Twitter-RO
Stability and Availability – 8
This server got off to a very rocky start, with the untimely death of person who was to play a major role in the server. But to their credit, they did try very hard to keep focused and were able to launch the server a week or so after the announced launched. I personally have not experienced any lag, though there have been unexplained downtimes and overextended maintenance, with little communication to players.
Friendliness-8
Nearly everyone I have met on TRO has been nice and friendly. Server population is still very small at this point with the average in and out flow of people who come to try things out and move on for whatever reason.
Eventfulness- 5
There is a lot of confusion between GMs and players due to the fact that the server is based in Chicago and advertised as an English server, but they only hold events in the wee hours of the morning- between 12 and 6 am. During normal daylight hours for this area of the US (even east and west coast) there are no events or GMS ever available for support. There is only one automated event that seems to run around the clock, though it is pretty unexciting, but something to do.
Helpfulness- 3
GM Friendliness 6
Availability-3
The server got off to a bad start with an overzealous rogue GM, which made things a bit difficult. He seems to have fallen victim to the whole ‘drunk with power’ attitude that may have costs the server some players. The issue was poorly handled by lead GMs, but the end result of removing the troubled GM was the right decision. Anyone who had been in a GM position or forum admin position can understand how difficult it can be, so some just may not be cut out for the job and don’t realize it until things get a bit messed up.
The main GMs are rarely around and getting any kind of help from them is pretty difficult. There is a serious lack of communication between staff and players. The players seem to help one another out more, due to the lack of GM support. There may also be a language barrier issue which has a direct affect on their ability to fully comprehend issues that players are trying to have addressed. The lead GMs tend to be dismissive and too preoccupied to address some of the major issues within the community. This is proving to be very frustrating for several members of the community. Lack of support is a major issue, especially since the server advertises 24 hour support which has never been available since its opening. This does give the feel that the server is not well supported. The GMs are never on during the daytime hours where the server is based. This gives players the impression that the GMs are non-existent. They are unaware that the GMs are more active at 3 in the morning (server location time), which makes no sense to players who are expecting a GM presence during the hours the server time zone is in.
Economy - 2
TRO is pure chaos when it comes to the economy. While items like gold, clover, and witherless roses have been reduced, other items such as wedding dress and veil sell for 21k AND 11K and drop at 100%. When asked about this issue, we were told to report any items that sell for a lot so they could be individually adjusted. This logic caused many to shake their heads in disbelief and confusion. Out of the thousands of items in the game, I doubt anyone is going to willing go through something of this scope that should have been done before the server launched. Rates are still very unclear to most players. We were told rares drop at 20% while equips at 80%, but you can get OCA, OPB, OBB at 100%, along with other high priced selling rare items. So you can imagine the farming that goes on for those wanting to get a GR card. The economy seems extremely broke at this point with no hope in sight for balance.
Guild Competition- 1
Though WOE has been promised and days and times even set, the server has yet to see a WOE. There are only two main guilds that seem to have been building, but they don’t seem to be on at the same time of day very often. Part of this can be attributed to the confusion of server location and lack of presence from staff during the server location time. Some come on expecting some presence from a GM, and see there is nothing, and don't tend to stick around.
Class Balance- 5
I rated class balance as a 5 for the simple fact that I cannot honestly say how balanced the classes are. There are so many headgears that give stats as well as pets and other things that it is just plain confusing trying to figure it all out. I felt it would be unfair to rate this portion at any other number at this point in time.
Summary-
I had very high hopes that this was going to be a great midrate server. Unfortunately, the confusing and random drops as well as them being on the high side, make it pretty effortless to get anything. In a single afternoon, you could easily make millions, as well as compile hundreds of cards. There are so many NPCs that you pretty much do any quest from the main street in Prontera. Everything seems to be handed to you on a silver platter, which seems more suited to be a high rate, rather than classified as a midrate. Overall, I did not find this a very fun server. It felt very boring and you really did not have to put any effort in to do anything. I think the only thing that would actually make this server work successfully as it is, is if it were to become a midrate PK server. PVP seems to be about the only real draw.
It seems that there are a lot of things that need to be sorted out before this server can become stable. A moderate period for beta testing probably could have avoided a lot of the issues that players are having to suffer through. I do not feel that the tiny staff are able to dedicate the time and resources needed to get the server stable. Perhaps time will tell.
I would not recommend this server if you are looking for stability as far as drop rates, classes, and economy. If you like PvP, you may enjoy the ease of TRO.
