Who does like the Barrens? - MXO Forum Archive

#11700000612 07/05/2006 12:20:59 Who does like the Barrens?

From what I've read, the majority seems to prefer International and Downtown because of their higher physical quality. I, for myself, don't perceive low physical quality as a demerit to a district's quality as a part of the game environment, and probably wouldn't enjoy some slimy, stinky moor scenery any less than a shiny forest, or prefer a majestic castle over some gothic ruins, carried over to fantasy MMOs. Combined with my fascination for dark atmospheres, it would probably make Westview my favourite district in the game, if, well, it it wasn't for the others which I find just as impressive.

Many, however, seem to dislike it. Always "wait till you see Downtown, this place rocks; much better than Richland; International is probably the coolest place I've seen here"; however, hardly any "wait till you cross the bridge to Westview, you'll be blown away by the dark, threatening feel of decay there!" SMILEY

I know it's a bit naive to start a thread because of that, but I'd just like to know who else shares my opinion on this and values the Barrens district for its traits. Or, if you don't, why you attach (intended) physical quality to its interest value as a game environment; that's something I can't understand because these are two completely different traits for me; that fact that I'd never like to live in some godforsaken, dilapidated ghetto doesn't have anything to do with my perception of such a place in a game. I also wouldn't like to get in a risky or challenging situation in real life, yet I enjoy heavy thrillers so much.

However, I'd like to read some opinions on that.

#11700000613 07/05/2006 12:24:56 Re: Who does like the Barrens?

to be honest i have been there since i noded.

#11700000614 07/05/2006 12:25:28 Re: Who does like the Barrens?

I have always dug the urban decay quality of the Barrens, but the mission areas tend to be very tricksy and irritating when you're trying to grind so I think that's part of the reason people shy from them.

Westview has some of the best contact missions, some of the coolest outside areas (better than DT imho), a ton of atmosphere (Manssen Park for instance is perfect for it's vampire mob), easily the best/most original hideouts, cool mobs with unique/interesting models, TONS of densely packed mob members to kill/farm....

I've never gotten people's lack of interest. Westview is decayed, creepy and dangerous feeling.

#11700000615 07/05/2006 12:42:41 Re: Who does like the Barrens?

Wow, so quick!!! :smileyvery-happy:

I think those mission areas can also be found in Richland quite easily, although not in each neighborhood probably. Some of the office floors downtown also use to be challenging.

As for the rest, I completely agree. Apart from that, Southard is the only real "industrial" neighborhood in the city, and Westview has the only power line in the game. Since it has the most green of all districts (exluding Moriah and Eshean) and the dissonant, dark music is most due to the movies, it could be probably even the "Matrixiest" district in MxO. I see it as a counterpart to Downtown: compared to the two other, more down-to-earth ones, these two are very atmosperic and hypnotizing, but in totally contrary ways.

However, the quotes above are something I've really read more than once in the forum. Like "I prefer shiny and expensive, not dark and gothic". Or, "Downtown and International rock, Richland is good overall, and Westview I don't like so much because it's kinda depressing". I haven't thought that out SMILEY

Message Edited by zeroone5069 on 07.05.2006 02:02 PM

#11700000616 07/05/2006 14:05:25 Re: Who does like the Barrens?

i personally don't like westview that much... but i can definatly see how some people like it.... its got alot of "feel" to it, a real sense of... well decay ( as said before ) though i want to like it, i can't, i'm more of a downtown man myself, though someday maybe....*sigh* someday. so i tend to avoid it for now.... thats just my opinion though, so it's got -10 sanity :smileyvery-happy:

Message Edited by bannanaphone on 07.05.2006 11:06 PM

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#11700000617 07/05/2006 16:54:51 Re: Who does like the Barrens?

I like it for it's moody feel. The other districts are very typical, in a way. Richland, Downtown and International are sort of like places you'd expect to see in the game. The Barrens is a great place to do a dark, moody, mysterious etc tale(s). I'm even doing a comic off of it. SMILEY

My favorite place in the Barrens is probably Mannsen Park, the big road leading to the bridge. It does have a sort of unique feel to it.
Not to mention club Succubus.

#11700000618 07/05/2006 18:37:56 Re: Who does like the Barrens?

I don't hate any of the districts.

Edit: in fact, I'm now reminded of my first time there during beta. My level wasn't anywhere near the levels of the gangs there. The place was dark, creepy, and had powerful enemies around every corner. Plus, I think I had my first Agent encounter there.

I must have ran from Sobra Shores to Lucero Point nonstop, because if I did stop for even a second, Exiles and Agents would be all over me. Boy was I glad to see the bridge with the "Richland" sign above it. If there was a /kisstheground emote, I would have used it once I got back to the Slums. XD

Message Edited by Othinn1 on 07.05.2006 07:44 PM

- An MxO live event transcript website:
"Archival Science in a Post-War Simulation".
-
"Logging Tips for New People and Veterans Alike".
-
"Submit Your Logs".

#11700000619 07/05/2006 20:48:34 Re: Who does like the Barrens?

Westview. I love Westview. It's so...unique. I mean, all the districts are unique. Er...lemme try to explain.

Richland = a struggling suburbian area

Westview = broken highways, destroyed / ruined buildings, polluted skies (Rogers Way, cough, man, cough.)

International = Pretty flowers and stuff, yeah.

Downtown = Laaaass Vegasss lights!! SMILEY

I love them all equally, because they're all so distinct equally. I don't really spend that much time in Westview, though, sadly. I should, though. Hmm! I think I will.

#11700000620 07/05/2006 21:31:34 Re: Who does like the Barrens?

Westview... Dead, decaying, and Morphie's dead decaying body was there. Can you say pwnage?

#11700000622 07/06/2006 01:55:46 Re: Who does like the Barrens?

Something Ive only done recently, have the ingame music on as you pass from area to area, you will appriciate that area more for it.

#11700000623 07/06/2006 02:59:48 Re: Who does like the Barrens?

Ah, nice to hear!

By the way, are there really people playing without the ingame music? :smileysad:
I never turn it off.
Yea, crossing the bridge from Richland to Westview is a great experience, with the music on. Maybe I like it because I've experienced in one of my first playing days. *tear*

#11700000625 07/06/2006 07:15:02 Re: Who does like the Barrens?

I love music in international the best SMILEY

But I don't hate Westview I think it is beautiful in it's own way SMILEY

The old run down clubs like Kaos and Daemon look very very cool SMILEY

And I have to say Succubus is gorgeous and one of my favorites SMILEY

The neon sign is neat looking! Also there is Ascension monument and some parks by the lakes, and tons of other great stuff SMILEY

#11700000627 07/06/2006 10:25:58 Re: Who does like the Barrens?

Back when MegaCity used to have a ton of people... well, I leveled up my first character mainly in Westview. Assimilation always had teams going in Sobra Shores, and well... aside from the mobs being a pain in the butt, Westview was fun. I still go in there once in a while... not really PvP, but either because I need to be alone (noone ever goes to Westview satellite dishes), or I'm looking for some cool screenshots.

The Patch v. 1.2 | The Guide

#11700000629 07/07/2006 03:53:48 Re: Who does like the Barrens?

I don't go to the barrens much nowadays because missions take longer to complete when you go in one of those derelict mission areas but back when I was around level 20 and didn't grind as much I did find it a scary and fun experience missioning in the barrens. The collapsed roads, the flaming car wrecks and the demonic exiles all added to the atmosphere and no other district has given me this feeling.

Also in the manual it says the Machines are supposed to be placing some effort into repairing the barrens. Has there been any evidence of this?

#11700000630 07/07/2006 05:22:46 Re: Who does like the Barrens?

Also in the manual it says the Machines are supposed to be placing some effort into repairing the barrens. Has there been any evidence of this?

No, and I hope there never will be one. :smileywink:

#11700000631 07/07/2006 06:24:55 Re: Who does like the Barrens?

I've been leaning towards hanging out more often there, mostly because I kept forgetting how awesomely uber it looks. And I forgot that my backstory involves my bluepill home being in Southard, so I need to work out a base of how the place feels for future...story thingies.

#11700000632 07/07/2006 08:03:35 Re: Who does like the Barrens?

Love the barrens. I went from level 20-50 all within the bounds of Manssen Park and Stamos. Plus go to Lakeside Park in Guiness Lake. One of the nicest spots in the game, if you kill off the gang members first.

#11700000634 07/07/2006 08:49:40 Re: Who does like the Barrens?

I'll always enjoy Sobra Shores for all that time spent hanging out with/hunting The Assassin. Back when there were only a few level 50's and he was creeping around killing people.

#11700000635 07/07/2006 09:59:46 Re: Who does like the Barrens?

The manual entry about the Barrens:

The area to the west of the Slums is officially called Westview, but
more often referred to as the Barrens of the City. While the Slums are
a dirty, dilapidated place where hope seems a precious commodity, the
slums appear prosperous and bustling when contrasted with the Barrens.
The condition of the Barrens reflects a slow decay in the code
comprising the area. The Machines have been placing some effort into
repairing it, but the degradation serves the interests of several
powerful Exiles. Many buildings in the Barrens have fallen into such
disrepair that they have collapsed completely, but it is unlikely that
anyone will be successful in stemming the tide anytime soon.

I always assumed that the Machines had patched up a few things here and there, hence SOME good buildings, roads, etc. but that the Spectrum and other Exiles in the area hampered their efforts for their own gains.

#11700000668 07/15/2006 23:13:49 Re: Who does like the Barrens?

i love that area im just sad its so abondoned by players sobra was my first restricted area and when it came up and said that i was so scaried being the low lvl i was... plus gracey heights was the first place i experienced agent doge back when it only happened once in a blue moon still my favorite focus moment to date plus meet alot of cool people there well before the richland revamp and the hardline revamp people actually had to go mish there for a few levels so it was actually populated... i also remember try real hard behind the church in massen to colect those blood vials to get the jacket although it disapointed me a little not being the same as there it was still awsome.. but i mainly dont go there as much because of the feeling of vast emptiness now makes you feel lonely with now one on ur /who kinda... it used to be scared and suspious of every corner and id actually be happy to get ganked there sometimes because my paranoya of the not only the gangs that where way higher than me but of an agent or something unknown it intrugied me.. sorry to say but international was still my best agent chase ever i went all over there completely lost with 1 known hardline that i didnt know which way it was... wow i can sure blab and digress

#11700000670 07/17/2006 20:20:41 Re: Who does like the Barrens?

Zeac wrote:

i love that area im just sad its so abondoned by players sobra was my first restricted area and when it came up and said that i was so scaried being the low lvl i was... plus gracey heights was the first place i experienced agent doge back when it only happened once in a blue moon still my favorite focus moment to date plus meet alot of cool people there well before the richland revamp and the hardline revamp people actually had to go mish there for a few levels so it was actually populated... i also remember try real hard behind the church in massen to colect those blood vials to get the jacket although it disapointed me a little not being the same as there it was still awsome.. but i mainly dont go there as much because of the feeling of vast emptiness now makes you feel lonely with now one on ur /who kinda... it used to be scared and suspious of every corner and id actually be happy to get ganked there sometimes because my paranoya of the not only the gangs that where way higher than me but of an agent or something unknown it intrugied me.. sorry to say but international was still my best agent chase ever i went all over there completely lost with 1 known hardline that i didnt know which way it was... wow i can sure blab and digress

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