myself to the playstyle because I find the game to be mostly enjoyable.
However, with a full time job and traveling, it will be awhile before I get anywhere near that steeper grind. I was just glad to see that you didn't have to push yourself so hard to grind money for new equipment anymore.
I hate to start controversy, but are there any plans to implement a server merge? Things seem really dead after 4 years.
Nothing in the way of server merges, but you probably just need to get to the higher level area's since it is so easy to get from level 1-40 now. Just keep going and as soon as you getting towards dion/giran you will see alot more people.
Drat, well I started on Lionna and I have a couple of friends who are also impressed with the game's changes. We have been static partying through our first 20 levels. I suppose it would be a little too late to start over again on another server. Hopefully it ges better at higher levels like you mentioned.