gaming MMO's Worth Trying

[Stalliongrad 982]

2014 has been an ok year for existing MMO titles. My favorites have had increases population and more players is a good thing.

 

First, lets get one of the major debates about MMO's and that's Subscription VS Free 2 Play. There are many benefits to both methods. When players are forced to pay a subscription fee the money is used to help make the game better. Developers can hire more people to make the experience much better, and new content is usually pushed out fairly quickly. Players are usually fiercely loyal to games they play that require subscriptions. Games like World of Warcraft that have been out for awhile with subscription plans have very loyal players. Games like this release content on the regular but because they are also well funded also have many expansion packs that come out in the future.

 

The common misconception about Free 2 Play games is that they eventually become "Pay 2 Win". This is when the game releases content that has to be purchased and it give a unfair advantage over players who don't buy those items. The way Free 2 Play games make money are indeed through the micro-transactions available in game. But the Items for purchase are things like Clothing/Appearance items, special services like leveling buffs and extra inventory slots. Free 2 Play is a better option for attracting more players because not everyone has the money to shell out for a game. Free 2 Play games also have the option for players who want to play to get special privilege. This is a good thing. If I really like a game and want to support it I should get something for it. The special status for these players are usually exclusive items, clothing, titles and abilities.

 

MMO's I think you should try:

 

 

Title: Star Wars Galaxies

Developer: Sony Online Entertainment (SOE)

Status: Defunct, however available as an emulator (SWGEMU)

 

My favorite MMORPG of all time folded with the release of SWTOR. Star Wars Galaxies was a sandbox style game set in the Star Wars universe during the time of the Galactic Civil War. This is the era of Star Wars people know the most about and are the most familiar with. You could visit any of the planets and the game wasn't so combat oriented. If you wished to play casually you could do that. The game had a unique system for player housing, in which players could create their own cities on the public maps and own their own houses. The game was very easy to Role Play in. It's real problem was that it was way ahead of its time.  

 

Title: Star Trek Online

Developer: Perfect World Entertainment/Cryptic Studios

Status: Online, Free 2 Play

 

Star Trek Online filled the void left by SWG when it folded. Star Trek Online allows players to be the captain of a ship in one of the major powers in the Star Trek Universe. I think the strongest point this game has to offer is the intriguing storylines. I have played this game since it launched and I have always enjoyed it. The only problem with it is that Cryptic is a smaller developer so it takes a bit of time for bug fixes. Content is released in large chunks they call "seasons" which is about every 3-4 months so it can get boring waiting for new ships to come out or new missions and rewards. Its requirements aren't that high and the game can be enjoyed even if you don't have the best computer. Overall this game is a definite must try for fans of the Star Trek franchise.

 

Title: Pirates of the Burning Sea

Developer: Flying Lab Software, Sony Online Entertainment (formerly), Portalus Games

Status: Available/Unknown

 

PoTBS puts you in the Caribbean during the age of pirates but without the Pirates of the Caribbean feel and crazed pirate lore. The game felt real and the career paths were well done. You could take to the seas flying the flag of (Britain, Spain, or France) as a Naval Officer (official member of the navy with primarily offensive ships and abilities) a Privateer ( With balanced abilities but different ships) or a Freetrader (primarily economy focused, defensive abilities and large trading ships) or if that life didn't suit you, the life of a Pirate was available. (The Dutch were also in game but were non playable)  The Map which is very detailed and accurate contained dozens of settlements which belonged to various factions (either one of the nations or pirates). Control over these settlements was determined in scheduled battles with PVP combat. Any game with a player driven economy is a plus to me. I am unsure of the status of the game since it was dropped from SOE's roster but I know it is still available.

 

Title: Star Wars: The Old Republic

Developer: BioWare

Status: Free 2 Play/Subscription available.

 

Out of boredom (and being bombarded with advertisements) I gave SWTOR a try after hearing it had a free to play option. Visually the game is very well done. Personally I had an natural gripe with the setting. I am a die hard Star Wars fan and this era of Star Wars isn't that interesting to me. However Star Wars is Star Wars. The best thing about this game are the CUTSCENES. Generally when you play MMOs you dread questing. Going back to the NPC who gives you the quest to get your reward. SWTOR makes this fun by putting in an almost seamless transition over into a well done cut scene. Not only that your character gets to choose a response and each one has voice acting!!! That is not a common thing to find and I appreciate that level of detail. The biggest let down in the game was the beast killing. It seems like no matter what level I got too. I had to kill at least 90 of some creature just to get to the next city. Some people like this sort of thing. I like a little bit more out of my MMO.

 

Title: DC Universe Online

Developer: Sony Online Entertainment, WB Games

Status: Free 2 Play, Subscription Available

 

DCUO is set in the DC Universe with players given the freedom to create their own superhero or villain and begin training under the guidance of a chosen mentor. The games settings include Batman's Gotham City and Superman's Metropolis. This game is also available for free on PS3/4 format. The best thing about this game is the storytelling and the voice acting. (imma sucker for voice acting) Eventually the game does become a bit repetitive but there are plenty of instanced co-op raids to go on that do a good job to give you a break. New content comes out fairly often and the game makes you work hard for the higher level items. The game feels much more relaxed because its a superhero game but it is more serious than wackier titles like Champions Online (a similar Superhero based MMO). It's definitely worth a try for any fan of the DC Universe.

 

A few more should go here I think players interested in fantasy should give AION a try I hear the Rift is a good game as well. Fans of Skyrim would enjoy The Elder Scrolls Online.

 

Upcoming MMO Titles To Look For

 

Title: Archeage

Developer: Trion Worlds (US, Europe, Australia, New Zealand)

Status: Beta Testing, Released in Japan and Korea 2013, US and Europe Release Aug/Oct 2014

Free 2 Play, Subscription Available

 

 Archeage is one of many new titles returning to a Sandbox style of gameplay. The game promises to give players total freedom over their progression and how they play. The games fantasy setting is restrained enough to attract people who normally don't play fantasy games. (me included) The game will allow players to do more than just combat. The player driven economy will open up avenues for money minded players who like to grind. Farming anything from crops to livestock, players will then be able to sell those resources or keep them. The game also includes a unique shipbuilding feature enabling ship vs ship PVP combat. Archeage will also have a unique player run justice system where players can bee called for jury duty and vote on if a player goes to jail. The game has a wide variety of mounts such as horses, donkeys and lions. Any game that has a well done player housing system is attractive to me. Players will gather the resources needed to build from a variety of houses and be forced to pay tax on the land.  Archeage will be a big hit in the US where sandbox style games have always been popular.

 

 

There are more titles that should go here like Pathfinder Online and Star Citizen and I will pass on information as I learn more about them.  

 

MMO's I don't recommend

 

TItle: APB Reloaded

Developer: Realtime Worlds (defunct), Reloaded Productions

Status: Free 2 Play

 

I followed APB through every stage of its development and was crushed with what has been done. APB's concept is that of a Grand Theft Auto style Cops and Robbers sandbox game. In that you select your faction be it Enforcers or Criminals and you are pitted against one another to fight to the death. The concept of the game is fascinating and alluring. Who doesn't love a good Cops and Robbers match. But the game was shut down a month after it launched. It was eventually revived but my problem with the game isn't the developers... its the community. Most games have fairly balanced communities. You will find people that want to be your friend, help you give you tips and generally have fun. You will find people that give you a hard time but generally they are ok people. APB has the worst gaming community I have ever come across. They are like the worst of the worst, that realm of the internet you dare not go near. If I asked a question I was told to "to shut up because im a noob" and to go F**K myself and I couldn't finish the TUTORIAL!! with out being killed a million times. Every time I spawned back in I was killed by an enemy player. There are no safe zones and this game is strictly PVP. It is pretty sad, the game has a fairly steep learning curve and you cant learn if you are constantly being killed. Not to mention that even though you are still learning being killed so many times affects your stats. The Driving and customization of vehicles was a main selling point this game had and frankly the driving mechanics are terrible. You cant really drive properly with W.A.S and D in any game.

 

A good alternative to this game is Grand Theft Auto Online for the PS3/4. The multiplayer addition to the standard GTAV game had a very disappointing launch (possibly the worst in gaming history, look it up) and it has one of the strangest character creators (you create what your grandparents look like, then that creates your parents then that creates you, Like the SIMS but not as well done) but this game is loads of fun there isn't anything you cant do and they also release frequent content as well.