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Homeless seeking home
Not sure if it will do any good asking here but I am an MMORPG veteran and been playing them since the release of UO over ten years ago. But after AC 1, which I stopped playing for like five years go, I have had big problems finding an MMORPG which is both mentally challenging, persistant and fun.
Tried Eve but couldn't stand the extremely harsch death penalty which required you to do endless farming. Tried AC2, EQ 2, LOTR, WoW, CoX and Tabula Rase but they were way to linear, simplistic and not particulary persistant. Tried Lineage 2 but couldnt stand the 1+ years grind to get to the fun part (PvP) and their class system was way to linear and simplistic. Tried FF XI but it was way to group and PvE oriented with probably the worst grind in any MMORPG. Tried Guild Wars but would not classify that game as an MMORPG because of all the instances. Tried SWG but couldnt stand the cheesy animations and combat and the lack of people playing the game.
So what I am wondering is if there are any MMORPGs that I have missed? One that is challenging, sand box style game with interesting PvP and decent gfx? Probably not, but it doesnt hurt to ask 
Comments
na, there really arent any decent sandbox games out.
however, if your looking for a good community I usually have good luck finding them in the older MMO's for whatever reason.
Try Anarchy Online or Star Wars Galaxies. Id recommend SWG over AO since it has a better storyline arch and more content. AO has much better PvP, but SWG has decent PvP as well. AO is more of a non-linear game, but SWG shares some of the same mechanics as far as missions go but also has several very well wrtitten story archs.
"If you want a picture of the future, imagine a robot foot stomping on a human face -- forever."
You should try The Saga of Ryzom. It has an awesome community and it's definitely sandbox. Well worth a try if you ask me.
Play UO (on seige perilous preferably). It may not have cutting edge graphics but the gameplay is good, and the KR client isn't too bad now. There are some really good freeshards as well, but you didn't hear me say that.
i believe this game has been closed. i think new trial accounts can be created they just can't progress from the free trial and starting area to a full account with complete game access.
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TheCore
Vanguard.
But you will not have an enjoyable PvP experience.
The PvE gameplay is quite deep:
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WoW and fast food = commercial successes.
I neither play WoW nor eat fast food.
The current owners are going into liquidation however it is possible to continue leveling up on the starter island for the time-being. From what I could see on the official forums, another company is in talks with the current owners about buying the game. So if the OP can hold out for a (hopefully) few weeks then they should have their answer.