Help in choosing a game

degroove

Hello,

I'm sorry, this is going to be a long post. I hope that a few of you will take time to read and give me feedback as my experience of these forums is that people know their stuff.

I really like mmorpg. I started about a year ago and have had great learning experience in several games. My issue is that I have a hell of a day job (think investment banking in NY) and as such: I have rarely more than 1 hours of playtime in a row, I can't really be part of parties because of my short playtime and I can't grind to death (although I understand this will be an issue in any game).

So far, I've played or tried a few games:

- Anarchy Online: My first attempt at MMORPGs. Didn't like the universe and content that much. A bunch of helpful people though.

- WoW: Leveled a rogue to 32 and now I'm just bored because I need more storyline/content. On top of that, 32 is about when you need to party up, and I just don't have time for this.

- Eve Online: Used to play it on my old computer but got tired of the long travel delays

- City of Heros: Lack of content for my taste.

- Saga of Ryzom: Too damn complex although the content and freedom in character progression are quite appealing. On top of that, people warned me that I wouldn't be able to solo.

Which brings me, more recently, to:

- Final Fantasy XI: I love this game. Played it for a few hours to WAR 7. I love the content and the simplicity of the interface. However, I've received big warnings that the game was just not meant to solo AT ALL.

So first question:

- Is there any game out there I might have overlooked with good content, not too complex (Ryzom), not too simple (CoH), where I will have a good time on my own even though I won't take advantage of the team aspect of it?

- On Final Fantasy: do you confirm that I'm basically doomed if I try to solo ? and if not, could you advise a job/sub knowing I'm a pretty big fan of slashing stuff rather than casting spells or taming beasts ?

It's really tough for me because I used to play a lot of offline RPGs (from Dungeon Master to Morrowind). And now that I've played MMORPG, it's tough to go back to a "finite" game even though I'm having a hell of a time leveling my guys. So please, any advice much appreciated !

Thanks

ferthala

Your profile is taff for a mmorpg game. Most of the games need groups to do quests. But you can try Guild Wars. Its fan for PVP, its simple too, and if you want to do quests you can get some computer managed acolytes creating your own group.

So, it may fit your requirements.

good luck

Grisnik

FFXI you are doomed once you hit lvl 18+. It is a party only game from there on in and if you do not have enough time to sit and LFG for an hour then play for 5+ hrs straight then give up now.

I would agree that Guild Wars is probably your best bet. It is simple and easy to use but also can give you some challenges. It is mostly if not completely PVP based however once you hit max lvl 20, but then you go after all the gear and the hall of heros bit. Drawback is that you might get a bit bored with it cause it can be quite easy to play with PvE.

Am currently playing Eve for its solo ability and although it has long trecks to get anywhere.. what game doesnt? Its probably your best bet for solo play considering you can do anythign solo once you have the skills.

There's my 2 bits. Hope this helps.

Gameloading

I think Lineage 2 would be a great game for you! I have played it for quite a while and i never grouped. Guild Wars might be good too, but you really DO need to group a lot as well for the missions. and the game is pretty short. but it has a 10 hour free trial, and no montly fee's so give it a try. the 10 hours don't show much of the grouping part tough.

scaramoosh

My past xp EQ2 is probally one of the most story driven mmo's

Would say EQ too but seems like they have progessed too far

moonfog

Everquest 2 deffently seems to fall into what you are looking for.

Grisnik

I would have to say no to Lineage 2. Played it since it came out. It is a game that you need time to play. Its easy and heck to play in the low levels cause you can level pretty easy. But once you get into C grade and above you really need a group or clan to help out with gathering the required items to make your gear and to level. Especially if you are a fighter cause you will be sitting every 2 mobs to regain hit points. Lineage 2 is just as bad as FFXI for the lvl grind once you get to the higher levels and is only for the crazy and insane MMORPGers. I got burned out at lvl 56 with my prophet and just couldnt take the grind anymore once my clan split up.

logangregor

 

 Take the phat money you make from your stressful  Investment job and run your own business. 

Boom=free time.

 

Play more than a hour at a time

hadz

Haha...yeah...start your own business...more free time (just don't pick food/retail)

But seriously, Guild Wars probably best for your situation, closely followed by EQ2.

Oh, and you don't really have to group after level 32 in WoW.  I grouped early in my WoW career but played levels 25 through 40 totally solo without a problem (after the guild I was with disintegrated).  In fact I died a lot more often when I happened to play a pickup group during that time than I ever did solo.  My main is still sitting there on the server at 40 though, cause boredom kicked in which, imho, is the main problem with soloing.

hadz

Hmmm...wonder how that Double post happened