Heard about this game a long time ago. The show is pretty cool. Has it's moments. But still like anyone, I was wary of paying $60 bucks for the game and not knowing if I'd like it. Not a big MMORPG game fan.
Free steam weekend comes around and so of course I try it with an option to buy for $41.99 or $18 off.
Played heavily during the weekend and found myself simply having fun with this game. Gunplay is good. Tons of guns. The best way to think of the guns is that they are similar to Borderlands style. But you can also add attachments that make them better. You need a special currency, but one that you get from playing or breaking down some of the weapons you pick up.
Missions are like you expect from any open world or MMORPG type. Fetch this, infiltrate compound and kill/acquire something, rescue someone, etc. Arkfalls are quite intense and fun. The pvp is ok, but it gives you a different kind of currency to purchase other items. I think there are 3 or 4 different types.
You can also purchase xp and other boosts including a few I think can affect others as well. Like a team or clan boost or something (though I'm not 100 percent sure as I'm not in a clan, nor purchased any). You can also buy more inventory slots, skins, etc. But you also get more inventory slots as you go. If memory serves correct you start with 10 and I'm currently at 28 now after a couple of days of playing. So I don't think it's pay 2 win, and since it's mostly not pvp, the effects of others using them doesn't really affect you negatively.
Graphics aren't very good, but online MMORPG's usually aren't. But they are a notch below their peers. That said the world is interesting and there is some decent animation at times along with some nicely built structures and things in the environment.
Not a lot of fast travel locations, but there are some, so when you aren't using them you summon your vehicle which appears magically nearby. Summon, hop on and go. This really makes things much quicker and easier.
360 controller works good. Summon the vehicle with the up d-pad. Other directions get you into pvp matches and as you wait for other players you continue romping around the normal world until the match begins and then you just go to the area. It sure beats waiting in a lobby.
There are bugs, but I didn't seem to run into many of the ones the reviewer experienced. So the patches seemed to have fixed quite a few of them.
There's supposed to be more free and pay content ahead.
Overall it's a poor man's Borderlands/Fallout-esque meets MMORPG with console graphics but at PC resolution.
No doubt the game is linked to the success of the show. The better the show does, one would think the more people should play the game. The longer it survives, the longer the game survives.
So from the Hollywood reporter..."Currently in the middle of its initial order, Defiance marked the second largest series premiere in network history and has regularly won cable?s scripted offerings in its Monday time slot among adults 18-49. It opened on April 15 to 2.7 million viewers and 1.3 million in the demo."
It also has already been renewed for a 2nd season. This bodes well for the game. Technically it's possible for either to fail while the other succeeds, but imo it looks like this game should survive until at least the end of next season, so the renewal has lessened the chance of a quick plug pull on the game.
I found it quite fun and kept wanting to come back for more. Waited until the end of the free weekend and made the purchase. No regrets.
Perhaps it gets another free weekend in a few months, or perhaps a month or so from now when the Steam Summer sale happens it might go on another discount. I recommend you consider it then, and now that I played even at full price this game would be worth it to me.
