Wow!  This generated a lot of activity while I was at the office today.   Lots of good insight in the replies.  It started with EQ2...the multiple instances of zones just bothers me for some reason.  That I'm not a big fan of, but its not my biggest concern.

My real complaint is how linear the games are.  There is only one zone for level 1 10, and one zone for level 11 20, and so on.  This combined with limited race selection just really hurts if you are an altoholic.

If I want bleeding edge graphics I will fire up an fps or a single player rpg.  In an mmo I want a living breathing world with lots of content, options, replayability, and room to explore.  I like good graphics as much as the next guy, but not at the sacrifice of good game play.

My opinion only, I know not everyone feels the same way.

Tried Aion, not a bad game, but suffers from what is becoming an all too common problem in a lot of mmos.  Highly instanced, linear game play, with limited options for starting areas.

With these games, AoC is another one that comes to mind, I feel like I'm playing Oblivion or some single player game with other people running around.

I really hope devs move back toward the open world, multiple distinct starter area, limited instance formula.

To me, Games like EQ1, Vanguard, and WoW feel more like mmos than the games that imitate single player rpgs.

Posted in the refer a friend thread, but still looking, if anyone has one.

Titan Quest is actually a really under rated game.  It is a diablo clone, but definitely the best of the bunch.  Well worth checking out.

Also, Dragon Age Origins is coming out in November which looks like it might be good.

The Witcher got really good reviews and a lot of positive buzz.  I tried it and didn't like it but a lot of people did. 

edit

Just reread your post.  BG1 was awesome, to me the story was better than BG2.

I agree VG is the best pve game on the market right now.  However the fact that they don't currently employ a graphics programmer is a really turn off.  I really wish they would give this game the attention it deserves.

Originally posted by eddieg50

Vanguard is the better game , more to do, but it runs poorly so it gets frustrating.  Eq2 runs smoothly but feels a little bland to me. So if you can run vanguard with little or no hitching then that is the game to play

What this guy said.

Original EQ1, with new graphics...oh and no hell levels.

Or, the depth, gameworld, and community of Vanguard with a healthy population and a better working graphics engine.

Would like to try this game and am looking for a trial key.

Email is mjaesw@yahoo.com

If you can spare one I would appreciate it.

Thanks.

Thank you much. 

I saw that thread, but got the impression that it is only for people who already have accounts and are looking to return.

I have never played before, I would be trying it brand new.

Long time MMO player going back to UO launch.  Looking for something with depth and was attracted by the number of classes available in this game. 

Wondering if anyone could pm me with a buddy key so I could give this game a try.

Thanks.

Thinking about giving this game a try.  Sick of WoW and nothing else is grabbing me.  Want to feed my mmo habit.  Just wondering how the community is in this game. 

Originally posted by Morgaren

at least AoC doesn't have MAJOR class balance issues.

War solution to the problem of faction imbalance was to make the lesser populated faction have more powerful classes. Anyone ever fight a warrior priest or an Ironbreaker?

Also its way too linear, hence the lines you follow on the maps.

I have to say AoC has the worst class balance issues of any pvp game I have ever played.  Try running around as DTor a guardian on a pvp server trying to compete against Necros, ToS or pre-60 rangers. 

AoC isn't a bad game, but to say there aren't class imbalance issues is crazy.

I remember when I started UO, my first MMO.  Even though the launch was beyond horrific I was hooked.  Played for about 2 years before getting burned out.  Absolutely hated the no rules, total loot pvp system.  I soloed a lot, so pvp in the beginning was typically 3 guys 10x as powerful as me killing me, taking all my shit, and being total dicks about it.  Don't miss those days at all.

To me, EQ1 was a giant improvement.  Some of the best times I have ever had in an mmo was grouping in the commonlands for the first time.

To each his own.

Best:  EQ Brell Serelis 99-00 best ever, DAoC Guin 01-02 proof that you can have a good community on a pvp server, Vanguard...really a throwback to the good old days of mmo's.

Worst:  UO...all time worst, AoC, WoW...great game, played on and off from launch til WotLK, but community got progressively worse, am done for good with Azeroth.

Long time mmo player and older gamer here.  I think the problem is that we are either getting too old in comparison to the overall age of the community or the communities are just getting worse.

But I hear you....mmos don't seem to be what they used to. 

The community in WoW is just putrid at this point.

The only newer game out there that has depth of game play and a great community is Vanguard in my opinion.  The problem is that they don't even have a graphics programmer working on the game anymore :(

Taking a break from mmos but will maybe give Eve a shot and play a bit more VG at some point.  Am not holding my breath for any of the new mmos.

Cheers all...great thread with lots of good insights.

I went back and tried AoC again this year and thought the game was tremendously improved since launch. 

It has the best graphics, sounds and particle effects of any game I have played.

The problem with not playing on a pvp server is that the pve pretty much sucks.  The class/race selection is a bit shallow and it is the most linear mmo with the smallest game world. 

The problems with playing on a pvp server are the horribly imbalanced classes and ultra high douchbag population. 

AoC was a lot of fun and is worth a try for the fatalaties alone, but I don't see playing it for more than a couple of months.

Originally posted by eolse

it's a new game to you come back in 2 weeks and the bugs will drive you nuts.

Just thought I would post an update after playing for a few weeks.  The pve is awesome, dungeons are great, class design is excellent.  Have a monk up to level 33 and he is also a level 17 carpenter.  Have not had any problems finding groups for the most part.  Community is outstanding!

Yes there are bugs and a lack of polish in some areas.  Little things that should not still be a problem this long after launch.  The engine is poorly coded and fps should be better.  I will note however, I believe this graphics engine is on a par with eq2 as far as performance, neither of them run particularly well.  In VG I do get fantastic performance in dungeons with groups....runs glassy smooth and looks great.

All and all I stand by my original comments, its a great game well worth checking out.  Expect to see some stupid bugs and be prepared for eq2 like engine performance.  If you can put up with these annoyances the core gameplay will blow your socks off. 

Funny, I was in the same boat a couple of months ago.  Swore off WoW for good and none of the newer MMOs that I tried appealed to me.  Thought I was going to be off them for good.  Took a month off wtih no gaming at all then tried Vanguard for the hell of it.  Really enjoying the game and am actually really wanting to give Eve a shot at some point.

Take a little time off and who knows what might catch your eye.

I was in the same boat and am about 40.  Burned out on WoW (I mean for good) and couldn't find another mmo that I wanted to play.  Have been playing Vanguard for about the last month.  The game has technical issues in that engine runs a lot like EQ2.  Aside from that it is fantastic....the game play and game world are amazing.  Community is also top notch.

Highly recommend checking it out.