Just so you know, I am writing this when you are 1.5 years old (555 days to be exact). By the time you’re able to read this, you’ll have probably known that I like playing video games and I like playing them with friends, brothers, your mother, and most probably even you. I like sharing gaming experiences, and I actually enjoy playing games while someone is watching (ask Mommy how many times I forced her to watch me play). A lot of times these experiences get posted to Facebook, or Twitter, or Google+. By the time you’re reading this, though, Social Networking might have become obsolete (who knows?). And besides, they’re too cluttered with other posts such as check-ins, vacation photos, and many more.
So I decided to compile these gaming experiences into one blog, so that one day I get to share them with you, and so that as I play these games right now while you’re still a baby, I can play them as if I’m already showing them to a grown-up you.
In fact, I’ve taken the liberty to give you a temporary gaming nickname – Chlorine. Feel free to change it when you’re old enough.You know I like Massively-Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs). Either I’ve asked you to play a few already by the time you read this, or you’d have known from my past posts.
You probably also know that in picking games, different people look at different things. Some focus on the story, others on the enjoyment factor. Others look for couch/local coop, while others look at the graphics first and foremost.
Although I subscribe to the “Don’t judge a game by its graphics” mantra, having awesome graphics won’t hurt.
That said, among the games I’ll show, the one with arguably the worst graphics still stood out as my favorite, as well as your mother’s and your uncles’.
Games
I have at least tried a LOT of MMOs, but really invested quite some time in the following games:- Tantra Philippines – Played twice, 2005 and 2007
- Perfect World Philippines – Played thrice, 2007, 2009, 2012
- World of Warcraft – Played twice, 2011, 2012
- Guild Wars 2 – Played once, 2013
- Star Wars: The Old Republic – Played once, 2014
- Tera – currently playing, 2015
Screencaps
I don’t have screenshots from most of the games, only those that are still installed in my computer right now (Guild Wars 2 and Tera), but I do have old videos from all except Tantra.For screenshots of those games I don’t have, I just scoured the net and look for the best one to post here.
Tantra (Credits are in Photo watermarks)
Perfect World (watermarked photos from mmohuts.com)
World of Warcraft
(Photo from wasd.com.mx)
(Photo from thebestgamesiteever.com/)
Guild Wars 2
Star Wars: The Old Republic
(Photo from blogcdn.com)
(Photo from noelshack.com)
(Photo from vg247.com)
Tera
Funny story about Tera, they have a race called Elin. Being the loving father that I am, I thought I didn’t have a choice but to select that race, and name the character Chroe. Elin Chroe. The character looks too loli, though, but I’ll stick with it for now.
Gameplay Videos
These videos were all recorded by me and uploaded to YouTube over the past several years.Again, sadly, no Tantra video.
Perfect World
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkRl4CJwrIQ&hl=en&hd=1]
Tera Sampler
Conclusion
Gameplay and content-wise, there is a reason why World of Warcraft is still the most popular MMO after more than 10 years. It set the bar high, and though some MMOs tried to copy some its elements (notably Perfect World, but even Star Wars and Tera), among the MMOs listed here, not one comes close to WoW’s scope.That said, having been released back in 2004 also means its graphics is 10+ years old, and it does show. In my humble opinion, I would say that among these games, WoW arguably has the worst graphics (that or Tantra, which is even older than WoW).
For the best graphics, I think it’s a toss up between Tera and Guild Wars 2. Tera has amazing details and nice fantasy-themed views, thanks in part to its flight-based transport (and soon, flying mounts). Guild Wars 2, on the other hand, has a more artsy take, with smooth animations and brushed art, almost like you’re looking at a painting.
Technologically speaking, I believe Tera wins. Personally, though, I prefer Guild Wars 2’s take. It’s case to case basis, I suppose.
Finally, I’ve only played Tera for a day, but it looks very promising. Its gameplay is unique (more like a shooter than a traditional MMO, really), its graphics is excellent, and it looks like it has tons of content, with even more to come.
Perhaps in one of the next posts I can talk about it some more. And let me just reiterate:
Don’t judge a game by its graphics. But having awesome graphics won’t hurt.
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