Text based games, eh?

What's the best you've seen, most excited to play in the future?

For those of you who aren't quite aware what an MUD is (shame on you), give my personal favorite,

www.aetolia.com

a try.

So let's hear it, best MUD, for roleplay, gameplay, or whathaveyou!

For me, my favorite MUD is Achaea. Great atmosphere, tons of players (as in 200+ players at a time), and a great combat system. And as a fun fact, Aetolia and Achaea were both developed by the same company, Iron Realms Entertainment.

Most of the MUDs are virtually all the same. And the ones that aren't feel like the same games wearing a mask. Kind of like all the Mafia Wars clones and how most browser games feel similar.

Haven't played em in years, but here's a couple I checked that are still running that kicked arse back in the day.

godwars2.org:3000
God Wars, an EXTREMELY complex combat system. It's nothing short of beautiful. Duels are a bit ridiculous, though. I remember as a handicap someone beat me to death ... with a pair of socks. I can't explain to you how amazing this game is, you have to go out and try it. The level of customization in this game is amazing, and I have probably not played any game ever, MUD or not, that has paralleled this amazing combat system. A bit of a learning curve, but worth it.

ginka.armageddon.org:4050
By far the best roleplay I've probably ever seen in my entire life, these guys are very serious, with matching gameplay to boot, a rich background and very unique systems. The only problem is that there's permadeath... And for each character you need an acceptable name, description, and history. And then you need to apply to an admin to have it approved so you can play. Is it worth it? Yes. Just prepare to cry if you die and lose all your hard work. :p This game is for very Serious Business roleplayers only. Really, they're hardcore. Big learning curve, requires lots of reading of backstory.

avpmud.com:5000
Raze The Dead
Zombie survival MUD. Last I checked it still was under a good deal of construction, but that was years ago. Has a slew of interesting abilities and skills if I recall correctly. Definitely unique, but not easy. You'll be running from a lot of fights, if I remember right. Worth checking out.

There have been more, but a lot closed down. I'm sure there's some interesting ones left. I remember a MUD that was a build-your-own fortress RTS sort of deal, man, that was an amazing game...

A MUD with permadeath? Yes please.

Permadeath is something I wish MMOs in general had. It would certainly make the higher levels mean something more than "Oh, yeah, I could grind for obscene amounts of time, so there you are."

As for Achaea, while I gave that one a try, for me, it lacked the sort of roleplay atmosphere I enjoyed. Seemed a bit...oh, what's the word. Unfocused. I wasn't compelled by the underlying story of the world the way I was with Aetolia, which was decidedly strange, given that the latter started as a clone of the former, of all things.

I love MUDs because the roleplay is much, much stronger, and unlike Forum RP there is not quite as much propensity to "God-Mode", as it were, and never have anything bad happen to you.

On the flipside, I feel overly complex battle systems, rather than improving gameplay, only take away from the suspension of disbelief, and in general hinder the atmosphere.

Always a gamble, eh?

I've heard lovely things about Aardwolf, anyone got any news on that one?

www.mudconnector.com has some very keen things on it as well, and I reccomend a newbie to the genre to give the site a go, and find something they enjoy.