What We Liked..
Fully free to play
Good dungeons and raids
Plenty of collection systems
.. and what we didn't
Disappointing story and quests
Aging graphics and visuals
Cash store reliant
Blood Rites is a free to play Asian fantasy MMORPG, first released in 2011. The game features a tab-target combat system, four classes and plenty of progression systems to sink your teeth into. These include weapon enchantments and the more popular Elf companion system, which lets you increase attributes with pets. In the content department, the game's PvE dungeons and raids is where you'll have the most fun, as opposed to the unbalanced PvP modes and a bland story and questing experience to level cap. Graphics and visuals doesn't do Blood Rites any favors, but players actively looking for a classic MMORPG won't mind that too much. Elswhere, the in-game cash shop can be obtrusive if you want to be a competitive player, but otherwise the game is completely playable as a free title.
What We Liked..
Fluid Combat
Engaging Story
Fantastic PvP
Great Graphics
Solid Free to Play Model
.. and what we didn't
PvE leaves a little to be desired
Large download
Requires a pretty good Computer
Watch the trailer:
Prepare to team up with friends and take on the world of Tyria in Guild Wars 2, a fantastically unique MMORPG.
With its first major expansion, Heart of Thorns, release in late 2015, ArenaNet’s highly acclaimed Guild Wars 2 has finally implemented a free to play option.
Making it easier than ever to experience the game’s gripping player driven story and visceral action based combat.
So strap in and prepare to experience one of the great MMOs of the last ten years, Guild Wars 2.
What We Liked..
Interesting free to play alternative to official Pokemon games
Fresh concept and ideas
Large amount of players and servers
.. and what we didn't
Takes some time before gameplay becomes fun
Risk of getting shut down
Imbalanced PvP
Pokemon Mega is an unofficial Pokemon RPG adventure game that is inspired by the classic series from Nintendo's legendary franchise. The gamplay includes familiar systems from the originals, but adds plenty of good ideas like open world PvP, a gear system and more to make it different from the paid games.
Pokemon Mega also functions like a proper browser MMO with world chat, guild functionality and PvP tournaments. The graphics and art style are for the most part authentic, but the game changes quite a few things about the Pokemon such as altering base types and attacks. For a free to play game with a cash shop, the game can be fun but it takes a while to overcome to autonomy of the early game levels.
What We Liked..
The warframes
Great mix of genres
Outstanding graphics
.. and what we didn't
Mediocre co-op
Predictable missions
Watch the trailer:
Playing Warframe is as close to being a ninja as many of us will get. Set in a sci-fi universe full of insane alien enemies, you'll have to count on your powerful exo-skeleton to survive.
The gameplay is an interesting mix of classic third person shooter and action, with some undoubtedly enjoyable RPG-like features. You can play co-op with friends or take on one of the many available missions solo.
Graphics are beautiful and due to the game’s proprietary engine, you won’t need a beefy rig to run it. Updates are released regularly so even more fun is to come.
Warframe is a great free-to-play title with a hectic pace and rewarding weapons. It has a plethora of progression options to keep you engaged. Most of all, though, it's a blast to play. Moment to moment gameplay is intense, face paced, and visceral.
What We Liked..
Highly realistic thanks to modern day setting and accurate depiction of military units
Active player base with Alliances recruiting across all game worlds
Dynamic weather system that can change battle outcomes
Achievement system that's uncommon for this type of game
.. and what we didn't
Slower than usual progression to encourage the purchase of premium Diamonds to speed things up
High learning curve for players that aren't familiar with military language
Graphics and artwork aren't the best to look at
No horizontal progression such as Champions to break the waiting game monotony
Watch the trailer:
Desert Operations is a highly realistic military themed strategy game that is free to play and has a modern day setting. The gameplay revolves around familiar strategy mechanics such as building, researching, resource management and real time-based PvP warfare. The game worlds are populated and advancing your nation is a fun challenge as players navigate through mechanics like a dynamic weather system that could change the outcome of battles. In addition to that, joining social Alliances will be crucial for the late game, but there are there things to do like hunting Achievements which is rare for games of this genre.
Other aspects of Desert Operations aren't the best such as graphics and aesthetics, but that won't matter too much if you're used to browser-based strategy games. While Desert Operations is easy to jump into, it does have a high learning curve for non-military enthusiasts and there is a very slow rate of progression which encourages you to spend real money on Diamonds to progress things like building or recruiting faster.
What We Liked..
Fun combat system
Great graphics for a browser game
Not required to buy anything from cash shop
.. and what we didn't
Takes a long time to load graphics
Limited class choices
Repetitive gameplay and questing
Dark Omen is a high fantasy browser-based MMORPG that pits you and other heroes against a demon invasion and you must save your world. The game is free to play and features in-depth MMORPG systems like PvE dungeons, PvP arenas, Guilds and more which is great for browser players.
The game offers limited class choices at launch, but makes up for it with very good graphics and combat mechanics. Content isn't original, but offers enough progression such as upgrading mounts, gear and more to keep players interested at the end-game.
What We Liked..
Immersive sci-fi atmosphere
RTS elements
A lot of complexity for hardcore gamers
.. and what we didn't
Difficult for beginners
Small community (but it's still a closed beta)
Watch the trailer:
When reviewing a MOBA in 2015, the n. #1 question to address is: do we really need another one? Is there anything original enough to make it worth playing? The short answer, in Supernova's case, is yes.
Apart from the original-but-not-so-much sci-fi \ space setting (which at least is not the same ol' fantasy one), Supernova brings an appreciated dose of strategy and complexity thanks to its RTS elements: minions don't spawn at predefined intervals to follow the same, computer-defined path, but are controlled directly by players.
You'll have a tech tree to research, and resources to spend to buy the most appropriate units for your objectives, just like in a RTS game.
This really adds a lot of gameplay opportunities, and we're sure that hardcore players looking for a deep, complex game will find in Supernova a great fit.
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..
Large group PvP options
Extensive character customization options
Beautiful graphics
.. and what we didn't
Flawed level system
Disconnected world
Slow progression
Unlock the mysterious and unknown treasures hidden around the realm of Nexus, in this massively multiplayer, sci-fi fantasy online role-playing game.
Wildstar takes place on planet Nexus, where a powerful race known as the Eldan have disappeared, leaving behind wealth and technology for you to explore - and now it’s completely free.
Wildstar was created by Carbine Studios and went free-to-play on September 29, 2015, removing its required subscription-based feature.
After 8 long months of redevelopment, Carbine is now handing every player a metaphorical key, in which a fictional world filled with action-based combat awaits you.
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
Watch the trailer:
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.