Poll: Would you rather be playing a reset DD1 or a balanced DD2 or...?

In my opinion, this patch wasn't so much a step backwards as it was a step towards nowhere.  Even if the balance of nightmare had been perfect, it would still be a mediocre experience.  The hero deck, the design of the items, the useless heroes, the boring stats, the escalation of difficulty being just a matter of +hp/damage... I don't always agree with his desired solutions, but this is pretty much the stuff gigazelle has been talking about for a long time. 

My biggest worry is that they've reached the point of no return with respect to their vision for the game.  I wonder if most of the community wouldn't be happier with a reset DD1 than with a balanced DD2.  So, I'm asking.  What would you rather be playing?  I realize that the game is in Alpha and is subject to change.  That's really what this poll is about, whether you think it needs to change direction in order to be superior to its predecessor or is moving in the right direction already.  A, B and C are flavors of support for the direction the game is developing in.  D is concern that the game is moving away from the game you want.

Feel free to espouse on the topic, but if you would be so kind as to start your post with (A), (B), (C) or (D) then I will try to keep a running tally of opinions.

(1) A: I would rather be playing a balanced DD2.

B: Even in its unbalanced state, I prefer DD2.

(1) C: I would rather be playing a reset DD1 but I think that, once they finish the path they are on, I will prefer DD2.

(3) D: I would rather be playing a reset DD1.

E: What's the point of this thread? 

Seriously.  Comparing the original game to this one has never made sense to me.  

Did you compare mortal combat x to the original mortal combat?  No,  because they are 2 different games.  

Same with DD1. Sure DD1 was a great game,  still is,  but it's not DD2. It's also a "finished" game. DD2, had you not played early access and waited until it is f2p is a better game.  Had you, and the others comparing about the direction the game is going, waited until it was f2p, you would have known about the early access bugs, buffed patches, and things you don't agree with.  

Comparing a finished game to a game still under development will never be a fair comparison.  Period. 

I played day of defeat 1.3 for almost 3 years,  loved it.  

Source came out. Started playing day of defeat source,  hated it.  They ruined the game I loved.

Fast forward 5 months,  I liked source much better. Better graphics,  an actual physics engine,  easier match ups. 

They removed a lot of the options I liked in1.3, but added in new things I liked even more. 

Point is,  give it time.  Take a break if you're unhappy with the progress,  come back when it's f2p. 

Hi Bob.  It isn't Crystal Crusaders 1, its Dungeon Defenders 2. So, I think comparing it to its legacy is not entirely out of the question, especially in the context of a discussion about whether you like the path the game is moving in as apposed to a hypothetical comparison of finished products.  I think the responses I allowed offer enough nuance, and in fact capture a number of the positions you put forward in your post, but clearly you disagree.  That's fine, we can agree to disagree.  We usually do.

I agree dont see a point to this thread than just to complain comparing this type of game with the first and second doesnt really mean much. now if it was something that is core based storyline and they go and say hey screw you where doing a 180 with it then yeah i can see a reason to complain like gothic 1,2 being badass  and 3 and arcadia being complete crap (just an example really hate how they screw that game up)

One thing to say : give time to trendy team to make their game FULL. It's only Alpha yet, no point comparing.

@Bob Loblaw |Äpp|* quote:

Did you compare mortal combat x to the original mortal combat?  

 YES 

It shares the name, and is part of the same franchise. It has happened, and will happen again. That is how humans do. Learn to deal with it.

@Bob Loblaw |Äpp|* quote:

Comparing a finished game to a game still under development will never be a fair comparison.  Period. 

A perfectly valid point, but unfortunately, this is the internet. Valid points get largely ignored...

@Bob Loblaw |Äpp|* quote:

Point is,  give it time.  Take a break if you're unhappy with the progress,  come back when it's f2p. 

If you want to help steer a game in the right direction, the development phase is exactly where you should not take a break. At least not from the forums, or whatever feedback media they use.

I myself am very unhappy with where the game is going, but I find it redundant to complain about things that many people are very loudly complaining about already.

If you want specifics, go read all of Gigazelle's rants. Seriously, it's like the dude is in my head.

I get the point, Z. I also have long felt the same about Giga's posts. He is a master of observation and analysis but his personal tastes do influence his solutions (which they should) and everyone's personal tastes don't always align with those solutions. This isn't to say anyone is right or wrong, just a matter of opinion and playstyle.

I say all that to say this: personal preference is one thing and vision is another. I had repeatedly raised the question about vision to TE during development. It is my opinion based on limited observation that this game has been at times less about exacting a specific vision than it has iterating on an idea until they find things that 'work'. 

Keeping in mind one thing is vital when looking at DD1 vs DD2...TE today is NOT the same team that made DD1. It is a drastically different culture, creative process and skill set. This change happened for a very necessary reason but the end result remains: it is not the same company. One artist, while similar in style perhaps, will usually have an inevitably varying flavor from another. I believe this situation to be the case for TE and DD2.

So, while they are not entirely different games, they have been been inspired by the creativity of different people. This difference alone is one that cannot be ignored and thus raises the question: what is this New TE capable of and how can we participate in the process constructively?

I do agree that an enhanced and polished DD1 would have been excellent but that ship has sailed. My 'vote' or advice really would be to try to hold on to a sense of curiosity regarding DD2s creation and reserve judgment on Neo TE until full launch. It is my best guess that despite the batshhh crazy roller coaster that many folks have experienced thus far TE will pull it together and release a fantastic game that have a very respectable lifespan.  

- Satori

P.S. - You guys should not forget that many over at TE are our champions so to speak. This game was almost a moba DD1 hybrid I-don't-know-what-the-heck-to-call-it. They fought a toxic culture and questionable vision and have emerged victorious so to speak. If you wonder what the original vision was that may be it: heal this place and create a true sequel to DD1. 

I fully agree,  we should be helping steer the game in the right direction. 

I'm just saying this poll is strictly hypothetical,  asking if we'd rather have DD1 reset or have DD2 balanced,  since neither are viable options at this point. 

The game is in a place that some,  not all,  don't agree with, but the one thing everyone agrees on is it needs a clear sense of direction.  

I openly support threads about ideas or big reports,  but I honestly didn't see the point of this one.  

A. A balanced DD2.

Love how no one else participates. It's always straight to derails on this forum.

C

Though if they upgraded the graphics of DD1 to DD2 quality and style, maybe D.

D. Obviously things are very subject to change and it took me a few months to jump on board with DD1, so I don't remember it without at least some DLC. I enjoyed Orcs Must Die and liked OMD2 even better, but it was largely an updated version of the original. DD2 feels like a Dungeon Defenders themed OMD mod. DD1 was a very different feel from OMD.

I miss the challenges. I miss level specific drops. I miss holiday maps. I miss unlimited heroes (at least let newbies start with two at the beginning). I miss the way difficulty scaled map to map and level to level. I miss being a TOWER DEFENSE game with action elements. I feel we went from 95/5 to like 70/30 in terms of straying from being a TD game first.

While I realize all my hopes and dreams can be had still with balances and minor patches, I like sequels like Angry Birds to Angry Birds Seasons, or OMD to OMD 2, or Mario Galaxy to Mario Galaxy 2.

I think it would be awesome for a patch that added the original DD1 campaign with simply the updated DD2 graphics. OMD had that and it was a simple thing that doubled the length of the game. 

@jmhjm quote:

...

I think it would be awesome for a patch that added the original DD1 campaign with simply the updated DD2 graphics.

...

I'd be willing to pay for a level pack that included the original DD1 campaign.  And another one for the Aquanos campaign.  And another one with the miscellany all rolled into one.

omg just tried the new patch its so bad i cant pl;ay it any more i uninstalled the game i hate this game now. you made it worse then it was. we want dd1 back i would rather play dd1 then this crap. not going to reinstall lost my support ty trendy for saveing my money you lost it

Reset DD1 imo.

DD2 is clearly being balanced around a 4 player team game and the stats/gear are boring.

I'm a solo player who enjoys playing a TOWER DEFENSE game.  DD2 doesn't cater to what i'm looking for.   Towers are weak and boring (no def speed or range stats) and lanes need to be babysat (must multiplayer) = No fun for me.

@donttreadonme2234 quote:

...not going to reinstall lost my support ty trendy for saveing my money you lost it

Um, they already have your money.

As for you leaving, how silly.  The game is still under development.  Alpha *really* pissed me off, they turned a game I was really enjoying into something unplayable without exploits, and I have let them know (probably less politely than I should) just how I feel.  Especially about the apparent completely inexcusable lack of QA.  But much as I'll yell and moan, I and everyone else know that this isn't the final form of the game.  I expect that it will change in mostly directions I like, but if we get to late beta and it's a game I don't like *then* I'll uninstall.  

D atm, would be C but the path is dark and full of terror.

(F) i would rather the have taken much more points from DD1 to make DD2, because with DD2 i feel like i should take it out behind a shed and mercy shoot it. 

@Sombrero quote:

One thing to say : give time to trendy team to make their game FULL. It's only Alpha yet, no point comparing.

The game has been in development for almost 3 years. Take a look at videos from two years ago to see just how little progress has been made. They don't appear to be doing much. We should be testing new gameplay modes every week as prototypes.

The game is failing :( I think their obsession with balance is the cause.