When an MMORPG recedes into the rearview mirror of life, all you are left with are memories, music… and screenshots. It’s amazing how a virtual photo album of past exploits can take us back to our favorite adventuring days of yore.
Vincent kicks off the One Shots Nostalgia Tour ’19 with this picture from Final Fantasy XIV. “Here’s a blast from the past from Heavensward (even then I couldn’t stick to one race/sex),” he said.
Smile while you can, little Lalafel, because those floating islands are going to come crashing down sooner or later — and nobody will be listening to your Chicken Little impressions.
“I promised our Massively pal, Deekay, that I’d give him a look at how my Pike-era starship and crew were coming along in Star Trek Online,” said Mysecretid. “So here’s an early look at an away team. This isn’t the entire command crew of the USS Endurant (NCC 1715), deekay, merely the folks I beamed down to a mission recently.”
We regret to inform you that out of the five, two have become “space paste,” one got involved in a deadly love triangle, and the other two went irrevocably insane. Starfleet medical doesn’t cover any of that, by the way.
Rafael took us back to… Section X in Star Wars: The Old Republic? Huh! What is this madness!
“What this cap evokes is all the fun I had during those early SWTOR days,” he said. “Everything about the game, back then, appealed to MMORPG sensibilities. I was a member of a strong guild. Group content was a blast with guildies. Leveling was enjoyable solo and I was working my way through all of the individual class stories for both the Empire and the Republic. And the graphics and art style were just the right mix to ensure the game ran as smooth as silk on my system. Despite the naysayers, the game was an incredible experience and had great potential. I loved it and this cap reminds me of those times.”
Sometimes nostalgia is as simple as playing a little tune in a field for only the Lord of the Rings Online bunnies and shrews to hear. They don’t appreciate being woken up before seven in the morning, but as they’re not unionized, they don’t have a say in how things are run in the Shire.
“Hirku’s happy hobbit hunter’s harmonious homecoming. Huzzah!” said some unnamed commenter.
Another Star Trek Online pic, this one featuring a neat shot of two starships leaving spacedock. You have Hikari to thank for it.
“I do miss when STO sets out to do their own thing or engage in a bit of Trek Nerding, like these amazing NX-01 Refits, patterned after Doug Drexler’s own design. Hopefully, with Picard coming out, we can get away from the DSC ships and back to some good old 25th Century fun (or very, very late 24th if it’s Picard-based ships).”
For my own contribution this week, I’ll share a picture I took of a Nova Praetoria police station from City of Heroes. I thought that the well-dressed cops were all standing around in a random, fairly useless pattern, perhaps confused by the presence of microscopes in their precinct.
Your screenshot challenge is to share a picture of mobs or enemies going about their normal lives before you aggro them and start attacking. Ever get a shot of them sleeping, eating, or milling about? Let’s see it!
Every week, One Shots shines a spotlight on the best community screenshots from your MMO adventures. If you have a great pic to share, email it to justin@massivelyop.com with the subject “One Shots.” Make sure that the picture is over 880px wide and comes with a description or story!
