Vibrant and delectable.
When things aren’t working sometimes it’s best to try a new avenue. Unfortunately, MMORPGs have been struggling to keep gamers glued to their virtual worlds as they keep making the same mistakes. Even the MMO juggernaut World of Warcraft is losing its grip on its customers.
In comes WildStar, a game that strives to be creative and fun. Its developer, Carbine Studios, has crafted an entirely new IP so it can deliver a world that adheres to its own rules without letting the laws of lore dictate mechanics. The end result is something that may be very special.
Wildstar features two factions, the Exile and Dominion, each with its own culture. Neither side is necessarily good nor evil, but rather the Exile are more sophisticated and structured while the Dominion are tribal. Each of the game’s six races are modeled with attention to detail and unique flavor. This not only means that the NPCs you interact with are interesting, but the players you’ll constantly be exposed to will help shape the game’s immersive world.
Presently, there are four classes confirmed for WildStar. While that number might seem low (and it’s certain to grow at or shortly after release), it isn’t the only way for you to tailor your character to your liking. There are also several builds per class, and a path system for each character. Choosing between Explorer, Scientist, Soldier, or Settler has strong influence on your journey to the level cap. Whichever you pick opens up exclusive quests and offers a distinct experience during your stay in WildStar.
Carbine Studios understands how much gamers like to become engrossed in an MMO world, and as such, WildStar will have player housing at release. You can furnish your personal space with items you earn during your travels and even share it with friends. Some might find pimping out their home to be an addicting affair and for that there will be hundreds of unique items. And don’t think you can just neglect your home, either. Logging out inside it is required in order to obtain rested experience, something which will help decrease the time it takes to reach endgame.
WildStar is a beautifully crafted game that is pleasing on the eyes. Even in early beta it has great flair that immediately instills a sense of personality. Not only does the world have character, but so do its inhabitants. NPC interactions lead to humorous scenarios and you’ll find yourself remembering favorite characters by name.
Questing isn’t far removed from its MMO heritage, but there are things that help spice if up. Early on you’re exposed to memorable situations such as delivering a payload of bombs to unsuspecting enemies. There are also public quests to incentivize social encounters. If you don’t quickly meet friends and begin enjoying content with others, consider yourself unlucky.
Combat is easy to get your head around but difficult to master. Many abilities require technique to use optimally, and the inclusion of sprint and dodge mechanics keep your mind always driving to make decisions. Although the skill cap is higher than in many other games, you’ll find yourself rewarded for practice. Dodging to avoid a missile or executing a Warrior’s whirlwind on a group of monsters is exciting.
Carbine Studios is pushing to give the game a lasting endgame presence. This isn’t a game that’s going to be pushed out before it’s ready. When you hit the level cap, there will be months of content to divulge in, and that’s not including post-release patch content which is already being thought about.
One thing you should know about WildStar is that its developer is extremely passionate about the game, and it shows in the game’s execution. It never neglects the entertainment value and is always looking for clever ways to keep you engaged.
WildStar is currently in closed beta. You can sign up on the official site and become a part of the testing phase in the near future.
