Identity vs Ragnarok Online
Identity
Identity aims to disrupt the traditional grindy and repetitive gameplay of modern MMORPGs by introducing an MMORPG that has an open world that's free of restrictions; a place where players can determine their own destinies as well as the world around them. The game features a massive, rich and immersive open world which includes all sorts of landscapes as well as means of moving around, such as vehicles, bicycles and trains. There are also jobs and careers of all types, both legit and illegal ones, that you can dive into. Each job you take has its own progression path which will see you rising up in ranks if you do your job well.The game even offers players their own virtual homes to decorate as they wish. Players can do a lot of stuff at home as well, such as crafting, growing plants, creating goods to be sold to other players and more. In fact, if you've the business acumen, you can set up a small enterprise and grow it into a huge corporation, especially considering that almost everything in the game can be designed and created by players.
In some way, Identity feels like a game that attempts to combine the fun of MMORPGs with a massive, sandbox-like virtual world with the likes of Second Life or IMVU. So, if this sounds like what you'd enjoy in a game, then you should definitely check it out.
Ragnarok Online
Ragnarok Online is a timeless classic and is among one of the very first anime-themed MMORPG that's based on a popular Korean comic series of the same name (which is still pretty popular now). The game is different from any other MMOs at that time mainly due to its unique graphical approach - using 2D sprites set in a 3D game environment. The game also infuses the "kawaii" and "chibi" concepts into its characters, giving rise to the famously cute Porings in the game.Gameplay-wise, Ragnarok Online has many features that may be relatively unheard of such as giving players the ability to set up their own vendors, in addition to having an auction house, to sell off items that have farmed or crafted. The job-based character progression system in this game is also incredibly in-depth, allowing for a wider variety of character builds. There are even collectible cards that players can not only collect from every single mob type in the game, but also equip these cards to enhance their equipment and stats.
It's not at all surprising to see that even 15 years after its initial release and having to put up with competition from its fully 3D sequel, Ragnarok Online 2, this game is still going pretty strong. If you consider yourself a hardcore MMO gamer, Ragnarok Online is a game you should try the first chance you get!