We all have our favorite RPG franchises and games. They offer some of the best solo gaming experiences, allowing us to immerse ourselves fully in the game via the world and stories. But have you ever stop to think about the possibility of seeing these games as MMORPGs?
When it comes to popular RPG franchises, it’s not a foreign prospect. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (KOTOR) was a brilliant single player RPG game. The sequel proved even better, and years later it was announced that an MMORPG would continue the story. Thus, Star Wars: The Old Republic was born, featuring brilliantly written quests and companions, worthy of a single player game. But Star Wars aside, what other game franchises would make epic MMOs? Here are my top three picks.
Dragon Age
Bioware’s Dragon Age series needs no introduction. Dragon Age is considered to be one of the best fantasy RPG game franchise of all time. The world of Thedas is rich with lore and characters, and fans would love to explore the narrative in an online world. A Dragon Age MMORPG would be the ideal game for fans of the series to further immerse themselves in Bioware stories.
The challenge however, is reflecting which combat system would be appropriate for the MMO. Dragon Age Origins was known for its top-down tactical combat while DA2 introduced a fluid action combat system. The latest entry in 2014 Inquisition, tried to combine the two systems to varying degrees of success. The MMORPG would have to do the same, but will most likely utilize the action combat over the tactical one for logical reasons. But all things considered, I strongly believe that Dragon Age the MMO will be a huge success.
The Witcher
CD Projekt Red’s Witcher games need no introduction. The game’s immersive open world, story and characters are primary reasons why many love the series, but it does also offer some memorable gameplay challenges. I think many of us would love to see a Witcher MMORPG, where players can further explore the world and characters.
I’d like to think that the MMO would also have a higher difficulty curve. This of course, comes from the game’s clever use of battle preparation. Jumping into a fight with a new monster that you know nothing about could be punishing, as each monster has unique strengths and weaknesses that players must find out about, and prepare accordingly via concocting and consuming potions.
Without them, the hardest monsters in the game will put you six feet under and you’ll remain there, unless you decide to do some homework. If the MMO can capture that battle preparation feeling, especially in group dungeons, I think it would be a hit.
Dark Souls
If you really are a sucker for hard games and dying often is more of a stepping stone rather than a sign of defeat, then Dark Souls is the perfect game for you. Dark Souls is the epitome of RPG games that provides brutal challenge for players, most noticeably in the game’s combat.
Even the most humble of trash mobs in Dark Souls can wipe the floor clean with your blood. Every move you make becomes crucial to winning the fight. While that may sound terrifying, the feeling of accomplishment after a successful boss fight is euphoric. And that’s an experience that Dark Souls can magnificently provide. I think it would be an awesome MMORPG. The genre has become a festering ground for games that are too easy. I’d love to see a Dark Souls MMO that will absolutely destroy players who aren’t prepared for a fight. The game has a decent story and that could translate very well into main and side quests for an MMORPG.
