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Give me an MMORPG....

SEKAI·8/28/2017, 9:32:22 AM·2 votes·658 views
  • That is of anime aesthetic. Good anime aesthetic and not rush jobs masquerading as one. Cartoon graphics would do too. This is a bit general, since "anime" or "cartoon" are really not a specific art style. What I mean is like I prefer cuter aesthetics, but not TOO fluffy.
  • That has ping friendly mechanics and doesn't have shitty servers (I'm at OCE).
  • That is community based like older MMOs, unlike a lot of today's MMOs that feel more like singleplayer with a lot of people.
  • That is actually popular/populated and not a dead game or a dying one.
  • That is NOT pay to win, or so impossible to grind or very high up there it may as well be pay to win. Cashshop is okay, just don't break the game with it or put all good looking cosmetics behind paywalls. Basically not games published/distributed by shitty Nexon or the shoddy Aeria Games, seriously, fuck them.
  • That isn't one of those "too late to start now, don't bother" games that's been around for too long it's really not wise to start the catchup game now.
  • That has good, diverse and intuitive class system, and put more emphasis on working together.
  • Gameplay is more tactical than it is to have a bunch of spells and you just do the piano thing.
  • That is not plagued by horrible balance decisions and is at least, somewhat balanced.
  • That has at least okay story and world-building. And not being fed with handwaving stories. Or at least if you want to do that, at least don't execute it so poorly it makes everybody question their life decision.
  • That deviates from the generic magic and swords and introduce either fusion of different or new settings, preferably something with modern or post-apocalyptic inspiration.
  • That actually make use of vertical world building, unlike most other MMOs (and open world games for that matter) where their worlds are often flat. And good world designs in general.
  • That gears don't get progressively and obnoxiously flashy as you get high and higher levels. I would prefer if MMOs actually have more practical gear designs for once. Or at least should have skinning mechanics.
  • That can do large raids. Many MMOs opt for small raids these days. I like large groups for raiding.
  • PvP is optional, but at least have them somewhere in the game. Arena, battlegrounds etc. World PvP is also okay.
  • That isn't just a gear-check eternal grind game once you reach the late game. Or at least there's something to do than just waiting for new expansion and grind new gears.
  • That isn't a soul-sucking exercise that would require me to pay with my life to play this game.

EDIT

  • That is preferably not subscription based.

(Will list more if I have other requirements)

Though I'd think there probably ISN'T any game that remotely satisfies half of it let alone all.

Sad lyre.

16 Comments

Malza8/28/2017, 10:47:43 AM3 votes

Doesn't exist

Colonel J8/28/2017, 10:34:01 AM2 votes

{quoted}

  • That is of anime aesthetic.

Stopped reading.

Get help.

Social Justice 18/28/2017, 6:41:39 PM1 votes

{quoted}

Though I'd think there probably ISN'T any game that remotely satisfies half of it let alone all.

Sad lyre.

Im pretty sure some of the things you're asking for don't exist in MMOs at all. Like, a lack of vertical levels exists to help limit player concentration in a single area.

SEKAI8/28/2017, 7:06:29 PM1 votes

Thanks to the people who've provided constructive feedbacks on this thread.

ZenithEevee8/28/2017, 7:51:01 PM1 votes

{quoted}

  • That is of anime aesthetic. Good anime aesthetic and not rush jobs masquerading as one. Cartoon graphics would do too. This is a bit general, since "anime" or "cartoon" are really not a specific art style. What I mean is like I prefer cuter aesthetics, but not TOO fluffy.

This is normally not a hard one, But with the following ones things, Damn impossible

  • That has ping friendly mechanics and doesn't have shitty servers (I'm at OCE).
  • That is community based like older MMOs, unlike a lot of today's MMOs that feel more like singleplayer with a lot of people.
  • That is actually popular/populated and not a dead game or a dying one.

Thats a big one because a lot of MMO's are basically fighting over players.

  • That is NOT pay to win, or so impossible to grind or very high up there it may as well be pay to win. Cashshop is okay, just don't break the game with it or put all good looking cosmetics behind paywalls. Basically not games published/distributed by shitty Nexon or the shoddy Aeria Games, seriously, fuck them.

Hah.

Impossible. Pay to win will always be there for some extent, Even fucking MMO's like Runescape or ESO have that To some extent

  • That isn't one of those "too late to start now, don't bother" games that's been around for too long it's really not wise to start the catchup game now.

These dont really exist that much, Unless you go into PVP

  • That has good, diverse and intuitive class system, and put more emphasis on working together.
  • Gameplay is more tactical than it is to have a bunch of spells and you just do the piano thing.
  • That is not plagued by horrible balance decisions and is at least, somewhat balanced.
  • That has at least okay story and world-building. And not being fed with handwaving stories. Or at least if you want to do that, at least don't execute it so poorly it makes everybody question their life decision.

Nope. The big problem with a lot of MMO's is that the story is usually lack-luster, to the point that people are more or less just playing for the fact that they either paid for it and want some justification, Or that its a free one and they just dont have anything else to do.

  • That deviates from the generic magic and swords and introduce either fusion of different or new settings, preferably something with modern or post-apocalyptic inspiration.

A big problem with this is that you wont find this and the "Anime" Aesthetic together, Like fucking ever. But if you do, It'll probably be shit because of a large missing requirements you've already posted.

  • That actually make use of vertical world building, unlike most other MMOs (and open world games for that matter) where their worlds are often flat. And good world designs in general.

A lot of MMO's are "Flat" because of AOE Spell casting, and they need accurate markers and indicators

  • That gears don't get progressively and obnoxiously flashy as you get high and higher levels. I would prefer if MMOs actually have more practical gear designs for once. Or at least should have skinning mechanics.

.... This is obviously the biggest problem here, Because lets be honest, Impossible with Anime aesthetic, AGAIN, Because of the entire fact that a lot of Anime aesthetic games, Are more or less built around Fan service.

  • That can do large raids. Many MMOs opt for small raids these days. I like large groups for raiding.
  • PvP is optional, but at least have them somewhere in the game. Arena, battlegrounds etc. World PvP is also okay.
  • That isn't just a gear-check eternal grind game once you reach the late game. Or at least there's something to do than just waiting for new expansion and grind new gears.

And you just dug a grave on all possible reccomendations.

  • That isn't a soul-sucking exercise that would require me to pay with my life to play this game.

EDIT

  • That is preferably not subscription based.

Headstone: "SEKAI Died from too many requirements, and not enough results"

Chibi Templar8/28/2017, 8:04:58 PM1 votes

>That is of anime aesthetic.

Downvoted for being weeb trash

You're also really looking for something stupidly specific.

TheRiddum8/28/2017, 8:14:51 PM1 votes

FFXIV

notFREEfood8/28/2017, 9:00:23 PM1 votes

Gonna second the gw2 recommendation

It fits most of your requirements

The ones it misses: Anime aesthetic -lets be honest, most of the games that fall into this category are shit Large raids-10 man raids exist, but if you want larger do open world bosses. Theyre not as hard though.

Other than those exceptions it fits perfectly. Ive played it off and on for the past 5 years and its a great game.

SEKAI8/29/2017, 5:31:09 AM1 votes

Ayyyyyy.

I guess there are really so much to expect from current MMORPGs.

But oh well. Thanks you guys for the valuable contributions so far.

Though I'd linger around a bit more and see if someone has other cool ideas to offer.

Busty Demoness8/28/2017, 10:01:23 AM1 votes

The two that come to mind for clearing most of those requirements are World of Warcraft and Guild Wars. Guild Wars 2 may qualify, but I haven't played so I can't say. However it would better fit the requirements assuming it does everything Guild Wars did and more.

The catch with WoW is that you do have to pay for game time. However, with guaranteed OCE servers that might be the price to pay.

Guild Wars has better "work together to win" mechanics that can be done solo (with followers) or in a group.

WoW has a variety of scenery, but there's typically a clear flow between areas as well. Guild Wars isn't quite as diverse.

Guild Wars doesn't really have raids. WoW still has potentially huge groups for raids. However, Guild Wars still has decent PVP.

Sadly, for the case of your requirement "End game isn't a gear check grind", you will probably NEVER find an MMO that fits that while satisfying the majority of your requirements. The only MMO that I can think of that's remotely close to that is Phantasy Star Online: Blue Burst, because there is less reliance on gear to succeed on the end game.

Nęçrømąnçęr8/29/2017, 5:36:42 AM1 votes

Elder Scrolls Online.

The pvp is fantastic.

AlienPrimate8/28/2017, 11:27:56 AM1 votes

I haven't played a lot of MMO's but Elder Scrolls Online has a most of your list. It is only missing two of things you are after. It doesn't have anime type graphics and almost all raids are 4 man groups. There are a few late game ones with 12 man but not enough in my opinion.

Some of the point to highlight from your list:

The level up process is pretty fast if you don't care about story but it does have a pretty good story. It takes an experienced player probably only 10 hours to get to the end game content if they rush through.

The game is very balanced. Out of the 5 classes, every class can do every roll of dps, healer, and tank. While some are better than others at them, templar is best healer for example, you can run a dungeon with a nightblade healer, sorcerer tank, templar dps, and dragonknight dps if you so chose and it will work out fine.

It uses a weapon/class system. Every class can use the 6 different types of weapons and weapon types level up individually. The game forces you to weave in both spells and weapon attacks for resource management so you can't just faceroll to play.

The world seems to emphasize vertical building. There are some zones that are so hilly, you have to walk all the way around to get to your destination even though your map marker is right next to you.

The PVP can be fun but it isn't for me. ESO is a game where you basically have to have 2 sets of gear if you want to be effective in PVP due to crit mechanics. You basically have to have crit resistance enchantments on your gear if you want to survive. While crafting gear is fairly cheap and everyone can do it themselves, I don't like this part of PVP so I chose not to participate.

This isn't part of the main post, but you mentioned you don't like subscription models. ESO is a one time buy to play but gives you the choice of subscribing which gives you all additional content like unlocking new zones to go to and cosmetics. You can buy them individually or subscribe to get them all at once and get all future ones. Either way is a pretty good deal depending on your style.