It seems like a lot of people are looking for a new game right now and no one really knows were to turn. 

I am married with children and my time for playing a game is limited.  Therefore, I am looking for a game that focuses on the journey.  I would like to find a game that my wife would like too.  This is the hard part.

Edit: When I say focuses on the journey I mean a game where reading the quests would add something to the game.  A game with some lore or a story would be nice. Neither of us are afraid of a bit of reading. 

What I think we are looking for:

1) I like depth in character building.  I do not care if it is level or skill based as long as I have some control over the development of the toon.

2) She hates PvP.

3) She likes crafting a lot, I could care less.

4) Something we can play casually, which means something we can play for an hour here and there and still enjoy the game.  We are not going to devote 3-6 hour blocks to play a game.  I think ultimately a game that we could play for an hour after the kids go to sleep a few times a week would be perfect.  Neither of us care about being the most UBER PWN your face off player we just want to be able to pick up the game and play.

5) Since we are not going to play much I would prefer if it was free. 

6) graphics are not very important.  The game can be 2d or 3d.

7) We have to be able to group together. 

8) Something that will run on an older 256mb video card. 

9) Something that is not overrun with children.  A game that has a mature community that types in complete sentences would be great.

10) I do not think I can convince my wife to play a game where her avatar is a boat, spaceship, or city.  Therefore, I think we need a game where our toons are more "Human" in representation. 

I have tried Atlantic Online and did not like it.  Please do not suggest that game. 

I appreciate your time. 

Edit #2: We just realized hoe much we hate not having a camera that auto follows behind you.  There is no need for a MMO in 2009 not to have an option to have the camera automaticlly follow you f as you turn.  I do not want to hold down the left mouse button to keep the camera behind me.

Have you taken a look at Free Realms?  It's definitely geared toward casual players, and meets most of your criteria, although I'm not really sure about the video card issue.

As already stated above me, Free Realms would be a good start I think. Otherwise maybe Guild Wars, it isnt very hard to begin with, looks good, and can be run on older computers. Although the crafting that your wife would like is a bit less here... There is crafting, but it's actualy pretty useless in GW. Ow, and you would probly need to love the instancing too... :p

But overall, the community is pretty mature, it has depth, you have complete control over your toon (and with certain campaigns also over some NPC's), and PvP isn't a requirement. One positive thing about the instancing in GW for you would be probly that to go through an area can be done in as less time as you want. U can rush to another city and get forward in the game and do some qsts. Missions don't take much longer than half an hour or so...

But you should see what suits u best. Everyone gots his own taste.

Originally posted by bmdevine

Have you taken a look at Free Realms?  It's definitely geared toward casual players, and meets most of your criteria, although I'm not really sure about the video card issue.

I think I will run this option by her. 

I appreciate the responses so far, please keep the ideas coming. 

Originally posted by nukedude

As already stated above me, Free Realms would be a good start I think. Otherwise maybe Guild Wars, it isnt very hard to begin with, looks good, and can be run on older computers.

We can run vanguard on it just not very well.  I was hoping Vanguard would be the game but it runs at 10 FPS and that is just to low to play and enjoy.  It can run WoW, EQ2, and ROM.  This may help People understand what we can run and what we cannot. 

It seems odd it can run those games decently, but Vanguard would cause a problem... cuz i think vanguard isnt such a demanding game... And RoM is a pretty recent game with good looking grafix...

Originally posted by nukedude

It seems odd it can run those games decently, but Vanguard would cause a problem... cuz i think vanguard isnt such a demanding game... And RoM is a pretty recent game with good looking grafix...

 Not odd in the least.  VGSOH is incredibly resource intensive.  It's caused headaches and heartburn for a lot of people just because of that.

Originally posted by bmdevine

Originally posted by nukedude

It seems odd it can run those games decently, but Vanguard would cause a problem... cuz i think vanguard isnt such a demanding game... And RoM is a pretty recent game with good looking grafix...

 Not odd in the least.  VGSOH is incredibly resource intensive.  It's caused headaches and heartburn for a lot of people just because of that.

Regardless of the above I am still looking.

We are not opposed to playing little known game.  I am not sure that free realms has the depth of character development that I am looking for.  I know a browser indie game would be ok as long as it had most of the things that we are looking for. 

I found WoW to be a very fun "journey" while leveling up. I thought the quest were very interesting and the content is amazing. If you don't like WoW then I suggest LOTR Online. If you like LOTR Lore then I would recommend this game.  These games are not free but they both have free trials so trying them out would be a good idea. Good Luck.

Originally posted by Cyborg99

I found WoW to be a very fun "journey" while leveling up. I thought the quest were very interesting and the content is amazing. If you don't like WoW then I suggest LOTR Online. If you like LOTR Lore then I would recommend this game. Good Luck.

We played WoW together and just got burned out on the burning crusade.  I am not sure LOTR will run very well and I think we are loking for a different gameplay expience than we have had before.  

Have Played and are not looking to play again:

SWG

WOW

EQ2

AO

Dungeon Runners 

ROM

Adventure Quest Online

A few other games that I am forgetting. 

Have you tried LOTRO?  My son plays it fine on his older system with a 7600 256mb board just fine, though he does need to turn the seetings down to low when he does the MvP.  The game has a compeling epic stpry line with many sub stories.  There is no real PvP and folks can progress at their own pace...  that the first one that ame to my mind when you said you were looking for deep lore base.  Though the genre may not be what you are looking for... did you try the free trial?  Anyways GL with your seach.

It's too bad you didn't like Atlantica, simply because the community is great. I dislike how much time is needed for the game though, considering the turn-based combat. I too am a "casual gamer" after all my hardcore games like EQ and WoW. I could suggest a few games, but I really don't know about the graphics card requirements on them so I'll just give my completely personal opinion on the ones I still have installed to this day. One thing to remember, all of these are very "cartoony" and "cutesey" graphics, because as of right now that is what is dominating the free games world. Unfortunately all the people playing free games are going to be young because they have no money, so I really don't think escaping that will ever be possible - even in payed games (take a look at WoW).

Ether Saga Online:

This game is the one I find myself playing most. I adore the graphics cheesily enough, and the concept of always having a pet makes it very "Pokemon-esque". I know there is a PvP, but I can't even tell you if it's based on being in Arenas or if it's open world - so your wife may not like that idea. There is marriage in game, but other than that the best features are transformation and pets really. The community is nice, but young of course.

Free Realms:

I absolutely love this game for what it is. It is basically an arcade where you play a 3D avatar. PvP, I have no idea but there are mini-games you can play with OTHER people. The approach to this game is unlike any others you will see, it is PURELY for casual gamers that want to take a thirty  minute to one hour break every now and then to do something fun and colorful. I know a lot of parents play this game with their children as well, while others discourage the ideas of children plopped in front of computers for hours. I really love the idea of my cousin playing this game versus any other. The crafting in this game is AMAZING. There are TONS of jobs for you and your wife to choose from to level up. You have to see it to believe it, and customization is top notch! Though there is no "end game content" really, as I said.. this is a purely casual game.

Fiesta Online:

Another cute graphics game, I just really love the dungeon challenges. Join a que, get thrown into a dungeon with a number of others players and destroy everything. Customization is limited, crafting is limited. Marriage features. I truly think the dungeons is the only thing that has kept with this game, haha.

Luna Online:

Great community of people. Marriage system. The combat is alright, I believe there is PvP (not that I've taken any part in it). I love the costumes idea for it. I think I'm only still playing this game because I don't play it very often, so it keeps the "shiny new game feel" for me.

Runes of Magic:

Ok, I actually don't have this game installed anymore I just can't remember why? Either way, Runes of Magic is a pretty alright game for being free. The graphics are the same old "Anime" look and feel, but they're superb for a free game. A lot of people say this game is the "WoW" of free games. The only issues I had was that if you wanted a nice looking avatar, you will literally spend about 200.00USD for a timed costume. The combat is great, there is crafting in the game that is pretty "on top".

Of all the games I'm playing right now, Ether Saga and Free Realms are the two that just "grab me". Your opinions may be completely different, you may not like a single one of my games. I just wanted to give my two cents, since you and I seem to have the same criteria we need met for our gaming lives. Oh, I know that "Trickster" is another free game (2D) that a lot of people are still very fond of.. I always loved the first couple of minutes then remembered the awful grind and would delete it again.

Good luck on your search!

Nope have not played LOTR yet. We might give it a try.  I guess I was hoping that someone knew of a little known gem that we could play. 

Thanks ashgutz.  I will take a look at a few of those games.  I appreciate the time and thought you put into your post.

Thought about Everquest 2....I know you dont have much time to play, but the game has been dumbed down a bit, and still offers much to do in regards to never ending quests, crafting and to some extent character customization with their AA lines.  I know its not free...but if your looking for something for the long haul, casual playing is a very good way to enjoy this game.  With so much to do, theres no reason to rush to max level ASAP.  I know LOTS of couples that play together because it offers something they can both enjoy, spend time together and do things at your own pace.    The game has lots of graphic customization as well to pretty much run on any computer...from very low to extreme settings!

I tried Ether Saga Online and the camera not following behind me as I turned pissed me off.  I am not sure if we will go back to that game.  It is just rediculous that in 2009 deveolpers are not giving an auto camera over the shoulder option.

Originally posted by MMOman101

Originally posted by Cyborg99

I found WoW to be a very fun "journey" while leveling up. I thought the quest were very interesting and the content is amazing. If you don't like WoW then I suggest LOTR Online. If you like LOTR Lore then I would recommend this game. Good Luck.

 

We played WoW together and just got burned out on the burning crusade.  I am not sure LOTR will run very well and I think we are loking for a different gameplay expience than we have had before.  

 

Have Played and are not looking to play again:

SWG

WOW

EQ2

AO

Dungeon Runners 

ROM

Adventure Quest Online

A few other games that I am forgetting. 

 

I enjoy Aion alot.

I thought Aion was primarly PvP, which my wife is not interested in at all.