I do know from expertise that once I record out the MMOs I wish to play in a given 12 months, it’s an aspirational record. What I truly get round to and make time to play is one other story – and I guess I’m not alone! For this week’s Massively Overthinking roundtable, I’m asking our writers and readers to inform me in regards to the three MMOs they performed they most in 2024. What have been they, and why did they resonate so strongly with you this 12 months?
Andy McAdams: This 12 months was slightly bit… uninspired in relation to MMOs, no less than for me. I performed the brand new Last Fantasy XIV enlargement however acquired bored earlier than I completed the MSQ. I’m taking part in World of Warcraft once more after a couple of 12 months. I additionally made a cease into Guild Wars 2. These are those that soar to thoughts. Perhaps some Metropolis of Heroes too.
However I really feel like I spent much less time in MMOs this 12 months than in years previous. A part of that has been that’s been form of a wild 12 months (switched jobs at seven years, moved 4 states away, and simply common craziness of life associated to these two issues). However I believe it’s additionally like there was quite a bit taking place this 12 months with the identical outdated faces – even the brand new video games that launched are video games we’ve been awaiting years and years. I’d like to see somebody really new come onto the scene.
Brianna Royce (@nbrianna.bsky.social, weblog): I believe folks shall be shocked at what I performed essentially the most! A minimum of, I’m.
Guild Wars 2 – It’s not that I by no means performed GW2; quite the opposite, I’ve performed it quite a bit on and off since launch. However by no means with this a lot pleasure and depth, and never usually for 5 months straight. And it’s not housing that did it, paradoxically; it was modernizing my builds, switching to a distinct toon, and falling in love with exploration once more.
Metropolis of Heroes – I spent the primary a part of the 12 months taking part in all of the Metropolis of Heroes, due to the truth that NCsoft granted Homecoming an official license and everybody else was in there too. I additionally acquired obsessive about the constructing and modding techniques within the recreation, which is at all times a surefire option to get me to overstay my welcome.
Lord of the Rings On-line – I fell in love with my Lyndelby home, and that sucked down a ton of time as I hacked away at leveling my Hunter but once more after which nearly instantly acquired distracted by alts (my Champion and Mariner acquired equal time, adopted by my Warden after which my Loremaster in duos). I didn’t hit my Hunter’s aim for the 12 months due to that, however I had a ton of enjoyable.
I logged slightly time in Star Wars Galaxies Legends early on within the 12 months once I lastly picked up a Bespin house and toured the brand new participant metropolis additions, and I performed it in smaller spurts over the 12 months, particularly summer time, however not sufficient to crack into my prime three. I used to be declining in there in 2023 too. I nonetheless find it irresistible, however I used to be operating out of intrinsic motivation to maintain crafting and stocking once I’m having extra enjoyable exploring in different MMOs.
Chris Neal (@wolfyseyes.bsky.social, weblog): Last Fantasy XIV was my biggie as a result of, nicely, it’s my house recreation, and that’s not going to be altering anytime quickly. It’s the place my household and pals are. I ain’t leavin’.
After that, issues get a bit extra flighty by way of time spent, and I’m going off of guestimated time as an alternative of precise. With these asterisks marked, I recall numerous time spent making alts and alts and alts in Metropolis of Heroes Homecoming (that’s what the sport is, it’s an alt manufactory) and casually dabbling about in Elder Scrolls On-line as a result of I’ve my first-ever excessive degree character and he or she’s a very good kitty lady that deserves all the necromantic energy in Tamriel.
Eliot Lefebvre (@Eliot_Lefebvre, weblog): Last Fantasy XIV was my massive recreation this 12 months, however actually amidst all the things else happening in my life I didn’t actually hop round a complete lot… besides when Metropolis of Heroes got here again, when you realize I devoted a bunch of my time and vitality to that. (The columns are proper there to attest to it!) It’s been an absolute blast seeing that the sport nonetheless holds up and remains to be enjoyable at the same time as my very own playstyle has modified within the years since when it waved farewell (sadly).
Past that, although, it’s been numerous less-massively video games this 12 months, and I actually would form of give the nod right here to Passable – the sport lastly absolutely launched, and whereas it does have its weaknesses (particularly within the later levels), it’s a extremely enjoyable manufacturing unit recreation via and thru.
Justin Olivetti (@Sypster, weblog): Since I maintain observe of these items, that is the simplest Overthinking I’ll do that 12 months! Lord of the Rings On-line remained my “house” recreation as I wrapped up Corsairs of Umbar, ventured into the brand new Legacy of Morgoth, and rolled a Captain on the contemporary development server. World of Warcraft had me in its thrall all 12 months as nicely, due to Pandaria Remix this summer time and The Battle Inside this fall. And at last, WoW Traditional sucked me again in, big-time, with its twentieth anniversary version. As bizarre and janky as it’s, WoW Traditional nonetheless holds up in 2024!
Sam Kash (@samkash@mastodon.social): My most performed and loved MMO was Harry Potter Magic Woke up. I actually performed each single day till it went offline. It simply crammed the time and content material area of interest I wanted.
Second is possibly Rabbit and Metal, which is MMO-adjacent, actually. I’ve logged into that and performed the native multiplayer a number of occasions as my household simply loves these cute heroes.
Final up is Throne and Liberty, which remains to be pretty new to me; nonetheless I’m most hopeful that it’s going to take a very good chunk of my time sooner or later. I can see it touchdown as a terrific co-op to play.
Tyler Edwards (weblog): World of Warcraft and New World have been the one MMOs I sunk important time into this 12 months. I additionally dabbled in The Secret World, and I might need performed some GW2 early within the 12 months (actually can’t bear in mind if that was late 2023 or early 2024), however principally it’s been WoW and NW.
The one actually noteworthy story right here is that I returned to WoW after quitting on the finish of Legion and actually not anticipating to ever come again. It was the promise of the Worldsoul Saga’s story that drew me in, however delves, the dying of Pathfinder, and a usually extra laidback really feel across the recreation’s endgame design which have actually hooked me.
Each week, be a part of the Massively OP employees for Massively Overthinking column, a multi-writer roundtable during which we focus on the MMO trade matters du jour – after which invite you to hitch the fray within the feedback. Overthinking it’s actually the entire level. Your flip!
