First and probably final thoughts after reaching level 50
General thoughts
It's been a year and a half, at least. I keep telling myself that the game isn't over after you hit level 50, but I find comfort in sticking to an arbitrary number over which there really isn't more than just perfecting the art of maintenance. The whole epic adventures angle doesn't really attract me, because there isn't an obvious goal aside from hoarding more. If it were real life, I guess the point the game is trying to teach you is work hard, gather all you can, in the end it doesn't matter, but good job nonetheless!
It's a good game, though, I couldn't stop myself from paying for gems every once in a while, especially during events, when I could get rare items, units and the like much more easily. The odds are stacked up against you if you don't. I guess that's a secret form of cheating, since in that respect, am I unaware of any other means of beating the game, having played in numerous communities starting with text-based browser strategy games as early as '97 and learning all the tips and tricks online games usually dissaprove of, but tolerate nonetheless to drive up playership. No such thing here, afaik (minus finding collectibles, which is relatively minor), and I'm glad and happy to have been part of a great community of players. Applause and respect to the guild I'm in, Angel Doves, specifically, who make up a fine batch of people from all over the world.
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Gripes and dislikes
I was griping once about how hard the developers made it to enjoy the game, given the reward system is entirely based on hard work and discipline, which, as a means of playing, is like trying to explain Schrödinger's cat theory to an infant. I'm not saying the game is hard, and in some points it is, I'm saying the rewards you get for bending over backwards and waiting, and waiting, and finally getting it right are slim and somehow point to the reward you get through the work itself. If that's social commentary on capitalism, fine. Not sure who said that it's not going to the Moon that counts, it's the process of getting there, but it's not like I got anything more out of the process than memorising my credit card details.
From this perspective, the game is flawed. I'm not sure if it's a cultural thing - and I don't want to go down that path, especially since I'm sure the game, in itself, is the result of the passion, the hard work and the talent of an entirely multicultural society of programmers and gamers, but the overall decisions are certainly made through a committee process where the majority tends to favor corporate sadism against the player. It is unnatural to ask for backwards-planning and an enourmous amount of waiting time for things that you could not possibly foresee, outside the advice of your fellow players. If those are quests, then make them a positive experience. When leveling up, you should be glad you're on the right path, not just thankful another silly level is behind you. That's my experience, at least.
While not having to ask for likes and social media props to complete the game is awesome, buffing other players, as well as the general coop mode inside the guild system are decent ideas, but far from perfect. Playing the game on an international schedule is hard and if you do have a life or a job, you do need to accomodate the game on a schedule that sees you performing tasks and quests and adventures somewhere inside the decade. It seems to me like it's an afterthought or at least another planned way to stall things.
Finally, having a completely free market, a buyer's market ultimately, feels wrong, in that it would be helpful, if I wanted to sell 100 somethings, to find an offer for those 100 somethings for 10 other somethings in the bloody trade office, as a courtesy. Waiting around for someone on the other side of the world to accept it.. is hard.
That's about it, minus the clicking. I invite all players to get a touch screen enabled laptop or screen, because repeating the same tasks over and over and over again is a feature one could solve more easily that way. Having an interface that favors repetitive work is equal to not enjoying the game. Clicky clicky.
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What I liked
For something along the lines of a "serious" game, TSO is a great way to kill off hours and meet people. The community is incredibly helpful and non-judgemental, concentrating on helping out smaller players - at least that has been my experience. If you're looking for a relatively complex game with a certain knack towards harder than usual work in getting relatively poor rewards, but bank on the excellent help of others in doing so, then TSO is an adequate allegory on life -and should be tried.
Thank you and good day!
