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: Stormgate isn’t delivering a revolution (yet)
Stormgate's marketing is laser-focused on studio Frost Giant's plan to deliver an "RTS revolution." With StarCraft II still popular but slowly waning as it...
Not So Massively: It’s okay that Redfall is just okay
I rarely let myself get too hyped for unreleased games, but I was keeping one eye on the vampire-hunting online FPS Redfall. When it...
Not So Massively: Eternal Card Game’s gauntlet problem
A little over a year ago, I discovered digital CCG Eternal Card Game and sung the praises of its robust solo content. Since then...
Not So Massively: The growing field of StarCraft II spiritual successors
StarCraft II ranks very highly on my list of my favourite games of all time, but while it remains popular, it is in maintenance...
Not So Massively: First impressions of Warcraft Rumble
Being Canadian and living door to the global superpower down south sometimes feels like being the overlooked younger sibling of a celebrity, so it's...
Not So Massively: Despite everything, Overwatch 2’s story missions deliver an epic experience
After a long wait, a tortured development, a great deal of cutting back on features, and endless controversy, the PvE update for Overwatch 2...
Not So Massively: Revisiting Heroes of the Storm in 2023
Social media algorithms are a dangerous thing. A few weeks back, Reddit began recommending me the sub for Heroes of the Storm. Although I...
Not So Massively: Diablo IV’s disastrous 1.1.0 patch – and Blizzard’s mea culpa
Diablo IV's last week has just been the drama gift that keeps on giving, and since Blizzard's latest toy is my favorite game right...
Not So Massively Roundup: Among Us’ 5th birthday, GTAO Mercs, & betas for The Finals and The First Descendant
Welcome back to a quick Not So Massively roundup of MMO-adjacent multiplayer titles with new info this week!
First, Grand Theft Auto Online reared its...
Not So Massively: Godsworn is Warcraft III meets Age of Mythology
It's a testament to how far the RTS genre has fallen that Steam's recent Tacticon festival of strategy games featured almost no RTS titles,...
Not So Massively: Second impressions of Diablo IV
My initial impression of the Diablo IV open beta was lukewarm at best, but I did hold some hope that the second beta weekend...
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...
