I’ve been patiently sucking down my line so I could try out something engaging.
Uru Live is Myst. That in itself is good. The problem is, the control scheme will drive you batty and the game, due to unbelievable server strain, hiccups with monstrous frequency. At the moment, it simply is not fun because of those two factors. Once those are fixed, then the game will be wholly reviewable by yours truly.
Entropia, on the other hand, is pretty interesting. The use of the CryEngine2 has made the game substantially more impressive than Second Life, it’s closest cousin. I spent a couple hours meandering around, marveling at the scenery. Beyond that, you have the world’s hardest and most unrewarding grind ever (If you’re not willing to fork out some cash.)
Therein lies the primary issue with Entropia: Money. People call it a scam, but they’re stupid for thinking a game will make them a substantial profit. I don’t care who tells you that you will make money off of Entropia, because you won’t. You are likely a lazy slob who thinks that you have the tenacity, intelligence and sharkiness to deal with a RMT virtual economy.
But if you’re like me and are looking to enjoy and submerge into a realm that is engaging, Entropia will disagree with you. The fact is, the game revolves around the pursuit of money, and although I disagree vehemently with my analysis of the economic hopeful, the economy is set up to ensure you won’t make money. Money runs everything in Entropia. Your armor repairs, your gun, your psychic implants, etc. Basically, you need to make money to have fun, but making money in itself is a horribly arduous task unless you pay.
The exchange rate is a monster. I can tolerate Second life because money isn’t as necessary as it is in Entropia, but when you have a visceral $1 for 10 in-game currency rate, it’s not worth it, given that 10 credits doesn’t really get you anywhere. When I wandered around a wiki, I saw a recommended starting deposit was fifty dollars. Yeah, no. That’s not just ridiculous, it’s irresponsible, because it is very, very likely you will not be able to keep up with your costs if you hunt and shoot aplenty.
Okay, scratch that. The fact is, Entropia is a challenge that really tests your understanding of basic economics. To some degree, you choose your own adventure and investment and, hopefully, you’ll not run into real-life debt because you suck at Entropia. Take advantage of the fact that everybody and their brother knows how UNBELIEVABLY difficult the game is at start up and scour the forums for tutorials and whatnot. I am going to give this game a try on the principle that 1) I can handle this grind. 2)It’s a game that people often puss out of. 3) It has obscene amounts of roleplay potential.
That being said, screw those Entropia forums for not taking gmail accounts. That’s retarded beyond belief.
Petulant Pioneering 