I Spent 30 Hours in Ashes of Creation Alpha and Here's What I Learned

Summary

In this video, the creator reflects on their initial skepticism towards *Ashes of Creation*, revealing how their perspective changed after spending 30 hours in the early alpha. Originally seen as a potential cash grab, the game’s difficulty, class design, and slower progression system stood out as key features that separate it from modern MMOs. The creator appreciates the game's challenge, its focus on group dynamics, and the rewarding progression despite its current bugs and incomplete features. The video emphasizes the developer’s responsiveness to feedback and the game's potential, encouraging viewers to get involved in shaping its future.

Takeaways

• 😀 The player initially had doubts about *Ashes of Creation*, viewing it as a potential cash grab, but after playing, they changed their opinion and found the game promising.
• 😀 *Ashes of Creation* stands out in the MMO space due to its focus on a more classic, hardcore MMO experience that is less reliant on microtransactions and 'pay-to-win' mechanics.
• 😀 The difficulty in *Ashes of Creation* is notably higher than in many current MMOs, where enemies can kill a player in just a few hits, making the combat intense and requiring careful strategy.
• 😀 Combat in *Ashes of Creation* is designed to be slow and methodical, with a focus on grouping and preparing for fights, especially with the right consumables and gear.
• 😀 Grouping with a tank is encouraged to survive tougher encounters, but solo play is still possible with the right class and skills.
• 😀 The progression system in *Ashes of Creation* is slow, with leveling taking hours to gain just one level, promoting a more rewarding and meaningful sense of achievement compared to faster modern MMOs.
• 😀 The game’s itemization is more meaningful, with rare and powerful drops from named enemies and bosses, making gear upgrades feel substantial rather than constant.
• 😀 The class system in *Ashes of Creation* emphasizes distinct roles, with not every class being able to perform all tasks. This creates clear class identities, which some players will find appealing.
• 😀 As an alpha test, *Ashes of Creation* is still incomplete, with missing zones, classes, and mechanics, and the game can have bugs, making it important for players to understand they’re paying for early access and feedback opportunities.
• 😀 The development team behind *Ashes of Creation* is highly active in responding to community feedback and regularly updating the game, which the player finds impressive and encouraging despite the game’s early state.

Q & A

What was the initial perception of 'Ashes of Creation' by the narrator?

The narrator initially viewed 'Ashes of Creation' as a potential cash grab, believing it was a way for developers to make money off gamers who were dissatisfied with the current state of MMOs.

Why did the narrator change their opinion about 'Ashes of Creation'?

After spending close to 30 hours playing the game, the narrator found that 'Ashes of Creation' offered a lot to look forward to, with its challenging gameplay, slower progression, and potential to create a more meaningful MMO experience.

How does the difficulty in 'Ashes of Creation' compare to modern MMOs?

In 'Ashes of Creation', enemies can kill you in just two to three hits, making combat far more brutal and challenging compared to modern MMOs, where enemies are generally easier and can be soloed without much risk.

What are some of the strategic elements required in 'Ashes of Creation' combat?

Players need to carefully manage resources like health and mana, avoid pulling too many enemies at once, and bring the right consumables. Additionally, they need to learn enemy spawn locations and be prepared to rest and recharge between fights.

How does 'Ashes of Creation' encourage group play?

The game's high difficulty encourages grouping, especially with a tank class, as tanks are crucial for absorbing damage. While solo play is possible, it's significantly more challenging and requires strategic planning and class selection.

What is the leveling experience like in 'Ashes of Creation'?

'Ashes of Creation' has a slow leveling process, with it taking 3 to 4 hours to gain a full level when playing solo. This slower progression feels nostalgic to older MMOs, where leveling took longer and rewards were more meaningful.

How does gear progression work in 'Ashes of Creation'?

The gear economy in 'Ashes of Creation' is slow, with rare and meaningful item drops. Players may only receive one or two good drops per hour, making each item feel significant. The game does not inundate players with equipment, which adds weight to the rewards.

How does class identity function in 'Ashes of Creation'?

In 'Ashes of Creation', class roles are very specific. Not every class can heal or tank, so players need to rely on specialized classes for certain roles. This emphasis on class identity contrasts with other recent games where classes can often fulfill multiple roles.

What is the current state of 'Ashes of Creation' in terms of development?

Currently, 'Ashes of Creation' is still in early alpha, with significant portions of the game still missing, including zones, classes, mechanics, and content. There are also many bugs, and the game undergoes frequent wipes between testing phases.

What role does community feedback play in the development of 'Ashes of Creation'?

Community feedback is crucial in the development of 'Ashes of Creation'. The development team is very active on platforms like Discord and Reddit, responding to player suggestions and incorporating feedback into regular updates. The game is updated weekly based on this input.