Wurm Online
- July 24, 2020
- Code Club AB
- 58h median play time
Wurm Online is one of the most innovative MMOs around, but damn, will it make you work to appreciate that fact.
Get on SteamWurm Online is a totally unique, highly accessible online wilderness MMORPG that will drag you in, shake you up and down, bite you, annoy you, drive you completely mad and leave you wondering why you didn’t find it a million years ago! Both PvP and PvE server clusters are available. On the Freedom PvE cluster, you can enjoy a peaceful life being eaten by bears in the woods. One of those servers…
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Reviews
- Wurm Online offers a deep and complex crafting system that allows players to create and shape their own world.
- The community is generally friendly and helpful, providing support to new players and fostering a sense of camaraderie.
- The game provides a unique sandbox experience where players can build, terraform, and explore at their own pace.
- The game has a steep learning curve and can be overwhelming for new players, with a lack of clear guidance and tutorials.
- Many players feel that the game is pay-to-win, as premium features and skills beyond level 20 require a subscription.
- The graphics and user interface are outdated, which can detract from the overall experience.
- graphics196 mentions
- 12 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated, often compared to early 2000s titles, with many users expressing disappointment in their quality and performance. While some players appreciate the game's unique charm and the depth of gameplay that compensates for the visuals, others find the graphics to be a significant barrier to enjoyment. Overall, the consensus is that while the graphics may not be cutting-edge, they do not detract from the game's core mechanics and community experience.
“The newly implemented adventure line (quest system), graphical updates, and starting island are really good additions to everything.”
“The graphics might not be cutting-edge, but it's an older title, and with the settings cranked up, it still holds up pretty well.”
“The graphics are peculiar, yes, but can be in its own way, quite beautiful.”
“The graphics are bad, like early 2000s bad, think Everquest.”
“The outdated graphics and interface are bad enough, but the buggy gameplay and complete lack of developer support make this game an absolute nightmare to play.”
“Disconnects every 10 secs....graphics from the 80s..clunky, funky, and chunky.”
- grinding180 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 3 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is a defining feature, with many players noting its extreme depth and complexity, often describing it as both tedious and rewarding. While some find the extensive skill-building and crafting systems enjoyable and satisfying, others feel overwhelmed by the time commitment required to progress. Overall, the game appeals primarily to those who appreciate a slow-paced, grind-heavy experience, with a strong emphasis on player-driven goals and achievements.
“I'm one of those players who loves the tediousness of this game, despite the fact that others don't.”
“You have not experienced grinding like this before; Ark is not grinding, Scum is not grinding, smithing in Skyrim is not grinding... Wurm Online is true hardcore grinding.”
“You have not experienced grinding like this before; Ark is not grinding, Scum is not grinding, smithing in Skyrim is not grinding... Wurm Online is true hardcore grinding.”
“The game suffers the fatal design flaw of being grindy and repetitious to an extreme degree.”
“However, the execution is marred by tedious and unintuitive mechanics that make even the most basic tasks needlessly complex and time-consuming.”
“If you value your time and money, you won't bother with this game, as it is very grindy.”
- gameplay168 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Wurm Online is characterized by its deep and complex mechanics, offering a unique sandbox experience that can be both rewarding and frustrating. While many players appreciate the intricate crafting and building systems, the slow pace, clunky controls, and steep learning curve can deter newcomers. The community plays a crucial role in enhancing the experience, as players often rely on each other for guidance amidst the game's numerous mechanics and challenges.
“The gameplay isn't groundbreaking, but there's something special about being a part of a world with such a tightly knit community, knowing your actions all have an effect on the world around you.”
“I confidently recommend it; Wurm Online is quite an addictive game once you learn the mechanics.”
“Wurm online offers more than any other MMO I have ever played; the pure sandbox gameplay alone makes it so unique.”
“The gameplay is clunky and unresponsive, and the controls are a nightmare to navigate.”
“From the obtuse crafting system to the monotonous grind required for progress, the gameplay fails to engage and captivate players, resulting in a frustrating and unfulfilling experience.”
“The gameplay itself is really boring; you don't actually do anything.”
- story58 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 81 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The story aspect of Wurm Online is largely defined by its open-world sandbox nature, allowing players to create their own narratives through exploration, crafting, and community interaction rather than following a predetermined storyline or quest system. While some players appreciate the freedom to shape their own experiences, others criticize the lack of guidance and engaging content, noting that the game feels more like a survival challenge than a traditional RPG with a rich narrative. Overall, the game emphasizes personal ambition and player-driven goals over structured storytelling.
“Wurm is a game about hard work and having a plan; it is a survival game where you are your own story. You either survive and settle, or you die in the wilderness from starvation, dehydration, or the wild animals and beasts you encounter.”
“You get to write your own story, carve your own path, plot your own course, and forge your own destiny.”
“This game is very rewarding; the sense of accomplishment is great. You just need a mature attitude without some kind of entitled notion, and you will enjoy it greatly, from searching for your plot of land to felling your first tree and sawing your first planks to eventually seeing your homestead standing proud against the backdrop of the setting sun.”
“Pretty unoriginal concept and almost non-existent storyline; it's like they gave up on the game after dabbling with it for about a week.”
“There's nothing engaging; the NPCs don't have any conversation, there's no pointers or landmarks to show your next objective, there's no quests or NPCs with tips and guidance.”
“There are no predetermined quests or storylines.”
- music24 mentions
- 29 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The game's music is a mixed bag, with sporadic tracks that can unexpectedly enhance gameplay, such as a rock song during mining or while dragging a cow, creating a unique atmosphere. While some players appreciate the variety and find it enjoyable, others criticize the lack of coherence and lore-friendly choices, suggesting that the music could be improved. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a highlight for many, providing a pleasant backdrop despite its inconsistencies.
“It's worth mentioning that the game contains a variety of musical genres and sometimes it's hard to understand what situation what is supposed to fit into, but somehow it works and gives off a pleasant impression.”
“Another fact is that sometimes it's just hard not to laugh when a random rock song flies by while dragging a cow behind you with a rope.”
“I really enjoy this game; it's pretty peaceful if you play in the PvE servers, nice relaxing music until it goes to the random rock and roll song.”
“Often there is no music at all in the game, until suddenly you randomly hear a song or two.”
“Music could be improved as some of them are not lore friendly; I don't want to listen to a blues song when I'm hunting my game in the woods.”
“The soundtrack inspires no excitement or emotion.”
- monetization17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 24 % neutral mentions
- 59 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been widely criticized for being excessively expensive and reminiscent of mobile app store practices, with players feeling that it leans heavily towards a cash grab model. While some appreciate the game's unique freedom and crafting mechanics, many believe that the monetization detracts from the overall experience, making the free-to-play aspect feel more like a demo. Overall, the monetization is seen as a significant flaw, overshadowing the game's potential.
“It's monetization strategy could be better, but no other game offers the freedom this one does while making your actions feel important to your little piece of the world.”
“Premium model with (some) microtransactions.”
“You will see a common complaint here that you have to use an in-game item obtained with microtransactions to make settlements, but you can still build less protected settlements without some of the benefits of one without making it official.”
“This isn't really free as the game is infested with mobile app store-like microtransactions.”
“They had a plethora of time to consider carefully their choices and decisions for the Steam release and the future of their game, but are short-sighted because of greed and quick cash grabbing.”
“The monetization is meh overall and the free-to-play part feels like a demo.”
- stability17 mentions
- 6 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 94 % negative mentions
The game's stability is severely compromised by numerous bugs, glitches, and crashes, leading to a frustrating experience for players. Many report that technical issues render the game nearly unplayable, with outdated graphics and a lack of developer support exacerbating the problems. While some users have noted minor improvements over time, the overall consensus is that the game remains a buggy mess, significantly detracting from its potential enjoyment.
“Within a couple of days, most of the issues I experienced (primarily skill and stamina lag) seemed to work themselves out, and it's been a mostly bug-free experience since.”
“The game is a buggy mess, riddled with glitches and technical issues that make it almost unplayable at times.”
“The outdated graphics and interface are bad enough, but the buggy gameplay and complete lack of developer support make this game an absolute nightmare to play.”
“The developers of the game are narrow-minded, they don't listen to what their players tell them, therefore there are a lot of bugs and glitches which haven't been fixed for years.”
- optimization12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with players reporting poor performance, slow character movement, and significant server issues that detract from the overall experience. Many users have experienced severe lag and graphical problems, leading to frustration, while a few noted improvements after recent updates. Overall, the game's optimization remains a major concern for most players.
“I had a few problems getting in, but once I was in, performance was great with next to no lag.”
“After fixes with the login issues, and with improvements to server performance, the game is really enjoyable now.”
“Ambient occlusion and shadowmap size hits performance hard, and are the only things I run lower than highest.”
“The game is plagued by frequent server issues, poor optimization, and a myriad of bugs that hinder the player's ability to enjoy the game.”
“This game is so old, it nearly destroyed my 2017 Alienware laptop as optimization is absolutely atrocious.”
“Optimization is pretty bad, tested on a few PCs.”
- atmosphere8 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and calming qualities, enhanced by fitting audio elements that complement the natural surroundings. Players appreciate the laid-back vibe, which draws them in and fosters a sense of community, even amidst the slower pace of gameplay. Overall, the combination of serene environments and engaging soundscapes creates a captivating experience.
“As I dodged wolves in the woods and came upon my first roe deer, I heard a very nice song, fitting perfectly into the atmosphere of the nature on display.”
“I love the relaxing and calm atmosphere this game provides.”
“Despite its snail-speed pace, Wurm Online has managed to enthrall me in its atmosphere of developing cities and expanses of wilderness.”
- humor8 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as inconsistent, with some players finding amusement in the game's animations and quirky elements, while others note a lack of genuine comedic value. Negative reviews often contain humorous commentary, reflecting the frustrations of players, and some find joy in the absurdity of certain gameplay mechanics. Overall, while the game may not be designed as a comedy, players can still extract humor from their experiences and interactions.
“Some of the negative reviews are very funny; you can clearly see that groups/guilds rate it at the same time after they mess up in PvP, do things they should not do, and get punished. The toxicity shows how immature they behave in forums or comments.”
“To the guy who left a hilarious review for this game... thank you! My friend and I played this game for an hour thinking it would be fun.”
“If you want to do nothing but dig up balls and give them funny names, play the game, if you can see past the UI.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting moments of empowerment and camaraderie, such as feeling like a "bad-ass miner" while engaging in gameplay. However, this emotional experience is contrasted by frustrations with the game's mechanics and steep learning curve, leading some to describe it as a "time-consuming, emotionally abusive" endeavor. Overall, the emotional journey in the game is complex, oscillating between feelings of belonging and frustration.
“I remember mining iron in a tunnel, loading it onto a cart and going to the surface in the middle of the night, when suddenly I heard a rock song with vocals that made me feel like a bad-ass miner.”
“It started out a bit rocky, and there is so much that the tutorial does not even come close to touching.. but once I made some friends the game started getting increasingly more fun!”
“There was never a game which made me feel like home, but Wurm.”
- character development3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Wurm offers exceptional long-term character development and a supportive community that actively assists both new and experienced players. However, it features dated graphics, a somewhat clunky user interface, and lacks guidance for character progression, appealing primarily to fans of open-ended, skill-based systems reminiscent of classic RPGs.
“Wurm is the best MMO you have never heard of, and it has some of the best long-term character development and community involvement of any similar game. The player community of Wurm is excellent when it comes to developing new and continuing players alike; it always feels like a helping hand is right around the corner when you most need it.”
“Do you enjoy the open-ended skill-based character development of classic RPGs like Elder Scrolls or Ultima Online?”
“Dated graphics, kind of a clunky UI, and no guidance for character development.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful choices.”
“I was disappointed by the lack of depth in character progression and customization options.”
