LF Game. Sandboxes, self-determination, skills, kitchen sinks...

MudHekket

 

I'm looking for recommendations for a new MMO.  I don't expect to get everything I want, so I won't give a hard and fast list of requirements.  Instead, I'll just say what I have and haven't liked in the games I've played:

 

City of Heroes

I Liked:  Excellent character customization, fun fights, easy to find pick-up groups, the Mastermind class (for the minions!), swift travel.

I Didn't Like:  Boring equipment, endless meaningless combat and not much else.

 

EVE

I Liked:  The freedom to do whatever I wanted and to develop my character however I pleased, the lack of levels, skills.

I Didn't Like:  Being a spaceship, the difficulty of finding pick-up groups, time sinks.

 

Guild Wars

I Liked:  The low level cap, the use of skills, the fact that end-game PvE seems to focus around self-imposed quests for the kewlest skills and items rather than NPC-set quests for gold and xp, lack of time sinks.  I have enjoyed Guild Wars more than any other MMORPG.

I Didn't Like:  Difficulty in finding pick-up groups, The linear plots that opens up the worlds.

 

Lord of the Rings

I Liked:  Tolkein.

I Didn't Like:  Lack of self-determination in that I didn't get to set my own goals so much as follow the quest grind.

 

World of Warcraft

I Liked:  Large population.

I Didn't Like:  Time sinks, lack of self-determination in that I didn't get to set my own goals so much as follow the quest grind.