Originally Posted by
AGuyWithNoName
Arkfalls are actually what have sold me on the fact that I pre-ordered something that I am going to enjoy. And I'll tell you why.
Caution: Long possibly boring story to follow.
I have been playing the beta for about three days now. Mostly just roaming around checking out some quests, seeing how the character building is being handled, and generally just roaming around. I had been to an Arkfall and walked away with a sense of awe at the controlled chaos that went down. I'm not going to lie. I was mainly using the beta to see if I liked the feel of the game. Now, I've been gaming long enough to know that, in most circumstances, this is generally a bad idea as the final product will be, and usually is, vastly different from a tested version
So when an Arkfall icon appeared on my map last night I was quick to decide I would join the fight. Made my way to the designated area only to find that I was the first, and only, person to arrive. There was around 28 mins left on the countdown.
"I'll just pick off a few to clear some space for when everyone else arrives", I thought.
I was quick to learn, however, that apparently the Hellbugs do not like being shot at. This became abundantly clear as I gazed with a twisted joy at the site of the first minion I blasted exploding in an impressive display of alien bits and innards...only to have the remaining seven or eight of his comrades immediately descend upon me with a vengeance.
Close calls be damned I battled for the next five minutes. Alone.
"This... may have been unwise", I thought.
Finally, somewhere around the 22nd minute, a fellow warrior pulled up and wasted no time in joining the fray. Within minutes the ground was littered with alien death. It was only a matter of time though. My character slumped to the ground, ready to make his peace with all that he'd done in this life. Not knowing if there is an aggro system in place (is there btw?), I began to crawl away from the carnage. My intent, to pull the swarm above me away from the valiant warrior that fought so honorably beside me so he (or she) wouldn't be overrun.
It therefore amazed me to spin my camera to this unknown's location on the other side of the crystal to see him (or her) blasting their way through a sea of carnage to come to my aide (seriously, there were SO many enemies on the screen considering it was just us two). Taking massive damage, he (or she) bent down to pick me up. My vigor renewed,I lay into the throng of enemies all around us, determined to make the most of this second chance. Suddenly it was my unnamed brother (or sister) in arms that fell in a heap to the ground. Surely I couldn't leave this person in such a state when they were so steadfast in their resolve to help me when I needed it. No, not today. We've come to far.
I lay on the trigger, my frontier saw carving a path through foreign exoskeleton. My movement slowed by gobs of gunk and my shield alarm ringing in my ears, I arrive at my downed comrade and quickly set about reviving him (or her). Laying into the square button with such force that the controller popped in my hands like a knotted muscle. For 15+ mins we fought this way. Just the two of us. One never straying far from the other just in case things went south. Adrenaline coursing through my veins, my knuckles white from the tension. It was exhilarating. And mind numbingly fun.
As the battle raged a realization slowly started becoming clear to me. Regardless of how determined we fought, we were not going to be able to pull this off in time. However, we'd come to far to not at least see this through. Finally, around the five minute mark and at least a quarter of it's health left, the alien crystal lit up in a magnificent display of light...only to re-spawn in a different location. Prior to this, nothing had been said between the two of us. Just two adventurers who'd come together to achieve a common goal. ***-kickers kicking *** if you will. But just as I called up my atv to head off to the new location, a simple message appeared on the screen.
"We ride together. We die together."
No. We will NOT be denied indeed. Not today at least. We journeyed together to the next location to continue what we started. And over the course of the following 25-30 mins (eventually the massive hellbug with no timer spawned) we battled together. Now, towards the end there had to be at least 25 people there. But that first initial contact was so awesomely epic (forgive the cliche') that I just knew that this game had a...I believe the phrase is "je ne sais quoi".
I never got the gentleman's (or lady's) screen name who laughingly waded through hell with me for that first 30 mins. Shoot, I'm not even sure they're a member of these boards. But to whomever you are...Thank you! Moments like that and the fun that I had yesterday are the reasons I game. And with games like these, it's been my experience that regardless of how good the game is itself, it can't be great unless the community is likewise.
That's not a knock to the ladies and gentlemen that have worked on this title btw as I really think they're on to something with this game. Personally, the 2nd can't get here soon enough.
Parting question if I may. Is the map we have access to only a small portion of a larger area? If that's the case then holy wanderlust overload!!!
