What We Liked..
Turn-based combat
Family friendly
Good story
Immersive atmosphere
.. and what we didn't
Dated graphics
Arbritrary side quests
F2P restrictions
Wizard101 is a free to play and family friendly MMO that puts players in the shoes of a wizard. In the graphically pleasing world of Spiral, players will use magic that's determined by their school of choice in turn-based combat using a deck of cards which provides for a fun and strategic combat experience.
Questing in Wizard101 feels like a grand adventure that will be familiar to Harry Potter fans, and the game's story is funny and well written with voice acting to boot.
It may be free to play, but the game does have restrictions on the amount of play areas, so players will have to front some money monthly if they want to access to areas and advance the stories.
As a whole, Wizard101 is great MMO that is suitable for kids and adults, providing a lot of magical fun through it's gameplay and story.
What We Liked..
Simple but incredibly rewarding gameplay
Beautifully modelled aircraft
.. and what we didn't
Graphically good but not great
Loses out to War Thunder
World of Warplanes is an MMO developed by Wargaming and joins the ranks of older title, World of Tanks. The game puts vehicles and land aside to focus on what happens in the skies, putting the player in the cockpit of numerous aircraft.
The game is extremely accessible and you will find yourself making air manoeuvres like a pro in a matter of minutes. The driving mechanics are very intuitive and allow easy and complete control over your craft with just a handful of keystrokes.
Graphically the title is well done, even if it falls short of true excellence. As players who have played World of Tanks might already expect, aircraft are highly detailed and modelled to a level of accuracy that, in some instances, approaches photorealism.
World of Warplanes is a great title and an important addition to Wargaming’s trilogy, soon to be completed with the upcoming World of Warships.
What We Liked..
Amazing visuals
Immersive storyline
Lots of strategy despite the "Idle" component
.. and what we didn't
Gacha system can be frustrating
AFK Journey invites players into the enchanting realm of Esperia, a vibrant world teeming with adventure and mystery. The game falls in the idle RPG category, offering a pleasant blend of strategic gameplay and immersive storytelling.
From the moment players set foot in Esperia, they are greeted by stunning visuals that breathe life into every corner of the world. Lush landscapes, intricate character designs, and fluid animations create an immersive experience that captivates the senses.
At its core, AFK Journey offers a strategic idle gameplay experience, allowing players to progress through various game modes with minimal hands-on interaction. By assembling teams of heroes with unique abilities and attributes, players engage in battles against AI opponents or other players, with an autoplay feature simplifying the process while still offering depth for those seeking a challenge.
A key aspect of AFK Journey is its emphasis on team composition and synergy. Players must strategically build and optimize their teams to overcome challenges, whether facing off against powerful bosses, competing in PvP battles, or navigating the treacherous Arcane Labyrinth.
Deep RPG progression systems allow for customization and strengthening of heroes over time, adding depth to the gameplay experience.
Players can of course join guilds, participate in cooperative battles, and compete for rewards alongside friends and fellow adventurers.
What We Liked..
Original PVP system
Breathtaking graphics
Limitless character creation system
.. and what we didn't
Quests lack variety
Huge download
Showing its age
Aion is a truly massive MMORPG in terms of size as well as scope. This formerly pay-to-play game attempts to reinvent the usual MMORPG experience through its original gameplay which allows the player to explore its world in an interesting new way.
The game offers players a chance to take a side in the conflict between two opposing races, the Asmodians and the Elyos. There is a classic struggle of good (Elyos) over evil (the Asmodians) as the races are in essence angels and devils.
The game earns its place among MMO juggernauts thanks to its great graphics and unique flight system.
What We Liked..
Very colorful
Easy to pick up and play
.. and what we didn't
Childlike
Still in beta
No PVP until level 40
Watch the trailer:
Aura Kingdom is a fantasy MMORPG published by Aeria Games on a free-to-play format. The closed beta was released in 2013 while the open beta was released in 2014. The game is very colorful and rather cute.
This game offers you the chance to become the hero that saves the universe of Aura Kingdom from the grips of evil as well as from the bandits who, after being expelled for years have now returned with even more power than ever. The game lets you choose one of 8 different classes and one of 7 different companions , or “Ediolons” who fight at your side. The game has something for all different tastes, leaving the player with a remarkable sense of choice.
The game is most suited for children as most of the human characters in the game are young. It seems the makers of the game tried to appeal to younger gamers and kind of set aside the wants of more mature, sophisticated gamers. Taking into consideration the more RPG like choices and battle system, it's best for each individual player to form their own opinions about the game's childlike traits.
What We Liked..
Real-time combat
Great graphics and overall atmosphere
Extensive world map
.. and what we didn't
Too much base-building
Occasional issues with voice acting synchronization
Call of Dragons immerses players in the fantastical world of Tamaris, offering a blend of strategic combat, kingdom-building, and immersive storytelling.
As a player, you take on the role of a commander responsible for developing a village, training troops, and taming ferocious dragons and behemoths (!) to aid in battles.
The game features a vast 3.88 million square kilometer 3D map filled with diverse biomes and terrains, ensuring endless exploration and strategic opportunities
Players can choose from various factions such as elves, mages, and warriors, each offering unique abilities and strategic advantages. The game’s combat system is both engaging and strategic, requiring players to carefully manage their troops, utilize different unit types, and deploy powerful heroes equipped with magical artifacts
The game also boasts a robust PvP element, where players can engage in large-scale battles against other players, join guilds, and participate in guild wars.
Additionally, the presence of majestic behemoths like dragons and hydras adds a thrilling layer to the gameplay, as these creatures can be tamed and used in combat, providing significant advantages during battles.
The real-time strategic combat provides a much-needed distraction from the typical base-building mechanics that could otherwise end up being too repetitive.
What We Liked..
Easy to play
Low system requirements
Satisfying progression
.. and what we didn't
Perhaps <em>too</em> automated
Typical Chinese grind
Thin population
Dragon Lord is a turn-based, browser MMORPG that does most of the work for you but still leaves you with plenty of choices to make and loot to claim.
Most of the actual gameplay is automated except for multiplayer dungeons – you have to actually participate in those. Solo adventures though, they can all play out automatically: yes, you can choose how to queue up attacks with your primary hero, but 99% of the time you will just set it to auto and watch as your party lays waste.
There is still some strategy involved though, especially when it comes to maximizing both your character and party power.
What We Liked..
Bright and colorful world
Upbeat music
Fun Sprite companions
.. and what we didn't
The world is too big and you often play by yourself
Repetitive and bland quests
Very low player base
Unbalanced economy
Almost approaching its' tenth birthday, Grand Fantasia is an F2P Anime MMORPG that doesn't reinvent the wheel of the genre but follows the 'If it isn't broke, don't fix it" mentality.
Pleasantly cheerful music, and a game world that is bright and colorful, Grand Fantasia's art style holds up well. What doesn't, is the PVE and PVP content. Quests in Grand Fantasia are painstakingly boring and what's left of the PVE content is little more than level grinding for PVP.
PVP is all but inaccessible to anyone but high-level players, and the P2W game model the game uses makes PVP very unbalanced, as all the top Pkers have spent real-life money to give themselves a huge advantage over the competition and grant themselves powerful end-game gear. PVP is the best part about Grand Fantasia, but unless you spend money, you don't stand a chance.
The game is dead and that makes it hard to recommend. A new server, Siwa was released 5 months ago, and it is already a ghost town. A world full of lively things is now lifeless.
What We Liked..
Modern Graphics
Funny and laid-back atmosphere
Puzzles!
.. and what we didn't
Some features still need to be polished (the game is in Open Beta)
Hawked is a free-to-play online shooter released (in Open Beta) in November 2023.
It catapults players into the heart of X-Isle's untamed chaos, blending humor, mayhem, and the thrill of treasure hunting.
The game's strength lies in its dynamic gameplay—loot, upgrade gear, and engage in strategic battles against both AI-controlled Disciples and other player-controlled Renegades. The map, although filled with lizards, provides ample room for exploration, gearing up, and solving brain-teasing puzzles seamlessly integrated into the environment.
While the aesthetics might borrow heavily from popular trends, the game's quirks and charms overshadow any lack of distinct identity. Movement mechanics and gunplay may need refinement, but the overall experience hints at the potential for a gaming gem.
What We Liked..
Clean user interface
Rich gameplay
Animated villagers and artwork
.. and what we didn't
No sound or music
Slow progression
Ikariam is an animated, historically-themed 2D browser-game that features a rich strategy game experience involving resource management, multiplayer PVP and empire building. The game advances in real time and while progression is slow, the gameplay offers plenty of choices for the player when it comes to being the ruler of their township on an island that is ripe for any plans of expansion.
Graphically, Ikariam is pleasant to look at with good graphics and surprisingly has animated motions of villagers getting to work and constructing buildings or collecting resources. Unfortunately, the lack of in-game sounds and music may be an immersion buzzkill for some players.
Ultimately, Ikariam is a great strategy game that players can play for no cost, even in the presence of an advantageous cash shop.