1. DAOC

2. WoW

3. COH

4. LOTRO

5. Worlds Away (Compuserve)

Worth the Money:

1. DAOC

2. WOW

Not worth the money:

1. Aion (worst purchase I ever made)

Originally posted by Lienhart

Mine: Dark Age of Camelot

I tried playing it years back (before WoW came out). Hated it for it's inferior graphics and lack of direction.

The fans always talk about how great it's PvP was, I always found it incredibly boring. Most likely, though, because I'm heavily into true skill based PVP games (CS1.6, SC and others back then).

How 'bout you guys?

I have to both agree and disagree with this post.  DAoC was one of best mmo's at the time with a rich Lore and fantastic community.  It did have a boring grind feel to levelling but the PvP experience is something I have never experienced in another mmo.  Where I have to agree with you is when you got to max level, there was some right old buff bot elitist twats that made me quit the game eventually.

The MMO I hate the most would be a toss up between WOW and GW1 fans, they are rude and lack any kind of community spirit....come back DAoC all is forgiven.

To be honest, I would have never left DAOC for WOW if the UI had been as updated as Blizzards version, /qbind is somewhat of a chore these days.

I would also jump at the chance of a DAOC 2 as I think the Lore and Battlegrounds are still the best when compared with other more modern MMO's.

Things Needed in DAOC 2

1.  GFX (something along the line of Lord of the Rings online and not Warhammer)

2.  UI impovements (Key mapping)

LOL...not this time I'm afraid.

I also played WOW from Beta and liked the mechanics compared to DAOC I had been playing.  The lore of wow is just awful, so much so that I rarely read the quest text.  If DAOC had the same UI mechanics as WOW I would have never left as that is a game rich in Lore.  Besides all that, Cata was the final nail in the coffin for me as I felt I had been completely ripped off.

WOW is now just a stand around in major cities waiting for instances to start, and then have people bitch about gear and of course the compulsory "let's run through this instant as fast as we can!".  Sad as it is, what was once an ejoyable *exploration* game has become this awful gear grinding beamoth.

Pandas?...give me a break...lol...I'd rather play Buckaroo with my kids.

Top 5 PC Games of all time are (taking into account the time they were released):

Shooting:

1.  Elite

2.  Doom 2

3.  Halflife

4.  Halflife 2

5.  Portal

MMORPG:

1.  Dark age of Camelot (the only MMO where I actually read every quest)

2.  WOW

3.  Guild Wars

4.  Lord of the Rings

5.  City of Heros

RPG:

1.  Baldurs Gate

2.  Knights of the old Republic

3.  Elder Scrolls Oblivion

4.  Fallout 3

5.  Elder Scrolls Skyrim

Strategy:

1.  Command and Conquer

2.  Civilization

3.  Warcraft

4.  Total war

5.  Starcraft

Overall top 5:

1. Elite

2. Halflife

3. WOW

4. Command and Conquer

5.  Elder Scrolls

I left wow for RIFT and to be honest it's got some enjoyable moments, but the animation is not as smoath as WOW, and I predict longevity would be equal to one run to level 50 and a secenic tour of the lands to find all the artifacts.

In relation to a weakness, I think after six years WOW has done very well, but is now showing it's age in relation to content.  Blizz really need to come up with something new in the next few years if it wants to hold onto it's loyal fan base.

I personally can't stand WOW, being an ex DAOC (dark age of camelot) player I find the Lore in WOW boring and I rarely read the quests.  I stayed with it because it's interface and mechanics was the best for the time, but I'll jump ship as soon as a better model appears.

Maybe I'm in the middle aged minority here, but I wouldn't be surprised if there are a few disgruntled few that hate Blizz for making them play a cartoon for the last few years, and likeing it lol.

The concepts in GW2 look very promising, but then so did many other failed mmo's.

Blizz should make a brand new game, maybe DAOC 2 (mechanics with lore and a 3 way pvp siege sytems).

Originally posted by Maelstrom09

Hi

Thanks for the response Duvand.

I'm currently level 13 and have now left the tutorial area. I left at level 11 with the full armour you get from the token, mount and all quests completed so pretty good really.

I have completed all of the quests in this area I am now in, and am currently in the main city in the Catacombs or something? Like an underground instanced dungeon.

How long does it generally take to reach level 50? Will I be able to get to level 50 before my two week trial runs out? (which started this past Sunday btw).

Thanks for your help.

:-) now this is the usual dilemma, what I did was make two Chars one Alb and one Mid then play alternatively to get best rested exp, also I spent most of my time hunting in the BG's as that seemed to level my character faster.  You could power level to 50 in a few weeks, or in a few days if a guild was kind enough, but I would suggest you enjoy the game, take it slow, and emerce yourself in the Lore and stories of your quests, also level up Alc as this will help alot. You won't get to level 50 before the trial runs out, but by now you will know if you like the game or not.  One final piece of advice, if the mobs in BG's are too high in level, and Kill you easily, go back to catacombs or an area where monsters will give you good exp, then return to the BG's, however if you are enjoying the quests you can get good exp here too, but I found killing mobs quicker as there was less running from A to B, but quests can also take you to those exp spots.

When you have completed all the quests in the Third town, have your Horse and armor Level 11 I think, head back to your first town and there is an NPC who will port you to the main area's, the game kinda opens up here.  You can do BG's at any level for RVR, but some BG's can be more quiet then others and  level 50 is when the real RVR starts, but you get a taster in BG's, Catacombs has instant Dungeons etc that will set to your level, and there are lots of quests and crafting to do.  If you want to level fast, kill monsters in the BG's.

Dedan

Yep, that would be no, DAOC is the best at RVR and siege warfare, Aion grrrrrrrr and Warhammer tried but failed.  Maybe with a few patches and balancing WAR might have something similar, AION is just a GRIND come LAG/Crash feast.  Hang on I forgot about Chess, yes thats it ...Chess is similar but DAOC is still the best.

Dedan

Originally posted by Maelstrom09

Hi

Thanks for your response Duvand.

I started playing earlier today, I created a character on the Midgard realm, a Norseman Warrior. I'm currently level 7 and am really enjoying it. I'm still in the tutorial area though I think, and am just following the PvE quests so I don't know when I will leave this area.

But yeah, really enjoying it. I was expecting the graphics to be appalling considering some people say they are really dated and rubbish by today's standards, yet I can't see what people are complaining about. The graphics are pretty good cranked up to the max, ok not as good by modern standards but still fine overall, I've seen a lot worse in recent years to be honest.

So yeah, I will continue playing and see how it goes.

Also, quick question, how do I lock my UI in place? As every time I log back in to the game all of the UI windows have reset and are scattered all over the place yet I had them all set up properly before. So each time I log in I have to start off by rearranging everything and dragging the spell button things back onto the hot bars.

One last thing, are there any dedicated (and still somewhat 'busy') DAoC forums around these days?

Thanks for your help.

The game should auto remember (do a manual game patch update now and then, file is found in main daoc folder, if you get any bugs), but there are options at the character screen, and in the game itself.  I'd suggest you do an \advice shout in game to join a guild, and you'll get all the help you need, DAOC has the best Community.  As to forums well Alakazam is used by most, but i get my help with the in game /advice...good hunting.

few other things I remembered...

1.  Most materials can be bought from a merchant, so leveling crafting is easy to begin.

2.  The game saves your character every few mins, and the /q command is best way to quit as you need 20 secs to save all data etc.

3.  If you die don't always pray at your grave if it's hard/far to get to, but do click on healer to get rid of rezz sickness and pay for con return, also use the skalds at most stones to give u speed buff for getting around.

4. Every 4 days u get a free level, and try to log out in an area that gives you rested exp like capital city, yep just like wow lol.

you'll pick up the rest :-)

Dedan

First off DAOC is fantastic if you like Lore and role play, yes it is very old school with it's UI, but let me give you some tips that will make your enjoyment easier to transfer from wow...

1.  Use the /qbind command to set up your keys, a pain to do, but well worth it in the long run.

2.  Do all the tutorial quests, as you get a horse and nice armor, and shows you how to do lots of things in the game.

3.  Do all the quests from your Trainer, as you get epic armor etc.

4.  Do all the quests for your King, your Trainer will tell you when to go here.

5.  Only do quests that have the new quest setup (unless they are the ones in point 4 of course), you'll know them cause old quests are just text, as new quests have a nice window like the the tutorial ones showing you your rewards, I say this cause these quests put a nice red dot on your map to help you, and this is a great help for a beginner.

6.  Do the quests in the catacombs (cave behind Kings area) and collect Aurulite for great equipment.

7.  Do alchemy for crafting as you can get really nice pots and potions so you won't need a buff bot.

8.  Best exp is killing mobs in the BG, you can be ported there and anywhere from Room before kings throne room.

9.  Ooo one final thing, if you make a hash of your skill points, there is a guy outside one of the Frontier castles who will give you a stone ( twice ) so you can respec, use them wisely.

Personally I have played many MMo's including WOW, DAOC is the best PVP/RVR game if you are patient, and embrace it's qurky UI, also what ever class you choose, try out one that can climb walls, the shear excitment of climbing into an enemys castle is beyond explanation here.  You will die alot as you get used to the game mechanics, but stick with it, also choosing the right class for you can make all the difference, so try out a few e.g Skald.

Good Luck

Dedan (Midgard)

ok when I played DAOC many years ago in the UK, it was a 3D game that ooozed with Lore and role play.
The Bad...
1.  Impossible to solo as most mobs would bring ten of their friends, grave run...
2.  Mobs of same level were near impossible to kill, unless in a group or because of point 1.
3. Leveling was painful, and then some, and there was a list for most major leveling spots, that you usually had to beg to get on.
4. Nobly Pride...God I hated that guild, bunch of stuck up Elite arrrrrses.
5. Infinite spawn rate that just prevented you from progressing in any cave.
6. Awful UI...just awful...key-binding give me a break.
 
The Good
1.  Best Lore and role play bar none.
2.  Best PVP experience if you get in a good group, or in a Zerg storming a castle, bar none.
3.  Quests that test your exploration skills, and have a fantastic story as a back drop.  In DAOC I read every word, in WOW I just select instant quest text, and accept.
4.  Best Community bar none.
5.  I don't know why, and even though the graphics are dated, I still feel the castles look very realistic, and I get totally absorbed in RVR, I played wow for many years but WOW seemed more like a cartoon to me, where DAOC seemed like the real thing.
6.  Crafting again best bar none
7.  Siege warfare best bar none
 
The reason that DAOC nearly died, is because Mythic did not adapt quickly enough to the new competition, however I started playing DAOC recently, and even though people say it has completely changed from it's original, dam good I say, I'm having more fun in DAOC now more then I ever did,  the only people I ever see moaning on these forums about the good old days, are the one hit crit hunters who thankfully got nerfed, and the uber elite who don't want people pushing in on their image.
 
DAOC could be a fantastic game, because to be honest it was never really popular in the mainstream, and it's the loyal fans that are keeping it afloat now, if people want DAOC to be the mega hit that it should have been, then in my opinion it needs to adapt to the casual mass market, as this will increase numbers and revenue, and in the end be best for everyone.

Originally posted by Rhoklaw

I used to have level 50's on Merlin, Ector and another server and now it seems all my previous characters have been deleted. Is this the case for everyone or is it just people that have been gone for about a year? Cause this Ywain cluster didn't exist before I left and I've checked every server and none of my previous characters exist anymore.

Your Characters are still there, they are just archieved, when you start the game you won't see those old servers, you have to select a box to show them, then move your characters over to Ywain.

you can get to level 50 in three days...

but generally you get extra exp from 1. Your Guild, 2. Rested exp 3. More exp if you kill mobs in certain areas 4. You get a free level every few days 5. Exp in RVR

so you will get there in no time, nothing like it was in the old days...

Originally posted by Tyvolus88

Originally posted by Duvand

Originally posted by Tyvolus88

Originally posted by Duvand

I totally aggree with the OP, AION for it's hype is an awful game.  The quests aren't even imaginative, and any game that borders on repeat this quest 100 times to level, needs a serious grilling.  The OP got the graphics aspect just right, the colours and movement seem slightly off in colour and perspective, as well as flight being unrealistic, the backdrops look like static wall paper,  it was the only mmo that made me feel sick after I played it for a few hours.  It's mechanics are very similar to many F2P games.  I have more fun playing Dark age of Camelot and that is nearly 10 years old.

 

"The quests aren't even imaginative, and any game that borders on repeat this quest 100 times to level"

clearly you never played the game.  And if you want to argue you did, lets talk about some of the quests you did.  What were they and what did you find unimaginative ? 

"It's mechanics are very similar to many F2P games."  If AION is simalar to ANYTHING, its mechanics are very similar to a P2P game called wow.  Again dude, its clear you never played AION.

 

 

Actually DUDE, I did play the game, and let me tell you dude, besides kill this, collect that, there was nothing else to do besides, delivery this X stuff to NPC Y, now do it again dude.

 

WOW is far superior in so many ways, and I don't even play WOW anymore.  Aion is a hyped up Grind feast, with no flight, o wait you can fly but for a limited time, and in certain areas, PVP is gank city, and as to the Chat, I've heard more interesting drivel come out of a rabid dog, then the conversations in AION.

 

Don't even get me started on the crafting dude.

 

nowhere in your mindless ramblings did you answer my question.  NAME ME A QUEST OR TWO YOU DID, AND GO DESCRIBE HOW IT WAS UNIMAGINATIVE.  All I am looking for is some proof from you that you actually played the game.  Again, I called you out as a fraud and am doing so now more then before.  You are full of it.  You never played AION.  Prove to me you did.  Was it OB, CB, LIVE ?   prove you arent the liar I say you are.
 

And anyone who has read these boards would now there are kill this and delive that quests available.  Prove in some way you played the game...if you can...which you cant.  And thats why you are mad.  You got callled out, kid.  Suck on it.

"Don't even get me started on the crafting dude."  No lets.  In all seriousness, tell me some of the experiences you had in crafting ?
 

I am listening...everyone on this board who watched me call you out for being a FRAUD is listening...try proving me wrong this time...

Now Now, Calm down Dude, no need to get personal.  Just cause you've finished your homework, doesn't mean you can be accussing people of being liars, like we're in some kind of small claims court.  We're all entitled to our opinions, you know as well as I do that I could go to any AION site and copy a few quest names, just trust me on the fact I'm telling the truth, and for me AION was very boring dude, the crafting was slow with little reward, o wait I did get a few nails.

What does "Suck on it" mean? no seriously.

by the way you read a forum board, not listen to it...silly boy.

Originally posted by testament1

Okay, just to get it out of the way, I'm an avid WoW player(my only MMO experience), but I'm getting quite bored with it to be honest. I've been looking for a new game for sometime now, but nothings ever worked out. I've played WoW with my wife the entire time, and she feels the same as I. We're getting new PC's in a few weeks, so we want to take this time to try a different game, and maybe leave WoW behind.

However, I'm not really sure what we would do in Aion once we hit 50. RIght now, we mainly PvE on WoW. However, we've switched interestes by the xpac, as during BC, we almost exclusivley pvp'd. So we don't mind either aspect, but WoW's pvp is quite broken atm, so we've stuck with PvE. But I do have a few questions that need answered before we make the switch.

1: What will we be doing once we hit 50? I'm not quite sure what the end game for Aion revolves around, so could someone educate me on this? I've read about this Abyss place, but I'm not sure what it is exactly. Is it just a zone where open pvp occurs?

2: What type of PvE content exists? Is it possible to just be a "raider" in Aion, like you can in WoW?

3: How twitch based is Aion? I hate slow paced MMO's, which is part of the reason why I like WoW.

4: What's this "auto-face" or "auto-attack" thing I've read about? I also read that you auto-follow enemies?

5: How accurate are the "omg Aion is a Korean grindfest" statements that are made about the game? I mean, I don't mind grinding, but are there other ways to level? Or will I be killing mobs as my sole source of XP?

6: Is the game fun? Guess this is the most important question, as that's the sole point in playing a game imo.

I have lots of other questions, but I'll start with these. I really wanna like Aion, but I don't want to invest  in a totally new game if it's not gonna lead anywhere. Thanks.

To be Honest,

I suggest you try the game for yourself, as you will get conflicting answers, some people love it, some hate it, it's really a personal choice, I personally hate it, but I'm glad I played it, as it was interesting in some respects like flight and the combo fighting styles.

Originally posted by Tyvolus88

Originally posted by Duvand

I totally aggree with the OP, AION for it's hype is an awful game.  The quests aren't even imaginative, and any game that borders on repeat this quest 100 times to level, needs a serious grilling.  The OP got the graphics aspect just right, the colours and movement seem slightly off in colour and perspective, as well as flight being unrealistic, the backdrops look like static wall paper,  it was the only mmo that made me feel sick after I played it for a few hours.  It's mechanics are very similar to many F2P games.  I have more fun playing Dark age of Camelot and that is nearly 10 years old.

 

"The quests aren't even imaginative, and any game that borders on repeat this quest 100 times to level"

clearly you never played the game.  And if you want to argue you did, lets talk about some of the quests you did.  What were they and what did you find unimaginative ? 

"It's mechanics are very similar to many F2P games."  If AION is simalar to ANYTHING, its mechanics are very similar to a P2P game called wow.  Again dude, its clear you never played AION.

 

 

Actually DUDE, I did play the game, and let me tell you dude, besides kill this, collect that, there was nothing else to do besides, delivery this X stuff to NPC Y, now do it again dude.

 

WOW is far superior in so many ways, and I don't even play WOW anymore.  Aion is a hyped up Grind feast, with no flight, o wait you can fly but for a limited time, and in certain areas, PVP is gank city, and as to the Chat, I've heard more interesting drivel come out of a rabid dog, then the conversations in AION.

 

Don't even get me started on the crafting dude.