From the debates about Clarissa/JF etc, to the Beta testers to anti-nerfers thread, to the nerf Telluria thread, there seems to be a huge divide between players on what is good for the game; it seems both sides of the argument thinks that the other side only cares for themselves and not the health of the game.
After reading @Duaneski’s post in the nerf Telluria thread comparing E&P with Magic the Gathering, I had a sudden epiphany for why I think there are such polarizing opinions for this game.
The heart of the problem lies the question: Is this game a RPG game with some strategy elements, or is this a strategy game with some RPG elements?
I remember nearly 20 years ago, when I was barely a small elementary school boy first starting out playing online games, I discovered BattleOn and Runescape. I remember at the time, my mom only allowed me to play on the computer 30 minutes per week. I spent nearly all my time mining, dreaming of the day when I can finally mine rune ore.
I was never concerned with the level cap or balance between short swords and two-handed swords and scimitars, nor did I think rune armor should be nerfed because it is stronger than steel armor. I took it for granted that the higher level you were, the better items you could get; that was what drew me into the game; I can keep playing, slowly building up my skills, slowly saving up enough gold to buy the best weapons and armors or create them myself.
I also happen to enjoy strategy games like Chess and Go. I would never, in a million years, approve of the FIDE (international chess federation) suddenly creating trebuchet pieces that can capture pieces 5 squares away or Emperor pieces that can move like the Queen and knight combined. That would absolutely break game balance and change the game.
But I just don’t view E&P as a cut-throat strategy game where the main purpose is to outsmart your opponent. Heck, the game is essentially entirely PvE; even pvp parts of the game, you’re not playing against another player, but against AI-controlled players. So, essentially, the game is PvE. Adding in all of the luck factor involved, and the fact that 99% of the players don’t really have the bench depth for really detailed strategy…
I just see E&P as a newer, mobile, MMORPG-like game, where the main draw of the game is to slowly build up your base, slowly build up your team, slowly get stronger, get better heroes, a game where the main draw of the game is progress.
Thus, I don’t see any problem with new heroes being stronger than old heroes just as I don’t see any problems with Ursena being stronger than Aife; the game should progress, the game is progress. I also want newer, tougher challenges, an Ultimate challenge event maybe, elite POV, etc etc etc, so players can continue to build, continue to expand, continue to meet greater and great challenges while progressing their character.
But after reading Duaneski’s post, I’m beginning to realize that given the demographics of the forums, many players here are very dedicated (or else they wouldn’t be on the forums) and are past the base-building part of the game; to them, this is a cut-throat, competitive strategy game much like chess or Go or perhaps poker, given the element of luck involved. It’s completely understandable then, that they would value “balance” first and foremost, above all else.
It’s a complete difference in how one understands the game.
I went to the Play Store to check out how SG themselves wanted to call the game.
Apparently, E&P is, to quote:
I would smirk and say there’s not a single word about “strategy” in there, but in all honestly, I think it isn’t really clear whether they’re envisioning this to be a fantasy RPG adventure or a strategy game with fantasy elements.
Yeah, a smarty-pants would say “porque no los dos”; but I guess, the point being, I think this is why there is a divide in the community on how the game should be, and why each side thinks the other is ruining the game; because the two visions of the game are fundamentally incompatible.
So what do you think? Is E&P a strategy game or an RPG game?
- Mostly a Strategy Game
- Mostly a RPG Game
- Bring me the sofa and popcorn!