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Social interaction, epic MMO - does it exist?
Hi there.
I've registered here in frustration, because I'm looking to play an MMO to fit my needs, but which I'm not sure if one exists.
I've been a rather dedicated WoW player for several years, but have recently left the game due to apathy/a breakup of my longtime guild due to dwindling numbers for the same reason (game getting "easier", their plans with social media, the latest expansion being weak, announcements of the new expansion's most interesting features being scrapped, etc).
So, onto what I'm looking for - Have You Seen This MMO? 
1) Most important, an MMO where non-solo play is a focus. I downloaded a trial of AoC and whilst impressed at the graphics/quests, in WoW I levelled through dungeons and PvP... I play MMOs to play with others (guildies or randoms) and I feel very isolated in AoC (small aside, I love healing, and when I tried all 3 AoC healers it's basically DPS-healing with HoTs... not much going on there)
2) Something with a PvP element. I like the unpredictability of playing against non-AI opponents. I tried Darkfall but felt its UI was so clunky and the game refused to connect to the server 2/3 tries... will try again in a year to see if it's matured. Happy to play games where there's a hardcore death or loot reset penalty
3) Not fussed over graphics. Don't care if it looks bad or modern, as long as gameplay is good. My PC is just over a year old. I'm happy to buy an even newer one for the right game.
4) Any cost. Free, monthly sub, don't care about cost.
5) Available for EU players. I'm in the UK. Shouldn't think this should be a problem.
6) Have an epic world feeling - I tried Guild Wars very briefly but the instanced zones once you're outside of a city again left me feeling isolated, I just didn't bump into any players.
7) Controlling an avatar. I tried EVE Online, this almost fit the bill but that "disconnect" between having a char running around and physically fighting vs. being a ship slowly going from space point to point was jarring.
8) Ideally, a game which isn't filled with too many kids - I liked the adult themes of AoC, for example
9) Happy to play something in beta or which is new/has bugs.
10) happy to play something which requires a significant time investment (hours per week or longterm like EVE). I'm a married female with a job that needs no overtime and my partner raids in WoW - I have tonnes of free time, and i'm happy to use it on MMOs
.. I think that's about it. Chriky, looking back I'm basically wanting what WoW was in the TBC expansion pack, aren't I? Anyone got any ideas?
Edited to add: I've downloaded EQii, loving it so far!
Comments
If you can put up with Funcom running the game then I'd suggest trying Anarchy Online as it ticks all your boxes. It is more complex than your average MMORPG, has some interesting pvp features, the community was mature enough the last time I played it and grouping is essential to leveling up.
You can access the basic game and the Notum Wars expansion for free to give you an idea of whether it is for you or not, you'll need to upgrade and sub to be competitive if you decide you like it.
From what I hear FFXI is one of the most group oriented MMORPGs, but I don't know about it's PvP element.
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Playing:
FFXIV, TERA, LoL, and HoTS
My Rig:
GPU: GeForce GTX 770, CPU: i7-4790K, Memory: 16 GB RAM
Vanguard maybe... think there is a free trial for that one too.. though the game isnt really all that well supported so a bit iffy... the trouble is that there arent really any games out there that have the same kind of support that WoW has.. probably one of the major reasons why WoW is as popular as it is.. is due to the fact that it has more to offer than other games out there at the moment.. my advice is grab a few free trials of different games, see if anything appeals to you, you might not get the game that your looking for. but you might find one thats fun anyway.
I'd try to recommend something but I'm in the same boat. Currently doing a beta for an upcomming MMO and playing EVE is about all I'm doing right now. There are many games out there just very few that will check off your list of needs.
FFXI is exactly what you're looking for, except the PvP.
Didn't see that when I first posted. EQ2 is the closest thing to WoW, but if you like grouping and an "epic" feel you should still try FFXI or Anarchy Online instead.
Ok, I've been reading reviews and watching some video clips for the recommendations so far, and tonight I will be downloading the first of my shortlist:
EQ2 , FFXI Online, Anarchy Online, Aika Online, Vanguard
Thank you for taking the time to read my criteria and suggest some - I hadn't even considered some that I plan to try out, nor heard of two of them.
I'm most excited about looking at EQ2 and FFXI Online tbh, they look like they just might fit the bill (roughly).
Cheers very much for the help!
FFXI is a very social game. Just be prepared to spend a large amount of time on just about anything you want to do in the game. At times, and depending on what Job you are, you might be waiting for a long time just to get into a group, and when you do, it's group grinding on the same mobs for hours until your group has outleveled them or disbands.
That being said, it's a lot better than it was a couple years ago. There's a level sync, so your higher level friends can come down to your level to play with you, which makes getting groups a bit easier, especially since if you wanted to, you can outlevel a place, but if you can't find a group in the next spot you go to, you can level sync and continue leveling in the last spot. The Field of Valor books for little kill quests really help the solo aspect of the game, but you can only do it once every in-game day. Still nice, though.
Also, if you try it out, DON'T sub at the end of the month. Their billing system is crap. If you sub halfway through the month, or at the end, you will be billed on the first of the next month for the month after. I would assume this also works for your free month.
I subbed again on like May 26th to try the game out again. On like June 6th, I logged in after not playing for a week or so, and found I was billed like $30 (total combined) for May and June. In the end, I contact them and I got a refund on one of the months, but still, it's not right.
Also when I played a few years back, I was double-billed on multiple occasions.
Anyway, just a heads-up.
lolffxi
Wait for FFXIV instead.
No PvP, the rest fits.
you may want to try Aion online, lots of pve grinding ..some solo.but lots of group pve...the cleric in Aion sounds like what you want...alos lots of pvp going on.but only in pvp zones..although ther are some pve zones that you can get attacked from others..i find that more exciting to always be watching your back while pve'ing..you can also fly ..everyone gets wings in aion.......good luck to you.
Anybody say Second Life?
Philosophy of MMO Game Design
DAoC is very social in most levels of PvP(mainly 20-24, 35-39, and max lvl) and end game PvE, but 90% of the people level solo because you can get to max in only a few days if you know what to do, so finding lvl partners can sometimes be a pain, especailly since DAoC has a very low new sub rate, and many vets have any toons they wanted at the level they wanted them at by now.