Fantasy games

What We Liked..

Generous free to play model

Large playerbase

Steady stream of updates and content

Great sandbox

.. and what we didn't

Not solo friendly

Lacks content diversity

Large world but feels empty

3.8 out of 5
Editorial vote: 7.7

Genre: mmorpg

Setting: fantasy, historical

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: guild or factions matches or duels PvE PvP


When it comes to free to play sandbox MMORPGs, Albion Online stands out. Its top-down isometric gameplay, low-polygonal graphics, huge game world and immersive sandbox systems are its core strengths that keeps its healthy playerbase coming back for more. In Albion, players will grow their classless characters into farmers, crafters, traders or sell-swords, depending on what you want to do which means there's literally something for everyone. While its progression systems are deep and complex, it offers long-term grinds that are worth the effort. Unfortunately, solo players will find it hard to progress far in PvE if they dislike PvP, while large guilds and factions will dominate the economy in different parts of Albion. Overall, it's a solid free to play MMORPG.

➔ Main points:

  • Isometric sandbox MMORPG
  • Free to play with optional premium currency and status
  • Deep and immersive progression systems
  • Grindy but worth the effort especially for PvP end-game
  • Large and active playerbase

What We Liked..

Guardian vs. Guardian hook is unique

Plenty of hero builds and customization

Varied selection of heroes with multiple roles to choose from

Regular updates and new content

.. and what we didn't

Cash shop limits hero selection for new players

Matchmaking limited due to limited players

3.8 out of 5
Editorial vote: 7.5

Genre: action, shooter, MOBA

Setting: fantasy

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: matches or duels


Overview

Your team of five must strategically capture points, called power circles, in order to grant your Guardian enough power to attack the enemy Guardian, at which point you get the awesome privilege of seeing your gigantic creature dart across the map to give the enemy a good walloping, causing the enemy Guardian to become vulnerable to damage. If your Guardian overpowers the enemy’s enough, then it will be instantly wounded, and you won’t even need to attack it yourself. Talk about a sense of satisfaction (or overwhelming weight of your failures if you’re on the other end).
The game currently features 21 heroes, with more arriving as time goes on, and three maps, plus the expected assortment of skins for both heroes and weapons.

➔ Main points:

  • 5v5 skirmishes
  • Fast-paced 3rd person action
  • Contribute to the battle in a wide variety of roles, including tanks, supports, and nukers.
  • Cartoonish, stylized graphics

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

3.5 out of 5
Editorial vote: 7.0

Genre: mmorpg

Setting: fantasy

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: guild or factions matches or duels PvE PvP


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.

➔ Main points:

  • Fully free to play without any restrictions
  • Only four classes but plenty of growth systems to make up for it
  • Aging graphics and game engine
  • Fun PvE group content to counter the bland questing

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

3.5 out of 5
Editorial vote: 7.0

Genre: mmorpg

Setting: fantasy

Graphics: animated artworks

PvP: guild or factions matches or duels PvE PvP


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.

➔ Main points:

  • Completey free to play at launch with optional cash shop
  • Lack of class choices as only two available at launch
  • Very good graphics but it takes a long time to load
  • Plenty of character progression mechanics that may seem overwhelming

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

3.5 out of 5
Editorial vote: 7.0

Genre: cards, strategy

Setting: fantasy, sci-fi

Graphics: animated artworks

PvP: matches or duels


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.

➔ Main points:

  • fun implementation of generals
  • lots of strategic options
  • grid-based movement and positioning
  • great pixel art

What We Liked..

Very solid gameplay

Fun pet system

.. and what we didn't

Aging graphics

Heavy cash shop

3.5 out of 5
Editorial vote: 7.0

Genre: mmorpg

Setting: fantasy

Graphics: animated artworks

PvP: guild or factions matches or duels PvE PvP


Eudemons Online is a classic 2.5D MMORPG that offers traditional gameplay and a unique feature involving pets. Players will acquire, level and raise numerous Eudemons alongside their main classes to be effective in combat. Eudemons have their own skills and abilities that makes each class playthrough unique. The game utilizes traditional browser-like features like auto-pathing, grinding and RNG gear upgrading to name a few. For a free to play title, the cash shop is very influential which is to be expected. Eudemons Online's strength is in its classic gameplay, giving fans of 'Asian Grinder' games a solid game to get hooked onto. It's weak points are the aging engine and graphics, plus the advantageous cash store. Overall, Eudemons Online is a great window into the classic non-3D MMORPG titles of the past, and is worth a look if you're a fan of what it offers.

➔ Main points:

  • 2.5D MMORPG with classic gameplay
  • Fun and interesting pet system
  • Free to play title with optional advantages
  • Plenty of classes to choose from

What We Liked..

Great art and animation

Authentic story

Easy to grasp

Populated servers

.. and what we didn't

Passive combat

Intrusive cash shop

3.5 out of 5
Editorial vote: 7.0

Genre: mmorpg

Setting: fantasy, anime

Graphics: animated artworks

PvP: guild or factions matches or duels PvE PvP


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.

➔ Main points:

  • Gorgeous authentic world and art style based on the Fairy Tail franchise
  • Dozens of pets and companions to collect
  • Turn-based party battle system but passive in design
  • Free to play browser game but expect intrusive cash shop
  • Easy to follow stories and quests for fans but will differ for newcomers

What We Liked..

Addictive gameplay

Active community

Long PvE campaign

Fun PvP

.. and what we didn't

No crossplay feature

High gap between free and paying players

3.5 out of 5
Editorial vote: 7.0

Genre: managerial, strategy, war

Setting: fantasy, historical

Graphics: animated artworks

PvP: guild or factions matches or duels PvE PvP


Hustle Castle is a free to play idle-management RPG that's 2D in nature, taking place in a fantasy medieval setting. Players must build their castle up by constructing and upgrading rooms, each offering progression purposes like food, gold and army training. Dwellers are how players will progress, as these little settlers can be trained and armed, and then sent out on missions in the PvE campaign to bring back all important loot. The game's simple and addictive idle-sim management gameplay will keep you hooked on either the PC or mobile phones. Expect PvP battles, clan features and a cash shop to quicken progression.

➔ Main points:

  • Free idle-management clicker game that's addictive
  • Lengthy PvE campaign that offers fun progression
  • Very active community to socialize with and create clans
  • Simple graphics and gameplay suitable for younger audiences

What We Liked..

Highly addictive combat and game play

Good amount of maps to make up for the small number of game modes

Surprisingly deep progression including skill trees

Crafting and itemization

Good match-making for balanced fights

No pay to win

.. and what we didn't

Long wait times for match queues

Unnecessarily long tutorials

3.5 out of 5
Editorial vote: 7.0

Genre: action, mmorpg

Setting: fantasy

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: matches or duels PvP


Released in 2013, Panzar is a team-based arena PvP MMO that features eight fantasy RPG classes to pick from, and players can fight on a large variety of maps and modes . Panzar is incredibly polished, and its 3D game play emphasizes on skillful combat that's made interesting thanks to the unique skill abilities of each class that resembles an MMORPG or fantasy RPG game. Expect a group composition to comprise of Tanks, damage dealers, healers and even support roles.

While game play is fun and addictive , the semi-low population causes long queues, especially on non prime time. The in-game cash shop on the other hand is a refreshing take on paying to progress , as Panzar's progression revolves around spending time to enhance your class, and not paying for items outright. Overall, Panzar is still a stellar game that could benefit from a shot in the arm and new players.

➔ Main points:

  • PvP team focused arena combat matches
  • Offers PvE in addition to lengthy tutorials to help integrate new players
  • Eight fantasy style class archetypes to play, each with unique skills and progressions
  • No traditional combat targeting which ensures realistic gameplay
  • Pay to progress faster as opposed to pay to win

What We Liked..

Excellent fast-pace action

Fun gunplay and power up systems

Plenty of progression

No pay to win

.. and what we didn't

Champion balance

Uneven match queue times

3.5 out of 5
Editorial vote: 7.0

Genre: shooter, war

Setting: fantasy, sci-fi

Graphics: full 3D

PvP: matches or duels PvP all vs all


Quake Champions is a free to play FPS game that continues the Quake franchises' long history of excellent fast-action team matches and gameplay. The game has over a dozen Champions to play as and each comes with unique weapons and abilities that are customizable the more you play. Progression comes fairly for simply playing the game, and players can unlock more content like cosmetics and additional match modes the higher their rank.

Presentation is fantastic and so is the gameplay, as that familiar power up utilization in matches combined with the frenzied swapping of weapons and quick movement offers some addictive gameplay. The cash shop uses currency awarded from simply playing the game and allows you to purchase cosmetics and there is no pay to win.

➔ Main points:

  • Buttery smooth FPS shooter featuring fast-action gameplay
  • Plenty of progression systems for ranks and Champions
  • Free to play with cash shop not being pay to win
  • Good size Champion roster with high replay value
  • Multiple data centers to pick from based on ping