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Previews
These previews were written before the product was released.
8 reviews have been written since this product was released.
Pretty much what the title says. At the moment the game is being released in US/Euro but not for us. Time frame for us is someday.
But for those that are wanting to get the game they have said that they have no plans on IP blocking or stopping credit cards to sub to the game. So, if you are interested you can get it from amazon.com. There will be more cost involved, but at least you can get the game around release.
I managed to play in the last beta and I was logged onto a US server, and it played great from NZ. So the performance should be fine even if they dont yet have a Australia/NZ local server. On the bright side at least the Aussies are missing out too!
So far the game has been fantastic – I barely ever look at my experience bar. There are a lot of options when you create your character so it's totally your own. You become so immersed in the story as when you talk to NPCs you choose what you want to say, it's very ‘movie’ like.
The starting zones for both Empire and Republic are great although I personally enjoyed the Republic better. Then once you move onto other planets it just looks great and you feel how big the game really is. Can't wait to carry on playing!
Latency isn't too bad so far haven't been over 180ms yet and have seen it as low as 160ms with any tunneling services.
Definitely worth it – this is going to topple WoW.
Gameplanet has an article on it atm.
Really lame that despite them knowing there's a high demand for the game with the high sign up rate to the beta and general interest shown it sounds they didn't anticipate the demand which may be lame for us :/
But the only good I can see is that while others are getting ahead in swtor(which does irk me a little) I will have a little more time to get through so many good games that are releasing in the next few months.
At this stage EA have said that this game will only be releasing in North America and Some European countries. No one outside those countries will be able to join the servers and play. They have not said when or if it will be given a world wide release.
From what Bioware has said, we will have to wait a bit longer than everyone else because they didn't expect so many orders.
This is a REAL disappointment to a lot of people, (including me) who were planning on buying the Limited Collectors Edition.
If it is released at a later date, then I might not even buy it because there are SO many other games being released for me to spend my money on.
On a note of the actual game, it looks awesome. I have never cared though for a “Pay to Play” game with a monthly subscription fee. I do understand that this is because of paying for updates and servers, but depending on how much it is per month will sway me on if I buy it or not.
Game rating: 4.5 Bioware sales rating: 2.5 Final Score: 3.5
Note the copies in capitals, I believe some to be misinformed. While no you cannot buy the game from retailers in the southern hemisphere, or off origin for that matter (due to Bioware not wanting server overloads in the opening weeks/months).
The game is NOT confined to regions through IP blocks/ Region locks Bioware confirmed this on the forums.
Quoting Stephen Reid “There are no plans to ‘region lock’ or ‘IP block’ players from the game. You may experience some latency issues if you're not playing in a launch territory.”
And another positive being that the recent Beta weekend coming up (14th-16th Oct) is aimed at Australians and New Zealander's playing off of the Californian server bank. Which is nothing different to how World of Warcraft currently is.
Its not all bad!!
Bioware has officially stated that release will be 20th of December for US and 22nd for EU, people that pre-order the game will be entitled to play 1 week early through a digital download via the official website. What people in NZ and OZ can do to get around the red zone is order it online from a overseas distributor or get a friend to purchase a copy and supply you with the pre-order codes from an overseas vendor. There will be no IP blocking or creditcard blocking in place.
Been playing since 16 December on pre-order from Amazon.com. Servers are absolutely fine, no lag at all and never an issue getting in. Only thing is come March there may be an issue switching your character to the Oceania server, but then again why the need if the Yank servers work perfectly. Great game, completely hooked, divorce imminent !
I have been playing for about a month and a half and have to say that I enjoy the game. My highest character is only 37 but I do have 5 alts to go along with that, ranging from 10 to 27 on both the Empire and Republic sides.
If you are willing to stop and smell the roses on the way to 50 then you will get a lot more out of this game than those that blindly rush to the cap. Bioware have put an awful lot of effort into the class quests and at times it seems more like you are in an interactive movie than just playing a game. Don't get me wrong, there is definitely stuff to do at 50, such as solo and group dailies, PVP, Flashpoints and Operations (Raids) but getting there is a large part of the fun in this game.
There are bugs to be sure. It is a new game and an MMO so to expect it to be bug-free is unrealistic (and yet so many vociferous people seem to be doing just that) but Bioware is patching regularly (and quickly if they spot a large exploit) so the bugs are getting squished slowly but surely.
By the time the game launches officially in this part of the globe it should be in an even more polished state and have even more content (they have already released one content patch after only 1 month in service). Together with Aussie based servers for reduced ping I would heartily recommend this game to any MMO fan.
This game is bound to be the new Number 1 MMORPG. 3 years in the making and every thing about it just looks fantastic. Bioware announced there would be no region and IP blocking, so we can still play the game with minor latency issues (if there is any)
MightyApe should preorder the game and sub cards from overseas like their other imported titles so we can play on release dates.
In late 2003, Bioware released an award winning RPG called Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR). The most burning question asked on the Bioware forums at that time was, “when is the multiplayer version coming out-” Well, 8 years later the question has finally been answered. Bioware have now packaged the fully immersive role playing experience of KOTOR together with state of the art MMO features to bring you a truly unique experience. Jump into the Star Wars Universe with your friends and find your own adventure!
pre ordered mine from amazon and got my early access see you guys in game in march
Explore an age thousands of years before the rise of Darth Vader when war between the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire divides the galaxy. Choose your class from a variety of classic Star Wars roles including Jedi Knight, Bounty Hunter, and Smuggler. Make decisions which define your personal story and determine your path down the light or dark side of the Force. Along the way you will befriend courageous companions who will fight at your side. Together, you will battle enemies in dynamic Star Wars combat, team up with other players to overcome incredible challenges and discover the wonders of the Star Wars galaxy in a fully-featured Massively Multiplayer Online game.
I will say but this the ping for me in central q land was really good
I to had the pleasure of testing this game, albeit briefly but Ryan is wrong with this assertion that the game will be released here.
EA's idea of “Global” is North America and most of Europe, we are still in the “Red Zone” and still have to wait to f*&^ knows when before we will get a local release.
While they have stated this product will not be shipped to the “Red Zone” for ditribution, EA has sent emails to several of my friends stating that in order to purchase thier game there are two ways to do so.
One – You may have a friend from the U.S/Eu purchase a copy on origin and “gift” it to you.
Two- In the most recent email it has been stated that while a grey area in thier “Terms ofService” it is possible to have a friend from said countries log into your account and purchase the game for you.
They have stated that while the second option is possible they take no responsibility for stolen accounts, funds, or any other loss to you personally. I asked them about these options and the only one againt there policy I logging in through a proxy or VPN to purchase it yourself. The delays were primarily due to server latency with us being so far from the server cluster, which would in thier minds ruin our ability to fully enjoy thier product. But they haven't IP blocked any countries so its our choice to play or wait for an official release.
I've been waiting for this game since it was revealed all the way back in 2008, and that's been a long time. I recently e-mailed SWTOR abou the setback, and they said it is definitely not their intention to exclude us here in New Zealand and that they'd get it too us as soon as they can.
This game is revolutionary. Many doubt that WoW will be the ‘big MMORPG’ when SWTOR is released, and I agree. There are countless features and they've really focused on the little things. SWTOR is, as stated on the first trailer back in 2008, a Story Driven MMORPG. It is going to spectacular and, although the setback is a little annoying, I'm definitely going to wait.
This came features almost twenty different worlds, each being vast with numerous quests and conversations to take part in. You are not only forging your own destiny in this game, but the destiny of the galaxy and the force itself. This game depicts the ancient battle between light and darkness on a larger scale: The Republic and Jedi being the light, the Sith and the Empire being the darkness.
A large part of MMORPG is Multiplayer, and that's an aspect that the developers at Bioware and Lucasarts have really focused on. Guilds can undergo large battles against rivals in the warzones, and you can even take part in some of the most important events in the galaxy with your friends.
Overall, SWTOR is sure to become a classic. Sure, there may be a minor setback, but we must have patience. Who knows, it may even be a few days after the release.
Played this game as a tester and can say that it is a whole lot better than any MMO currently out. Has full voice acting and interesting quests/story. So much more enjoyable and a lot less repetitive than other similar styled games. according to IGN http://au.pc.ign.com/…00381p1.html the game will be released here
This game looks awesome, it's been delayed for release in some countries due to BioWare wanting to establish a strong on-line environment before the crowds rush in although it's still scheduled for around Christmas holidays*. It looks to be a bit like World of Warcraft in some respects and I expect it to be just as addictive. If your into MMORPG's I guarantee you will love this one.
Why all the hype around this game- Can someone please explain- Three mediocre movies from the 70's and early 80's, followed by what can only be described as three of the most awful movies made in recent decades. I have to admit I've never really understood all the fuss over Star Wars. Harrison Ford was the only decent actor in it, and carried it, as far as I can see. Mark Hamill & Carrie Fisher were completely one dimensional – as has been bourne out by thier subsequent careers (or lack of them). There have been any number of better movies made, then and since Star Wars came out. The build up to this reeks of the time before Rift came out – only it's magnified by many factors. I just hope all that cash EA has blown on this pays off or someone will be copping it big time. Who knows though, perhaps it will be fantastic. I'll probably try it anyway – someone has to luck out and finally make a decent game based on a movie I suppose.
Already bought US import version. What can I say this game rocks. I won't repeat what others have already said about the game, you can check various sites for top reviews. One thing you should know however is you have to download an additional 20 GBs or so of data for your game client (Main Assets, English Assets, Game Client) before you can play the game. Yes, it is somewhat frustrating, having to wait and might put you over your monthly data cap. But trust me the wait is worth it. 10/10 for me. Hope to see more NZ servers.
Played the latest beta over the weekend of the 26th November.
Game feels incredibly linear. Played as Jedi Knight. First 6 levels were fun, but the quality of questing seemed to drop off a bit after that.
Plays similiar to Dragon Age II/Mass Effect II except that mobs will respawn, and you will see other players. That is until you go into phased areas within a zone (green represents your class, red non-accesible because for other classes). It's very similiar to LoTRO's system, except Lotro ports you in and out , whereas this you have to walk there and back.
The initial starting “zone” felt like typical MMO fare, with the wierd exception of once you leave the area for Coruscant (in the case of a Jedi Knight) there's no coming back.
The gameplay really started to tank upon arriving at Coruscant. You will face massive trekking to get to and from quest objectives and you will wish they'd put mounts in at level 10. You can sprint at level 14, and you can get a mount at level 25. This won't make up for the boring nature of the questing upon first arriving at Coruscant though.
In summary, if the thought of playing another Kotor or Mass Effect game sounds appealing I highly recommend pre-ordering this game. Just don't expect the next big thing in MMO's because this isn't quite it, but it is a very very good game for what it is.
It looks like it would put a big dent in world of warcraft's subscription numbers.EA confirmed on the offical site that there will be no ip blocking of NZ and OZ so you will be able to play it at launch but there might be a bit of lag.
Hubby & I have been playing since December (pre-release from Amazon) and it's great. I'm not a huge Star Wars fan but it doesn't matter at all – presumably you get more out of it if you are more familiar with the SW universe though.
There are a few bugs in the game which are slowly being ironed out, but the vast majority are more minor irritations than major show-stoppers.
Sometimes you do have to queue for the NZ/OZ server, but never more than 15–20 mins and I haven't struck that for quite a few weeks now. Because it's brand new there are quite a few server outages while they apply patches and upgrades, but it's not generally too inconvenient (I just play Skyrim instead). :o)
I was one of the lucky ones to be able to preorder it from USA! And I must say I'm pretty impressed! I am a level 41 assassin which is a great class to play as. Bioware did well with the voiceovers which many MMO's don't have. Wazones/battlefields are a little messed up especially for level 50's but that doesn't surprise me. I actually liked the titles you get from questing leveling up and so on.
I am a little disappointing with the Space Combat. The stunning visuals and the gameplay are a great way to have a break from the intense side of the game but sometimes they are just plain annoying! At times you have a whole lot of ships flying your way and when the start blasting at you you can't see a flippin thing! But they aren't compulsory thank goodness!
Overall I think this game is excellent! I am looking forward to the content to come!
Release of TOR is aimed for 1st of March. Offical word is Q1-Q2 of 2012 for the Australian/New Zealand region.
Link for Proof. Http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php-p=574005
Update from Bioware says there aiming for march 1st release here and aus, and also hinted at local servers, which would be nice :)
Had a go at weekend beta testing (5am 27th till 5pm 29th) from Gizzy with only minor glitching and game faults occuring in game, they seem to be rather up-to-date pre-release, which for a MMO is pretty dang good. Ran Republic Smuggler, Trooper, and Jedi (missed Consular) and Imperial Agent and Bounty Hunter (missed Sith Warrior and Inquisitor). The storylines for each class are good and additional “quests” are well set. Being a ex WOW, Aion, Rift and CO player and i must say that though each person may have thier pro's and con's I quiet enjoyed the game and am well looking forward to full access. Monthly pay per play, well ....... I've done it before. :-)
I took part in the recent beta stress testing, here are my impressions of the game as it is now.
First, the story is significantly better than any MMO that I have previously played. I played as a Sith Inquisitor and thoroughly enjoyed the part of the story that I got to play. Although the class stories are good, some of the other quests follow the more generic “go kill x of this” or “go find x of this” that make them rather tedious.
The other thing I like in MMO's is the crafting so I spent a bit of time on that. Each character can take one crafting (manufacturing) profession and two gathering professions. I chose the artificing profession. Basically you are then forced to take archeology and treasure hunting as they are the only (easy) way of getting trade goods. Companions can then go on crafting or gathering missions which send them off for some period of time (in which they are unusable) and may return with goods. You are also able to reverse-engineer goods to try to create better versions of the equipment but this is rather pointless at low levels as you replace all of the stuff you make so quickly. Overall it's a nice change to some of the more traditional crafting systems.
The last thing I will go into detail about is the UI. This is probably the least polished part of the game right now. There are still a lot of weird bugs in the UI, for example when you send a companion to craft the UI may tell you that he is still with you. It also isn't really customisable which may annoy some people out there.
I thoroughly enjoyed the beta experience, one of the best things about the game is that there is no penalty at all for doing all of the game in a group. Leveling is quite fast, some people got to level 35 in three days of beta, max is 50. Right now the game still feels unpolished, there are lot's of minor bugs in the game that I can't see them ironing out in the three weeks before its US release. A late NZ release might be a blessing with the huge release queues and a few weeks of patching.
This game isnt not being released until early next year for oceania. We CAN import it (from amazon) and join the american servers and play that way. Only digital copies are IP locked.
Secondly, with game will be awesome!! Cant wait to play and early game access from pre order will be sweeeet!!!