’ve got nothing against Vanguard. It’s an entirely competent MMORPG, and if you can find a decent group of people to play with, it can be an absolute blast. At the same time, though, you’re still jumping through a series of hoops dictated by a game design that hails all the way back from text-based MUDs. And Vanguard doesn’t pull it off with the kind of aplomb that World of Warcraft does.

There are some cool ideas and systems here. The diplomacy minigame, for instance, provides an entertaining distraction that adds a dimension to exploring new areas. Crafting is a much deeper and more complex web of interactions than you’ll see in most MMOs. Much of the content does a good job of allowing players to see and interact with one another – which creates the illusion of a cohesive world much better than sequestering players in instances a la WoW – while discouraging griefing. Each class features cool mechanics for both solo and group play, and the combat is fast and entertaining.

Unfortunately, Vanguard also has its share of flaws. The sheer scale of the game world has resulted in huge tracts of land being devoid of any meaningful content. This spread-out design can make it unlikely you’ll run into other players and start making the social connections that make MMOs special. And the game doesn’t do much to help new players over the relatively steep learning curve, which can be a barrier even to MMO vets.

If a slower-paced, more complex title in the vein of EverQuest is what you’re looking for, Vanguard will serve you well. A lack of polish in several areas and strong competition keep this game from being particularly special, though.