Well, somehow managed to get into the alpha test, so played alot last weekend. Enjoyed it. You can tell that the game was made several years ago, from the graphics. Still pretty, but kind of dated.
The only bug I personally ran into was alt tabbing out and pulling up firefox, would crash both firefox and b&s. Other than that, it was fairly smooth. Well, guess thats natural, since this is an alpha test of a game thats been out for a few years
The actual combat reminds me of Tera, to a certain extent. There are differences. And, B&S seems more in depth, with all the different abilities, whether general or situational.
Also, I'll note, I've been using sdfc as my default movement keys, for any games since quake 1. Wanted to use that here too, but changing the keybinds in this game are a serious pain...so rather than doing it, I've been relearning how to use wasd, like everyone else on the planet. It's....quite difficult to change habits formed from 20 years of gaming history. I'll try and grab a downed npc, to find myself strafing left instead. I still can't figure out why wasd became the default of gamers all over the word. Having my ring finger on the w key for prolonged periods of time feels so unnatural, since my fingers, at rest, are usually on asdf. And, using my middle finger, instead of my ring finger, for forwards and backwards is just so much more comfortable. But, I digress.
I guess my only real complaint is, there are several quests its easy to completely bork up, and not be able to continue them. From, being locked out of an instance, among other things.
For example, they give you the items you need to upgrade your weapon at the end of 1 quest. Then, standing 50 feet away, is someone who gives you a quest to upgrade your weapon. If you upgraded your weapon before getting the quest, then you pretty much can't finish the quest. And, the tutorial quests like that put up a banner accross the screen giving you hints on how to do it, that dont go away until you actually do it, or abandon the quest. So, you're only option is to trash the quest itself.
I think I've had 4 or 5 instances of having to delete quests that I couldnt continue. Really annoying.
Well, it is an alpha, so hopefully this gets addressed before release.
Oh, guess I'll mention the pvp. At least, from the low level perspective. You basically join factions. Early on, you choose between factions a or b. Later on, you get to choose between factions c and d. Pretty sure there are quite a few more later, too.
You get costumes to wear as a member of any factions. So, you'll have costumes for a and c, if those are the 2 you chose. If you put on your a costume, then anyone from faction b, who puts on their faction b customer can attack you. If you put on your costume c, then anyone from faction d, who puts on their d outfit can attack you.
Also, any npc's from different factions will attack any pc who puts on their rival factions costumes too. I found this out after trying 1 out right next to some rival factions guards. Was a bit surprising.
Looks like there are quite a few factions in the game. No clue how many you can join, when its all said and done.