Games to download

After making several games exclusively for the Korean market, Gameforge has finally released Elsword to the rest of the world, breaking it out from 4 long years of exclusivity for our Asian counterparts.

The game follows a fairly linear plot, with lightweight gameplay that’s just entertaining enough for beginners without the demands of complex gameplay or narrative. Starting up, you choose from six characters who must immediately go off in search of fragments of the El stone, a powerful crystal that brings life and prosperity to the land.

The gameplay itself is a mix of action and side-scrolling platforms where, within various dungeons, you’ll punch up monsters with a flick of your fingers across the keys.

Graphically, the game puts up a cheery disposition but really lacks in detail, appearing more like a badly animated comic strip than an actual 3D game up to the standard of modern titles.

Elsword is a game that’s lightly fun but far from excellent, catering mainly to those who are happy to make do for free and spam punches at any beast or human within reach. You know what they say - without infamy and without praise.

Beyond The Void is a free to play 1v1 MOBA that infuses RTS mechanics for a solid, fun and addictive gameplay. Matches are all about destroying the enemy's Mothership, while ensuring yours survives to upgrade, build and gather resources on an excellent evolving map that orbits around the sun.

The graphics are very attractive and the game run smoothly, but could use a better new player tutorial as the learning curve is high. The game also uses Ethereum blockchain to manage the in-game economy, allowing players to obtain cash shop cosmetics to be freely sold or traded with other players using the blockchain which creates a non pay to win environment.

➔ Main points:

• 1v1 free to play MOBA with RTS elements
• High replay value due to map placements constantly moving
• No pay to win cash store due to blockchain technology
• Excellent graphics and aesthetics

LOTRO is a fun MMORPG for the casual RPG player or the Tolkien fan. The world has plenty of content with many skirmishes to be had, dungeons to explore and raids to wage or defend against. Unfortunately, a lot of this content requires either spending real money or an absurd amount of time to unlock.

The quests of the game and the environments they take place in are visually engaging - picturesque and sweeping or dark and creepy, but always atmospheric.

Hardcore gamers or those looking for a game with challenging end game content, however, should look elsewhere.

Age of Wulin is a free-to-play MMORPG directly from China off of which all of the game's lore and environment is based. Age of Wulin’s gameplay also has a strong Chinese base, featuring martial art moves and abilities in place of the usual fantasy setting and abilities that are found in MMORPGs.

Once you create your character the game lets you pick one out of eight Schools of martial arts which decide the base attributes to which your character will have access . Luckily every skill is available to each class, leaving the game with a lot of customization.

Periodically Age of Wulin adds new content in the form of competitions which are
essential to your success, building your School based stats and also giving you access to new skills You have the choice to either improve your hand-to-hand combat skills or instead, other equally important disciplines that have their own advantages compared to hand-to-hand combat.

If you're interested in a world of Oriental legend proportions, Age of Wulin is a game you must try

Heavy Metal Machines is a 4v4 vehicle PVP game that's set in a post-apocalyptic world. Players compete in team matches using one of three car classes, and the objective is for one car on either team to pick up and deliver the bomb to destroy the opponent's base, while the other cars get to work on stopping each other. Matches are fast-paced and incredibly fun to play thanks to the game's one of a kind mechanics.

There are two game modes currently which is a little low, but more will be added in time. The game also uses progression mechanics for players to earn currency to gain ranks and purchase better performing cars from the in-game store without spending real money. When it comes to presentation, Heavy Metal Machines scores very high points for graphics, setting and atmosphere. Overall, it's a fantastic free to play MMO that is likely to keep players hooked for a long time to come.

➔ Main points:

• Unique concept that's very original and fun to play
• Great visuals and audio for a free to play game
• Wide selection of vehicles
• Unobtrusive cash shop without pay to win elements

Hazard Ops is a third person shooter MMO developed by Yingpei Games and released by Infernum. A spiritual successor to the highly popular Mercenary Ops (and actually called Mercenary Ops 2 in some markets), it is a well-made title chock full of content and variety for the shooter fan.

Choose between PvP or PvE to play in teams either against other players or against waves of mercenaries, zombies and pretty much any enemy imaginable – Hazard Ops has them all. Battles themselves are fast paced and thrilling, arenas where every second and move count. The maps are truly impressive and can be combined with the range of different play modes expected from any decent shooter nowadays.

While the weapons and gear you get by playing the game will get you through the beginner stages and PvE, those looking to compete seriously in the PvP ranks will likely have to pay real money.

When playing Skyforge, you can’t help but feel appreciative of what the creators were doing: the foundation for Skyforge itself is based around really unique concepts.

The multi-class system, the interesting storyline, the beautifully animated environment and vast character customization skills come together for quite the impact.

The flaws in this game (mostly regarding PvP balancing) are not big enough to overwhelm all the great aspects of this new MMORPG, which has a lot to offer both to players looking for something new and for those who are looking for a traditional RPG experience.

Skyforge trapped me in this elaborate world that continues to prove itself worth it.

➔ Main points:

• 2015 MMORPG with great graphics and action combo-based combat system.
• A fantasy universe mixed with sci-fi elements.
• Possibility to become a God, with divine superpowers and followers all over the world.
• Several different PvP modes.
• Change your character's class anywhere and at any time as long as you aren't in combat.

DC Universe Online is a great superhero MMORPG that's free to play and features many solid systems such as a fluid combat mechanic and deep character customization system to create the perfect superhero.

The world of DC Universe Online is also rich and authentic, which players who've read all the comics and watched the movie adaptations can certainly appreciate. Almost all iconic characters such as Batman, Superman and The Joker make appearances, and in fan-favorite locations such as Gotham City and Metropolis.

Overall, DC Universe Online is a solid MMORPG for a five year old game, and offers hours of fun on the PC or consoles

➔ Main points:

• Nonrestrictive character creation system
• Good action based combat system
• The console friendly factor
• Authentic DC Universe lore and world that stays true to the comics

Strife is a new MOBA by S2 Games, the maker of Heroes of Newerth. Despite its name, Strife has been trumpeted as the answer to the MOBA genre’s highly competitive - even toxic – community, and playing the game it’s easy to see why. S2 have worked hard to create a softer, more accessible game without compromising on the key elements that make MOBAs so enjoyable.

From changing the farming system so that gold is shared among team members when one makes a successful kill, to the introduction of a rating system that rewards good behavior and bans multiple offenders from in-game chat, Strife is all about encouraging team play and a friendlier online environment. Gamers who love a serious challenge might prefer to stick to the high-stakes play in other MOBAs, but Strife is perfect for new and casual gamers.

It may be easier, but that doesn’t mean it’s without challenge. Strife does try to change things up. There is a giant ape who can be freed by one side to wreak havoc on the other, super useful pet companions to train and customise and a crafting system that rewards loyal players. Far from just being a novice version of a regular MOBA, Strife is a serious step in a more positive direction for the genre, and a great opening point to any gamer who’s hung back from MOBAs so far.

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.