8 votes

Best single player experience - Offline / MMORPG games?

I went through the topics and did not see a previous on on this, so I am curious what your current favorites are, from both a single player experience offline (no pvp or multiplayer mode) or MMORPG wise?

Bonus points for new MMORPGS and undervalued titles which are just fun and engaging to play. I have to have the ability to get up and walk away at a moments notice for work purposes, so pvp and requirements that I spend a lot of continuous time are hard to find in a fun game, even if I do not get called away like that for days at a time. I am into strategy more than FPS, but all are welcome!

35 comments

  1. [3]
    Thansyn
    Link
    I'm a little confused. Are you looking MMORPG that you want to play solo or are you just looking for a good RPG game?

    I'm a little confused. Are you looking MMORPG that you want to play solo or are you just looking for a good RPG game?

    3 votes
    1. [2]
      Corvail
      Link Parent
      Both really! I've done a lot of solo gaming.. and I enjoy MMORPGs for the evolving content and watching others do their thing but not requiring that I participate to move forward. I also like...

      Both really! I've done a lot of solo gaming.. and I enjoy MMORPGs for the evolving content and watching others do their thing but not requiring that I participate to move forward.

      I also like those single player Strat games (Just went through Xcom2 again) that give a good story line with good gameplay.

      I've played SWTOR, WOW, GW2, Starwars, ESO etc. Wondering what everyone is really into at the moment.

      Thanks for reading and replying!

      2 votes
      1. Paradoxa
        Link Parent
        WoW really is great as a solo game. It's grown so much in the past 14 years... I still enjoy it to this day.

        WoW really is great as a solo game. It's grown so much in the past 14 years... I still enjoy it to this day.

  2. [7]
    toaster
    Link
    If you have a PS4, Horizon Zero Dawn. Guerrilla Games did a phenomenal job with that game and I can't wait for the sequel. Hands down one of my favorite games of all time. On PC, if you like...

    If you have a PS4, Horizon Zero Dawn. Guerrilla Games did a phenomenal job with that game and I can't wait for the sequel. Hands down one of my favorite games of all time.

    On PC, if you like strategy games I can recommend Frostpunk (strategy/survival - can be extremely difficult) and Northgard (RTS w/ Grand Strategy elements - also multiplayer, can also be pretty difficult to survive, which is an interesting mechanic). Northgard is definitely one of the cooler titles I've picked up this year with so many interesting mechanics.

    3 votes
    1. [2]
      pun-master-general
      Link Parent
      Horizon Zero Dawn was hands-down my favorite game of 2017, and I say that as someone who liked a lot of games in 2017. Definitely one of my all-time favorites, and I can't recommend it enough.

      Horizon Zero Dawn was hands-down my favorite game of 2017, and I say that as someone who liked a lot of games in 2017. Definitely one of my all-time favorites, and I can't recommend it enough.

      1 vote
      1. toaster
        Link Parent
        Absolutely! I played through it on my OG PS4 and man I was shocked to see how well HZD ran compared to other titles like FFXV and Fallout4 (both of which I've purchased on PC for a better...

        Absolutely! I played through it on my OG PS4 and man I was shocked to see how well HZD ran compared to other titles like FFXV and Fallout4 (both of which I've purchased on PC for a better experience). HZD is the only reason I'll boot up my PS4 every once and a while.

    2. [2]
      TheForceIsWithUs
      Link Parent
      I just picked up Northgard and it's a lot of fun! I'm still in the beginner missions so it doesn't feel like there's too much strategy required, although maybe that happens further into the...

      I just picked up Northgard and it's a lot of fun! I'm still in the beginner missions so it doesn't feel like there's too much strategy required, although maybe that happens further into the campaign. Still good though!

      1. toaster
        Link Parent
        Depends what difficulty you're playing on, but as you progress through the story you'll notice more-and-more of the neat mechanics it has. The game can be quite difficult with the environment...

        Depends what difficulty you're playing on, but as you progress through the story you'll notice more-and-more of the neat mechanics it has. The game can be quite difficult with the environment difficulty cranked to High.

    3. [2]
      Corvail
      Link Parent
      No PS4.. I've switched from console to pc years ago. I'll have to look into Frostpunk and Northgard. Thanks!

      No PS4.. I've switched from console to pc years ago. I'll have to look into Frostpunk and Northgard. Thanks!

      1. toaster
        Link Parent
        I was actually looking at my (young-ish, 3yrs old) Steam profile metrics yesterday and noticed Frostpunk and Northgard are in my top 5 with play time. The matches in Northgard can be long, and...

        I was actually looking at my (young-ish, 3yrs old) Steam profile metrics yesterday and noticed Frostpunk and Northgard are in my top 5 with play time. The matches in Northgard can be long, and Frostpunk will just suck you in as you fail and fail in attempt to achieve the hardest difficulty.

  3. [6]
    Dot
    Link
    SWTOR was an MMORPG that was designed from the ground up to be a solo story in a much larger world populated by other players. Its free to play now as well. I can't really say if it worked or not...

    SWTOR was an MMORPG that was designed from the ground up to be a solo story in a much larger world populated by other players. Its free to play now as well. I can't really say if it worked or not but you can try there.

    2 votes
    1. [5]
      Axelia
      Link Parent
      I'll second SWTOR. I felt like it would have made a much better single player title with multiple stories to play through than an MMO. Granted, I never really reached max level and didn't do any...

      I'll second SWTOR. I felt like it would have made a much better single player title with multiple stories to play through than an MMO. Granted, I never really reached max level and didn't do any end-game content, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

      1 vote
      1. [3]
        Corvail
        Link Parent
        I loved SWTOR, but once I hit the end game it became a requirement for the most part to do PVP and joint things that became difficult for me to do with my restraints. It's been about a year since...

        I loved SWTOR, but once I hit the end game it became a requirement for the most part to do PVP and joint things that became difficult for me to do with my restraints. It's been about a year since I've been back, has it improved?

        1 vote
        1. Dot
          Link Parent
          I also played it a lot, I found PVP fun but I never felt it was balanced or really a focus of the dev team (then again every MMO player ever will rage about their game's PVP being unbalanced).

          I also played it a lot, I found PVP fun but I never felt it was balanced or really a focus of the dev team (then again every MMO player ever will rage about their game's PVP being unbalanced).

        2. Axelia
          Link Parent
          I don't know, I think the last time I tried playing was well over a year or two ago. I remember they added a whole bunch of paywalls in true EA style for quality of life mechanics, which was...

          I don't know, I think the last time I tried playing was well over a year or two ago. I remember they added a whole bunch of paywalls in true EA style for quality of life mechanics, which was frustrating even as a single player experience.

      2. Dot
        Link Parent
        KOTOR II is my favorite game of all time period. And I want KOTOR 3 so badly. And because of that, hearing you say that it "shoulda been single player" is so satisfying. If I ever win the lottery...

        KOTOR II is my favorite game of all time period. And I want KOTOR 3 so badly. And because of that, hearing you say that it "shoulda been single player" is so satisfying. If I ever win the lottery I'm gonna buy the rights and make that game myself if I have too.

        1 vote
  4. [5]
    elf
    Link
    If you want a single player mmorpg for whatever reason... Guild Wars 2 is pretty good for that. You can do most of the content solo, and the game allows for ungrouped players in the same area to...

    If you want a single player mmorpg for whatever reason... Guild Wars 2 is pretty good for that. You can do most of the content solo, and the game allows for ungrouped players in the same area to cooperate without stepping on each other's toes.

    As for single player strategy games, the civilization series, the x-com series, and Paradox grand strategy titles (Europa Universalis 4, Crusader Kings 2, Victoria 2, and Hearts of Iron 4) can suck up a lot of time.

    2 votes
    1. [3]
      Corvail
      Link Parent
      Loved GW2, got up to the flame expansion and kind of burned out.. might have to return to see how it turned out. Just finished Xcom2 and the new expansion, loved it! Hmm.. Humble bundle I think...

      Loved GW2, got up to the flame expansion and kind of burned out.. might have to return to see how it turned out.

      Just finished Xcom2 and the new expansion, loved it! Hmm.. Humble bundle I think has HoI4 in their next monthly, may have to try it out.

      Thanks!

      1 vote
      1. Fires
        Link Parent
        Definitely try HoI4, very fun. Bit hard to learn so I'd resort to YouTube but I've had a lot of fun trying to world conquest while not playing as a main axis/allie power.

        Definitely try HoI4, very fun.

        Bit hard to learn so I'd resort to YouTube but I've had a lot of fun trying to world conquest while not playing as a main axis/allie power.

        1 vote
      2. elf
        Link Parent
        Hoi 4 is my least favorite out of Paradox's current grand strategy games, but some people quite like it.

        Hoi 4 is my least favorite out of Paradox's current grand strategy games, but some people quite like it.

    2. AlastrionaCatskill
      Link Parent
      EU4* for life. Fuck the Ottomans, and may the Pheonix rise.

      EU4* for life. Fuck the Ottomans, and may the Pheonix rise.

      1 vote
  5. [3]
    Comment deleted by author
    Link
    1. [2]
      ThirdSquid
      Link Parent
      I'm going to have to second this one. WoW has changed a lot for its solo content, especially recently. With level scaling allowing you to chose whichever zones you want to level up in and unique...

      I'm going to have to second this one. WoW has changed a lot for its solo content, especially recently. With level scaling allowing you to chose whichever zones you want to level up in and unique stories for each class at the end game, there's really a lot to do as a single player.
      And with the next expansion set to release this August, it's a perfect time to jump in.

      3 votes
      1. merick
        Link Parent
        Another vote for WoW. Even though you only ever hear of raiding and PvP, there's so much to do solo. Obviously, the hardest challenges and end game content will be group content as it is an MMO,...

        Another vote for WoW. Even though you only ever hear of raiding and PvP, there's so much to do solo. Obviously, the hardest challenges and end game content will be group content as it is an MMO, but there's plenty of solo content and casual content.

        Between this expansion's class halls and Mage Tower, all the collectibles (mounts, pets, toys, achievements), all the exploration... There are even some mysterious riddles that you could try to figure out yourself (though I doubt you'd be able to without help =P). Plus, if you ever get some quiet time, you can run some dungeons or do some PvP. And if your schedule ever clears up, maybe you can get into raiding ;)

        So, get an account, download the game, find yourself a nice social guild (or not, but everything is better with friends) and dive in! You can play up to level 20 for free and up to level 100 (soon to be 110 in a couple of months) with just the base game. Feel free to PM me for info/help.

        1 vote
  6. [4]
    trazac
    Link
    Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is an RPG that's basically a single-player MMO. If you haven't played it, you'd probably like it.

    Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is an RPG that's basically a single-player MMO. If you haven't played it, you'd probably like it.

    1 vote
    1. [3]
      merick
      Link Parent
      I remember seeing this game and being interested in it, but ended up not getting the game. Later I read some bad stuff about it, so I never bothered getting back to it. Did you like it?

      I remember seeing this game and being interested in it, but ended up not getting the game. Later I read some bad stuff about it, so I never bothered getting back to it. Did you like it?

      1. trazac
        Link Parent
        I read some good reviews about it, so I thought I would like it. I thought it might be kind of MMO-y, but it's straight up single player WoW. I don't mean that passingly, it even feels like an MMO...

        I read some good reviews about it, so I thought I would like it. I thought it might be kind of MMO-y, but it's straight up single player WoW. I don't mean that passingly, it even feels like an MMO grind. If you like that sort of gameplay, you'll like KoA. I don't want to give it praise or critique it because I didn't get that far into it because I realized early on that it wasn't a game I was going to enjoy.

      2. crius
        Link Parent
        Not worth it. It feel exactly like what it is: a failed mmorpg project. The world is big and it feel like it's terribly empty because it was meant to have others running around with you.

        Not worth it.

        It feel exactly like what it is: a failed mmorpg project.

        The world is big and it feel like it's terribly empty because it was meant to have others running around with you.

  7. [5]
    backflash
    Link
    Please consider "Divinity: Original Sin 2". It has a rich, engaging story, turn-based combat, and the freedom to do whatever you like in the game in a very rewarding way. It's going to be the...

    Please consider "Divinity: Original Sin 2". It has a rich, engaging story, turn-based combat, and the freedom to do whatever you like in the game in a very rewarding way.
    It's going to be the benchmark for RPGs for quite a while, it's that good.

    1 vote
    1. [4]
      crius
      Link Parent
      I played it (also the previous) but I also posted pillars of eternity. They are both good games but DOS2 suffer terribly from the random loot issue. If you someone to play it in coop, it...

      I played it (also the previous) but I also posted pillars of eternity.

      They are both good games but DOS2 suffer terribly from the random loot issue.

      If you someone to play it in coop, it definitely wins against PoE.

      1. [3]
        backflash
        Link Parent
        You mean that the type of loot you'll find is randomized instead of fixed?

        You mean that the type of loot you'll find is randomized instead of fixed?

        1. [2]
          crius
          Link Parent
          Yep, especially the second installment, if you're unlucky with the loot it's quite hard, at least in my experience.

          Yep, especially the second installment, if you're unlucky with the loot it's quite hard, at least in my experience.

          1. backflash
            Link Parent
            Ah, I remember when I played it with a friend, we would always save the game before we opened a chest, just so we could reload in case we weren't happy with its contents. At some point we stopped...

            Ah, I remember when I played it with a friend, we would always save the game before we opened a chest, just so we could reload in case we weren't happy with its contents. At some point we stopped caring about that though, as we made lots of money by selling the (useless) items that we found, along with just about anything that we found that didn't belong to anyone else.
            We always had enough cash to buy the best items from NPCs, so even if the loot wasn't good, we traded it in for the better equipment.

  8. Water
    Link
    Not sure if it's up your alley but I really enjoyed Bastion which is strictly a single player RPG game. It has some really nice artwork and soundtrack. Along the same vein they published...

    Not sure if it's up your alley but I really enjoyed Bastion which is strictly a single player RPG game. It has some really nice artwork and soundtrack. Along the same vein they published Transistor which is also really well made.

  9. Mr_Greed
    Link
    Final Fantasy 14's main story content is experienced through single player play. You do have to group up to progress the story in instanced dungeons however there is an auto-group feature that...

    Final Fantasy 14's main story content is experienced through single player play. You do have to group up to progress the story in instanced dungeons however there is an auto-group feature that will team you up with randos that are also queue for that content.

  10. Chill
    Link
    Mass effect. I'm going to give you no details. Just play it. In order.

    Mass effect. I'm going to give you no details. Just play it. In order.