What We Liked..
Easy to play
Low system requirements
Satisfying progression
.. and what we didn't
Perhaps <em>too</em> automated
Typical Chinese grind
Thin population
Dragon Lord is a turn-based, browser MMORPG that does most of the work for you but still leaves you with plenty of choices to make and loot to claim.
Most of the actual gameplay is automated except for multiplayer dungeons – you have to actually participate in those. Solo adventures though, they can all play out automatically: yes, you can choose how to queue up attacks with your primary hero, but 99% of the time you will just set it to auto and watch as your party lays waste.
There is still some strategy involved though, especially when it comes to maximizing both your character and party power.
What We Liked..
A hack'n'slash done well in the comfort of a browser
Proven and fun gameplay
Graphically fantastic
Lots of action and a vast gaming world
.. and what we didn't
At high levels solo players will have a tough time...
... just like PvP lovers who don't plan to spend real money
Watch the trailer:
UPDATE: since June 2017, the game isn't easily playable via browser anymore. Only a few combinations of browsers and java versions will keep working, but everyone will still be able to play the game after downloading its client.
Drakensang Online is an excellent free hack & slash, published by BigPoint, based on a famous and popular series of role-playing games.
The game has many typical features of a MMORPG (such as skills, level-ups, crafting, etc...), with the welcome addition of a combat system based on combos and dodges, just like a typical third-person action game (anyone who knows the Diablo saga will certainly find it all very familiar).
As well as the ability to carry out the plot quest (either alone or in the company), there are also different PvP modes (including an original "Storm the fortress 6vs6") for those who prefer a competitive game.
The various available classes are well diversified from each other, and ensure a different gameplay depending on which is used, thus ensuring also a great replay value.
One of the highlights of the game is its impressive graphics, capable of displaying a great number of details in a simple web page.
Drakensang Online is really a well-done game: varied, entertaining, technically clean and able to keep the player glued to the PC for hours.
A title that should not be missing in any “free” gamer’s collection.
What We Liked..
looks and sounds great
lots of strategy
positioning adds another layer
currently quite balanced
.. and what we didn't
just not as popular as some other CCGs
Bandai Namco brought more microtransactions
In most collectible card games, the hero, or summoner (or whatever you want to call it), sits out of sight, signified by a portrait, but in Duelyst, your general starts on the battlefield and gives the game its namesake. Battles in Duelyst are just that, duels. It’s your general pitted against your enemy’s general, and all the cards you play are in service of that.
What We Liked..
Bright and colorful world
Upbeat music
Fun Sprite companions
.. and what we didn't
The world is too big and you often play by yourself
Repetitive and bland quests
Very low player base
Unbalanced economy
Almost approaching its' tenth birthday, Grand Fantasia is an F2P Anime MMORPG that doesn't reinvent the wheel of the genre but follows the 'If it isn't broke, don't fix it" mentality.
Pleasantly cheerful music, and a game world that is bright and colorful, Grand Fantasia's art style holds up well. What doesn't, is the PVE and PVP content. Quests in Grand Fantasia are painstakingly boring and what's left of the PVE content is little more than level grinding for PVP.
PVP is all but inaccessible to anyone but high-level players, and the P2W game model the game uses makes PVP very unbalanced, as all the top Pkers have spent real-life money to give themselves a huge advantage over the competition and grant themselves powerful end-game gear. PVP is the best part about Grand Fantasia, but unless you spend money, you don't stand a chance.
The game is dead and that makes it hard to recommend. A new server, Siwa was released 5 months ago, and it is already a ghost town. A world full of lively things is now lifeless.
What We Liked..
Huge open sandbox world
Non-linear progression
Can earn real life money
.. and what we didn't
Real money for faster advancement
Complicated for new players
Entropia Universe is a free to play, open world sandbox MMORPG that is unlike most games in the genre. Entropia Universe utilizes a simulation-driven gameplay where players are encouraged to explore their new home world planets and progress their characters through activities such as hunting, mining and crafting. There are no traditional quests and a main story, but players can instead take part in a real cash economy, and invest real money within the game to make profit over time.
From a graphic's standpoint, Entropia Universe does look decent for a game made in 2003, and has had it's engine upgraded. However, players who've played modern MMORPG's may find the graphics to be below par, and may struggle with the complicated UI system. Overall, Entropia Universe offers an alternative way to have fun in an MMORPG that doesn't rely on traditional theme park mechanics.
What We Liked..
Strategy and ARPG layers that work
Tons of systems and progression
Big community
.. and what we didn't
Expensive cash shop
Eternal Fury is a free to play browser-based strategy game with a twist. While raising your kingdoms, armies and alliances are all key gameplay features, you'll also need to upgrade your singular hero ruler, with RPG-like gameplay system in place that offers a good time.
Battles are fought on both maps - the kingdom world view and in arena-style battles that shakes up the usual boring and monotonous gameplay. While free to play, Eternal Fury's cash shop is a mixed bag and borderline hovers over what's fair.
What We Liked..
Great art and animation
Authentic story
Easy to grasp
Populated servers
.. and what we didn't
Passive combat
Intrusive cash shop
Fairy Tail: Hero's Journey is the official online MMORPG of the manga series. For a free to play web-browser game, fans of the franchise will be rewarded as it features authentic characters and story from the manga.
The gameplay is easy to grasp as players pick from one of three classes and progress through the world via leveling up themselves and their companions. Combat is turn-based with party dynamics that are fun to watch due to the excellent animations. However, the battles are passive for the most part meaning you actively do nothing but watch most of the time. The game also has an in-depth cash shop that can be advantageous, but not necessary for end-game progression. Overall, Fairy Tail: Hero's Journey is a good free to play title that will serve loyal fans of the series with plenty of originality and fun.
What We Liked..
The DC universe
A familiy economic model
Interesting maps
.. and what we didn't
Unoriginal gameplay
Buggy client
Released in 2014, Infinite Crisis is a new MOBA based on the DC Universe. The game represents a plot moment in the DC storyline that dealt with parallel universes, allowing developers Turbine a lot of creative reach, and giving the game its title.
Virtually every recognizable superhero makes an appearance here including plenty of variations, some of which are pretty… original. While the game has a couple of flaws, as a new title they will likely be fixed as updates are released. The same probably can’t be said for the rather unpolished graphics, which are weak and bland.
Despite this, Infinite Crisis is a decent game. It’s still early days yet, and improvements are likely to come thick and fast. It may not be set to conquer the MOBA universe, but it certainly qualifies for the competition.
What We Liked..
Great graphics
low system requirements
easy to pick up
fun
fast-paced gameplay
lots of weapons and character customization options
fair microtransaction system
.. and what we didn't
Sommewhat bland maps
some low res textures
server issues
somewhat low player base
Developed by Wiple Games and published by Aeria Games, Ironsight is finally available to the public after a year and a half in beta.
Ironsight is unique in that it's not unique. It draws comparisons to Call of Duty both in aesthetics and gameplay because it does look and sound like a Call of Duty game. And believe it or not, that's a good thing.
The Call of Duty franchise has lost its' way, but once upon a time was a great series. A few years ago, CoD was great fun, and Ironsight shows why. It plays like an early 2010s CoD game.
It has plenty of weapons and drones for you to have fun with, and the action is fast-paced. You can log on a place a few quick games before school or you can play a couple dozen games over the course of a few hours.
The microtransactions in this game are very tame, and it's more than possible to play this game and never spend a dime yet still be competitive. Ironsight is easily one of the most balanced F2P MMOs that I have played in a while and sets a stellar example for F2P MMOs.
What We Liked..
Easy to pick up
Fun daily events
Runs well
.. and what we didn't
Paying players have a huge advantage
Uninteresting gameplay
Zero originality
League of Angels is an acceptable turn-based MMORPG on rails for the casual player. Everything is clearly explained and marked and there is virtually no learning curve. There are plenty of things to do, including the usual daily events, dungeons to explore, world bosses, various PvP modes and mini-games along the lines of Bejeweled and Farmville – but not much original thought has gone on here.
The graphics and music are of reasonable quality, but while the game runs well the gameplay itself leaves much to be desired. The automated play style means that the main game pretty much plays itself, and the combat mechanics determine battle outcomes from gear and character skill sets rather than any strategy on your part.
Furthermore, the game places paying players at a distinct advantage over the free to play crowd, who will soon hit daily limits and won’t get access to the best weapons, armor and mounts. Serious gamers up for a challenge may want to look elsewhere.