It's now 2019 and it's bright and shiny new with a plethora of hope-filled days ahead in a gamer's eye. But before we leave 2018 behind, let's take a look back at the news and features that grabbed your attention during the year that was.
MOST READ FEATURES OF 2018
#5 Fallout 76: Plans & Recipes
Fallout 76 has been a buggy mess for me, but it’s a testament to what they did well that I’m still playing quite a bit. One of the really successfully executed aspects of the game is the crafting system. Everything boils down to plans and recipes. While food and drink options are plenty, they don’t require any perks. On the other-hand, plans for gear in many cases do require specific perks, and there’s nothing more frustrating than investing in a perk only to realize that you have no plans of that type.
#4 From 2013! The List: The Top 5 "Adult" MMOs
In any entertainment medium that gains popularity, there are products that aim at the lowest common denominator. With MMOs gaining players at an alarming pace across the globe, it was only a matter of time before we started seeing such products in the online world game space. I mean, if you want to grab the attention of a predominantly male user-base, why not aim for the gonads? And while we in the States are likely more prudish than our European counterparts, I think we can all agree that it’s hard to take any game that’s either overtly sexualized or hyper-violent to the cartoon extremes at all seriously.
#3 The List: The 10 Best MMOs of 2017
We recently awarded our MMO of the year to Final Fantasy XIV, and for good reason. It’s been another banner year for Final Fantasy fans and their MMORPG, but it’s not the only MMO that had a solid 2017. Sure enough, there weren’t many great new games to play in 2017. But we’re taking a look at the games we played, in beta and fully launched, and picking our favorites.
#2 The List: The Best MMOs of 2018 So Far
It’s not been a good year for brand spanking new games in the MMORPG realm. Heck, when was the last time it was? But that doesn’t mean the games we already have haven’t been making a strong showing. In fact, some of the most popular games in the world right now are those that have been out for years already. Here is our list of the Best MMOs of 2018 So Far (in no particular order). Side note? We’re not counting any games in Early Access or Open Beta phases. Full launch or not at all, folks!
#1 The List: The 10 Most Wanted MMOs of 2018
I think it’s probably safe to say that the big releases for MMOs in 2017 have come and gone. Unless Blizzard shocks the world and magically puts out an expansion to WoW as a surprise Christmas gift, we’re already looking forward to 2018. So strap on your hype-belts, and board the hype-train, as it’s time to look forward to 2018 and hope it’s far, far better than 2017. This is our list of the 10 Most Wanted MMOs of 2018.
THE MOST-READ NEWS STORIES OF 2018
#5 Lost Ark Cruises Over 350k Concurrent Users
There's tons of nifty tidbits of news floating around about Lost Ark that is currently sitting in open beta in Korea. The game seems to be taking hold in Korea as the concurrent user number has soared over the 350,000 mark according to KR news site, Joins.com (via Reddit) which also reports that queue issues persist, though Smilegate has plans to continue adding new servers as time goes on.
#4 The Most-Wanted MMO of 2018 Is.....Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen
You, our readers, have spoken. After the closing of the voting period and counting each and every selection, the winner of the Most Wanted MMO of 2018 is none other than Visionary Realms' Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen! Pantheon brought home 28.7% of the votes cast by all of you!
#3 Neowiz Announces May 2018 Bless Early Access
Neowiz has announced that the keenly-anticipated Bless Online will make its Steam Early Access debut in May 2018, though no more specific date is yet known. To get players even more hyped for the opportunity to play the completely revamped MMORPG, Neowiz has sent out a stunning new trailer and published an all-new web site that is packed with information for budding players. In addition, the team has presented the first details about the Emissary Program to "build & cultivate the community".
#2 Executive Producer Issues Apology for Bless's Rocky Start
Bless Online Executive Producer Sungjin Ko has taken the the game's Steam page to issue an apology to players for the game's rocky start and to provide some insight into the next steps the team will be taken moving forward.
#1 RUMOR: EverQuest 3 & PlanetSide 3 in Development According to Former Employee
According to Reddit, a former Daybreak Game Company employee has dished a bunch of inside information about what was...or is...in development at the troubled studio. According to the now-deleted (but reposted) rumor, EverQuest 3 and PlanetSide 3 are said to be in development.
Header image courtesy of KIMT.com
