Alternative MMOG Updates

Heartless writes "If you aren't an Evercrack addict or a World of Warcraft fanatic then chances are you may just be interested in some of these updates for non-mainstream MMORPGs. First off we have Pirates of the Burning Sea accepting beta applications. Darkfall Online has a leaked gameplay video that they are not stopping and has also started taking clan applications for their beta test. Horizons has announced a Military appreciation program. Codemasters has announced that RF Online will make a North American debut. Finally we have Irth Online freshly into its Beta 3 semi-open beta phase with its first review up at Gamergod.com. Keep an eye out on these titles as they further advance the smaller MMORPG market." Some other (more mainstream) games have updates as well, with GamerGod offering up a review of the new EQ2 expansion, and Next Generation interviewing a DDO developer.

Comments

Is it just me...

[Auraiken]

Or does Irth Online look like an upgraded, standalone, version of runescape? Not a flame... just making observations. If it does indeed have the same gameplay value of runescape... I can see this becoming a very popular game. That is, of course, if they expand more on the graphics side of the game. They look very bland at the moment.

Other MMOGs

[0rionx]

Just a brief footnote regarding some other lesser known but (IMO) still very fun MMO games:

Rakion, the newest online RPG from Softnyx (makers of Gunbound), just recently finished its open beta. It's slated to be back online some time in November with a number of enhancements and adjustments regarding balance issues.

Same thing for FlyFF, a Korean MMORPG. They've just finished open beta for the U.S. version of the game; the game servers are currently down while they move them all from Korea to the U.S. and start gearing up for the U.S. release.

Finally, Martial Heroes (previously known as DO Online) has recently gone through a number of cool upgrades, so anyone who was following the progress on this previously might want to take another look at it.

Re:Other MMOGs

[Soul-Burn666]

Gah, i've played flyff for about a week and got really tired of it. While the graphics are nice, and many enemies are well done, the game is just grind. Even the flying part isn't that fun. And that's all ignoring the horrible Engrish...
If at all, then MapleStory is better. It's at least interesting with the cute 2D graphics and more arcadish gameplay, but as most MMORPGs and Korean ones in particular, it's mostly grind.
All these "grind" games can be great timesinks and a glorified chat client with a small game to play while chatting with friends.

Why does no one release an MMORPG with at least some complexity and less grind....

Didn't mention WW2Online

[HycoWhit]

No mention of the coming update to World War 2 Online? http://www.wwiionline.com/ WW2Online is one of the best military simulations out there. The only place for large scale, combined-arms warfare with realistic vehicles. The realism requires more of a thinking gamer then a twitchy button masher.

What about me?

[Stephen H-B]

For those who don't go ga-ga about fantasy MMORPGs, I suggest EVE Online.

It's far smaller than WoW/GW (we just hit 70,000 subscribers) but there is no sharding - everyone who is online is in the same world (top so far is 15000 online at once).

There is also a free 14 day trial program, any current subscriber can send you a code. Drop me a reply/email if you'de like to try it. If we're in the same area of space I may even drop by and run you throught the basics.