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..
Satisfying ARPG Combat
Dungeons and PVP
Graphics
Player community
.. and what we didn't
Boring quests
Repetitive gameplay
Watch the trailer:
Royal quest is a free to play isometric ARPG MMO that offers a fresh perspective in the genre with its action combat mechanic. The game features a linear quest progression system, but is dull in variety and can often feel repetitive and grindy. End-game is where Royal Quest truly shines, with fun and exciting dungeons and PVP modes that are large in scale.
The graphics are also a positive, with cartoon art styles and color tones that are lighthearted and fun. The game's community is also thriving, with plenty of in-game events and player markets. Overall, Royal Quest is a good action RPG MMO that deserves a shot, especially since it costs absolutely nothing.
What We Liked..
Fantastic class skill system
Free to play with no content paywall
Decent graphics and optimization
.. and what we didn't
Few server locations
Relies of unfavorable gear progression system
Guardians of Ember is a fantasy isometric action MMORPG that features six MMO classes and four races to play as. For a free to play game, the PvE and PvP content on offer is decent. The game's best feature is its class combat mechanics, that lets players change skills depending on what weapon is equipped in addition to an in-depth skill tree system that encourages multiple builds. This keeps gameplay refreshing until the late game. While animations are good, other artistic assets are mediocre at best. What holds it back is its decision to rely on conventional progression systems like gear enchanting instead of shaking things up. Ultimately, Guardians of Ember is still a fun game to play especially when in groups for dungeons.
What We Liked..
Great graphics
low system requirements
easy to pick up
fun
fast-paced gameplay
lots of weapons and character customization options
fair microtransaction system
.. and what we didn't
Sommewhat bland maps
some low res textures
server issues
somewhat low player base
Developed by Wiple Games and published by Aeria Games, Ironsight is finally available to the public after a year and a half in beta.
Ironsight is unique in that it's not unique. It draws comparisons to Call of Duty both in aesthetics and gameplay because it does look and sound like a Call of Duty game. And believe it or not, that's a good thing.
The Call of Duty franchise has lost its' way, but once upon a time was a great series. A few years ago, CoD was great fun, and Ironsight shows why. It plays like an early 2010s CoD game.
It has plenty of weapons and drones for you to have fun with, and the action is fast-paced. You can log on a place a few quick games before school or you can play a couple dozen games over the course of a few hours.
The microtransactions in this game are very tame, and it's more than possible to play this game and never spend a dime yet still be competitive. Ironsight is easily one of the most balanced F2P MMOs that I have played in a while and sets a stellar example for F2P MMOs.
What We Liked..
Graphics are very good
Plenty of events from real life artists and influencers
Great building tools for creativity
.. and what we didn't
Low player numbers
Doesn't support VR anymore
Sansar is a free to play virtual universe MMO that allows players to create their own avatars and explore creativity and social activities together. Featuring fully 3D worlds, characters and environments, Sansar is graphically excellent and gameplay involves no combat, instead opting for social interactions. You can manipulate objects to recreate scenes at parties, or get creative and enter its excellent build mode to create your own disco for you and your friends to chill at. The game offers near limitless sandbox social experiences, but suffers from low player count currently.
What We Liked..
Excellent fast-pace action
Fun gunplay and power up systems
Plenty of progression
No pay to win
.. and what we didn't
Champion balance
Uneven match queue times
Quake Champions is a free to play FPS game that continues the Quake franchises' long history of excellent fast-action team matches and gameplay. The game has over a dozen Champions to play as and each comes with unique weapons and abilities that are customizable the more you play. Progression comes fairly for simply playing the game, and players can unlock more content like cosmetics and additional match modes the higher their rank.
Presentation is fantastic and so is the gameplay, as that familiar power up utilization in matches combined with the frenzied swapping of weapons and quick movement offers some addictive gameplay. The cash shop uses currency awarded from simply playing the game and allows you to purchase cosmetics and there is no pay to win.
What We Liked..
Free to play and mostly fair
Good graphics
Runs well on modern rigs
.. and what we didn't
Low player population and long match finding queues
Input lag issues
notmycar is a free to play vehicular battle royale game, featuring fast cars and deadly weapons in fast paced matches using familiar battle royale mechanics. The game is in early access beta, meaning that more features and gameplay improvements will be added over time. There are limited game modes available, but players can expect brand new rewards from progression systems like XP levels up, or they can be purchased from the Season Pass and Cash Store.
The game runs very well with excellent graphics and presentation. Gameplay is fluid and fun, but suffers from occasional input lag in which skills don't react fast enough to make a difference in vital moments. The playerbase is also low for a game that's fairly new. Overall, notmycar is a fresh entry into the battle royale genre and one that's worth a look if you enjoy pimping out cars.
What We Liked..
Faster gunplay than other games that sets it apart
Good amount of weapon customizations including accessories like keychains
Easy join and leave game lobbies to get into the action quicker
.. and what we didn't
Very generic maps and gameplay features
Not new player friendly as newbie lobbies are empty all the time
Only 5 maps since 2016
Watch the trailer:
Zula is a full 3D, team-based first person shooter that's been out since 2016, developed by IDC Games. The setting for its matches take place in present modern day era, and players can battle it out on a variety of realistic maps from Turkey to Ukraine, and the battlefield designs are strategic.
The gunplay is incredibly fast-paced and shooting feels excellent as bullet sprays are quick. This means enemy players die quicker, resulting in a hectic and frantic feeling in matches. However, the core gameplay is generic and bland as there are only 5 maps. This is further accentuated by the limited amount of game modes that we've already seen in similar games.
Overall, Zula is a decent free to play first person shooter that delivers fast paced action matches if that's what you crave from your FPS games. It has long haul progression systems for player levels to unlock weapon upgrades, in addition to skins and customization from both in-game and cash store to keep you busy.
What We Liked..
The warframes
Great mix of genres
Outstanding graphics
.. and what we didn't
Mediocre co-op
Predictable missions
Watch the trailer:
Playing Warframe is as close to being a ninja as many of us will get. Set in a sci-fi universe full of insane alien enemies, you'll have to count on your powerful exo-skeleton to survive.
The gameplay is an interesting mix of classic third person shooter and action, with some undoubtedly enjoyable RPG-like features. You can play co-op with friends or take on one of the many available missions solo.
Graphics are beautiful and due to the game’s proprietary engine, you won’t need a beefy rig to run it. Updates are released regularly so even more fun is to come.
Warframe is a great free-to-play title with a hectic pace and rewarding weapons. It has a plethora of progression options to keep you engaged. Most of all, though, it's a blast to play. Moment to moment gameplay is intense, face paced, and visceral.
What We Liked..
Beautiful Environments
Fun Combat
Pretty Costumes
.. and what we didn't
PvE content is simple
Lacks innovation
Needs better Optimization
Blade and Soul is a Korean MMORPG recently published by veterans of the MMO industry, NCSoft.
Originally published in Asia, a little over four years ago, the long anticipated game finally makes its way westward. Fans here in the west have long been clamoring for Blade and Soul: the flashy anime inspired graphics and the apparent innovation of its highly touted combat system make NCSoft’s newest experience seem like an amazing proposition.
The question though, does it live up to all the hype? In many ways yes, the game’s combat is reminiscent of classic combo based fighting games, making each encounter engaging and unique.
The graphics are great, if a little dated. However optimization issues and lag run rampant, PvE is somewhat lack luster, and gearing at max level can be a bit of a chore.
The game is a mixed bag, it does some things right and some wrong, however the things it does correctly may be enough to outshine its rougher aspects by the standards of some players.