Elfgore said:
Star Wars: The Old Republic.
Honestly, I feel like this game is on its last legs. It's been going on for a while and seems to just be wallowing in low player numbers. I've heard some great things about some of the story paths, especially the Imperial Agent, so I've decided I need to put on my big boy pants and do them before the game shuts down. Especially as a Star Wars fan. I'm currently doing the Sith Warrior, which I've done before and enjoyed immensely. Such a stereotypical amazing Sith Star Wars tale. After that I'll do the Smuggler and who know's what after.
You really should, it's worth it. As of 2016, i would still have described it as one of the best MMOs around. It's picked up a few problems since however. First, it's now so easy that there's not even a pretence of challenge left in the game. Your companions are so powerful that
they can solo Elite mobs while you stand there watching. Second, after all the server merges I think the population is settled now. It's okay, but it's not great. The usual issue of mid-level team content being hard to team for is present. Third, the endgame seems to now comprise farming lootcrates. Fourth, the class storylines stop at 50. All the expansions thereafter play the same, with some variation depending on Republic/Sith.
Saying all that, I'd still recommend it. The F2P is so horrible that paying really is preferable just to make the horrible things stop. But if you sub for 3 months, you can take your time with a couple of characters, one on each side and get a feel for them both. Agent is (was) my *main* I suppose. My first character and the one I've played most. It has by far the best storyline, and most fans will put it down to one reason; not being a prior SW archetype, they had to come up with something *gasp* original!!! Originality, in STAR WARS! The Agent storyline is one of espionage, double crossing, betrayal, infiltration, subterfuge and all that great stuff you'd find in any espionage thriller. The class is also a lot of fun to play, with either a stealh/healer class or sniper path. It also has the most endings of all storylines, with up to four possible endings I believe (there was a fifth that never made it out of beta!). It's the only class where your actions in Act 1 or in Act 2 could properly affect the ending.
I'd advise against Smuggler on the republic side if you're gonna go Agent sith side, mostly because they are mirrors of each other. While the story will be different (and not in the same league), the character will be the same. You could go stealth one side and sniper the other I suppose (I did that), but it's also cool to roll a jedi character on one side or the other. The stories are a bit mediocre/predictable, but being Obi Wan is cool too. Also, Trooper can be good fun and has probably the next best questline.
If you're EU region/timezone and would be interested in company, I've been thinking of revisiting for a while and could be a healer to your tank/DPS, or tank to your healer. It means all content, group and solo is open to you, and you'd get to see a second class storyline alongside your own. (A tank/healer duo never wait for any dungeon, ever). MMOs are more fun with company, so the offer's there if you like
(I believe I'm on Darth Malgus server.)
Elfgore said:
Dark Messiah: Of Might and Magic.
I've actually already finished one playthrough of this game, just need to do my second, evil one. This is one hell of a game with the most sexist, generic fantasy writing I've ever encountered. I love every gods damn second of it. But the gameplay is the best. I never thought kicking would be the most amazing attack in a game.
Great game, one of my favourites. Apparently the kick was one of those lucky accidents, where they realised they'd inadvertently made the "weakest" attack so OP, and instead of nerfing it, they embraced it and covered the maps with spikes, drops and so on. I genuinely cannot understand how we never got a follow up (direct or indirect) in this world. It was every bit as rich and fun as any DnD campaign setting, offered plenty of lore to offer great magic/warrior abilities, world building and storytelling. I know it's a strategy franchise, but DMoMaM shows the world absolutely supports satisfying FPS gameplay and storytelling.
It's definitely one of the games fun to replay every now and then. Well made, great gameplay, immersive and fun.
