Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games

Final Fantasy XI

2006-11-07T10:25:00.000+08:00

Review

Although World of Warcraft garners the most attention in the MMO market, not all gamers feel love for the game. Whether these gamers think that WoW is too easy to reach the level cap or that it is too much of a solo player's game, or they think the community is too rude and/or too young, Final Fantasy XI does a great job of filling the void created by the mighty MMO from Blizzard. Not only is FFXI the second best MMORPG today, but it is also the best MMORPG for gamers who simply don't like World of Warcraft.

Before getting more into the WoW contrast, let's see why FFXI is the second best MMORPG. This game passes up old MMO stand-bys like EverQuest and Dark Age Of Camelot by actually offering a compelling story. Looking for great graphics to go along with a good story? FFXI has them as well with huge vibrant areas that offer plenty of eye-candy. The other big factor that makes this game a top MMORPG is its detailed job system that can be quite addictive.The story, graphics, and job system are all backed up by a great community. Where World of Warcraft is criticized for a having poor community with rude solo players, Final Fantasy XI focuses on players working together in groups. This working together environment lets players feel more part of the game. In addition, the game is constantly having player events to strengthen bonds between players. Although WoW is the best MMORPG right now, it can not say that strengthening bonds between players is a major focus right now.

For leveling, FFXI takes more of an old school MMORPG approach with a constant need for camping and the need to be in a group to attain the higher levels in the game. These two factors make it a huge time investment to get the most of this game while WoW offers a substantially more streamlined approach. However, this actually helps FFXI in a way since it makes leveling up more rewarding. In other words, it rewards the hardcore gamers who take the time to level and make it hard for casual gamers to equal your level. This can obviously turn into a major negative if it goes to the extreme the way it does in vastly inferior games (ie RYL: Path of the Emperor), but Final Fantasy does not take it too far. The result is a more rewarding MMO experience that gives players an incentive to reach that next level.

The funny thing about reviewing this game is that most of the downside factors can also be viewed positively. For example, some players do want to solo while other think that MMOs should be a social experience. Another example is that casual gamers do not want to spend that much time leveling so it comes down to which factors you want the most. If you are looking to spend a few hours playing and spend most of that time playing solo then Final Fantasy XI is definitely not for you. On the flipside, FFXI is currently the best MMORPG for hardcore gamers who want to spend all of their playing time in groups.

Pros

•  Good for players who want to
group.

•  Nice job system.

•  Items are not class specific.

•  Solid community with frequent
player events.

•  Auto translator to help bridge the
gap between Japanese and English players.

•  Good character models.

•  Great story.

•  Should satisfy most hardcore gamers
looking for a MMORPG.

Cons

•  Not
for solo players.

•  Hard to level.

•  High learning curve.

•  Too much camping.

•  Huge time investment needed.

•  Poor economy.

•  Head start for Japanese players.>

The Bottom
Line - The best MMORPG for gamers who
don't like World of Warcraft.

Worl Of Warcraft

2006-11-07T10:09:00.000+08:00

Review

When the mighty EverQuest first entered the MMORPG industry, there was a need for a better MMORPG than Ultima Online due to that industry pioneer's simple graphics and overly complex game play. EverQuest quickly captured the top spot in MMORPGs with better graphics and addictive game play. The game was so addictive for some players that it was nicknamed EverCrack. EverQuest saw several challengers to its throne like Dark Age of Camelot, Asheron's Call by then Microsoft, and Anarchy Online but the mighty EQ stayed on top (not including Lineage in Korea). However, where EverQuest did fail was with mainstream audiences. The game was primarily suited for hardcore gamers who would spend huge chunks of time playing. The casual gamer did not get too far in EverQuest.After years of being on top of the industry in terms of popularity but not necessarily the best MMORPG, EverQuest has finally met its match in the form of World Of Warcraft. World of Warcraft takes the EverQuest-style MMORPG to a new level with simple yet deep game play. Leveling in WoW is easier than most MMORPGs and you are even given experience bonuses for a taking a break from the game. There was a void for a mainstream MMORPG until WoW came along. City of Heroes came the closest but the super hero MMORPG is so simple that it currently lacks depth.

On the other hand, World of Warcraft's depth comes from crafting, trading, and character building. Believe it or not, but crafting is actually fun in WoW. Besides being simple and easy to learn, crafting enables you to outfit your characters with the latest equipment, potions, and enchantments while being a great money maker as well. You can either sell your goods to the NPCs in every town and city or you can try to get a really huge profit by putting up your goods in an Auction House (AH). The Auction Houses are where the bulk of player-to-player transactions happen and these bastions of trading serve many purposes such as allowing you to choose from a wide selection of the latest weapons and armor, helping you find an item to complete a quest, and providing a place to find raw materials for your crafting skills quickly. With trading and crafting being so user friendly, you have an added incentive to constantly level your character since you are able to make and buy more at higher levels.

Speaking of leveling, don't expect a huge grind like most other MMORPGs because the game is very fast paced. What you can expect though is a plethora of quests as you progress through the game. These constant quests allow you to get beyond the old kill-monster-to-get-experience grind. However, you can bypass the quests altogether and just go after different monsters if that is your cup of tea. Even then, you will get a waiting experience boost (dependant on how long you stay away from the character) every time you log off for a few hours and then log back on. This allows you to constantly progress in the game while being less dependant on all-nighters and addictive binges. Oh yes, the game is still plenty addictive but you do not need to spend every waking moment in the game in order to get at or near the level cap of 60.

In fact, leveling quickly is actually one of the biggest complaints about World of Warcraft. Most hardcore MMORPGers think the game is too easy because they can reach 60 in a matter of weeks instead of months. Instead of trying to add to the grind and hurt the more casual gamers, Blizzard is looking to satisfy the hardcore gamers with more high level content (items and dungeons) and the evolving PvP system. The main PVP right now is Horde and Alliance players attacking each other's towns. Players within the Horde or the Alliance can also duel each other. The skirmishes and duels are both fun but thankfully PvP will be further bolstered by the PvP Honor System (you receive a special rank and items for honorable kills) and PvP Battlegrounds where multiple high level players from the Alliance and the Horde openly wage war.

PvP Battlegrounds may be the most important long term element of the game for retaining the high level players, but World of Warcraft is already the best MMORPG yet. No other massive online game has combined ease of use and depth in such a beautiful package. Simply put, no other MMORPG does so many things as well as World of Warcraft. You can try to find a better MMORPG, but it just has not been made yet.

Pros

•  great graphics

•  easy to get started

•  well done auction system

•  tons of quests

•  offers nice depth

•  very minimal grinding

•  constant conflict between the Horde
and the Alliance

•  duels are fun

Cons

•  not
the best community

•  has had server problems due to the
popularity of the game

•  can reach the higher levels too
easily

The Bottom
Line - Simply the best MMORPG yet!

Neocron 2

2006-10-31T09:20:00.000+08:00

Neocron 2 - Part I

What is Neocron 2?

For those who are not familiar, Neocron 2 is a skill based MMORPG with a FPS combat system by Reakktor. Neocron 2 is a continuation of
the story of post-apocalyptic 28th century Earth based on the original cyberpunk MMORPG, Neocron.

The Story

The Ceres Wars, excessive environmental pollution, global warming, and the contaminating radiation entering through a perforated ozone layer
have turned Earth into a grayish-brown sludge ball. Mankind has long overcome its collective feeling of guilt for the state of the Earth and has
begun to search for a new home. Finally, it makes a strike in a distant section of space.

Over the course of several decades gigantic spaceships fly most of mankind to the planet Irata III. The remnants of the world‘s population
regroup behind the protective walls of three teeming mega cities. Safety shields, an artificial atmosphere, and magnetic fields protect these
metropolises against contaminating radiation and other harmful influences of the devastated outside world. One such megacity is Neocron.

There are 12 factions that controls certain sections of Neocron, each faction trying to outdo each other. The opponents are as mercyless as
they are different. From the city's administration and government to the anarchists in the Outzone, from the warring criminal gangs to the
massive corporations, from mercenaries out in the wastelands to the religiously fanatic followers of Crahn. All of them trying to ultimately
enforce their influence and dominate Neocron.

Starting the Game

After creating your runner (that's what they call Neocron citizens), it is recommended to do the tutorial, which will teach you the basics of how
things are done in the Neocron way. The tutorial is informative and gets you started quickly. Once done, you start in the MC5 newbie area and
subsequently move to your apartment and start doing missions.

Jobs and Classes

There are 13 jobs and 4 classes in Neocron 2.

Jobs

Assasins - Specialize in long-range combat
Berserk - Cutting and stabbing weapons are a Berserk’s first choice
Drivers - Motorized and mechanized infantry
Engineers - Build weapons that decide combat
Field Medics - Master of supportive psionics
Hackers - Break all kinds of electronic locks and able navigate the HackNet Cyberspace
Inquisitors - Renowned for their outstanding aggressive Psionic skills and their uncompromising attitude
Infiltrators - Scouts and fighters combined
Preachers - Masters of aggressive and passive Psionic skills
Riggers - Specializes in operating drones, participating in the action from a safe distance
Scientists - Create the blueprints Engineers need in order to assemble a specified item
Smugglers - Specialize in trading goods of every description
Soldiers - Heavy-duty troopers of any unit, packing a punch in the front line

Classes

Private Eye - The Private Eye does not specialize in any particular area. All of his skills are comparatively weak at the beginning, although evenly developed. A player choosing this class for his Runner strives for an balanced distribution of skill levels in all areas, but must be aware of the fact that this Runner can never be as good in any one skill as a class specializing in that particular area.
Spy - The Spy is versatile and agile – both physically and mentally. His physical strength has limits, but he can use his razor-sharp mind in many areas – as a system Hacker, for example, or a Rigger (drone operator) – not open to other Runners.
GenTank - The GenTank is a product of the Ceres Wars. He is particularly robust and strong and was bred as a genetically engineered soldier. After the war was over, the human tanks were left to themselves for ‘humanitarian reasons’ rather than being destroyed. Due to the fact that the original genetic blueprint did not call for any particular emotional or intellectual prowess, a GenTank cannot develop Psi skills
to anything more than a rudimentary level. This emotionally disturbed individual is extremely aggressive and talented in the use of all kinds of
weapons.
PSI-Monk - Physically, the Psi Monk is at a considerable disadvantage due to his historical evolution. Even with the greatest effort, it is nearly impossible for him to become a good fighter in the traditional sense. In the area of Psi skills, however, all avenues of development are open to him.

Where do you come in?

Irrespective of which career you want to pursue, you begin as a lowly cyberpunk. Working your way up with whichever faction that pays well, as

you do deliveries or hunt vermins in the sewers for the authorities for a few credits. Missions can be downloaded from CityCom terminals in your

apartment or anywhere in the city.

When you have improved your skills and equipment, you can work your way and build up loyalty to a certain faction. Actually it makes sense to

be loyal as the more missions you accomplish for them, the higher their confidence in your abilities. You get better missions which pays very

well.

You can explore the Outzone by foot, vehicle or via GenRep technology. There are many dungeons and sewer networks to explore. Once such

high end place is the Chaos cave, where the end boss is a Flame Chaos Queen that breeds her spawns to attack your team. Many great

rewards awaits the explorer to such places.

However, once you accomplish more missions you will eventually realise that the factions are not always well aligned to each other. But really

complex missions will very seldom be given to separate individuals. Factions are more likely to entrust missions to whole groups of their most

loyal followers. A faction will offer you to found a faction clan as soon as the trust of that faction in your abilities has been proven by your

loyalty. While being a member of this clan you will be allowed to take on complex missions for the faction, which might reach from escort

missions to declaring war on other companies and their clans. On the other hand you may just join an existing clan and rise through its ranks

by being a useful member of the group.

Faction clans have agendas to control of outposts where high rewards are yielded for acquiring and controlling these resources. At the same
time, opposing factions will have clans that will and can take away your outposts by force. That's where the high end PvP game is. Large
battles are fought between faction clans, using vehicles such as tanks, armored cars and buggies, even gliders and bombers to take control of
outposts.

Neocron 2 features public areas like dance clubs with erotic female NPCs doing table dances and such. In fact you can even get one for your
apartment room... to be specifically in your bed ;)

Other features of Neocron evolves around the HackNet. The HackNet is a cyberspace world of Neocron's cyberspace network. You can jack
into this Matrix-like world and explore and raid high end places like the Phoenix CPU for great rewards.

Download Neocron 2

To find out more and experience for yourself the cyberpunk world of Neocron 2, visit http://www.neocron.com and download the 10-day free trial.