Previously on The Black Panel (no I am not trying out for a guest spot on the podcast) I managed to rustle together my thoughts regarding the beta version of Age of Empires Online. I had a pretty good time with it and felt that if the team could tighten a few areas, such as quest variety and the time it took to progress through the “Ages”, then Microsoft could be onto a winner. Well it seems that not only did developers Gas Powered Games and Robot Entertainment not fix these problems but they added more to the pile.
For those that didn’t read my beta report (shame!) Age of Empires Online (AoEO from now on as I am getting RSI from typing these long game names) is an attempt to bring the RTS stylings of the AoE series to the MMO masses. To top this off, it is “free” to play. Please note my use of quotation marks when I mention “free”, because in reality the game is anything but. If I wished to get anywhere in this game, especially in PVP, co-op or the higher levels, I had to spend some money, and not a small amount either. The free version of the game proved to be little more than an untimed demo.
New advisors, equipment, modes and scenarios were available for purchase. Picking up a premium Civilisation for the game set me back about 1500 Microsoft points (or approximately $25) and booster packs were in the region of 400 points (about $8). Buying this content individually meant that I could use it whenever I pleased. Alternatively, I could spend $125 (no that isn’t a typo) to get all of the content that the game had to offer… but only for six months… at which time I was to be slugged again. To put it another way, $250 could get me (a) a brand new Radeon 6950 video card, (b) a Nintendo 3DS console or (c) 12 months of AoEO with all content. I knew what I would prefer to be spending my money on. It has to be the biggest rip off since Christopher Skase.
This massive investment wouldn’t be so hard to swallow if I found a great game underneath. But the reality is all I got was the first AoE with some MMO trappings, and the MMO trappings actually made my experience worse. One of the things I dislike intensely about MMOs is the need to grind for XP. The repetitive nature of grinding simply forces me to look for entertainment elsewhere. This was no different in AoEO, the only difference being I was levelling my city instead of a hero character. This meant that I couldn’t access any units more advanced than basic infantry and healers for the first five hours of gameplay. It wasn’t until about the 10 hour mark until I gained access to some of the interesting siege, cavalry and sea units. This is also about the same point that I started to enjoy my time playing. Coincidence?
Once I reached this mark and gained access to Age 3, things actually got quite intriguing. Missions began to have more variety, other civilisations opened up for me to trade, attack and assist. This also allowed me to unlock some better upgrades for my units and resource buildings for my home city. The added variety really improved my previously surly disposition towards the game, and the missions became the AoE I knew and loved and not the flaccid, boring version I was presented with early in the game. It is just a shame it took me 10 hours of gameplay to get there.
Multiplayer was the best part of the game for me. Whether playing PvP or co-op missions, I just had a lot more fun with someone else tagging along. I have a feeling this was simply because it was a more pure RTS experience, removing the MMO junk that sets my teeth on edge.
Despite my obviously negative feelings about this game, AoEO is the very definition of a noble failure. The developers have taken a risk by attempting to blend genres together and they should be applauded for it. It is such a shame that slow progression and a ridiculous pricing structure ruined the whole experience. If it is the RTS aspect that attracts you to AoEO, I suggest you duck down to your local game store and pick up AoE 3. If the MMO side of things is what you find appealing, you are much better off with one of the many free-to-play offerings currently available. All AoEO managed to do for me is disappoint in both areas.
As an american, reading this threw me off when you mentioned the prices because of how different they are here. It wasn’t until I was about to comment that I realized you’re an australian. In the US the prices for the stuff are $20 for a civ pack, and $5 for a vanity/booster pack.
I know the game is pretty slow, but the later stuff in the game is a lot of fun, and the PvP is a great time online. In reality to play the main game and enjoy yourself with it you can do it for free… but I’d recommend picking up one civ pack and rolling with it for a while… which will set you back about $20 USD for roughly 30 hours of questing. Then you get into the PvP which will just go on forever haha.
I realise it gets better as you go and even mentioned that in my review. The thing is though for a game to take about 10 hours to “get good” is just a cardinal sin in my book.
With so many quality games available it needs to grab you straight out of the gate. 10 hours is just too much to ask of most players. Please note that I am not an MMO player in the slightest so I couldn’t tell you if this was the norm for most MMOs.
The funny thing is, because I had to review it and put in the time to get to the good stuff, I probably will keep playing, even if it is only occasionally.