Star Trek Online: First Impressions

I'm still not sure why I decided to buy Star Trek Online. I stopped being a fan of Star Trek during Deep Space Nine and never really got excited about the thing again (with the exception of the JJ Abram 2009 movie which I quite enjoyed). I'm still playing World of Warcraft and I'm still committed to the various projects I have going on in that game - so my interest in STO can't be due to MMO restlessness.

Regardless of the reason and despite the not-so-good reviews I find myself casually plodding along in my kitbashed Miranda/Centaur class ship and enjoying myself (the uninspired USS Brisbane named in honour of my hometown ~ there's something disconcerting about seeing a USS prefix in front of an Australian city!). I play for an hour or two here and there and happily fire my phaser banks at marauding Orions, orbit interesting things and wander around star bases. Actually, it takes me back to my early days playing WoW when I was content to explore and experience the virtual world rather than focus on powerlevelling and geargrinding!

USS Brisbane floats high above the city for which she is named
(Click on image for a larger version)

It's true that the most fun in STO is flying around in your ship - the 'ground' missions where you beam across to damaged vessels and down to threatened outposts are a little tedious, but it does feel appropriate for a Star Trek game (how many episodes feature the Captain beaming off the ship for adventures!? ...most of them!). I think that rather than accumulating wealth or improving my character what keeps me interested in STO is the promise of more space combat!

To be clear, Star Trek Online is not a challenge. It's easy and fun and casual - but it's not hard in the way that many serious gamers expect games should be. There's nothing wrong with it being easymode, in fact I appreciate that it's not stressful, but I know many others will try it and get bored very quickly because they don't feel challenged. This game won't kill WoW or Eve Online (another space game I have played in the past) but it does offer something for those who want a light snack for an hour or two each day.

...or if you are a Trekkie of course - you'll love it!

(World of Warcraft) Malpheus: BRD Down

Malpheus and friends finished off last week's Blackrock Depths run - giving me access to The Black Forge for my new trinket. We were easily able to complete it with only 4 players and only got lost twice.

I continue to enjoy our weekly runs and slow progression - it's quite satisfying. Next week is either Scholomance or Stratholme depending on how we feel. Kevin has proposed that we may be able to fit both instances between 57 and 60 if we are careful not to do much in the week between.

Those two aside I'm looking forward to Blackrock Spire (which I believe is penciled in as our level 60 run). There were a few instances I missed when I was first playing World of Warcraft waaaaay back in 2005 and I have regretted not visiting them ever since. This group is a great opportunity to get a look at the old content and gives me an odd sense of completion. Blackrock Depths was the first instance on my list of "must-do" dungeons and it's very pleasing to be able to tick that box after all these years. Blackrock Spire is next on that list.

My side-project with Malpheus is to acquire a Venomhide Raptor mount. To be honest I probably won't ride it around, but it's a nice little objective to give myself as it takes 20 daily quests to complete and we have lots of time between runs!

King Mosh struts around after stomping on me...
I guess that's why he's the King!
(click on image for a larger version)

After BRD today I was feeding my raptor Fresh Dinosaur Meat when I stumbled upon King Mosh - an elite rare devilsaur who I have only seen once before. Full of confidence from our run I decided to take him on... and was promptly squished. I have attempted to take a screenshot which shows his huge size - I think Malpheus is about as high as his ankle!