Exactly. There generally is always a reason to continue playing. As for risk of failure... don't die! You'll lose 180 scrip!! *gasp*
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Well, you're in luck, because there are tons of other MMOs out there that cater to exactly that kind of attitude about loot and progression. And since you're not paying a sub to play Defiance, you can choose to partake in it as little or as much as you like from now on, while enjoying the old traditional loot-grind level advancement systems in those many other games that offer that.
This game, however, is NOT based on that. And that's one of the things that some players, myself included, enjoy about it.
Opinions vary. What I'm playing is, by its very definition, exactly a shooter MMO. It offers me the same pure shooter gameplay fun as other buy-once shooters, while also adding a persistent open-world sandbox with tons of other players doing missions, events, etc. All for that same initial purchase price. For me, that adds many times the value and fun over lots of other shooters that cost the same and don't even attempt to integrate anything like that.
As to the EGO thing... asked and answered already. The point IMO is the perk advancement. Choosing what to unlock, max, and create loadouts with. Your choice of power/perk loadout combined with your playstyle and the weapons types you use with it can make a huge difference in how the game plays. Other sites and threads already do a fine job of showing how nuts some of the loadout combos can get, in terms of stacking and combining the effects, so there's no point in rehashing that, if you're simply dead-set against accepting it.
I can see how many people think that EGO rating is useless but it most certainly isnt. First of all it allows you to have more perk slots which in and of itself makes a difference. Also I am fairly sure (although not positive) that EGO ratings effects what synergies, abilities, and # of open slots that are available on a weapon. I believe there is some sort of teir system where the higher you are in a certain tier the more slots on a weapon are open.
the main reason people play rpgs is to feel more powerful, yes. mmo's not necessarily. Playing an mmo is about social experience. If you want to show off your epeen, then play an rpg. Defiance has attempted to flatten the progression curve which is perfectly acceptable. It's not WoW type progression. If you want to show off in Defiance, be good at the game and have some rare titles / outfits. PvE does not need more variance. Just because you want exclusive content does not mean it should exist.
EGO rating is not useless.
You get EGO points to spend on perks.
More unlocked perk slots
Different weapons, grenades and shields, although most are similar / same.
And having a higher number boosts your ego : )
Everybody loves to level up and get a BIG member ... I mean number.