The title says it all. I’ve been pondering lately about how much fun/easy some MMOs make it to group up and just quest with friends. WoW isn’t horrible but the whole thing feels like a giant faceroll so I’m not sure how fun it really is. Others games like TSW make it feel somewhat awkward despite what should be an easy time. Investigation quests and stealth quest are just not that much fun in a group.
So I’m wondering, does any of you know of a MMO where questing with a friend or two is just great fun without it needing to be convoluted? I’m really curious here.
Screaming monkeys 
In the days of yore when grouping was forced, it could be fun if you had a good group of folks to play with. In WoW, if you’re going to do that, I’d say that running dungeons is probably the best option, but that’s not really doable with just a couple folks.
Overall, it’s kind of a rock/hard place situation when it comes to small group experience in MMOs; you don’t quite have enough for “real” group content, and you’re powerful enough to just faceroll solo content.
GW2 is fairly easy to group quests, since your level is equalized based on your zone, and there are not really “quests.” Basically, you just run around in a zone appropriate for the lower-level character and do things together. Granted, I haven’t played in awhile.
Also, I am planning on playing Marvel Heroes when it comes out (Spring 2013, in Closed Beta now), mostly because I am a Marvel nerd. It borrows a lot from Diablo, which I know is not your favorite. Also, the beta impressions have been a mixed bag, but I feel like the game has a lot of promise. Tying this back to your post, it does look like group questing will be very easy. You have randomized public combat zones with group content (bosses) that spawn, as well as instanced content that basically looks like you all just run in the same door and go at it.
Also, the game appears to truly be F2P, in the sense that you can play the whole game for free. You start with five characters, that pretty much cover all the traditional roles: The Thing (tank), Daredevil (rogue), Hawkeye (archer), Scarlet Witch & Storm (casters). You can change characters on the fly, as long as you are not in combat. The cool thing about that is, if your party needs a tank-type for an encounter, you can switch characters in a matter of seconds. The game is monetized by selling additional characters and costumes. Since I am a sucker, I have already bought Wolverine, Cyclops, Colossus, and Phoenix.
Hey More, my facts were a little wrong about Marvel Heroes (got into closed Beta last night), but you might want to check it out. There have been a few interviews I have listened to where the devs response to some of the questions is “who cares as long as its fun.” And honestly, it’s true.
There is a beta key giveaway for this weekend that is still going on at: alienwarearena.com/giveaway/alienware-arena-exclusive-marvel-heroes-closed-beta-key-giveaway
Are you looking for a WoW, dungeon-like environment for groups or just group questing? I love the way GW2 has done multiplayer. I’ve just started playing the game so I am, by no means, an expert and I haven’t run dungeons yet either. But I love the World Events which are intended for groups and my husband and I quest together and further our “story” by completing those quests together also, no problem and it’s fun.
I think TSW is actually pretty good for group questing as long as you avoid the investigation quests. I’ve run into a few friendly strangers and it makes those tough fights much less painful, and even some of the stealth missions too. I also love that you can redo the quests as many times as you like, so you still get rewards from helping out friends in earlier zones.
I also found that Rift was pretty good for group content with the ease of public grouping and the rift and invasion events. It’s been a while since I’ve taken a look though.
Darkfall, hands down. That game is built around adventuring with a party. You can do more, accomplish more, and are better able to stave off enemies should the unexpected happen.
GW2 if you want fun group questing. I would only recommend Darkfall if you enjoy full PvP where you can lose everything you are carrying if you die.
GW2 is completely faceroll solo, and even more so in a duo-trio scenario.
TSW is fine in a group if you stick to action missions and away from the solo instances. In fact, almost 70% of the content in Transylvania is designed to be done in a duo (unless you have very specialized builds and really good gear).
I’d say give Tera a try. Some of the classes are designed for purely support roles and as such work best while grouped (eg. Mystic or Lancer). Additionally there are a lot of areas where grouping is mandatory (Elite quests, BAMs etc.)