Can you recommend a good free/cheap mmorpg

PaulMTC · February 2006

Hi there,

I am looking for a MMORPG that I can play with simultaneously my two sons.

The problem is that I can't afford to pay $10*3=$30 per month for one.

We have played World Of Warcraft, Eve, Guild Wars to name a few but always have to play separately because we are sharing an account.

I'm sure I'm not the only one in this situation so I would be very grateful if anyone could help me converge on the best free/cheap one to try out.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Paul.

Ragosch · February 2006

If you liked EVE maybe try Starport www.starportgame.com - it is free but you can buy some admirals tokens to help you in game if you want to. Starport is not just 1 game, it is several games in one. There are PvP servers and non-pvp servers (pax server), there are "short" games lasting 14 to 21 days and then the winners of this game gets medals - and there are permanent games also.

Starport is basically about colonization of a galaxy. You do not need to colonize planets, but colonies provide you with resources and money easily ... hm, easily? ... not really, because there are other players trying to invade your colonies and take them over after your united nations protection is gone (it lasts for 3-5 days, depending on the game type). You need to defend them well and even then they can be taken with some effort; it is not that easy to learn how to protect them and where to plant a biodome.

In a non-pvp setting biodomes (those are needed to "plant" a colony on a planet) are 19 times more expensive than in a pvp-setting where your colonies can be invaded. You can stay on the good side, colonize the galaxy and hunt down bad guys ... you can stay on the bad side, take colonies and practice in startport robbery, you can hunt other players and loot their ships ... or you can be a mixture of both, part on the good side and part on the bad side ... try it if you liked EVE Online.

Hm, one word about graphics .... it is 2D and kind of outdated ... but gameplay is nice and if you dont worry too much about old school graphics you may find it an interesting game to play.

Startport is listed here on mmorpg.com - have a look at what other people think about this game; many like its gameplay, it is worth a try (and it is free, maybe important for you as well!)

Ragosch

PaulMTC · February 2006

Thanks very much for your suggestion Ragosch.

I will definitely take a look at Starport. I was wondering if you knew any non-spacey ones as I quite liked Eve but it wasn't my favourite. Something more along the lines of WOW, GW etc?

Much appreciated.

Paul.

Luxorr · February 2006

Originally posted by PaulMTC
Thanks very much for your suggestion Ragosch.
I will definitely take a look at Starport. I was wondering if you knew any non-spacey ones as I quite liked Eve but it wasn't my favourite. Something more along the lines of WOW, GW etc?
Much appreciated.
Paul.

Silkroad is nice, but only if u like grinding, other games arent gonne get much better, if u dont wanne spend some money on them.

Yaisha · February 2006

You could try Silkroad Online. It has nice graphics and it's free but it is really just a grind fest. (kill lots of monsters with little questing) Also maybe try the free version of Anarchy Online.

In my opinion your best bet would be to buy two more copies of GuildWars. Thats quite a chunk of cash but it's probably worth it since you can play free forever after that. There honestly arn't many free options that would be worth your time.

Blingbling2k · February 2006

Check out Minions of mirth http://www.prairiegames.com/ Its a game that not alot of ppl have heard of but it is VERY good! It is updated with a patch almost every week, the communty is REALLY tight. You can play online or offline, and create your own worlds! You'll have to check it out to know what Im talking about but it has more unique features then WoW.