Ranking historical games

Anno online is a browser game released by Ubisoft in 2013. This game has evoked such mixed reactions, no single review can reflect its true value. It's necessary for each player to test drive it themselves and form their own opinions on the quality of this title.

On one side, there are fans of the Anno series who, in general, have said that this game isn't that great compared to past installments but on the other side, there's the amateur browser RTS fans who love this game based on its own merits. As far as we're concerned, a little bit of both sides is right; Anno Online can be a pleasure to play for gamers who are looking for a way to amuse themselves in their free time, however, the excessive costs of the cashshop may discourage gamers who plan on investing themselves in the game. With its excellent graphics and gameplay, the game still has a lot going for it, even if it is a little bit on the expensive side for a browser game.

Anno Online breathes a breath of fresh air into the internet, especially to games of its genre. Put simply, it's exactly what one would expect from the Anno series (similar to Anno 1701 and Anno 1404) and in its browser form, Anno is a small revolution for RTS browser games.

Call of War: 1942 is a strategy game set during World War 2. You build, you expand, you go to war, and yes – you exploit. Call of War is most definitely a 4X (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate) game, and even if that genre isn’t quite familiar to you, you’ve probably heard of another immensely popular 4X game: Civilization. Call of War takes the concepts of a 4X game and applies them to a free-to-play model.

➔ Main points:

• Browser-based 4X strategy game
• Matches last weeks
• Set during WWII
• Light system requirements

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

Dark Era is a free RPG game released by Game123 which involves the time-space concept in its storyline for the player to fight against the armies of a Dark Emperor. The game majorly focuses on guiding the players in their conquest against the Dark power which the automated gameplay of Dark Era clearly shows.

Even though the rather well-designed environment and competitive graphics of Dark Era are a positive, it is a very small consolation for the lack of action and involvement of the player. Yes, there are certain character upgrades during the course of the game and the introduction of beasts and mounts does spice things up a little bit, but not nearly enough to make up for the disappointment of the automated character movement and decision making.

➔ Main points:

• A number of classes to choose your characters from.
• Good environmental setting and commendable graphics.
• Not enough player involvement.

Game of Thrones: Ascent is a new browser game developed and published by Disruptor Beam. The game chronicles your “ascent” to the throne of one of the eight royal houses of Westeros.

Ascent is a very story driven game, much like the original series. Unfortunately, where the game differs the most from the TV show is in the action. This isn't to say that fans of the show will not enjoy the game; fanboys and girls who feel the need to engage themselves in more GoT lore may find Ascent to be the perfect way to get their fix in between episodes.

Standard RPG fans may also take interest in the unconventional take on the combat system (if you could even call it that). The game also has the typical western RPG conversation based cutscenes, allowing you to align your character towards good, evil or somewhere in between.

Game of Thrones: Ascent has many attractions to many different types of gamers. Quintessential RPG gamers will appreciate a new take on the traditional combat system and more story driven gamers will love this game. Ascent even offers something for RTS gamers! There's plenty of resource gathering and “base-building” to be found in the game. And of course, GoT fans will find themselves right at home with the storyline.

Ascent is a game that reaches for the stars and all in all, it's a great use of the Game of Thrones license.

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

Imperia Online is a free browser-based MMO belonging to the evergreen genre of city-building strategy games.
It will require you to establish a financially strong state with a good army.
Manpower can be deployed to fasten the collection of resources, and consequently improve the rate of your kingdom's progress.

The menus in the game become quite congested with the passage of time so a detailed tutorial is given right at the start to ease you into the game and give a better understanding of the in-game options.

The graphics of Imperia Online are well done despite its age (the game was first released in 2005), which is a sign of the good support given from the developers during all these years in terms of upgrades and improvements.

➔ Main points:

• Manage your economy and prepare a strong army.
• A detailed tutorial to bring you into the game.
• Deploy manpower to gather resources.
• The positioning of buildings cannot be dictated.

Legends of Honor is a free to play browser MMO developed by Goodgame Studios. Players will build and maintain a castle, with all the armies and fun that accompany the prestigious position.

Gameplay is similar to any browser castle RTS, especially those developed by Goodgame. I’m looking at you Shadow Kings. What differentiates Legends of Honor from its peers is its setting and tone. The game is dark and brooding with a realistic art style and more than a few Game of Thrones parallels.

A very interesting aspect of the game is its hero feature. While not unique it is well executed and gives the game a bit of variety. It also provides that leveling feel, for those fans of more traditional MMO experiences.

Legends of Honor is a solid entry into a well-established genre. It doesn’t do very much new, but what it does do, it does well.

➔ Main points:

• 2015 Browser MMO
• Castle Building
• Fun Hero System
• Tedious Quests

Pirates – Tides of Fortune is a complex and charming browser game released by Plarium Games. In this game you are a commander of your own haven (base of operations), where your goal is to expand, conquer and form brotherhoods with other players.
Tides of Fortune allows you to take several approaches on your gameplay; economical, defensive and offensive. The game leaves you enough room to learn how to fend for yourself during the first few levels, so you don’t have to worry about getting raided and pillaged by other players right off the bat.

➔ Main points:

• Classical strategy browser game.
• Fetch resources (or steal them), recruit an army of pirates and build your fleet.
• Complete daily missions to earn even more resources and units.
• Funny, entertaining, multilanguage voice-over (in pirate tongue too!).
• Much appreciated humoristic approach.

Developed by Plarium, Sparta: War of Empires offers enjoyable albeit rather typical browser game entertainment, which is a mixture of strategy and war, with a few characteristics that set it apart from its brethren.

In addition to the usual game processes and progression, Sparta: WOE gives you the added option of enlisting help from King Leonidas and his Spartan army, using a combination of strategy and diplomacy.

Graphically, the game is very well presented: the artworks are rather inspired and the environment and design of the buildings work well.
Finally, the fully voiced dialogues and immersive soundtrack add more points to the atmosphere.

Sparta: War of Empires is good title – even if ultimately it does not offer anything special, the setting in historical Greece brings a little novelty of its own, and all the traditional aspects of a browser game are implemented in a convincing manner.

➔ Main points:

• Classical war browser game set in ancient Greece.
• Continuous updates from the developers and special events.
• All the traditional elements of browser-based games are implemented in a thoughtful manner: dialogues are fully voiced and artworks extremely well made.
• Purists of the genre will love this, although it may disappoint people looking for something new.