So has anyone played The Secret World? I like conspiracy shit, and liked the concept of The Matrix Online, if not its execution. Never considered it at full price, though, and then forgot it existed.
I've also been hearing a strange amount of chatter about TSW, considering every time my first thought is "that isn't dead yet?"
Just wondering if it's worth 10 bux to mess around with.
Yep. Played it back when it was in Beta (NO NDA's - right before game's original launch), missed it when it was $5.25 on GMG, and then eventually bought it from someone (for $5.25). IMHO - I think the game's came a long way, since I first Beta tested it.
Anyways - the game's really good. Despite it being a MMO and an online-only game - I spent most of my time running around, doing things on my own. You will likely run into other players - likely also soloing and running around, doing their own thing. A lot of times - you'll be battling enemies....and maybe some players on same quest as you, maybe some players are just in the area nearby, or whatever - and others will help you out.
What the game excels at is the typical things you'd see in a Ragnar Tornquist game (i.e. the guy behind The Longest Journey, Dreamfall, and Dreamfall Chapters). The game-world, environment, setting, characters, story-telling, dialogue, and voice-acting are all excellent. If you're playing for this stuff - enjoy...b/c you've certainly come to the right place! This stuff is fantastic.
Mission types vary quite a bit, which is a good thing. There are some typical MMO's stuff - find X areas, find X people, kill X enemies, kill X enemies in a certain way; things of that sort. There are also stealth-like missions. There are some puzzle-like missions, which feels plucked right out of a "pure" adventure game.
The game has an open class system. Do not expect being a thief, rogue, or whatever. You select what skills you want to learn, as you go along - gaining experience + gaining skill points. Me, I had a gun-toting/magic-using combo of a character going, when I was actually playing the heck out of this game.
If you focus on weapons that are guns or magic - make sure you put your Toggle Combat Mode key nearby to somewhere you'll hit a lot on the fly while playing. This switches b/t an unlocked cursors w/ a locked cam; and b/t a locked cursor with a mouselook like a FPS/TPS. You have, by default, a WOW style of attacking - the cam is locked + point to enemy w/ your floating cursor; and it attacks when you press the hotkey. If you like WOW style of combat - you'll be fine. This isn't good for combat if you don't like WOW style of combat, IMHO - I prefer this style of a locked camera but a floating cursor for looking and interaction w/ objects and people.
I don't find that WOW style of combat fun for gun-slinging + magic-shooting. I prefer aiming w/ Mouselook, like a TPS and FPS - especially since I do play tons of those. If you prefer mouselook and aiming - make sure you switch to the Combat Mode on the fly, once you're about to get into a combat situation.
Also, left-mouse does NOT shoot, fire or attack. By default - it interacts. So, prepare to put your hot-keys somewhere for any sort of attacks other than left-mouse. Put it somewhere you'll likely use A LOT + easy to access.
That should say plenty. I really like the game. I haven't played in a while - and, I really should, when I get the chance and should make time for it.