Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
MMORPG Noob Question: WoW or wait?
Waaaghlord
Member Posts: 3
Hello everyone,
I'm a complete noob to the whole MMORPG genre of games and I guess I'm looking for a push in the right direction... I've done some basic research today and I believe WoW is my best bet atm. Based on my experience with first-person shooters, I feel I'm more of a PvE person and not in any hurry to try PvP. I do have a budget, but I'm pretty sure no single MMORPG is going to endanger my personal finances. I don't envision spending any more than 6 - 8 hours a week in-game either...
With all that said (and I hope it's enough), is WoW a good choice for a MMORPG noob or is there something better on the horizon that I should wait for? Or, do I start with WoW and simply jump ship if something better comes along?
So, to summarize, I'm a noob, I believe I'll prefer PvE over PvP, and cost shouldn't be an issue. In addition, I would prefer a deeper environment/story over graphics and I would hope to see a large, friendly community in place.
Thoughts? Have I missed a factor or three that I should take into cosideration?
Thanks for any and all feedback.
Comments
Wow, I'm suprised no one has answered yet, lol!
Any way. Welcome to the best days of your gaming life, and the last days of your social life.
6 to 8 hours a week? think again. Any mmo worth its salt will take up more than just your avg game time. More than the avg amount of time you use to BREATH.
That being said....welcome.
In answer to your question. Yes, wow is probably the most newb friendly mmo out there. And, I've found, that every ones first mmo, no matter how horrible, always leaves a special "OMFG THERE'S MORE THAN 32/32 PEOPLE IN HERE!" feeling.
Here's a tip though best way to get the most out of your mmo expierence. Find a friend Knockem unconcious and force him/her to lvl with you (Notice, I didn't say PLAY with you. As you will soon find out the WORK involved in a mmo)
Well if you only plan on playing 6-8 hours a week Guild Wars is a nice choice
It's not as deep as the other MMORPGs out there, but it wasn't meant to be. Guilds Wars was made for people that want to be part of an MMORPG and do well in it, with out having to invest most of there life into it.
WoW is great, and by all means play it, enjoy, etc. But only playing 6-8 hours a week will not get you very far in most MMORPGs.
Just my 2 cents.
And Welcome to the Boards
WoW is great for new MMO players. IMO GW isn't reallllly an MMO .. WoW is much more true to the form.
None of the MMOs listed to be coming out soon seem like they'd topple the current giants like WoW so don't bother waiting. Besides, WoW is constantly releasing new servers to play on so you can choose not to play on servers already packed with lvl60s.
Other than WoW I can think of City of Heroes .. another great casual choice.
MMO Fav List:
Lineage 2 | 5x Silver Ranger, 7x Shillien Elder <- Active
WoW | 6x Rogue, 1x Priest
Anarchy Online | 8x MetaPhysicist
Saga of Ryzom | Matis Light Armourer
Waiting for: Age of Conan, Lineage 3
That's why I said GW wasn't like other MMORPGs, and I will give you that GW isn't a MMORPG, it's an ORPG but that really isn't important.
And you said you were on a budget, so just a sidenote. Guild Wars is free to play, you just have to buy the software.
While GW would be good on your time limits it is more PvP based and the PvE is rather weak.
While it isn't as newbie friendly as WoW might be, FFXI fits what you said you would prefer
But the end, just play what interests you, if you have a good time it doesn't matter what game it is.
In most cases I would recommend WoW for someone who truely wants to get into the MMORPG fantasy genre for the first time. However, I think you need to think hard about this genre if you *really* only have 6-8 hours per week to play. If you end up liking WoW, mmorpgs like it become extremely addictive. No joke. I know that many people here will attest to being able to play WoW for about 1-2 hours a night and are able to see content and accomplish things in game. However that is already nearly 2x the time you say you can play and I submit that only 1-2 hours a night is only achievable if you *really* keep to a schedule. Playing 2-3 hours a night is probably more realistic when you get into the game and as you can see, that pushes you well beyond your 8 hour max.
Anyway, I just want you to think about it. WoW is not BF2 or CS, you often cannot just disconnect on a whim without consequences to your character or your group.
Wow has a lot of recommendations and is especially good for the new person to mmorpgs. It should give you a couple of months play which is good by any games standard, then perhaps try some of the free trials around.
WoW is newbie friendly on the none PVP servers, but like people have said check out the lists pick a game that really gives you a buzz and go for it and thats the game you will enjoy. Personally i dont see all the hype about WoW as i got extremely bored of it in a short period of time but that was because i didnt find it challenging. As for only playing 8 hours a week.....that wont happen once you start playing an mmorpg that you love you will find that 8 hours just isnt long enough, I would guess most do around 6 hours a night or all day lol. Anyways welcome to the community you will love it, pick the game you like and have a great time.
Garrik
________________________________
"once upon a midnight dreary, while i porn surfed, weak and weary, over many a strange and spurious site of 'hot xxx galore'. While i clicked my fav'rite bookmark, suddenly there came a warning, and my heart was filled with mourning, mourning for my dear amour, " 'Tis not possible!", i muttered, "give me back my free hardcore!"..... quoth the server, 404."
I'd concur with what most people are saying here, IMO WoW just about the best MMO of all time for new mmo players, it gives you a wonderful world with great classes, a decent base story line, some very interesting quests and of course the ever on going goal of getting cool gear.
Since you said you would probably prefer PvE over PVP, I would suggest going with one of the many PvE servers or even a RP server, the nice about this is that the PvP rules are different but you'll still get a chance to fight some real life players with Battlegrounds and raids, so at least you'll get a taste of everything. The nice thing about WoW also is that it will support the amount of time you want to play per week so long as you pick the right class, I wouldn't go with a priest, druid or warlock as these tend to take a little more of a time investment but of course like many will warn, don't be surprised if you go over your aloted time
these games have a nasty way of becoming addictive.
And finally, you certainly may out grow WoW but the fact remains is that it will give you a wonderful experience and entry into the world of MMO's and give you a wonderful base to learn from. In short, play the game, meet tons of nice people, have lots of fun.
Important Information regarding Posting and You
Esorlleh suggested checking out City of Heroes. This month's PCGamer contains a Free Trial if you want to check out the game.
WoW's definitely a great game for introducing new mmo players. I won't reiterate what above posters have already said, however I would add that if possible find someone who already plays. Part of the reason I really enjoy the genre is due to the friends I play with.
Either way welcome to the world of mmos!
Ico
Oh, cruel fate, to be thusly boned. Ask not for whom the bone bones. It bones for thee.
Don't let the supposed required playing time put you off. I find that I can get by with not playing for a couple of weeks and then have intensive sessions when I do play. Wet weekends are good!
For this reason, I tend to play solo friendly games and don't usually join guilds, who often like to kick you out if you're too inactive. There are lots of friendly casaul play guilds though who are there just to help all players enjoy themselves.
World of Warcraft is the best game I've played for casual play. You can complete quests in a fairly short time and get worthwhile rewards which encourages you to come back. I also play Everquest 2 because I like the depth of the game even though I make slow progress.
In terms of moving on to new games, all MMORPGs give you a free month to start with. So I keep my existing subs going and then try the new games to see if they are any good. If it is, then I have to decide what to keep playing. I'm currently trying Saga of Ryzom - just started it - if it's really good then EQ2 may be in danger of being dropped but I'll stick with Warcraft for the time being with its play. I've got City of Heroes to try too, so that may challenge WoW.
So, if your the type who likes to play solo and dip in and out of the world then that's fine. Other people want a more intensive experience and enjoy regular play with their guilds. They have to spend more time.
Raymondo
WoW pretty much sounds like what you're looking for, except for the "friendly community".
That's what killed my enjoyment of the game after barely a month: The community.
If I send you a /tell asking if you'd like to team, it would be nice to receive a response. You can tell me to go F myself (which happened in WoW), but reply with something. Don't completely ignore me. But hey, that's just my opinion.
If you can look past that, you'll probably have fun. I also would recommend City of Heroes if you want something casual. It is a little tedious, I'll admit. But I'm still enjoying it a year later... And the community is top-notch. Very friendly.
Good luck, and let us know what ya think...
----------------------------------------------
"Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb." -- Batman
WoW is a great choice for a first MMO. It is easy but not too simple. The WoW community is maligned - but that isnt to say that there arent great communities on a lot of the servers. I would recommend that you go to an RP server. You dont have to RP necessarily, but you should respect that others will. (RP servers generally have a more mature community.) Also - try to find a server that has a medium amount of people on it. I've heard good things about Scarlett Crusade - but have never played there myself...
As far as GW goes - it is fun to play, but you definitely be exposed to some of the worst of the worst when it comes to MMO population types.
If you are a complete newb to mmorpgs i suggest starting out with runescape just to get the feel of an mmorpg. Runescape is free, and requires no download. Once you get bored of it (you definately will) then switch to WoW
why do my posts always double themselves like this
WoW! (Pun intended.) Lots of great replies here. Thanks everyone!
I'm going to give WoW a shot and see how it goes. I think I'll pick up that CoH free play someone mentioned as well...
If there are more replies out there then post away as I'll be back to read them.
Cheers!
The first MMO I ever played was Dark Age of Camelot. It's got a steeper learning curve. But the community is way nicer and seems more mature than WoW.
Though you said you wouldn't want to lean towards PvP, DAoC offers the best in the genre. Because eventually, you are gonna want to do PvP.
WoW is definitely good also to start out. Maybe you might like it enough to play it forever.
If you're into Sci-Fi - try EVE online. Something completely different, and completely good once you get sick of Elves and Fairies. Once again, a steep learning curve - but fantastic community.
Community is important if you don't play with RL friends.
Test as many out as you can. You will find the one that appeals to you the most.
"I have live my life by these nine simple words: It sounded like a good idea at the time."
--Livingston Taylor