Stud says MMORPs
Sunsets. Watching the sun set into the grasses, the night slowing overcoming the day, turning the world into a different place, one of sorrow and joy. Seeing this other world evolve from a contrast is prime of all one can experience. As the azure sky’s gradually turns lighter, taking the scarlet distinctiveness of the sun, darting in and out of the white clouds which slowly fade, giving way to the soulful stars. Scattering across, instigating from the suns focal point in the sea, shimmering in the ripples of the water, reflecting, and enhancing its exquisiteness. As soon as the sky is completely transmogrified by the absence of light you begin to realize everything you were meant to reflect. These are things we sometimes forget about, and overlook; however, in the worlds of Massive Multiplayer Online Role-playing Games ( MMORPG’s ) you get to watch them over and over, feel the fear of the undead and brigands waiting to spill your viscera over the ground, but, these are the things I like.
I have been implicated in a few MMORPG’s. Really just two so far. EverQuest (EQ) and Dark Age of Camelot (DAoC). Both games well made. A diverse amount of races and classes to choose from and experience. Battle systems in both are intricate and broad. Graphics are small place where things become shifty.
Graphics can be an important thing when dealing with MMORPG’s. One of the greatest things about them is being engrossed in the world developed by the designers. The landscaping, the character design, and the buildings. Cities of great sizes to the small villages outlaying the lands, providing the towns with the produce they enjoy. Farms and lakes. Oceans and forests. If these are the things that you focus on, then I assure you DAoC is outstanding in these fronts. The Landscaping details are magnificent. The trees and the waters. The sky’s are so immense and vivid that you could lay on the ground and figure shapes in the clouds, like when you were a child. When it rains you can hear the sounds and almost smell the moisture in the air. The only thing as far as graphics lack, are the character models. They are not bad in the least; however, they could have been much better. EQ has decent landscaping, but it leaves a lot to be desired. The character models however, are very well made. You can see the detailing on the faces, and in the hair. The armor shines and the movements are grandiose. Personally I find that models are not so important. I enjoy the luxuries of the environment, and so, with graphics, DAoC has my vote.
Questing can be a huge part of the games. Who, after all, wants to spend their entire time fighting things ? Quests are of course, time consuming and sometimes difficult, but that is the fun. Both games have excellent quests, and I have not seen all on both games, so I’ll make no assessments on questing.
One of the better and more common aspects of almost any game, is the conflict, and of course, these conflicts are resolved with violence. So then, how are the combat systems? Well both are well made. In DAoC as you level you acquire points to train with in different weapon styles, and in doing so, gain new skills. You then use these skills in combat when you desire (if you have enough endurance that is), unlike in EQ. Of course in both games you learn spells in the appropriate classes, and in both, the spells are very nice. In EQ these spells are essentially all the proficiencies that you get, but the spells in DAoC are confusing to understand the effects. All in all? I would go with DAoC as far as combat.
Yes, as the rumors tell, these games do have a monthly fee. All I can really say to that, is if your curious, just listen to Jesse’s theory on cost effectiveness.
There is one prime thing to consider in joining one of these games. People are naturally spiteful and malevolent. But there are always the nicer people, and these people play MMORPG’s. People will generally help you in small ways that will not interrupt their activities. Some will buff you with spells, and some will give you money or magic items. The only problem with these games is the amount of people. In EQ there are so many beggars that most people won’t even consider the idea, but in DAoC there are not as many people at all. DAoC has not been around too long to become too overly crowded, and so there are not as many people around, but those around will help, so that their realm will do better in Player vs. Player (PvP ), But I would have to say, out of the people I have met, EQ has a more pleasant crowd, and DAoC has a more helpful one.
So, what is my opinion on which is better? I cannot really say. Both have good qualities and bad so it cascades down to preference. When I want to talk to some good people, I start playing EQ, and when I want to enjoy a beautiful environment to PvP, I’ll play DAoC. So know what it is that you seek, get a job, and enjoy the vast worlds and possibilities that MMORPG’s will give you, and teach you. So enjoy that sunset, and watch out for Rowdy’s.