Oh really? Classic Pre Trammel Ultima Online doesn't even warrant a mention?
I'm not sure how you define hardcore.... but UO had some of the most heart pounding moments that I'm confident at least one or two nerds have had heart-attacks.!
The MMO story has been one of a transition to easymode solo play. Unlike the previous article said it was not just a change of what we wanted, it was where the game designers led us. The solo play was brought in to attract solo game players to MMOs, to make them bigger selling games. Players in the days of DAOC were not all on the boards asking for more solo play.
I wonder if MMORPG.com might consider another top ten? 'The solo games with the biggest multiplayer element' top ten. While MMOs have gone solo, solo games have gone multiplayer. I get more grouping gameplay from Battlefield and Space Marines than I do from a MMO. Solo Multiplayer Online, 'SMO', that's what MMOs are today.
The MMO story has been one of a transition to easymode solo play. Unlike the previous article said it was not just a change of what we wanted, it was where the game designers led us. The solo play was brought in to attract solo game players to MMOs, to make them bigger selling games. Players in the days of DAOC were not all on the boards asking for more solo play.
I wonder if MMORPG.com might consider another top ten? 'The solo games with the biggest multiplayer element' top ten. While MMOs have gone solo, solo games have gone multiplayer. I get more grouping gameplay from Battlefield and Space Marines than I do from a MMO. Solo Multiplayer Online, 'SMO', that's what MMOs are today.
You could always solo in MMO's.....
Being able to solo was one of the bigger selling points for Asheron's Call. Sure there were plenty of opportunities for grouping, but one could exist as a soloer if they chose to.
I still remember heading out of Rithwic with a pack full of supplies and following lifestones on a tour of northern areas going out killing, and selling excess loot and junk to the random vendors scattered throughout the area. Being out in the field for weeks at a time, running into random people having similar adventures, bouncing from lifestone to lifestone. The exploration in AC was outstanding.
I still find it silly that people now need SE to make a new FFXI because the company blew the old one up with Abyssea. I played FFXIV ARR for a couple of months and while it is a good game in it's own right, it just doesn't have the magic FFXI did.
Originally posted by jdkskip Every time I see a "best" list, I always look for Shadowbane to be there. Guess I'm just one of them immensely dedicated fans, lol.
Without EQOA this list is garbage. EQOA was twice as hard as anything on this list! Just because it only lasted 9 years and ran on PS2 doesn't mean it doesn't deserve a spot! It was THE FIRST console mmorpg.
Lineage 2 will always be my all time favorite game period. You only see a game as a grind if you are not enjoying it. The progression was slow but that's what made the game what it was. Lineage 2 had real pvp and by that I mean pvp that had a major impact on every aspect of the game. Clans controlled everything in the game. The pve was fun because it was a game where people often grouped even though they did not have to. I have yet to see a game since Lineage 2 that's like this.
Originally posted by Jockan Lineage 2 will always be my all time favorite game period. You only see a game as a grind if you are not enjoying it. The progression was slow but that's what made the game what it was. Lineage 2 had real pvp and by that I mean pvp that had a major impact on every aspect of the game. Clans controlled everything in the game. The pve was fun because it was a game where people often grouped even though they did not have to. I have yet to see a game since Lineage 2 that's like this.
Exactly my feelings about L2 for years now. Always nice to see similar thoughts expressed by others who recognized the same qualities in L2 .
Was an amazing game. I say "was", because GoD gutted everything it once was and replaced it with quest-driven gameplay and a blatantly game affecting cash shop.
i spend years playing Linage II, so i can respond to this article about the Lineage II part.
it's false focusing on the grind part of Lineage II. Actually it was the only negative part of that game cause although it's not bad the grind, but the Koreans overdone it with Lineage II...
This MMORPG is hardcore cause of it's social interaction though PvP. I believe strong that it offered one of the best openworld PvP experiences. when WoW was struggling with the broken RvR and the crashes on 100v100. Lineage 2 offered epic siege battles and fights for area control, on paths, farming areas or dungeon entrances .. The PvP was truly open and the politics around it Hardcore ...
it is sad this article focus on the grind aspect of that game.
Lol, you forgot the leading mainstream mmo of the day EQ. The game was as hard as any of the games you listed and is still going 14 years later with content and expansions.
Let's hear it for Meridian 59! Still one of, if not the best MMO I ever played! There's a reason it's still running, even if it is for free/donations :-p.
The problem Meridian had was that it was not on store shelves. Hence very very few people even knew about the game. In those days downloading a game was not a viable alternative due to low modem speeds.
At least Ultima Online and later on Everquest had boxes on the store shelves. So while it may have preceded UO, it was never a hit because of the problems mentioned above.
Comments
Was on the first list. http://www.mmorpg.com/showFeature.cfm/feature/8583/page/2
Couldn't agree more.
Played on Thistledown for years and was the greatest gaming experience of my life.
Although it should probably be pointed out that FF XI got easier and easier, and more generic with each expansion..
The original game was almost kind of ridiculous in the "hard factor".
You could always solo in MMO's.....
Being able to solo was one of the bigger selling points for Asheron's Call. Sure there were plenty of opportunities for grouping, but one could exist as a soloer if they chose to.
I still remember heading out of Rithwic with a pack full of supplies and following lifestones on a tour of northern areas going out killing, and selling excess loot and junk to the random vendors scattered throughout the area. Being out in the field for weeks at a time, running into random people having similar adventures, bouncing from lifestone to lifestone. The exploration in AC was outstanding.
Same here.
Exactly my feelings about L2 for years now. Always nice to see similar thoughts expressed by others who recognized the same qualities in L2
.
Was an amazing game. I say "was", because GoD gutted everything it once was and replaced it with quest-driven gameplay and a blatantly game affecting cash shop.
i spend years playing Linage II, so i can respond to this article about the Lineage II part.
it's false focusing on the grind part of Lineage II. Actually it was the only negative part of that game cause although it's not bad the grind, but the Koreans overdone it with Lineage II...
This MMORPG is hardcore cause of it's social interaction though PvP. I believe strong that it offered one of the best openworld PvP experiences. when WoW was struggling with the broken RvR and the crashes on 100v100. Lineage 2 offered epic siege battles and fights for area control, on paths, farming areas or dungeon entrances .. The PvP was truly open and the politics around it Hardcore ...
it is sad this article focus on the grind aspect of that game.
As fine a game as TSW is, it is not hardcore.
The problem Meridian had was that it was not on store shelves. Hence very very few people even knew about the game. In those days downloading a game was not a viable alternative due to low modem speeds.
At least Ultima Online and later on Everquest had boxes on the store shelves. So while it may have preceded UO, it was never a hit because of the problems mentioned above.
oh man, i really do miss shadowbane. that game was so good.
flying birdmen swooping from heaven and killing you with spears and taking all ur monies :P
dem good times^^