I’m all about story in MMORPGs. F2P or not, subscription or not, field price or not…none of it issues to me. If I feel I’ll just like the story, I’ll give a sport a whirl even when it appears like it could not supply my favourite fight system or it provides different options I am skeptical of earlier than launch. Narrative above all else for me. MMOs like Ultimate Fantasy, World of Warcraft, and The Elder Scrolls On-line get a leg up in my e-book merely due to their prolonged historical past of compelling narratives in multiplayer and single participant titles.
Whereas I personally lean extra in direction of the Ultimate Fantasy aspect of all of these fences, I nonetheless look again at one specific narrative second because the “finest” MMOs have ever provided. The truth is, I’m wondering if it would ever be surpassed sooner or later.
I performed fairly a little bit of Warcraft and Warcraft II again within the day. Nevertheless, I used to be an internet PvP participant in opposition to pals. I by no means performed via the narrative on the time. Years later, I did return and accomplish that, however by that point I used to be already nicely handed the launch of World of Warcraft’s Wrath of the Lich King growth again in 2008.
I level that out so that you simply will not simply assume I used to be a loopy Warcraft fan excited to see how a narrative I already knew can be instructed in MMO type. Fairly the other, really. I had no clue what the story of Arthas was, did not know he was the Lich King, and could not let you know what the hell an “Icecrown Citadel” was again then. That is what makes the complete supply of Blizzard’s MMO growth type of superb to me.
Wrath of the Lich King might be the growth most WoW gamers affiliate with the “gold previous days” of the MMO and it is easy to see why. Lengthy-time followers acquired a narrative they could not wait to see, however these of us that did not know the story have been handled to in all probability a few of the finest narrative designs within the style. Do not get me flawed, the growth had its downsides. Instancing of zones wasn’t that nice, a few of the lesser dungeons (i.e. these indirectly concerned with the Lich King’s story) have been a bit uninteresting, and the extent grind possibly had a couple of spots the place issues dragged. That apart, transferring from cutscene to cutscene I used to be enthralled.
Seeing the Battle of the Wrathgate and the Lich King nearly dying (see, he has weaknesses!), transferring via Icecrown scorching on the heels of Arthas, and eventually preventing my means into Icecrown Citadel itself was superb. Ready for the raid itself to open up was unimaginable. I could not wait to see what was inside. My favourite raid in WoW as much as then (and nonetheless to this present day) was Karazhan. May ICC beat it? For a lot of it did. ICC falls simply shy for me primarily because of preferring the ambiance of 1 over the opposite. That mentioned, ICC actually has a greater story and a much more satisfying finish to the raid.
And this all says nothing concerning the backstory for the sword Frostmourne, both…or the arrival of Naxxramas once more!
Ultimate Fantasy actually has its story beats. Do not get me flawed there. Nevertheless, I’m wondering if any MMO story might ever be as anticipated once more. I do not assume so. First, occasions have merely modified too dramatically. We aren’t within the age of there solely being a couple of MMOs on the market and WoW having double digit thousands and thousands of gamers. Second, I feel setting the stage like Lich King did requires a recognized IP to a sure diploma. It is unlikely you’d get the excitement wanted for an unknown IP.
Hell, even LOTRO‘s Mordor growth did not really feel juiced to the max, and I do not know if a “recognized IP’s massive second” will get greater than that one.
Third, I feel fashionable MMO design really prohibits this. It’s onerous to have time to “construct up” anticipation with out most gamers being upset concerning the period of time between patches. Right this moment, in case your subsequent replace takes too lengthy, there’s different MMOs value going to play…and gamers will do precisely that.
I doubt I am going to ever have an expertise fairly like that once more, and I am glad I did have it in any respect. I’ve very fond recollections of some Ultimate Fantasy XI moments, however no “baddie” was ever actually anticipated by me…even in my favourite MMO of all time.
Is it simply my private choice shining via, or am I lifeless on? Let me know if there’s one other second you assume rivals the Lich King’s final demise in an MMO.
