Year in Gaming Reflection

Reflecting on the past year, it’s hard not to feel like a whole decade has passed. Many of us have faced personal struggles and global challenges that make this period especially intense. Amidst all the chaos, it’s been a relief to find solace in the diverse worlds offered by this year's selection of multiplayer adventures, most of which have been enjoyable and uplifting. Of course, a few titles tested our patience, but overall, these games provided welcome escapes from the turmoil outside.

Sharing these gaming experiences with a community has been a true highlight, offering a sense of connection and respite. Whether exploring vast universes or battling alongside friends, these moments have offered a much-needed breather from the ongoing crises.

Now, let’s take a moment to revisit the incredible lineup of MMO and multiplayer titles we’ve explored together over the past year. As always, here at Mop, we celebrate these journeys and look forward to what the future holds.

At the beginning of 2025, I made a strategic switch from Pantheon to RuneScape, mainly because Pantheon didn't seem to offer enough engaging content for this feature. This choice proved to be beneficial, especially as I discovered the necromancy skill to be surprisingly enjoyable. Despite the emergence of paywalls that started to limit access, I still cherish the memorable moments I spent exploring Gielinor and engaging with its world.

We shifted our focus to Aion next, and honestly, I couldn't tell if my feelings had changed over time or if the game itself had evolved significantly since launch. Playing it now, it just didn't feel as enjoyable as I remembered. Whether I was on the standard server or the classic one, my engagement was minimal. Interestingly, the original server seemed to retain more of the MMORPG experience I initially loved, which was quite surprising. Sometimes, nostalgia does wonders, I suppose.

Reflecting on the experience with vintage MMORPG servers that failed to meet expectations, Blade & Soul Neo stood out as particularly underwhelming. There was an intangible disconnect I couldn’t quite put my finger on, which made the game feel off from the start. Adding to the frustration was the rampant presence of bots flooding the game, which quickly drained my enthusiasm. Despite these issues, I have to admit that playing the assassin class remained enjoyable and provided some moments of fun amidst the chaos.

Nightingale evokes a sense of wonder, yet one can't help wonder how tighter design choices might have elevated its potential.

Initially launched into early access with a slow descent, the game's journey hasn't been entirely smooth.

However, its captivating gaslamp aesthetic continues to draw me in, preserving its charm.

Throughout its development, updates have brought improvements that shine, yet some adjustments have introduced new challenges.

Ultimately, as a solo survival adventure, Nightingale still manages to resonate and provide a compelling experience.

Game Highlights and Impressions

Lost Skies truly stood out among survival games, grabbing my attention instantly with its unique charm. Its quirky, unpolished elements added a layer of entertainment that kept me hooked. The game’s tranquil and leisurely tempo offered a refreshing break from frantic gameplay, allowing me to immerse myself fully. The standout feature for me was the luxurious gold yacht, symbolizing a sense of achievement and adventure. Overall, Lost Skies left a lasting impression, and I look forward to seeing how Bossa Studios will develop it further to maintain its captivating appeal.

My admiration for Elite: Dangerous remains unwavering. Until a new sci-fi spaceship sandbox emerges that surpasses it, this title holds the top spot in my collection. I might not rush through its content as quickly as some dedicated players, but the allure of returning to the galaxy hub repeatedly never diminishes. Each revisit this year only strengthened my affection for the game. Having fresh objectives to pursue and sharing the experience with my closest friend made it all the more special.

The ongoing dilemma I face with Pantheon is quite complex. On one side, the existence of a PvE sandbox MMORPG enriches the genre, offering players a new realm to explore and enjoy. However, I can't help but feel it misinterpreted the core lessons of old-school titles, attempting to reinvent them under the guise of immersion and novelty, which feels misguided. The design choices leave me puzzled and somewhat frustrated. Additionally, I remain irked by the raid encounter that culminated in the bizarre outcome of discovering three potatoes, an experience that still sticks with me as a symbol of missed potential.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my readers for making this year's adventures in Guild Wars 2 so memorable. Initially, I thought I understood what made the game enjoyable, but my perspective shifted dramatically after facing the enemies introduced in the Path of Fire expansion. Suddenly, I found myself disenchanted with the game as a whole. However, the moment I adopted the pistolero thief build recommended to me, everything changed—this build truly revitalized my experience. Then, with the release of Visions of Eternity, the addition of the Antiquary elite specialization deepened my engagement and solidified my appreciation for the game.

Gaming Reflections and Future Anticipations

Returning to Star Wars: The Old Republic felt like a warm reunion.

Although familiar elements continue to define the game, the recent introduction of map events added a fresh layer of excitement that resonated perfectly with my current mood.

While my playtime has decreased compared to before, I remain pleased to see the game still thriving and evolving.

One of the unexpected delights of my CMA year was discovering Eterspire. At first glance, it appeared to be a charming, small-scale game that didn't initially catch my interest. It wasn’t until the community polls encouraged me to give it a try that I finally dove in. I'm very glad I did because, despite its straightforward and somewhat grind-heavy gameplay, it struck a perfect balance between fun and challenge. What truly stood out was the rich sense of personality and craftsmanship woven into every aspect of the game, making the experience both immersive and memorable.

Reflecting on my experience with New World, I can only describe it as a mix of nostalgia and disappointment. Amazon's handling of the game feels like a missed opportunity, and it leaves a lingering sense of frustration. Although I’m not as devastated as some other players, the decline of what once seemed like a promising MMORPG is truly disheartening. My journey with the game was marked by hope for its revival, making its current state all the more disheartening.

Despite my ongoing attempts to understand, I still can't quite figure out why AdventureQuest 3D didn't resonate with me as strongly as Eternalspire did. Both titles share a lot in common, featuring straightforward gameplay and engaging MMORPG elements that make them feel familiar. Yet, for some reason, AdventureQuest 3D lacked that spark—something intangible that keeps a game memorable. It’s not that it’s a poor experience; it simply didn’t reach the same level of immersion or excitement. That elusive quality, the x factor, remains a mystery to me.

Reflecting on our recent journey through the gaming landscape, I truly hope you found it as engaging as I did. As we gear up for 2026, anticipation is building for a fresh lineup of collaborative adventures across various multiplayer realms. The community polls have determined that our first stop will be Dungeons & Dragons Online, and I look forward to sharing my first impressions after diving back into this classic MMORPG. Until then, I wish you all a joyful and secure start to the new year, with hopes for positive experiences and a sense of steadiness in your lives. Welcome to Choose My Adventure , the column in which you join Chris each week as he journeys through mystical lands on fantastic adventures – and you get to decide his fate. Which is good because he can often be a pretty indecisive person unless he’s ordering a burger.

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