Games like OG Everquest
So I have been trying to scratch an itch I don't know if I can still scratch. Are there any MMOs that still exist that use numpad movement, have a clunky UI, and really let you immerse in the game (I'm talking about the good old fashioned run across the continent to do anything days. Like Ruins of Kunark days.)
11 replies
I'm pretty sure the first EverQuest is still online and playable. No idea what state it's in or if that would scratch your itch or not.
It's OK, it's been SUPER modernized. The controls still work, but that old feel is missing.
If you want EQ without most of the modern comforts, you might consider trying one of the fan-run emulated servers like Project 1999.
But it still isn't quite the same. And to me, it can't be, because I think that part of the magic was how new and different a lot of it was for a lot of the players (It wasn't the first MMO, but it was a lot of people's first MMO).
Then I have just the thing for you, it's called Project 1999, it's a snapshot of EQ up to the Velious expansion. It takes a bit of work to get installed but between that and many, many variation servers they are the perfect thing to fulfill that throwback MMO itch.
Well, I just found what to do with my free time in the next couple days! Thanks AngryishHumanoid!
If this is rude, I apologize but I like to take any excuse to post LRR. And this feels extremely relevant to your situation: https://youtu.be/F6JgKQFeBxs
It's not rude, on the other hand, I played these games then... I enjoyed these games then... I do not enjoy them now...
The only MMO I can still enjoy is Neocron. There's an element to actually needing to obtain mastery that doesn't involve button mashing that I miss from my games. Actual targeting, puzzles and dungeons where having an understanding of the lore is beneficial... that kind of thing.
I appreciate that you can pick out direct mechanical and design elements you miss. I think a lot of us, myself included, want games to be "like they were before" and fall into the trap of just wishing we had the energy and time to immerse ourselves like we did when we were 9, or 14, or 22. No graphical style or design philosophy can turn back the hands of the clock...
That being said, I wish you all the best in recapturing your passion. Enjoying things is the key to happiness.
That's a bummer.
I lost touch with it with Luclin myself. They lost the spirit of the game in my opinion. The new models, the market place, the moon, not a fan.
You can still emulate Asherons Call. Otherwise if its the feel you want but you don't depend on the social aspect try Erenshore. I've found it fun and it scratches that itch in the tiny bites of time I have for gaming.
https://erenshor.com/
One of the designers from the early EQ expansions era (Luclin -> Dragons Of Norrath) is working on what essentially sounds like a golden era EQ clone. It's supposedly going into early access in Q1 2026:
https://monstersandmemories.com/gameplay