It may seem bland and uninspired, but I think I fallen back in the love with MMORPGs over the “Sleep” spell. When trekking through the Copperbell Mines, I suddenly recognised that I have a spell list above and beyond fire, fire II, and ice. Rather than mindlessly blasting through the cavernous dungeon, we lost a healer, and had to get our shizzle in order. Recalling a past life as a man with half a brain switched on, I remembered how to play these games again.
Bland, mundane, and ordinary, but to me the following events held a certain sense of magic. Our tank would pile into enemies, taunting, taking agro, whilst I set about soothing the ads into a gentle snooze. It was spinning plates, but it felt good.
Most of you will probably read this and feel that my voyage of discovery is little more than paying attention, but for me, it has reinvigorated my perspective on the genre. Before, I complained that things weren’t as good as the days, whilst completely overlooking everything contemporary games still have to offer.
But still, I do feel that in an effort to include everyone, and leave no soldier behind, we’ve lost a certain identity to the traditional roles of classes. The idea of certain players supporting, far behind the structures of tanking and damage, seems to have gone. Where are the supporters? Those that buff? Who here remembers the clarity spell?
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It seems as though, while I am half to blame, the other half of that particular spiteful, broken, medallion, is the need to keep everyone entertained. It doesn’t seem exciting to solo a character so suited to group play - and yet - put it in a social context and an enchanter/cleric are the popular guys at the dungeon crawl party.
I think games need to get back to this greater sense of identity. The need for certain, highly individualised roles. Final Fantasy XIV has an advantage because players can be all things, eliminating crippling shortages, but really? It is those treks with a well tooled and specialised party that makes this genre what it is.
So if you will excuse me, I have more adds to subdue. As ever, comments, reflections, and “Tingle, you’re a lazy fool” accusations in the section below.
Adam Tingle / Adam Tingle is a columnist and general man-about-town for MMORPG.com, RTSGuru.com, and FPSGuru.com. He enjoys toilet humor, EverQuest-themed nostalgia, and pointing out he's British: bother him at @adamtingle
