Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Game where raiding/repeated instances aren't required/decent community/not too linear ?
Wondered if any of you have suggestions for this type of game , will elaborate a bit more , but first a little about me.
Am a dad/husband/full time professional who still enjoys mmorpg's. Have been playing since beta EQ days and to this day pre -PoP EQ is my all time favorite. I actually enjoyed haggling in the East Commons tunnel for tradind , finding wizards/druids for ports and drive by buffing with my druid on low levels. I miss the less restrictions on equipment (Rubicite for a lvl 1 warrior if you want to ) and open world dungeons instead of instances etc and that if I wanted to farm plat I could buy great equip from other folks as most was BoE or even resell after equip too. Just dont like all the newer equip and buff restrictions.
On the pvp side I enjoy open world also (played Lineage 2 Korean early version and NA launch ) , plus DAOC and early AV in WoW along with the Tarren Mills battles. I can tolerate smaller scale battlegrounds occasionally , but have zero desire to set foot in Arena anythings.
I'd really like to find a permanent mmorpg to stick with at least till Archeage or EQNext comes out as it seems those are the only possiblities on the horizon for me.
Is there one out now currently that's not a nightly raid/flashpoint/instance to get equipment as the only way ? As in I can't commit to always doing that , but can login decent hours late at night expecially , and even if was back in younger single days with no kids I still have zero desire to rerun an instance ad naseum. Not my thing.
I'm not looking to be able to get the "ultimate" equipment , just reasonable where can still do ok in PVP or normal dungeons etc. I've got no problems with grinding mobs in open world as long as can pick a different spot here and there (again what I loved about EQ).
Anyway would much appreciate any suggestions leaning me towards a certain way. I'm leaning towards Rift or trying SWTOR again (played at launch ) but wondered if flashpoints are the only way in SWTOR and if so no thanks. Vanguard also I've looked in a little and Age of Wushu just came on my radar.
Only recent/major mmorpg not on possiblities is GW2 , I played for a month , and I much prefer class roles that arent present in GW2 and the WvWvW just seemed more a circle run than fighting that often. Not bashing it just not my thing.
Even would try WoW MoP if it seems to not be required to do nightly repeated raids for decent equip.
TSW , I cant quite grasp but would be up for that too , so not locked into fantasy just have played more of those than others.
Really appreciate any suggestions or tips and any questions that might help narrow it down.
Comments
Well, you can grind and go linear in TSW if you decide to play that way, but you have plenty of options not to as well. The quests are imho the best around these days, and almost all them require some degree of thought rather just go kill X. The story is excellent and now that it's b2p, a great bargain as well. PvP is not great, but there are definitely people playing it and having fun -- open world PvP "Black Ops" missions are in the works. Very active RP community as well, and there are sandboxy elements like the Theater, pubs and nightclub. Working on housing too I believe.
Nice reading on Massively:
http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/12/13/why-i-play-the-secret-world/
I am 39. Married, kids, full time professional job, ect. So pretty much in same boat as you.
Currently I am playing TSW and loving it. Just a different setting than high fantasy is a nice change for me. I joined a decent cabal and have been having a overall good time with the game.
Overall the community is good, alot of new players with the B2P.
However the end game does revolve around instance raiding . But the " raids" are short and can be done in around an hour. Might be worth a look for you
Many thanks Ort , I'm actually now leaning towards TSW or SWTOR (as crazy and opposite as they might be in some ways).
I logged into Rift , and haven't ruled it out , but it reminded me quickly of why I quit , as it's not a bad game by any means to me at all , it just feels really , really "generic" if that's even the way to put it .
I can't quite grasp it , but there's just something about the Rift gameplay/world that feels "hollow" to me , and it's a shame , but nothing against those who enjoy it.
SWTOR I have my issues with expcation wise being an original CE player at launch , but it could be fun to try again , but TSW is peaking my interest more and more.
I dabbled for a few mins last night with it , and I think I need to give it more time as the combat animations really made me immediately go , I dont know about this , but I defintely liked the atmosphere. So I likely need to give it more time.
I'd like to be able to progress on my own when needed , not be locked into instanced raiding only for equip , and have a community that is not barrens chat level for the majority as even if solo grinding in the open world , I enjoy chatting/socializing in general chat as thats the point of a mmorpg for me. (Throwback to EQ days where folks still chatted in actual conversations in general area chat and enjoyed that )
Again appreciate the recommendation , will definitely look more into TSW.
Edit - same to you J for the suggestion , you were typing same time as me , 40 with two small kids so similar situation here also - not anti raiding btw , just really cant commit (nor enjoy in some games where it takes too long ) to being in a set instance for a long time , thats why I mentioned I liked the option of being able to buy decent equip a different route even if takes longer etc
The animation are admittedly a bit stiff, and they are working on improvements to make them smoother. The great thing about TSW is the deep combat system, though -- with the deck system, you can play ALL roles: tank, dps, healer, and everything in between. But it's a bit tricky to get a handle on the ability wheel; it's very different than other systems, and it may require a bit of study. Here's a good primer:
http://yokaiblog.wikidot.com/guides:build-mechanics
Lots of chatter and conversation in game right now, and the community is pretty mature, which is a big plus.