Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Veteran MMO Player and Amateur girlfriend looking for a new game.
I have been searching for a game for my girlfriend and I to play for several weeks now and I was hoping you folks would be able to help me. I have played MMOs for almost ten years now and she has never played. I haven't played since April, but I can't seem to find any that interest me. Here is some information to help in your search:
Gaming History:
This is just a history of some of the games I have played. I have played more, but these should give you a sense of what I like and dislike in games.
-Runescape: I started my MMO career with Runescape. I played for four years and really enjoyed it. Things I liked: Very large skill/craft system, Diverse quests and areas to explore. Things I disliked: Poor graphics (these aren't the most important thing to me, but Runescape's were so piss-poor), No solid class system, Restrictive player-owned housing and farming, No dungeons!.
-Star Wars Galaxies: I played SWG after the major update, however, I didn't find the same concerns other people had. Things I liked: Very customizable world (player owned housing, resource gatherers), Diverse class system, Player Bounties. Things I disliked: The faction system seemed really relaxed (ie. It wasn't as ingrained in the game), Often very little too do and no one to interact with, World was TOO expansive (it was difficult to travel across the planets to get elsewhere and took too much time).
-World of Warcraft: World of Warcraft takes the cake for my favorite of MMOs (I know many people think its cliche and subpar, but I loved it). Things I liked: Well developed talent trees that allowed for customization beyond basic class, Expansive world (but it was really easy to travel), slightly "cartoony" graphics, well designed dungeons that started at level 5 and continued till the end, Amazing end game content that allowed for raids with anywhere from 5-25 players. Things I didn't like: At times the craft system was boring (just buy the materials and click).
What We Are Looking For:
-A free game (As now college students, we don't have the funds to pay $15 a month). I understand this will result in some less quality games. Microtransactions are fine as long as they don't rule the game.
-Class and Character customization through weapons, armor, and talent choices.
-Preferably some level of crafting
-If possible, a game that offers Player-Owned housing (but I by no means put this as a first priority)
-Quality dungeons that can be accessed throughout the leveling process
-A game that can be played both casually and hardcore (College students who can't long in every waking moment)
-A game that allows interaction with other players through a party system or guild system AND has enough of a fan base to allow for these systems to function.
-I don't care whether or not the game has a factional system
-I prefer that it be a 3D game where the character is situated in front of you (like WoW or many of the Japanese Anime Games).
-I kind of like, but by no means require, a "cartoony" style, be it anime or no.
-I favor fantasy over Sci-Fi, but will play Sci-Fi as long as it isn't a hardcore space game (I enjoyed SWG because of its seemingly "old" feel to it).
Thank You For The Help
Comments
I'd suggest Perfect World, as thats the closest you're going to get to a "Free" game not dominated by microtransactions. PW makes it possible for one to purchase the funds used for microtransactions through thenormal currency of the game, and this means at the highest levels you'll be raking in enough dough to not be worrying about the amount spent on "gold" transactions. The game is still driven by micros, as all F2P are, though thats how they make their operating fees back.
If you can't afford 15 per month, you could grab a lifetime sub from LOTRO for 199, or maybe play Dungeons and Dragons Online, or possibly Guild Wars. They're all decent games, though as you said, subscription-based games tend to generate more guaranteed revenue for the operators, thus leading to a higher quality game in many cases. Fallen Earth's okay, as well as Wurm..long list of games, I'd suggest at least trying those ones for a week, for GW you'd have to buy the game, though it has no sub fees and very few micros.
Mabinogi. It seems to fill all of your criteria well, and it's pretty fun to play. Combat is unique, Dungeons are instanced in an interesting way, and basically it has something for everyone. It can be played hardcore, but I played casually for quite a while. Definitely a recommendation. There're tons of things you can do, besides combat, and skills have a more "free" feeling to it, too. Check it out thouroughly, and you'd be surprised.
If I think of something else, I'll bring it your way. I'm not sure what your GF likes, however, so some things may be a shot in the dark. Good luck!
#K
Mabinogi falls under the realm of social MMO in most people's eyes, though I sure did enjoy the music making part of it, as well as the nonstatic dungeons. Guess they could try that out, too, though it is driven by micros.
I was actually just taken a look at Fallen Earth, so I'll be to look in to it a bit more.
I don't mean the game can't have microtransitions for me to enjoy it. I don't care if it is a pure vanity thing. I understand how companies with micros operate (I worked for one for a short time) and I understand they are needed to run the game. I just don't want it where its a guarantee win if you bought x item.
As for my girlfriend, she tends to be open to both fantasy and sci-fi, however her taste in sci-fi is not necessarily space oriented. She is really interested in Greek mythology (I looked at GodsWar, but I disliked the graphics and point and click movement system). She does very much enjoy combat, so we don't need a game that is absent of it or can be played without ever experiencing it.
i was going to suggest u Fallen Earth, since after playing the trial i really liked it and it matches your needs, well most of them . . .
Sadly u have to pay ~14$