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What MMO to go alongside WoW?
TheScavenger
Member EpicPosts: 3,321
Right now, I'm subbed to WoW and possibly looking at either FFXIV or ESO or The Secret World or DC Universe...I know FFXIV has a subscription and ESO just went buy to play. But...I wouldn't mind paying a 2nd subscription.
Also, I know my other thread is looking for good AI...but I kinda gave up on that search :P Only MMO I could find is Ryzom, but meh. I'll just play dark souls and oblivion and skyrim if I want better AI lol
I'm not interested in EVE or Guild Wars 2. GW2 I did not like at all, and I'm not really interested in deathmatch PvP games. Plus EVE PvE is rather boring, and I don't like the crafting (industry) either. I didn't think the crafting was very fun (to me) and I couldn't ever get into it.
What I like in MMOs is crafting (my favorite thing to do), solo PvE and non-loot PvP. In WoW, I play on Emerald Dream, the world pvp is so much fun! I know that is PvP, but I don't get stressed and angry if I die like I do in EVE...and I play games to have fun and relax not to get stressed and angry, so all just my preference.
My main worry with ESO is there isn't really that much side-content. There is crafting, GW2 style PvP and raids and doing quests...but in WoW (and FFXIV) there is TONS to do, I can...again...craft...I can solo old content (thats a ton of fun), I can do world pvp and attack enemy cities in a large group. I can do quests I missed (like ESO I guess). But on top of that, I can get collectibles (pets/mounts/toys) and do all kinds of stuff. Even tons of daily quests that I like that I guess most don't.
One thing I like about FFXIV is it has a pretty in depth housing system. And it has tons of side-content as well outside of questing and raiding. Plus crafting is even better than WoW. But, combat is kinda boring (not a big deal to me, I don't play MMOs for combat. I play FPS games and first person RPGs for combat :P
The BIGGEST and almost game breaking negative of FFXIV is the world is VERY VERY linear. In fact, its most linear MMO game world I've seen with invisible walls and narrow hallways everywhere in the game world...that is my biggest beef with it and gives ESO HUGE kudos there.
Other MMOs I have interest in is Secret World (that looks amazing) and maybe DC Universe (not champions online, no interest in that)...and...thats all on top of my MMO watch list
The Secret World looks really different than WoW, with an amazing horror story (supposedly, though I've heard the story gets really bad after the first area...like Tortage in AoC)...I am really thinking of going with TSW over the other two on my list. But my main worry here is that the story takes a nose dive in quality and gets really bad....had a few people tell me the story really sucks after the first area. Is that true?
Any other MMOs I should look at? Or should I go with either ESO or FFXIV or The Secret World? What are your guys's thoughts? If ESO still has a sub option, even though its buy to play...I'll still want to sub to get monthly points to spend :P I know FFXIV is sub based, and TSW is just buy to play
My Skyrim, Fallout 4, Starbound and WoW + other game mods at MODDB:
https://www.moddb.com/mods/skyrim-anime-overhaul
Comments
I would go with ffxiv. If zone linearity was you biggest concern, the expansion zones are much larger and open, and you can fly.
Tsw crafting is a joke. Gather ore, make a shape of a gun and poof here's your ak47. So dumb.
I like FFXIV but i cant play it for long sessions due to linear world and the boring combat. I would say try WildStar. Game is recovering fast both in population and content addition. I wont say more because its a personal choice, but i would suggest to try the 10 days trial.
https://www.wildstar-online.com/uk/freetrial/
All Time Favorites: EQ1, WoW, EvE, GW1
Playing Now: WoW, ESO, GW2
I guess since wow is your first choice MMO I will try and list off what each MMO does a little differently and then you can grab the one that fits your taste.
1, Obvious choice, the current darling of many sites, FFXIV
FF offers in my opinion a more classical dungeon experience for that side of the game, a nice story a compact but beautiful world and enough side systems to keep you occupied for months, whats more its a game that allows you play no matter how deep into it you want to go. Be aware though at his one of the most clunky UIs of its kind and the first half of leveling feels very slow paced, the game does not show its true depth until you get near the end game.
2, SWTOR, many here cry about swtor, but the fact is its a solid diku/mud style mmo with mechanics a wow player can migrate to easily, story wise it is on par with TSW in being leaps and bounds ahead of any other mmo on the market and while it has its niggles its generally a good solid themepark. The end game is very light though, swtor is one to enjoy the leveling experience.
3, Guild wars 2, does a lot differently to wow, you will miss the trinity, you will miss dungeons where people are organised, but the world is stunning and huge and you dont even notice you are leveling, a nice drop in drop out game.
4, Skyforge, while its not released yet, the mechanics and presentation make it a lovely little drop in drop out game that you can invest as much time into as you wish, it is very different combat wise and a very different theme.
5, TSW, The combat is the weak link here, but the world, the stories and the puzzles will suck you in. Its a game that is unique for its theme and story and like old school rpgs, one that is played inspite of its mechanics.
6, DCUO, again a nice game to drop in and out of with a surprisingly deep level of content and a fun customisation system. The combat is a nice compromise between action and tab target and above all, its just fun.
7, Age of Conan, despite a massive population decline, the combat is familar, the atmosphere strong and the scenery is still up there with the best. It has its problems, but it is still a solid game.
8, ESO, much like the above, thematically strong, vastly improved since launch, still suffers from being caught half way between single player and mmo though, but a good game if you want a change of pace.
9, Lord of the Rings online, if you can ignore the bad animations and not jump too often this one has a lot of interesting systems and combat that is instantly familar.
10, Neverwinter, While not a true successor to NWN (Oh please give us a proper remake) it is a good drop in game and there is always something new in the foundry a new story or puzzle or the main story to follow... just try not to let its cash shop get its claws into you.
Other options
EQ 2 for an unparalleled level of content and an old school vibe.
Star Trek online, fun ship combat, hamstrung by pervasive cash shop and lackluster ground experience.
Landmark, relax, go gather and build a giant phallic symbol.
Wildstar, fun quirky game, suffers from not ever allowing the player to enter that mmo zen state of leveling, always requires you to be on your toes, good for short bursts of play but in all honesty longer stints really took a lot of focus, if you are in the mood for that its fantastic, but if you want a more chilled experience it can get very frustrating.
Rift, while I find it hard to recommend Trion lately (so sad I used to be such a fan) Rift is still a solid wow like offering with interesting class mechanics and atleast until end game a really good approach to class building.
I'd go with TSW. It's vastly different from WoW not only when it comes to gameplay, but also when it comes to the setting and playstyle. The story stays pretty good, although Solomon Island (the first zone) is hard to beat since it's just so damn awesome. xD
The second zone does have "The Last Train to Cairo" DLC storyline though, which is one of my favorites in game, and all the others have nifty story arcs as well.
TSW is one of those MMOs I'd recommend everyone to try at least, since it's just so different from all the rest. And if you enjoy settings like WoD, The Dresden Files, and Lovecraftian horror, you're likely going to love it.
Other than that, SWTOR for the excellent Class Stories, and because of lightsabers of course! (And fun gameplay, although very similar to WoW's)
And ESO for some very fun combat, lots of exploration and some very cool storylines.
Those three are my recommendations.
Edit: Neverwinter's also pretty fun indeed. It has fun combat, and an entertaining enough storyline - though not quite as good as TSW's and SWTOR's. I'd definitely recommend it too, especially if you are a DnD fan.
My SWTOR referral link for those wanting to give the game a try. (Newbies get a welcome package while returning players get a few account upgrades to help with their preferred status.)
https://www.ashesofcreation.com/ref/Callaron/
Any of the above have a lot of side-content? I don't really raid, so I think Wildstar is out (I know when it was released, the developers said it was a raiding game only for raiders) and I don't want an exact copy of WoW (cause I'm already playing it and sometimes I want something different).
I like WoW because there is TONS to do outside of raiding and PvP (I love the casual WoW PvP though, not the raiding). Tons of stuff to collect, crafting, exploring, achievements...all kinds of things.
I know FFXIV has a TON of side content, maybe more than WoW. I know the PvP sucks, but it has a ton of stuff to do besides raiding. But are there any others?
My Skyrim, Fallout 4, Starbound and WoW + other game mods at MODDB:
https://www.moddb.com/mods/skyrim-anime-overhaul
Sounds like minecraft...
They said there will be a new progression server for EQ1 this summer:) I was surprised the other day I wanted to take a trip down memory lane and got on and some of the servers had a lot of people. Now granted they are top heavy and the low level zones where empty but the servers looked healthy.
And if you keep an eye out and liked EQ1 a couple months on a new progression server could be a lot of fun.
while I'm not entirely picky when it comes to graphics...I even like Minecraft graphics :P
But 2d anime top down graphics I just can't get into. I can get into Final Fantasy style 3d or other 3d japanese games I've played on my old PS2, I can get into Ultima Online 2d...but...Mabinogi and other 2d asian style graphics...not so much.
The game looks good, but the graphics are completely unimmersive to me. With that said, Ultima Online has "better" graphics to me than old 3d MMOs :P So there is that. I think to me certain graphics/art style age better I guess.
My Skyrim, Fallout 4, Starbound and WoW + other game mods at MODDB:
https://www.moddb.com/mods/skyrim-anime-overhaul
FFXIV or ESO would be good for crafting options, ESO does have some of what you suggested you're into (collecting/unlocking)... Dyes being my personal favorite implementation thus far, it also has tons of lore books to unlock. Fishing, PVP of course which is a mix of PVE and PVE in a large seamless open area.... mount skill upgrading
Zones in ESO are large (You obviously already know how FFXIV is in that area), it's combat is also pretty fun. It's questing IMO is top notch, better IMO than my previous favorite SWTOR in that area. FFXIV being far behind in that regard especially in comparison of the filler progression questing, compared to either (it's overly dull IMO).
FFXIV is a fun game, I was about to pick it up, but decided to trial it the last two weeks, was almost there in making a purchase, but ESO won out in getting my current MMORPG focus for the time being. I just find the base game (main focus) to be superior to FFXIV.
For every minute you are angry , you lose 60 seconds of happiness."-Emerson
I'd spend the extra time reading. No, I'm not trying to be rude or sarcastic. But please remember that the greatest "mmo" story lines stem from great fiction. WoW has some incredible story lines, even with one layered expansion after another, it's still worth your time if you have it, far more than say, any title I saw people kindly list here.
But, friend, read a fiction novel. Start with something simple like say, Stephen King's, "Eye of the Dragon," or "Talisman" (with Peter Straub), and work your way into more complex fiction. This will open your eyes to what a real mmorpg should be inspired by, not the nonsense e-sport of today's free to play market, but something great and inspirational, creative, and truly, RPG-immersive (think Everquest, Dark Age of Camelot, Asheron's Call 2, etc).
Honestly, for you its a fight between ESO and FF14. But id say with ESO being b2p. Id just pick it up for the hell of it.
Besides that Honestly, do you really want another MMO? With steam having all these new multiplayer games. Id say maybe your answer isnt another MMORPG, but maybe something like.....Dragon ball Z Xenoverse....lol jk, but it is a good game with friends. Or you can do Savage Lands, Smite, Dying light, Life is Feudal, Evolve, Elite Dangerous. You got options.
I haven't played very much ff1v or eso (only beta) so I cant really help there but if ur looking for something diff to wow that u can play casually I would recommend tera fun combat nice looking visuals very fun thought out bg's, gear is quite grindy to enhance all the way up. Cash shop isnt game breaking everything can be purchased in game, time between gear releases is alot longer compared with other mmo's which could suit playing as a second game (havent played new expansion yet).
If u want something closer to wow but a little bit different try wildstar quite fun only reason I stopped playing was because of some issues with pvp gear and a few other things were game breaking for me. Questing in tera is boring but I just do story quests and grind large packs of mobs to lvl up much faster anyway.
Darkfall if you want an open seamless world with free aim combat. No required quests, you go and PvE or PvP or harvest or craft up to you. One of the more social MMO's as you may have difficulty solo in primetime...not bad off hours.
Honestly I think it has the best MMO combat. If you want handholding and being told what to do by NPC's, this is not the game for you though.
Edit: Doh just saw non loot PvP in your description. I still think you should try it. I'm an EQ1 person at heart and value freedom above all else and I like this game. I PvE, craft and gather wealth most of the time in game. I help PvP for my clan but I don't PvP just to PvP, so it is possible to not love PvP and play this game.
I ended up going with ESO and later I'll get TSW. Maybe I'll do FFXIV has a pay to play MMO. So I'll do all 4 :P an MMO orgy multiple affair
ESO, partly because I forgot a while back, an ex-friend (he purposely put viruses on my PC) gave me his account (he emailed me asking for it back because he thought it wouldn't go buy to play).
So that was a big reason I chose ESO is I can already play it without paying for stuff. And it was close between FFXIV, TSW and actually RIFT.
But, I played RIFT a long time back, and world was worse than FFXIV world (more open, but so tiny and the cities were more like tribal villages or a tiny fort).
So that left FFXIV and TSW.
TSW looks like a lot of fun and no reason not to get as no monthly fee, but I think I'll wait for a steam sale as I've seen it on sale for dirt cheap. 5 dollars or something at one point. I don't really want to go buy it and end up paying a premium price when it goes on sale (quite often).
And that leaves out FFXIV. It was REALLY close from ESO and FFXIV. FFXIV has a TON of amazing content, and I really like the developers. It has a VASTLY better pet system than ESO. ESO I remember the pet system is worse than a game from the 1990s, which they'd have better pet AI and mechanics than what ESO has. But, combat is vastly slower (not a big deal to me) and the world is such a huge negative. But guess expansion the areas will be a lot better and bigger.
So TLDR
ESO I can already play cause I forgot an ex-friend gave me an account a while back, but I won't be doing a monthly fee for it
TSW I'll get on a steam sale, since its SUPER cheap when its on sale
FFXIV I'll probably end up paying for as well alongside WoW
My Skyrim, Fallout 4, Starbound and WoW + other game mods at MODDB:
https://www.moddb.com/mods/skyrim-anime-overhaul
As people will say this game is better no this game, is hard to say whats best for you, the tip I can give you play games that you can spend little money, befor you drop to much time and money and not like it at all.
There many option out there try free ones and work your way up, thats not going break the bank. The game I play give me more option to play then some other games for me to enjoy my time, when I went around from free to sub then sub back to free. Not much out there to jump ship again.
I ended up installing and subbing too FFXIV. Too early to say how I like it, but I saw people with pets and it looks great
I chose the healer which even has a pet 
ESO, I attacked a guard (by accident, didn't even know you could) and then I defended myself and then a merchant walked by...got a 1k bounty (I don't even have that much) and I logged off. And the animation/movement is worse than FFXIV world. I'd rather take the linear world than a cloud-like movement. Oh well, not like I paid for the account or game lol
And then ESO, before that bounty happened...the pet system is still as crappy as it was before. There isn't any point to it.
Guess I'll give my ex-friend his account back, not like I'm gonna play it again lol
My Skyrim, Fallout 4, Starbound and WoW + other game mods at MODDB:
https://www.moddb.com/mods/skyrim-anime-overhaul
The bounty goes away over time, you just have to dodge the guards in the meanwhile (stay out of town, or hide under it in one of the hideouts if you happen to be near one).
Of course since that was only one of the issues you had with the game, FFXIV may be a better choice for you anyway.
My SWTOR referral link for those wanting to give the game a try. (Newbies get a welcome package while returning players get a few account upgrades to help with their preferred status.)
https://www.ashesofcreation.com/ref/Callaron/
This isn't a signature, you just think it is.
Find a game that is different enough to add variety to the mix.
So I like FFXIV enough to get that deluxe edition thing that comes with some "bonuses"...its a ton of fun so far
If I look past the rather terrible game world...the game itself is a lot of fun. I've never seen a healer class with a...PET! That is amazing. That and the crafting is a lot of fun. A lot better than ESO to me, which was rather lackluster in a lot of areas...even crafting was kinda lame compared to WoW.
So I pretty much have 2 MMOs to play now...maybe TSW, but I dunno about that one. The combat looks kinda lame, and the mob AI looks rather bad and that new player experience sounds lame like NGE for SWG. But, WoW is a TON of fun for PvP and doing side-content. But I can see FXIV being a TON of fun for PvE (I don't raid though) and doing even more side-content than WoW has (WoW used to have a ton, but they removed all the daily stuff). FFXIV you can have a house
So that is pretty awesome right there.
That and like I said before, FFXIV has awesome devs behind it...so that gives it some kudos there. Really the main negative is the horrible world, but if I ignore/forget about it...the game itself is fun. A lot slower paced early on, which I kinda like...more relaxing.
My Skyrim, Fallout 4, Starbound and WoW + other game mods at MODDB:
https://www.moddb.com/mods/skyrim-anime-overhaul