3.) Scarlet Blade
Raise your hand if you play MMOs because they’re sexy. Thirteen-year-olds, please exit to the left and brush your teeth before bed. Everyone else can see this game for what it is: a shameless, exploitative cash grab that sells flesh instead of quality gameplay. Marketed as an “adult MMO,” Scarlet Blade actually seems targeted at the lustful teenage boy who sees no farther than virtual boobies and the lack of subscription fee. Sex might sell but it doesn’t make for a good game. Poor story and repetitive questing are just icing on the cake.
2.) DUST 514
When CCP first announced DUST 514, it was to the unbridled excitement of thousands. Following up on their juggernaut, EVE Online, the time seemed ripe for CCP to spread their wings and fly. Unfortunately, it looks like those wings have been clipped. DUST514’s bland sci-fi setting and ho-hum combat, and 2006 visuals make it ultimately forgettable. A core design which throws newcomers to the wolves makes it egregious. DUST514 is high on our list of offending MMOs because from promising beginnings came only a game has only proven itself lacking. It skews toward the veteran and borders on pay-to-win. Its EVE integration little more than a novelty. In a nutshell, DUST514 just isn’t a very good game and we expected better from CCP.
1.) Infestation: Survivor Stories
This is a game we just can’t let off the hook. Hammerpoint Interactive has made strides this past year, but Infestation, or should we say The War Z, is still a poor imitation of a good game. Whether its bugs, hackers, terrible AI, or a community bent entirely on making new players unhappy, it’s hard to play Infestation and not be disappointed. That’s sad because there was potential for a good game here. Unfortunately, Hammerpoint has squandered any good will they once had. Fibbing on their Steam entry was their first attempt to hoodwink us and changing their name from The War Z is more of the same. Make no mistake, this is that terrible game you heard about, and for that, it crowns our list of the worst MMOs of this past year.
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That’s it, folks: the worst MMOs of 2013. Any one of these games could improve. And that’s one of the great parts of being an MMO fan, isn’t it? But for now, stay away from these and play something you know is fun. And would you look at that? We conveniently published a list of the Best MMOs of 2013 too!
What do you think, readers? Did we miss something? Were we off the mark? Share your own list in the comments below!
Christopher Coke / Chris has been an MMO player since the days of MUDs. Occasionally he likes to pontificate on the subject. Read him every other week in Player Versus Player and in MMORPG’s The Tourist. He can also be found on Twitter: @gamebynight.
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