Favorite MMORPGs

Everyone has an MMORPG or two that they really love. Most people really like their first MMORPGs, I know I do. The first MMORPG I played was the original EverQuest game from Sony Online Entertainment back in 2000. I absolutely loved that game and felt really immersed in it. It’s actually the only MMORPG that I felt Immersed in. But that’s largely because it’s the first MMORPG I played and have a bias towards it. I think most people love their first MMOs. But there are a few MMORPGs out there that I can always go back to and enjoy.

One of the MMOs I can go back to and enjoy is MapelStory from Nexon. Yeah, I know what some of you are thinking, but MapleStory is easily one of the most popular free MMORPGs for a reason. It has so much content. The reason I can always go back to it and play it is because there are so many playable classes in the game. Since the Evan update, I think the game has 15 or so starting classes. Many more if you count all of the job advancements. So every time I go back to MapleStory, I just roll up a new character and try a new class. Plus the game has transformed itself from a grind based game to a quest based MMORPG over the years. It’s not nearly as “grindy” as it used to be when it launched. Another reason I love MapelStory is that Nexon does an awesome job keeping it up to date. Just look at Combat Arms, Vindictus and Mabinogi too – they’re some of the most in depth and constantly updated MMOs out there. Keeping a game regularly updated keeps users coming back for more.

Another free to play MMO that I really enjoy that I can go back to often is Alliance of Valiant Arms from ijji. Why? Because it offers something different than other tactical MMOs – real progression. Games like Sudden Attack from GameHi and Operation 7 from Netgame are fun for a while, but they get boring after a while because they don’t have any real progression. You can rank up in those games, but ranking up doesn’t really get you anything. Same with Wolfteam and Soldier Front. There’s no point to ranking up. Alliance of Valiant Arms on the other hand has a boat load of unlockable medals, achievements and skills. It’s one of the few MMO Shooters, aside from perhaps Battlefield Heroes, that has a skill system. Plus it’s not an MMORPG, so the game doesn’t take a huge time commitment.

Another free to play MMO that I can go back to for fun is Lost Saga from OGPlanet. In my opinion, it’s the best brawler MMO. It beats both Zone 4: Fight District, Rumble Fighter and GetAmped 2 because it has more variety. The game has some 15+ playable characters, each with their own distinct set of skills and abilities. I mean how awesome is that? Plus the anime inspired graphics are really well made, giving the game a unique look.

Anyway – What’s your favorite free MMORPGs? Perhaps that a poor way of wording it. What MMOs do you regularly go back to?

Unique Ideas for MMORPGs

It seems like there are more and more fantasy MMORPGs coming out each and every month. Legend of Edda and Iris Online should be coming out late September. Vindictus began its early access open beta on September 15 and The Lord of the Rings Online went free to play on September 10. Fantasy MMORPGs are growing like crazy. But what about sci-fi MMORPGs? Aside from perhaps Zero Online from TQ Digital, CosmicBreak from CyberStep, Clone Wars Adventures from Sonly Online Entertainment and GhostX from GameKiss there aren’t any sci-fi themed MMORPGs out there. The genre definitely needs more attention. You’d imagine a sci-fi themed game would be easier to develop, as its an untapped market and the sci-fi genre is enormous. Time traveling, space battles, diplomacy and more. There are so many awesome sci-fi concepts that developers could use to make their games interesting, but MMO developers seem to be sticking with fantasy themed games.

Another untapped genre for the free to play space is Superhero MMORPGs. Why aren’t there any of them? There are a few pay to play ones like City of Heroes and Champions Online – but there isn’t a SINGLE free to play superhero themed game. Why? Disney has been embracing free to play MMOs quite a bit with Club Penguin, World of Cars, Pixie Hallow and Pirates of the Caribbean Online – so you’d think they would make a superhero themed MMORPG, but nope. I say Disney would make a superhero themed game, because they own Marvel Enterprises, and Marvel is the huge comic company behind well known superheroes like Spiderman and Iron man. So what’s Disney waiting for? They could make a ton of money if they made a sweet superhero themed game. They could even make it a browser MMO like Pirates of the Caribbean Online.

Another genre that developers need to pay more attention to is the third person MMO shooter genre. As is, aside from Battlefield Heroes, MicroVolts, S4 League and GunZ, there aren’t any other third person MMO shooters – but there are a ton of first person shooters. In fact, there are already a boat load of upcoming MMOFPS games like Karma: Operation Barbarossa and Genesis A.D. But there aren’t any new third person MMO shooters. I’m actually a fan of MMO shooters in general, but it sucks to see such little variety in the genre. Especially since 99% of MMO shooters are counter-strike like tactical MMO shooters where people die in 1 or 2 hits.

Think any other MMO genre deserves some more attention? Leave it in the comments below. I’m curious what you all think!