Not-So-Massively games are online games that share some but not all mechanics in common with traditional MMORPGs. Generally, their “massive” nature is contested. They frequently include games from subgenres like battle royale, OARPG, MMOFPS, MMORTS, MOBA, lootershooter, mobile, and other pseudo-MMOs that provide single-player, offline, or custom-server support. The Not So Massively column is now written by Tyler Edwards. [Follow this column’s RSS feed]
not so massively
Not So Massively: Wolcen’s Endgame is one of online gaming’s all-time worst blunders
Speaking as a long-time fan of the game, I think the post-launch management of Wolcen: Lords of Mayhem has been an absolute mess. There...
MMO Burnout: Mass Effect’s Legendary Edition modernizes a classic
Most MMO players will admit to feeling the need to step away from the multiplayer genre from time to time. This seems especially true...
First impressions of Destiny 2’s Lightfall – through the lens of a long-lapsed player
Destiny 2 and I have a long and kind of weird history. I was along for the ride when this game first launched primarily...
First impressions of Diablo IV: Resurrecting Diablo II once again
If franchise media has taught us anything, it's that sequels which take risks and aren't universally beloved cause the parent company to panic and...
Not So Massively: Diablo IV’s beta brings the horror, but not the fun
I have been pretty critical of the direction of Diablo IV so far, but franchise loyalty and professional obligation nonetheless led me to accept...
Not So Massively: Impressions of Century Age of Ashes’ new PvE mode
Back in 2021, I took a look at an early version of dragon-riding arena shooter Century: Age of Ashes. I found that its core...
Why I Play: Black Matter’s shooter Hell Let Loose scratches my RTS itch
I’ve been playing multiplayer shooters since I discovered DOOM 2’s dialup modem DOS commands, and it’s a genre I find myself returning to every...
Not So Massively: Voidtrain’s Next Fest demo leaves a terrible first impression
It's hard to find a survival game with an original premise these days. Dinosaurs? Done. Alien worlds? Done. Zombies? Done to (un)death. But how...
Not So Massively: Dark Envoy’s demo is where RPG meets RTS
A while back I stumbled across the Steam page for co-op CRPG Dark Envoy and had the thought it could be fun to play...
Not So Massively: Why I’m not playing Lost Ark
Back at launch, I played Lost Ark quite heavily for some time, eventually racking up over 100 hours in the game and generally enjoying...
Not So Massively: Eternal Card Game is a solo-friendly hidden gem
Over the past year or so I've developed what you might call a bit of an interest in collectible card games. Mostly I play...
Not So Massively: Enduring Space Punks’ sensory onslaught
I've been meaning to check out Space Punks, the new isometric shooter from developer Flying Wild Hog and publisher Jagex, since it launched its...
Not So Massively: First impressions of Diablo Immortal on PC
There was a time when the release of a new Diablo game might have been a big deal for me. But I've never been...
Not So Massively: First impressions of V Rising, launching into early access today
I'm still searching for a survival game that fits me. I enjoy a lot of the survival experience, but the games as a whole...
Not So Massively: Nothing can prepare you for Craftopia’s weirdness
While I like many survival mechanics, I've struggled to get into actual survival games. Despite that, I've kept one eye on the early access...
Not So Massively: Dune Spice Wars targets a very small niche
Unpopular opinion time: I never liked Frank Herbert's Dune novels. I do, however, acknowledge that the setting has a lot of cool ideas, and...
Interview: Lost Ark’s regional parity, genderlocking, and the Amazon-Smilegate collaboration
A few days before the western release of Lost Ark, we posed questions to the Amazon Games team, and franchise lead Soomin Park was...
Not So Massively: Lost Ark is junk food gaming (in a good way)
Having originally played the alpha and the beta, I thought my plan for Lost Ark would be to play other things for the first...
Not So Massively: The Anacrusis is nowhere near ready for launch
The Anacrusis is a four-player co-op shooter intended to be a spiritual successor to Left 4 Dead. I was never a particularly big L4D...
Not So Massively: Shadow of War plays fast and loose but hits the mark
Like many of you, I suspect, I have myriad games in my backlog. These neglected titles were typically obtained on sale at a point...
