Free weekend and I'm downloading this to try it out, anything I should know?
Hmm, don't expect traditional MMO type hooks. This game has a few similarities but its strong points are in my opinion its unique areas such as the worker/node system and most things to do with contribution points. Combat is fun too.
The combat is quite fun though once it gets going a bit. Game is
really, really easy until about level 50, even then some classes that are stronger in PvE will be having a pretty easy time and the real challenge doesn't come in until you start going to tougher areas. Questing isn't particularly fun and sometimes won't feel rewarding. I would say approach the game in a way you feel is fun, if you enjoy the casual questing, go for it, if you want to just smash some mobs and level up do that! If you want to train your gathering skills or start life skills work on that!
The UI is horrible. After progressing the tutorial a bit you can go into the menu and change some stuff such as turning off all the popup notifications.
Hmm, maybe join the guild discord. While we're not particularly active here we do talk in there daily. The game's learning curve is pretty steep, it can be overwhelming. Try to focus on smaller things that interest you and ask questions as you need.
I'm looking at the store page and I can't fund much information on the different packages on offer, if I decide to buy which would you recommend?
So, looking at the editions here is my opinion.
$4.99 - just the game. Its quite cheap and pretty fail proof for light enjoyment.
$14.99
- Value Pack (30 Days)
Value Pack is an item that gives a variety of buffs that is equivalent to a subscription.
It is quite valuable and trying to snipe one of the in game market place is real rough. Its value is about $10.
- 5 Elion's Blessing
This lets you revive on the spot without fear of losing exp. It isn't great, you won't even start to lose exp on death until level 50+
- Character Slot Expansion Coupon
This is actually quite nice if you actually sink deep into the game because alts are useful the the free method of getting character slots is time consuming. Since most characters play a little differently it can be fun to try a few of them out, some are easy while others are more technical.
- Inventory Slot +8 Expansion Coupon
This is pretty nice, keep in mind it is for 1 character so if you make an alt later and decide to make him your main instead this will not transfer if you have used it already.
- Tier 3 Horse
Worthless. These are really cheap and not actually a good horse. The game will give you free horses later
- Horse Flute (7 Days)
You can whistle to summon your horse (within 100 meters or so). This isn't very far but useful for crossing rivers or other obstacles sometimes. The horse flute increases the distance but it still won't be far enough to say, go from one side of the town to the other.
- Silver Embroidered Life Clothes Exchange Coupon
Useless. There are cheap ones that can be upgraded and are abundant on the in game market.
- 3 Housing Coupon
Most items are cosmetic house decorations. They usually cost money to buy, I think the value is around $9-15.
- Pet of choice
The singularly most important cash shop item in my opinion. Pets will pick up loot for you. You can have a total of 5 pets follow you at once. For optimal grinding you want wants. Grinding and looting enemies is the best way to actively make money in the game.
Pick what you want for sure but I think Cat types is the most useful to have at least 1 of because they will point you to gathering points. Not all rocks can be mined, not all trees can be chopped etc. The cat's skill is to point out which ones can be gathered from near you. You can also turn the skill off when not needing it.
Pets are $6-12.
$24 package
You get the previous tier as well as
- An extra Value Pack (30 days)
- 5 extra Elion's Blessings
- 1 Extra Character Slot
- 8 more inventory slots
- Permanent Horse Flute
- Tier 5 Horse
- 2 more housing coupons.
Of this, I think the only items of interest are the value pack and inventory slots.
Tier 5 horse is actually fine for beginners but this is still not a good horse and there are merits for running around on foot. You can likely easily buy such a horse later easily.
Having 2 extra character slots maaaaay be a bit of an over kill for now. I say this as a player who is currently waiting for daily loyalty points to buy a new one and have over 10 characters.