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..
Magic and superpowers makes things interesting
Retains familiar gameplay
Character system offers long term goals
.. and what we didn't
Premium is pretty expensive
Graphics
CRSED is a grotesque battle royale online shooter that lets you play as one of eight unique hero characters, and each one will offer a different combat style thanks to their skills.
Unlike most generic battle royale games, CRSED has littered its maps with ritual sites offering mythical superpowers and magic abilities (that of course bring advantages to the players who use them), alongside traditional weaponry and... yes, the frying pan.
There's plenty of progression with skill trees for your characters, new seasonal content to keep things fresh, and a cosmetic shop to dress them up when you want to look fancy.
CRSED offers the familiar battle royale gameplay experience with a much-appreciated touch of humour.
What We Liked..
Plenty of popular heroes to collect
Very accessible
Decent graphics
.. and what we didn't
Cash shop reliant to bypass grinds
Dark Genesis is a free to play browser-based idle MMORPG which lets you collect popular demigods as heroes: if you've always wanted to see Loki, Shiva and Anubis battle side by side against hordes of enemies, then Dark Genesis is the game for you.
Its party battle system will let you unlock and collect a large variety of popular entities that span across different fantasy icons, cultural heroes and more: you'll form a party of these heroes and challenge opponents in PvE and PvP battles through a series of map stages.
Outside of battle mode, the sky castle map is your home base which unlocks new features as you level up, letting you get access to new buildings and infrastructures that will make you progress faster-
As an added bonus, there's a charm to the game with its decent graphics and easy accessibility
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..
Excellent graphics
fighting and gameplay seems quite original.
.. and what we didn't
Absence of PvP makes the game uni-dimensional
Buildings look similar to each other.
Watch the trailer:
Genre: strategy, war, managerial
Setting: city, fantasy, historical
Graphics: animated artworks
PvP: no fighting PvE
A browser-based strategy, city-building game, Elvenar allows you to play as either humans, or elves, while taking control of your civilization's economy and army.
The game starts off with a Town Hall, but as with other city building games, the settlement can be expanded, constructing roads and buildings in the process.
Elvenar doesn't require a player to over-commit to the game, and you can 'come and go' as often as you like through the day and manage your city step by step. To make things easy, there is no PvP mode in the game, so players don't get attacked every now and then, and don't have to log on and play to defend the city.
The absence of a PvP mode in Elvenar is made up for by a truly engaging PvE experience where you can fight battles which aren't fully automated like in many other similar, yet boring games.
The combat is turn based where you have to use a lethal strategy to beat your opponent using an army of fighters with varying skills and abilities.
What We Liked..
Huge open sandbox world
Non-linear progression
Can earn real life money
.. and what we didn't
Real money for faster advancement
Complicated for new players
Entropia Universe is a free to play, open world sandbox MMORPG that is unlike most games in the genre. Entropia Universe utilizes a simulation-driven gameplay where players are encouraged to explore their new home world planets and progress their characters through activities such as hunting, mining and crafting. There are no traditional quests and a main story, but players can instead take part in a real cash economy, and invest real money within the game to make profit over time.
From a graphic's standpoint, Entropia Universe does look decent for a game made in 2003, and has had it's engine upgraded. However, players who've played modern MMORPG's may find the graphics to be below par, and may struggle with the complicated UI system. Overall, Entropia Universe offers an alternative way to have fun in an MMORPG that doesn't rely on traditional theme park mechanics.
What We Liked..
Authentic Game of Thrones experience
Refreshing gameplay
Great graphics
.. and what we didn't
Obtrusive cash shop
Difficult for solo players
Watch the trailer:
Game of Thrones: Winter Is Coming is the officially licensed Game of Thrones browser game featuring many places and characters so loved by the TV series fans.
The game is authentic, fun, and quite a challenge.
Kingdom building is what you'll be doing the most, but there are also some very welcomed and interesting gameplay elements like real-time 3D battles (in the style of an MMORTS game).
The graphics are phenomenal and the soundtrack is on par with the amazing one of the TV show.
While it is very unforgiving to solo players, the game shines in group play with its stellar Alliance System that promotes teamwork to reach the end-game and rule the Iron Throne.
Overall, this is a solid free-to-play browser game that every fan of the TV show should at least try.
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..
Engaging turn-based combat
Rich and immersive storyline
Diverse and detailed environments and lore
.. and what we didn't
No adrenaline with the turn-based combat
Initial learning curve
Honkai: Star Rail is a free-to-play, turn-based role-playing online game developed by HoYoverse, already known for its flagship game Genshin Impact. Set in a vibrant sci-fi universe, players traverse diverse worlds aboard the Astral Express, engaging in strategic battles and uncovering a rich narrative.
Honkai: Star Rail propels players into a universe teeming with adventure, mystery, and a dash of interstellar whimsy, shifting gears from real-time action to a more strategic, turn-based combat system, offering a fresh yet familiar experience for both veterans and newcomers.
The game introduces you to the Astral Express, a cosmic locomotive that serves as your gateway to a multitude of worlds, each with its own unique aesthetic and lore. From the icy expanses of Jarilo-VI to the bustling, futuristic cityscapes of the Xianzhou Luofu, the environments are crafted with meticulous detail, making exploration a visual treat.
Combat in Honkai: Star Rail is where strategy enthusiasts will find their playground. The turn-based system requires thoughtful team composition and skill synergy. Each character brings distinct abilities to the table, and mastering their interplay can lead to satisfying victories against the game’s diverse array of adversaries. The inclusion of elemental affinities and status effects adds layers of depth, ensuring that battles remain engaging as you progress.
Narratively, the game doesn't shy away from complexity. The storyline is rich with interwoven character arcs, political intrigue, and philosophical musings on the nature of civilization and the cosmos. Side quests and character-specific missions further expand the lore, providing a comprehensive understanding of the game's universe.
However, it's worth noting that, like many free-to-play games, Honkai: Star Rail incorporates a gacha system for character and equipment acquisition. While it's entirely possible to enjoy the game without spending money, progression can be slower, and obtaining specific characters may require patience or luck.
What We Liked..
Good Crafting
Fun Guardian System
.. and what we didn't
Poor Graphics
Confusing HUD
No tutorials
Watch the trailer:
Last Chaos is a bit of an oddity. Despite its age and dwindling popularity it seems to preserve in an MMO ecosystem rife with other choices. It’s a relic of a bygone era, and maybe this is what makes it compelling to some players.
Originally published way back in 2006 by Aeria Games, their first game ever in fact, Last Chaos has recently changed hands and is now being handled by Gamigo. Last Chaos is a game victimized by its own age. Its graphics, animation, and systems all attest to the game’s age. None are particularly impressive by today’s standards.
However fans looking for a nostalgic MMO experience may find Last Chaos enjoyable. It has a classic feel that modern games can fail to capture. Last Chaos boasts a plethora of classes to choose from, these are gender locked however. Unfortunately with all of it’s classes and somewhat charming nostalgia, Last Chaos still falls flat gameplay-wise. It’s repetitive, and for the most part uninteresting.