The best MMORPG, split up in categories

Morpgeus · August 2007

Hi all,

this is a reaction to/follow-up on the post by Mcwallen at http://www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/thread/143362

Thank you, Mcwallen .

I think the question you asked is good but perhaps, and many replies give this indication, it should be a bit more specific? I think it is safe to state not one house has *all* the advantages, not one computer system has *all* the advantages, and not one MMORPG has *all* the advantages. So let us do what many indicate they feel is the way to go...

How about we split it up? Let me see what categories I can think of, and maybe others can add what they think is missing? Note please that I can only give my personal impression. Tastes differ. Some categories (price) are factual (but can still change over time), others (community) are personal.

I have decided against saying what I think are the lowest-ranking games in these categories since it might quickly develop into pointless argumentation.

CATEGORIES in no particular order (I am lazy).

1) Community

The best I have seen is Ryzom. Never a bad word, even in 150+ PvP battles for Outposts.

NOTE: on *average*, the more expensive a game, the better the community, but this is by no means a golden rule. The type of gameplay (hack & slash and PvP make for more...argumentative environments, often 8-) ) also is important. I think Seed would have had a wonderful community.

2) Price

Of all the free games that I know - but I have played mostly Prime Rate games - Anarchy Online stands out at this moment.

I think Guild Wars is a pay-for-box set of games without monthly sub rates. 9 Dragons is free but like Dungeon Runners I think, with in-game commercials?

3) Graphics

For sheer quality: EQ2, with EVE as runner-up.

For atmosphere: CoX, EQ2, DDO, EVE, LotRO, Ryzom, many others.

NOTE: Age of Conan and others may unthrone these two. Time renders everything 'old' obscure and previous-generation.

4) Physics engine

City of Heroes/Villains. In some games you cannot jump over a 2-foot bench. In CoX you can fly, jump from building to building, teleport, swim, and take over cars while sprinting down a street. I like the EVE engine a lot too. Even Auto Assault was not *too* bad but it needed tweaking I think. Come to think of it, I want Descent-Online. And Tomb Raider Onine. And and and....:p.

5) Content

Everquest, EQ2, AC1, AO, WoW, UO, DAoC, CoX - all these games have so much content it will make your head spin.

6) Added content/Updates

NOTE: I would watch out for games that give good (preferably free; your fee is high enough for these prime games) expansions.

I think AC and CoX are best in this respect. EQ2 not bad either, but some you must pay for.

7) Story, Background, Lore.

Many MMORPG have good stories, my favorite (and I have *no* great affinity for Superheroes) is City of Heroes *and* CoVillains. They outdo themselves in Story Arcs and the best part is that you do not have to spend an afternoon every month reading up on the web - you get all the info you need during your Story Arcs.

As for background, Asheron's Call had wonderful stories and the world of Dereth surely has many a legendary spot. So has the original Everquest.

Ultima Online is, of course, extremely rich in Lore with what is it, 10+ 'Ultima' prequels? I expect Marvel Universe to excel here.

8) Enemy diversity and behavior

Many games, like World of Warcraft, have oodles of baddies. For me, the behavior is even more important than the diversity (both matter a lot to me).

For behavior, you can add up all MMORPG and then find out that all put together, you still fall short of CoX, which has the *weirdest* things happening. Mentioning just a few: damaged Malta LT robots re-forming into one Boss ; Tsoo Sorcerers TP'ing, healing, holding, debuffng; Carnival of Shadows using Decoys. I better not go into all the snipers, invisible operatives, Rikti Portal-summoning Communication Officers or the buggers that throw Caltrops, set down Auto-Turrets or conjure protective-bubble-casting Shield Generators.

NOTE: I seriously hope future games expand on this, and in a serious way. Many say they have 'better AI than ever' and I find a spider cannot even run up a set of broad steps (pathing is the *start*, I respectfully suggest).

9) Character Creation, Customization and Development

Creation: DDO, it has the (A)D&D system. Nothing gets close, I think? Development also far from bad.

Customization: I mean mostly graphics here. EVE has cute ways to morph your face. Vanguard and others allow plenty graphics choices. But if you want your very own style, nothing beats the CoX system. You can make anyting from a humanoid insect to a robot to a winged zombie.

Development:

NOTE: added this with an EDIT (usually do not do that but completely forgot to fill in something ).

I think in general games that give 'Fireball number 18' when you level-up are merely fluffing. I like CoX, indeed, where you always get *new* powers and where you can tweak them A LOT (and since the Invention system is now in, the sky is the limit). DDO also good in this respect. I will mention Anarchy Online in a place of honor because of the intricate Implants system.

10) Player load (subscriptions)

World of Warcraft beats everything in sheer popularity. Do not worry about empty servers here.

11) Role-Playing

Most games that have specific RP servers will give you a good experience. In WoW, this is not necessarily true (very little RP on the server I joined, alas). In some games, there is no 'official RP server' but there are unofficial ones (like Virtue in CoX). In EQ2, Antonia Bayle is generally considered a very good RP server.

NOTE Unfortunately, too many peeps who have been in a single game 3 years think they have the law on RP. Ignore, say I: play what *you* think is right. What did Heinlein write? 'Freedom begins when you tell Mrs. Grundy to go fly a kite'.

Or as they sing in Dark Age of Camelot, 'Who sezz a Troll can't lub?'

Dem Hibbies!

12) Sound

I think a game is good if it allows you to turn things off/on depending on your preference. If I cannot turn off 'ambient' sound I will be very bothered by the same ditty over and over again - even if the one who made it is really proud. I cannot say I know any game that is 'best in sound' I would mention EverQuest 2 because it has much spoken dialogue, which enhances your RP experience.

13) Interface, Options

The best interfaces I have seen were Anarchy Online, EverQuest 2, City of Heroes and hmm, maybe World of Warcraft. There are other good ones. But 9 Dragons for instance will not even let me set my own keys - this cripples a game for me (mind you, it is still in beta...).

NOTE EQ2 and WoW and AC1 have some *extremely* useful fan-made customized mutilities. The EQ2 map utility (forget the name way too lazy to search for now ) was excellent, to say the least.

14) Support

SOE has a bad name, but I have had excellent help from them (and once, no help whatsoever). You can make many distinctions: the 'external' teams (who try to sell you things, and respond with quoted standard-replies only, merely showing you they are not even reading what you comment) and the 'in-game' support, which relates to problems while playing. The best support I have had was in CoX, which is quick, and offers you good follow-up options. I think the general tendency is that finally, most major market players realize how important an issue this is to the MMORPG player base. Things are looking up .

NOTE: for me, dealing quickly with gold-spammers, bots and griefers is of the essence. If they take over, I leave (most of my friend do the same, I noticed).

15) Game Resources

SOE have some really nice features for Guilds and Players. A very generous free basic standard (web-space for guild info and such) and then added stuff you can buy at a price. A big game like WoW has, literally, hundreds of thousands of fansites.

And then of course there is....MMORPG.COM 8-).

That's it, this thing is getting way too long. Hope you can add whatever I forgot.

Lucas

PS Edits by me never on content, only typo's/style etc.

xgh0s7 · August 2007

All games are the best in every category1!!

[Deleted User] · August 2007

The user and all related content has been deleted.

hercules · August 2007

1) Community

AC2 now dead.Of the living mmorpg i go with EQ2

2) Price

since it has no fee and offers good quality i say outright guild wars

3) Graphics

EQ2

For atmosphere: CoH

4) Physics engine

CoH

5) Content

EQ1,EQ2

6) Added content/Updates

EQ2 and at current rate LORTO worth a mention

7) Story, Background, Lore.

WoW,close second EQ1

8) Enemy diversity and behavior

WoW

9) Character Creation, Customization and Development

CoH,EvE

10) Player load (subscriptions)

World of Warcraft why even ask.However if we are talking per server load(which is the actual numbers u ever meet.not the 9 or 10 m) then EvE seems to have the most load per server with a mention on LORTO and EQ2

11) Role-Playing

Hmm old SWG had the ideal setting for RP and the stuff to match.

12) Sound

Well while EQ2 indeed has loads of dialogue i always enjoyed SWG music(heck they had the film music to choose from),WoW and horizons.

13) Interface, Options

WoW.

14) Support

turbine

Zarraa · August 2007

Hmm ok I'll dance...

1) Community: EQI /CoX/ Ryzom

2) Price: Guild Wars/ SOE Station pass/ CoX

3) Graphics: Granado Espada/ Lineage II/ EQII (For atmosphere: Vanguard)

4) Physics engine: CoX....No contest

5) Content : EQ1/ AC / DAOC

6) Added content/Updates: WOW / EQII

7) Story, Background, Lore: EQI / GuildWars

8) Enemy diversity and behavior (AI): Ryzom /CoX/ GuildWars....No contest.

9) Character Creation, Customization and Development: CoX / SWG/ MxO

10) Player load (subscriptions): WoW/ LORTO/ Lineage II

11) Role-Playing: LOTRO/SWG/CoX

12) Sound: Guild Wars/ EQ2 /Granado Espada... Again No contest

13) Interface, Options: CoX/ WoW/ MxO

14) Support: NC Soft, Turbine

Morpgeus · August 2007

Hi all,

short addition: Fion you were right, I completely forgot to fill in something at the 'Development' mark. Fixed - thanks!

Lucas

PS Fion...I think I knew a Fionn in Lucan dLere, EQ2? Was that you? Kashta here...

PPS Oh yes, with Resources (number 15) I *do* mean external: websites, fan made UI's, maps; anything & everything .

Ardathil · August 2007

I have played the following games. EQ1, EQ2, EQOA, WoW, DAoC, Horizons, MoM, and FFXI. Here are my votes for the catagories listed above.

1-Community

EQ1. The game has been around for awhile now and the people that still play it back the game up. Also the forums and other sites such as allakhazam are still involved with the game day to day.

2-Price

Station Pass for all the games you get for it. So many games for 30. If you play 2 or more its a great deal.

3-Graphics

EQ2. The world looks amazing and the the character models look better then any other game imo.

4-Physics Engine

WoW. Click and point, moving around and other things like this are smooth and easy to do. Quite the opposite of a game such as DAoC or MoM.

5-Content

EQ2. So much to explore and see. Freeport and Qeynos need I say more?

6-Added Content

EQ2. Updating all the time and adding new expansions, adventure packs every 6months(or so).

7-Story

WoW. The lore behind WoW is best because of all the previous Warcraft games. It's unfair to EQ but imo makes the lore better knowing the storyline from multiple games.

8-Enemy

EQ2. How they move, act, fight, group mobs, etc.

9-Character Creation

EQ2. Most detailed and customizable of all the games I have played. Also two different types for each model. Plus they look the best imo.

10-Player Load

WoW. I personally like running into people, lots of servers to choose from, etc.

11-Role Playing

DAoC. The idea of three realms and the separation among them makes the role playing aspects best imo.

12-Sound

EQ1. Old school midi hehe. The music in PoP zones is great (such as nightmare).

13-Interface Options

EQ2. Graphic options, UI options, sound options, etc. Detailed and very customizable.

14-Support

EQ2. The in game help and customer service help tickets.

15-Game Resources

MoM. I say this in a different way then the author may have intended. The idea that you have a in game encyclopedia that tells you pretty much anything you may need to know is pretty cool imo.

That's it. Rememeber everything is imo so take it as you will.

Shorun · August 2007

1) Community

DAoC has the best Community I think. Nearly everyone is nice and helps you. Also a very good Community has got EQ2, I think.

2) Price

The best free MMORPG imho is Ghost Online. It's similiar to Maple Story, but the Community and the monster design is better I think. Guild Wars is one time buy, but it's great.....and without fee.

3) Graphics

LOTRO. Best graphics, best atmosphere. Second place goes to Everquest 2, third is Guild Wars: Nightfall.

4) Physics

CoX. It uses the PhysX-Engine by Aegia, which is great. 2Moons is also good I think.....but I don't know much about Physics

5) Content

Vanguard has the most content. Not only fighting, also a great crafting system and diplomacy. The World is giant and there are many, many quests. Everquest 2 is also good, because all of it's addons. Lotro is small, actually, but if they do all they promised, we have got one of the biggest games in 2009 or 2010 with lotro.

6) Added Content

Lotro. Many things will be added, 3 more giant areas, more levels, monsters and so on -- and for free! Everquest is also good, but you have to pay for expansions.

7) Story, Background, Lore

LOTRO, DAOC and Guild Wars. LOTRO is just lotr, DAoC is set in the old Camelot after Arthur's death. Guild Wars offers playable Storylines.

8) Enemy diversity and behavior

I would also say CoX. I haven't played it, but from what I've seen it's pretty good.

9) Character Creation, Customization and Development

Everquest 2 and Vanguard. Haven't played DDO.

10) Player load (subscriptions)

World of Warcraft and no other one. In every zone are enough people to play with, but not too much for solo leveling. over 8 Million Subscriptions.

11) Role-Playing

Actually no MMORPG has good RP I have to say. It's not possible, because 40% of all players on such a server didn't know it when they started playing.(In the case of WoW about 95%)

12) Sound

Every Pay-to-Play MMORPG has about the same sound quality. Waitin for a Speedmetal-Extreme Action-MMORPG!

13) Interface, Options

Guild Wars and EQ2. You can set everything, everywere in these games. Everything is customizeable. WoW in my opinion has the worst Interface I've ever seen.(except with mods, but we talk about the natural interface)

14) Support

Ragnarok Online. You can chat with the GMs in the game or ask online. The best Support I've ever seen.

15) Game Resources

WoW. I don't want to write more..

So this is my opinion. I have to say, I have only played about 40 MMORPGs.....

Anofalye · August 2007

You can't see the mountain, thereby you try to access all pebbles, 1 by 1, forgetting the whole.

Gameplay, FUN, logical evolution of you character, these are all concepts a game such as CoH and CoV understand, and that most MMOs have no idea whatsoever what these concepts means.

Howdy, Stranger!

The best MMORPG, split up in categories

Comments

Howdy, Stranger!

Quick Links

The best MMORPG, split up in categories

Comments