Which MMO to teach a beginner is best?

Belgaraath

I need to introduce someone to MMOs (PVE centric).  Curious to get your thoughts as to which ones you think might still be enjoyable and not overwhelm someone while still not boring me to death. WOW? LOTRO? GW2? SWTOR? AOC? Pros/Cons? Best for Groups of 2? Remember, newbies dont understand stats in most cases.

Thanks.

kirak2009

i would say WoW, free to play to 20 and has the polish and fun for new folks

 

DSWBeef

WoW it has the basics of what all mmos offer atm. Master of quest progression and treadmill gear progression. 

 

Although Rift has excellent content for DUO players. Rift imo is a better version of WOW. Has player housing world events keep leveling somewhat fresh, Chronicles (duo/solo dungeons), actually difficult raids/heroics, and more. As it stands id either got with WoW or Rift. Rift has deeper class customization which may throw off your friend but its great.

grimal

Honestly, I really feel that any of these four are good into level games:

1) WoW - has a bit of everything

2) GW2 - Same reason as WoW plus you don't have to be bombarded with the notion of the trinity.

3) LOTRO - Very friendly community and packaged very nicely.

4) SWTOR - Has a little of everything. Familiar IP.  Free to play (limited).

FromHell

I'd say SWTOR is pretty newbie friendly - and free to play. No need to purchase anything. Also - Star Wars.

it has comprehensive tutorials at the beginning.

TSW sure has a steeper learning curve for beginners but it would be the better title to play longterm, but it's a subscription game.

Goatgod76

I would say WoW for ease for sure. However, if you'd like the person to experience an MMORPG, Vanguard:Saga of Hereoes.

Wraithone

Originally posted by keithian

I need to introduce someone to MMOs (PVE centric).  Curious to get your thoughts as to which ones you think might still be enjoyable and not overwhelm someone while still not boring me to death. WOW? LOTRO? GW2? SWTOR? AOC? Pros/Cons? Best for Groups of 2? Remember, newbies dont understand stats in most cases.

Thanks.

If they are a complete beginner, then World of Warcraft, hands down.  Its very new player friendly, and has years and years of content. 

BigAndShiny

A few months ago, SW:TOR redid it's tutorial.  Now there are huge, clear diagrams explaining almost every basic element of an MMO.  They are absolutely fantastic for beginners.  Even if you just tell them to play the first planet then another MMO of your choice, it's worth it because they are very useful. 

Avarix

I would actually suggest something like Pirates/Wizard 101. They have the bare bones and that's it. That way after you get tired of it, you can move up and they are very friendly introduction games. Sort of a bottom up approach. Starting with something like WoW (Millions of players think it's the best) may just make you as jaded and bitter as most of us on this site when you move to something sub-standard over and over again

Niburu

Guild Wars 2

 

No monthly fee, fast progression. Thats pretty nice imoh

eye_m

Originally posted by Niburu

Guild Wars 2

 

No monthly fee, fast progression. Thats pretty nice imoh

^  ^  the game flows easily, and naturally around the player. If you can kill stuff, you're in the right place.

bliss14

WoW, Rift, Lotro, Aion, Guild Wars 2, SW:TOR, maybe EQ2 I think are all easy enough for someone new to understand.  Out of those WoW seems to have been dumbed down enough for just about anyone to play.

KenFisher

A suitable introduction in my opinion should have a large world, comfortable environment, non-toxic community, gear and level progression, crafting, dungeons, a mix of non-linear and storyline gameplay, and minimal emphasis on cash shop.

 

Add in being small group friendly and what I come up with is DDO.  Rift would be my second choice with the advantage that it's still a subscription game (no pay to win) and strong on PVE gameplay (fast leveling also from what I understand).

 

AOC would be off my list because of the personal storyline that cannot be done grouped.  I doubt a brand new player would do well soloing those.

SWTOR would be off by being linear storyline oriented.

I'm not sure that exposure to running randoms over and over in WoW is a good introduction to the genre.  They can be plenty toxic from what I've seen.

 

In thinking about it, I'm going to say my suggestion is DDO or Rift as pretty much a dead-even tie.

XxGrimmxX

I tried to get my friend into GW2 and he was just lost in everything. I don't reccommend it. 

Vunak23

I tend to find that learning something new is best learned on the most difficult setting; Buts thats just me. I would rather adapt to the harder setting and stomp the easy shit later. 

Shoko_Lied

Originally posted by keithian

I need to introduce someone to MMOs (PVE centric).  Curious to get your thoughts as to which ones you think might still be enjoyable and not overwhelm someone while still not boring me to death. WOW? LOTRO? GW2? SWTOR? AOC? Pros/Cons? Best for Groups of 2? Remember, newbies dont understand stats in most cases.

Thanks.

Try out EVE online. I hear it's VERY beginner friendly.

FromHell

Originally posted by denshing

Originally posted by keithian

I need to introduce someone to MMOs (PVE centric).  Curious to get your thoughts as to which ones you think might still be enjoyable and not overwhelm someone while still not boring me to death. WOW? LOTRO? GW2? SWTOR? AOC? Pros/Cons? Best for Groups of 2? Remember, newbies dont understand stats in most cases.

Thanks.

Try out EVE online. I hear it's VERY beginner friendly.

lol, that was mean

Belgaraath

Originally posted by XxGrimmxX
I tried to get my friend into GW2 and he was just lost in everything. I don't reccommend it. 

Yeah this is my fear right now. GW2 is my favorite game at this moment, but the combat IS a little more advanced with the switching weapons, dodge, you can't just stand still  like in all the others, its easier to die for a beginner, I think as much as I love the game its probably a no here. Again, he has never used a keyboard to play games lol.

Belgaraath

Originally posted by FromHell

Originally posted by denshing

Originally posted by keithian

I need to introduce someone to MMOs (PVE centric).  Curious to get your thoughts as to which ones you think might still be enjoyable and not overwhelm someone while still not boring me to death. WOW? LOTRO? GW2? SWTOR? AOC? Pros/Cons? Best for Groups of 2? Remember, newbies dont understand stats in most cases.

Thanks.

Try out EVE online. I hear it's VERY beginner friendly.

lol, that was mean

lol its OK, I am a veteran so I know BS when I see it lol.

Elsabolts

EQ2, F2P trail then if likes sub.

Wraithone

Originally posted by denshing

Originally posted by keithian

I need to introduce someone to MMOs (PVE centric).  Curious to get your thoughts as to which ones you think might still be enjoyable and not overwhelm someone while still not boring me to death. WOW? LOTRO? GW2? SWTOR? AOC? Pros/Cons? Best for Groups of 2? Remember, newbies dont understand stats in most cases.

Thanks.

Try out EVE online. I hear it's VERY beginner friendly.

That made me laugh out loud... ^^  Even with the new focus, its NOT new player friendly. 

Corehaven

Originally posted by XxGrimmxX
I tried to get my friend into GW2 and he was just lost in everything. I don't reccommend it. 

I might not recommend GW2 right out of the gate either.  The game doesn't have a lot of explaining or tutorials enough for someone brand new to this kind of gaming to easily understand.  It's not an incredibly difficult game and I love it.  But it wouldn't be my best recommendation to a brand new player. 

 

As many have said, WoW is probably the best bet.  It starts you out slow, pretty much explains everything in detail, and I cant imagine anyone having a hard time figuring it out as they go along.  It was built in such a way purposefully so even the uninitiated could pick it up easily and get going. 

 

I hate to not recommend GW2 as its one of my all time favorite mmo experiences, but that game confused a lot of long time mmo players in the beginning.   I never had a problem with it what so ever.   But as I said, WoW would be your best bet.  If not perhaps try Lord of the Rings Online as it has a free to play mode.  I would suggest Swtor as well since its fairly simple to understand, but it's free to play model is so abysmal I could see it turning a brand new mmo player off to mmorpgs forever.  It would me. 

Belgaraath

Originally posted by grimal

Honestly, I really feel that any of these four are good into level games:

1) WoW - has a bit of everything

2) GW2 - Same reason as WoW plus you don't have to be bombarded with the notion of the trinity.

3) LOTRO - Very friendly community and packaged very nicely.

4) SWTOR - Has a little of everything. Familiar IP.  Free to play (limited).

All of the comments here are helpful. I can't see starting someone in Vanguard. I really didn't get into Rift at the time as I felt the starting area was very bland and the story worse than WOWs..but maybe I didn't give it enough time to get to know the game more. I'm not sure if the random events right off the bat are a good way to start. GW2 I say no based on my previous comments...so I guess it is down to LOTRO, SWTOR or WOW. Free only to level 20 for WOW sort of rules that out...so it comes down to LOTRO or SWTOR. Its a tough choice. I used to love LOTOR. Only played to level 60. It did feel like one of the few RPGs out there in the way it integrated you into the story with a friendly community. SWTOR with companions allows for tackling most of the content including 4 player content using companions as players. Its a tough one :-). LOTRO is  more open and less linear. SWTOR has the story which can make things for a beginner more interesting. I haven't tried Sith yet so maybe I would be less bored myself. sigh

Muke

Originally posted by Wraithone

Originally posted by denshing

Originally posted by keithian

I need to introduce someone to MMOs (PVE centric).  Curious to get your thoughts as to which ones you think might still be enjoyable and not overwhelm someone while still not boring me to death. WOW? LOTRO? GW2? SWTOR? AOC? Pros/Cons? Best for Groups of 2? Remember, newbies dont understand stats in most cases.

Thanks.

Try out EVE online. I hear it's VERY beginner friendly.

That made me laugh out loud... ^^  Even with the new focus, its NOT new player friendly. 

depends, if the guy new to MMOs would like to have his hands held from start to finish or that he looks for a real challenge.

EVE can be simple, I play it for many years, it's not that hard, it just has a few hard rules......but EVE can be frustrating if you are used to a game like WOW.

Ramonski7

WoW hands down.  The graphics and environment are clean, clear and distinct as to not confuse new players that tend to wander into new areas without even knowing it. The leveling system is curved to award players with enough new things while keeping things simple and offers more variety with dual specs, glyphs and enchants as they approach higher levels. The world is large enough where there are plenty of things to occupy new players with things with tons of room for them to grow and explore. The refer a friend program is the best I've seen to offer returning players their friends a leg up in getting started. The endgame and PvP options are varied enough for new players to ease into those directions if they choose to do so.

Aelious

If the person is used to navigating either keyboard/mouse or console I would say GW2. If not then WoW IMO.