searching for an xbox mmo
By Eli Wilson at
Hard to believe I put out a second blog post, I know. If I can continue to produce two random musings a year then I will consider this experiment an accomplishment.
I am currently waiting on a replacment computer after the one I ordered from Skytech came with the tempered glass panel shattered during shipping. I vacuumed the tiny shards up from my office carpet, cursed at the sky, and typed up demands for a new machine. During this process, in the back of my mind, I couldn't help but ponder: What makes the perfect console MMO for me? What works for PC MMOs and not for console? Could there be a game worth sinking hundreds of hours into via controller instead of keyboard?
From Keyboard to Keytroller
And so the search began. As I deliberately busted the aggregious data cap Comcast burdens me with while I pay them ~$100 a month for internet, I started to compare/contrast MMOs available on my Series X and mourn the lack of fiber internet in my area. A machine that has been gathering dust ever since the world mostly resumed outdoor activity (also when I got my Moderna double shot).
I will now outline my overall opinions of the games I was able to locate on the market in no particular order, list what stood out or didn't after at least 5 hours of investment and online research, and then lastly rank them, in very particular order, based on how great I think they are. And host an awards show where games get there moment in the spotlight by being the best in a certain category. This is black tie optional so take a moment to dress in your most formal outfit and let's get down to business.
The Games
Sea of Thieves
This game nails the feeling of adventure I got as a kid when all the cool things out in the world seemd brand new. Good without friends and even better with at least one in tow to man the cannons. Sword and gun combat not nearly as engaging for me as running and battling other ships, but the mechanics feel snappy and . The physics on the ocean feel almost too real in the best way while also somehow occasionally creating the funniest laugh-out-loud impossibilities when you hit a rock or giant shark. Lastly, the game is prettier than it has any right to be (especially those sunsets on the horizon in 4k).
The biggest drawback to this game is the time investment. And the new player onboarding experience is almost non-existent so I took to the internet to learn how to play from other players, which worked out but shouldn't be a requirement. It's a high risk/reward game where you always make some progress even if a long time player mericlessly cuts you down, but the initial loop of login, get ready, get the quest, sail to the quest can be a bigger investment of time than I have the energy for some nights.
The new content they release seems to have become more interesting over time and the support is strong. Like all service games that are well respected now, this was a game that had a very rocky start that has become a gem in my eyes.
Bless Unleashed
A modern stab at the more classic fantasy vibe of a less-frantic action MMORPG. The environments and creative elements of the lore and world kept me interested through the tutorial and I figured I'd try and get through the first zone even though the UI and menus felt cluttered and confusing and I had no idea what to do with them.
This game is atrocious to me. It does feel social in that I can see other players and they wanted to help beat down a mob or do emotes near me, but that is almost where the good news ends. The story immediately became too much of a focus but absolutely derivative beyond the point where my eyes rolled back in my head having to read or listen to it. The graphics and textures didn't load well or popped in distractingly and the framerate (even down to 1080p 60hz on my Series X) was never kind even in less busy areas. The combat felt like it was happening to me as opposed to controlling it myself event though there are really only two buttons involved.
I will be going back to this game someday in hopes maybe the performance issues are at least resolved so I can marvel and the like of intelligent design that somehow made it into a professional title.
Neverwinter
I was never a fan of D&D Online because it felt too much like actually playing the table top game so my expectations were low for this next officially licensed product from Wizards of the Coast. The online reviews were also terrible so I avoided this game longer than I should have. This is game feels exactly like Fable 2, but done as an MMO. And I love me some Fable 2.
The cut scenes and introduction establishes the game neatly and although there have been many features added to bloat playing this game somewhat, they were explained well over time in a way that I comprehended easily. The combat is action based but really only barely in that it feels like an abstraction over a tab targeting system like FFXIV or W**** ** ********. There were a couple of odd moments when fighting boss enemies that made the mechanics seem... not well thought out but 95% of the time it actually felt great and was fun to use the skills my Barbarian was given.
The graphics are passable and the zones have lots of characters. The main town you are dropped in immediately felt alive with activity and chat among the player base that wasn't gold spam or toxic. The biggest critique I have is the game made me claustrophobic. Something about the map layouts and POV made everything feel like tight hallways and corridors and gave me tunnel vision. And lots of things seem locked behind transactions in terms of character customization in the launch screen which is bad form because it didn't seem nearly as paywalled for fun once you were in the world. Also the story might as well not exist, you kill things and that is as D&D as D&D gets so it fits.
This game beat my expectations and did what I always wanted D&D Online to do. It really gives you all the good classic fantasy feelings in a semi modern action combat system that doesn't value chaos over strategy.
Path Of Exile
I guess this is an MMO but it just felt like Diablo 2 but online with some other people sometimes. It seems very in depth but not exactly what I was looking for so it didn't get a fair shake here. I could have just not included it but the part of my brain that likes stats and optimizations was reeling in excitement for the couple of hours I tested so it comes with my recommendation if you don't want to buy the mediocare Torchlight or give me more money to A********* B******, because they garbage people and a garbage company.
Black Desert Online
Meh and reductive and auto plays itself. I don't understand the hype and I definitely didn't understand the mobile game. Pretty much Bless Unleashed but done a little bit better. Many (actually all) of the same issues as Bless Unleashed are present here, but with better graphic flair and the ability to, for some reason, purchase very expensive underwear for you digital avatar. So many notifications on screen and menus that are hard to navigate and it just feels like you are idle "playing" a bad movie. I see so many people enjoy this but I don't understand it myself.
PSO2NGS
Easily the most beautiful game on the list, PSO2 New Genesis is interesting in that it is a sequel but not a sequel and is an expansion of PSO2 but is not an expansion but you download them together. I really don't know what they want to call it or how this could have ever been communicated to an audience well. But the idea was to let the players of PSO2 keep the 10 years they had invested in their accounts while also modernizing a decrepit experience. And they did that swimmingly.
The story is intriguing, the other players are all out and about, the loading screens only exist when going into instances, classes are flexible so you only need one character, combat is snappy and exciting with combos and frenzy-like chain events where you can summon bigger baddies by going on a rampage, and customization is deep and accessible. The depth of PSO2 was definitely lost in translation in a bid to bring in new blood but this game feels like an MMO and captures the spirit of PSO that I have been missing since I played it on PS2 as a throwback sophomore year of college.
Star Trek Online
I was always more into Star Wars and fell asleep as a kid trying to go back and watch classic Star Trek that my uncle swore I would love. Star Trek Online really captures an alternative universe version of Knights of The Old Republic with EVE Online-lite space combat that really is a sight to behold. The story immediately was engaging and the voice acting and writing seem top notch so the 5 hour window I gave it really flew by.
Then at the end I noticed that I actually hadn't seen a single player anywhere. I wasn't sure if this was online at all. This was just scratching a KOTOR itch but with some fun, accessible space combat and some subpar ground action combat. I think this game is a great book and I would recommend it to space fantasy buffs, but the combat definitely feels like it could get stale quick, the stakes felt low in that I never almost even lost health after multiple missions, the story is heavy so you must like reading and listening, and it is a very lonely universe out there. So while not hitting the MMO target by a long shot for me, this is an excellent and relaxing adventure with customization that feels personal like the best MMOs do.
DC Universe Online
Super hero MMOs don't live and breathe like they should. There should be many options. For consoles, this is the one you have. Janky combat is definitely felt the moment you enter it, but the variety of activites from the get go (races, exploration, story, grind) and simplicity of understanding what to do, what you earned, and how to access the activities is top notch. I expected the worst given DCs track records with movies failing over and over, but I think this game actually is bad in a much better way than their live action films. The bones are good, just the polish on top never got the attention it deserved. And what other game can you really be a super hero for more than the 5 hours the Spider-Man games take to finish?
FFXIV
Oh wait, just kidding. This one is only on Playstation. If this was available I wouldn't even be trying these other games. This will be the first one I download when my PC ships to my house without breaking and I suggest everyone give it a try. It is the high point in the genre as of October 2021 imo.
Awards Ceremony
straightens up bowtie
Now for the stuff we all want to know. Which ones are actually winners? I will title each section as a category and provide my pick for the strongest contender, as well as the silver, bronze, and last place medals.
Combat
Winner: PSO2NGS
Runner Up: Neverwinter, Path of Exile
Loser: Bless Unleashed
Exploration
Winner: Sea of Thieves
Runner Up: PSO2NGS, DC Universe Online
Loser: Neverwinter
Social
Winner: Neverwinter
Runner Up: PSO2NGS
Loser: Star Trek Online
Graphics
Winner: PSO2NGS, Sea of Thieves
Runner Up: Black Desert Online
Loser: DC Universe Online
Story
Winner: Star Trek Online
Runner Up: PSO2NGS
Loser: Neverwinter, Bless Unleashed
And for the moment you've all been reading for...
The Winner
Why don't you play them and pick a winner for yourself? Damn. I already wrote hundreds of words and gave a little insight, the least you could do is try them out.
Also so I don't lie or enjoy wasting my own time and this was probably obvious from the awards, PSO2NGS is the winner.
It's beautiful, it's new, it's backwards compatible, it has a story that you actually might pay attention to, it has good combat, flexibility, a strong new player experience with explanation (albeit somewhat slow), endless cosmetic options, no strong push to monetize you, playable robots, can be fun solo, in a group of friends, or just with folks out in the wilds online. It really is worth your time and I feel gets undue hate online. I hope they keep adding fresh content that is up-to-par with what currently is there. I'll gladly come back even if the updates are slow.
If you are on Xbox and want the thrill of social interaction, adventure, and long term leveling and commitment, Sea of Thieves is a great tiny online multiplayer experience that feels like a giant dungeon instance as opposed to an MMO world, but is definitely worth your time, even if it will take up too much of it.
Lastly, if high fantasy is your cup of tea and pirates and anime robots don't light your fire, Neverwinter would be my suggestion.
In Review
I think I like tab targeting better and a mouse and keyboard for MMOs in general. I feel that action MMOs are definitely the majority, if not online option, for the market on console and I consider that a shame. Either a nice balance between the pace and strategy of tab target systems and the speed and twitch reaction of action systems needs to be released, or I would prefer if studios just tried to modernize and improve the tab targeting systems of old work with making it accessible on a controller.
These are the best options for getting what I consider the peak "MMO" style experience on console. I will at some point be doing a rundown of MMOs for PC. As soon as Skytech sends me that damn replacement. Now, go and quest until your addiction is satisfied.