GW2 - I Need it a Bit More Steamy

I was pleased with the sprinkling of Steampunk elements in Warhammer Online.  The flavor was certainly there, more so for some classes than others but there nonetheless.  I was elated by Rift’s inclusion of even more Steampunk elements.  The idea blended well within the confines of the story being told and the associated technology but I always felt it could have been more pronounced.  The artifacts that were there were nothing short of stunning but didn’t feel integral or integrated into my game play.

I can’t say enough about Guild Wars 2 art direction and graphics.  I’d be running around saying STUNNING all day and night but most times, that’s the impression it leaves.  Here too, I thirst for more than the splattering of Steampunk being offered in popular MMOs.  I get all googly-eyed when I see things here and there.  I almost lose my mind when I find a weapon I’d actually use that has a taste of Steampunk.  On this topic however, I’m a greedy bugger and want more.

I feel as though Steampunk is easily be fused with fantasy so why so little of it beyond window dressing? Is it really that niche?  Based on the concept art, I thought the Charr city would be amazing Steampunk or even the Asura but not so much.  Again, it’s more flavored than an essential element.  Charr is more fused metal and grunge.  Asura is high technology that feels modern.  Maybe my ideal of Steampunk is too narrow.  I certainly don’t expect or need a Victorian aesthetic.  There are nice elements scattered throughout Tyria but it’s more backdrop.  I just wish there was one city or port of call completely infused in it.

From an armour perspective, I wish I could transmute cloth or leather items over my Guardian gear. I've seen gorgeous Steampunk worthy elements - helms and cuffs for cloth wears and jackets and shoulders for leather.  I'm inspired by the Steampunk genre in my reading, writing and some of my own jewelry designs.  I'm desperate to see more of it in a AAA MMO.

I walk around Divinity’s Reach and Lion’s Arch for the fun of it.  Lion’s Arch is especially packed with lots of flavor.  Sure it has some steam elements but reminds me more of an upgraded version of Booty Bay.  To revel in the beauty and feeling of being in a “real” Steampunk city would be amazing..  I keep crossing my fingers it will come to a MMO near me soon.

Comments

[Winged Nazgul]

Have you checked out the upcoming F2P MMO, City of Steam yet?

http://www.cityofsteam.com/

[Alysianah aka Saylah]

Thanks for the link. It does look interesting. Some of the videos look a bit Torchlight which doesn't appeal to me whiled others didn't.

I have my reservations about F2P with no box purchase. W101 being the one I've played that was fun, good quality and a cash shop that was NOT in anyway essential to game-play other than purchasing access to zones if you didn't subscribe. After Allods and their CS, I've returned to being skeptical. Still the genre alone makes it worth me looking into.

Thanks for the link!

[Winged Nazgul]

Yeah, I think it's a bit like Torchlight/Diablo 3 instead of your typical MMO but it does have some interesting features and the steampunk vibe is everywhere - you have to see their version of a talent tree. Also, I think they plan on having housing as well so not your typical action RPG - definitely a MMO.

[Alysianah aka Saylah]

Housing?? Uh oh, that's huge carrot for me to take a look.

[Stabs]

One of the problems with Steampunk is that it can be quite immersion breaking. A really well thought out and consistent fantasy world needs to make sense. You can go "screw it, we'll toss any old thing in and sod the lore" as WoW does but not many world builders want to do this, particularly if they're writers of fiction. And generally the people who write game lore are also writers of fiction.

Look at how WoW uses steampunk. They introduced motorbikes for Gnomish Engineers. But of course then things start to not make sense. If there are motorbikes why would anyone still ride horses? Are they a Gnomish racial secret - then why can my Orc Engineer ride one? Do they blow up and break down a lot? well why do they never do that when your player is using one?

Then they introduced cars for the Goblin starter area? And your level 2 Goblin can drive it. So tell me again, why are people still riding around on horses? Why are horses faster than cars and harley davidsons?

WoW solves these issues by not caring. It's a strategy that can work in games but not in fiction writing. Thus if your story is written by fiction writers you're not likely to get steampunk as it's very difficult to make a world that is predominantly medieval in feel if you dole out 18th and 19th century technology and remain believably consistent.

[Alysianah aka Saylah]

While I agree poorly done it would be immersion breaking but those aren't really examples of Steampunk, they're just WOW adding new items. Motorbikes and cars have nothing to do with Steampunk in particular.

Even if they were better implementations, legit Steampunk, there's a reason not everyone would have them, it's the cost. Just as when engine based vehicles were introduced, many people still used horse and buggy.

GW2 already nonsensical items in a fantasy setting like the stupid sunglasses. UGH why would they introduce them and not make them at least look appropriate. They look like now a days glasses.