@massivelyop I actually prefer lower fidelity graphics in my MMOs. It helps with readability and orientation in the world. When graphics become too realistic and dense, your brain just sorts of tunes it out so it makes it difficult to get your bearings and for things to stand out to you.
@Bogusmeatfactory@massivelyop I agree. I'd also add that scale is important to me in the graphics for a MMO. EverQuest used to make me feel positively tiny and I loved that. Give me all the draw distance and seamless zone design and I don't care if I am playing Minecraft.
@mrgrgr@massivelyop 100%! When I talk about original everquest, there was nothing more awesome than being a gnome or halfling and partying up with an ogre in a big area. Everything felt enormous. On the flip side, being a giant in a small area was hilariously awkward.
Those little details actually make for a truly compelling experience. Of course a normal or large sized race is going to have to crouch in a gnome city. The doors aren't built for them!
Recency bias, but after finishing Elden Ring, I loved a few areas that had a similar "scale vibe" as OG EQ. I agree on the race sizes. I also just think of seeing Fironia Vie for the first time.
@mrgrgr@massivelyop absolutely beautiful! And it isnt recency bias at all! Elden Ring and the Souls games do a stellar job in design. They use sight lines, create compelling landmarks and offer a large breadth of scale that requires exploration and experimentation, much like in EQ.
It is a skill I wish we saw more of in the development of games! If you haven't heard of Monsters and Memories, I highly recommend checking it out. It is capturing the old EQ feel visually and gameplay wise
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