Best "free-to-play-forever" MMORPG game?

Lord_Fiq

Any suggestions?

My criteria:

-good gaming community

-at least 2D graphics

-entertaining background music and sounds

-loads of engaging quests

-fun pvp/guild warring

-plenty of non-combat activities (e.g. mining, fishing, cooking, etc)

-most importantly ... free-to-play-forever

nomadian

Anarchy Online,Silkroad online, Shadowbane, Runescape.

1. Anarchy Online- sci fi.
2. Shadowbane- PvP
3. Silkroad Online.(definitely worth a try for you)
4. Runescape(crap but its along the lines of what you want)

Guild wars- intial fee then free forever.

Feretus-Beta but on release will be a pay for enhanced features.

Lord_Fiq

Anarchy Online --> free till January 2007

Shadowbane --> mostly pvp? i will get bored soon :P

Silkroad  --> tried and it has pretty demanding requirements and very lagged up but good graphics

Runescape --> LOL

I would love something like Conquer Online but with more non-combat stuff like its gem mining. Anyone know bout the new Dragon Raja?

theanimedude

Originally posted by LoRd_VeNuS
Any suggestions?
My criteria:
-good gaming community
-at least 2D graphics
-entertaining background music and sounds
-loads of engaging quests
-fun pvp/guild warring
-plenty of non-combat activities (e.g. mining, fishing, cooking, etc)
-most importantly ... free-to-play-forever

I agree, you've got to hate those games that are all just vertices. How am I supposed to tell one mob from the next when they're all just a point on my screen? gosh

As a note, if you're looking for FTP games, best of luck in finding a good one. There's a reason some games cost money, and some don't, and it's called time and dedication. Free games have absolutely no thought put into them, or atelast none on the market right now. So best of luck to you

Lord_Fiq

Well i don't mind paying for some power-ups and probably items from the game's online mall if they have one (of course they always do). But most games to that are just designed around a hack & slash concept and not much else.

To date, I've played lots of FTP games and haven't paid a single cent. E.g. MythWar, ConquerOnline, Supreme Destiny, Knights Online, etc etc. But none of them actually developed a more balanced approached other than pvp, hunting and guild warring. Even most of the popular PTP ones!

tigris67

How is Ferentus? It seems interesting, never even really looked at it before. Is it point and click or WASD controlls? Also, will beta characters carry over into release? just wondering.

Lord_Fiq

Never heard of Ferentus before. You have a link to that? Some games carry the beta accounts over when it goes live. Maplestory did. Some doesn't because people complain its unfair that the testers have a headstart. So it really depends.

wqsrgf

Kal Online's worth a try, but it's run by CCFers...Personally I'd just wait for some new releases.

nomadian

"I would love something like Conquer Online but with more non-combat
stuff like its gem mining. Anyone know bout the new Dragon Raja?"

I tried the Dragon Raja, which plans to be free, unfortunately I was a bit put off by its translation and its grind. But it did look to have some very good elements in it if you carried on with it.

Legend of Ares is another one which is also free. Its very lineage like and very dated graphics. Might be worth trying.

nomadian

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How is Ferentus? It seems interesting, never even really looked at it before. Is it point and click or WASD controlls? Also, will beta characters carry over into release? just wondering.

---

You can choose between point and click or WASD controls, its very easy to switch between 4 different modes. The game has a very nice feel to it, and unlike other Korean exports it is very well translated and with a pretty nice interface. The graphics are nowhere near cutting edge but a head above both games like Dragon Raja or Legend of Ares. Combat is friendly enough but its a teeny bit simple if you're used to games like WoW.

I would say its definitely worth a check out. Though from what I can gather I will say the game isn't all there yet, there is a whole load of it still on the test servers which has been for something like 6 months. When that is released there will be a host of new features and environments to the game.

The link is www.ferentus.com just join the Beta. I don't know what will happen to peoples characters on release. It might say on their forum somewhere.

wqsrgf

Don't try Legend of Ares. It's a waste of time.

Lord_Fiq

Thanks for the input guys

I think I'm gonna look forward to Dragon Raja. My reason? Well its graphics seems to brings back the good 'ol days of Ultima rpg series. Those who played them before will know what I mean. And it looks better than Ultima Online too! Besides, its got some non-combat activities like its job features. It gives you something else to do when all that grinding gets boring.

As for Ferentus, looks set to be commercialized after beta testing. Wonder if that means p2p. Legend of Ares looks cool but then again, not much of non-combat activities.

theanimedude

Ferentus reminds me a lot of L2 early game. It is all just grinding and unbalanced classes.

I haven't ever found one quest fun or anything.

Everyone wears the same armor, you can only get new armor every 5 levels and it all looks exactly the same.

L2 clone all the way

Lord_Fiq

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Originally posted by theanimedude

Everyone wears the same armor, you can only get new armor every 5 levels and it all looks exactly the same.
L2 clone all the way

---

Ahh .. yes. A lot of free MMORPGs out there don't even bother to design unique armors and weaponry! Not even some color customizations! As for unbalanced classes, even p2p games have them. It all comes down to their character class design and attributes. Mess it up during the design phase, and they'll likely to have a messed up game.

Salvatoris

I would also say Anarchy Online. I know you posted the thing about it only being free until some date in 2007, but it used to say 2006. They aren't saying forever, but I really doubt with AoC on the way that they have a long term plan to start charging for the free level AO accounts at any time in the future. Even at the free level, it is a very deep game, with tons of content and items, weapons and armor to acquire.

nomadian

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Ferentus reminds me a lot of L2 early game. It is all just grinding and unbalanced classes.

I haven't ever found one quest fun or anything.

Everyone wears the same armor, you can only get new armor every 5 levels and it all looks exactly the same.

L2 clone all the way

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Your description of 'lineage2 clone' as being 'grinding and unbalanced classes' could apply to any mmorpg. I personally don't think its Lineage style. If Lineage2 is anything like Lineage then definitely nothing alike.

beautyisin

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Originally posted by theanimedude
Ferentus reminds me a lot of L2 early game. It is all just grinding and unbalanced classes.I haven't ever found one quest fun or anything.Everyone wears the same armor, you can only get new armor every 5 levels and it all looks exactly the same.L2 clone all the way

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Apart from the graphics being a million times worse.

theanimedude

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Originally posted by beautyisin
Originally posted by theanimedude
Ferentus reminds me a lot of L2 early game. It is all just grinding and unbalanced classes.I haven't ever found one quest fun or anything.Everyone wears the same armor, you can only get new armor every 5 levels and it all looks exactly the same.L2 clone all the way
Apart from the graphics being a million times worse.

---

Ok, i'm sorry.

Korean game clone all the way.

Every korean export game has no originality, simple grinding and armor every x levels, with y variations per class.

The reason I compare it to L2 is this:

You grind exactly the same as L2 - Wolves first, then skeletons/goblins, etc. Inspired by L2? more like ripped off from it!

Armor Every x levels that looks all the same - L2 is this exact same way, which is completely annoying, and unoriginal. Everyone looks exactly the same, and it is retarted.

Completely unimaginative landscapes - dull, mostly flat, with some random crap thrown in sometimes.

Ok, so it can apply to any game, but the "i'm trying to be real, but I can't quite do it" art style brings it to a full L2 looking game. Sure, the poly count is too low to look like L2, so what. They both tried to look nice and realistic and just look like crap.

nomadian

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You grind exactly the same as L2 - Wolves first, then skeletons/goblins, etc. Inspired by L2? more like ripped off from it!

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True, but I would then suggest L2 ripped off Everquest. =p

The graphics I would admit aren't too impressive but if you consider the relative budgets, it is no surprise. I doubt it has had anywhere near the budget of any the big titles. I did like its feeling of bigness, that is something I've seen missing from some of the other korean games and it did have originality for instance, hiring mercenaries. I'm not sure if they have that in Lineage2. It was also quite polished which impressed me, a very well translated help screen on the start.

But yes you're right, it doesn't compete with the bigboys like EQ, UO, Lineage2, FFXI, EQ2. But it did impress me for a korean game compared to Legend of Ares(which is very lineage like) and Dragon Raja. If it decides to go free I think it wouldn't be a bad game to play, likewise silkroad. However, I do think it plans to go pay to play which is admittedly quite optimistic.

RabbitHUN

I played Silkroad about 2 mounths. And i think it is the best free mmorpg, but now all server crowded, and all lagging too. So now its not a good fun.

basalt

runescape

okay the graphics are not great i admit but that is its only downfall, it is totally free(unless u r a member), u do not have 2 download it. there r plenty of skills other than combat e.g mining,smithing,cooking,woodcutting,fire-making,fishing,crafting,prayer,magic,etc. there is music and sound effects(even tho they are not very good). some people on it are really nice in the community whilst others are not but it does not really affect ur enjoyment AND all of the quests r extremely interesting with a good storyline with brains and skill required

beautyisin

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Originally posted by theanimedude
Originally posted by beautyisin
Originally posted by theanimedude
Ferentus reminds me a lot of L2 early game. It is all just grinding and unbalanced classes.I haven't ever found one quest fun or anything.Everyone wears the same armor, you can only get new armor every 5 levels and it all looks exactly the same.L2 clone all the way
Apart from the graphics being a million times worse.Ok, i'm sorry.Korean game clone all the way.Every korean export game has no originality, simple grinding and armor every x levels, with y variations per class.The reason I compare it to L2 is this:You grind exactly the same as L2 - Wolves first, then skeletons/goblins, etc. Inspired by L2? more like ripped off from it!Armor Every x levels that looks all the same - L2 is this exact same way, which is completely annoying, and unoriginal. Everyone looks exactly the same, and it is retarted.Completely unimaginative landscapes - dull, mostly flat, with some random crap thrown in sometimes.Ok, so it can apply to any game, but the "i'm trying to be real, but I can't quite do it" art style brings it to a full L2 looking game. Sure, the poly count is too low to look like L2, so what. They both tried to look nice and realistic and just look like crap.

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No need to apologise, nice summary i couldn't agree more.

Lord_Fiq

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Originally posted by basalt

runescape
okay the graphics are not great i admit but that is its only downfall, it is totally free(unless u r a member), u do not have 2 download it. there r plenty of skills other than combat e.g mining,smithing,cooking,woodcutting,fire-making,fishing,crafting,prayer,magic,etc. there is music and sound effects(even tho they are not very good). some people on it are really nice in the community whilst others are not but it does not really affect ur enjoyment AND all of the quests r extremely interesting with a good storyline with brains and skill required

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I tried it some time ago. But couldn't get my friends to join me lol. They get turned off by the graphics. How I wish the nice 3D mmorpgs have the elements of non-combat activities like runescape. That would have a perfect gameplay value to me!

invisibleelf

Tibia (www.tibia.com), its 2d bit not the ugly 2d thats impossible t navigate in.

gidd

Originally posted by LoRd_VeNuS
Any suggestions?
My criteria:
-good gaming community
-at least 2D graphics
-entertaining background music and sounds
-loads of engaging quests
-fun pvp/guild warring
-plenty of non-combat activities (e.g. mining, fishing, cooking, etc)
-most importantly ... free-to-play-forever

I realy doubt you will find a game with all of those for free....silkroad is worth a try for u but realy free games dont have as much in them as pay games thats why they are p2p(pay 2 play) But if u do find a game thats free for life with all the things u want....send me a invite to the game .

gidd

Originally posted by LoRd_VeNuS
Any suggestions?
My criteria:
-good gaming community
-at least 2D graphics
-entertaining background music and sounds
-loads of engaging quests
-fun pvp/guild warring
-plenty of non-combat activities (e.g. mining, fishing, cooking, etc)
-most importantly ... free-to-play-forever

I realy doubt you will find a game with all of those for free....silkroad is worth a try for u but realy free games dont have as much in them as pay games thats why they are p2p(pay 2 play) But if u do find a game thats free for life with all the things u want....send me a invite to the game .