The Good: Most folks are fun, and friendly and such. It's been fun organising wider efforts and interacting with people.
The Bad: Infighting in general. What I have heard to be semi-constant sweeps from cops looking to catch rebels. I can't confirm this is what is actually happening, but it is what I've heard from several active rebel players. Seeming lack of anything to do aside from Expos and Events. It encourages players to plan their own objectives, but it is still difficult to go through with planning such when there is not much supplementary activity that does not lead to an instant death. As stated by another prior, there is a severe lack of anywhere to base. The map feels as if it was conceptualised to only encourage CItyRP, and then it didn't even manage to do that. I have my words for it... but, that, is for another thread.
Thoughts on passive RP: Enjoyable. Lots of planning, lots of chatting. The bunker was a hub for non-stop PassiveRP. Outside of the bunker- for rebels who can afford to lose their gear, I'm sure it's fine. For AC and BOL characters- they are effectively cordoned into the underground due to the immense risk of remaining in the slums. The only place it felt like there was breathing room was the bunker, to me.
Thoughts on expeditions: Fun, but widely interspersed. They don't happen very often, it feels like, and it's even harder to try to plan one. Other than that- very enjoyable, especially from
@Cocohop expos.
Thoughts on events: Fun, but most of the ones I've encountered seem to be 'shoot X', which is fun, yes- but I feel a variety would be better. I believe this may be a side-effect of the sheer amount of effort it takes to sort out anything that is a prop-build, and not worked into existing map geometry. [Post-response edit: I am guilty of this as well.]
Thoughts on gunplay and balancing: Seems fine, weapons-wise. As for armour: I've seen it brought up before that cops are constantly on higher par compared to rebels. This effectively disallows any chance of victory from lower tier rebels. It's either go for a T2 or nothing at all.
Thoughts on interactions with the wider server (Combine and Loyalists):
Loyalists- Well, in cases such as Cilam's character, it is
exceptional the interactions I've had. Characters such as SlugGirl's loyalist are also very fun to interact with. Beyond that, there are other good ones as well. They act snobby, sometimes, and nice, others. They have a wide range of colours, and often some good folks.
CPs- They... well, for the most part, I'm loathe to say I do not enjoy interacting with the wider faction. There's observable 'robocop' behavior, cops telling a group of civvies whom are PassiveRPing to
'<:: Disperse. ::>', and otherwise.
I do not enjoy interacting with most cops as a civ or rebel, put simply, and some other folks feel the same way. I have had several good experiences with cops, however, the most notable of them coming from Terminal 7 and occasional interactions in City 24. They're not
all bad, but pleasant interaction is lesser than I would like.
Now, from a 'I am going to go shoot this cop' standpoint(in my eyes):
-Cops have consistent access to MP7s and USPs. Both are heralded as the best of their class, most rebels being unable to compete. They are also constantly packing 50 armour and above from what I am aware. It makes any action against them a death sentence.
-In my time, I have seen a cop engaged by maybe one or two people, and the entire precinct arrives. It doesn't really do much but guarantee rebel loss. It's hard to really discuss the idea on 'overdeployment' and such, but it is something that I've noted. I don't know what the current status of this tendency is.
So, to sum up the interactions:
When it comes to gunfights, icky no-no(which encourages PassiveRP in a cynical manner).
When it comes to RP, it has its moments, but often leaves much to be desired.
Thoughts on rebel event characters: Enjoyable, for the most part. Interacted with only a few overall, and most are very nice to chat with.
Thoughts on progression (does anything ever happen?):
RESISTANCE CYCLE:
>loot trash
>loot boxes
>accrue scrap over the course of a month
>make a Popper
>go on an Expo a month and a half in
>get a USP or maybe an SMG
>get some armour
>consider shooting a cop for their gear
WHERE THE PATH SPLITS:
-
THE FIRST PATH:
>shoot cop
>likely die
-THE SECOND PATH:
>do not shoot cop because you do not have Kevlar BP
>continue to not engage with cops and just grind
>potentially get Tier 2 armour
>either die from a random sweep, or more likely live and only do Expos and Events as there's no reason to grind anymore
So, in other words: Nothing ever happens, and when it does happen, people die, leading to nothing happening.
Hopefully this sums up my thoughts accurately, and completely. I apologise if anything I've said is incorrect or otherwise misinformed. Please state such if it is, in a reasonable manner.
Thank you.
Be well. Be safe.
. I'm not going to keep gargling on the french server but they legit have wanted posters about freed vortigaunt hunting. Shit sounds amazing and different. Most of the time on willard it all just gets silenced because the vortigaunt is worth 5 people by themselves. (This is my shitty take)
. I don't know if its already a thing but organising expeditions for your own factions / groups could really be good.
