Fantasy games

Eternal Return is a free to play multiplayer MOBA and battle royale hybrid game that's on the Steam platform. With its huge character roster of 59 unique personalities, players select which anime hero they'll use in matches that pits hem against 17 other players in solo, or can opt to team up to be the last ones standing in visually pleasing maps. The gameplay will feel familiar and fun due to popular mechanics, and earning currency to unlock more anime characters will ensure that you always have goals to grind towards. Matchmaking queues are long can somewhat unbalanced in competitive modes, but that doesn't detract away from the fun moments in game, even if you're playing against AI bots.

➔ Main points:

• A rare MOBA and battle royale combination that works
• Free to play with play to earn progression
• Huge roster of characters to unlock
• Seasonal events and battle passes available

Star Wars: The Old Republic is a recently released free to play MMORPG developed by Bioware and published by EA and LucasArts.

On one hand, its RPG aspects are excellent but on the other, its MMO qualities aren't so good. The game's creators definitely opted for the pay-to-win model with this one. The cash shop is graciously supplied and gives too large of an advantage compared to the in game stores.

Off the bat, the game had tons of potential for enjoyment. Its Star Wars licensed storyline and the opportunity to make your own customizable Jedi doppelganger had Star Wars fans hooked since their announcement.

Taking all that into account as well as its excellent graphical presentation this game is a worthy detour for any Star Wars fan looking to immerse themselves in an online community of Star Wars fandom.

➔ Main points:

• Free to play MMORPG based on the universe of Star Wars.
• Great storyline and convincing atmosphere - the fans of the saga won't be disappointed.
• Create and customize your own lightsaber!
• Questionable free to play model and pretty strong limitations for non-paying players.

Marvel Heroes has a strong foundation with Brian Michael Bendis (author of Marvel comics) and David Brevik (designer of Diablo) on the development team. Although the game didn’t get off to a great start in open beta , Gazillion has since listened to players and done a much needed overhaul. And the effort was worth it - this is a very entertaining game and if Gazillion continues to be as responsive as they’ve been so far, it’s only going to get better.

The gameplay is fun and the story will appeal to many people, drawing as it does from the rich and complex Marvel universe. Add to this a well-balanced cash shop and this title is a must for Action RPG fans and Marvel fans!

In the shoes of a member of one of three factions on the planet Auraxis, your mission is simply to conquer as much territory as possible and bring your team one step closer to total domination. The game places a strong emphasis on teamwork, with tactics designed to encourage furious suicide charges in the middle of battle.

The game is essentially devoid of a strong narrative component and prefers to rely entirely on the gameplay, which is fine because the latter is incredibly enjoyable, challenging and well designed.

Graphically, the game is beautiful, staging its battles in the most diverse, well-realised environments. Constant updates bring more content and welcome variations to an already excellent game.

Overall, PlanetSide 2 is the game fans of the first episode have been waiting for, and more.

Nords: Heroes of the North is a browser based strategy game published by Plarium Games.
The humorous take on the now pervasive strategy genre does a lot right, leaving only a little to be desired.

Build your Keep, choose your Champion, and become a famed Lord Marshall; then set out to conquer your rivals.

Those hoping for a reprieve from the tedious nature of other well-known strategy outings will be disappointed, however those looking for a solid browser RPG will find an excellent new home in Nords.

➔ Main points:

• Fast-paced (compared to similar games) strategy browser game with lots of things to do and daily quests.
• Funny, humoristic atmosphere thanks to the great voice-acting and top-notch artworks.
• 3 different races: Northmen, Orcs and Elves.
• Equip and level-up your hero.
• Ally with your neighbours, or attack and raid them without mercy!

Dawngate is a MOBA released by Waystone Games, a company under the umbrella of Visceral Games, which is under EA. With those names involved, you’ll expect a high quality product and Dawngate does not disappoint. Even in open beta, the graphics are great in this title – vivid and lush, though undeniably similar in palette to the game Dawngate is competing with, League of Legends.

But Dawngate isn’t just another clone in the crowded MOBA genre. It does add some real originality to its gameplay – narrowing down to just two lanes, adding roles for your heroes (called Shapers here) to focus on and granting bonuses to your minions when you destroy enemy Bindings or towers.

There is certainly enough new content being brought to the table here to intrigue any MOBA fan.

Strife is a new MOBA by S2 Games, the maker of Heroes of Newerth. Despite its name, Strife has been trumpeted as the answer to the MOBA genre’s highly competitive - even toxic – community, and playing the game it’s easy to see why. S2 have worked hard to create a softer, more accessible game without compromising on the key elements that make MOBAs so enjoyable.

From changing the farming system so that gold is shared among team members when one makes a successful kill, to the introduction of a rating system that rewards good behavior and bans multiple offenders from in-game chat, Strife is all about encouraging team play and a friendlier online environment. Gamers who love a serious challenge might prefer to stick to the high-stakes play in other MOBAs, but Strife is perfect for new and casual gamers.

It may be easier, but that doesn’t mean it’s without challenge. Strife does try to change things up. There is a giant ape who can be freed by one side to wreak havoc on the other, super useful pet companions to train and customise and a crafting system that rewards loyal players. Far from just being a novice version of a regular MOBA, Strife is a serious step in a more positive direction for the genre, and a great opening point to any gamer who’s hung back from MOBAs so far.

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

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.

ArcheAge is a free-to-play (with an optional subscription) MMORPG developed by XLGAMES, published by Trion Worlds, and created by the Korean game designer, Jake Song. You might remember him from Lineage, a game he helped to create way back when. Park originally envisioned ArcheAge as a “sandpark” MMO, meant to mix the openness of a sandbox game with the more structured approach of a themepark MMO, but as time went on, the game became more theme and less sand, with a fair amount of paying-to-win.

➔ Main points:

• Great graphics, higher system requirements
• Houses give you a place to rest your feet
• Interesting justice system.
• 120 Classes