In this the second part of our MMO editorials I will be covering traditional MMORPG’s, also known as themepark MMO’s. MinistryOvWar already gave you a look on the sandbox side of things, but let’s hope I can get you tempted for the more structured form of these MMORPG’s. The definition of themepark originally comes from the fact that these MMORPG’s have some sort of repetitive factor to them, same as you would get in going to the same themepark over and over. This doesn’t leave out that traditional MMORPG’s can’t be enjoyable, so let’s look into what can make them enjoyable. It mostly comes down to your own preference.
If you are new to MMORPG’s, and have looked up a couple of sandbox MMO’s by now, you’ll quickly find out there aren’t that many around. If you were to look up on these traditional MMORPG’s, you’ll notice that they come in many forms and that there are hundreds of them to be found all over the internet. The most obvious state you will find them in, is the Free to Play model. As it stands now, Free to Play does not equal that the game had less quality that went into the development-process. On the contrary, we are seeing a lot more high quality and triple A MMORPG’s as of late, within this Free to Play model. Of course it’s difficult to determine whether an MMORPG deserves this Triple A quality tag, but let’s leave that discussion out for now, as well as the part of the pay to win element that gives it a bad name.
As said, they come in many forms and while most of them have the same sense of progression, you will also get a lot that have something unique about them. This can be set apart in either questing that is different, the combat that has a neat twitch or the game takes an entirely new route while still staying with the touch of traditional MMORPG’s. The obvious touch is the sense of progression, as there won’t be a moment you don’t have anything to do. During the leveling sequence, you will always get a new quest that pops up, and with that, you will always get a reward. As in sandbox-games, it might turn into a quiet period easily if your guild-leader doesn’t have anything on the calendar or you forgot to set any goals for that day, which can often lead into mindless roaming. I’d say this is one of the strengths of traditional MMORPG’s. Of course, the fact of the matter is that there is a point in those traditional MMORPG’s where you have defeated everything that it can throw at you. Do not despair, as you will always get an update each month, depending on the dedication of the developers.
Now when it comes to actual themes on these MMORPG’s, since there are hundreds of these as well, you will find a lot of fantasy-styled games. This doesn’t leave out the fact that you also have a lot of different genres, such as sci-fi, horror, and even sub-genres like steampunk or gothic. This comes down to your own take on what is acceptable within this genre and if you allow this genre to be turned into an MMORPG. Take your pick and roll with it, as you can’t do anything about the increase of genres that you like anyways. If you have something against that fact, then MMORPG’s might not be your cup of tea and you can do nothing about it than accept that. Allow this growth in themed MMORPG’s and it might end up being your next favorite genre.
Progression in MMORPG’s has come a long way since their incarnation on games like Neverwinter Nights, Ultima Online and even EverQuest. Developers will always find a way to get the player engaged in questing. A good example is the latest The Secret World, in which you have investigation missions where you actually have to look online to find hints towards your next objective, giving it a bit more of an adventure style. Bioware tried to get you engaged in a narrated experience where your decisions have an impact on the game, this game being Star Wars: The Old Republic of course. While the form of questing will stay, as in, kill so many monsters or collect that much of the given recipe, it’s safe to say that we’re finally stepping away from that element. They will still remain within the premise of MMORPG’s, but you will get a lot more mixed up quest rather than the same ‘Kill x boars’ quest over and over. Counting that the narrated experience that is coming with a lot of these MMORPG’s makes up for it. Of you pay any attention to lore, that is.
As a starter, it is up to you whether you want to go with Player versus Environment server, if you don’t want to be bothered with other players killing you on your quest, or if you prefer to slash your way through those enemy players on a Player versus Player server. The intriguing matter on this style of play, is that you can group up with people that are on the same objective, while not having to bother with being outplayed. In the meantime, the group that gets face-rolled by your group, will call in backup and this can lead into a clash of waves against each other until one party gives up. For some, this can lead into frustrating moments, while for others, it can be very rewarding. Again, this is another element that comes down to your preference.
In the sense of combat, there is a lot that can be said about this, but let’s try to keep it short. A couple of developers try to implement a new style of combat. Right now we are seeing a lot of action-based combat, which I covered in a previous editorial, while others games like Guild Wars 2 try to give a new twist to the old school hotkey-based combat. You have games like Allods or Star Wars: The Old Republic that leave out the auto-attacking and some games that try to get in on turn-based combat like Atlantica Online or Wakfu. When it comes to this combat, these traditional MMORPG’s present you with as many options as you would get them in themes.
Now for the endgame content, which is where it all leads up too, you’ll gonna have to do some looking up on that. It doesn’t take long in some games to get to that endgame, while in others it might take ages. Do you wish to continue grinding, or do you prefer to have a sense of completion fast, as your schedule doesn’t allow it? Do you prefer to lead your faction to victory or do you prefer to kill the biggest boss? The options aren’t as varied as you would get it in sandbox games, as those games are continuous and don’t represent you with a certain endgame, while it is completely possible for these traditional MMORPG’s to complete them within a given timeframe. It will still take you awhile to get towards the endgame, but it won’t be so bullying to keep asking yourself the same question like; ‘When do I get there?’, when you know there isn’t an answer to that.
I hope this has given you a clear vision on the current state of traditional MMORPG’s, and I hope I got you tempted with the promises that these MMORPG’s offer you. If you prefer to complete a game, go with traditional, if you prefer to have a sense of continuous progression, go with a sandbox. The choice is up to you, as is the choice of what you wish to do within each of these games. Don’t give up on these games as easily, as they are very rewarding in the end. May a new world (or worlds) open up for you, with thousands of people awaiting you. As you will quickly find out, that explanation alone is why you should play MMORPG’s, as it all comes down to the experience with friends or possible new friends.
