Talon Ro (Low Rate Server) ~ Review

[Aireine]

Just wanted to share my opinion about Talon Ro.

Small Intro:

First of all I have played Talon Ro at some point in the past, but then went through drastic changes at home, and gave up all games and even pc for awhile. However, now I am back, and I can't express how glad I am. When I came back I realized the passwords wouldn't work for my characters so I assumed that maybe they have wiped. Thus I created new ones. However, I heard on main that you could retrieve your old characters and went ahead and filed for a support ticket. I got a reply on that same day, and it wasn't just "we will look into this" the GM Seiren who looked into it ahead of time, had all of my login names ready. After confirming who I was, he even reset the emails that were long inactive. However, I did remember a lot about my accounts and luckily my logins are different variations of the same words, this obviously made it easier. Regardless, it was all solved in no time, on the second day I was capable of playing with characters I haven't touched for about two years if not more. If this doesn't show the GMs' helpfulness, I don't know what does.


Anyway I have been playing now for about 9 months or so and loving every minute of it. The only complaint I ever heard was the server is a bit laggy, which I agree, but I have seen much smaller servers lag double if not triple time more. Talon Ro has 1230~1250 players daily or so. I think an episode of 3-6 minute lag for 3 to 4 hours of playing quite understandable, especially if it happens rarely. The other downfall, that keeps my boyfriend a bit edgy is that lots of items seem really overpriced. And if you just join and go straight to the vending yes it does look scary. But it takes one character over level 70 (which actually gets there quickly enough thanks to the training grounds) and you are capable to get Amazing (notice I wrote amazing with capital A....it's because they deserve it) Amazing Rewards. Just by voting you are capable of getting Kaho Horns, many custom items, cool gears, cards, and much more, which obviously are quite pricey, thus you can get something and sell right away for a couple million zenies, and you realize really it's not overpriced at all it just looks big.

This server has also the Funnest Events Ever. From Casino games like Black Jack, to betting on MVP monster fights, to teleporting on the land protector, riddles, poring catching, poring rally, snowman building, the usual bingo and monster race stuff, and much much more. I have never saw so much fun events in one server, and to be honest never had so much fun, you'd be surprised at how into it you may get. And all of those give you great rewards. 

Furthermore, even the forums have a bunch of events. From drawing, to story writing, to screenshots, to fashion advice, etc. And those also reward you with limited items. You may think that by speaking this way I have won many and luck is on my side, but the thing is, I didn't really. In fact at some point I thought I'll never win, but the GMs have always something around the corner that aims at people of different caliber, and this is great. Because if you suck at Ro you can win with creativity, or maybe innovation, if you're not creative you can win by knowing stuff about Ro, or by simple luck, or through your outside knowledge, such as how to play Black Jack. But even those of you who don't know how, the GMs are considerate enough to post NPCs with all the explanations. 

Speaking about Forums, the GMs are very helpful there. There is a thread of suggestions and feedback, and I actually had GMs reply to my suggestions. I have seen many implemented, some rejected, and all within reason. Also you have an "Ask The Staff" thread where you can ask anything you want. I have seen everything from game related questions to just personal curiosity.

Moreover, I must say I Love the Database, at first I had a bit of trouble with it, because I didn't know where what to click, it wasn't obvious to me. But it was my bad, there aren't much options to click at first, so click one, and it unfolds in front of you like some Spell Book with a bunch of tips, information, guidance, etc. It is in there that you can find a bunch of guides on custom quests and Talon Ro has plenty.

Also Talon Ro has weekly bonuses, for example they have a weekly monster which if you kill you get something extra and more experience than usually. They also host bonus games, which means that during that week the game that is advertised will have the best rewards. There are weekly maps, and probably even more.

What I really love about this server is what they did to certain spawn rates. There are now much more mystic boxes and leaf cats spawning for people to mob. They have created a more or less safe zone in Glast Heim and Payon Dungeon for acolytes and priests, where you can run and save yourself from whoever that is following you next to NPC guardians.

I am also a big fan of pets and Talon Ro has a bunch and unlike some servers, many taming items that are considered not being dropped by any monster, in Talon Ro are actually implemented. And you can get special custom pets during events or by voting for rewards. If you truly can't wait about a week I am sure you could even get those for a very small donation.

As you can see I didn't say much about PvP or Guilds, but that is only because I don't usually participate in those. I have too much fun on aside. However, I do see that Wars run regularly the guilds are active, and I don't hear people complain. In some previous servers I have played I would hear people complain how one guild dominates others, in this server I have never heard that.

Anyway, I truly love it!!! 
So far I have only had interactions with GM Seiren, GM Rainbow, GM Cherri, GM Howl, and GM Kuma. (Named in chronological order of interactions) I am thankful to the whole Talon Ro Team for this wonderful server!!!
Good job!!!
I really enjoy being a part of your community!!! 



P.S: Posted Recent MVP vs MVP screenshots and one extra screenshot...just of my alchie in the crowd.

[DeePee]

Ahh, I remember you. Glad you're liking it! (Seiren)

[Aireine]

Aww it's so nice to be remembered. This server is really cool, I feel like it was drawn from my standards. 
It has been officially FDA approved 

[WatashiwaOyu]

Haha Yah Talon ro is a nice server! ^_^
I'm running around with sleipners sooo costly items are not THAT Scary once your farming characters get the gears to succeed.
I used to play monster race all day and kill mobsters, that's how I got my kaho! Then I mass plant cultivated for my sleips... you know? Creator skill? Selling blue herbs and red bloods and ygg berries? Hurt my hand but ah it was worth it. My stalker now wears gec sleipners in geffenia, which is probly where I'll be making my zeny for the time being XD

Enjoy the game lols!

[Aireine]

Hey thanks that actually sounds like pretty good guide summary you wrote there WatashiwaOyu, hope you don't mind if I try some of that. 

[holocauseRO]

I like TalonRO too and the community is very friendly. The only part I can't appreciate is too much customs but the server is over a year old so its ok to have something new.

[Buckyx]

how is talonro still has so high player base? is that because of vendors? i am about to join

[DeePee]

We have about 400 vendors. The total player count (including 400 vendors) is usually 1000-1500.

[SukiChii]

how is talonro still has so high player base? is that because of vendors? i am about to join

I guess it is just that good of a server

[RoseTea]

I guess it is just that good of a server

It's a fairly fantastic server if you're into buying RO from about the 2006 era.  Or buying Talon Coins, because the donation system (and "we're AnimaRO") defines TalonRO more than anything about the actual game.

[Cressy]

It's a fairly fantastic server if you're into buying RO from about the 2006 era.  Or buying Talon Coins, because the donation system (and "we're AnimaRO") defines TalonRO more than anything about the actual game.

Well TalonRO was born from Anima. I don't think calling it a donation system is quite right we call it a reward system for a reason, donation is only one of the ways you can get Talon Coins. There are plenty of other ways that a lot of players choose to use instead~

[SukiChii]

Last time I played, you could get Talon Coins by exchanging other coins available in game and from voting.

[Cressy]

Last time I played, you could get Talon Coins by exchanging other coins available in game and from voting.

Voting gets you the coins you exchange, you can get them from mini games and killing MVPs as well. they also come from end game stuff like the GM Challenge :3 but if you really wanted you can just farm and buy them from other players!

[RoseTea]

Well TalonRO was born from Anima. I don't think calling it a donation system is quite right we call it a reward system for a reason, donation is only one of the ways you can get Talon Coins. There are plenty of other ways that a lot of players choose to use instead~

I think you missed what I was talking about and have decided to nitpick on the word "donation".  I'd try and clarify my larger issue, but I don't trust you'll actually read or reply to it the second time, so I'll nitpick right back: You're right, "donation" isn't quite right: It's a store.  You can buy basically anything you want with your Talon Coins.  The novice zone even gives you a shareware style "Free Trial" of MVP cards before telling you to please register your software buy Talon Coins.  The fact you can get them for "free" (which is a different rant altogether, and no, it's not always a server positive) doesn't change that the itemDB is yours to buy at your leisure.

[Cressy]

I think you missed what I was talking about and have decided to nitpick on the word "donation".  I'd try and clarify my larger issue, but I don't trust you'll actually read or reply to it the second time, so I'll nitpick right back: You're right, "donation" isn't quite right: It's a store.  You can buy basically anything you want with your Talon Coins.  The novice zone even gives you a shareware style "Free Trial" of MVP cards before telling you to please register your software buy Talon Coins.  The fact you can get them for "free" (which is a different rant altogether, and no, it's not always a server positive) doesn't change that the itemDB is yours to buy at your leisure.

I didn't just nitpick, but I didn't really disagree with anything you said other then that the word was wrong so I felt no need to comment on the rest. However I do see the ability for ANYONE to get anything as a beneficial system, rather then only the people who donate. I think it evens things a lot and means that given the time anyone can get to that level of game play. However you are somewhat incorrect or simply do not know our whole database/reward guru. Not all items are available there, to list a few of the ones that I know for sure (as I would hate to say something and be wrong) all SQIs still need to be quested for, Maya Purple card is not there, Carled (or Cardo the spear), slotted ice picks also cannot be purchased at the guru. There are a few others if I recall correctly.
I also don't see it as "free" if you're paying money to get those items then you've given up something and frankly, with 1usd being 1tc it's actually quite expensive to do it that way and I would honestly say unless you're someone with plenty of money who doesn't have the time, you would be far better doing mini games, hunting monster of the week etc. TC prices are steep. It's cheaper most times to save up 19-20m then to save for 20TC, especially seeing as the coins sometimes go as high as 2m each.

While I know you did play on Talon for a very short time, I'm really sorry but I think you failed to grasp some of our finer game play styles, it doesn't make you wrong or anything, it just means you're seeing things from a different perspective to someone like me who has been on the server a year. When I first joined I felt that the TC system would make the game too easy. I learned otherwise when I saved for my first kaho, and later when I saved for other smaller things. Maybe TC are making things too easy for donators but considering I've seen those servers were donation items make it so you've pretty much won the game, or give you items that level you up without doing anything, I feel our system is a hell of a lot more balanced.

PS. I could be going crazy but I'm almost certain your text was maroon last time and now it's brown, am I just cracking or did that really happen? @_@

[DeePee]

However you are somewhat incorrect or simply do not know our whole database/reward guru. Not all items are available there, to list a few of the ones that I know for sure (as I would hate to say something and be wrong) all SQIs still need to be quested for, Maya Purple card is not there, Carled (or Cardo the spear), slotted ice picks also cannot be purchased at the guru. There are a few others if I recall correctly.

This is correct. The Reward Guru only offers gears up to Episode 11.3 (we're on 13.3 now) so for the best items you will always have to farm or quest. You can buy an SQI from another player all you want but it'll be useless without doing an extensive quest.

The Reward Guru offers anyone an alternative to farming some basic gears. You tried hunting a slotted glove for weeks and it keeps not dropping? Well then, you can sell your loots, buy some TCs on the market and exchange some Copper Coins you might've saved. That's the main purpose of the Guru. People who donate (which doesn't come cheap) simply will be able to get some basic gears a little faster than those who don't. It is by no means a way to become the strongest player by paying.

[RoseTea]

The Reward Guru only offers gears up to Episode 11.3 (we're on 13.3 now) so for the best items you will always have to farm or quest.  [...]  The Reward Guru offers anyone an alternative to farming some basic gears. You tried hunting a slotted glove for weeks and it keeps not dropping? Well then, you can sell your loots, buy some TCs on the market and exchange some Copper Coins you might've saved.

You're right, for some reason I thought the list of items was far more extensive than it actually was (blame being able to buy tons of cards for TCs, I guess).  You can buy some of your SQI quest items, though.  While looking at them, I found slotted Robo Eyes instead, which is equally amusing.

So I can buy basic gears like a +50% HP footgear card, a miniboss card that was changed to be Better Than Thara Frog, and Lord Kaho's horns.  Right, basic gears, and just a "little" faster than the "weeks" of failed slotted glove hunting.

I didn't just nitpick, but I didn't really disagree with anything you said other then that the word was wrong so I felt no need to comment on the rest.

So we're in agreement: TalonRO is a great server to play if you like 2006 RO, buying Talon Coins, or a server that prides itself on being an incarnation of some other server.

While I know you did play on Talon for a very short time, I'm really sorry but I think you failed to grasp some of our finer game play styles, it doesn't make you wrong or anything, it just means you're seeing things from a different perspective to someone like me who has been on the server a year.

Sorry, but TalonRO isn't some high depth level of game design that takes a deep analysis to understand.  If I played it for a year I'd still think it was a shameless cash grab of a server that stays popular because it's a clone of the first big pserver people played, nonsensical custom choices and all.  In my own review thread people kept saying I didn't spend nearly enough time on the server to grasp its brilliance.  Frankly, given my first impression, what motivation do I have to invest however absurdly long timespan is expected to "get" TalonRO?  Even DOTA of all games I got into the swing of within a week or two.

I also don't see it as "free" if you're paying money to get those items then you've given up something and frankly, with 1usd being 1tc it's actually quite expensive to do it that way [...] I feel our system is a hell of a lot more balanced.

You can buy a +50% max HP footgear card, +10 vit +10% resistance to everything garment, GTB (unchanged, of course).  All, in total, for cheaper than a PS3/360 game (you've invested a year into the server, you can see this is a good deal).  I've treated myself to fancy lunches more expensive than the +50% HP footgear, and I'd probably get more long-term joy out of the card too, if I'm spending a year+ on this server.  Sounds balanced to me!

PS. I could be going crazy but I'm almost certain your text was maroon last time and now it's brown, am I just cracking or did that really happen? @_@

Actually, I did end up picking brown on that one.   Brown looks like this.  They look nearly identical, but I edited it anyway because I like my own consistency.

[DeePee]

You can buy some of your SQI quest items, though.  While looking at them, I found slotted Robo Eyes instead, which is equally amusing.

As I mentioned in my previous post, you can buy an SQI but it will be useless without doing an extensive quest. Read up on the SQI Bonuses mechanic.

As for Robo Eyes, slotted mid-headgears are not slotted versions of their non-slotted version. They barely have any stats. Please read up on that as well.

As for the other things: that's your opinion. The way I see it, thousands of people enjoy the server and game mechanics we have created. To each their own, I suppose

[Judgement]

RoseTea acting as usual.  We get it, you don't like their customs.

[RoseTea]

RoseTea acting as usual.  We get it, you don't like their customs.

DeePee acting as usual.  We get it, you play and like TalonRO.

Or is he allowed to post in every TalonRO thread and I'm not, because he likes it and I don't?

[Judgement]

You don't have to go to every review thread concerning TalonRO or other servers just to express your hate for their customs.  You already made your thread about it, don't have to go to every other TalonRO thread to say the same thing (or other similar servers).

And well, DeePee is a GM of the server, so it kinda makes sense that he'd jump in them.

[Boreas]

Thank you for the review! =)