I don't really have a list of features I require, though admittedly there are features that will make me run away. :)

Rather, over the years, I've found that enjoyable gameplay comes in many forms, and the features that make your current favorite game enjoyable may not be applicable to other games developed from a different viewpoint. Which doesn't make them unfun, just different. An open mind and a willingness to give a game a fair try are the best features a player can have.

Two very different games I've enjoyed recently are GodWars II and Deckeon (both listed here). They don't have a lot of features in common, but each in it's own way is a fun way to spend some time.

BTW, there IS a site called MUDQuest:   http://mud.adventmud.org/

You may find some of those games worth a try.  ;)

@Keriwena, I created the list above not as a comprehensive and exhaustive list of absolute must haves, but one more of the things I'm looking for to make the journey a bit more friendly really. To come from an MMO with all the systems there and the ease of use, hitting a MUD with reams of commands to learn, and areas to visualise, I sort of would like to have the imagination and personal creativity a MUD rewards but with a bit more accessibility and in-game aids for the player. It often seems to me, that most MUDs want you to have to pour over their websites and player created maps just to get on in the game. You effectively have to search out a lot of basic play mechanisms. Most MUDs seem to throw a lot of text your way, rather than take you step by step to gain a hold on the mechanics at play.

Thanks for your suggestions, I'll have to take a look at both of them. I'd like to get a feel for the breadth of MUDding really.

@Lyanic, yeah MUDQuest and quite a number of MUD related sites and directories all seem to have died off without much in the way of updates or currency. Theres only this site and MudConnect.com that have an active community, and are actively updated. I'm surprised MUDs don't seem to get the sort of reviews you get with most PC games. Even big RPG's and strategy games get more press than MUDs. I'd like to see more player reviews, with more information about the MUD and how a player seeking a MUD to settle down with can choose between the myriad of MUDs on offer.

ON my personal MUDquest, I've found I become MUDweary really quickly, after about three MUDs in, in a couple of nights sessions they start to blur and blend into each other and really only very specific stand out features remain in your memory. So perhaps trying everyone you like the sound of is not the right way to go about finding a community you can play in, and possibly find like minded friends in. I haven'tquite formulated a strategy to finishing my search for my textual nirvana. I'd welcome any suggestions, obviously.

To me there's one feature I can't live without: an ANSI minimap centered on my location.  Without that I feel completely lost, I just can't get the geography straight in my head fast enough to make me want to stay in a game.