Should I get World of Warcraft??

[Asmodean]

So....a little help from some of the experienced MMORPG people here at the OG is needed.

Basically I am having trouble deciding whether to get WoW when it becomes available again here in Denmark (which should be around mid-april). I know that some of you are inclined to say Yes, buy it, but I have some concerns which I would like for you to address:

1) My first and foremost concerns is about the whole party (or guild) concept. None of my friends are into gaming, and I would have to rely on casual internet acquaintances for playing, something which in my experience is very hard to schedule. So the question is: Can WoW be played alone (as in a party of one) and still be fun? What elements do I exclude myself from by playing alone? Is character development possible when playing alone, or do most opponents require a party to defeat?

2) My second concern ralate to my playing style. When playing any RPG, I almost never roleplay in the strict sense of the word. I develop my character. That's what is fun for me, and that's what I do. I like to get my character as mean and tough as possible, so that he can go out and kick some butt. That's where the fun is for me. How well is that represented in WoW? Can the game be played in this style? Or is roleplaying needed? (I guess choice of realm (server) is crucial here?)

3) My last concern is about my MMORPG experience. I am a total novice, and I am a bit worried that WoW is too hardcore to be my first MMORPG game. Any thoughts on that? Should I start out on PvE servers before moving on to PvP?

I hope you will address my questions seriously.

Asmodean

[Dis]

#2 and #3 are not a concern I'm sure. From what I heard WOW is not very hardcore. It's nothing compared to Everquest 1 or 2. Just compare the penalties for dying. Though I'm not sure about PVP, you may encounter some guys with power builds who may be pretty tough.

All I want to know is if I can play this game single player. I have a job, so I can afford the monthly payments now. I want a game I can play single player, but occasionally play in parties.

I don't want to take the thread away from you, but I'm also asking if I should buy the game. Everquest 2 just didn't hold my attention.

Yes I know I could always play a single player game. The only game that comes close in size and freedom is Morrowind. And I have played the hell out of that game and done nearly every quest available in that game and the expansions.

[DrSpike]

Asmo you just need to decide what floats your boat. If you can commit enough hours per month and want to try a MMORPG WoW is a good choice for you right now.

It is not that hardcore in terms of death penalties and levelling speed, and you can play solo, at least early on.

However you may want to reassess your motives there. If you want a good SP experience then why play WoW? There are better SP games you wont have to pay monthly fees for.

Don't worry, you'll find people in game to group with if you look whilst soloing the earlier levels, and that's way more fun.

And as for roleplaying, hehe, no one takes it seriously. Just avoid the RP servers.

[Asmodean]

I see your point, Spikey. I am used to SP, and would like to try MMO, so that is no problem. My problem is, as I wrote, finding people to play with, that fit my schedule to some degree.

Hours is not really a problem for me. I can devote the hours. My problem is with long sessions. As a father, I can't really play for long hours continually. I need to be able to leave the game for maybe half an hour, and then come back and pkay a couple of hours, and then leave again for some time. Children need attention too. That's why I foresee difficulty. If I group up with somebody, they would have to accept that.

Asmodean

[Harovan]

MMORPGs are fun. And WoW and EQ2 are equally good choices. As for roleplaying servers or not... I dare to differ here. I also focus on developing my character rather than to roleplay. However, roleplay servers in my experience have the more mature population, the good dedicated vs. leet dood ratio is usually higher than on non-RP servers. This is especially important, when you are new to the game and need help from other players. And mostly the depth of roleplaying on these servers varies from low to heavy. Being a low level roleplayer (that's all you need) is not hard at all. That's exactly what I am doing.

[Dis]

I may get this game, as I've said, I've played all the good single player rpg's.

There really aren't enough game companies making single player rpg's anymore. Everything is a mmorpg.

[Tassadar500]

Spikey, I assume you play Wow? What's the overall experience of the game?

[snoopy369]

Don't forget to consider FFXI, if you are interested in a good MMORPG. I played it a bit, and if it weren't for the fact that I just don't spend enough time playing a MMORPG to be worth the $13 a month, i'd still be playing it. The combat system is adequate, the advancement simple but good enough, and there are so many players out there that you rarely are hurting for a party. Of course it helps if you speak japanese but you don't have to - there are tons of english players, and plenty more japanese players who speak english. It's definitely nice that there aren't too many down times - as you have people halfway around the world on the same server as you, there's always *someone* online

[CapTVK]

Originally posted by Lord Nuclear
Spikey, I assume you play Wow? What's the overall experience of the game?

You're telling me that Dr.Spike also plays WoW and STILL have time left for the forumgames!?


I can only add one point about playing MMORPG and the monthly subscription fees. Once you have a job money isn't the issue... it is time.

[snoopy369]

Well, that rather depends on the job, and the fact that once you're on your own, it's a cost-benefit issue. After all, I certainly make enough to pay $13 a month - even $20 a month - on something that gives me a decent entertainment value. But if I can pay $50 and get six or eight months of entertainment out of it (Morrowind), and not have the time requirements of a MMORPG ...

[Sava]

I would say no, but only because I think WoW sux ballz

[Solver]

MMORPGs? Tons of people getting online so that they can be elves/orcs/whatever, do stuff together and participate in battles? Talk about unfulfilled childhood games... I dunno, that seems weird to me. SP RPGs I understand, but MMO... though to each his own.

Personally, I will also not even consider a MMORPG or any other game that has a subscription system with per-month costs. That's when gaming becomes like paying bills.

[Sava]

yeah that's another thing... good point Solver.

WoW makes you pay monthly for it... that's just plain retarded.

[Dis]

Originally posted by Solver
MMORPGs? Tons of people getting online so that they can be elves/orcs/whatever, do stuff together and participate in battles? Talk about unfulfilled childhood games... I dunno, that seems weird to me. SP RPGs I understand, but MMO... though to each his own.

Personally, I will also not even consider a MMORPG or any other game that has a subscription system with per-month costs. That's when gaming becomes like paying bills.

I don't agree.

What's the difference between multiplayer rpg, and single player game. You make it seem like roleplaying in general is silly. That would mean SP roleplaying is just as silly as multiplayer roleplaying.

[Solver]

You know, when playing a SP RPG, I don't feel weird. I enjoy the quests, the storyline or the combat, whatever is best about the specific RPG I'm playing. Multiplayer, though, it would feel real weird... the thought of interacting with serious adult people who look like tiny elfs or something scres me. It would feel weird to have fights with wooden swords in the middle of the city with a group of adult people, after all .