Top Four MMORPGs

World of Warcraft

A P2P-game(pay to play), most widely known for its many quests and adventures, World of Warcraft is the top MMORPG that you can find.  Greatly appreciated for its high detail and graphics, users can explore a world called Azeroth.  In this world are 4 different races, for who they call the alliance:  Dwarves, Humans, Elves, Gnomes, and Draenei. These forces battle agaisnt the Horde, which are the Undead, Trolls, Tauren, Orcs, and Blood Elves.  From group questing, to solo playing, to raiding, this game has it all.  Make your choice wisely, because once you start your journey, there is no changing your race besides creating a new character.  Money is called Copper, Silver, and Gold, and can be traded for a variety of monster-dropped items, or player-made items.  Overall, this game will give you the best you can get for only 15 dollars a month.  There are currently 2 expansions out for it, which are by the names The Burning Crusade, and Wrath of the Lich King.

Guild Wars

A free MMORPG, with the only need to buy the game in stores, along with 3 expansions it has.  Some say that this game is better that World of Warcraft, some say it’s quite the opposite.  The riviling two have been at it ever since they’ve been created.  Unlike World of Warcraft, there is a main storyline, with a max character level of 20.  You play online with other players, just like in any other MMORPG.  You pick one main profession, and then one minor one, ending up with all kinds of things varying with meleers, magers, and rangers.  You can have PvP, which is player versus player, or work as a team to kill something bigger than yourselves.  Either or with this game, you have a great gaming experience.

RuneScape

RuneScape, a MMORPG, most famously known by the company Jagex, has launched a second gaming site called “FunOrb”, but let’s stick to RuneScape.  About 1 year ago, Jagex launched RuneScape High Detail, which was the ability to make the game look so much better than it formerly did in what is now “standard detail”.  The graphics are better, but not the best.  RuneScape was one of the first Java-based games that hit the gaming industry well, and still has a pay-to-play option for people who want more quests and an actively updated game.  Free-to-play players get a taste of what it’s like to be a member, but don’t get nearly as many quests or items.  There is no 1 storyline in the game, resulting in branches all over the place of different storylines.  They recently unleashed their “Grandmaster” quest, or one of the hardest quests in the quest-rating scale of difficulty.  While Guthix Sleeps will wrap up storylines that have been drifting on a cliffhanger, and wanted a great ending.  Real-world item trading was a big problem, so trade restrictions have been put on, and the old wilderness was taken out.  While some people like this, some people don’t like it.  Nevertheless, it is a great game that you are sure to love.

MapleStory

Another great MMORPG, with a downloadable client that is required to play.  There are a variety of classes to choose from, such as becoming a Warrior, Mage, Archer, Pirate, or Thief.  Each class has its own pros and cons, but my pick is the mage.  You are able to stay away from your enemy, freeze them(if you choose Ice and Lightning as your second job choice), and attack.  Your spells also create somewhat of a knockback, to keep the mobs at bay.  There are two job promotions that you can make before continuing with the mage, which would be Ice and Lightning, or Fire and Poison.  Fire and Poison has more attack power, while Ice and Lightning has more of a helpful push to its skills.  There are 4 job advancements with every class, with a max level of 200, and the 4th job advancement at 120.  Once you choose one job advancement, you cannot change it.  You must make a new character and start all over.  There is an optional way to get other items in the game, which is the Cash Shop.  Around the world in stores there are Maple Cards, which the code can be entered online for in-game items.  Events usually take place every once in a while, and when they do, people are on it.  With the cash shop, you can buy masks to put over weapons to make them look like you want, buy pets, or anything else you could think of.  This game is surely something to try if you like storylines, and some funny 2-D graphics and characters.

Wrap-Up

All of these games are wonderful.  World of Warcraft has a trial, if you are wondering if you could try it for free.  It is only 10 days with limited features, so take your trial and see if you like it.  You can continue that account by buying a retail version of the game, and can continue your fun with the expansions.  Guild Wars you can go and get at your local wally-world or best buy(if they have it), and play it.  You don’t have to pay per month, or any time besides buying the game.  RuneScape is completely free, unless you wish to become a member for much more fun.  MapleStory is also free, unless you want to get more items and more things to play around with.  Links are provided below to each game listed above.

World of Warcraft:  www.worldofwarcraft.com

Guild Wars: www.guildwars.com

RuneScape: www.runescape.com

MapleStory: www.maplestory.com