Sure, I stated it; Tower of Fantasy is healthier than Genshin Influence. Having sunk far too many hours into every RPG recreation, I really feel much more at residence on this planet of Aida than I do in Teyvat – particularly as a result of Hotta Studio’s anime journey doesn’t appear solely intent on draining my (non-existent) financial institution stability.
I despise gacha video games. I see them as predatory money-making schemes that work by dangling carrots in entrance of gamers’ faces solely to grab them away. Sure, video games need to earn money by some means, that’s a given. However this reality results in strain to optimise your monetisation mannequin. And optimising a gacha mannequin not solely tends to create a poor expertise for the participant, it might probably do real-world hurt to those that get deeply sucked in. But right here I’m, enjoying Tower of Fantasy.
It’s possible you’ll ask why. The attract of Aida’s cyberpunk-style universe was sufficient to attract me in, however the lack of abrasive Genshin-style monetisation is the principle motive I hold coming again – particularly after the two.0 replace.
It’s a wealthy man’s world
A ‘whale’ is the time period used for gamers who’ve enormous wallets – or do they? – and might spend lots of of 1000’s of {dollars} to provide them an edge in video games that permit them to take action. After I began enjoying Genshin I loved exploring the emerald pastures of Teyvat whereas concurrently increasing my roster of magical comrades, however it rapidly grew to become obvious that, if I needed good teammates, I’d have to spend a lot of cash to take action.
My first expertise of this was with Mona. As a sucker for all issues anime and witchy, I fell in love together with her instantly. Her banner was up, and I wanted her. So, I did a number of pulls, obtained candy bugger all, after which realised that my needs for the day had been used up. I attempted once more the following day and – you guessed it – similar consequence.
I couldn’t get Mona, so I settled with Lisa (cue Panic! On the Disco) in Genshin. Downside was, after having performed the Traveller and Jean, Lisa felt solely underpowered. The place I used to be tearing via mobs earlier than, I used to be struggling to even topple one foe. This will get even worse at greater ranges, the place you’ve gotten optimum staff compositions to be able to tackle the likes of the Spiral Abyss. But extra pulls, extra money, and a relentless feeling of being deflated till you get the character it’s possible you’ll not even need, however want to be able to survive the endgame.
This strain merely doesn’t exist in Tower of Fantasy. It doesn’t really feel such as you have to be enjoying a sure character to be able to do effectively – I like all of them, don’t get me mistaken, however I really like much more the truth that they’re, basically, skins. Higher but, ToF helps you to create your personal character, and once more, they’re of comparable energy to the remainder of the solid. So whereas I’m not going to say no to an opportunity Lin pull in 2.0, I’m pleased with lacking out. As an alternative, I’ve Swanthula, my MMORPG persona, my very own pink-haired, Ariana Grande-inspired digital avatar, and I don’t actually need anybody else.
In contrast, Genshin’s Traveler feels impersonal. The truth that everybody else is a lot cooler provides aesthetic in addition to performance-based strain to chase a distinct character. This brings us again to your two selections: fork out money, or cross your fingers and hope to get fortunate. Each are profoundly annoying. Even should you do get a fortunate pull, the elation is short-lived – all characters will fade from the meta in the end.
In Tower of Fantasy, I don’t really feel like my playthrough is solely a sequence of unlucky occasions. I’ve had a good time making use of the bottom weapons, in addition to Bai Ling’s bow and Ene’s Pummeler hammer. Whereas, in fact, you need to improve these and choose up some SSR weapons as the sport progresses, I don’t really feel like I’m utterly locked out of enjoying the model I need to play. As a ranged DPS participant, I used to be fearful that Bai Ling’s Nightingale can be akin to Lisa’s considerably lacklustre electrical magic. Fortunately, I used to be mistaken – the truth is, it’s my favorite weapon within the recreation.
This stability is why I discover myself extra inclined in the direction of Hotta’s anime recreation. I don’t really feel like I want to drag like my life is dependent upon it. I don’t really feel locked out of the sport or unable to take part as a result of I’m not prepared to drop my pockets. Perhaps that’s only a informal factor, and naturally I recognise the significance of excellent gear. Nevertheless it’s not at all times about that for me – it’s about having enjoyable, and Tower of Fantasy is enjoyable.
That’s what video games are all about, proper? For me, Genshin grew to become a expensive chore. The upper I climbed, the extra I spent, and the more severe I felt, like I used to be solely progressing via dumb luck or via spending. In the end, the horrible, sucking feeling that gacha video games engender as you get deeper into them is a scarcity of company. I don’t have that with ToF.
With the ability to make your personal character who makes use of the entire recreation’s totally different talents mitigates the necessity to pull on particular characters, and the actual fact the sport is balanced effectively signifies that you don’t should be enjoying as one particular Simulacra to be able to advance. Your progress feels earned slightly than purchased or rolled for.
In fact, there are higher weapons and equipment, in addition to a complete slew of various talents that seemingly have their execs and cons, however for extra informal gamers like me Tower of Fantasy is extra accessible and doesn’t burn a gap within the financial institution. Maybe that’ll change in future updates – I can’t inform the long run. For now although, Aida stays my second residence.
For individuals who need to dive into the Tower of Fantasy 2.0 replace, you should definitely take a look at our listing of Tower of Fantasy codes, in addition to our Tower of Fantasy tier listing to be sure to’re able to sort out the foes that lie forward.
