Place 1 – WildStar
Setting: Science Fiction | Developer: Carbine Studios / NCSoft | Release Date: June 3, 2014 | Discontinued: November 28, 2018 | Payment Model: Pay2Play and from 2015 Free2Play | Voting Result: 34.58% (500 votes)
What kind of MMORPG was it? WildStar was one of the last major MMORPGs developed in the West. It was a colorful sci-fi game that garnered much attention even before its release and used a subscription model. The company confidently stated that they wanted to win over former WoW players.
WildStar focused on an action-packed combat system, diverse quests, and a lot of humor. Additionally, hardcore dungeons and raids awaited players at the endgame.
What made it special? WildStar aimed to do many things differently than the MMORPGs of the time. It focused on group play and hardcore content during a period when WoW was criticized for becoming easier.
For many players, the MMORPG had one of the best combat systems in the genre. It was action-packed, and players needed good reflexes to avoid telegraphs and the tough attacks of enemies.
Another highlight was the extensive housing system, which is still regarded as one of the best ever.
What did it fail to achieve? While the launch of WildStar went relatively well, it quickly became apparent that the hardcore aspect was too exhausting for many in the long run.
There were also some bugs in the endgame, and promised content updates were lacking; Carbine failed to support a live MMORPG. Moreover, PvP did not convince players and quickly became nearly extinct shortly after release. Even the transition to free-to-play in 2015 could not save the MMORPG.
WildStar no longer exists, but thousands of fans are demanding a return in a petition. It is also possible that WildStar will eventually receive a private server from fans, just like Star Wars Galaxies and Warhammer have. Some players are already working on this, but it is uncertain whether NCSoft will allow such a server. As of 2021, there have been no updates on this topic.
Which MMORPG do you wish for the most to return? And which one did we not include in the list?
