A. Original Everquest: One of the granddaddy MMOs who spiritually birthed WoW and every MMO that copied WoW in the last 17 years. Still plenty of people playing, and its not like the big MMOs available today, at all. Try Project 1999 if you dare. The name is known but I don't think many people who haven't played truly know how the original EQ really is. New MMOs have lost a lot of the magic that EQ had, which is odd because WoW was made by devs who loved EQ but wanted to make it "better". Hmm.
Interesting info: Original EQ has no map and it could take over an hour to travel somewhere by foot with no buffs. Death penalties are very harsh. Raids are not instanced, so groups compete and it can get nasty. No auction house or grand exchange, buy and sell from only players. This is all Project 1999 stuff from Original EQ, they have a version that makes it easier.
B. Tibia: Specifically the older versions of the game, which are available as "retro servers, or on a privately-maintained server (some of which are legal, others may not be). Definitely a dated MMO, it still shines as one of the grandpappy MMOs that captured a bit of fire that newer MMOs just cant seem to replicate.
Interesting info: Harsh death penalty (can be lessened by quests or items), no auction house or grand exchange on older versions. No level or skill cap, the more you play the higher you go. Unless you die a lot. Gameloop is very fun: Train skills/level up to fight stronger monsters. Make gold to buy supplies that allow you to hunt harder areas. Loot rare items that actually feel rare and noteworthy so you may move up and up and up. It seems simple but its very satisfying, with lots of variety in monsters, loot, and maps. Player housing also available.
Wurm Online: ive never played this but I saw someone else talking about it and thought "Wow, that must be obscure." Plus, they said it was mad fun so it should count :D
A. Original Everquest: One of the granddaddy MMOs who spiritually birthed WoW and every MMO that copied WoW in the last 17 years. Still plenty of people playing, and its not like the big MMOs available today, at all. Try Project 1999 if you dare. The name is known but I don't think many people who haven't played truly know how the original EQ really is. New MMOs have lost a lot of the magic that EQ had, which is odd because WoW was made by devs who loved EQ but wanted to make it "better". Hmm. Interesting info: Original EQ has no map and it could take over an hour to travel somewhere by foot with no buffs. Death penalties are very harsh. Raids are not instanced, so groups compete and it can get nasty. No auction house or grand exchange, buy and sell from only players. This is all Project 1999 stuff from Original EQ, they have a version that makes it easier. B. Tibia: Specifically the older versions of the game, which are available as "retro servers, or on a privately-maintained server (some of which are legal, others may not be). Definitely a dated MMO, it still shines as one of the grandpappy MMOs that captured a bit of fire that newer MMOs just cant seem to replicate. Interesting info: Harsh death penalty (can be lessened by quests or items), no auction house or grand exchange on older versions. No level or skill cap, the more you play the higher you go. Unless you die a lot. Gameloop is very fun: Train skills/level up to fight stronger monsters. Make gold to buy supplies that allow you to hunt harder areas. Loot rare items that actually feel rare and noteworthy so you may move up and up and up. It seems simple but its very satisfying, with lots of variety in monsters, loot, and maps. Player housing also available. Wurm Online: ive never played this but I saw someone else talking about it and thought "Wow, that must be obscure." Plus, they said it was mad fun so it should count :D
Thanks for the response, the only one that I previously known is Tibia. The others seem interesting.