I think there’s a widespread grumpiness for MMORPG tutorials. Either they’re so pointless and easy that you’re bored, or they deluge you with too much information that you won’t actually need for many more levels and will surely have forgotten by then. Or worse, they don’t tell you the things you really do need to know.
But noob zones? The zones aimed at lowbie players without all the tutorial cruft? Those are a different thing entirely. I find myself agreeing with a Redditor who a while back expressed his love for these types of zones. They’re often cozy, tranquil, or pretty zones. The mobs are usually low-key. The combat is usually relatively simple. Powercreep and annoyance are at their minimum. The expectations placed on you in terms of level, skill, gear, even grouping are low. In fact, they’re so relaxing that in some games – like classic Guild Wars – people device ways to simply never leave them. And in others, people just keep coming back.
Do you actually like noob zones in MMORPGs? What’s your favorite one?
Every morning, the Massively Overpowered writers team up with mascot Mo to ask MMORPG players pointed questions about the massively multiplayer online roleplaying genre. Grab a mug of your preferred beverage and take a stab at answering the question posed in today’s Daily Grind!
