Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

Returning to MMORPG's but not sure which game to choose, pls Help.

pk_maybepk_maybe Member Posts: 3

Hi there,

 

First of all thanks for taking the time to read this post.  I have been looking over this site for the last week in the hope of finding a MMORPG that will tick as many boxes for me as possible.  Unfortunately I have been away from gaming for a while and have no idea as to what is new and what is not.

The wife and I are both looking for a MMORPG that we can play.

A little bit of background - we started off with Asherons Call.  We loved that game because of the ability to craft items that you could actually use or sell.   We then moved on to Guild Wars but found that the game lacked the character customisation and emprovements that we wanted, plus the crafting side of things was non existant.  Our next foray into MMORPG's was with Everquest 2 which we really enjoyed.  We found that the graphics were not too cartoony and that the crafting options could keep us occupied in addition to be able to team up as a team of 2 for some adventures.   With a decent level cap and plenty of room to personalise your character.  I have also played City of Heroes but found the game play rather competative.

Due to other commitments we had to hang up our EQ2 shoes.

Now however we are in a position to get back into something.

 

So what are we after?

Really we want something that is not too old because we have both tried to get back into 'older' games to find that we spend most of our time running around without seeing anyone else.  Its hard to group quest when you are so far behind and the amount of 'new' players is at a minimal.

Crafting ideally to play a sensible part in the game.  Crafting does not need to be the only option but crafting items to be a useful and constructive part.  The option to set up shop or trade items would also be a real bonus.

Non Cartoony Graffics, although not essential we both prefer the feel and atmosphere of Graphics in the style of EQ2 over those shown in WoW for example.  However we understand that compromises must be made.

Character customisation and advancement.  We really like the idea of being able to mould or toons into individuals, With plenty of options for clothing, armour etc.   Also the ability to steer your toon along advances without being tied to strict class types.  We both liked the way that in EQ2 you could take different routes on your career path when reaching certain levels.

Something that has characters that can walk around rather then starships.  We would prefer either Fantasy based or something along the lines of Anachy. 

 

I think that about sums up what we are looking for, we both know that compromises need to be made etc but hopefully we can be directed by your superior knowledge in these areas.

 

Kindest regards

You dont need eyes to see, you just need vision.

Comments

  • HyanmenHyanmen Member UncommonPosts: 5,357

    Yeah, I think you definitely should check out FFXIV. It lacks in PvP, but has everything you're looking for. finalfantasyxiv.com

    Crafting is an important part of the gameplay, moreso than in any other newer MMO out there. You can finish the game by just crafting or gathering resources if you want to. 

    You can switch between classes simply and easily; just switch the weapon you're currently using and your class changes. There are few limitations to this so you can be anything and everything you want on the same character.

    The graphics are realistic (see the site) and there is a decent amount of character customization. It doesn't come close to customization of some games like Aion, but I'm sure you'll both be able to create a character for your liking.

    The game is based on fantasy but there are some mild scifi elements to spice things up. 

    The game should be out in 9 months or so, not too long to go!

    Using LOL is like saying "my argument sucks but I still want to disagree".
  • AbalisAbalis Member Posts: 48
    Originally posted by pk_maybe


    Hi there,
     
    First of all thanks for taking the time to read this post.  I have been looking over this site for the last week in the hope of finding a MMORPG that will tick as many boxes for me as possible.  Unfortunately I have been away from gaming for a while and have no idea as to what is new and what is not.
    The wife and I are both looking for a MMORPG that we can play.
    A little bit of background - we started off with Asherons Call.  We loved that game because of the ability to craft items that you could actually use or sell.   We then moved on to Guild Wars but found that the game lacked the character customisation and emprovements that we wanted, plus the crafting side of things was non existant.  Our next foray into MMORPG's was with Everquest 2 which we really enjoyed.  We found that the graphics were not too cartoony and that the crafting options could keep us occupied in addition to be able to team up as a team of 2 for some adventures.   With a decent level cap and plenty of room to personalise your character.  I have also played City of Heroes but found the game play rather competative.
    Due to other commitments we had to hang up our EQ2 shoes.
    Now however we are in a position to get back into something.
     
    So what are we after?
    Really we want something that is not too old because we have both tried to get back into 'older' games to find that we spend most of our time running around without seeing anyone else.  Its hard to group quest when you are so far behind and the amount of 'new' players is at a minimal.
    I'm going to recommend Vanguard to you, since I love the game and find it unique amongst PvE games, and I think you might like it as well.  It's free to try the 2-week trial and if you like it you only pay the subscription fee ($15) for the full game.  Vanguard was released in 2007 to a very rocky launch, but it's vastly improved.  There is an active community, albeit still on the small side.  That said, I always find players of varying levels at different areas of the game.  (And the population won't improve if people don't play it.) Go to a popular "hub" destination and you'll find more players grouped together.  Many are higher in level, but mentoring has been added into the game so even higher levels can group with you.
    I'll be honest; if you're looking for hordes of people filling every nook and cranny of the world and springing from the seams, VG won't be what you're looking for.  The world is, in all seriousness, massive.  It is seamless.  People can and do get lost in the wilderness and skies (since there are fully player-controlled flying mounts.  Even the oceans, since there are player-owned and controlled ships.  There could be 20, 30, 40, 50 people in the same chunk you're in, and you could never see them.  In hubs and major gathering points, more will be gathered closer together.  This is a game where the world really does feel more like a world than a game.  Cities and towns are more realistically spread out, and so too are the players. 
    There are a lot of things to do, be it solo, small group, full(er) group, or raid.  Quests are generally marked if they are more appropriate for small groups or large groups, and raids.  I play with my boyfriend and we do a lot of the solo/small group quests, and if we're a higher level than the quest we'll tackle the group ones as well.  If you want to get a group together, you can't be a wallflower and stand in the shadows.  You'll want to join a guild, and/or advertise via chat and the social window ("O" key), etc., to find a group.  They won't land in your lap, usually, although we've found a PUG or two that way. :p
    There's a LOT of content in this game, from the various racial starting zones onward.  You could go through several alts and never see the same content on your way to the higher levels.  With mentoring being in now, I suppose technically you could if you wanted to. ^^
    Crafting ideally to play a sensible part in the game.  Crafting does not need to be the only option but crafting items to be a useful and constructive part.  The option to set up shop or trade items would also be a real bonus.
    Crafting is a very deep and complex sphere of gameplay in VG.  Crafted items tend to be amongst the best, with few exceptions.  I just made a post in another thread about it.  You can sell on the broker, trade/sell directly to other players, etc.  There is player housing, ships, equipment, bags, etc., that are all craftable.  You can add components to them to give them specific buffs and effects, too.  I won't go into too much detail here, since my other post is a lot more detailed.  I've linked it below.
    Non Cartoony Graffics, although not essential we both prefer the feel and atmosphere of Graphics in the style of EQ2 over those shown in WoW for example.  However we understand that compromises must be made.
    Vanguard might have been released in 2007, but it is still one of the most beautiful games out there today.  Check out the links to threads I've posted below for some examples of how it looks.  It isn't cartoony and goes more for realism, and the atmosphere ingame is varied depending on where you are.  I absolutely love the music and ambient sounds that are in the game; they are very appropriate and immersive.
    Character customisation and advancement.  We really like the idea of being able to mould or toons into individuals, With plenty of options for clothing, armour etc.   Also the ability to steer your toon along advances without being tied to strict class types.  We both liked the way that in EQ2 you could take different routes on your career path when reaching certain levels.
    Character customization is pretty good.  There are a slew of races and classes (more than in many games) to choose from and there are quite a number of sliders.  It's not the best system out there, but it's still pretty good and you can create attractive (or not quite so attractive) characters.  There is flexibility and freedom.  AA's are in the works right now, but there is still some customization one can do to specialize their class (points that can be allocated to specific traits such as Strength, Dexterity, Wisdom, Intelligence, etc.) and make their character more effective for certain situations.  These can be changed if you find you made a mistake by going to the appropriate trainer.
    There are (lots of) classes, but they are varied and well done.  I prefer the Dread Knight, but from what I've heard from players of multiple classes, each class feels very unique in what they can do and how they can be played.  Lots of spells, abilities, buffs and debuffs, etc.  If you absolutely don't want anything to do with classes, then VG won't be for you.  But the classes they have are very good and really come into their own at the 20/30th levels. 
    Something that has characters that can walk around rather then starships.  We would prefer either Fantasy based or something along the lines of Anachy. 
     Vanguard is a "realistic fantasy" game.  Travel is meaningful, and just how meaningful will depend on if you ever use the riftways (which makes it easier, but even if you use them expect to still do quite a bit of traveling).  You have hordes of mounts to choose from (options really open up at mid-to-later levels), and you can get your first horse at a very low level (10, I believe).  There are fully player-controlled flying mounts.  You can rent one for a limited amount of time or you can earn your own at higher levels.  There are a number of types of flying mounts and then specific color variations within those types.  Some are "easier" to get, others are much harder.
    I think that about sums up what we are looking for, we both know that compromises need to be made etc but hopefully we can be directed by your superior knowledge in these areas.
     I hope you'll give VG a try.  It might not be the "perfect" MMO, but it sure does get a lot "right," I think...even today, it is a very unique game and offers things most games just don't (or can't).
    Kindest regards

    Free 2-week trial on the Isle of Dawn

    Thread with Landscape Shots of VG

    Youtube Vid Showing Off the World of VG-I

    Youtube Vid Showing Off the World of VG-II

    Youtube Vid Showing Off the World of VG-III

    My Post Regarding VG's Crafting

  • AnnwynAnnwyn Member UncommonPosts: 2,854

    I'll recommand a F2P title but don't be scared by the word F2P, It's not that bad.



    If you're willing to "get past the graphics" the game fits all your requirements.





    -Very good crafting system. If you want to make bread you have to collect wheat, grind them at the mill, then mix the floor with water and start cooking. This is only an exemple but that's pretty much how everything works. Only cash shop users can set up shops though but players have found an effective way to advertise what they are selling without cash shop.



    -Character Customization, while you can only customize your face, Mabinogi has a very wide range of clothes and armors of various colors. No item in Mabinogi is Lv. restricted meaning that everyone can where those as long as you have the  money to buy them. There is no class in Mabinogi so if you want to learn magic and combine it with a bit of melee or archery, you can.



    -Fantasy setting. Also the game is fairly "new" so there won't be any issue with party. Also, the community is fairly mature and a nice amount of players are 20+



    ---



    Other things you should know :



    Mabinogi has a unique gameplay which is often refered to as "rock-paper-scissors".

    If your enemy is using Defense, you use Smash. If your enemy is using normal attacks, you use CounterAttack or Defense, and so on. Add magic and archery and you get Mabinogi.

    In order the hit an enemy, you must predict his moves and charge the right skill or else you may die faster then you can say "CounterAttack" (It is fairly easy to die in 2-3 hits against monsters in general)





    Many of the cash shop items can be bought in-game using in-game currency (gold).  The only items that you cannot buy in-game are Pets, Character Cards and "Fantasy Life Club" (which offers various thing to help a character such as extra storage)



    One of the few videos that can be used to show the gameplay.

    Gameplay video (Rabbie Dungeon)



     

  • pk_maybepk_maybe Member Posts: 3

    Thanks for the replies,

     

    Final Fantasy XIV does look very nice and will be something to watch over the next nine months.

    For options of games to play now Vanguard sure does see to tick a lot of boxes. 

    I have tried to navigate around the Vanguard website but its not the most user friendly website I have ever seen.  I have a couple of questions about it, but at the moment it looks like it could be the game we are looking for.

     

    Cheers

    You dont need eyes to see, you just need vision.

  • zeowyrmzeowyrm Member Posts: 746

    I recommend LOTRO personally.  My wife and I used to duo there all the time before MoM came out.  Combat changed after that, and we weren't very happy about it, but it looks like we're going back there soon, since we can't find anything that compares.  Best part is, Turbine is the developer, same as AC.

  • drbaltazardrbaltazar Member UncommonPosts: 7,856

     1 wow

    2 aion

    3 everquest2

    4vanguard

    5 optional:hard core game(very hard game) everquest 1 ,new expension coming soon

Sign In or Register to comment.