Yes, it’s that time of year again! Time to take a look into our crystal ball and see what are our most anticipated upcoming MMORPGs are, and see how games from the 2009 MMO list fared. What’s been released, what’s been building up a fan base, and what’s now buried 6 feet under…

Last Year in MMORPGs

2009 saw a number of high profile MMOs take a long walk off a short pier, starting with Richard Garriott’s fun but flawed Tabula Rasa in Feb, and The Matrix Online was turned off in March.

Star Trek Online

Over the last 12 months only 2 of last years MMO list made it out into the world, and they both came from Cryptic Studios. First Cryptic released Champions Online in September 09 to a chorus of indifference. They followed that up by reskinning the Champions Online engine with some shiny Star Trek outfits, and released Star Trek Online in Feb 2010 (more fun than Champions, but still no where near as good as it should have been.)

Other MMO releases last year that weren’t on the ‘Most Anticipated’ list included Fallen Earth (post-apocalyptic MMOFPS), Aion (NCSoft’s fantasy epic developed for Western and Korean markets), and Darkfall (harsh, old school fantasy gameworld, complete with unrestricted PvP and looting). None of them jumped out at us and said ‘buy me’, but if any readers out there have strong opinions on them, and are interested in sending in a review, get in touch.

This years notable exception award goes to…

Just wanted to mention the notable exception of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer MMO and Firefly MMO from this years list. Although i’d still love to see either (or both of them), I’ve left them off the list due to Multiverse’s inability to produce even a single screenshot of a game that’s been in development since 2008… I did speak to a Multiverse rep about both games who told me that their deal with Fox stops gags them from talking about Firefly, and totally sidestepped the issue with Buffy. I rather suspect both games at this point are staked through the heart…

Top 6 Most Anticipated MMORPGs List 2010

6. Blizzard’s New MMO (position last yr – 6th)

What has Blizzard got up it's sleeve

Still not a lot know about Blizzards ‘next big thing’. We were hearing rumours last year that they might be developing WoW2, although I rather suspect that was the Catacysm update that our source saw. The Blizzard guys have since stated that it will be a brand new IP, which makes sense. Blizzard is unlikely to want to license something, and whatever they do produce, they aren’t going to want it to be something that’s upsets the cash taurean that is World of Warcraft. A number of rumours have it as being an MMOFPS, which would be an interesting shift for the developer. An FPS would be easier to push onto a console, and less likely to cannibalise the WoW player base. All we can do for the moment is wait and speculate. The chances are though, if Blizzard are making it, it’s going to be awesome.

Blizzard’s Website | Release Date: TBA

Warhammer 40k MMORPG

5. Warhammer 40K MMO (new entry)

2007 – Vigil Games announced they were making a Warhammer 40k. Woohoo! Post 2007 – *tumbleweed* *howling wind* i.e. nothing… However at a recent investors call, publisher THQ made reference to the W40k MMO, saying it was still in development, and due to be shown at this years E3. Final release is still a while off (2012), but as old school W40k tabletop gamers, it’ll be one GeekTown will be keeping an eye on.

Vigil Games Website | Release Date: 2012

4. LEGO Universe (new entry)

Lego Universe

We at GeekTown love LEGO. It really is one of the greatest toys ever invented. So the chance to combine our love of LEGO and our love of MMOs has to be jumped at. It’s the first MMO to be solidly aimed at children and parents alike. Although LEGO Universe is made by NetDevil, it’s designed to feel a lot like Traveller’s Tales LEGO Star Wars series. More of an MMO-Platformer than an RPG, it makes an interesting proposition to gamers looking for something new in their MMO. Lots of jumping. smashing and collecting items!

Along with the ‘auto-build’ option that’s utilised in the Traveller’s Tales games that builds pre-defined LEGO models, there also options at various points for the player to ‘free build’ with the LEGO pieces you’ve collected. Any free-build items are then turned into in-game models which can be places around your virtual house. There has also been talk of you being able to order the physical LEGO models of items build in game.

LEGO Universe Website | Release Date: Winter 2010

3. DC Universe Online (position last yr – 4th)

Robin, Batman, Batgirl

With the disappointing Champions Online released, Marvel Universe Online canned, then revived, but stuck in development hell, and the fun but ageing City of Heroes/Villans being the only other kid on the block, the market is wide open for a new superhero MMO. And what better Universe to set it in than DC’s world of Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, et al.

I’ve always been more of a DC than a Marvel kid, and a massive Batman fan, so the chance to take on missions from the Dark Knight himself really cannot be missed! Release date is currently set for May 2010, and I really can’t wait. My only real misgiving about this game is it’s being published and developed by $ony Online Entertainment… Yes, your correct, i still haven’t forgiven them for the whole Star Wars Galaxies fiasco…

DC Universe Online Website | Release Date: May 2010

2. Stargate Worlds (position last yr – 1st)

Stargate Worlds

Things were worryingly quiet over at Cheyenne Mountain. Stargate Worlds was originally scheduled for a 2008 release… Then 2009… Then in Feb 2010 they filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, although they claimed development on SGW would continue… Then they announced Stargate: Resistance – A third-person shooter. Okay… not exactly what we were expecting, but hopefully it’ll help keep the lights on at Cheyenne Mountain while SGW continues it’s ever delayed development.

It’s such a shame SGW is struggling, as it seems like the perfect setting for an MMO. Lot’s of worlds to visit. Combat focused story environment. Lots of factions and archetypes to pick from. As massive Stargate fans we live in hope that SGW will ride through the rough patch it’s in at the moment, and live to see the light of day.

Stargate Worlds Website | Release Date: UPDATE: Cancelled!

1. Star Wars : The Old Republic (position last yr – 3rd)

SW:tOR

We loved KotOR. Despite it’s missing story lines, we loved KotOR 2. And of course we love Star Wars. We also love Bioware’s games. If you believe the hype, Star Wars: The Old Republic will be the ultimate MMORPG to end all other MMORPGs.

Every class has it’s own unique plot lines. Ever character is fully voiced by real actors (making it the largest voice over project in the history of gaming, radio, tv or cinema). You can be Jedi, Sith, bounty hunter, smuggler, or a number of other Star Warsy archetypes. Each class will support on-the-fly customisation, rather than the tradional MMO tank, healer, Damage dealer etc… making grouping much easier, as your no longer stuck looking for that one specific class to fill the hole in your team.

You’ll have NPC companions (like in KotOR) that stick with you as you level through the game. Some may even become love interests. And NPC interactions won’t be your usual one-way ‘go here, do this’ instructions or just a bunch of text. SW:tOR will utilse a system more akin to Bioware’s Mass Effect/Dragon Age engine, where it’s more of a conversation, and the answers influence your narative.

I think the thing that excites me most about SW:tOR is that Bioware have hit on something that most current developers miss or choose to ignore because it’s hard to do. Just letting a bunch of people play together does not make an MMORPG. An MMO, sure, but not an RPG. Bioware seem determined to put the focus firmly back on the RPG elements. It’s a massive task with some huge hurdles to overcome, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s Bioware.

Star Wars : The Old Republic Website | Release Date: Spring 2011.

What do you think?

So that’s our list. What are the MMOs your most looking forward to? Are there any games you feel should really be on the list.

We’d like to know, so just leave your thoughts in the comments, or contact us here!

LotRO, AoC, and WAR

It’s another year on (plus a month or 2), and it’s time to update the Top 6 Most Anticipated MMORPGs list. But before we do that, we thought we’d do a review of last years Most Anticipated MMORPGs list, and other MMO releases that have appeared in the last 12 months. What worked, what didn’t, whats still to come…

MMO Expansions

Were you prepared?

There have been some great updates to MMOs over the past year. The biggest of course being Warcraft‘s Wraith of the Lich King. I’ll be honest, i didn’t want to like this. I really didn’t want to get dragged back to Azeroth. But, in a moment of weakness whilst near a GAME store, i found myself at the till, expansion in one hand and money in the other. And damn it, Blizzard had done it again. Lich King really had everything you could want in an expansion. More levels. More varied gameplay. Vehicles. New mounts. Even motorbikes! Same great WoW feel and humour. *sigh* damn you Blizzard, i’m playing WoW again…

LotRO also had a great expansion in Mines of Moria. They’re also kept up their awesome release schedule of free updates, expanding Middle Earth towards Moria. As we’ve mentioned before, both D and I have lifetime accounts on LotRO so it’s a game we pop back to on and off. We’ve not had a chance to play properly through all the new content yet, but we are planning a trip back to the Shire later in the year. Yes, the gameplay is a bit of a WoW clone, but it’s still by far one of the nicest looking MMO on the market at the moment.

EVE Online also had a massive expansion in Apocrypha adding new quests, tech, and wormholes. I can’t comment too much on how much this has changed EVE, since i’d only had a brief tinker with it a few years ago. However, I have been playing a bit of EVE recently, and the update does seem to softened the previously rather vertical learning ‘curve’ for new players.

Some Most Anticipated MMORPGs 2008 List Updates:

Last Years No. 5 – The Firefly MMO

Has got ‘put on a back burner’ by developers Multiverse… As much as i want it to happen, i’m not convinced it will... Multiverse are also allegedly developing a Buffy MMO, which would also be awesome, but i’ve kinda lost faith in Multiverse producing anything but vaporware, so i’m not pinning my hopes on that appearing anytime soon (if at all). If your reading this Multiverse, we want proof your actually working on something!

Last Years No. 3 – Age of Conan

AoC - A game of 2 halves

D in particular is a huge Conan fan, so there was no question that we were going to try out AoC. It pitched itself as a ‘next-gen’ MMOs. One that tries to do something different than being a ‘WoW clone’… And in some areas it suceeded. Those areas mainly the first 20 levels… They then seem to forgot about the rest of the game, which was a real shame, as those first 20 levels had some great ideas. Wonderful intertwining story, decent voice acting, and an entertaining, different combat system. Unfortunately after the first 20 levels, the NPCs lost their voices, the story became less engaging, and you found yourself in a half finished game… So much potential wasted. You can read our full review here.

Last Years No. 2 – Warhammer Online

As an old tabletop Warhammer player, i was really looking forward to WAR’s release. We jumped in pretty much on the day of release, and were really impressed.

This is WAR... on a flyng disc...

From the first starting area, you really get the feeling of being in a war zone. It’s also got a superb PvP system, teasing you into player combat slowly, before ending in full on group player bashing. The biggest dissapointment for me was the very half hearted crafting system. On paper it looked great. It sounded like you needed to collect unique elements to make a myriad of different trinkets and items. The reality was somewhat lacklustre, confusing mess. I know in a game that’s based around combat (this is WAR after all), crafting might that important, but i’d have rather they’d have left it out totally and added it in later, rather than running with the system they had. WAR is something I can see us going back to at some point in the future, once it’s had a few more updates.

The Others…

Obviously, there are other MMOs out there which we haven’t had chance to play (yet), or haven’t covered. Pirates of the Burning Sea i did play (10 word review – ‘Sid Meier’s Pirates’ online… but much worse… much much worse).

Pirates of the Burning Sea

We also spent the early part of 08 in the now departed Tabula Rasa. TR was initally pretty fun to play, but turned into a massive grind in later levels. However, the innovative combat system was a refreshing change to the normal MMO style button mashing. Darkfall Online looks really interesting as it’s the first real sandbox MMO since Star Wars Galaxies (pre SOEs messing about with it…), but we’ve just not had time to look at it yet, so we’d be interested in hearing people opinions.

If there’s any other MMOs out there you’d like to see us covering, let us know!
Geektown’s Most Anticipated MMORPGs 2009 List Coming Soon!

It’s been a while in writing, but we’ve finally got round to putting together the review for Age of Conan : Hyborian Adventures… The game that shall forever be know as the game that got us back onto the evil that is Warcraft…

HOW BIG?!

There are a couple of initial shocks with AoC. Firstly, the 30Gb is requires for installation. Secondly, the graphic requirement. I know AoC is a high end game, intended for new pcs with above average graphic cards, but I can say from playing this on both a high end platform and a ninja status pc, it has frame rate issues no matter what…  Even in low density areas whilst standing still, you’re lucky to be getting any more than 40-50 fps on a decent pc, that is simply not acceptable. And when you entire a city or player heavy area, well, you might as well be reading a comic book, as the frame rate becomes like turning the pages.

GETTING STARTED

AoC Barbarian

If you say Conan to most people, and they’ll say Arnold Schwarzenegger. Age of Conan however, is not based on the 1982 Arnie movie, but based on Robert E. Howard’s original 1930′s Conan novelettes, with some inspiration from the later comic books thrown in.

First warning. Choose your server carefully. There’s a mix of PvE, and PvP servers, however most PvP is open PvP. That means every man, woman and child for them self! Currently, there’s also no penalty for ganking lower levels (although that is due to change in a future patch), so on PvP servers you’ll die at the hands of some high level grumpy teenagers on a regular basis.

Character select takes place on a boat where you can pick male or female from one of 12 classes, divided into four archetypes   (Soldier, Priest, ‘Rogue’ and Mage). There’s all your expected classes (Guardian – tank, Priest of Mitra – healer, Ranger – dmg dealer etc…) plus a few hybrids, like the Herald of Xotli that’s a mage/melee class). Some classes however, are restricted to your race. Aquilonian (Rogue, Priest of Mitra, or Warrior), Cimmerian (Rogue, Bear Shaman, or Warrior), Stygian (Rogue, Tempest of Set, or Mage).

AoC, like most MMO drops you in a starting area. In this case it’s the island of Tortage. You’ve been unceremoniously dumped up on the beach after the ship you were a slave on crashed, and, after a brief conversation with a mysterious beach bum, you fight your way to Tortage City, rescuing a scantily scad maiden along the way (AoC does like it’s maidens scantily clad!).

Once inside the city, the game gives you the choice to switch from the normal MMO ‘day mode’, to a single player almost RPGesque ‘night mode’, allowing you to level through a large chunk of your first 20 levels solo. This introduces an interesting dynamic for an MMO. Although there is only the one starting area for AoC, this system allows Funcom to tell the same story from mutiple angles, depending on your character class. So stealth classes are sent to eves drop on conversations about the locations of prisoners, whilst the warriors are send in to bash some heads and rescue the captives. This helps re-playability, as you want to play through with each class to see how the story fits together.

AoC quest box

The start zone of Tortage is very nicely put together, with voice overs for all the quests, which are presented in same sort of cinematic way you get face to face conversations in single player RPGs such as Neverwinter Nights giving you various optional replies… not that they make any difference to the outcome, but at least they tried, and it’s a nice change from the usual MMO box of text. It does make it somewhat of a disappointment when you get into the larger world though, and voiceovers are almost non-existent. Would have been nice if they’d spread the voice work around, rather than loading it all into the starting area.

COMBAT

This is one area where Conan tried to differentiate itself from the WoW clones, and has a nice little twist on the traditional MMO combat system. Your 1, 2, and 3 keys are set to swing your weapon left, right, and forward. These correspond to shielded areas on the target, so if your opponent has his shield stacked to the left, hit him on the right. This also effects the way the combos operate, as you use the 1, 2, 3 key system to advance the attacks. Its a nice touch, and does help bring a feel that your connected to the combat.

INTO THE WILDS

After leaving Tortage, you move to one of 3 cities, depending on your race. This is a bit irritating if your friends have decided to play Necromancers, and your playing a Guardian, as you’ll be split into separate zones. Having said that, moving around Hyboria, is fairly fast due to the fact it’s all done with loading screen, rather than connecting flightpaths, or long runs through dangerous lands. As convenient as this is, it does rather make the world incoherent, as you never get a feel of how one area connects to another.

From here on in it’s pretty much your standard MMO fair. Kill X number of fluffy things to get Y. Fetch me this. Carry me that. They have stolen the EQ2 climbing idea though, so it’s sometimes means climb here and Kill X, but you get the general idea! Some of the instanced quest appear to be nicely thought out, but this is where the problems start…

THE ISSUES…

If i had to sum up AoC in one word. Buggy. Buggier than an ants nest that’s decided to throw a mixer party with the local woodlice log and is serving dragonfly wing vol au vons while dancing to Now that’s Buggy vol 56. I’d possibly even go as far to say it’s buggier than SWG was back in the day (yes, that buggy!) I’m sure these quests will be fixed over time, but after finding the umptenth quest you try non-completable you start loosing the will to play. It may be interesting and well written, but if you can’t actually finish it, whats the point!

Secondly, the servers appear to be incredibly unstable. You’ll be lucky if you can play for more than an hour without the server ping jumping up and over 9000ms, causing the entire game to freeze for several seconds, sometimes it settles, other times it simply crashes the game and kicks you out. As I’m writing this review, the servers have been down for hours, fixes have been applied to the problems, and those fixes have caused further problems…

They also seem to spend each week nerfing, boosted, then nerfed classes again, not allowing any sense of stability in game play and causing the player to feel completely uninvolved in the entire game. I know it’s a new game and things need balancing, but i’d rather they fix the stuff which is genuinely broken rather than messing with the stuff that is at least playable.

TO SUM UP

AoC Guardian

First impressions of the game are good, the ideas, graphics and gameplay seem well thought out and interesting.   But, thats were it ends… The game is seriously flawed, with almost constant server issues, graphical glitches and quest bugs… The more you play, the more bug. It does start to feel like there are more bugs in this game then players.

I am really sad over this whole thing, as this game does have potential for being a great MMO, but, it seems Funcom decided to issue it as a “pay-monthly” beta instead… Worse still, there are supposedly plans to make a console version of AoC, so you rather get the feeling they decided ‘lets use the PC suckers to iron out the bugs first’.

There is little balance between classes making PvP more of an annoyance than fun. The game is highly demanding on any pc, and crashes even if you look at it wrong.   The 18+ certificate on the game has done nothing to reduce the amount of children playing it, this is quite clear when you are constantly ganked by someone twice your level, while his parents watch Eastenders and he sits on his pc in his Transformers pjs in his room!

Geektown has been discussing this review for sometime, we both see the potential to the game, but also can not ignore the numerous issues…

Crom would be disappointed with this poor show of a game, less action and adventure, and more frustration and disappointment.

for all its faults AoC is pretty

Since drafting this review, both myself and Dave have left Age of Conan, as the frustration being caused could have become fatal… The actual end result was nearly as bad… After 2 months of playing, and one final particularly buggy gaming session which ended in another server boot, one of us shouted in frustration ‘Oh FFS, i just want to play something that works!’…

Hence, the re-installation of World of Warcraft… A game we both swore we’d never return to after escaping it’s evil grasp…

Damn you Age of Conan… By Crom and all his devils, damn you…

65% - Nice try, but very flawed execution. Check back in a year when it’ll hopefully be fixed…

Yup… that just about sums up Age of Conan for me… (although, i will admit it is kinda funny )

Yes yes, i know… we will finish the review soon!.

Still working on the actual Age of Conan review, but saw this and it made me chuckle. Woody over at GU Comics has been making his first steps into Hyboria and made a few observations about the rather gory AoC combos… (personally i think they’re awesome)

Check out the rest of GU Comics at gucomics.com