Post Last Edit by mad128 at 10-30-2009 22:10

In-game name: Schizophrenic
As stated above by GM Everspring, the purpose of this event is for them to hear our own personal critical opinions on the latest expansion features. Not an introduction or a "how to" guide because this isn't a tutorial contest, they wouldn't ask for "something negative" if it was. They want to know what we like and what we didn't like. So that with our feedback's, they'll be able to use it for future references in future expansions.
Having said that, there's no need for me to post tutorial guides & pictures about each feature like everyone else because it's doesn't show my opinions. Most of which can already be found on the game's homepage or by clicking on these helpful links to the game's guide provided below.
7400 Expansion - http://pdo.enjoymmo.com/7400/7400.html
Artifact - http://pdo.enjoymmo.com/html/GameGuide/20090724/428.html
Formula - http://pdo.enjoymmo.com/html/GameGuide/20090724/430.html
New Main Quest - http://pdo.enjoymmo.com/html/GameGuide/20090724/429.html
Netherworld Dungeon - http://pdobbs.enjoymmo.com/thread-4030-1-1.html
Team Quest - http://pdo.enjoymmo.com/html/GameGuide/Features/20080201/158.html
***Now for my review, I'll try to keep it simple and straight to the point. I'll provide positive & negative inputs on each new feature from my own perspective!***
Artifact
Pro's -
Easy to obtain, trade-able, ability to increase different base stats according to your needs when equipped, will be more powerful through the leveling process which will prove evidence, Tai Chi potions to increase leveling rate, artifact's effect skills, profitable when sold on the market, just plain cool to have!
Con's -
Of the 6 types artifacts, 3 (MP, Strike, Dodge) are useless as it offers low stats bonus versus the time it takes to level up & it's not very profitable on the market. Some players may complain that it's too slow to level, but I find it not the case with myself as it depends on how you're leveling it. In my case, wizard's with area of effect skills for the win! As the saying goes "patience is virtue" as with patience comes great reward!
Formula
Pro's -
Just like artifacts, these will increase different base stats on your equipments, able to use formula in succession to level to max capacity to further increase and maximize bonus base stats to equipments, trade-able, profitable when sold on the market, who wouldn't want more stats?
Con's -
Fail rate & consequence, I've once failed 3 straight level 1 formula on the same equipment & the penalty of failing is the lowering of your equipment's endurance. Not as easy to obtain like artifacts, not really a con either in my mind. Kill more to get more! Some people complained about having 2 different types of item formula for general & suits equipments, they would rather have just 1 type of item formula for both types of equipment. I think having 2 different types is fine, the suits item formula are somewhat harder to obtain. Thus, making it profitable to sell on the market which isn't a bad thing.
New main quest
Pro's -
More quests for those that likes storyline quests, motivation to continue leveling in order to obtain these new main quest, high exp. rewards, reputation rewards, gold reward, various potions rewards, easy to do as I was able to solo them until the last part.
Con's -
Must achieve a certain level to receive the new main quests, some may argue that it's too hard, others may say it's not hard enough. Me? I like simplicity. Just like this game is, so easy works for me! Some finds the rewards not satisfying enough, I thought it was fine.
***Additional features***
Doctor's Refining
Pro's -
Very addictive & fun using material synthesis & equipment dismantling, so easy to use even a caveman can do it! Spend less time farming for materials, don't have to pay ridiculous amount of gold or phoenix points to buy crafting materials from other players. Doctors are available everywhere in major city & smaller towns. Special synthesis using sublimation stones from the cash shop reasonably priced for phoenix points are awesome! Spars are trade-able & they can help lower level new players.
Con's -
Losing the additional bonus stats (especially the rare good ones) on crafting material when using common & special synthesis. Spars are useless for me as I'm a higher level player as the rewards aren't very rewarding. Trade-able but aren't very profitable on the market because the rewards received are too low for higher level players & lower level new players aren't able to offer much to buy them. Sometimes I get carried away while using equipment dismantling & end up dismantling my own gears, not a con as it's my fault.
Netherworld Dungeon
Pro's -
A new instance for all players, drops gold, equipments potions, gems, mount's food, crafting materials, shards, & skills. Good exp. for low level new players, good exp. for artifacts.
Con's -
Don't like the fact that higher level players has to go through all the lower level rooms. Exp. & reward aren't great for higher level players versus the time spent in the dungeon. Can't speak for others, but I myself got bored of it the first time around.
New Areas
Pro's -
Elemental Cloisters is good for higher level players to farm magic points as well as exp. Ghost Valley offers a few quests as it's part of the new main quests, has plenty of high level monsters to kill for exp. points only.
Con's -
Very annoying to travel through the different areas of Elemental Cloisters just to get to Ghost Valley. I find myself running on foot because mounts would get slaughtered & feeding it would be a waste when you're running around each area looking for the teleporter to the next area. Exp. aren't really great even though higher level monsters are everywhere. Each higher level monster gets me about 25k exp. and I use AOE skills to kill 10+ at one time. Needing 95 million exp. to level, do the math and it's just not worth my time here. That's almost 4000 higher level mobs I need to kill just to level, I'm better off waiting for a TQ party!
Team Quest 83, 87
Pro's -
Best place to gain exp. by soloing the remaining duration after completing the team quest if you're able to AOE all the mobs. Quest rewards suits crafting materials and reputation points. Mobs drops general crafting materials as well as the occasional random drops of gems & skills.
Con's -
Due to the relatively low player base in this game, sometimes it takes a few days to a week just to find enough people on to start a team quest. The best time for me to find a TQ party in my time zone is near the early AM hours, which is very late for me. Quest reward should also yield a decent amount of exp. considering TQ's are hard to find a party daily as you're only able to do it once a day. Also, some gold reward would be nice to recover some gold back from spending them on pots.
***Conclusion***
Hopefully I've covered all the critical points with my in-depth review of the latest expansion features. Overall, an enjoyable new expansion with plenty of benefits & rewards. I'm already looking towards future expansions as this was my first experience! |