Hello. My name is Khyron, and I'm addicted to MMORPG's...

It was a sad day on Friday when, after almost a full 6 months, I finally called to cancel my Matrix Online subscription. I look back, now, at all that I accomplished in that time...And, unfortunately, I didn't really accomplish anything.

As is the case in so-called MMORPG's, you spend hour after hour running archetypical missions and fighting the same low-level enemy for hours on end. And for what? Just so your virtual persona can be stronger then everyone else's and to be able to supposedly influence the game with your 1337 skills. This being said, however, the allure of the MMO has brought me back, time and time again (Star Wars Galaxies, Final Fantasy XI, Everquest II, City of Heroes, Guild Wars, and Matrix Online...Just to name a few).

This time, things are going to be different. I have made a mid-year resolution to avoid MMORPG's at all costs, with the only exceptions being a 'Warhammer' or 'Shadowrun' game.

"But what are you going to do to pass the time, Khyron?" you may ask. The answer is simple, hunt down and install the most illusive of PC games...a single-player RPG (and I'm not talking about those hack-and-slash D&D clones that are dime a dozen, nowadays)--I want a deep, rewarding playing experience that will weave an interesting story that, unlike MMORPG's, has a fitting and satisfactory ending.

My solution? Deus Ex.

The term Role Playing Game conjures images of knights, mages, monks, and priests. Deus Ex, on the other hand, is a straight-up, street smart, cyber-punk blend of high technology, international espionage, and global conspiracy. This game is so jam-packed with Illuminati and MJ12 material, that Alex Jones would most certainly pop a vein. I'm surprised that, despite this game having everything I like in a science fiction story, I am only now playing it--a good 5 years after its release.

And, the best thing about Deus Ex (or any non-MMO game), I play it on my terms and at my leisure. The monthly fee for online RPG's gives you a sense of urgency and a need to continue playing--otherwise, why did you just dish out $15, this month? With Deus Ex, I paid $9.95 to download it instantly off of a rather useful service (direct2drive.com). Now, if I choose to pursue my interest in the equally excellent Battlefield 2, I can easily return to Deus Ex without finding my guild is now twice my level (a common occurrence whenever I put MxO on hold).

Goodbye Matrix...Hello playing games for fun, again!