Merchant vs Ragnarok Online
Merchant
Merchant is a fun little idle game that's designed to be played on the side, while you're doing something else on the computer. In the game, you'll need to hire heroes who you will then send out on adventures to gather crafting materials. The materials obtained can then be turned into numerous types of armor and weapons, which you can in turn equip on your heroes or sell them off for a tidy profit. There are two main ways for you to sell your goods - you can either put it up for sale in your shop or you can fulfill the orders of passing merchants and heroes.Although the game starts out as pretty fun, the progression in this game gradually becomes rather grindy after a while - imagine: sending the same hero on the same quest will require the same amount of clicks as sending the hero on a new quest or even sending a new hero. Some automation would be great here, especially considering that the game's an idle game.
So, despite the fun concept and gameplay, its progression can truly kill your interest in the game. That being said, if you just want a simple game to play as you watch Netflix or YouTube on your computer, Merchant might just be the kind of game for you!
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!