The Usual Looking For MMO stuff

LunaticLenny

I've been replaying old MMOs for a while now and I'm really looking for something new to play while I'm eagerly waiting for Blade and Soul to come in NA. 

It doesn't need need to have all of my criteria, but at least 75% would be nice.

So I would like a game with these characteristics:

Good character customization- If it's very limited premade characters i just cant enjoy the game.

Decent player base- Not too many people that lag is a huge issue.

FREE

Good Graphics- They don't have to be TERA amazing but as long as they don't suck as much as WOW or Runescape.

Open World 

Flying in nice, but it doesn't have to have it.

 

What I don't mind:

Grinding- If it's a grind fest I don't really care if anything I kind or like grinding.

Gender locked classes/races 

 

What I do not want:

FPS- Just no. 

Pay to win/ pay to play

 

I've played TERA, Aion, Phantasy Star Online 2, Swordsman, ESO, amd PWI. I'm not really looking to go back and revisit any of them, I just want something new.

 

 

 

elocke

Define grind for us as everyone has a differing opinion on that.  

Until then, I recommend EQ2.  But it has a TON of quests and each a lot of depth to combat skills, classes, crafting etc that could seem daunting to some and might entail that "grind" you speak of.  To me, it's not a grind if I enjoy it, so yeah.

sanatkumara

SWTOR (Star Wars the Old Republic) has been heavily patched since it's disastrous launch; and, as such, now is consistently ranked among the top 10 F2P MMO's out there. -Character customization is pretty huge; it can be grindy, but as it is a seasoned game [now] it has a ton of options like "Flashpoints" (instanced dungeons, dailies, etc.) -It also has a unique cinematic CG storyline that underpins the myriad regular missions that otherwise populate your grind. It's "alt-tab," so the gameplay is pretty recognizable to you, judging your gaming pedigree. It does have a cash shop; but, luckily most Cash Shop items can be sourced thru the in-game "Auction House." Also, many of the account unlocks, like certain playable races, can be earned through gameplay (the "Legacy Unlock" system: you play through several classes' storylines to earn points to unlock stuff).

While not F2P, you'll definitely want to consider being "Preferred" status, which will require buying at least $5 worth of game coins once. Or Subbing for one month once.

It does have load times between zones, like EQ2 or Conan and other games of it's era. Also note that a huge new xpac is coming out in October; which will roll out a new cinematic storyline for players.  

It has all the raids and monthly events other games like WoW and Guild Wars 2 has. Crafting, digi-cr@p like non-combat pets, collectible emotes, and housing abound in SWTOR.

**Other choices: I second the motion suggesting EQ2. Staying with Daybreak/Sony, DCUO is [almost] an action MMO like Tera -AND- it has an amazing flying mechanic. Neverwinter has been a darling of MMO reviewers since launch, and constantly gets updates. -I've barely played it myself, though, so I don't know eaxactly how P2P it may be.

**If you can loose your purse-strings: The Secret World is pretty great. Like ESO, buy once, play forever. Mabinogi is a super-cute anime MMO with deep, deep crafting; an antiquated-but-compelling combat system; and probably the among deepest character customization available. They even had an event with Kagamine Len once!! -That's right, you can wear a Kagamine Len outfit! ...the only bad part is the pets and some of the cool stuff require cash purchases. It's kinda a cash sink in that sense; but all the other stuff winds up being sold in-game. Mabinogi has endless game events, though; so you can always earn cool stuff just by playing. Mabinogi has an "Unlock every class/ability" system sorta like FF11/FF14.