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Sandboxish in search
This word is used way too much on the forum and I'm not making an exception, other than adding -ish to the ending which perhaps brings it little closer to the truth.
I've been testing a bit this and that lately. Used to play WoW a lot, but it has gone downhill most of the time and after 3.3 I had no reason to play it anymore, I didn't even care what's inside ICC. Just few days ago I tried EQ2, I leveled few characters to around 8, saw couple of starting areas. Of course, new game almost always feels fascinating and much better than the one you spent last 3 years playing, but I would say even if we take that fact away, EQ2 is much better than WoW from my perspective. But it seems to be still very WoW-like, themepark as it is. I was let down by the +30 quests I did, they were almost all kill few of those or collect few of this. Very easy and it was almost impossible to die. I wonder how much it differs from WoW when I get further in the game and where can I find the sandboxy elements?
Anarchy online, wanted to like it for some reason, but just didn't interest me enough. I played Runescape long time ago and that game has great quests, quality over quantity. Otherwise it was too time demanding game and pretty boring. I tried Shadowbane long time ago and it was interesting, but I was put off by the graphics and clunky gameplay. Tried Darkfall as well and thinking of renewing sub soon, but gonna try other options first. I didn't get far in that game.
Also downloading AoC and Vanguard at the moment. It just takes ages due to couple of reasons. I think I'm going to like Vanguard, but you probably know why it's a bit problematic case. Ryzom and Wurm tested. Wurm has fun ideas, but bit too slow paced for my liking. Ryzom's community is unbeliavable. The combat seems sluggish. How it changes as level raises and if I buy subscription? Just moments ago I read about LOVE, don't know much about it yet. Then there's Fallen Earth, I don't know much about it, doesn't seem so inviting. I guess I should test EvE as well. And so on. Just too much to test and 2-4 hours isn't even nearly enough to judge a game + downloading takes many hours per game. Also the fact that my attention span has gone down a lot when it comes to gaming doesn't help either, don't know why's that. I guess WoW has killed my brain with it's short term rewards and general easiness.
So... something sandboxy. Should always have at least few route options to choose from, the more freedom the better. If there's quests, they should be interesting and challenging, not 'collect 5 bananas or kill 10 crabs' type. I'd love to try out a game that really is a challenge, but not "disguise" the challenge in having to play the game for at least a year several hours a day, if you understand what I mean. Mature, relaxed community. Advanced crafting and/or building system. Doesn't matter how much it costs.
It could be any of the games I mentioned, I haven't tried them enough most likely, or something else of course. Currently my plan is to test following games:
1. Vanguard, trial - good one, buying subscription if I don't find too many good ones
2. Darkfall - subscription renewed, enjoying
3. Age of Conan, trial - not my genre anymore
4. Wurm, non-member - sluggish gameplay, not quite the type I'm looking for
5. Ryzom, trial - very interesting game world, but something is missing, I might need to try again some other time
6. EverQuest II & read-up more, trial - too WoW-like themepark, awful combat
7. EvE, trial - downloading
8. Fallen Earth, trial - downloading
9. LOVE, alpha/beta - waiting for the game to develop further
10. Play older gems, DAoC, Shadowbane, Ultima, AC... - perhaps some other time
Comments
Sandboxes?
Ryzom!
Dawntide!
Wurm!
Haven and Hearth!
A Tale In the Desert!
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John, are you specialized in less known and indie games or what? :-) I'll read-up about those.
Darkfall feels bit failure to me atleast but im still trying there and hoping some kind of change from gods.
Mortal Online is my best bet.
Generation P
EvE is the most sandbox game out there currently aside from Darkfall. There is indeed a trial and I highly doubt it will be your cup of tea but such exists.
When you go back to Darkfall I think you'll mostly be pleased with the changes they made
"IRL is a pretty upstanding MMO with thousands of classes, a lot of PvP and even some pretty unique emotes and titles you can acquire. Explore that world first, then we'll talk about this virtual one."
Mortal Online is in the same category as Darkfall, right? What do you think it will do differently?
Thanks for letting me know, Twiggy. For some reason playing EvE has been very distant idea. I guess it's the spaceships. I'm fascinated by the complexity of the game though. So I've heard at least.
I personally can't answer your 2nd question, but your 1st question yes. Darkfall and Mortal Online are competitors in the eyes of most MMO players.
"IRL is a pretty upstanding MMO with thousands of classes, a lot of PvP and even some pretty unique emotes and titles you can acquire. Explore that world first, then we'll talk about this virtual one."
example 1 alot more complicated rules = more intelligent people to play with
there should be features like ,taller you are ,more you can reach in battle
taller you are then you get damage bonus,more hp more str,but its easier to hit you
smaller you are then its harder to hit you but you will move slower
-hitboxes.
im playing Darkfall atm but,i still like Mortal Beta even now more when world is allmost empty ,theres no mobs to mention ,but still ,just sitting under the tree and wandering.
Generation P
OMG OMG OMG! You rule dude. You found LOVE on your own. =D
It's not a bad game. Just wait for beta. Eskil's supposed to have a lot in store for us all. =D
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Haha, stumbled upon the name somewhere and it's quite hard not to remember. Wouldn't be surprised if it was one of your posts.
Anyway, Vanguard download completed and first impressions are really good. I got even goose pumps due to the rather authentic Chinese style starting area and the map that seemed huge. Really tired of cartoony fantasy art style, this seems much more realistic approach to fantasy. Combat feels good, although the first mobs are dead with couple of hits, will get more difficult I'd imagine.
Reminded me how much I appreciate huge, non-linear world.
I played AoC for sometime. Extremely linear, but that is to be expected of Tortage. Kinda annoying there's no way of knowing how the game changes after that. Is there any more freedom? Are the quests the same boring themepark quality? Is there any difficulty? Gotta say I'm not too fond of the overly muscular male avatars either, but yeah, I understand that it's what Conan is all about. I've read that there's really good dungeons though, that's the main reason I might continue.
I'll see how EvE and Fallen Earth are later. I suppose I have to give much more time for EvE than for the others.
I find Conan to have plenty of freedom, BUT, I do not think it is sandbox and I ask that you do not expect that when going in.
Otherwise you will be just as blind as the many others who bash Conan.
Playing: World Of Warcraft
Resting From: Nothing
Retired: EQ2, CoH, Tabula Rasa, SWG, Warhammer, AoC
Waiting For: SWTOR, APB
Love(d): Tabula Rasa, SWG, World Of Warcraft, Age of Conan
I did?
i just like that theres more "realistic" reactions to fix old stoopid actions,thats all.
its called progression in many countries.
Generation P
I reloaded Vangurd a couple months ago. In 6 hours of play only saw one person and chat was empty. Was playing prime time US would of expected a few more people.
If "LOVE" for some reason doesn't appeal to you, let me introduce you to another option to beta test/wait for: Final Fantasy XIV.
"Sandboxish" would probably be the best word to describe the game. Crafting has been made a larger part of the game by making the professions classes, just like combat and magic classes in other games. The basic quests introduced so far have been along the likes of "kill X, Y", however with interesting twists to not make it so straightforward. Lots of quests have some kind of puzzle for you and/or your team to work on, and it seems that quality is taking over quantity, so there will be less quests than normally but you can mix them up and repeat them if you wish. Helping other people with their quests is also a big part of the game, as you can take advantage of that and get bonuses for helping out.
The beta was just few days ago announced by Square-Enix and everyone can apply to it. My guess for release date is Q3 2010, but there has been no concrete info regarding that as of yet except that it will come out next year.
I applied for FFXIV beta some time ago, I'm definitely looking forward to it.
Ibluerate, I'm expecting very little sandbox features. With freedom I mean different areas to explore, to find something fun somewhere you didn't quite expect it to be, as opposed to having everything put along that one path you have to follow till 80. Certainly not gonna bash any came, some just are not my type. :-)
For some reason, I realized, linearity kills my game experience totally. At least I've learned something. Also, small playerbase doesn't bother me at all, it's more fun when seeing someone running past is actually slight surprise.
If you looking for a good Sandbox mmo there are not any good ones out there.
I guess you misunderstood me, I meant a game with preferably sandboxy elements. The more the better, but I'm willing to settle for less.
"#9 Sandbox / Theme Park
The term sandbox was originally used to describe an “open world” style of MMORPG where players of all advancement levels were encouraged to wander the virtual world in search of their own stories and adventures. The metaphor is pretty self explanatory: put a child in a sandbox and they will use their imaginations to create all manner of fun for themselves. Theme Park games, on the other hand, are MMOs that guide players through the game’s experience. The developers craft the rides and players need only jump on and enjoy. Each is a different approach to MMO development, valid for its own reasons and appealing to its own audiences.
Over time though, the term sandbox has been somehow misused by some to describe a game that is questless, and levelless, devoid of any and all developer meddling. Theme Park, on the other hand, has become a word to describe a gaming experience that provides the players with no choice at all, no variation and no choice.
Sandboxes, for all of their freedom, should probably have a few toys thrown in: a shovel, maybe a few buckets and a Tonka bulldozer. A Theme park, while it does have predictable rides, should offer variation and choice in what you want to ride. Don’t like rollercoasters? Try the Merry-Go-Round or some carnival games.
In the end, neither term was meant to represent the extremes that many people use them to represent."
- Ten Most Misused Words in MMOs (http://www.mmorpg.com/showFeature.cfm/feature/3092/page/1)
The horse has been beaten.
Deui, if LOVE doesn't work out, I'd go for Fallen Earth since you want something that's kind of muddled in between themepark and sandbox. The mix has broken a lot of things (PvP </3) and accessibility can be lacking depending on your style of play, but through my 1 and a half years of play and the huge amount of heartbreak attained from very little in deciding on a direction to put muddled mess that is Fallen Earth in, like my brother and Hellgate: London (he took my alpha/CB account for HG:L), I can't do anything but love the game.
Btw, don't listen to Hyanmen. Anyone that claims that FFXIV is going to be a sandbox (especially judging by FFXI's popularity and core gameplay, I can't imagine they'd change it too drastically) is going wayyyy out on a limb. Also, check his recommendation history. He's literally recommended that game for gamers that don't like grouping. :S
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Hm, who claimed that FFXIV is going to be a sandbox? Before you talk out of your ass I'd like you to provide some proof. Makes your point more valid and stuff.
SE has said that XIV caters to solo players as much as groupers. Might be the reason why I did something as unbelievable as recommend the game to someone who likes to solo, as amazing as it is.
Well, you said it's going to be more sandboxy. I can't see Square Enix making that game anywhere near sandboxy. I also can't see crafting playing a major part. I think it's an attempt at more roleplay options, my friend.
As for the second part you added in, I may not have known that. Thanks for the correction. I'll remember that next time. =]
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"Sandboxish" was the word I used, with the ""'s and all. I don't think SE would make the game stray away from the themepark setup of XI too much- however, what we've seen so far is making it quite clear that it's not quite the pure themepark game anymore that XI was. The clear indicator of this is the way SE has advertised the way crafting and resource professions becoming classes this time, which in my opinion is a very sandboxish element not found in most themeparks (like XI). It's not the whole game, which I feel will still be a themepark by core, but it's quite a big change still. Doesn't make it a sandbox, but adds a sandboxy element.
I don't mean to be aggressive, but I've seen similar comments a bit too often on these boards lately for no good reason. If the OP's preferences might indicate that he could like XIV (even loosely), I'll recommend it. In the end there's no harm done, except other people than OP getting pissed at me, which frankly is quite silly.
Aight, I get where you're coming from.
Also, I'm not trashing FFXIV for no reason. I'm just commenting on the way you're advertising it.
I've seen people go out on great limbs to trick people here into playing Darkfall, when it's obvious that it didn't come close to catering to that player's style of play. I've just been being careful about anyone who does that with any game. People are grateful when you save them money, even if you don't find them their perfect game, after all.
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I don't really like when people do that. If you're not honest when recommending a game, it'll most likely be a disappointment for the receiving end.
What would be silly of me is to recommend the game to someone who prefers PvP over PvE, wants a lot of customization for his character and likes fast paced combat for example. I'm not planning to do that, so I'm with you in this case.
I don't really like when people do that. If you're not honest when recommending a game, it'll most likely be a disappointment for the receiving end.
What would be silly of me is to recommend the game to someone who prefers PvP over PvE, wants a lot of customization for his character and likes fast paced combat for example. I'm not planning to do that, so I'm with you in this case.
Alrighty then, glad we settled that. ^^
Still, to the OP, the closest you're going to get to a real mix is either going to be the muddled mess that is Fallen Earth or Asheron's Call. Asheron's Call doesn't get newbs anymore though, so all the vets will have you to level 75 in 2 hours. >.>
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