DA's MMORPG Recommendations

DA Recommends:

Star Wars: The Old Republic

An odd choice for the top spot it may be, but given the branding alone this was bound to be successful. Although its popularity waned shortly after its release, a switch to a Free-to-play model with a cash shop worked wonders for population. Where servers were once as barren as the Dune Sea itself, players are now having to be split into separate instances to keep numbers manageable.

In a different turn for standard MMO-fare, The Old Republic will offer you the same levelling grind you would expect, but with a heavily story-based questing system. Sure, the objectives are standard, but you have reasons for doing them, something which has never failed to draw me back in after a hiatus from the game. Couple a brand new planet - Makeb - from the recently released Rise of the Hutt Cartel with the eight unique class stories the game offers, and it's by far the most entertaining MMO levelling experience I've had.

The end-game initially suffered with a lack of content, but with new Operations (raids) and Flashpoints (dungeons) around these days, along with different difficulty levels for each of them, there's plenty to keep a Star Wars fan going in between the expected daily quests to boost reputation and earn your new shiny gear. If all else fails, no other MMO lets you turn up the volume and hear that sweet, sweet Star Wars music.

Alternatively, try:

World of Warcraft

Okay, so it was obviously going to be in here; but not as my favourite. I have spent a lot of time playing this behemoth and I can't lie, I've enjoyed myself quite a bit with it. The trouble is, it's terribly boring if you're on your own. Where SW:TOR has its fully voiced quest givers and solid overarching story, WoW has quest text I don't read and a story that evolves so much I don't know where it started or where it's currently at. But on the other hand...

You will never be at a loss for something to do here. Whether its the standard 'go here, kill ten of those' type quests, or crafting or fishing, doing some archaeology or jumping into a dungeon or two, there is literally countless things you can waste your time with in Azeroth; something no other MMO I've played has quite got the hang of yet. Playing with friends is obviously better when considering dungeons or raids, but even if you must play solo for a while you are presented with a wealth of options. Even just sitting back in Orgrimmar and watching the oddly and impressively dressed Goblins and Orcs that pass you by can be entertaining.

 

Alternatively, try:

The Secret World

I wanted to put something a little different in here and The Secret World certainly fills that spot. Set on Earth, it showcases the world as being filled with myths and legends that are now reality. The hollow Earth of Agartha is your main method of travelling long distances around the world, Lovecraftian horrors have come to life in the sleepy town of Innsmouth and you and others like you have been charged to stop it all. Now unlike my other two choices, the questing here is anything but traditional and this is its biggest strength. Did you get a quest to kill ten zombies? Okay, maybe; but the next one might be to follow a trail of clues leading to a forgotten Illuminati safe house underground. To get there you may have to investigate using the internet or your own obscure knowledge and get help from other players. No MMO I've played has offered me this kind of questing in such a unique but familiar world and I adore it for that.

It has its setbacks, but if you can overlook them you have a wonderfully designed world, bringing to life the mythos that gives you nightmares and putting you straight into the middle of it, not as a brilliant hero or saviour, but as one of many. You aren't special and you'll need the help of others like you to survive. It may be worth noting The Secret World also has one of the most pleasant communities I've happened across.