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A Diamond in the rough- Most under-rated game ever...
Jacxolope
Member UncommonPosts: 1,140
Well, my quest to find a 'virtual world' absent of quest grinding , ez-mode and simplicity...is finally over. How I have never heard of this game is beyond me, why its not popular makes total sense (more on this in a moment) but why the population is as low as it is eludes me.
Last weekend I stumbled up (by accident) a game called 'Minions of Mirth' which looked like a dated F2P game but my boredom level was quite high and I decided to give it a spin. The payment model seemed very good for a "F2P' (I hate F2P as many of you know) since it was essentially a very large free trial giving you a taste of gameplay up until level 15 (...I think) at which point you could purchase the full game for $30 and play online for life- Very similar to the guild wars model but without a real cash shop (there are a couple items for sale but...) and less arcade-like. Much more an MMORPG than Guild Wars.
-Anyhow I downloaded the free version, joined the game and have not stopped since...
The game has issues. There are bugs. The UI is insane. Some animations dont seem to be there. The graphics are pretty poor (in First Person mode there are some gorgeous sights in the landscape and such but the character models and textures are sub par for even an old game), the population is tiny (but helpful and friendly beyond belief), the documentation sparse and getting started was a chore.
-In fact, I can totally understand someone trying this and giving up within an hour or two and asking themselves WTF?
BUT...If you can fight your way through the archaic UI, deal with the graphics, re-log on occasion to un-stuck yourself, invest some time getting past the initial learning curve- You will find level after level of complexity and depth the likes of which I have rarely seen in an MMORPG. This (to me) reminds me of playing an Online version of Morrowind mixed with D&D- Its like a graphical MUD or something- If you can see this more as a MUD the graphics begin to not really matter and the world sucks you in. People say this is similar to Everquest (the original) but IDK... I didnt like Everquest but find Minions Of Mirth to (maybe) be the best Online gaming experience I have ever had..
-I have literally had moments of fear playing this game while deep within the sewers... The immersion level here is unreal, graphics aside.
-I have had moments of relief and happiness as an adventure I took exploring a very hard zone (using invisibility to avoid combat) turned deadly as my spell wore off and I was chased by mobs (the mobs dont give up unless you are really fast or can fly) into a huge river. I was kiting crocodiles and other foul things and was a hit way from death when out of nowhere a guildee flew in and laid waste to the beasts- Saving me from the very real death penalty- Then casting a flying spell on me and escorting me out of the zone. Was fantastic...
-I have had moments of pure joy when a Mob drops a particularly good piece of set armor- The itemization here is awesome. Very much like Diablo in its diversity.
-I have spent hours pouring over the in game encyclopedia, asking questions and thinking about my character build . The Builds you can make are very unique, specialized and tailored to whatever you want.
-Too much to list here- Suffice it to say its been an awesome experience.
I have put an insane amount of time into this game this week (and am barely past level 20) and my mind is blown. I continue to learn new things, marvel at the cool spells and skills you can learn and am just shaking my head in disbelief that this game isnt more popular. The Free portion is Massive and for $30 you can play for life online and get the game as a single player game with the ability (again...I think) to host your own server.
I plan on writing a full review after I have seen more of the game. I am just leaving the noob zone so my opinion is limited- That said, even if the game totally sucks at some point - This has been the best $30 I have spent on entertainment ever.
While waiting for Shards Online (the next game I will be playing) I know where I am making my MMO home...Glad I finally found one.
Anyhow- Review incoming at some point. If you can handle the negatives I listed and are willing to invest a bit of time with the game I think you will find a Diamond here.
http://www.minionsofmirth.com/
If your looking for a game this weekend-Give it a spin.
Hope to see you in game.
Comments
I'll take a look at the game, but I do want to point out that your description makes it sound like a mostly single player type experience, and didn't mention any of the things you highlighted, as in...how are the quests not grindy, or what makes it not ez-mode or simple. ( unless the UI and introduction are the only things ).
Downloading...
Shards Online look interesting btw...any release dates ?
Well, I have been playing it mainly by myself- Ive grouped a few times but most players are at max level- Things like the raids and tough content I havnt really been able to do. Even the Dungeon I did (I completed part of it with a group) has alot more to it but I cant get there since I get stomped.
The quests arent grindy because they are virtually non existent- There ARE quests. But they are long (only 1 kill 10 rats type quest in the whole game) and take you across multiple zones. I have only seen maybe 10 quests and only completed a couple. Many are multi part.
The not ez-mode is something you have to experience yourself-
I plan on writing a much larger review but just wanted to quickly get this out thee to hopefully get some people who may be interested this link. I want to get back to play =P
-I am hoping to find at least a few who might enjoy this and stick around so I can do more of the group content as I level rather than just try to 'catch everyone else' at endgame.
LOL- Its an old game. I think its been out since 2006 or something.
Ive never heard of it either lol.
EDIt_ Duh, I misread,
Shards should have an alpha this year- They had a pre alpha event that was a ton of fun. Shards is going to rock... Thats whats awesome. I will have 2 B2 Games and can play both lol.
I'm really (extremely) unsure of how you didn't enjoy original EQ, but seem to like what can arguably be seen as a knock off of it (at best an homage to EQ). The game has it's own aspects, like the ability to triple class (try bard, cleric, wizard), but as you mentioned the graphics and primarily low population sorta kill it. That's if, as you also mentioned, you can learn the incredibly dated UI.
Still, it's neat to see someone actually mention this game! Hope you enjoy your time spent, but if you end up getting bored I'd really suggest trying EQ again. Though, to get even close to the real experience nowadays you need a good player run server (I know, I know. Anathema to anyone who mentions third party servers here).
Played-Everything
Playing-LoL
Make sure you are using the Free Server.
Yes, you can make a character with a free account. Not sure what the issue is exactly but from memory you register, sign in, go to the free server (exact same as the Premium server in terms of content) and then create a new character.
If/when you make it in game, ask any questions you may have. Use /h for the help channel and most people are very cool and willing to answer questions.
Good luck.
-Bump-
There is someone out there looking for a game with some depth and complexity- If you have patience and can deal with the negatives I discussed in the OP- Now is the time to check this out. If you dont like it, its free and less than 300 MB - If you can get past the initial learning curve you might discover a hell of a game beneath the surface.
Dont be afraid to ask questions in the help channel (/h) -
Hope to see you in Mirth
DL'ed 4 times (only 269mb)...win7 version. I can log in and play single but not multiplayer. Missing files and TPC 10060 time out errors abound. Can't even register or even upgrade to premium for same error issues.
Not my first rodeo...been gaming since Merdian 59...U.O. etc.
I checked their support FAQ and man what a joke....no help what so ever.
Forum log in times out as well.
Not worth the headache.....stay away.
It's better to lurk in forums and be thought a fool...than to endlessly "Quote" and remove all doubts.
I am one of those that always cry for depth so i might try it out but if it looks like EQ1 i won`t be able to handle it.FFXI is the lowest i will go and nothing has come close to the depth of FFXI i yearn for.
The depth part should have been easy to add in the OP`s post,not sure why he did not.Example FFXI has elemental properties on mobs and weapon skills and Magic bursts on player.player combos,many different currencies,a national system where you do quests to appease your nation and npc`s as well as a global rank system with missions that pronounce the story.FFXI is the only game to have what i feel is the best content ever in the form of Besieged and just tons more different type content you don`t see in other games,that is DEPTH.
So i hope this is not simply more depth than say Wow or the rest of the no depth games out there.
Never forget 3 mile Island and never trust a government official or company spokesman.
-You probably wont want to try it- As I said, if graphics are an issue- Pass.
I also did not include a ton about the depth because (as I said) ive played a week and am getting a better feel of the game before tackling an actual review and covering the systems- Suffice it to say there are literally thousands of spells and skills to get through (and not like Fire 1, fire 2, fire 3) and each spell has 10 upgrades, plus like 16 classes and races, factions, PVP (light vs dark), dungeons, extremely deep crafting system, etc....
Give me some time man =P
FF XI was a good game with depth- I agree. Personally from what I am seeing now there is far more depth here but again, I am digging past the surface and peeling back layer upon layer of complexity and I have alot to learn- There is no point in writing up a "my first week review" when I am still experimenting and getting a grasp on whats offered here.
I didnt write this as a review- I wrote the OP to point out the glaring negatives and tell people that if they can get past this there is a hell of a game here- A game that is free (more like shareware as you get a massive chunk of the game) and for $30 you get a lifetime subscription, a single player version and the ability to host your own private games online with friends. In other words $30 gets you this game for as long as modern OS's support it- Online and offline.
I want people to come try this game- Most will not get past the first few hours. Most will never return- But some will. And those people may find the most under rated game ever. Then I can check out the raid content and such with a group who doesnt know it like the back of their hand and experience the content as it was created.
There is years worth of game here- For people who will 'get it' (which admittedly will be few...)
-Bump-
Last one for the weekend =P
played this long ago, didnt know it was still around. downloading now
Wow, your bored meter must have been overflowing to even fathom giving this one a try.. Hard to get past the dated graphics.
The game you are looking for requiring no PvE completion and where you can just jump in and start mindlessly shooting at people is that way - >>>>
... it's called an FPS.
Quit ruining the MMORPG genre with your constant "PvE grind" whines.
I tried it but even for when it was released the GFX are mind boggling bad, the combat!, the monsters dont even have animations lol!
I am sure it has great aspects to it, but my gawd the first impressions are total garbage.
...You sure you tried the correct game?
The monsters all have animations- Maybe try graphic settings? I know I boosted mine to max since a toaster can run this game. There are a few missing animations for things (like crafting and such) but everything else in animated including the monsters.
-BUMP-
If you guys are tired of quest grinders and simplified MMORPGs- Read the OP in this thread and if you can handle the archaic nature and learning curve give this game a try this Sunday morning with your coffee.
I'll be on for awhile this morning to help answer any questions and generally using the /h (help) chat will get your questions answered by one of the friendly people.
- http://www.minionsofmirth.com/
Need Moar people playing!!!!!
-Thats kind of a sad commentary.
The very last thing I care about in an RPG is graphics. Graphics should add to the gameplay but not vise versa. Its akin to Hollywood special effect tech demos (i.e. modern movies) that lack everything but huge explosions and pretty colors but mesmerize audiences who dont have the attention span for depth and story.
As a Tabletop gamer I have found that the best graphics are those in your imagination-
This focus on graphics is nice but is overshadowing complexity and gameplay to a ridiculous level- But as long as it looks good it sells...
Maybe its a generation thing, but I'm not sure. I think the masses have and will always be greater entertained by the superficial but its just far more evident now.
Oh well, Different strokes and all that...