Anarchy Online vs Lineage II
Anarchy Online
Anarchy Online is one of the first science fiction-theme MMORPG when it was introduced in 2001 and unsurprisingly, the game was very well-received back then. Originally a subscription-based game, it was one of the first games to introduce free trials to players who wanted to give the game a try. It features deep character interaction and development and has a wide range of classes to choose from. The gameplay is entertaining and the lore will delight those who enjoy a good original storyline.However, Anarchy Online is one of those old-school MMOs that had not aged well. The more than 15-year-old graphics isn't exactly what it used to be, and despite the huge amount of content you get to enjoy, once you've done everything there is to do in this game, you'll start to gradually feel bored since there will be no additional content, ever. The publishers have also stated that they will only keep the servers running and that's about it. So, cheaters and exploiters pretty much roam freely here and you can expect a pretty deprecated in-game economy and currency.
So, although many have considered this game as one of the more underrated MMORPG classics, Anarchy Online may not be the sort of game you'd want to spend too much time in, mainly because right now there are so many other options out there, unless it's for nostalgic purposes.
Lineage II
Lineage II is one of the world's largest and most immersive, fantasy-themed free-to-play MMORPG set in the vast and beautiful world of Aden. The game was originally released back in April of 2004 and has been actively growing and expanding ever since. Through 13 years of constant development, the game, the world, and even the mechanics have been updated to not only improve the overall game experience for its players but also to be relevant enough to appeal to the new generation of gamers.Lineage II has everything you'd expect from a huge MMORPG, including both PvE dungeons and PvP siege warfare battles as well as a well-mapped out yet non-linear character progression. The game even has 37 different classes (through the new Awakening process) and players can use skills and abilities from other classes to create a sub-class of their own. There are also pets and mounts that you can raise and collect (respectively). However, the most amazing thing about this game is that it's truly and completely free to play.
When it comes to MMORPGs that have withstood the test of time, there are only a few that can rival the legacy that Lineage II has set in the MMO genre. If you count yourself a true MMO fan, this is a game you simply must at least try. You'll be missing out if you don't!