Who does like the Barrens?

**zeroone506**

From what I've read, the majority seems to prefer International and Downtown because of their higher physical quality. I, for myself, don't perceive low physical quality as a demerit to a district's quality as a part of the game environment, and probably wouldn't enjoy some slimy, stinky moor scenery any less than a shiny forest, or prefer a majestic castle over some gothic ruins, carried over to fantasy MMOs. Combined with my fascination for dark atmospheres, it would probably make Westview my favourite district in the game, if, well, it it wasn't for the others which I find just as impressive.

Many, however, seem to dislike it. Always "wait till you see Downtown, this place rocks; much better than Richland; International is probably the coolest place I've seen here"; however, hardly any "wait till you cross the bridge to Westview, you'll be blown away by the dark, threatening feel of decay there!" SMILEY

I know it's a bit naive to start a thread because of that, but I'd just like to know who else shares my opinion on this and values the Barrens district for its traits. Or, if you don't, why you attach (intended) physical quality to its interest value as a game environment; that's something I can't understand because these are two completely different traits for me; that fact that I'd never like to live in some godforsaken, dilapidated ghetto doesn't have anything to do with my perception of such a place in a game. I also wouldn't like to get in a risky or challenging situation in real life, yet I enjoy heavy thrillers so much.

However, I'd like to read some opinions on that.

stsbrad

to be honest i have been there since i noded.

PhroG

I have always dug the urban decay quality of the Barrens, but the mission areas tend to be very tricksy and irritating when you're trying to grind so I think that's part of the reason people shy from them.

Westview has some of the best contact missions, some of the coolest outside areas (better than DT imho), a ton of atmosphere (Manssen Park for instance is perfect for it's vampire mob), easily the best/most original hideouts, cool mobs with unique/interesting models, TONS of densely packed mob members to kill/farm....

I've never gotten people's lack of interest. Westview is decayed, creepy and dangerous feeling.

**zeroone506**

Wow, so quick!!! :smileyvery-happy:

I think those mission areas can also be found in Richland quite easily, although not in each neighborhood probably. Some of the office floors downtown also use to be challenging.

As for the rest, I completely agree. Apart from that, Southard is the only real "industrial" neighborhood in the city, and Westview has the only power line in the game. Since it has the most green of all districts (exluding Moriah and Eshean) and the dissonant, dark music is most due to the movies, it could be probably even the "Matrixiest" district in MxO. I see it as a counterpart to Downtown: compared to the two other, more down-to-earth ones, these two are very atmosperic and hypnotizing, but in totally contrary ways.

However, the quotes above are something I've really read more than once in the forum. Like "I prefer shiny and expensive, not dark and gothic". Or, "Downtown and International rock, Richland is good overall, and Westview I don't like so much because it's kinda depressing". I haven't thought that out SMILEY

Message Edited by zeroone5069 on 07.05.2006 02:02 PM
Message edited by zeroone506 on 07/05/2006 13:02:08.

**bannanaphone**

i personally don't like westview that much... but i can definatly see how some people like it.... its got alot of "feel" to it, a real sense of... well decay ( as said before ) though i want to like it, i can't, i'm more of a downtown man myself, though someday maybe....*sigh* someday. so i tend to avoid it for now.... thats just my opinion though, so it's got -10 sanity :smileyvery-happy:

Message Edited by bannanaphone on 07.05.2006 11:06 PM
Message edited by bannanaphone on 07/05/2006 14:06:03.

narrakan

I like it for it's moody feel. The other districts are very typical, in a way. Richland, Downtown and International are sort of like places you'd expect to see in the game. The Barrens is a great place to do a dark, moody, mysterious etc tale(s). I'm even doing a comic off of it. SMILEY

My favorite place in the Barrens is probably Mannsen Park, the big road leading to the bridge. It does have a sort of unique feel to it.
Not to mention club Succubus.

**Othinn1**

I don't hate any of the districts.

Edit: in fact, I'm now reminded of my first time there during beta. My level wasn't anywhere near the levels of the gangs there. The place was dark, creepy, and had powerful enemies around every corner. Plus, I think I had my first Agent encounter there.

I must have ran from Sobra Shores to Lucero Point nonstop, because if I did stop for even a second, Exiles and Agents would be all over me. Boy was I glad to see the bridge with the "Richland" sign above it. If there was a /kisstheground emote, I would have used it once I got back to the Slums. XD

Message Edited by Othinn1 on 07.05.2006 07:44 PM
Message edited by Othinn1 on 07/05/2006 18:44:13.

**ZippyTheSquirrel**

Westview. I love Westview. It's so...unique. I mean, all the districts are unique. Er...lemme try to explain.

Richland = a struggling suburbian area

Westview = broken highways, destroyed / ruined buildings, polluted skies (Rogers Way, cough, man, cough.)

International = Pretty flowers and stuff, yeah.

Downtown = Laaaass Vegasss lights!! SMILEY

I love them all equally, because they're all so distinct equally. I don't really spend that much time in Westview, though, sadly. I should, though. Hmm! I think I will.

**TimeMaker**

Westview... Dead, decaying, and Morphie's dead decaying body was there. Can you say pwnage?

**Aquatium.**

Something Ive only done recently, have the ingame music on as you pass from area to area, you will appriciate that area more for it.

**zeroone506**

Ah, nice to hear!

By the way, are there really people playing without the ingame music? :smileysad:
I never turn it off.
Yea, crossing the bridge from Richland to Westview is a great experience, with the music on. Maybe I like it because I've experienced in one of my first playing days. *tear*

**Nicksie**

I love music in international the best SMILEY

But I don't hate Westview I think it is beautiful in it's own way SMILEY

The old run down clubs like Kaos and Daemon look very very cool SMILEY

And I have to say Succubus is gorgeous and one of my favorites SMILEY

The neon sign is neat looking! Also there is Ascension monument and some parks by the lakes, and tons of other great stuff SMILEY

**Bayamos**

Back when MegaCity used to have a ton of people... well, I leveled up my first character mainly in Westview. Assimilation always had teams going in Sobra Shores, and well... aside from the mobs being a pain in the butt, Westview was fun. I still go in there once in a while... not really PvP, but either because I need to be alone (noone ever goes to Westview satellite dishes), or I'm looking for some cool screenshots.

**Fractor**

I don't go to the barrens much nowadays because missions take longer to complete when you go in one of those derelict mission areas but back when I was around level 20 and didn't grind as much I did find it a scary and fun experience missioning in the barrens. The collapsed roads, the flaming car wrecks and the demonic exiles all added to the atmosphere and no other district has given me this feeling.

Also in the manual it says the Machines are supposed to be placing some effort into repairing the barrens. Has there been any evidence of this?

**zeroone506**

Also in the manual it says the Machines are supposed to be placing some effort into repairing the barrens. Has there been any evidence of this?

No, and I hope there never will be one. :smileywink: