Games to download

Shaiya holds a place in many people’s hearts as the first MMO they’ve ever played. And as such, people looking back on it today might be viewing it through those dark-tinted nostalgia glasses which may obscure their objectivity when talking about it.

Over 11 years since its’ release, does Shaiya hold up? In a way (Private servers), yes, but for the most part, Shaiya is as dead as an MMO can get. The way it works with old-school MMOs is they either need to have a large enough player base to keep them going, or they need to modernize with the times to draw in newer players.

Shaiya does neither. Few veterans of the game are left, and the changes that the developers have made to the game over the years have only pushed old-school players away even more. There’s nothing on offer here that the new generation of gamers won’t find somewhere else. Somewhere better. The uniqueness of Ultimate Mode, is little more than a novelty feature now, and the P2W aspects of the PVP just kill the game, despite its’ potential. Shaiya still has its’ high points, but the official game is long past its’ prime.

➔ Main points:

• Downloadable F2P traditional MMORPG
• Good versus Evil, Faction-based PVP battles
• Permadeath Ultimate Mode Difficulty
• Heavily P2W PVP
• Very low player base on official servers, dead community
• Fairly active community on private servers

Black Desert Online is an open world sandbox MMORPG that features Asian style graphics and some of the best action combat in any MMO game to-date. The graphics ranging from environment designs to the character creator is top notch.

There’s plenty of content for players to soak their teeth into for both PvE and PvP. Besides the decent amount of class choices, players can also dive into Life Skills, which is a refreshing take on crafting systems within the MMORPG genre. One great aspect of Black Desert Online is that it rewards you for simply playing the game and doing the activities you enjoy most, as players gain a multitude of XP and points to spend that progresses their characters further. The game does offer something for every playstyle.

Overall, Black Desert Online is the poster child and an excellent example of a Buy to Play Asian MMORPG that’s done right. It may have its issues such as the heavy grind and over reliance on RNG and luck, but the game deserves to be played nonetheless.

➔ Main points:

• Addictive fast paced action combat MMORPG
• Excellent character creator and graphics
• Huge open sandbox world with no loading screens between zones
• Free content updates and expansions
• Large population and active in-game community

S4League is a unique looking third person anime style shooter that gives manga fans a platform to express their love for both Neo-Tokyo art syle and shooter games. S4League offers a variety of PvP game modes in addition to PvE Story and challenge modes, but the true superstar are the unorthodox match modes like Chaser and Touchdown, which offers some refreshing objectives that are uncommon in shooters.

From a graphics standpoint, the game is unfortunately dated in several areas, especially with animations and the clunky menu UI. Player populations aren't very high either, and that could be down to the game's age. On a more positive note, for loyal and long term players, there are many things to collect and achieve as progression goes way beyond gear and equipment with the addition of collectible cards, costumes and character avatars. Overall, S4League is a fun and stylish game in small doses if one can overlook its age.

➔ Main points:

• Neo-Tokyo inspired anime cartoon art style that manga fans will appreciate
• Long term gameplay is provided thanks to multiple collection systems
• Fun melee and ranged combat all blend into one
• Dedicated servers in many regions for better latency options

Magic: The Gathering Arena is a free to play online digital card game that offers the same cards, authenticity and fun that the table top version does. With only one game mode available in the open beta, 1v1 matches are still good fun as finding matches are quick due to plenty of players. Progression is a key feature as players play more to unlock new cards and decks for deck-building, which is a staple of Magic:The Gathering. While it doesn't offer anything extra to stand out from other online card games, Magic is arguably the card game that started the genre, and in that regard it doesn't need to be unique or special other than to give players an authentic game experience to supplement the physical version, which it does.

➔ Main points:

• Authentic Magic: The Gathering game that uses real cards, rules and features from the tabletop version.
• Only one game mode available right now in open beta.
• Large player-base due to the franchise's popularity.
• Free to play with optional cash shop.

Dauntless is a free to play monster hunting MMO that lets players hunt solo or in groups to take down the world's most dangerous behemoths. The combat system is deep and tactical due to a good range of weapons and combos available, while fights are engaging as hunts take a long time to complete. The result is a rewarding experience overall. The game offers RPG elements like crafting systems and gear progression to chase, and the world is gorgeous thanks to its marriage of cartoon art-styles with gritty and realistic textures for its monsters, armor and environments. Dauntless is an incredibly polished and exciting alternative to paid monster hunting games out currently.

➔ Main points:

• Free to play MMO with gorgeous graphics and art-style
• Engaging combat system that blends action and tactical combos
• Cash shop is stocked with cosmetics and no pay to win
• Can be played solo or with groups to diversify your monster hunts

Conquer Online sets itself apart early from its MMORPG brethren (including its own incredibly similar titles) by offering a large range of character classes to play, though other than choosing the gender there isn't much other customisation available. Still, whether you pick the graceful Water Taoist or the burly Warrior, TQ Online will set you up with a unique set of specialties and characteristics. And, thanks to the Reborn feature, which allows you to pick a new class with better attributes once you hit level 120, you'll get plenty of opportunity to explore all of them.

PvP is where the game really excels, offering a load of modes, challenges and activities for you to battle together or against your fellow players. Most notable is the violent PK Mode, where you can gain experience and gold by slaughtering any player in sight, while also earning yourself a reputation that might see you hunted down by bounty hunters.

Conquer Online's graphics are a let down, blocky, outdated, and made worse by an often cluttered user interface. Another sore point is the cash shop, which allows paying players to get a huge advantage with otherwise unattainable rare items and bonuses. However, a large community of non-paying players helps even this out, and makes the game an overall positive experience for lovers of PvP combat.

Embark on the immersive world of Naraka: Bladepoint, a distinctive battle royale game released in August 2021 and converted to Free-to-Play in late 2023 by 24 Entertainment and NetEase Games Montreal. Set on Morus Island, the game accommodates up to 60 players, allowing them to choose from a diverse roster of heroes, each equipped with unique skills.

Naraka: Bladepoint stands out with its focus on martial arts-inspired melee combat and a rock-paper-scissors combat system, creating a dynamic and challenging gameplay experience.

Whether venturing solo or teaming up in trios, players navigate the island, adapting to a shrinking safe zone and strategic encounters with other squads.

With a global player base surpassing 6 million copies sold, the game transitioned to a free-to-play model, extending its reach across PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PlayStation 5 platforms.

Naraka: Bladepoint offers an engaging and accessible entry into the world of battle royale, where players can enjoy the thrill of combat and strategic gameplay in a visually captivating environment.

➔ Main points:

• Martial Arts Mayhem: Get ready for melee combat like you've never seen! It's like Bruce Lee meets a rock-paper-scissors showdown, with weapons, grappling hooks, and skills that'll make you go "whoa!"
• Solo or Trio Tango: Play it your way - solo or team up with two buddies. Because why fight alone when you can have a squad with you? Teamwork makes the dream work, baby!
• Chaos on Morus Island: Explore, fight, and survive on this crazy island. As the safe zone shrinks, the shadow corruption spreads, and you'll be praying at Buddhist sites, dodging enemies, and respawning like it's a wild, action-packed game of tag.
• Global Gaming Galore: With over 6 million copies sold worldwide, Naraka: Bladepoint is strutting its stuff on PC, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PlayStation 5. Plus, it went free-to-play, so now everyone can join the party without breaking the bank!

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.

Twin Saga is the latest high fantasy setting MMORPG to come out from Asia and offers a promising outlook for the genre by putting the power of choice in the hands of the player. rassembler du matériel ou forger. The game features 10 different classes that players can swap between freely at any time without cost or restriction. Player housing also takes a different approach – the Terracottage is a mobile house that can move like mounts, and is a place where guilds and friends can hang out, gather materials and even craft.

If you enjoyed games like Final Fantasy, Ragnarok and Kingdom Hearts, Twin Saga’s 3D art style and animations will definitely appeal to you as it hovers between anime and cartoon, but the graphics do look a little aged which is surprising.

Overall, Twin Saga is a fairly good MMORPG that contains rich lore and story that is complemented by a fast-paced action combat system that suits the art style. There’s plenty to do in PVE ranging from hidden quests, Astral Adventures and Dungeons, while the competitive players can try their hand at PVP in arenas or battlegrounds. Ultimately, Twin Saga should be credited for its fresh approach but doesn’t do enough to stand out from the MMORPG crowd.

➔ Main points:

• Ability to switch classes without restrictions or cost
• Story-driven MMORPG
• No pay to win in cash shop
• Mobile player housing

Conqueror's Blade is hybrid blend of medieval MMO gameplay and deep tactical warfare, which places your characters in kingdoms that you'll represent in this feudal age. You'll play as a Warlord, utilizing a chosen class inspired from both Eastern and Western cultures. In its PvE, you'll level up your class, gaining skills and recruiting units for the looming battles ahead. In PvP, expect fun 15 versus 15 siege battles where you and other Warlords fight for regional supremacy that results in better crafting yields, trading opportunities and fame. Conqueror's Blade is a free and unique MMO, but not one without its flaws.

➔ Main points:

• Free to play medieval tactical MMO
• Good choice of classes that makes combat feel unique
• Fast matchmaking ensures no downtime
• Siege battles offers exciting and competitive gameplay