SWTOR: The WoW Killer?

There have been numerous reports and accusations that SWTOR is a WoW-killer. For many, it will be a good thing if it is. Some are tired of WoW and tired of WoW-clones. They’re looking for something new, something to make a big splash in the MMO scene and SWTOR claims to be it.

This article on Product-Reviews.net takes a look at this notion and whether or not SWTOR will really be a WoW-killer.

“Most gamers will agree that the notion of any such game being able to topple the might of Blizzard’s WoW will be like saying; the Mega Drive can compete with the PS3’s graphics. However, SWTOR has so much more to give gamers, more in fact than Wow, but there is still much more to consider. Gamerzitch has now weighed in on the argument saying that BioWare has developed a game that makes you feel important, but is that really enough to topple the fan base of Blizzard’s MMO?”

I don’t know. If any game could do it, I would think a story-driven Star Wars themed MMORPG by BioWare would be the very game to achieve such a feat. I’m not a WoW-hater. I’ve played since beta. I have a guild still actively seeking Firelands progression but a good lot of us are just waiting on SWTOR. We have our guild registered, our members signed up and most have pre-ordered the game already. To say we are ready is an understatement.

Will SWTOR achieve what it promises or will it let us down? The reviews goes more in depth on the claims:

“The reason we say this is because World of Warcraft currently has a user base of 13 million, this cult following will be tough to follow and even if those on the side of SWTOR must agree that it is a battle that will not be won. This is a shame; because The Old Republic has a lot more to give its users, the 1,000 hours of story is proof of this. No one will be able to say that BioWare has a pointless game here, as it is far from it.

It does not matter how much Star Wars: The Old Republic has to offer in way of gameplay, storyline or how differently it reacts when playing as a smuggler or Jedi, it will always come down to reach. But let’s think about this for one moment, as there is room for both. It does not matter if you want SWTOR because it is more for a single player or WoW because it excels in multiplayer, there will be times when you want the option for the two.”

I, personally HATE the term "WoW Killer".  It's been associated with almost every single MMORPG that's been made in the past 5 years.  The term has even been used an advertising gimmick. (Yes Rift, I'm looking at you) 

Anyway, onto my point.....

SWTOR doesnt need to "kill" WoW to succeed.  The two can coexist in the same online world just fine.  From what I can gather, BioWare understands this.  What TOR's creators have done is provide with a much different experience than WoW while still borrowing some of the standards WoW has set. I'll explain this in list format.

1. The World: The Galaxy Far Far Away is nothing like Azeroth. Not only for cosmetic and technological reasons either. Not to pick on Rift again but...let's be honest here. My time in spent questing in Telara felt just like questing in a less immerse, watered down Azeroth. The point being: We've already had Azeroth, Telara was nothing new (RIFT invasions being the exception)

 

2. The Combat:  From what I can gather, (using Flashpoint videos as a reference) Combat inside instances looks entirely different than in WoW's.  The mob-aggro is managed differently than what you'd typically see (Tank holds all aggro) Whereas in TOR almost every role (aside from the healer) takes turns aggroing certain things. Going more off of that, even the healing roles jump into the offensive combat and attack. Healing in  WoW (for PVE) ALMOST NEVER requires you to use offensive abilities.  

-The Cover System- I'll admit, I'm a bit skeptical about the cover system, I haven't tried it myself but it is something new, thus providing for different strategies and game-play options. 

3: The Advanced Class System: I still find myself asking a lot of questions when looking over information about this, but from what I can gather, it's pretty different from your average talent point leveling system, and in a good way.

4: Questing: I really don't feel like I need to explain this.  Questing in WoW and questing in SWTOR are like night and day.  Fully voiced, multiple outcomes (no longer just Failed or Completed) and....

 

5: Dark and Light side points: Not quite sure how these are going to work, but we've seen the decisions in videos such as "The Esseles Walkthrough" that award them.  Again, something new that we haven't seen before.

6: Companions: In WoW certain classes do have Companions (pets, minions, gouls) that assist in combat. In TOR, your companions are far more developed with dialogue, personalities, and romantic tendencies.

7: Your own spaceship (no explanation necessary)

8: Space Combat: WoW does have vehicular combat in questing and PVP, but it's not nearly as developed as in TOR.  This is another area that could use some elaboration, but again, something fresh.

These are just a few examples, feel free to add your own and elaborate on  things that I may have not been the most knowledgeable on (Dark side/light side, the cover system, space combat, ect...)

PS: Before I get flamed: I have been a WoW player myself for 4 years.I love the game and how it's designed  I plan on playing both WoW and SWTOR. The above are comparisons, not criticisms. What WoW does, it does well.  I am merely trying to demonstrate that both games provide different experiences.

 

PSS: I apologize to any Rift players I may have offended. I didn't enjoy the game.  Opinions are opinions. Try to stay on topic....