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Win me over- which game should I renew/start?
Druidblue
Member Posts: 28
In another few weeks (or late January at worst) I will be renewing ONE, and only ONE, MMGS subscription. I have narrowed it down to four choices, and am going to seek the same question to be answered on each forum for the games to see what info I can get. The four games are WoW, EQ2, Vanguard and Eve Online.
I'd really appreciate it if you can examine which game I should renew or start based on MY gameplay style and preferences, not your own. I certainly need your experiences to give me the information, but here is what I am like as a gamer:
I am a 99 percent soloist. I find most groups to be annoying, the people stupid, and the fact that no one can spell the easiest words in the English language to be cringe-inducing. I do not use voice chat in games. I find most people rushing, rushing, rushing to get that next kill, make more money, get better loot. I find the entertainment in the journey, not the destination. I've played every MMGS that's released (and many betas) and never once reached maximum level despite playing every day for massive lengths of timel. I do not tend to join Guilds or groups as I feel obligated and pressured to do things with the people or chat with them and it takes away from my entertainment value of what I'm doing in the game. I love crafting, I love exploring, I love the rush of having taken out 5 enemies on my own. I love having made things with my crafting and getting a regular batch of customers that rely on my great prices and return for their gear needs. I am a fan of PvP, but only in a non-twinking environment, as twinking is cheating.
Based on these generalizations and characterizations of myself as an MMGS gamer, which one would you suggest renewing or starting? WoW, EQ2, Vanguard or Eve Online? Please give me good info about my fit in the game for the forum you're reading this in.
Thanks in advance for any serious and intelligent replies!
_______________________________
MMORPG is an inaccurate term...
I use a new and improved term: MMGS = Massively Multiplayer Gaming Service.
Comments
Quite frankly, this is a tough call. EVE online I am not so sure about, other than the PVP. EQ2 and Vanguard, while having great crafting systems (Vanguard is not released so take that with a grain of salt) are more group focused than WoW. Meaning, in their cases, you can solo, but for certain quests you will either have to group or grind up in levels so you can take out the group mobs on your own.
For pure soloability in terms of levelling, it's WoW hands down. However if you want to get non-crafted uber loots you will have to group through the instances usually. I can say first hand that the crafting in WoW is rather snap-together, compared to EQ2's which would be more like building from scratch.
It's a tough call and one you will have to make the final vote on, but for your style of play probably WoW would fit you best. Vanguard would be a close second based on what I know, second because you will probably have to group to finish certain quests if you don't like to grind up so you can beat tougher names/mobs.
Hope I helped!
Seems all the games you mentioned are decent and worth a try. VG won't be out in January though, and there is no free trial so far (though it's just a matter of time I guess
Well Druid, reading your post initially I immediately discounted VG as it is going to be 80% group orientated on the adventuring side. However, even though only 20% is soloable adventuring content, the dev's have assured that the solo content is spread out over all levels.
Where VG will really fit you is ofcourse in your crafting ambition. Join any of the other 3 games now and you will be so far behind established player crafters it will be hard for you to develop your own customer base. Join VG at launch, and while the majority of players will be doing their utmost to get Adventuring levels under their belts, you and a few others can really corner the crafting market. And crafting in VG will extend beyond aventuring items to building boats and houses; should be real interesting.
As far as I know, VG will also have the largest landmass of any MMORPG to date covering 3 seperate continents as well as archipelego's; all this in a seamless/non-instanced world - should pretty much satisfy any Explorer type player, myself included.
Having played none of the games in question, except for the EQ2 trial, I intend to purchase VG when it launches. Not a fangurl as such, just looking for something mature, semi-challenging and roleplay friendly. Of all the upcoming games Ive researched, VG seems to fit that bill the best.
If youre still not sure, I hear great things about EQ2 now. Seems the devs have turned that game around and the crafting in that game is a lot of fun - at least at trial level.
EDIT: I cant believe it. I did try the WoW trial but it really wasnt my cup of tea; didnt try the crafting though.
Thaniks for the input!
I actually have played all of the games mentioned except for Vanguard, so I know what to expect overall. Just curious as to what people feel currently- especially about Vanguard since I hear such wildly opposite views on it and haven't experienced it myself. I guess one thing of concern for me is expansions- EQ2 has many, and I cannot afford to grab them all, so at best I'd only have one expansion if any. WoW, I can afford to grab the new expansion, so at least I'd have everything available to me. I don't have max level chars in any of the games, but that's nothing new for me.
Definitely interested in learning more about Vanguard though, I'll read up more on it over the next few weeks. Is it still set for a late January release? Or is that not likely?
Thanks again.
_______________________________
MMORPG is an inaccurate term...
I use a new and improved term: MMGS = Massively Multiplayer Gaming Service.
There's no official launch date yet, but the game is in beta 4, and there will be a beta 5, then release. So there are a lot of guesses out there, but nothing solid.
Since you've played all the games you mentioned, then how come you are asking people which one you should renew? You know about them, you've played them, so you should know which one you would like. Now obviously you've quit those games before, so there must be one reason or another why you quit them. Are you asking the question here because you are interested in Vanguard? It'd be an easier question to ask imo
I think if you are looking for something new, something else from the ones you've played before, then wait for Vanguard. But expect the wait to be for 1-3 more months. Sorry I don't have much more suggestions, I don't know how to comment on games you've played before. But if you are wondering about soloability in Vanguard, it's been said you will be able to solo. The part nobody knows for sure is how much solo content there is once you get up there towards the level cap. But from level 1 - mid levels I know for sure there are plenty of solo content.
EQ1-AC1-DAOC-FFXI-L2-EQ2-WoW-DDO-GW-LoTR-VG-WAR-GW2-ESO
EQ2 is a sure win right now if you're looking to solo. With the redo of most of the content to add soloability to it, it's been great fun so far. I fall directly within the same catagory of player as yourself, Druidblue. I am eventualy moving to Vanguard though. Don't listen to those that are saying that only 20% of the content is made for solo play. That's pure crap. The accurate statement is this: It will take 20% longuer to reach max level by soloing, than it will by grouping.
That said, there is no solo raid content in Vanguard. There is no way for you to take part in any heroic or epic adventures without a group and that is for a very simple reason. The challenge for heroic and epic adventures is much like those in EQ2, where you are going to deal with greater numbers of mobs in those types of conflicts, and if you are not grouped, there is no way for you to regen quickly enough mana or health; as well as be able to take advantage of stacking spells and skills without a group.
Vanguard is for those that wish to solo or group, but also the soloist needs to know when it is best to find other great solo players to conquer those heroic or epic adventures, toguether in a fine group. If you decide to join EQ2 or Vanguard, I can PM you my player name. It's the same for both games.
Thanks again to all of you for the input.
I did end up cancelling all of 'em, but only due to one reason- I lost my job and have been unemployed for what seems to be eons now (but is actually nearing half a decade). So, I've been flat broke.
That said, I'm sure to get some cash as I normally do for the holidays, and I am an MMGS player at heart, so I am having withdrawals. (I've been passing time in the LOTRO beta, thankfully.) Only reason I asked as I did is because I truly am torn between the games, though moreso EQ2, WoW or Vanguard- Vanguard being the mystery for me with my lack of experience in it.
I have no problems joining a group to get a task done, and even if it doesn't seem like it from my post I'm not only easy to get along with I tend to get along quite well with most people. I just am socially shy and I have personality quirks that make me get all worked up when I start dealing in guilds and such. Combined with my non-treadmilll style of play (anyone else ever just chase a duck around in circles for an hour yelling "Moo!" at it? I have!
) I sometimes am an annoyance to others pushing forward for that next XP chunk.
I do love starting tons of characters too- hopefully Vanguard allows for lots of characters for each player?
I am a fan of the original EQ, and I know this is by Brad, so that's encouraging to me. I'll continue to read up more about Vanguard- if it sounds like a good move for me, I'd feel good getting in from the starting point and not having to worry about the expansions I don't own for WoW and EQ2.
Regardless, I can't go wrong- I love all of the games I've mentioned (and I'm sure to love Vanguard too, I'm easy to please.)
Thanks again all!
_______________________________
MMORPG is an inaccurate term...
I use a new and improved term: MMGS = Massively Multiplayer Gaming Service.
Which Final Fantasy Character Are You?
Final Fantasy 7
I never cease to be amazed at the level of rudeness in posts like yours, terrified. The person you're personaly attacking is just that - a person.
Just because Druidblue gave us some insight into his life, doesn't give you the right to acuse him of having a low IQ or to insult him/her with anything else they offer up. But I guess you don't understand that, or at least have demonstrated that. Hey! I have an idea: why don't you just flame all of us while you're at it?
Well, as an award-winning software developer I can start by pointing out that MMGSs are not synonymous with "group" play from a design standpoint. A single player world does not provide the same entertainment and gameplay options as an MMGS. For instance, I can play Oblivion, and certainly enjoy my gameplay experience. However, I cannot progress forward as a crafter or explorer and develop a sound group of customers who rely on my experiences to provide them with further instances of equipment, or the best sales on newly designed equipment possible. The notion that because a product is online, you must group, is a flawed and fundementally narrow-minded assumption of which only subnormal ignoramuses could conceive.
The next point I would contend is that in examining the differences between my writing skills and your own, it is clear that one of us indeed has the lower IQ. However, I'll leave that to those members of society perusing in revealing the truth of such a puerile argument. I will point out that regardless of whatever IQ you feel you may possess, it is worthless without the use of wisdom, of which none is revealed in your aforementioned grammatically-incorrect statements. It would be rather contradictory, however, if I am bothered in grouping with those like yourself who are unable to employ the English language properly if I was indeed, of the same banal mindset as your seem to be yourself.
I'll just make a note, however, that in the four forums I posed this query, only in the Vanguard forum did I receive a response that was impertinent. Does this speak to the community of Vanguard as a whole? No, I wouldn't make such a presumption, after all, another member of the community immediately stepped forth to put you in your place. (For which I am thankful, Carrara.)
As before, I thank those who have provided insight in a courteous and helpful manner. Those who haven't, I am able to set aside as the inevitable concourse with halfwits one must put up with in such an environment.
(Looking at some online videos of Vanguard recently- I like what I see so far! Looking forward to learning more about it over the next week or two.)
_______________________________
MMORPG is an inaccurate term...
I use a new and improved term: MMGS = Massively Multiplayer Gaming Service.
EQ1, EQ2, SWG, SWTOR, GW, GW2 CoH, CoV, FFXI, WoW, CO, War,TSW and a slew of free trials and beta tests
You put us on a hard quest here Druidblue. From the information given to us I will, as others have done, point out World of Warcraft. It fullfills some of your demands, but unfortunately fails when it comes to the linguistic profiencies you'd like to see in your co players. WoW is infamous for it's leet talk and noob calling left and right..."u not has 8/8 epixx, u NoOb"...and the likes, but if you want a lot of soloable content it's WoW you should look at. You can have fun without maxing out your char. To avoid the worst of the WoW players I suggest you pick a pvp realm and choose horde. But, but, I think (emphasis on think) that the crafting system of Vanguard could appeal to you. As I can understand from the game description, you can actually level up without having to fight, just crafting and being diplomatic
That is mainly the reason, that I have already ordered the Guild Edition.
Also, don't be a stranger to Guild Wars.
Well, I'm sorry that I do not agree with WoW if you're into solo play. WoW is not a great game for that at all. Oh, you can do it, but it's no fun. And playing WoW for crafting is like playing pocket pool for money! It's simply not worth the effort. At least in EQ2 there are crafting quests, that allow you to make unbelievably rich and exotic items that requires you to interact with the crafting process, because things will and do go wrong if you do not counter the ills while crafting.
Like I said previously, with the changes they've made to EQ2 crafting and adventuring, EQ2 is becoming a very very very very interesting and strong game that will take its fair share of players away from WoW and Vanguard. EQ2 is borderline as much fun as anything I have played in the last 25 years.
WoW is great for guild raids and what not, but it gets old very fast. There is no buy in for me. I simply cannot buy into these empty and trivial systems that are forced on you for uber items. I don't agree with that at all. At least with EQ2 I can craft equivalent items that you can receive in epic/heroic encounters, if not better!
I love crafting in EQ2. It's not as complete as Horizons' crafting system, but it's still alot of fun, entertaining, and a worthwhile pursuit for true artisans.
Cheers for further proving yourself, terrified.
Which Final Fantasy Character Are You?
Final Fantasy 7
Or perhaps it is not a lack of reading skills on his part, but a total and utter lack of punctuation (or any sentence structure at all) in the posts he was intended to be reading. I find it odd that one poster posts coherently and politely and then gets flamed by somebody who calls him an immature moron, but can't string two thoughts together in writting. Here I thought my posts were hard to read...
Don't get me started on your total lack of respect for other people.
Wow... Terrified. Thank god we are on the Internet cause if you were talking like that in the street, everyone would jump on you to give you a nice and good well diserved slap in the face.
eqnext.wikia.com
thats why i carry a gun with me at all times lol.
Which Final Fantasy Character Are You?
Final Fantasy 7
thats why i carry a gun with me at all times lol.
See, he can't even defend himself.... He need that stupid gun.
eqnext.wikia.com
Terrified, just stop. I can't even start to say in how many ways your making yourself out to be a moron, nor would I wan't to waste anymore time on it.... Just go.
Druidblue, as far as suggesting which you should play, well that decision cannot be told to you. But I can point out some Pro's and Con's to each game based on your preferences. For Note I have also played the majority of MMO's on the market as well as each of these (minus Vanguard) at some point over the last 4-5 years. And in fact are still currently playing EVE Online, with the intent of at least giving Vanguard a shot when it is released.
World of Warcraft = I played WoW on 3 occations each lasting at least a month and each being at least 6 months apart since its release and I get the same vibes every time. It is a simple game with simple crafting and although decently soloable at lower levels the grouping required for anything in upper levels means if you did solo the lower levels u wont have a good clan or group of friends to accomplish anything later. I was not very fond of PVP in this game, PVP goes to the best clan/group who farmed the most "l33t" items. Except for a few minor border skirmishes PVP is not going to be successfully doable by anyone who does not join and heavily participate in clan instance raiding parties to prepare themselves. Also the immature community majority that exists makes me want to stab my eye balls out on a constant basis. That coupled with the feel I get that the game is holding my hand helping me along a seemingly expansive but truthfully fairly linear progression means I would rate this game 4th on your list.
Everquest 2 = I played this game 2 times for a few months Once at release and once within the last year.. The game is built fairly well, and the improvements since release have been massive. Options involving questing, crafting and exploration are all viable paths one can lead and get a feel of accomplishment. Soloing is an option but will likely be a difficult journey for most classes after you get past your mid 20's. As a whole the community is fairly mature, although there is still many bad apples. Nothing is overly easy, neither is anything excessively hard that I have experienced or heard about in this game. I was unable to try PVP on this game due to me not being on a proper server so I am unsure how that is. A point that I dislike is that the game is run by SOE, potentially the most greedy company operating any MMO's, so you can expect to get charged for every little thing you can think of. Up to and not limited to every little expansion and even mediocre patches. And in return you get one of the worst customer service teams responding when you do have problems (if they respond at all). I would rate this game 3rd on your list.
Vanguard = One big and major point about this game being included in this discussion is that it has not been released yet so neither I or anyone else can really give a fair and sound judgement on it yet (even if you have played beta doesn't matter), One cannot fairly judge a game until at least several months after its initial release. But we can go over some of the hearsy and see if that suits you. Crafting in this game would appear to be very in depth, as well as an acceptable path for any player who wishes to spend most of his time crafting. Exploration seems very expansive and the leveling system seems at least on par if not better then majority of the other games on the market. As far as PVP, I have no idea how this will pan out. This game looks promising, but I wouldn't throw all my eggs in 1 basket until you can really confirm any of the above. Lets not forget history and how many games have been promissing and hopefull (and over hyped) just to fall short on every point. This is not to say this game won't be great, and I myself will give it a chance as well. But without further detail or experience there is not much else I can say about it. I would rate this game 2nd on your list.
EVE Online = This ones a tricky one. As a whole EVE is pretty much absolutly nothing like the above 3 mentioned games. Comparing a dark Sci Fi, non avatar, space ship politing and "political business" game to 3 colorfull avatar hack n slash fantasy themed boob n braun, sword and sorcery games may not necessarily be a fair comparison, but since they do share the massive player online community style they also do have many similarities. First and foremost EVE does not have any experience levels, crafting levels, or limitations on what a character can do or learn as they advance (they are not locked down in any sort of class as other fantasy games are). Advancement in EVE is done by uploading skills to train and is based on time (similier to the Matrix). This is also another point that further seperates this game with the other 3 as they all have clear levels and experience, while in EVE you advance while even offline (very friendly to the casual gamers). Crafting is EVE is by far the most advanced and realistic system I have encountered in any MMO. Considering the whole game is based around Corporations and business transactions as its foundation this comes as very little surprise. A player can and many do devote all of their gaming time towards crafting, processing, mining, research & development and production of goods and services. While at the same time spending little to no time in combat and battle (if you need protection hire a corporation to guard you). While at the same time many other players are completely opposite and never touch crafting and only do combat. As well as all points in between. There is very expansive PVP systems for group or solo play, as well as agent missions suited to both. A player can spend 100% of their time grouping or soloing and still get the things accomplished they choose. As well as this game having probably the largest area to explore over any other MMO (over 5,000 solar systems) it also only has 1 gaming server (player max capacity of 50,000 simutaneously), whic is nice for explorers and gamers who may have other friends that play. The player community is much more mature then the majority of other MMO's, altho this comes at a price as the game is fairly complicated to learn initially and altho it definately pays off in the end as the system is very intuitive, I beleive this heavy learning curve is what scares off most of the immature players and kids from the start, between that and not being able to "power level" and be "sUpAr l33t" within a month there isn't much appeal to the immature gaming crowd. That on top of the new player "coma" of being intruduced to a world that doesn't hold your hand can be overwhelming at first as new players are often lost and unsure of where to go. But once one gets started they realize their path lies wherever they chose and must be initiated by themselves. Even though this is the most difficult game to initiate out of the 4 I have found it the most rewarding as well and will continue to play for some time. Being as casual friendly as it is I will also continue to play (and have) as I spend my time checking out other future mmo's such as Vanguard, where in the past I would have likely ended whatever game I was playing to try another. I would rate this game 1st on your list, but also note again that this game doesn't appeal to everyone simply because it IS so different then the traditional MMO's.
Good luck on your choice.
PS, this new site layout hates FireFox..
hey matraque you'd never see terrified in the street cos we all know his parents keep him chained up in a crawl space...
anyway, to the point in hand. almost everything i can think of has been mentioned already, but there are two things you could try
1. final fanasy xi online is a MOJORLY group orientated game, however, there is one job in it that is unique and that's the beastmaster, it is the only job that has been designed for solo play, so not only can you solo tougher mobs but you'd be in an environment where most of the other players can't solo them, it's kind of a personality statement within the game that you like to solo, hence picking to be a beastmaster.
2. Age of Conan is going to be released soon and the first 20 levels have been designed to be played solo... that's another option
sorry, i realise you had 4 games to choose from and the above statements cover none of them, hope i haven't made things worse but those are my thought
once again, good job burning terrified