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Average Customer Review
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The most helpful favorable review
The most helpful critical review
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
Played from Beta to Live and Still playing
This is NOT just an amalgum of other SoE games, and I'd like to point out that SoE does not have all of the rights to change the game like they do for other titles. SoE is only the distributor for the game, not the owner of the game. The owner and creator of the game is Sigil, and they are doing all of the updating and tweaking and creating, NOT SoE...
Published on January 30, 2007 by Spikie
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Vanguard Doesn't Impress
Vanguard was released a couple years ago and was hailed as a game to bring back the grind and severe penalties that was made legendary in the original Everquest. The launch was marred by bugs so I stayed away from the game until the community claimed the game was 'fixed'.
The game ran poorly on my Nvidia 8800gt 512mb card and the zones were deserted. I...
Published 18 months ago by F. J. Alonso
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17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
Played from Beta to Live and Still playing, January 30, 2007
Fun:
This review is from: Vanguard Collector's Edition (CD-ROM)
This is NOT just an amalgum of other SoE games, and I'd like to point out that SoE does not have all of the rights to change the game like they do for other titles. SoE is only the distributor for the game, not the owner of the game. The owner and creator of the game is Sigil, and they are doing all of the updating and tweaking and creating, NOT SoE.
Vanguard is visually RICH. Low-end or value systems will have to run it in it's lowest settings, though game sites like 10TonHammer already have a guide out on how to tweak it so it still looks good. I have a higher-end system and can turn up the graphics, and they are very nice.
Jumping right in and starting to play the game is easy for people who've played World of Warcraft (since the User Interface takes quite a bit from WoW's), and it's intuitive enough to pick up quickly for players of similar games. While there's a couple other small similarities to WoW, they mostly end at the UI. Where WoW looks like a playable comic, this game is visually intense enough to keep you staring at the scenery half your playing time. Combat is fast-paced, including reactions and abilities that can be chained together to perform special moves. The quest system is detailed, and meshes with the game's storyline very well.
You've got 18 playable races to choose from, and 15 adventuring classes. There are quite a few options for making your character look different. There are intense crafting and diplomatic professions to pick up, and you can advance along the game gaining titles and gear from these without adventuring a bit if you wish. The world is large already, spread over three main continents, and at launch there are STILL realms present in the game which you can see, yet are locked for future content. Playing your character's class to the fullest and utilizing all it can do takes a little extra skill, which may be intimidating for some players (since you need to do a little more than mash buttons), but it keeps you glued to the screen.
Overall, an enjoyable game, and nice in that it is NOT like playing other games out there.
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18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
A note about subscription, February 3, 2007
Fun:
This review is from: Vanguard Collector's Edition (CD-ROM)
I preordered this from another provider with the assumption that the collectors edition came with 3 months subscription to the GAME, infact it comes with 3 months subscription only to SOE's premium web site features, and just one month to the game like many other titals. You need to ask yourself if the extra 40 bucks is worth it for the art book, soundtrack, map and in game hero cards.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Still buggy, but what a complete experience!, July 22, 2008
Fun:
This review is from: Vanguard Collector's Edition (CD-ROM)
I avoided this game when it was released, like so many people, due to the widespread reports of near unplayability due to bugs and incomplete features. Now, over a year later, the game is having a renaissance. All of the major bugs have been fixed, all of the major features are in, and the game is such a complete experience.
Few MMOs have as many classes as this game while still maintaining class (and race) balance. Every class is fun and unique to play. When you don't feel like adventuring, you can do some diplomacy, which is a (fully optional) card game within the game, complete with its own set of levels and quests. Crafting is also a very complete third option, with crafting quests and levels as well. You can play the game for hours without killing a single monster and without getting bored.
Honestly, if you're bored of the other MMO's out there, I would strongly recommend giving Vanguard a look. The game has really shaped up to be the revolutionary experience they promised us pre-release.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
This review is just for this edition., October 12, 2007
Fun:
This review is from: Vanguard Collector's Edition (CD-ROM)
I'm not even going to talk about gameplay. I put that review on the regular version of this game. I will just talk about this package.
It's a very nice box, looks great on your shelf.
The art book is too small, I was let down. The art is great, but it's on tiny pages and half of the book has lore written in it. Less text, more art on bigger pages please.
The in-game cloak was cool at first but is a waste. The cloaks were originally decent at lower levels but the stats dropped. You will randomly get a cloak out of 3 possible options, adventuring, diplomacy or crafting. Overall the cloak was a let down like the art book.
The guild trophy, who the heck knows as it's barely getting added next week! Look at the date I wrote this and look at the date this game launched! Right now it's an ugly wooden trophy board that can't be dropped. It WILL have 3 different buffs, unlike the cloaks you are supposed to be able to choose which sphere the guild buff helps. It will be a small buff for all of your guildies that are online. It can go in a guild house, no guild HALL required. That's a good thing, guild halls are a lot of work. I think this trophy might actually work out for us!
Trial keys...well the game was very unstable at launch so everyone I gave a buddy key to quit. I still have some saved, but they are working on a free trial now. It was never really worth it.
Three months of station access was cool. It lets you look at certain stats on their vgplayers site. It's cool, but the stats are often incorrect. In the end this isn't anything special. Another let down.
The audio CD is great, but there were more audio tracks released on fan sites pre-release that couldn't fit on the disc. Slightly let down by that, but it's a great CD! You'll like it!
Cloth map is cool, but it's stiff cloth with cheap print. It's not impressive, but it's cool to have. I've never used it for anything, but that's me. If you were hoping for an in-depth impressive cloth map you'll be let down by it, but it's still decent.
Honestly, I regret purchasing it at launch. I rated the stars for the gameplay because it specifically asks about the GAME. I'd rate this package as 2 stars.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Great game finally realizes its potential, but is it to late?, September 11, 2008
Fun:
This review is from: Vanguard Collector's Edition (CD-ROM)
Back when VG released, I was very excited. Finally a game that offered everything an MMO should have, but due to all the bugs it was not meant to be. Flash forward to year and a half later, and VG has finally found itself. I bought the standard edition for 17 cents (thanks to $25 gift certificate), and was blown away by all the improvements. Game Update 6 just released and you would not believe this to be the same VG from the past. SOE has out done themselves by giving the fans what they wanted and sticking with this game. The new starting area, Isle of Dawn(?), is amazing. If you have never played VG, or left waiting for the repairs, visit Telon once more....you won't be disappointed.
Oh and it runs 100 times better than it did in the past.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
Finally something different in the MMO realm, May 28, 2008
Fun:
This review is from: Vanguard Collector's Edition (CD-ROM)
If you're bored with the never-ending grind of most MMO's, then Vanguard is the game for you.
Unlike any other MMO out now, Vanguard has three DISTINCT arenas in which to focus and level your character. Adventuring is the well-known grind of kill quests featured in every MMO. You have 15 classes to choose from and about as many races and starting areas. I think this is more than almost any other MMO.
However, if you're over the killing grind (as I am), then you'll really appreciate the other two ways to level (completely independant of your Adventure level): Crafting and Diplomacy. VG crafting is one of the most fun and challenging out today. It offers you choices during the actual crafting that effect the outcome, quality and possibly even your ability to finish a crafted item. Having the correct tools or utilities handy effects your choices.
Diplomacy is something not found in any other MMO. It's a social arena, and you 'combat' by playing cards, much like Magic the Gathering. Higher level diplomats can even grant city buffs, for Adventurers, Crafters or Diplomats, by winning enough parleys (the diplomatic combat) in a given city.
Either way, Vanguard offers pretty scenery, tons of classes to choose from (with not nearly enough character slots unfortunately), and something to do when you're sick and tired of just killing things.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
Beautiful indepth game, August 19, 2007
Fun:
This review is from: Vanguard Collector's Edition (CD-ROM)
Great game, massive, beautiful, best mmo out currently, just needs a little more content which they are adding in each patch.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Amazing game!, November 7, 2008
Fun:
This review is from: Vanguard Collector's Edition (CD-ROM)
The game does have heavy system requirements but it pays off. The world is simply amazing. Having seen Vanguard, I can't force myself to play World of Warcraft. PvP system is uneven from what I hear but if you're like me and you enjoy adventuring, the humongous world of Vanguard offers plenty of that. It is truly humongous, you will get tired of your character before you explore the world. The game is also significantly better when compared to what it was a year ago, so disregard any old reviews. Crafting & Diplomacy is an alternate way to level up and although it is mostly grinding it takes skill & strategy and is not a mindless button clicking. The new starting zone is free, so give it a shot! (worth upgrading your PC for this) :-)
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5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
Pretty Decent, March 23, 2007
Fun:
This review is from: Vanguard Collector's Edition (CD-ROM)
Ifyou started the game on launch day you could tell that SOE pushed Sigil into releasing this game before it was ready. It really needed bout 2-4 more months to review the feedback of the final beta and polish and balance things.
The game is now over a month old and has grown alot since launch day.
This game is definately not for those whom want instant gradification or fast leveling. It is designed to be a challenge. This game is not solo-play friendly and is designed more for those whom like group play. If you try this game out, I highly recommend that you level a toon to at least level 16 to get a feel for hwo things are. Most races dont get good skill sets till level 15.
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a great mmorpg for the old school gamers, August 19, 2010
Fun:
This review is from: Vanguard Collector's Edition (CD-ROM)
ok so if youre reading this youre probably looking for a new mmorpg to try. maybe youre tired of WOW? maybe youve tried a few mmorpg's and you cant seem to understand why so many people play them. either way, read my review and give this game a chance.
first off this is a pay to play game so youre going to need to set up an account and use a credit card. lucky for us they do allow a FREE 2 week trial where you can download a great little demo basically called "trial island". after you get the trial island tutorial/demo downloaded and patched you can begin to create your character. now, aside from city of heroes i have never seen an mmo with so many features involved in the character creator. not only do they allow you to determine just about every feature of your characters overall appearance, you are also able to choose between an incredible amount of race/class combinations that you can choose from. there are about 18 different classes who all play differently even though they do get grouped into healer, tank, dps, ect. since there are so many to choose from you may find yourself playing a few different alts just to decide what characters you enjoy the most.
after you create your account, download the game and create your character its time to enter the trial island. i was simply blown away by the overall quality and feel of this isle of dawn. the graphics in this game are beautiful, especially if you have a decent video card. and its not just the graphics, this game has a certain charm about it that will actually make you feel more immersed into the world of Telon. now that youre actually in the game, talk to people. you will immediately sense an drastic change from the playerbase of most other games you may be used to when you play vanguard. a vast majority of the people playing this game are friendly and helpful, even to new players. this is a much more relaxed, mature gaming atmosphere.
another thing i really like about vanguard is the variety of options you have available to you, even at low lv. with most games, mostly due to the lack of real content at lower levels you will experience a mad dash to max level just so that you are able to enjoy the game. not so with vanguard. every player regardless of race or class has 3 different spheres of gaming available to them. you can either choose to be a crafter, a diplomat or just work on your adventuring, which is your class level. me, i chose to dablle some in all 3. i love the idea of logging into the game and actually having options on what you want to do.
the adventuring is admittedly more of what youre used to in other mmo's, quests, quests and more quests. while i dont feel vanguard offers much originality in this aspect of the game i did enjoy playing each class i tried from the dread knight, a tank class, to the psionicist, a dps/crowd control class. one thing you might notice while adventuring is there are no instanced dungeons. the creators of the game felt they took away from the immersion value and didnt implement this deature in the game. another thing to keep in mind is there is a very noticable lack of players. trying to find a group is not always easy and if you dont already know someone in the game or make friends with some people you may find yourself playing solo quite a bit. i would suggest finding a guild as soon as you finish the trial island. adventuring does generally offer the best rewards, especially when you know the right quests and get a good group.
the crafting in vanguard is probably very different than what you are used to. there is a reason the crafting gets mentioned with the same importance as the adventuring. its no simple click and complete affair. in fact, the crafting for vanguard is co complicated that there are websites and forums created just to walk you through the entire process. while the trial island helps you get your crafting to lv 10 you still cant do much with it and learning to craft quality items takes time and hours of working on your crafting skills.
the diplomacy in vanguard seems like a minigame to me. it is basically a card game where you hold a conversation with an npc and pick which diplomacy card you want to use to represent how you try and take control of the conversation. when you have control of the conversation for so many turns you have won the diplomacy, gaining experience and sometimes items. while i dont think the diplomacy is quite as good as the crafting or the adventuring, its still a fun little minigame to play with when youre looking for something different.
this is a great game. the only reason i dont give it 5 stars is not even the fault of the game itself, more of a lack of players, making it difficult to do some quests and also leads to a feeling of being alone while playing at times. overall vanguard is a highly detailed, rich, and rewarding mmorpg that i definitely reccommend for the more mature player. i would not suggest this game to a pvp player since the pvp server is basically dead, or was the last time i checked. if you are however looking for a great game with helpful, mature players and you dont mind the low population vanguard may be the right game for you.
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