What We Liked..
A hack'n'slash done well in the comfort of a browser
Proven and fun gameplay
Graphically fantastic
Lots of action and a vast gaming world
.. and what we didn't
At high levels solo players will have a tough time...
... just like PvP lovers who don't plan to spend real money
Watch the trailer:
UPDATE: since June 2017, the game isn't easily playable via browser anymore. Only a few combinations of browsers and java versions will keep working, but everyone will still be able to play the game after downloading its client.
Drakensang Online is an excellent free hack & slash, published by BigPoint, based on a famous and popular series of role-playing games.
The game has many typical features of a MMORPG (such as skills, level-ups, crafting, etc...), with the welcome addition of a combat system based on combos and dodges, just like a typical third-person action game (anyone who knows the Diablo saga will certainly find it all very familiar).
As well as the ability to carry out the plot quest (either alone or in the company), there are also different PvP modes (including an original "Storm the fortress 6vs6") for those who prefer a competitive game.
The various available classes are well diversified from each other, and ensure a different gameplay depending on which is used, thus ensuring also a great replay value.
One of the highlights of the game is its impressive graphics, capable of displaying a great number of details in a simple web page.
Drakensang Online is really a well-done game: varied, entertaining, technically clean and able to keep the player glued to the PC for hours.
A title that should not be missing in any “free” gamer’s collection.
What We Liked..
Good storyline
15 classes and sub-classes and challenging missions.
.. and what we didn't
Graphics have a room for improvement.
The world of NosVille has turned to chaos and your character comes in with tremendous power and fighting abilities to bring it to peace.
You'll have a number of NosMates (computer-controlled characters) to help you in this quest, as well as pets. Over the course of the game, you will also gain access to different cards that will give your character newfound skills.
NosTale comes with a number of unique classes and their interesting sub-classes with each character possessing special abilities depending on which group they are from.
To make the game less gloomy and more fun, you can train pets as well and make them get involved in missions too.
With all these features and so much more, NosTale really promises to be an excellent adventure for you.
What We Liked..
Graphically beautiful presentation
Imaginative and vibrant locations
Huge variety of items to find and skills to learn
.. and what we didn't
Repetitive gameplay
NPC's seem "wooden" and lack personality
Combat can be frustrating
Runes of Magic has everything you might expect from an old-style MMORPG.
It is captivating, extremely varied and rather vast; offering a fun and challenging experience to new and veteran RPG players alike.
The game's strengths undeniably rest with its variety, as there are hundreds (if not thousands) of objects to find, collect and / or create.
Whilst the graphics may appear dated by modern standards, Runes of Magic is a perfectly good title for anyone who wants a decent MMORPG without having to spend a fortune.
What We Liked..
Strategy and ARPG layers that work
Tons of systems and progression
Big community
.. and what we didn't
Expensive cash shop
Eternal Fury is a free to play browser-based strategy game with a twist. While raising your kingdoms, armies and alliances are all key gameplay features, you'll also need to upgrade your singular hero ruler, with RPG-like gameplay system in place that offers a good time.
Battles are fought on both maps - the kingdom world view and in arena-style battles that shakes up the usual boring and monotonous gameplay. While free to play, Eternal Fury's cash shop is a mixed bag and borderline hovers over what's fair.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
What We Liked..
Great art and animation
Authentic story
Easy to grasp
Populated servers
.. and what we didn't
Passive combat
Intrusive cash shop
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.
What We Liked..
Lots of customization Decent 2D art Progression comes decently fast for free
.. and what we didn't
Cash shop gets expensive fast lackluster animations low population
Gods Origin Online is a browser-based MMORPG by VivaGames. In it, you controller a summoner who wields the power to yank various deities back through time in an effort to prevent Ragnarok from happening.
What We Liked..
Stunning graphics and 3D world
Fun companion system
Plenty of servers
.. and what we didn't
Textures sometimes don't load
Heavy cash store influence
Rise of Angels is a browser-based MMORPG that's free to play, features isometric action based combat and a companion collection system that requires players to obtain, upgrade and look after Goddesses who alters your combat skills and stats for the better. The game offers both PvE solo and group content as well as PvP arenas and guild wars for competitive gameplay. The game world is incredibly stunning due to the ability to zoom, rotate and inspect closely the finer details of textures and aesthetics that's almost unheard of for a browser MMORPG. While the content is very predictable and might come across as a carbon copy of most other games, it's aesthetics wins out and makes you pick this title of the next. There is a heavy reliance on the cash shop but it's largely forgettable if you're taking your time playing through the game's lengthy main story.