I have a huge hardon for Eye of the Beholder 2 just because it is so straight to the point. I hate stories in games, and dialogue especially, so setting up a good plot and story in 30 seconds and sending you off to investigate the dungeon was perfect.
Also EverQuest has zero story and zero intro which was an experience in itself. You pick a race and class, I went with a half elf, and I started in an elven village in the tree tops. You get no intro and no guide on anything. (Actually there was an intro but it was mostly telling you how the world was created, it doesn't mention your character at all). So you start as an anonymous noob elf in a town full of elves doing elfy things. And from that you set out and figure things out for yourself, talking to characters in the town and other real players and going off to hunt.
Bloodlines was pretty good. It is the first time I had seen a game try to be funny and actually succeeded. I grew up playing games like Monkey Island and stuff which I enjoyed but I never found them funny at all, even though they really tried. Also the tutorial was decent and introduced lots of different game mechanics.
Also EverQuest has zero story and zero intro which was an experience in itself. You pick a race and class, I went with a half elf, and I started in an elven village in the tree tops. You get no intro and no guide on anything. (Actually there was an intro but it was mostly telling you how the world was created, it doesn't mention your character at all). So you start as an anonymous noob elf in a town full of elves doing elfy things. And from that you set out and figure things out for yourself, talking to characters in the town and other real players and going off to hunt.
Bloodlines was pretty good. It is the first time I had seen a game try to be funny and actually succeeded. I grew up playing games like Monkey Island and stuff which I enjoyed but I never found them funny at all, even though they really tried. Also the tutorial was decent and introduced lots of different game mechanics.
I still think this is one of the best games ever made. It really deserves a remake. Did you see one of the original devs is remaking the whole first part of the game in some slick new engine? He is doing it as an educational thing or something, not to be sold, but it makes me drool every time I look at it.
A clear mission and an impetus to complete it swiftly, yet with absolute freedom to go any and everywhere right from the start.