If you’ve watched Wildstar videos like this one, you might know that its combat system prides tactical coherence above all else – telegraphing both player and enemy attacks rather than letting the fight devolve into chaos and cooldowns.
“In the open world, this makes combat clear, dynamic and reactive,” say Carbine. “In dungeons, it feels dangerous and exciting. And it makes raids insane.”
Wildstar’s 20-40 person raids are “ginormous”, and Carbine’s approach seems to be to em-boss every aspect of them – one launch raid features seven bosses, sixteen minibosses, and two rooms – “which are also bosses”.
“No website walkthrough will prepare you”, we’re told – fights won’t be the same twice.
The telegraphing system means players will know what went wrong for next time, and give Carbine free reign to make encounters complex.
Despite the talk of change, however, it’s Carbine’s clear fondness for traditional raid structure that makes theirs refreshing – especially for players disappointed that the biggest MMO of recent times, The Elder Scrolls Online, didn’t really go in for raids at all.
Wildstar is in open beta, and will remain so until Sunday. It’s cheaper tried now than in a month – because what Carbine’s self-proclaimed best damn MMO you’re going to play this year does have in common with The Elder Scrolls is a box price and a monthly subscription fee. You cool with that?