Least Grindy, Most Fun MMO?

MaximusScrotumus

Hey all,

I'm looking for something to play that is pretty new and doesn't involve a bunch of tedious grind to get to the fun. Something I can level up mostly in PvP or group content like dungeons(no solo quests!) Just recently tried Wildstar but that game seems to be all about the grind. I prefer a level playing field in PvP and I hate games that make you grind a bunch of boring crap to even be able to compete.

I have played GW2 for a little while and it was the closest thing to what I'm looking for, but the lack of endgame/PvP variety/WvW support is really killing it. If only they had more PvP variety like BGs, arenas, open world, duels, etc.

I've been looking into ArcheAge and it seems very impressive, the kind of thing I'm looking for but it isn't releasing soon enough and I'm not going to spend $150 to play the alpha. Is there anything else out there similar to this that I can play right now?

 

Thanks!

 

Boneserino

Least grindy, most fun does not sound like an MMO at all!

 

At least that is what I hear on these forums. 

 

Isn't it a MOBA that you are looking for?

azzamasin

I'd vote GW2 or Neverwinter

shadylurker

Originally posted by azzamasin
I'd vote GW2 or Neverwinter

 

Came to say this.

manwko

Swordsman Online is pretty good atm. A lot of walking back and forth from NPC to NPC but the action combat is wonderful.

Kabulozo

League of Legends, Battlefield and Call of Duty multiplayer.

MaximusScrotumus

I play Battlefield 4 occasionaly and enjoy it. MOBAs aren't really my thing, I don't like the top-down RTS-like view. I like third-person action games with slick combat like God of War or Devil May Cry, if only there was an MMO with this kind of action and good PvP!

I think I will check out Neverwinter, thanks for the suggestion. Is there any kind of tedious grind required in it? Any kind of paywall or Pay2Win elements?

MaximusScrotumus

Well I did some reading on the Neverwinter boards and found this post:

"This game, like most mmo these days, are not about "fun" they are all about doing chores and mind-numbing farming.

logging every day to do something meaningless and somehow still keep doing it in hope for some "fun" later... just one thing... the fun may never come. unless you play pvp and actually like the pvp on this game, there is little do be done here, sadly. after you leveled, geared and did all the dungeons you can only keep doing your senseless grind till you bore to death or move on to another game.

Edit: That's MY opinion of the current state of the game right now, also if you are new player, you can only try to compete by putting a crapton of money in the game. there is nothing a new player can do to achieve the same power as any of the older players before all these changes crippled the non paying players."

http://nw-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?703461-Current-state-of-endgame

 

Can anyone with experience confirm or deny?

This is the kind of thing I'm trying to avoid before investing too much time into it, particularly the last bit.

Chrisbox

GW2 sounds like what you're looking for. 

cerulean2012

Originally posted by MaximusScrotumus

Well I did some reading on the Neverwinter boards and found this post:

"This game, like most mmo these days, are not about "fun" they are all about doing chores and mind-numbing farming.

logging every day to do something meaningless and somehow still keep doing it in hope for some "fun" later... just one thing... the fun may never come. unless you play pvp and actually like the pvp on this game, there is little do be done here, sadly. after you leveled, geared and did all the dungeons you can only keep doing your senseless grind till you bore to death or move on to another game.

Edit: That's MY opinion of the current state of the game right now, also if you are new player, you can only try to compete by putting a crapton of money in the game. there is nothing a new player can do to achieve the same power as any of the older players before all these changes crippled the non paying players."

http://nw-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?703461-Current-state-of-endgame

 

Can anyone with experience confirm or deny?

This is the kind of thing I'm trying to avoid before investing too much time into it, particularly the last bit.

Just remember, that is 1 persons opinion, doesn't mean that is how others think or how the game really is.

Now most MMOs still have you doing things you really don't want to, the trick is to find one that has more things you like then dislike.

As far as grindy goes, most of the MMOs I know about have some grind in them, to include GW2.  Sure the 1st 30-40 levels tend to go kinda fast but then you realize you are facing the same enemies, running through the same basic landscapes and really are not getting much more in the way of power so those last 40-50 levels can tend to be grindy.  I got 3 characters to 80 in GW2, all 3 slowed down and felt like a grind starting around 35.  After getting the 3rd toon to 80 I quit GW2 and have had no desire to return.  Not even for the no subscription fee.

bcbully

Give Age of Wushu a try. Free to get going $9/month vip. There are no traditional levels, and it's not quest centric. 

azzamasin

Originally posted by MaximusScrotumus

Well I did some reading on the Neverwinter boards and found this post:

"This game, like most mmo these days, are not about "fun" they are all about doing chores and mind-numbing farming.

logging every day to do something meaningless and somehow still keep doing it in hope for some "fun" later... just one thing... the fun may never come. unless you play pvp and actually like the pvp on this game, there is little do be done here, sadly. after you leveled, geared and did all the dungeons you can only keep doing your senseless grind till you bore to death or move on to another game.

Edit: That's MY opinion of the current state of the game right now, also if you are new player, you can only try to compete by putting a crapton of money in the game. there is nothing a new player can do to achieve the same power as any of the older players before all these changes crippled the non paying players."

http://nw-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?703461-Current-state-of-endgame

 

Can anyone with experience confirm or deny?

This is the kind of thing I'm trying to avoid before investing too much time into it, particularly the last bit.

The grind is something that your going to experience in any game that has an endgame.  The thing with Neverwinter is the grind is really fun.  IMO it has the best combat in the genre.  Or you can skip it altogether if you're not interested in endgame activities because the player Foundry is insanely fun and addicting and content is non stop.  Just don't expect to get gear out of it.  It is more of a content only activity with no rewards other then the enjoyment of experiencing new and exciting stuff every day.  With that being said, the dungeons are a blast and to me do not feel grindy whatsoever.

Dattelis

Originally posted by ReallyNow10

You need grind.  Even without it, whatever you are doing becomes grind.So, you need grind.  However, make it adventurous grind.  Some risk of danger, some chance at reward, reasons to team up with someone, enough downtime to socialize, etc...Wandering overconned mobs keeps players on their toes, too.

 

I would have to agree. Every game has some form of grind eventually. GW2 is more of a casual grinder imo since you can get most of the stuff you want done around your own control so to speak. Anything produced by an asian company will be grindy, fact. I kinda miss the old days when there were only a handful of mmos to play. Kinda held the gaming community's interest longer. Too many mmos being released = ADD.

MaximusScrotumus

Thanks for the info guys, but I'm more concerned about how the PvP is, as that is what will keep me playing more than any PvE content ever could. Good, solid, PvP gamemodes with competitive & balanced matchups can keep people playing for years without any content updates. Just look at GW1 and how long players kept that alive on PvP alone as one example. There wasn't much of a grind to be able to compete, the endgame was balanced PvP & competition between guilds/players not endless grinds, gear treadmills, gold/time sinks, or other carrot-on-a-stick nonsense. Is that really so rare in an MMO?

tawess

For PvE i would also say Neverwinter. the Foundery give you a never ending amount of quests to do.. and some of them are even good.

 

But the PvP in NW is utter shiet... Very few maps and only one game mode.

 

To be honest when it comes to PvP i am not sure a MMO is what you are looking for at all.

dlevel

Originally posted by MaximusScrotumus

I play Battlefield 4 occasionaly and enjoy it. MOBAs aren't really my thing, I don't like the top-down RTS-like view. I like third-person action games with slick combat like God of War or Devil May Cry, if only there was an MMO with this kind of action and good PvP!

I think I will check out Neverwinter, thanks for the suggestion. Is there any kind of tedious grind required in it? Any kind of paywall or Pay2Win elements?

try smite then, it doesnt have that rts look and its controled with wasd... its fun

Warlyx

OP did u tried Tera?, action mmorpg  and fun , but is a bit grindy.

Cleffy

Mabinogi or Vindictus.

MaximusScrotumus

I looked into Tera and the combat seems interesting, but the grind has me worried.. I just can't do it again unless it's fun teamplay (PvP, group dungeons, etc.) or something new and intriguing like ArcheAge. I tried Vindictus a while ago but it just seemed dead, couldn't find people anywhere. I will take a look at the others you guys have mentioned, and I really appreciate everyone's input!

 

The thing about ArcheAge that really intrigues me is all the possiblities for open world PvP. How the player driven economy ties in with PvP- you have to physically transport goods to trade to buyers by foot, horseback, or ships and you are vulnerable to player attacks while doing so. I can just imagine guilds of theives ruling the roads and fighting against merc guilds & other theives, large pirate guilds ruling the seas and fighting other fleets, and it all looks very impressive. If only I didn't have to spend $150 to play it now.. $60 would be fair IMO especially for an alpha.

Olgark

I would say Elder Scrolls Online.

The only grind would be to level 10 which can be done in a few hours, after that Cyrodiil opens up to all players. A level 10 player gets boosted to level 50 and you can pvp all day long get exp and level up. There are pvp quests and daily pve quests all in the pvp areas of Cyrodiil as well.

Before anyone says it is impossible to kill a veteran ranked player pre level 50 this is false because I have done it, its harder to do so but very possible. There are keeps and resource points to take and control as well as a chance at becoming emperor with a unique armour set and skill line. There are also Elder Scrolls in which you can capture and return to your faction keeps to give your whole faction a boost.

I love the game I wont deny that and so far it is one of the best mmo's I have played and playing. Don't listen to the trolls try it for yourself.

amura1

One word "Firefall"  has limited PVP at present, 16 battle frames to level master and learn, go whereever you like and do whatever u like.

cerulean2012

Originally posted by Olgark

I would say Elder Scrolls Online.

The only grind would be to level 10 which can be done in a few hours, after that Cyrodiil opens up to all players. A level 10 player gets boosted to level 50 and you can pvp all day long get exp and level up. There are pvp quests and daily pve quests all in the pvp areas of Cyrodiil as well.

Before anyone says it is impossible to kill a veteran ranked player pre level 50 this is false because I have done it, its harder to do so but very possible. There are keeps and resource points to take and control as well as a chance at becoming emperor with a unique armour set and skill line. There are also Elder Scrolls in which you can capture and return to your faction keeps to give your whole faction a boost.

I love the game I wont deny that and so far it is one of the best mmo's I have played and playing. Don't listen to the trolls try it for yourself.

Really?!

Entering Cyrodill at anything less then actual level 50 is almost usless and the grind from 50 to vet 12 is massive.

Sorry but ESO is a very grind heavy game.

Hothlove

mmo=grind. A single player is also grindy but there is a story. Most reason MMO's has more story. They say GW2 is less grindy but I dont agree. I think even gw1 has alot of grind.

But I know what you mean by grinding. I would recommend gw1 it's fun but it's old and graphics looks dated. 

Funness eliminates grind but they all have grind. You must pick a game where you find them fun enough to not notice grind. 

Personally I've tried SWToR, TSW and GW2 lately and found only GW2 fun but a laptop wont run gw2. But these games offer something new. SWOR story, story story. TSW investigation quests. AND gww2 well if you are used to the traditional quest might try this cause it's something new.

I own Elderscrolls but somehow it was boring.. I dont know why and it's probably not fair to say after only a couple of days time.

MIght also consider a game where PvP gives exp when leveling-.

ryvendark

You're looking for a single player game. No mmo has 0 grind ever.

evilized

Shadowbane

Matticulous

World of Warcraft by a long shot.