The year 2013 brings new mmos to the plate promoting the game's creativity, graphics engine or debuting as a new company in a world of mmo company giants. The list of mmo games continue to expand with new games added daily at mmorpg.com. With that being said, some titles already made an impact by drawing in crowds. These are the top 10 games which are highly anti[censored] ted this year according to user polls and po[censored] rity.
The Elder Scrolls Online – ZeniMax Online Studios, Bethesda Softworks
Also known as TES: Online or TESO, the game is set a millennium before the events of Skyrim and 800 years prior to Morrowind. The plot revolves around which monarchy will conquer the Ruby Throne with the support of their respective Alliance. There are 3 Alliances present in the game: Daggerfall Covenant, Aldmeri Dominion and Ebonheart Pact. Within each Alliance contains 3 unique races. Thus in total, there are 9 playable races. TESO will be developed differently from a traditional mmo; classes will not be the main focus in the game. In a recent interview with the game's Creative Director Paul Sage, the game's skill tree is open for a multitude of build customizations. Therefore, players will not be limited to evolving a build according to their cl[censored] but rather, players can mix and match skills to play the role of 2 different cl[censored] abilities in 1 character.
Other than open skill trees, the game will be heavily focused on PvP. TES: Online PvP introduces the first ever 'Mega-Server' allowing up to 2,000 players to parti[censored] te in a PvP match, a scale almost equivalent to Guild Wars 2 World vs World vs World. Thus, players can play freely without waiting in line to engage in PvP combat.
Currently the game is accepting beta applications for closed beta testings.
Age of Wushu (NA) / Age of Wulin (EU) – Snail Games
This game has been receiving attention due to the game's structure; the game is beautifully modeled to represent the Orient-mainly China-allowing players to choose their faction of choice. The factions are: Shaolin, Wudang, Emei, Beggar, Tang Clan, Junzi Hall, Royal Guard and Paradise Valley. Classes will not be featured in this game. Due to the lack of levels, the game contains a skill based system. Therefore, players have the choice to modify and evolve their skills and builds of their choice. Players are required to learn and unlock new abilities and talents in order to progress. Combat mechanics will solely depend on the player's skill proficiency rather than an assigned numeral value. The style of combat is through martial arts but with a twist; the characters will gain super-human abilities thus making combat fresh and exciting.
The game is in an extended closed beta testing phase for North American gamers. As of the moment, the game can be pre-ordered on the Age of Wushu (NA) website. Once purchased, the game is free-to-play and is eligible to receive new patches and events according to Snail Games' schedule.
Defiance – Trion Worlds
Defiance is a sci-fi themed third person mmo shooter developed and published by Trion Worlds. Defiance is set in the San Francisco Bay Area on a terraformed Earth. Humans and aliens (known as Votans) will strive to live one another. The game will center around PvP-centric combat to retrieve lost alien technology from Arkfalls, which are a series of dynamic events. Players will assume the role of Ark Hunters, genetically enhanced soldiers by EGO (Environmental Guardian Online) hired by VBI (Von Bach Industries) to transport back the alien technology.
In accordance with the mmo, Trion Worlds has announced the game will be coupled by a TV show, produced by SyFy network under the same name. Characters in the game are expected to make an appearance in the Defiance series scheduled to debut on the SyFy network on April 15, 2013. As the game has completed its second CBT, the third and final CBT is yet to be announced.
The game is set to deploy on April 2, 2013.
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn – Square Enix
Initially dubbed "2.0" the game is 'reborn' from its original game launched in September 2010. Due to the harsh criticism and negative reception by fans, version 2.0 is developed featuring a new system, improved server structures, revamped gameplay, enhanced UI and a features a brand new story. In doing so, Square Enix will address all previous criticisms in order to improve and polish the game. According to the beta testings back in 2010, the game has experienced fatal bugs and design flaws which were unacceptable during the time of release. During development, the team has changed members (and directors) to adapt new engines and program designers in creating a stable game.
The first round of beta testings is scheduled sometime this February as sign-ups remain open.
The launch date for Final Fantasy XIV has not been announced.
Blade & Soul – Team Bloodlust, NCSoft
Blade & Soul is an open-world, real-time battle system in a third person perspective. The game features an innovative "Downed" system allowing players to recover from the brink of death. Designed to be an action mmo, Blade & Soul debuted in gameplay trailers to be extremely brutal and graphic in terms of semi-nude characters and extreme bloodshed. However, the game in respect has received a lot of attention due to its innovative gameplay and challenging boss fights.
The game features 4 races (Gon, Jin, Kun and Lyn) and 7 possible classes; the 7th cl[censored] has yet to be revealed. The confirmed classes are: Assassin, Blademaster, Destroyer, Force Master, Kung Fu Master and Summoner.
The game has been released in South Korea. However, there is no news in regards to its release date for Western markets.
Neverwinter (Dungeons & Dragons) – Cryptic Studios, Perfect World Entertainment
Recently surfacing on the web with new information, Neverwinter has stamped its identity in the mmo community. Neverwinter is a stand alone game not associated with the Neverwinter Nights series. The game was initially scheduled to launch in 2012 but due to Perfect World's acquisition of Cryptic Studios, the game was later dela[censored] . The game is currently under going polish.
Neverwinter is a free-to-play game. Everything in the game is free, including items in the game's auction house to the micro-transaction store. Neverwinter features a currency dubbed 'Astral Diamonds'. Players gain Astral Diamonds via undertaking time limited repeatable quests. Neverwinter features a Starter Pack which gives players a treasure chest full of Astral Diamonds to use at the beginning.
The game will not feature subscriptions thus, players can casually play the game according to their pace.
No release date is scheduled for the game but it is expected to appear sometime mid-year.
