quote:
Originally posted by Nydlari:
Way off topic, but I think this is a good group to get advice from. I'd really like to find a fun MMORPG to start playing. I've tried Everquest, Anarchy Online, and DAoC but they all got very boring, very fast.
I'd like a game where there is more of a challenge than: How long can you stay online killing things.
So, Does anyone around here play any MMORPGs, and if so what and how do you like it?
IMHO, it's incredibly difficult to find a fun MMORPG. [img]smile.gif[/img]
I played Everquest for two years, though truthfully I was bored with it long before then. I generally enjoy more of a storyline, more actual role-playing, and like you say, more of a challenge than sitting online, "camping" spawns, and listening to guild gripes. The game's only redeeming factor was the interaction that you could have with other players, but eventually, everyone got bored, everyone quit, and well, there was quite honestly nothing left.
I was actually pretty excited about Anarchy Online, because of the active storyline that it promised, and I purchased it despite the complaints I'd heard from nearly everyone I knew that the game had serious technical issues. I still think, that in different hands, it could have been a far better game, but I grew disappointed with the various balance issues (as well as the unending technical issues), or perhaps more specifically, the lazy, hasty fixes devised for them. By the time my first months subscription expired, they still hadn't implemented the active storyline that had initially attracted me, and they'd made so many drastic changes to gameplay that the game almost didn't resemble the one they released.
I haven't played another MMORPG since. I guess you could say that I'm disenchanted with the genre, and not as eager as some for the next one to hit the market - but I will admit that I stumbled across a future project that looks incredibly appealing. If you're looking for a MMORPG that presents more of a challenge (and offers a goal other than getting the best items, and the highest level character), and aren't opposed to a futuristic setting, I strongly recommend checking out
Citizen Zero.
The game is set on a planet known as Neo-Eden, which served at one time as a penal colony, but is now free. Your character is a citizen of this planet, whose memory has been erased, and throughout the course of your adventures, you gradually discover who you are - as well as who you were (your character will actually regain memories).
CZ is supposed to have an active storyline, as well as a sophisticated system for NPC interaction. There are organizations (factions, of a sort) that you can join, based on the skills your character possesses, or you can opt to be an independent operator, craftsman, or a hired gun. Players can opt to go on missions, much like in AO, but these missions are tailored based on your character, the interactions he/she has had with certain NPCs, affiliations or grudges he/she may have, and skills/preferences he/she possesses. You can also team up with other players, conduct raids, and hunt the wilderness.
There are trade skills (you can play as a pilot for instance), there has even been talk of allowing PC rentable shops. You can participate in races, etc, as well as specialize in mechanics to upgrade other players' 'rippers' (vehicles).
Skill distribution is point-based I believe, though whether or not you accomplish a task in-game is based on both your skill level, and you as a player. Higher skill in racing, for example, would certainly help you win a race, but you still would have to steer the vehicle. There is also talk of skills being far less repetitive (once you pick a certain type of lock, for instance, you ALWAYS know how to pick that type of lock). On the forums, the devs were even saying that a certain amount of skill points would be distributed to a single character per account on a monthly basis, so that people with less time could keep up with their friends that might play more often. Granted, the more time you put into the game, the faster your character advances, but I believe they are attempting to make the game more viable for people that want to play it, but may not have the time required to keep up with those that they regularly play with.
Overall, the game looks to be incredibly detailed - and there is definitely more information available than what I've posted here, but it's a start. [img]smile.gif[/img] I joined the official forum a little over a year ago, and if you're interested in additional information, I'd suggest checking out tthe forum; specifically dev (pMac) threads.
Unfortunately, I have no idea when this game is going to be released, the beta has been postponed (which sort of worries me), but I thought I'd pass along the info. As is, the game looks extremely promising, and if/when it hits the shelves, I will definitely be giving it a try.
[ 01-31-2002: Message edited by: Erydian ]