MMORPGs: Part 2

After checking out over twenty Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games (MMORPGs), it’s safe to say that there’s a bewildering choice of MMORPGs out there. They range from the fairly familiar and straightforward World of Warcraft (WoW) series, through to Player v’s Player (PvP) focused titles like Aion, and more demanding titles, (such as the space epic Eve).

As might be expected, there are a lot of broadly similar fantasy titles, which differ mainly in terms of either being linked to an established brand, (e.g. LotR or Conan), or offering a particular focus on, for example, PvP.

There’s also a similar range of Sci-Fi and superhero titles. These are, however, less numerous and tend to be well produced games, because companies find it necessary to invest heavily to connect with enough high spending subscribers. Eve is, perhaps, an exception but few ‘modern’ or ‘futuristic’ MMORPGs have had much impact on the market in recent years.

Final Fantasy XIV

Taken together, there are lots of well-designed MMORPGs for players and potential players to choose from. It’s not really practical to produce a reliable Top 10, as the somewhat adult Age of Conan won’t be an option for younger players, while titles such as the forthcoming Star Wars: Old Republic depend largely on just how much a player likes such a distinctive setting.

What follows is, therefore, more of a selection of good options from amongst the current crop, set alongside some of the more promising titles scheduled to arrive within the next twelve months. Readers will have to make up their own minds about which, if any, title to go for.

If you do buy a MMORPG please remember to match your connection, your graphics card and your processor/ console to the preferred options, as newer titles can be pretty demanding on your hardware. Your kit may be able to meet the minimum specifications on the box, but it’s usually necessary to get close to the preferred specifications to pull together decent graphics, a reliable frame rate and ‘fluid’ online interactions.

Free Realms

We’ve looked at Free Realms before and our regular playtester continues to be absorbed in the community side of the game. This is the only ‘child-orientated’ title up for a clear recommendation at this point, as the site’s content and moderation are suitable for kids of 8+. The fantasy gameworld is rich and varied, the minigames are excellent,and there’s plenty to do other than, (or as well as), beating up monsters.

The game is also to be commended for allowing a range of design activities, where players take the gameworld into their own hands and use it to build all sorts of different buildings, facilities and self-directed micro-businesses. For example, one player turned her home base into a large hotel, then employed other players as staff and used the virtual proceeds to extend the hotel. This opportunity to use the game as a framework to develop your own social gameplay is moving from MMORPG territory into the kind of virtual ‘design worlds’ offered by, for example, the more adult Second Life.

The site does encourage upgrading to full access and in-game purchases of virtual items. The marketing of these options is fairly persistent, but not forced. A full subscription is good value, though not entirely necessary. The one slight concern is that Sony haven’t added much new content in the last year. A series of greyed-out ‘territories’ on the boundaries of the world map have remained unavailable for quite some time. Hopefully, the game’s planned release on the PS3 platform will result in a fresh injection of new content.

WoW: Cataclysm

WoW is so well-known that there’s not a great deal to explain. Get yourself a fantasy character, join up with some mates online and ‘persuade’ plenty of monsters to hand over their ill-gotten gains. The latest expansion pack promises new zones, more PvP (Player v’s Player) gameplay, higher level caps, new races and new character class combinations.

WoW’s success is based on being easy to learn and run, while offering a wide selection of different landscapes, encounters and plots to develop. There’s unlikely to be much genuine novelty in the new pack, but the extra content will extend the game’s lifespan for existing players and continue to attract lots of new players.

Aion

Aion’s twist on the WoW format is to borrow slightly from Tabletop RPG Exalted, where players start out with great powers and play the role of supernatural beings working beyond the mundane world of mere mortals. The system has a PvPvE, (Player v’s Player v’s Environment),  design, which can be a bit ‘crunchy’ or combat-orientated for some players. So, while it’s probably not the best starter system, there’s an appealing combination of ‘powerplay’ and ‘mortal combat’ waiting for those who favour competitive gameplay.

Guild Wars 2

The obvious advantage to Guild Wars is the absence of a typical subscription model. Buy the game off the shelf and away you go. Guild Wars 2 is not available quite yet, but the original gets a lot of praise from those who’ve tried it. The game offers familiar fantasy gameplay and there are loads of plots, encounters and monsters to tackle.

The move to Guild Wars 2 promises better graphics, new territories and varied plots. There are a few new MMORPGs we’d like to explore in more detail when they arrive and Guild Wars 2 is top of the list. This is, in part, due to the value for money, but also because Guild Wars is held in such high esteem by current players.

Star Wars: The Old Republic

It’ll be some time before Star Wars: The Old Republic is good to go. Nevertheless, this Bioware backed title looks likely to pull in a great many Star Wars fans. Some may be movie fans, but we suspect it’ll be the past success of Star Wars videogames that’ll bring the cash flowing in. Expect excellent graphics, a possible over-reliance on Star Wars staples, lots of Imperial Stormtroopers and more than a few light sabres. There were mixed opinions about becoming immersed in such a ‘heavily-accented’ setting, as fans will love the gameworld, while those who’ve tired of the films may feel a bit ‘corralled’.

Final Fantasy XIV

The current Final Fantasy XI MMORPG offers stylish graphics, an intriguing plot and enjoyable gameplay. Unsurprisingly, the game attracted lots of subscribers and its successor, Final Fantasy XIV, seems sure to follow suit. Recruitment won’t have been hindered by the impressive, if somewhat linear, standalone Final Fantasy XIII.

Those prepared to wait for FFXIV can look forward to lavish graphics, a cinematic, (possibly even operatic), plot and ‘the usual’ Final Fantasy ‘tropes’. All things considered, the game can be relied on to deliver exactly what players expect, which is a serious compliment when talking about games of the quality of much of the Fighting Fantasy series over the years.

Eve Online

Eve Online

Eve is a heavy-duty Sci-Fi MMORPG based around interstellar corporations and combat. There are few better options for committed gamers, as a massive, highly detailed  ‘universe’ allows players to become immersed in complex political and economic intrigues. Those looking for a more ‘casual’ Sci-Fi option might want to consider the currently overpriced Star Trek Online, which seems to be improving as more content appears.

However, dedicated Sci-Fi fans, with a certain amount of cash on hand, are not going to be disappointed by Eve’s relative complexity. (It’s customary to use freely available video clips to pick up the essentials before cutting loose in Eve).

Conclusions

There are several currently available titles which deserve an honourable mention. The developers just wouldn’t thanks us for naming them, because a ‘shake out’ seems pretty much inevitable over the next year or so. FF XIV and Star Wars: The Old Republic are far from the only major new MMORPGs on the way. Consequently, some of the more ageing and expensive  games among the current range of titles are likely to struggle. Especially if recent rumours of a new Neverwinter Nights prove correct, as the original is well known for both it’s general gameplay and plentiful design options, (including building your own levels and customising gameplay).

For now, it makes a lot of sense to try a few ‘free-to-play’ systems and trial offers while waiting for other options to arrive. Prices are set to fall as competition increases, so patient buyers are likely to get the gameplay they’re looking for at increasingly reasonable prices. Particularly when developers are falling over themselves to deliver more and more complete gameworlds, (often capable of supporting tactical and/ or strategic play, alongside a full set of PvPvE gameplay).

There’s so much going on in the MMORPG market that we’ll have to return to the topic. Until then ‘try before you buy’ is the clear ‘winner’.