It''s very tough to make a top 5 list of any kind without being ridiculed. Probably would take Rift out of that list since Trion is a questionable company these days, but the rest seem fine. I would add FFXIV.
Like every "top five of anything" this article is flawed. You can argue any point - easily. I could name a top five without the five mentioned here and it would be right too.
I actually agree with the list, but one should decide what KIND of game suits his/her TASTE. i.e. I could not care less for PVP then I currently do. For some this is vital. Etc. Then comes 1st/3rd person view. Ok, there are very rare 1st person view MMO's, but still. I would never play 1st view, it is too detaching looking to the world via "scuba mask" and seeing at the bottom of the screen hands. I want immersion into environment which only 3rd person view can give (I know, I know, ... some will say viceversa :-) ), .... As I remember long ago Wow is good combination of PVE and PVP game that can appeal to all. My long time favorite that have been in last years replaced by Swtor, but still this duo if for me best of all times. Followed by Gw2, then maybe Rift, ... With LOTRO however I have lost all appeal to return. Even at time of release physics were just plainly bad, characters moving like have eaten wooden stick, you jump in one direction while running, then you change direction in air and you land even BEFORE start of jump (terrible), imagine now comparing to lush of combat in Gw2, Wow, Swtor, ....
Today MMORPG's are more accessible than ever. This is a REALLY hard list to keep to 5, but it seems like you guys took the easy route and just put the 5 themeparks still kicking around today.
I don't think new players should have to play an easier, dumbed down game to get a hold of MMORPG's, if anything, it could actually be detrimental.
Looks like a solid list, though I personally would've swapped Rift for ESO. Then again, I never really got into Rift, so maybe it has some redeeming qualities for new players that I'm unaware of.
I'm also a bit surprised not to see Wildstar on the list, given that Som's always been such a big fan of the game (and given the timing of it going F2P).
My SWTOR referral link for those wanting to give the game a try. (Newbies get a welcome package while returning players get a few account upgrades to help with their preferred status.)
Today MMORPG's are more accessible than ever. This is a REALLY hard list to keep to 5, but it seems like you guys took the easy route and just put the 5 themeparks still kicking around today.
I don't think new players should have to play an easier, dumbed down game to get a hold of MMORPG's, if anything, it could actually be detrimental.
I do not think you get the original article, at all. What easy route? The games have to be around today because we are talking about today. Then you throw up the famous 'themeparks are easy and dumbed down' argument which can be argued back and forth but does not hold any ground. Echo chamber in full swing here.
I think sandbox games are underdeveloped, easily exploited, underfunded and very lazy design with no substance at all, 'freedom and player driven' an excuse for 'lack of content and lazy developing.' .... See how easy stereotyping is and how dumb it makes you look? Actually on topic, nice list which I largely agree with. Most around these parts have utterly and completely forgotten the concept of being new to the genre.
/Cheers,
Lahnmir
Post edited by lahnmir on
'the only way he could nail it any better is if he used a cross.'
Kyleran on yours sincerely
'But there are many. You can play them entirely solo, and even offline. Also, you are wrong by default.'
Ikcin in response to yours sincerely debating whether or not single-player offline MMOs exist...
'This does not apply just to ED but SC or any other game. What they will get is Rebirth/X4, likely prettier but equally underwhelming and pointless.
It is incredibly difficult to design some meaningfull leg content that would fit a space ship game - simply because it is not a leg game.
It is just huge resource waste....'
Gdemami absolutely not being an armchair developer
FFXIV while currently being my Theme Park of choice is highly obtuse with its systems, and not very open to new players. The ones on this list are great games for people just getting started with MMOs as they have a lot of well documented self contained systems that are both intuitive and flexible.
If you had never played an mmo before and wanted to dabble in an easy to approach one, this would be the list I would recommend with one exception I would replace Rift with DC Universe. While Rift was a good game, it has lost a lot of its appeal, and its systems while giving the illusion of depth very quickly distill down into elitist FOTM stuff.
Once you are familiar with Genre tropes and want something more meaty, then you move on to the likes of The Secret World, FFXIV.
I wouldn't class Rift as a newbie-friendly game, especially not when the newbie encounters their first Rift, alone and out in the wilds. This can be a very intense and confusing event!
Today MMORPG's are more accessible than ever. This is a REALLY hard list to keep to 5, but it seems like you guys took the easy route and just put the 5 themeparks still kicking around today.
I don't think new players should have to play an easier, dumbed down game to get a hold of MMORPG's, if anything, it could actually be detrimental.
you sound to me like someone on Amazon reviewing an "introduction to ______" book being critical of the face that it isn't a book focused on advanced aspects of ________.
Kyleran: "Now there's the real trick, learning to accept and enjoy a game for what
it offers rather than pass on what might be a great playing experience
because it lacks a few features you prefer."
John Henry Newman: "A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault."
FreddyNoNose: "A good game needs no defense; a bad game has no defense." "Easily digested content is just as easily forgotten."
LacedOpium: "So the question that begs to be asked is, if you are not interested in
the game mechanics that define the MMORPG genre, then why are you
playing an MMORPG?"
I thought for sure ESO would be on that list, but I don't know what I would remove from this list to replace it. A great list for someone new to MMOs.
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein "Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre
Kyleran: "Now there's the real trick, learning to accept and enjoy a game for what
it offers rather than pass on what might be a great playing experience
because it lacks a few features you prefer."
John Henry Newman: "A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault."
FreddyNoNose: "A good game needs no defense; a bad game has no defense." "Easily digested content is just as easily forgotten."
LacedOpium: "So the question that begs to be asked is, if you are not interested in
the game mechanics that define the MMORPG genre, then why are you
playing an MMORPG?"
It would be more useful to me if the rating process were explained more and detailed, thus increasing the objectivity. Like with a good video game or a graphics card test.
Comments
I'm also a bit surprised not to see Wildstar on the list, given that Som's always been such a big fan of the game (and given the timing of it going F2P).
My SWTOR referral link for those wanting to give the game a try. (Newbies get a welcome package while returning players get a few account upgrades to help with their preferred status.)
https://www.ashesofcreation.com/ref/Callaron/
I think sandbox games are underdeveloped, easily exploited, underfunded and very lazy design with no substance at all, 'freedom and player driven' an excuse for 'lack of content and lazy developing.' .... See how easy stereotyping is and how dumb it makes you look? Actually on topic, nice list which I largely agree with. Most around these parts have utterly and completely forgotten the concept of being new to the genre.
/Cheers,
Lahnmir
Kyleran on yours sincerely
'But there are many. You can play them entirely solo, and even offline. Also, you are wrong by default.'
Ikcin in response to yours sincerely debating whether or not single-player offline MMOs exist...
'This does not apply just to ED but SC or any other game. What they will get is Rebirth/X4, likely prettier but equally underwhelming and pointless.
It is incredibly difficult to design some meaningfull leg content that would fit a space ship game - simply because it is not a leg game.
It is just huge resource waste....'
Gdemami absolutely not being an armchair developer
If you had never played an mmo before and wanted to dabble in an easy to approach one, this would be the list I would recommend with one exception I would replace Rift with DC Universe. While Rift was a good game, it has lost a lot of its appeal, and its systems while giving the illusion of depth very quickly distill down into elitist FOTM stuff.
Once you are familiar with Genre tropes and want something more meaty, then you move on to the likes of The Secret World, FFXIV.
But thats just my opinion.
you sound to me like someone on Amazon reviewing an "introduction to ______" book being critical of the face that it isn't a book focused on advanced aspects of ________.
Epic Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAigCvelkhQ&list=PLo9FRw1AkDuQLEz7Gvvaz3ideB2NpFtT1
https://archive.org/details/softwarelibrary_msdos?&sort=-downloads&page=1
Kyleran: "Now there's the real trick, learning to accept and enjoy a game for what it offers rather than pass on what might be a great playing experience because it lacks a few features you prefer."
John Henry Newman: "A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault."
FreddyNoNose: "A good game needs no defense; a bad game has no defense." "Easily digested content is just as easily forgotten."
LacedOpium: "So the question that begs to be asked is, if you are not interested in the game mechanics that define the MMORPG genre, then why are you playing an MMORPG?"
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein
"Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre
Looking forward to: Crowfall / Lost Ark / Black Desert Mobile
New players don't need any addons. What addons do you believe players new to mmorpg need to play world of warcraft?
Epic Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAigCvelkhQ&list=PLo9FRw1AkDuQLEz7Gvvaz3ideB2NpFtT1
https://archive.org/details/softwarelibrary_msdos?&sort=-downloads&page=1
Kyleran: "Now there's the real trick, learning to accept and enjoy a game for what it offers rather than pass on what might be a great playing experience because it lacks a few features you prefer."
John Henry Newman: "A man would do nothing if he waited until he could do it so well that no one could find fault."
FreddyNoNose: "A good game needs no defense; a bad game has no defense." "Easily digested content is just as easily forgotten."
LacedOpium: "So the question that begs to be asked is, if you are not interested in the game mechanics that define the MMORPG genre, then why are you playing an MMORPG?"