Without a doubt, one of the most ‘overlooked’ features in any MMORPG is its interface. Even an MMO with solid gameplay and graphics can be ruined if it has terrible interface. Nowadays, there a few features which I expect from any new free to play MMORPG. One example of a must have feature in any MMO these days is a map that clearly marks every quest location as well as quest NPC. Having to run around just to find new quests can get terribly annoying. Plus finding where certain quest monsters are can be equally tedious. Luckily, games like Grand Fantasia and Perfect World address these issues quite well, as they both have great maps. Runes of Magic as well as Gates of Andaron do a swell job in this regard.
The actual hotkey bars and interface ‘look’ also has to look ‘modern’. The interface in games like Eudemons Online and Magic World Online are just so dull and old. They remind me of games like Diablo and Baldurs Gate. Both of which are great games, but they’re old. Luckily though, all newer MMORPGs are starting to put more detail in their interface. Cloud Nine and Karos Online, which just came out recently have solid interfaces. Hopefully this trend will continue and even browser games will keep upping the aesthetics of their interface.
