The world of MMORPGs is starting out with a bang in 2007. Vanguard: Saga of Heroes by Sigil Games Online is now in open beta with a scheduled release of January 30th.
The Older Gamers has an active contingent playing the game and has a
division set up to promote the myriad of game play styles this exciting
new title brings to the table. Sporting beautiful graphics and a
massive world Vanguard looks to be a welcome addition to TOG’s list of supported games.
Vanguard: Saga of Heroes has been highly anticipated
for many years as a third generation successor to the original
Everquest. Development began in early 2002 under the direction of Brad
McQuaid and the Keith Parkinson, two of the cornerstones of the
original EQ project.
A new approach to MMOs has been introduced in Vanguard. Game play styles are broken into spheres: Adventuring, Crafting, and Diplomacy.
Players may gain experience in any sphere independently of others with
overlap, creating a truly unique character and experience. Each sphere
has many different approaches and branches which affect different
aspects of your character's abilities. And as much of the game’s lore
is contained within the Crafting and Diplomacy spheres there are
incentives to explore and interact with the world at a level rarely
seen in gaming.
 
Vanguard is set in the
fantasy world called Telon. Many of the racial and class choices will
be familiar to players experienced in the genre with some notable
additions and very welcome stratification to further the customization
process.
Telon has three main continents: Thestra, Qualia, and Kojan. All three
have six distinct races and different architectural styles. At the time
of this writing 70 instance free dungeons have been discovered.
Classes:Warrior,
Paladin, Dread Knight, Bard, Rogue, Ranger, Monk, Cleric, Blood Mage,
Shaman, Disciple, Psionicist, Necromancer, Sorcerer, Druid
Races: Thestrans
(Human), High Elves, Dwarves, Lesser Giants, Varanjar (Barbarian),
Halflings, Vulmane (Beast Race - Wolf), Qaliathari (Human), Mordebi
(Human sub race), Dark Elves, Gnomes, Kurashasa (Beast Race - Feline),
Varathari (Barbarian), Kojani (Human), Half-Elves, Wood Elves, Raki
(Beast Race - Fox), Goblins, Orc
Housing and mounts are standout features in Vanguard.
Housing is varied and robust with a range of options available both
residential and industrial. Ships, including guild ships, are in the
works. Flying mounts such as griffins are available, as are horses and
many other creatures.
While Vanguard has a wealth of PVE
both in game and planned, it doesn’t mean it has left player vs. player
action behind. Both team (factional) based PVP servers as well as FFA
are planned for the launch, and both styles promise to be very
challenging environments.
During the various beta phases TOG members have experienced a
world aimed at a mature audience. The engine abandons the cartoon look
that has been the mainstay of many popular MMOs in the last years.
Coupled with the more adult appearance comes a higher stakes game, but
Sigil has managed to do so while avoiding the irritating aspects which
plagued the first generation of MMOs.
All in all, Vanguard: Saga of Heroesmarries
the challenge of first generation MMOs with the tedium reducing
elements that made the second generation a pleasure. As it was designed
specifically to give the player unprecedented “head room”, it is
expected to be a game to be played for many, many years. TOG Vanguard Division welcomes you to join us, and to get in your pre-order!
Comment about this article here.
|
