Gearburn’s pick — top MMO’s

Almost every game is now online-enabled, but the likes of Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3 lack the gentle interaction and community aspect of massive multiplayer online games, better known as MMO’s. We’ve picked the very best of the current crop of MMO’s.

• World of Warcraft

Eight years of success and hundreds of updates have produced an MMO which the competition continues to lovingly emulate. Its latest update, Cataclysm increased the level cap to 85 and recently, WoW became free-to-play.

Cost: Free to play until level 20, then US$14 per month.

• Star Wars: The Old Republic

Hyped to the nth degree, did SWTOR live up to the marketing blitz? Surprisingly, yes. It shattered MMO sales records and has helped usher in a new, post-WoW era. Unsurprisingly, it is an extremely stock-standard MMO with the added lashing of Bioware magic. Choose from four races, scour the galaxy and live a Star Wars fantasy.

Cost: US$15 per month

• Everquest 2

One of the longest running MMOs of all time, Everquest 2 is a ye age-old swords and sorcery title which focuses on a rich PvE (player versus environment) system and intense questing. While many games are notorious for grinding, Everquest 2 prefers trading, social interaction and insidious business dealings.

Cost: Free to play (free membership), US$5 (Silver membership), US$15 (gold membership) both monthly

• Guild Wars

Hate paying a monthly fee for your MMO? Guild Wars deftly swept the fee aside, allowing users to pay once for unlimited access to its world. Players meet up in towns, join guilds and delve into dungeons for maximum loot. It’s an excellent, laptop-friendly game.

Cost: US$32. No monthly charge applies

• Age of Conan

AOC is a freemium beast. Play the first few levels for free, enjoy limited interaction and explore most of the land. AOC has much in common with the Elder Scrolls titles in that it is a lush, medieval land to explore and, unlike many MMO’s, AOC’s combat system goes beyond the point-click-and-pray.

Cost: Free (with limited features), US$17 per month

• DC Universe Online

One of the few console-only (PS3) MMO’s, DC Universe Online is a simpler title when compared to the rich intricacies of WoW, but makes up for it by being the only MMO where you can punch Batman in the face. Close to every DC character makes an appearance and the storylines spiral wonderfully out of control as you attempt to wrap your brain around every DC back story since the 1940s.

Cost: Free (with limited features), US$5 per month (Premium) US$15 per month (Legendary membership)

• Hello Kitty Online

Hello Kitty Online is unique in that it is a 2D MMO played out in an isometric environment, akin to Ultima Online. Kitty also cuts out the fighting aspect, replacing the level grind with an eight-tiered skills system. For the young MMO fan, Hello Kitty Online is surprisingly robust.

Cost: Free (with option to purchase “premium” items)

• Lego Universe

Despite being well-received by its users, Lego Universe is closing down its servers. The game played much like the immensely popular Lego adventure titles such as Lego Batman and Lego Star Wars, with the addition of joining guilds, levelling up and building whatever you desire with Lego bricks. Over two million players will bid a fond farewell to the build-anything title.

Cost: Free, US$10 for monthly premium membership

• Lord of the Rings: Shadows of Angmar online

Three expansion packs later, plus a change to the free-to-play model, helped propel The Lord of The Rings Online into success, according to developer Turbine. The standard PvE, PvP, and questing missions are all there, but what sets LOTR apart are the quests, known as chapters. New content is added “book by book” and, happily, each update is free. Expect to meet up with characters from the novels and films, but don’t expect to play as them.

Cost: Free (up to a certain level), US$15 per month to access full features

• MapleStory

Aimed at children and adults alike, MapleStory is a 2D, South Korean side-scrolling MMO. It is a wildly popular MMO which has much in common with 3D titles such as EverQuest, in that players can join guilds, level up and outfit their avatars with virtual clothing. Where it differs is its economy model, where players spend real world money to purchase items.

Cost: Free (with option to purchase “premium” items)