Most casual friendly MMOG?

anakinsella · May 2006

Well i recently quit WoW and sold my accounts. I'm done for good.

My basic complaint with WoW is that it sucks way too much of your life away, and forces you to be tied down to it for at least 3 hours to get anything done. And that's just leveling, not even getting into how raiding is the only end game you have to resort to. And the idea of raiding 4 nights a week for 8 hours each night makes me want to gouge my eyes out with a spork.

But back on topic, i've realized i want to start playing games more casually. I want an MMO that i can hop on 20 minutes before class or work and still have fun (keyword: fun). Some may say lineage 2 or another koreon grind MMORPG, but that's missing my point. Sure you could log on lineage 2 and play for 20 minutes and not be tied down for 3 hours. But are you really getting anything done in 20 minutes in lineage? Not really? And is killing the same mob for 20 minutes fun? Not really.

I've just mainly realized that i want a fun game. Not a grind.

So what are the MMO's that come to your mind when you hear 'casual friendly'? I've been hearing Auto Assault is great fun for casual players. Anything else?

athriaxo · May 2006

Check out Mount & Blade its not a MMORPG but a great FPS/RPG in medieval setting ... that is what i usually play when I only got 20 minutes... no loading times, waiting for spawn etc. its totally different!

http://www.taleworlds.com/ is the link.

(has a free trial, shareware system)

or try Guildwars, no grind there, exept maybe if you want high pvp ranks but they are worth nothing realy

http://www.guildwars.com/ the Guildwars link.

(dunno bout trial, might have to look around for one)

Rattrap · May 2006

Guild Wars

Why?

First off it has no monthly subscription. The thing i hate about sub. is that it somehow makes you feel obligated to play (well maybe it is only my feeling) Not playing sub. game, is like renting a movie and returning it without ever watching it...a waste.

GW you play when ever you want. I was so bored with it i didnt play for two months , right now I have nothing to play...so I just play some GW.

On top of that you can just get into random PVP arenas for few minutes fix ... etc

All in all - GW might not be "the best" it has it share of problems. But I highly recomend anyone to buy it. Especially because it could be played so casually - you will never regret buying it...

anakinsella · May 2006

I agree about the feeling compelled to play all the time when you are paying a monthly fee. It makes you feel like you HAVE to play, and that feeling starts to make it feel like a job rather than a fun game.

I played Guild Wars way back in beta weekends and alittle after it came out (then sold it). But it's not very appetizing right now to me, mainly because now i'd have to dish out $100 ($50 for GW + $50 for Factions) just to get the 'full' experience, and that's just unreasonable. I will never understand their reasoning for calling factions a 'new game' instead of just making it an expansion. Oh wait, $$$.

Sorry if that came out bitter, i just think it's really insane how they think they can just manipulate people into buying a $50 game after they already paid $50 for the game. And they are manipulating people to do it, otherwise there would be no bonus for owning both, but there is.

So basically, guild wars is out of the picture

Anything else.

And i'm not trying to start a FOR/AGAINST guild wars debate, i just personally have my reasons for not liking it's core gameplay/style.

Hotcell · May 2006

Maple Story.

I heard it's pretty fun and you can make a lot of friends.

I want to recommend Roma Victor, but it's not out yet...

So I suggest try Mount & Blade. I never tried it, but worth a shot.

Rattrap · May 2006

Originally posted by anakinsella
I agree about the feeling compelled to play all the time when you are paying a monthly fee. It makes you feel like you HAVE to play, and that feeling starts to make it feel like a job rather than a fun game.

I played Guild Wars way back in beta weekends and alittle after it came out (then sold it). But it's not very appetizing right now to me, mainly because now i'd have to dish out $100 ($50 for GW + $50 for Factions) just to get the 'full' experience, and that's just unreasonable. I will never understand their reasoning for calling factions a 'new game' instead of just making it an expansion. Oh wait, $$$.

Sorry if that came out bitter, i just think it's really insane how they think they can just manipulate people into buying a $50 game after they already paid $50 for the game. And they are manipulating people to do it, otherwise there would be no bonus for owning both, but there is.

So basically, guild wars is out of the picture Anything else.

And i'm not trying to start a FOR/AGAINST guild wars debate, i just personally have my reasons for not liking it's core gameplay/style.

First off - you dont need to own Propecies and Factions. GW is so damn balanced (to much for its own good) that no class stands out , and so does not the new classes.

Also I could tell you that NC has to make money with GW some how - and you still come out much, much cheaper than sub. mmo.

But than , I can understand you dont like the game play - to tell you the truth i am not so nuts about it either!

Ok...knowing that - I can tell you that right now there is nothing that could satisfy your apetite.
But all is not lost yet! Some great games are on horizont !

1. Dungeon Runners - If you hated GW , but liked no sub. NCsoft has answer - Think of it as DIABLO meets GW no sub.

- promised to be super casual

2. Hellgate London - Original Diablo develop team makes Diablo meets FPS ! no sub.

3. NWN2 - The king of all

The game of games , nuff said - no sub.

anakinsella · May 2006

Thanks Rattrap, great response. I've been interested in Hellgate London and NWN for a while now, can't wait for those.

Mudshovel · May 2006

Maplestory.

It's original, fun and addictive. Free. You can buy some items with real cash but only for looks.
It sure is a grind is you really wanna get to the high levels, BUT its all about fun!

Mythago · May 2006

To the OP, Auto Assault might be what ur looking for....20 mins np most missions don't take too long and have that weird component you asked for....fun! Try it and see

Cryomatrix · May 2006

Dude,

Starcraft.

It's not an MMO but it's basically what I'm playing now. I went from WoW and relapsed into Diablo 2 and then relapsed further into Starcraft. Pretty soon I'm going to relapse into doom 2 and then super mario brothers on ninetendo.

Cryomatrix

WBadger · May 2006

auto assault indeed is a fun game to play...nothin better then driving through people with the car.

another good game to play is matrix online...flying is indeed a fun thing to do as well.

anakinsella · May 2006

I'm sure auto assault is fun, but i just don't think i could get into the setting/style. I prefer my cliche fantasy medeivel setting and story.

Soooo bored though. How is factions for those of you who picked it up?

Mylon · May 2006

Factions is pretty nifty. It's a bit clunky (I've heard lots of horror stories about the first mission. Basically, two teams work together, independantly at first, then they meet up. If one team fails the independant part, both teams fail), but there are some nice features. There's a lot to do, like doing the missions, romping around and exploring, quests, capturing skills, and the faction battles. Plus there's always raw PvP, too. There's a lot to do, especially if you take a liking to titles like I did.

Angelbound · May 2006

Hey bro if you are looking for a friendly casual mmorpg I would highly recommend city of heroes/city of villians. I peronsally love the fantasy setting so I was skeptical at first but man you can get something in this game done in 15 min if you wanted to. The cap level right now is 50, there is no end game except badges some of them do things the devs are coming out with end game powers, awesome pvp you can build super bases , rather if you want it tech,magic,science, or natural you can put special weaponry on the bases etc mainly for guild features, there adding issue 7 really soon which will have the take over city theme kind of like capture the flag.

Now once you do hit 50 you unlock archtype super heroes which are alot of fun to play they are just adding winged archtypes as well, the best part of this game is the people rock the economy is awesome there is no loot but you get influence which is basicly money, you do get power enchancements single orgins are the most powerful and cost alot and do help you alot like gear in most mmorpgs. Also the graphics are enchancing in city of heroes they already look great in city of villans, the best part about this game is there are so many costumes and powers you can customize it any way you want.

Lets say you choose a blaster your choices are fire/electric/energy/ice and more then you get to choose your secondary same stuff except devices basicly gadgets, also everyone gets travel powers. You can choose fly, superspeed, teleport, or stealth they are also adding more travel powers soon. Then you can plan your character make a bio roleplay whatever you want there is alot to do the game mechanics are unlike most mmorpgs out there it is pretty sweet, also you get epic powers once you reach level 40's etc the best part is you can choose to get more then one travel power if you didnt want something in your prim or secondary its all pick and choose customization.

Also you get 3 respecs and every patch you get a free respec, most people that play this game are usually very busy and in it for the casual gameplay, if you decide to get it I am on champion server its one of the oldest lots of nice people on it i only play on heroes side, but ill be glad to help you out just add me to your global friends list Lightning Moon, or Angel Moon. Excuse all my poor grammer i am tired and it is late.

Krky7 · May 2006

Originally posted by Mythago
To the OP, Auto Assault might be what ur looking for....20 mins np most missions don't take too long and have that weird component you asked for....fun! Try it and see

I think exactly the same thing can be said for another fantastic title from NC Soft. Or two, to be exact. City of Heroes and City of Villains. City of Villains even has a 14-day free trial which you can access through this very site so you can check that out. Enormous fun, awesome powers, highly satisfactory figths in which you really feel superpowered.

I quit WoW for the same reason as you, and found CoH to be as a relaxing stroll on a moonlit beach compared to WoW. No hectic grinding, no endless auctioning, no hysterical racing for that armor, this helmet, one last recipe, best sword ever, eipc mount, exalted reputation, Horn of Blowing Stuff Up...

Just fast-paced, fulfilling fun in the best and most intelligent MMO community I have ever had a privilege of being a part of.

Plus, an hour or so a day will definitely get ya places.

TobiMcNamobi · May 2006

I suggest Starport: Galactic Empires.

Reasons:
1. It's free. Download costs nothing. Playing costs nothing.
2. There are galaxies for everyone. For beginners as for pros. For casual gamers (like me!) and for 24/7 players.
3. It's sci-fi.

I just finished my first (socalled rebang game) there. I ended up with a rank of 23 / 200 on that server. It was a galaxy for beginners - well that's what I am. And I only played it casually. Finally if I think, I want more challenge, I will just jump into a galaxy for more advanced players. Easy to do.

MisfitZ · May 2006

City of Heroes/Villians was boring after about level 15.

Once you hit that area, you level really slowly unless you somehow manage to get a good group together. Also, it's the most repetitive game ever.

I'm currently trying Auto Assault. Seems to be a lot of fun, I've been playing just over a week and I'm level 20 out of 80. There's a bit of repetitiveness in AA too, but the actual gameplay itself is far more entertaining. Driving around at 100mph running people over, ramming other cars and going off sweet jumps.

It plays a little bit like Twisted Metal, if you can imagine some sort of hybrid Twisted Metal RPG.

anakinsella · May 2006

I own both CoH/CoV. I can't get into them, quit both of them after the 1 month period. I just can't play them long without getting bored. Too much traveling around for my taste, and i can't get into the super-hero style. You aren't really that super, if everyone else is a super hero too. Also, no loot is alittle weird for me

I'm thinking of just trying Factions. Or just waiting for the next great game.

darkman · May 2006

You know anakinsella it seems to me you just don't like much on the market really. Nothing suits your tastes. I can't blame you really. MMOs have really detracted from the fun side of games and just have become too much of a chore lately. I think your best bet is to wait it out, I mean you can try GW if you want, but if you already tried it and didn't like it, well don't get it then. As for the factions thing, you don't have to buy Prophecies, you can just buy Factions for $50, because the only thing you'll get with Prophecies + Factions is access to the Prophecies missions and lands, and since hardly anyone is playing there now, there's pretty much no point :P. You get the Prophecies skills and classes with Factions (because the Proph classes + skills are considered Core skills and will be offered all the time regardless of whether you bought Prophecies or not), and you're pretty much where the playerbase is.

anakinsella · May 2006

Originally posted by darkman
You know anakinsella it seems to me you just don't like much on the market really. Nothing suits your tastes. I can't blame you really. MMOs have really detracted from the fun side of games and just have become too much of a chore lately. I think your best bet is to wait it out, I mean you can try GW if you want, but if you already tried it and didn't like it, well don't get it then. As for the factions thing, you don't have to buy Prophecies, you can just buy Factions for $50, because the only thing you'll get with Prophecies + Factions is access to the Prophecies missions and lands, and since hardly anyone is playing there now, there's pretty much no point :P. You get the Prophecies skills and classes with Factions (because the Proph classes + skills are considered Core skills and will be offered all the time regardless of whether you bought Prophecies or not), and you're pretty much where the playerbase is.

You're partially right. I've yet to find a game that interests me past the '1 month', ever since SWG has gone downhill. I base my opinion on games, comparing them to the old SWG, and nothing meets the strict requirements i want

WoW is great, and i honestly wish i could play it, but who the f has the time for that game? Sorry i don't have time to raid 4 nights a week for 8 hours?...Some people have lives?

Darablane · May 2006

Hey anakinsella, I was in the same situation as you dude. Started working and I just didnt have time for WoW anymore even though I thought it was a great game up until 60. But now I have guild wars (for every now and then) as well as DAoC. I use to play this before WoW came around and now I have gone back and this game just rocks!!. RvR is the Best PvP ever!!! and it is definately more casual with Task Dungeons now a days... A lot of people seem to be coming back to the game! I'm definately loving it! But either way, good luck in deciding.

paulscott · May 2006

guild wars is a fun game though not in 20 min increments. you'd want to play for 40-60 mins atleast. you could try a tick/turn based stratady game if thats what your looking for.

though guildwars is by far the best casual game. <<bias is fun

Maverynthia · May 2006

GuildWars is indeed a very casual game. I sometimes even go into it and spend 20 to thirty minutes to get a mission done. You don't even need to wait for a group, just grab some henchmen and go for it.

Ignore the person that says you'll have to spend $100 on it. Grab Prophesies (ie. the FIRST game) and you'll be fine. OR you could grab Factions and play that way, both games are independant from each other, however you can play them together if you want.

I'm not sure about the other games, as I haven't played them yet. But certainly try them.

b0rderline99 · May 2006

o god im right in the same boat as you i desperately want a game which is casual friendly because like grind just favors the people who have tons of time and dont seem to mind having NO fun for hours to accomplish a task

Angelbound · May 2006

I will admit that coh cov does get boring, but issue 7 is changing alot of things and once issue 8 comes out alot even exp will change hopefully. Personally I cannot get deep into an mmorpg like I did everquest maybe it was because it was my first mmorpg. But I think it had alot to do with the in depth of the game, I admit the quests were very hard in the game and yes it was mostly a grind but wow I loved it there was always so many places to level, and I was constantly learning new tactics most of all a wide number of abilitys spells compared to these others games it doesnt compare. Yes I know most people think it sucks but I highly disagree back then it was a great game the community was very mature, economy was not bad and super uber items in the game. Most of all you could raid gods and epic epic monsters gain epic weapons, they even had end game abilitys alot of them to. I tried eq2 and I hated it was way to long to level and to much crafting puke, anyways vangaurd may be the next eq some company who made it before soe took over, so maybe my game boring days are over.

Angelbound · May 2006

Im going to make a second post here, I just got factions and its nice. If you played games like wow you may not find it appealing but I do, it is pretty awesome for a free online game plus assasin is alot of fun to play, I have not tried a ritualist yet, anyways goodluck and have fun.

Howdy, Stranger!

Most casual friendly MMOG?

Comments

Howdy, Stranger!

Quick Links

Most casual friendly MMOG?

Comments