As Fantasy Becomes Reality...

As release date inches closer and closer, I must wonder whether or not the excitement of The Old Republic will be worth it and justified. As I was lucky enough get to try out the game at E3 this year, I can say for sure that it will definitely be fun but there is still that uncertainly that comes with every new MMO. In fact, the knowledge of some of my friends getting into beta only raises the nervousness and tension created by a galaxy almost ready to be explored. Hence, the release of the game itself marks a new transition from a simple period of "waiting" into something that is actually "playing". Yet, "playing" the game is no easy task since there will be lots and lots of things to do.

Are you really ready for this?

Choosing The Right Class: To start off, what class am I going to play and how do I know I have made the right decision? The thing with classes of any new MMO is that no one has played them yet. Picking a class, and later an advanced class will be a heavy choice that will impact how you play and enjoy the rest of the game. No doubt, the first character you create will be the fondest memory you will every have despite how many characters you create in the future.

With that being said, you should pick characters that play to your strength and your own idea of fun. Obviously, a person who likes to be right in the middle of action, should pick a melee character since it will augment his own sense of enjoyment as well as play style. On the flip side, someone who rather sit in the back and leisurely pick people off should go for a ranged class. Those who are a little more tactical or adventurous can try a "hybrid" class where they can engaging both on the melee front as well as ranged. Keep in mind however that with every strength of a characters comes a disadvantage. Knowing these disadvantages will affect how good of a player you are and frankly, how "bad ass" your character will be.

Now that you're here, what will you do? 

A Guild and Why It's Important: Now, you know all those motivation posters that tell you "success is in the journey and not the destination?" Well, it's true but a journey into the unknown can definitely be a frightful thing. Imagine the RPGs of the old, where you would walk into an area and get instantly killed by a bunny (FFXI, I'm looking you!). Wouldn't you rather have someone there with you to tell you not to go into that forest...or better yet, to help shoot that darn bunny while it was taking a juicy bite off your arm? I know I would and in fact, I would rather have a "Han shoots first" attitude where multiple of my allies unleash a barrage of unrelenting laser fire into that innocent looking "bunny" before it can even get near me.

Well, that is what guilds are for. Finding the proper group of people who can get your back will not only make the game easier, but will also be more fun socially. Keep in mind that this is a Massive Multiplayer Online game where this is definitely possible so why not take advantage of it? Discovering the right guild takes time, but when you found the one guild where you can build a sense of camaraderie, there is no other feeling like it in the world. Whether teaming up to take down a Master Jedi/Sith or simply hanging out and chatting about your adventures, the galaxy will be much less lonely with allies at your side.

The journey is better with friends...

All in all, The Old Republic is going to be a blast, but only with proper amount of planning. In an online Bioware game with plenty of permanent choices, it is simply better to be prepared than make a mistake somewhere down the road that you will regret. Keep in mind that you should enjoy this game and choices made with knowledge are choices not wasted. Besides, a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, you journey has just begun.