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LFG: A PvE Sandbox With Excitement... Does one Exist?
PhelimReagh
Member UncommonPosts: 682
Hi there, folks. I'm looking to find an MMORPG that is:
- Sandox (a la Wurm Online)
- Relaxed, casual, mature community
- PvE (or at least able to opt out of PvP, but would prefer avoiding PvPers altogether)
- Grinding is not the focus
I've really only played two MMOs in my day: Runescape and WoW.
What I've learned is:
(1) I like skill/crafting-focused games, but I loathe grinding or generally wasting my time.
(2) I don't just want to skill and build simply to skill and build. I like there being a purpose.
(3) PvPers/"griefers" are not my type of people.
(4) Awesome graphics mean nothing to me.
In my color-blind mind's eye, I would love to play a game where it's like Wurm online, terraforming, building a world and community where folks are dependent upon each other.
But I'd like there to be PvE elements that the communities could build toward overcoming together. I envision building a town with like-minded folks, who work to develop their community so that they can take on some challenge that will enable them to get to some new level of the game. Almost like raiding, but not quite.
Like you build your town, but there are periodic raids from a PvE bands of NPCs inhabiting a village that has access to great quantities of resources. Your goal would be to minimize the damage from raids, and eventually wipe those evil NPCs from the map, gaining access to all these great resources.
Then as you settle in, a new challenge presents itself. Repeat.
Does something like this exist? I seriously could play something like this for eternity, but I don't know of any such thing, and searches have proven fruitless.
EDIT: I'd like to add that I have a prejudice against Microtransaction models to a certain extent. I don't want a game where real-world money trumps in-game efforts. I'd prefer a subscription model, but would consider microtransactions if it doesn't cause too much imbalance.
Comments
I didn't know PvE only games could even be considered sandbox. Since part of being in a sandbox includes doing what you want, that might be going over to the sandcastle your neighbor built and knocking it down
To be honest, there are not many sandbox MMOs out there that are pve, at the moment
. But if you are a casual player and are looking for a non-grinding game, I would suggest either Champions online (played it, quite fun) or Chronicles of Spell born. Both are great at not being a grind, and are not so much based on gear but more on skill and user creativity (spellborn a little less)
As a note, "Sandbox" generally refers to games with non-linear and/or open-ended gameplay, that offer players the ability to alter the environment in which they play. The definition actually has nothing necessarily to do with PvP or PvE.
It is unfortunate, though, that most Sandbox games to date have been PvP-driven, just as most MMOs are. It's a self-defeating concept, PvP Sandbox games. You spend countless hours building something so the equivalent of a sociopathic kid with a book of matches (the product of the equivalent hours spent developing destructive skills) comes along and destroys it.
I want a game without those socially maladjusted folks.
I like wurm as well, the only thing id like to see different in wurm, which will never change is collision based combat. currently wurm is nothing more then time spent reducing negative effects and stock piling resources...
So if anyone know of a game like wurm but with a bit more pve, id love to check it out too...
Some suggestions ive been looking into are,
Mortal online, while its a mature rated game, im concerned that the crafting is less that desirable but i havent played it yet.
UO, yeah i went there, this game has great charactert development, i love geing a mage, and that the game has books you can just type into.
Saga, is a RTS with tons of pve, but without buying better cards you can only go so far...
Ryzom, has a super crafting system but zero environment control...
anywho thos are the game si play to get my fixes in varying areas itd be nice to see a combination of them all in one game but this likly will never happen... untill i make it...
"If they had played the game, theyd probably be far more upset. Dragon Age also features digital prostitutes, lesbians, rather clean three way sex, inter-species erotica, war, decapitation, thinly veiled social commentary, alcohol, drug addiction, slavery, racism, sexism, sexual harassment, genocide, the death of children, demons, and more blood than a vampire drinking game." -Dana Massey
Thanks for the suggestions.
Regarding Champions Online, I don't really like comic books/super-heroes and the game appears to be too new to be able to judge whether it would be worth any time investment.
TCoS seems too PvP-focused: even the PvE servers eventually are PvP from what I read. I don't care for games that cater to PvPers. Again, sadly, that is most of the MMORPGs out there.
I hope to God that WoW isn't my only option for gaming. If it is I guess I'm just giving up on MMORPGs.
Personally i think most games lean towards pve
, sure they come out at first as pvp games but then make decisions and goes towards pve. Atleast i havent found any decent pvp game besides eve (hope aion will be added tho) and perhaps daoc but it feels very outdated.
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll look into them, although I hear that Mortal Online is supposed to be all PvP. Maybe I heard wrong.
UO, from what I read on these boards, is pretty dead and just too old for a new player to get any enjoyment from. I also read that it too is PvP.
I don't know about Saga, as I'm not investing any more money in computing power. I play on a laptop, so I probably won't have what it takes.
My suggestion would be Fallen Earth, it's new though so expect a certain degree of beveled edging and I guess a lack of content at the top for a few months, maybe give it a while before trying. It's 1 server for all and there is PvP but it's currently in specific zones and as far as I can see it's unforced.
Spellbourne last I played was closing down, not sure if this has changed.
However as someone else said Ryzome sounds perfect. You have a greater impact on environment in this game than most others.
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The person who is certain, and who claims divine warrant for his certainty, belongs now to the infancy of our species.
From your 4 bullet points I would also suggest FE. It fits them all except the grinding part. Not quite sure what you mean by grinding since all mmo's have some form of it. Since it is a craft driven game to some extent, you will be forced to grind for resources, however, you will definitely reap the benefits of your labors with this one.
Most games I look into all have some sort of PvP aspect. The question is "how much" PvP, not "is there or isn't there".
I don't want any.
If you look at the games list ehre at MMORPG.com, 95% of the games have that "PvP" symbol. I'd say the focus is PvP.
I'll bet your heated water bladder you are a picky eater too. What you need to realize is even if 95% of mmo's have pvp as you state, realize, a huge % of that number leave it as an option and not a necessity to enjoy the game.
Fallen Earth
i would recommend Ryzom.
if you dont care about graphics, Ultima Online is also a very great sandbox.
First to answer your question:
Sorry but I don't know a game that would suit youe and meet your requirements
Maybe some browser game...
It brings interesting new and refreshing insight into lately very popular sandbox discussion.
Would PVE game as you seek be still a sandbox or open end game like SimCity or 'Facebook social network extension' like Second Life?
From what I'm reading, this "Ryzom" game seems to come fairly close to what I'm looking for. Community seems fairly small, though. I'll do some more research and see I'll download it.
And the "grinding" I was referring to was more akin to the Runescape grind: 24 different skills, each requiring anywhere from hundreds to thousands of hours of mindless, repetitive, unrewarding playtime to "master". Time killing repetition to no end other than a silly cape.
I've also started downloading a free trial for "Istaria", after reading up on it a bit. The obsession with being able to play a dragon in that game is a bit off-putting to me, but the forums seem very friendly and relaxed. Usually official forums are where the worst of the worst go to vent, so a postive official forum is a good indicator to me.
Thanks to everyone for their feedback. I'm excited to give some of these worlds a try.
Maybe the technology isn't quite there yet for exactly what I'm looking for, but I'm willing to try out a few other games till it gets there.
Thanks again, folks, and happy gaming.
PS - The bit about the picky eater part is funny. I love all sorts of food, but I'm cursed with all sorts of food intolerances that make this gourmand's life a living hell.
you could try ryzom, I think it meets all your requests
or there is a tale in the desert which i've read has no combat at all
What about CitiesXL?
It is a bit of blind shot since I don't know much about the game, I think it i still in beta or so.
Hmm, Istaria perhaps? it offers the player a plot of land inwhich they may build their home as they see fit with a few fair options on what they can build within their plot.
Hand over 100 million dollars and I'll run awa... I mean make one for you.
you should definitely check out Star Wars Galaxies. even if star wars name turns you off a little, it's really great given what you're looking for.
anarchy online is not overly sandbox, but quite involving and interesting - it has a bit of grind at later levels, but this is offset as it has 220 levels and really, there are people doing stuff at every level, so you're not forced to get to 200 just to have fun. There is some (optional) pvp, but it's not retarted "let's kill random people on sight" pvp. The basic game (without expansions) is free to play, so check it out (dated graphics obviously). amazing community.
EVE online is the most successfull sandbox game in the world,also the most sandboxy, but is very pvp oriented.
Fallen Earth is going to be almost totally PvP btw. I tried it and while it is indeed very sandbox, i'd recommend SWG if you want the same kind of vibe only with PVE.
I've played istaria back when it came out, remember it being quite grindy and boring, but good community. was ages ago.
"Id rather work on something with great potential than on fulfilling a promise of mediocrity."
- Raph Koster
Tried: AO,EQ,EQ2,DAoC,SWG,AA,SB,HZ,CoX,PS,GA,TR,IV,GnH,EVE, PP,DnL,WAR,MxO,SWG,FE,VG,AoC,DDO,LoTRO,Rift,TOR,Aion,Tera,TSW,GW2,DCUO,CO,STO
Favourites: AO,SWG,EVE,TR,LoTRO,TSW,EQ2, Firefall
Currently Playing: ESO
Thanks for all the advice.
I don't care for Sci-Fi too much, Star Wars in particular, and I've read too much negative stuff about SWG already long ago having seen it's peak. So those factors are enough to keep me away.
Istaria is proving to be quite frustrating, as I seem to have bugged out the quest system on my first day. As such, I'm stuck on the tutorial island for several days now. So that probably won't go anywhere, which is sad, because the community seems pretty great.
Ryzom is interesting, but it's slow going as the learning curve there is very steep. I doubt I'm going to get a chance to see enough of the content that I was excited to see before the trial is up.
It's really starting to seem like I need to take a break from MMORPGs for a few years if I don't want to keep playing WoW.
Thanks again to everyone for their input. It's really helped me get to see the games I think would be the best fit for me.
oh man, you are too much like me, your thread is what exactly what im asking around these past few months after quitting WoW
if you could wait, there is Star Strek Online coming soon, offers a massive exploration content, and based from what i read in their official forums, you might opt to or not to PvP
the main system of it is exploration and diplomacy kind of thing, so yeah, might be the best game for you
will be out early 2010, so might take a break now and give STO a try once its out
least, that is what im gonna try
So What Now?
So pay for a month or two of Ryzom. It really is the only PVE sandbox out there that isn't space related however it does have a steep learning curve, which is the trademark of a sandbox game.
You are willing to go back to WOW, which is the antithesis of sandbox play so I'm not sure you really are prepared for a sandbox
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Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
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"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
As a note, "Sandbox" generally refers to games with non-linear and/or open-ended gameplay, that offer players the ability to alter the environment in which they play. The definition actually has nothing necessarily to do with PvP or PvE.
It is unfortunate, though, that most Sandbox games to date have been PvP-driven, just as most MMOs are. It's a self-defeating concept, PvP Sandbox games. You spend countless hours building something so the equivalent of a sociopathic kid with a book of matches (the product of the equivalent hours spent developing destructive skills) comes along and destroys it.
I want a game without those socially maladjusted folks.
Complete BS. A sandbox game has no (or has as little as possible) artificial barriers that would stop you from playing the game the way you like it. It's the players/community that make the rules in a sandbox game. Not being able to kill other players is generally considered to be a rather large artificial barrier, wouldn't you say?
I have bumped into this game today: Gatheryn.
It seems like it might fit you well.
You can check it out here http://www.mindfusegames.com/