The Sandbox Challenge

As a player who dislikes questing, and quickly gets bored with theme-park games I decided to seek out a gaming challenge. I compiled a list of sandbox-type games and have decided to play each one in search of the King of the Sandbox! You can read the first post here which goes into greater detail about the games, and scoring system. You can see the individual blogs about the games by following the link attached to each game.


Here is a summary of The Commandments, and the games including their Sandbox Score (if completed).



The Commandments

  1. I can not read forums for hints or tips.
  2. I will play each game for a minimum of 15 hours and a maximum of 40 hours.
  3. I can not ask for help in chat channels although I can use tips I happen to see.
  4. I can not ask to join a guild or ask another player for help.
  5. Where given a choice in action or alignment I must be evil.
  6. I will incorporate some light Role Playing Elements.
  7. No alts or re-rolls allowed.
  8. I will play the games in order of their initial release.
  9. The games must have free trials or free-to-play options. Some exceptions may be made.
  10. The games must be fantasy, historical, or science-fiction based (no modern day, real life setting- I get that every day and I am finding it, quite frankly, to be a little grindy :)


The Games (by release date) and Score (if completed).

  1. Ultima Online  (Not Completed Feb, 2011)
  2. Istaria: Chronicles (Time Played: 10 hours. Not Rated)
  3. Ryzom (Time Played: 27 hours. Score: 82%)                                                
  4. A Tale in the Desert (Time Played: 15 hours. Score: 61%)                            
  5. Wurm Online (Time Played: @400 hours. Score: 79%)                                     
  6. Elder Scrolls IV                                  
  7. Pirates of the Burning Sea        
  8. Haven and Hearth                                
  9. Mine Craft                                                       
  10. Fallen Earth                             
  11. Mount and Blade: Warband     
  12. Mortal Online      
  13. Craft of Gods                                            
  14. Uncharted Waters                               
  15. Perpetuum Online                                
  16. Earthrise                                                          

    Excluded:

    Darkfall- Previously Played
    Eve- Previously Played (Score: 74%)
    Xsyon- Playing prior to Challenge

    Scoring is on a scale of 1-5 with 3 being average, 5 outstanding, and 1 well, you guessed it, bad. I have 10 categories so I'll add them up, and multiply by 2 and get a handy, easy to understand percentile.

    My ratings will include:

    1. Learning curve
    2. Online Community
    3. Freedom of Expression
    4. Fun Factor
    5. Crafting
    6. Combat
    7. Economy
    8. Setting
    9. Immersion
    10. Interface
    Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)