basically the first 20 hours you play is the opening and the last 20 is the Shadow War mode. The last 20 can be remarkably sped up by buying loot boxes, but no one will because if they don't like the gameplay up to that point, why pay just to see an ending? And if you DO like the gameplay, why pay to make it shorter? it's a terrifically terrible business decision
0
HardtargetThere Are Four LightsVancouverRegistered Userregular
ya read back a bit, bonus ending cut scene thing. I feel like a LOT of games have done that in the past where to do that you have to do a much harder thing, etc
this doesn't really seem that villainous reading about it, I guess we'll see how it is for reals soon
is the worry here that they made the game extra long to encourage buying lootboxes to help you get through it? cause uh... is there any proof in that?
I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old, personally I'm not gonna buy single player lootboxes, but if people in my position want to spend 5 bucks or 10 bucks to help them progress through the game quicker during their off hours, how is that a big deal?
The idea is that they deliberately padded out and put the "final ending" behind a tedious grind that encourages you to buy the boxes. But the "tedious grind" is also "playing the game" in this case and reports differ wildly on how big of a deal it is.
"playing the game" can absolutely become a tedious grind if you do it long enough. Especially if you've (ostensibly) finished the story at that point and there's nothing left but the Orc wrangling.
ya read back a bit, bonus ending cut scene thing. I feel like a LOT of games have done that in the past where to do that you have to do a much harder thing, etc
this doesn't really seem that villainous reading about it, I guess we'll see how it is for reals soon
except that loot boxes are gambling, plain and simple, designed to skirt laws that normally prevent anyone under "adult" age from engaging in it. these are especially bad because, according to literally every reviewer, they are completely unnecessary; the only reason to get and keep getting them is an addiction to the random results
you want me to give you money after a game launches, make more quality dlc for it.
Magic Pink on
+3
HardtargetThere Are Four LightsVancouverRegistered Userregular
ya read back a bit, bonus ending cut scene thing. I feel like a LOT of games have done that in the past where to do that you have to do a much harder thing, etc
this doesn't really seem that villainous reading about it, I guess we'll see how it is for reals soon
except that loot boxes are gambling, plain and simple, designed to skirt laws that normally prevent anyone under "adult" age from engaging in it. these are especially bad because, according to literally every reviewer, they are completely unnecessary; the only reason to get and keep getting them is an addiction to the random results
you want me to give you money after a game launches, make more quality dlc for it.
so don't buy em
my kids certainly would have no ability to buy them, it's not like they'd magically have money on their XBL account, and gambling is legal for adults so??
edit - i should say, i totally get making a stand and not buying the game due to this but the amount of rage about it is more the thing that seems weird to me
ya read back a bit, bonus ending cut scene thing. I feel like a LOT of games have done that in the past where to do that you have to do a much harder thing, etc
this doesn't really seem that villainous reading about it, I guess we'll see how it is for reals soon
except that loot boxes are gambling, plain and simple, designed to skirt laws that normally prevent anyone under "adult" age from engaging in it. these are especially bad because, according to literally every reviewer, they are completely unnecessary; the only reason to get and keep getting them is an addiction to the random results
you want me to give you money after a game launches, make more quality dlc for it.
so don't buy em
my kids certainly would have no ability to buy them, it's not like they'd magically have money on their XBL account, and gambling is legal for adults so??
edit - i should say, i totally get making a stand and not buying the game due to this but the amount of rage about it is more the thing that seems weird to me
Why is it weird to you? Lootboxes in single player games is a terrible design decision. You said so yourself.
ya read back a bit, bonus ending cut scene thing. I feel like a LOT of games have done that in the past where to do that you have to do a much harder thing, etc
this doesn't really seem that villainous reading about it, I guess we'll see how it is for reals soon
except that loot boxes are gambling, plain and simple, designed to skirt laws that normally prevent anyone under "adult" age from engaging in it. these are especially bad because, according to literally every reviewer, they are completely unnecessary; the only reason to get and keep getting them is an addiction to the random results
you want me to give you money after a game launches, make more quality dlc for it.
so don't buy em
my kids certainly would have no ability to buy them, it's not like they'd magically have money on their XBL account, and gambling is legal for adults so??
Your kids are pretty young though; what about kids with allowances? Sure you can pass the blame onto the parents for not parenting well, but I don't think that excuses predatory business practices. Gambling is a problem that plagues a lot of adults too.
+3
HardtargetThere Are Four LightsVancouverRegistered Userregular
ya read back a bit, bonus ending cut scene thing. I feel like a LOT of games have done that in the past where to do that you have to do a much harder thing, etc
this doesn't really seem that villainous reading about it, I guess we'll see how it is for reals soon
except that loot boxes are gambling, plain and simple, designed to skirt laws that normally prevent anyone under "adult" age from engaging in it. these are especially bad because, according to literally every reviewer, they are completely unnecessary; the only reason to get and keep getting them is an addiction to the random results
you want me to give you money after a game launches, make more quality dlc for it.
so don't buy em
my kids certainly would have no ability to buy them, it's not like they'd magically have money on their XBL account, and gambling is legal for adults so??
edit - i should say, i totally get making a stand and not buying the game due to this but the amount of rage about it is more the thing that seems weird to me
Why is it weird to you? Lootboxes in single player games is a terrible design decision. You said so yourself.
I said I wouldn't buy them, I totally understand why somebody with limited time would
edit - i was more postulating that if my kids were older i'd have no idea how they'd have money on their XBL accounts even with allowance
edit 2 - i totes forgot you can buy money cards
ya read back a bit, bonus ending cut scene thing. I feel like a LOT of games have done that in the past where to do that you have to do a much harder thing, etc
this doesn't really seem that villainous reading about it, I guess we'll see how it is for reals soon
except that loot boxes are gambling, plain and simple, designed to skirt laws that normally prevent anyone under "adult" age from engaging in it. these are especially bad because, according to literally every reviewer, they are completely unnecessary; the only reason to get and keep getting them is an addiction to the random results
you want me to give you money after a game launches, make more quality dlc for it.
so don't buy em
my kids certainly would have no ability to buy them, it's not like they'd magically have money on their XBL account, and gambling is legal for adults so??
edit - i should say, i totally get making a stand and not buying the game due to this but the amount of rage about it is more the thing that seems weird to me
Why is it weird to you? Lootboxes in single player games is a terrible design decision. You said so yourself.
I said I wouldn't buy them, I totally understand why somebody with limited time would
I guess it really depends on how much faith you give publishers. I'm willing to give them 0 benefit of the doubt that the game wasn't artificially extended in order to sell these lootboxes (which work in both SP and MP right?)
Lootboxes in singleplayer aren't inherently bad. I played a tower defense game that gave you towers from card packs and it was pretty interesting and fun. But that was part of the game and not a microtransaction as well.
ya read back a bit, bonus ending cut scene thing. I feel like a LOT of games have done that in the past where to do that you have to do a much harder thing, etc
this doesn't really seem that villainous reading about it, I guess we'll see how it is for reals soon
except that loot boxes are gambling, plain and simple, designed to skirt laws that normally prevent anyone under "adult" age from engaging in it. these are especially bad because, according to literally every reviewer, they are completely unnecessary; the only reason to get and keep getting them is an addiction to the random results
you want me to give you money after a game launches, make more quality dlc for it.
so don't buy em
my kids certainly would have no ability to buy them, it's not like they'd magically have money on their XBL account, and gambling is legal for adults so??
edit - i should say, i totally get making a stand and not buying the game due to this but the amount of rage about it is more the thing that seems weird to me
I'm not. That also has nothing to do with the conversation and really needs to not be the default go to
And it seems you're saying as long as your kids can't buy them, everything's fine? what about other peoples' kids? what about if your kids find a way? is it only "not bad until and unless it affects me"?
also, if you're excited about the game - buy it. i don't think less of anyone buying this; the first one was fun and this looks great. you do not need a defense to buy this. i just have an issue with people defending these lootboxes as a great thing and the very few ridiculing those who want to not purchase the game because of them
I'm not happy about the loot box situation, but I'm buying (or have bought, rather) this game because I loved the shit out of the first one and also take perverse glee in watching the story just abuse the works of Tolkien. Hopefully it's all been blown out of proportion and the game is fine, but either way, I'm going to try and avoid games with loot boxes from this point on. (Between this shit and a bad experience with Gears of War 4 recently, loot boxes have lost any tiny amount of luster they may have had for me and just reek of naked greed now.)
Undead Scottsman on
+1
SnicketysnickThe Greatest Hype Man inWesterosRegistered Userregular
This is another one in the "you don't need them" pile, but it goes into much more detail as to why (specifically mechanical/strategy stuff that may constitute spoilers depending on your sensitivity)
And so it often went with Shadow of War’s controversial fourth act – called The Shadow Wars – which involves a 10-stage series of battles over different fortresses before you can reach the “real” ending. Some say it’s essentially impossible to complete without using purchasable loot boxes stuffed with legendary quality gear and orcs for your army if you run out of money, with Polygon going so far as to say that the system is “predatory.” I, on the other hand, said in my own Shadow of War review that I didn’t get the point of the loot boxes. I never felt the need to use them. After playing a lot more of Shadow Wars, I feel the same way, and although I mainly came to that conclusion by pulling stunts like the one above, that “stunt” made the game more fun. I sincerely believe developer Monolith Productions could remove the boxes right now and it’d make little tangible difference to the game.
Do we know if the legendary weapon challenges are in again? That was one of my favourite parts of the first game was completing the exploits that forge the future legend of the weapons.
0
HardtargetThere Are Four LightsVancouverRegistered Userregular
This is another one in the "you don't need them" pile, but it goes into much more detail as to why (specifically mechanical/strategy stuff that may constitute spoilers depending on your sensitivity)
And so it often went with Shadow of War’s controversial fourth act – called The Shadow Wars – which involves a 10-stage series of battles over different fortresses before you can reach the “real” ending. Some say it’s essentially impossible to complete without using purchasable loot boxes stuffed with legendary quality gear and orcs for your army if you run out of money, with Polygon going so far as to say that the system is “predatory.” I, on the other hand, said in my own Shadow of War review that I didn’t get the point of the loot boxes. I never felt the need to use them. After playing a lot more of Shadow Wars, I feel the same way, and although I mainly came to that conclusion by pulling stunts like the one above, that “stunt” made the game more fun. I sincerely believe developer Monolith Productions could remove the boxes right now and it’d make little tangible difference to the game.
Do we know if the legendary weapon challenges are in again? That was one of my favourite parts of the first game was completing the exploits that forge the future legend of the weapons.
I'm not 100% sure, but my guess would be no since weapons are RNG loot now. I think, anyway. Could be wrong on that.
Everyone has a price. Throw enough gold around and someone will risk disintegration.
This is another one in the "you don't need them" pile, but it goes into much more detail as to why (specifically mechanical/strategy stuff that may constitute spoilers depending on your sensitivity)
And so it often went with Shadow of War’s controversial fourth act – called The Shadow Wars – which involves a 10-stage series of battles over different fortresses before you can reach the “real” ending. Some say it’s essentially impossible to complete without using purchasable loot boxes stuffed with legendary quality gear and orcs for your army if you run out of money, with Polygon going so far as to say that the system is “predatory.” I, on the other hand, said in my own Shadow of War review that I didn’t get the point of the loot boxes. I never felt the need to use them. After playing a lot more of Shadow Wars, I feel the same way, and although I mainly came to that conclusion by pulling stunts like the one above, that “stunt” made the game more fun. I sincerely believe developer Monolith Productions could remove the boxes right now and it’d make little tangible difference to the game.
This is exactly what is been saying all along; they could remove the loot boxes and it would still be the same game.
+1
HardtargetThere Are Four LightsVancouverRegistered Userregular
according to the GB Quick Look all the legendary gear has challenges
about halfway through it right now, looks super fun
0
HardtargetThere Are Four LightsVancouverRegistered Userregular
I haven't been able to find any information as to what the two extra tribes in the silver edition actually means. Is it just more orc varieties to fill things out, or is it two entirely new regions that they control?
I haven't been able to find any information as to what the two extra tribes in the silver edition actually means. Is it just more orc varieties to fill things out, or is it two entirely new regions that they control?
"Nemesis Expansions include a new Orc Tribe featuring new enemies, followers, missions, abilities, weapons, Fortress and wilderness updates, and a Mythic Gear Set."
So doesn't sound like any new areas, just more variety in existing stuff.
0
FreiA French Prometheus UnboundDeadwoodRegistered Userregular
Game is unlocked on Steam (in the US) now.
Are you the magic man?
0
HardtargetThere Are Four LightsVancouverRegistered Userregular
Yup. Unless I'm currently in a fever dream and just imagining it unpacking. No idea why but maybe they changed it to a global unlock or something.
Frei on
Are you the magic man?
0
HardtargetThere Are Four LightsVancouverRegistered Userregular
woo, just remoted and was able to restart steam and it kicked off the unpack process. Game is pretty big, steam is currently saying an hour to unpack it all. Loving being able to do this stuff from work.
WB: "Dammit, Monolith, did you fill the game with microtransactions like I told you?"
Monolith: *shoves pile of microtransactions into the closet endgame without incentive* "FUCK YOU, TODD, YOU'RE NOT MY REAL FATHER!"
Posts
this doesn't really seem that villainous reading about it, I guess we'll see how it is for reals soon
"playing the game" can absolutely become a tedious grind if you do it long enough. Especially if you've (ostensibly) finished the story at that point and there's nothing left but the Orc wrangling.
So I think I know my current plan.
*sets out time for 40 hours in ~4 years*
except that loot boxes are gambling, plain and simple, designed to skirt laws that normally prevent anyone under "adult" age from engaging in it. these are especially bad because, according to literally every reviewer, they are completely unnecessary; the only reason to get and keep getting them is an addiction to the random results
you want me to give you money after a game launches, make more quality dlc for it.
so don't buy em
my kids certainly would have no ability to buy them, it's not like they'd magically have money on their XBL account, and gambling is legal for adults so??
edit - i should say, i totally get making a stand and not buying the game due to this but the amount of rage about it is more the thing that seems weird to me
Why is it weird to you? Lootboxes in single player games is a terrible design decision. You said so yourself.
Your kids are pretty young though; what about kids with allowances? Sure you can pass the blame onto the parents for not parenting well, but I don't think that excuses predatory business practices. Gambling is a problem that plagues a lot of adults too.
I said I wouldn't buy them, I totally understand why somebody with limited time would
edit - i was more postulating that if my kids were older i'd have no idea how they'd have money on their XBL accounts even with allowance
edit 2 - i totes forgot you can buy money cards
I guess it really depends on how much faith you give publishers. I'm willing to give them 0 benefit of the doubt that the game wasn't artificially extended in order to sell these lootboxes (which work in both SP and MP right?)
SniperGuyGaming on PSN / SniperGuy710 on Xbone Live
I'm not. That also has nothing to do with the conversation and really needs to not be the default go to
And it seems you're saying as long as your kids can't buy them, everything's fine? what about other peoples' kids? what about if your kids find a way? is it only "not bad until and unless it affects me"?
also, if you're excited about the game - buy it. i don't think less of anyone buying this; the first one was fun and this looks great. you do not need a defense to buy this. i just have an issue with people defending these lootboxes as a great thing and the very few ridiculing those who want to not purchase the game because of them
https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/10/09/do-you-need-loot-boxes-to-complete-shadow-of-wars-final-act/
D3 Steam #TeamTangent STO
excellent. RPS is a great site
The Lore!
I'm not 100% sure, but my guess would be no since weapons are RNG loot now. I think, anyway. Could be wrong on that.
This is exactly what is been saying all along; they could remove the loot boxes and it would still be the same game.
about halfway through it right now, looks super fun
https://kotaku.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-shadow-of-wars-controversia-1819293793
I forced myself to skip through it, wanna be surprised!
"Nemesis Expansions include a new Orc Tribe featuring new enemies, followers, missions, abilities, weapons, Fortress and wilderness updates, and a Mythic Gear Set."
So doesn't sound like any new areas, just more variety in existing stuff.
wait, already?!
Yup. Unless I'm currently in a fever dream and just imagining it unpacking. No idea why but maybe they changed it to a global unlock or something.
pleasepaypreacher.net
I downloaded 65gb and the storepage says 70gb.
I am mainly anxious if my machine will run it, close to the minspec on videocard. And the last Batman game didn't run so hot.
It looks like it's taking around 35 minutes total to unpack too.
SniperGuyGaming on PSN / SniperGuy710 on Xbone Live
WB: "Dammit, Monolith, did you fill the game with microtransactions like I told you?"
Monolith: *shoves pile of microtransactions into the closet endgame without incentive* "FUCK YOU, TODD, YOU'RE NOT MY REAL FATHER!"
Steam ID XBL: JohnnyChopsocky PSN:Stud_Beefpile WiiU:JohnnyChopsocky
looks like those 4k textures aren't included by default? (in fact i don't even see a way to get them)