Games in the present

What We Liked..

Unique MMORPG experience

Social friendly community

Plenty of content

Mobile version available

.. and what we didn't

Restrictive free trial

Dated graphics

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.5

Genre: mmorpg

Setting: fantasy, present

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: PvE


Star Stable Online is a free to play MMORPG that's all about horses and female heroines.
Players create their characters and horses, and are taken to Jorvic, a fantasy island in which you'll quest, raise and train horses, and grow your heroine and stable while making new online friends.

The game has been around since 2011 and contains thousands of quests, but quantity doesn't mean quality as most of the questing mechanics are old-school in nature and mundane.

Gameplay mechanics are rather clunky when it comes to horse control, but key systems like racing are fun to participate in.

The game while free does have a limited trial up until level 5, when a payment becomes necessary to continue playing.

Overall, it's a unique MMORPG for younger audiences and horse lovers alike.

➔ Main points:

  • A truly unique "freemium" MMORPG experience built around horses
  • Only female protagonists
  • Thousands of quests on the isle of Jorvik
  • Mobile version available
  • Limited free to play trial

What We Liked..

Gameplay is simple yet complex enough to keep the player engaged

Accelerated time keeps the game moving and interesting

Graphics are engaging and excellent

.. and what we didn't

Dangerously easy to rely on the game shop

Not good on battery life

Very time consuming as you level up

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.5

Genre: casual, simulation

Setting: city, present

Graphics: animated artworks

PvP: no fighting


Overview

If orange is the new black, then farming is the new popular app. With games like Farmville and Hay Day, players can immerse themselves into the artificial pleasures of farming. This includes things like growing crops, raising livestock, and delivering goods and services to awaiting customers. Like Farmville, Township got its start on the Facebook platform and evolved into a standalone app. But where Farmville and Hay Day focus strictly on farm-building, Township expands the player's reach into other areas of development, like house-building, factories, restaurants, movie theaters, and even a zoo. It blends farm and city building together into something that's less 'nostalgic farming' and more 'farming metropolis'. The game is also quick to catch on to, with a fairly basic tutorial that relies on simple animated GIFs that show the player exactly how to play, but leaves enough room to let the player explore on their own if they want.

With a fairly basic premise ("Congratulations on inheriting some property!"), a simple-yet-complex gaming structure that keeps you engaged, and amazing graphics, Township remains a top contender in the world-building simulation apps out there.

➔ Main points:

  • Blends both city building and farm building together
  • Grow your own crops, take care of your own animals, and sell the wares that you make
  • Build and grow things in real-time with accelerated speed
  • Focus on building your city into whatever you want it to be!
  • Game shop allows player to use real money to advance your level faster

What We Liked..

Easy To Learn

.. and what we didn't

Can become repetitive

Dated graphics

Unbalanced

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.5

Genre: war, managerial

Setting: city, present

Graphics: plain text and images

PvP: all vs all guild or factions PvP


Vast Wars is a text-based browser game based on crime and criminal gangs. The objective of the game is to build your town into a criminal empire and train your crime lord to become a powerful leader through various activities such as gym training and sabotage.

The game features plenty of tasks and missions that are time-based to complete, offering rewards, experience and cash for you to advance your character. The game has a lot of players from different countries, and takes into consideration which country you play from which can lead to balance issues.

While the graphics are dated and the gameplay can feel repetitive, Vast Wars is still a decent crime browser game that is easy to learn and can offer small bursts of fun for those looking for a game to sink time into.

➔ Main points:

  • Text-based crime browser game that is easy to learn and play
  • Offers good fun in short bursts
  • Good use of real images
  • Large player base and big community

What We Liked..

Fast matchmaking

In-depth level and gear progressions for long term gameplay

Loads of maps and game mode variety for PvE and PvP

Decent balancing

.. and what we didn't

Occasional cheating and hacking

Real money transactions offer very good permanent benefits

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.5

Genre: war, action, shooter

Setting: present

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: all vs all matches or duels PvE PvP


Warface is a free to play MMOFPS that's developed by the same studio responsible for popular game franchises such as Far Cry and Crisis. In Warface, the gameplay revolves around the game's four unique classes, which introduces interesting gameplay mechanics including special movement and most importantly team work through dynamic class skills in order to dominate matches.

The game has a plethora of PvE Co-op missions and PvP modes and maps which is great for replayability. This also helps Warface's deep progression systems, as players require experience and currency gains in order to unlock classes, weapons and gear to perform better in matches.

Boosts and permanent weapon unlocks are available in the cash shop which may turn off players, but Warface still offers a ton of fun for casual FPS enthusiasts who enjoys modern day graphics and gameplay in their shooters.

➔ Main points:

  • Four unique classes that caters to different playstyles
  • Large variety of game modes and maps to play on
  • Deep progression systems with XP ranks and currencies
  • New player friendly which encourages learning and teamwork dynamics
  • Very good graphics and customization options

What We Liked..

Countless customization options

Comprehensive tutorial

PVP tournaments

.. and what we didn't

Level-restricted courses

Technical issues

Unresponsive support

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.5


Watch the trailer:

Genre: sports, casual, simulation

Setting: present

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: matches or duels


Winning Putt is a golf simulator set in a realistic environment, published by Bandai Namco and developed on CryEngine. Among other features, it allows players to customize their characters' appearance and gear, and offers three classes to choose from: Power, Accuracy, and Balance.

Players level up and earn gold by completing challenges that allow them to purchase new items. The game's shop offers new golf balls and bags, along with sets of clubs to optimize the gameplay. Factors such as the wind's direction, the slope of the course, the characters' mentality and stamina, and the club equipped define the players' success in each session.

Consumable items, such as edibles and GPS mini-maps, are stored in the golf bag and can be used to revitalize energy or have a better view of the terrain, respectively.

➔ Main points:

  • Club joining bonuses
  • Rich and realistic environments
  • Diverse variables that can affect the ending result
  • PVP tournaments

What We Liked..

Faster gunplay than other games that sets it apart

Good amount of weapon customizations including accessories like keychains

Easy join and leave game lobbies to get into the action quicker

.. and what we didn't

Very generic maps and gameplay features

Not new player friendly as newbie lobbies are empty all the time

Only 5 maps since 2016

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.5


Watch the trailer:

Genre: shooter

Setting: present

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: all vs all matches or duels PvE


Zula is a full 3D, team-based first person shooter that's been out since 2016, developed by IDC Games. The setting for its matches take place in present modern day era, and players can battle it out on a variety of realistic maps from Turkey to Ukraine, and the battlefield designs are strategic.

The gunplay is incredibly fast-paced and shooting feels excellent as bullet sprays are quick. This means enemy players die quicker, resulting in a hectic and frantic feeling in matches. However, the core gameplay is generic and bland as there are only 5 maps. This is further accentuated by the limited amount of game modes that we've already seen in similar games.

Overall, Zula is a decent free to play first person shooter that delivers fast paced action matches if that's what you crave from your FPS games. It has long haul progression systems for player levels to unlock weapon upgrades, in addition to skins and customization from both in-game and cash store to keep you busy.

➔ Main points:

  • Very fast paced gunplay speed that feels incredibly in matches
  • Good progression and customization options for players committed to the long grind
  • Offers daily missions to diversify daily gameplay offering
  • Zero tolerance on cheating and developers take it seriously

What We Liked..

Magic and superpowers makes things interesting

Retains familiar gameplay

Character system offers long term goals

.. and what we didn't

Premium is pretty expensive

Graphics

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.3

Genre: war, shooter

Setting: fantasy, present

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: PvP


CRSED is a grotesque battle royale online shooter that lets you play as one of eight unique hero characters, and each one will offer a different combat style thanks to their skills.

Unlike most generic battle royale games, CRSED has littered its maps with ritual sites offering mythical superpowers and magic abilities (that of course bring advantages to the players who use them), alongside traditional weaponry and... yes, the frying pan.

There's plenty of progression with skill trees for your characters, new seasonal content to keep things fresh, and a cosmetic shop to dress them up when you want to look fancy.

CRSED offers the familiar battle royale gameplay experience with a much-appreciated touch of humour.

➔ Main points:

  • Free to play battle royale shooter that feels familiar
  • Eight character heroes to choose each with unique skills and progression system
  • Plenty of authentic weapons mixed with funny cooking utensils and magic spells
  • Decent player base with a steady stream of new content

What We Liked..

Fun arcade-style shooter levels

Good graphics

.. and what we didn't

PvE campaign too short

Shallow levels

Aggressive cash store with popup ads

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.3

Genre: managerial, shooter

Setting: present

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: PvE PvP


Left To Survive is a free-to-play third-person shooter that incorporates fresh and unique arcade style shooting mechanics with a secondary game mode that involves base management, set in a zombie-filled post-apocalyptic world.

Players will play through a story-driven PvE campaign that contains many different levels where your marksmanship with various weaponry will be put to the test.
Gathering resources and building up your base are the key progression methods, as you need stronger guns and armour to tackle more difficult missions. Other game contents like PvP battles are offered in addition to customization of your character.

While free to play, the cash shop can be obtrusive but overall it's a fun game that offers a nostalgia trip especially due to the arcade feels.

➔ Main points:

  • Free to play arcade style shooter
  • Base management sim included
  • Good graphics and sound design
  • Action-packed and fast-paced

What We Liked..

Relaxing

Colorful

.. and what we didn't

Nothing (if you can live without killing everything that moves)

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.3

Genre: strategy, managerial, simulation

Setting: city, present

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: no fighting


One day you receive a letter from your grandfather asking for your help. A strange stone circle has appeared in the peaceful world of Sunrise Village. The buildings are overgrown with thorny vines and everything else is shrouded in a mysterious thick fog. The events seem to be connected to an ancient story about legendary craftsmen who created six magical crystals to harness their elemental energy. Will you manage to find the crystals? Hurry up and help your grandfather to rebuild the village and uncover its secrets!

Meet friendly villagers on your way and help them repair their houses and workshops. Take care of your adorable farm animals: Chickens and cows need your attention. Harvest vegetables such as peas and produce goods such as hay, plywood, gravel - and even sweets! You'll need these and many other resources to generate energy, rebuild the farm, construct a hot air balloon, travel the countryside and finally solve the mystery of Sunrise Village.

Take a break from hectic city life, enjoy a pristine natural landscape and explore the breathtaking beauty of Sunrise Village, its forest and other locations in the area. Navigate the world map and unlock new areas. Let's go on an adventure!

What We Liked..

Engaging gameplay

Huge customization

Good matchmaking

Cross-platform

.. and what we didn't

Dated graphics

Cash store advantage

3.2 out of 5
Editorial vote: 6.3

Genre: war, action, shooter

Setting: fantasy, present

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: matches or duels PvP


War Robots is a free-to-play, cross-platform online multiplayer shooter that offers an engaging, fast-paced 6v6 PvP action.
The game's huge selection of customizable mech robots, map variety and game modes will offer hours of fun without burdening your wallets.

The gameplay starts on the slower side, but at higher-level matches, mechs will dictate the pace - upgrades to speed, flight and more can turn the tide of the battlefield.

Graphics are on the lower end but that's to be expected for a game that's on both PC and mobiles.
The cash store is unfortunately very influential, and mech robots that cost real money will grant players a huge leg up in battles.
Overall, War Robots is a good time if one is looking for some quick PvP shooter action in a world full of mechs.

➔ Main points:

  • Engaging combat and gameplay
  • Cross-platform matchmaking means quicker queues
  • Tons of customization options to mix weapons and robots
  • Free to play with optional cash shop