How good is pre-order bonuses?

[.Zaga]

I think I might buy it day 1 if the game run well but preordering in 2023 always seems scary

[Bwoink ⭕⃤]

It's not to die for the bonuses for the most part can be gained by playing the game itself aside from the emblem that's it

[ImHelping]

While it does say on the shop, I can understand some paranoia about Pre order/deluxe edition claims on a shop being true or not.

The only thing you can't get without a pre-order is "You pre ordered the game, wow!" purely cosmetic Decal. You can unlock the emblem through gameplay.

In this case, the difference between an Emblem and Decal is that a decal is a sticker/drawing you put on your mech, and emblem is the image that goes on your ID badge menu image.

The rest are all "sorta early in the game" parts. And based on the preview build footage that has come out since then, it seems to be from "Oh, it is a votoms reference I get it now-" guys in chapter 1 missions.

At a glance it seems like it would either be a purely cosmetic change, or "slightly different stats" version of your starter parts. But that is guesswork based on the fact it is a rifle/arm blade/4 tube missile launcher according to the sales art, just like your starting loadout.

[Blackmage]

The only pre-order exclusive is the decal, which is as meaningful as a gold star sticker. I'm okay with this, because "pay-to-win" marketing schemes can die in a fire - and it's not FromSoftware's style. They want you to earn your victories in their games.

We don't know how good the Melander parts are, and we technically don't even know what "early unlock" truly means either. I predict the Melander parts are only one step above the starting parts, which are usually junk, and they're in your garage at the start of the game. But there is also the possibility they're decent parts normally unlocked later in the game and they've only been unlocked in the shop, meaning you would still have to buy them. The former scenario seems more likely because the Tenderfoot schematic would be meaningless without the parts, but ultimately we just don't know.

[ImHelping]

considering we are getting a 4 tube launcher, I am expecting closer to "AC4 starts you with a reasonable starter unless you pick the cool looking prank option" Rather than "AC1 your starting head does not even know what a computer is" or AC5 "We proved we are different than 4 by giving you a collection of literally rusty parts"

We will probably want to replace that starting rifle ASAP, but I suspect our starting missile will be in the AC4 Hogire situation of "I keep using this. It is real good on normal targets" great generalist missile instead of a joke filler.

[Silamon]

Originally posted by ImHelping:

considering we are getting a 4 tube launcher, I am expecting closer to "AC4 starts you with a reasonable starter unless you pick the cool looking prank option" Rather than "AC1 your starting head does not even know what a computer is" or AC5 "We proved we are different than 4 by giving you a collection of literally rusty parts"

We will probably want to replace that starting rifle ASAP, but I suspect our starting missile will be in the AC4 Hogire situation of "I keep using this. It is real good on normal targets" great generalist missile instead of a joke filler.

I remember when I played AC2 I kept going back to the starting dual missile launcher because it was consistently "good enough" and I would rather spend credits on upgrades for other things.

I do hope the starter equipment is like that in ac6, nothing amazing but still good enough to use when better stuff is available.

[Null Winter]

For anyone interested, there are multiple videos showing off the known parts' stat sheets, which includes most (but not all) of the pre-order parts; they're slightly heavier than the starter gear, so they can make it simpler to ease into a different speed role before you'd normally have access to those parts. You can also get those parts via normal gameplay, but later on.

There are also the 2 special edition pre-order packages, which do come with exclusive physical goodies that will likely become collector's items; scalpers seem to have already harvested all of these packages from most sales regions, though.

[Silamon]

Originally posted by Null Winter:

For anyone interested, there are multiple videos showing off the known parts' stat sheets, which includes most (but not all) of the pre-order parts; they're slightly heavier than the starter gear, so they can make it simpler to ease into a different speed role before you'd normally have access to those parts. You can also get those parts via normal gameplay, but later on.

There are also the 2 special edition pre-order packages, which do come with exclusive physical goodies that will likely become collector's items; scalpers seem to have already harvested all of these packages from most sales regions, though.

That's what I was concerned about, early access to the equipment seems like it will make the early game easier. Even if I just sell it off thats more credits than I should have at the start.

I was kind of hoping it would just be sidegrades to the starter gear. I wonder if there will be a way to disable it?

[Null Winter]

Originally posted by Silamon:

I was kind of hoping it would just be sidegrades to the starter gear. I wonder if there will be a way to disable it?

With how things work in AC, everything is a sidegrade; sometimes you want a specific part because its numbers match up with your planned build, whether it's a light flyer or a heavy missile-boat.

[Silamon]

Originally posted by Null Winter:

Originally posted by Silamon:

I was kind of hoping it would just be sidegrades to the starter gear. I wonder if there will be a way to disable it?

With how things work in AC, everything is a sidegrade; sometimes you want a specific part because its numbers match up with your planned build, whether it's a light flyer or a heavy missile-boat.

But it is still making the early game easier if you have more options. Is it going to be like older AC titles where you get 100% of credits back for selling equipment I wonder?

I'm not sure, I am kinda wishing I had not preordered it now. Hopefully the bonuses will be something I can turn off for the first run at least.

[Getsu Fuma]

Originally posted by Silamon:

But it is still making the early game easier if you have more options. Is it going to be like older AC titles where you get 100% of credits back for selling equipment I wonder?

I'm not sure, I am kinda wishing I had not preordered it now. Hopefully the bonuses will be something I can turn off for the first run at least.

I kind of hope selling works like gen 3.5. That way you can't just sell and buy back everything and not lose any credits in doing so.

Edit: Also steam let's you disable DLC, so if Fromsoft has it as DLC you should be able to disable it before you launch the game.

[Overlord7895]

Originally posted by Getsu Fuma:

Originally posted by Silamon:

But it is still making the early game easier if you have more options. Is it going to be like older AC titles where you get 100% of credits back for selling equipment I wonder?

I'm not sure, I am kinda wishing I had not preordered it now. Hopefully the bonuses will be something I can turn off for the first run at least.

I kind of hope selling works like gen 3.5. That way you can't just sell and buy back everything and not lose any credits in doing so.

Edit: Also steam let's you disable DLC, so if Fromsoft has it as DLC you should be able to disable it before you launch the game.

The people who got to play the demo said that you can sell back parts for the same amount you bought them for, so you can buy a part, try it out and sell it back for no loss if you don't like it.

[Blackmage]

Originally posted by Getsu Fuma:

Originally posted by Silamon:

But it is still making the early game easier if you have more options. Is it going to be like older AC titles where you get 100% of credits back for selling equipment I wonder?

I'm not sure, I am kinda wishing I had not preordered it now. Hopefully the bonuses will be something I can turn off for the first run at least.

I kind of hope selling works like gen 3.5. That way you can't just sell and buy back everything and not lose any credits in doing so.

Edit: Also steam let's you disable DLC, so if Fromsoft has it as DLC you should be able to disable it before you launch the game.

It's not DLC. These parts are a part of the game. You're stuck with them.

Originally posted by Overlord7895:

The people who got to play the demo said that you can sell back parts for the same amount you bought them for, so you can buy a part, try it out and sell it back for no loss if you don't like it.

I think the idea Getsu Fuma was getting at was being able to start the game without an extensive advantage. Half of the fun is working your way up from nothing at all - i.e. no "bonus" money.

If that's the case, then all you can really do is simply choose not to use or sell the parts until you're either set and not really wanting for money or parts anyways, or in NG+.

[Silamon]

Originally posted by Blackmage:

Originally posted by Getsu Fuma:

I kind of hope selling works like gen 3.5. That way you can't just sell and buy back everything and not lose any credits in doing so.

Edit: Also steam let's you disable DLC, so if Fromsoft has it as DLC you should be able to disable it before you launch the game.

It's not DLC. These parts are a part of the game. You're stuck with them.

Originally posted by Overlord7895:

The people who got to play the demo said that you can sell back parts for the same amount you bought them for, so you can buy a part, try it out and sell it back for no loss if you don't like it.

I think the idea Getsu Fuma was getting at was being able to start the game without an extensive advantage. Half of the fun is working your way up from nothing at all - i.e. no "bonus" money.

If that's the case, then all you can really do is simply choose not to use or sell the parts until you're either set and not really wanting for money or parts anyways, or in NG+.

I know some games in the past have had options on whether to include some bonus content or not, hopefully they will have that here.

But yes, that is exactly what I was thinking about, just having the parts in my inventory will tempt me to use them. If I get full price for selling them then I can't sell/buy until the parts are gone and I don't have the money from them anymore.

[C1REX]

I like the pre order bonus. Nothing spectacular. No predatory pay to win. No fear of missing out something important. Just a small thank you from devs/publisher. A badge of support.

[Doom Squid]

Pre-order now to receive the following bonus content:
MELANDER C3 G13 Special Customization “TENDERFOOT”
• MELANDER C3 parts set (early unlock)
• Emblem (early unlock)
• Exclusive AC Decal
* Early Unlock: The parts set and the emblem can also be obtained by progressing through the game.

So the exclusive AC decal is the only unique thing you get your hands on. The rest of the stuff you just get sooner than you would.