LF Non-Fantasy PvE based MMO

Aeroe

Now that the weather is turning colder in my part of the world I want to get back into my MMO'ing but am having a little trouble finding a game that can keep my attention for more than a few nights. I am a little tired of the fantasy genre which limits my choices significantly.

If I had to describe what I am looking for I would have to say a non-fantasy mmorpg with a fairly mature player base, I am mainly interested in PvE but will experiment with PvP if available, something that focuses mainly on "quests", I am not a crafter but am fine with gathering as an alternative. That being said I would be willing to give a truly exceptional fantasy game a shot. I also have to admit that I am a bit of a graphics snob, if I am going to be staring at something for 2+ hours a day I want it to look good. I do work a lot so while many times I will be able to dedicate several hours to play time it would be nice if it is possible to log in for less than an hour and still accomplish something productive.

Some of the games I have played and what I liked/did not like about them:

WoW - I played wow for a long time 4+ years and have had some good times but the immaturity of the community finally got to me. If the player base was a little older I would come back but I don't see that happening any time soon.

CoX - I enjoy the instanced play style and above average community however the lack of end game content makes me not feel like playing any one character for very long. The best description I have heard is that CoX is a game of alts.

EVE - I really really want to like this game but it is just overwhelming to get started, despite very active forums and a helpful player base after a couple of weeks of play I feel totally lost. I think for new players the lack of structure makes it very intimidating.

Champions Online - Felt very unfinished and unbalance, most likely due to playing right after release. Could not get behind the graphical style but that is just me being picky.

I have messed around with some others on a trial basis but not to the extent that they infulence my opinion.

My only other must have is I need a free trial, I have wasted too much money buying a game only to find out after a week I don't really like it.

Sorry this turned out to be so long but any suggestions are appreciated, I have the MMO itch again and really want to start playing. 

blackthornn

the graphics blow, but ever try anarchy online?  free to play if you don't want the expansions.  Mature community (heavily on the elitist end of the spectrum tho, they're all so oldskool :P ), great setting, the graphics suck but are (promised for years now) getting an overhaul someday *.  The gameplay's not too bad, nothing spectacular, but the classes and the cybernetics are a nice change.  It's nice to be able to buff yourself into higher end armor (which sadly is a major point of the game, tweaking yourself into the best gear possible so you don't get kicked outta groups).

 

*someday meaning whenever the hell they can pull it off without fucking it up.

johnmatthais

 Another World?

Afterworld?

mrcalhou

I would also suggest looking into Afterworld, it's free to download and play because it's in open-alpha.

Fallen Earth isn't too bad if you are looking for quests and stuff, but it doesn't have a free trial anymore as far as I know.