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Ken's MMORPGs
Clan Lord
Fantasy setting with no wizard types. The closest thing to a magic using character is the Mystic, which is a support class with little power. Currently Macintosh only. There are separate Mac OS and OS X clients.
A Windows client may be under development. Very simple graphics make it easy to keep track of what's going on. However, they wouldn't appeal to people who like graphics-intensive games. Simple controls and communication system. Developed by a very small company with a small user base. As a result, changes are slow, but all players fit on a single server. Design of the game, especially rescueing fallen characters, encourages cooperation, but at the same time there aren't any penalties for playing solo. City of Heroes
Characters play superheroes in a large (fictitious) city in Rhode Island. A variety of different power sets are available. Windows only, with high system requirements. Very graphics intensive, gives video cards a real workout. Some users have had heat-related problems as a result. Simple controls but somewhat awkward communication system. Supported by a large company, with major updates (called "Issues") coming out roughly every three months. EVE Online
Science fiction setting with players as starship captains. All action is ship-based; there's no way to get out and walk around in the game. Windows only, system requirements are quite reasonable. Graphics are fairly impressive, but the nature of the game is such that they place low demands on the system. Ships are generally far apart, and even in a battle the enemy ships are likely to be too far away to show up as anything but a small box on the display. Controls are simple to use but take some getting used to. Single server system, often seven to eight thousand players online at once. This works because they are spread out across hundreds of systems. The Matrix Online
Based on the Matrix trilogy. Characters are "redpills"--people who have been unplugged from the Matrix and have unusual powers within the Matrix as a result. Windows only, fairly high system requirements. Graphics are good, but can slow down dramatically when many people are in one area for a major battle. Innovative hand-to-hand combat system works well and is visually very impressive, but doesn't work so well with multiple attackers. Recently sold to Sony Online Entertainment, the company that brought us the Star Wars Galaxies "combat upgrade" fiasco. World War II Online
Technically not an RPG at all, but a "massively multiplayer online first person shooter." Players are soldiers in the battle for France and Belgium, and can play infantry, towed guns, armored vehicles, aircraft, or small ships. Windows and OS X, surprisingly low system requirements. Controls are easy, especially for anyone familiar with first person shooters, but communication is somewhat awkward. The game is very realistic, which is offputting to new players used to Quake-like games who will die repeatedly without ever seeing an enemy. Players familiar with real-world combat will find it the most realistic combat game ever made. Single server system with the entire theater represented at one-half scale. World of Warcraft
Set in the fantasy world of Blizzard's Warcraft series. Mechanics remind me quite a bit of EverQuest, with various improvements and streamlining.
It could almost be called EverQuest 3. Cross-platform, Windows and OS X. Graphics are somewhat cartoonish, but that keeps the system requirements down. Quests are too dependent on having a group.
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