This week's flavor: Star Trek Online.
Flavor of the week free-to-play MMO
- Thread starter Tek7
- Start date
Don't know. I've been playing DCUO a great deal for over a month now. I think it passed "flavor of the week" status in light of that. Not many around here are still playing it, but I like it so much that I'll keep at it.
I say this because I downloaded STO and haven't given it a shot yet. Still, for me, a game's staying power isn't who's playing it but how much I like the game itself.
So, lemme ask you, how interested are you in STO itself?
...then I'll vote.
I say this because I downloaded STO and haven't given it a shot yet. Still, for me, a game's staying power isn't who's playing it but how much I like the game itself.
So, lemme ask you, how interested are you in STO itself?
...then I'll vote.
Some people stick with "flavor of the week" games even after most everyone else has moved to a different game. But for the most part, free-to-play MMOs are indeed flavors of the week. That being said, if you enjoy it, play it in moderation and good health. 
A game's popularity (or lack thereof) among ToJ members is a big factor for me when deciding which multiplayer games to play. If it weren't, I'd be playing more Quake Live and less League of Legends.
Not very. I played it during the beta and wasn't feelin' it.
Last edited:
lolderp... didn't say that right. XD Totes didn't mean that the game wasn't a flavor of the week game around here (or plenty of other places for that matter). Just that I's pleased that what coulda been a flavor of the week game has turned into a full-fledged "I <3 this game" situation.
If you didn't feel the love for STO, I'd pass on it for now.
If you didn't feel the love for STO, I'd pass on it for now.
IDK what free games you have already tried tek, and I know you are looking for input from a group of members... But, I might suggest everquest 2, or fallen earth as good free to play mmos that just went completely free recently? Also, for anyone with a high pain tolerance, everquest 1 is going free to play "very soon" as well.
rev. Jim
New Member
I'm waiting for someone to develop a mmorpg that doesn't require an enormous time-investment to play effectively.
Some time ago I had a friend keep asking me to join her in EverQuest and finally I caved and tried it but I couldn't even last a week because it just required too much of a time sink to play.
My free time is rather random, and when I sit down to a game I don't know if I will have an hour to spend or five minutes... so I tend to like things where I can jump in and out, and still be a worthwhile player when I do play.
That being said, I still keep checking the various mmo's to see if one day, someone has granted my wish.
Some time ago I had a friend keep asking me to join her in EverQuest and finally I caved and tried it but I couldn't even last a week because it just required too much of a time sink to play.
My free time is rather random, and when I sit down to a game I don't know if I will have an hour to spend or five minutes... so I tend to like things where I can jump in and out, and still be a worthwhile player when I do play.
That being said, I still keep checking the various mmo's to see if one day, someone has granted my wish.
Last edited:
Patriot
Active Member
I've tried a number of the FTP MMOs: CoX, Champions, DCUO, DnD. With the exception of DCUO I haven't managed to stick with any of them long enough to max out a character. And even though I maxed out my level in DCUO I didn't bother finding the best gear for him. I really want to like MMOs but they tend to only last a limited amount of time. I believe the faster-paced action of DCUO helped hold my attention longer.
I tried STO when it first came out (free two weeks) but I refuse to pay a subscription for any games so it didn't last long. I may give it a shot again as I've always been a fan of the Star Trek Universe (as with most SciFi shows/movies). But as my time is limited and unscheduled for the most part I rarely play any games with anyone I might be familiar with.
This is probably why a single-player game like Skyrim is so appealing to me. No griefers and I'm not trying to sync up with people I know (and wasting half of my play time while doing so).
I tried STO when it first came out (free two weeks) but I refuse to pay a subscription for any games so it didn't last long. I may give it a shot again as I've always been a fan of the Star Trek Universe (as with most SciFi shows/movies). But as my time is limited and unscheduled for the most part I rarely play any games with anyone I might be familiar with.
This is probably why a single-player game like Skyrim is so appealing to me. No griefers and I'm not trying to sync up with people I know (and wasting half of my play time while doing so).
corinalbria
New Member
I've been playing STO free to play and it's been entertaining. Not super deep or robust, but it's actually quite rewarding to get the new ships every 10 levels. The space combat is quite rewarding and fun imo - it's just a different set of things to think about compared to combat in fantasy style mmos. Another thing I've appreciated is that the game can actually be challenging. There have been several missions space and ground where I've had my butt handed to me on a platter and I've really had to think more carefully how to approach the situation. That's pretty rare during the leveling process for most mmos.
Again, nothing phenomenal, but it's actually been rewarding. I think getting to be somewhat immersed in the Star Trek universe has been fun too. Seeing characters, reading some of the history, helping them during some time travel missions. Quite enjoyable TBH.
-Corin
Again, nothing phenomenal, but it's actually been rewarding. I think getting to be somewhat immersed in the Star Trek universe has been fun too. Seeing characters, reading some of the history, helping them during some time travel missions. Quite enjoyable TBH.
-Corin
tomfoolery_79
New Member
Dragon Nest and DCUO, I never felt like I had to level up and armor up, just the ride itself was fun.
Gator
Member
I've been playing it with Tarsis and Augcliffe, it's pretty good.
It doesn't take as long to level up, so you won't be in the same place for to long.
Ground battles are decent, you can go into first-person and shoot duds.
You might need to use some tactics in space battles.
I give it a 7.8 out of 10.
I'll still be playing this after a week..
It doesn't take as long to level up, so you won't be in the same place for to long.
Ground battles are decent, you can go into first-person and shoot duds.
You might need to use some tactics in space battles.
I give it a 7.8 out of 10.
I'll still be playing this after a week..
I may have to join you at some point. I've got it installed... just... untouched. XD How's the game in free-to-play mode? Some games (DDO comes to mind) are really restrictive when f2p while others (like DCUO) give you motive to upgrade without really impairing your enjoyment of the game if you choose not to.
And the latest free-to-play just-launched-on-Steam MMO flavor of the week is: Realm of the Mad God
ewoksrule
Active Member
RotMG is fantastic, I have taken a few to 20 and working on unlocking the Paladin and Assassin right now.
I've played Realm before. It's actually really cool.
Don't forget the other free non-MMO flavor that recently hit Steam (at least... I haven't seen it until recently): Brawl Busters
Don't forget the other free non-MMO flavor that recently hit Steam (at least... I haven't seen it until recently): Brawl Busters
corinalbria
New Member
Gator, what's your in game name for STO?
I think Cryptic has done a pretty good job making the game very playable for F2P but with incentives to spend a little money to make the experience smoother (more inventory, more personal NPC slots, etc)
I think Cryptic has done a pretty good job making the game very playable for F2P but with incentives to spend a little money to make the experience smoother (more inventory, more personal NPC slots, etc)
Patriot
Active Member
I installed STO and played through the tutorial and first mission. It brings to remembrance my last time playing it. I didn't make it through the entire two free weeks when I played it the first time. It is far too slow for my tastes. I'm going to uninstall.
And the latest free-to-play just-launched-on-Steam MMO flavor of the week is: Fallen Earth Free2Play
tagtarsis
New Member
I played at beta and launch. SO I can honestly say they have made big changes in this game. Its is far better then it used to be, and has been very enjoyable.
Its a quality game now, and I will be playing for more then this week, because I have been playing for more then a week already.
Few additions of note from me from beta: Duty officers who are designed to give you the feel of being captain of more then just a bridge crew. They bring back rewards and exp. Improved controls, and graphics seem better some.
The STO money model is decent too, its not forcing people to buy stuff outside of appearance things.
I have never noticed any limits on utility as ftp, I have traded with others can talk in any channel and have not had any issues with getting rewards.
So far as I can tell the only things that STO will require you to buy is the end game Rear Admiral Top Half Ship. This ship is not required however is available at the top rank. You are able to stay in the ship that you had as a Rear Admiral Lower half, you will lose some effectiveness but this is the only ship that seems required to buy and is not usable until level 45 anyways for end game.
The Game play does speed up a lot outside of the tutorial I would strongly suggest you learn the rope and join the real game dont rate it on the tutorial areas. PLUS the game is much deeper in skills and stuff once you get to level 20, you start having to make choices about what skills to use and with what officers you want them on. I would say it overall can be a very deep game.
Its a quality game now, and I will be playing for more then this week, because I have been playing for more then a week already.
Few additions of note from me from beta: Duty officers who are designed to give you the feel of being captain of more then just a bridge crew. They bring back rewards and exp. Improved controls, and graphics seem better some.
The STO money model is decent too, its not forcing people to buy stuff outside of appearance things.
I have never noticed any limits on utility as ftp, I have traded with others can talk in any channel and have not had any issues with getting rewards.
So far as I can tell the only things that STO will require you to buy is the end game Rear Admiral Top Half Ship. This ship is not required however is available at the top rank. You are able to stay in the ship that you had as a Rear Admiral Lower half, you will lose some effectiveness but this is the only ship that seems required to buy and is not usable until level 45 anyways for end game.
The Game play does speed up a lot outside of the tutorial I would strongly suggest you learn the rope and join the real game dont rate it on the tutorial areas. PLUS the game is much deeper in skills and stuff once you get to level 20, you start having to make choices about what skills to use and with what officers you want them on. I would say it overall can be a very deep game.
Last edited:
Thanks for the commentary! I still wanna give the game a shot (after I finish Mass Effect >_> ), and I'm glad that it sounds like there are some who will stick with the game for a while.
corinalbria
New Member
I agree with Tagtarsis - I played the beta and dropped it quickly, but having come back for f2p, I was quite surprised at the overall quality. It's not earth shattering, but it's solid and I appreciate the change of pace from the fantasy based MMOs. They really have done a good job with giving you the feel of being a captain - you have bridge officers whose abilities you can use while you're fighting in space and who will join you as an away team on ground missions and you have duty officers that complete "quests" in a variety of disciplines that you can assign - it's basically a collecting / distribution mini game.
And there is something intangibly satisfying so far about seeing your progress in the shape of starships. Something about that just is more exciting than another piece of chainmail or another staff.
And about the tutorial - I think STO's tutorial is actually one of the best tutorial experiences i've seen. It really does a good job of introducing the various aspects of gameplay which I think is important given the significant difference in space based gameplay vs ground based gameplay. Granted it can come off as moving slowly, but I think for bringing new people in it's great. After the tutorial, once you get through your first few missions, the game scales well in difficulty - it doesn't become crazy, but you can't sleepwalk through it either.
And there is something intangibly satisfying so far about seeing your progress in the shape of starships. Something about that just is more exciting than another piece of chainmail or another staff.
And about the tutorial - I think STO's tutorial is actually one of the best tutorial experiences i've seen. It really does a good job of introducing the various aspects of gameplay which I think is important given the significant difference in space based gameplay vs ground based gameplay. Granted it can come off as moving slowly, but I think for bringing new people in it's great. After the tutorial, once you get through your first few missions, the game scales well in difficulty - it doesn't become crazy, but you can't sleepwalk through it either.