What We Liked..
Interesting free to play alternative to official Pokemon games
Fresh concept and ideas
Large amount of players and servers
.. and what we didn't
Takes some time before gameplay becomes fun
Risk of getting shut down
Imbalanced PvP
Pokemon Mega is an unofficial Pokemon RPG adventure game that is inspired by the classic series from Nintendo's legendary franchise. The gamplay includes familiar systems from the originals, but adds plenty of good ideas like open world PvP, a gear system and more to make it different from the paid games.
Pokemon Mega also functions like a proper browser MMO with world chat, guild functionality and PvP tournaments. The graphics and art style are for the most part authentic, but the game changes quite a few things about the Pokemon such as altering base types and attacks. For a free to play game with a cash shop, the game can be fun but it takes a while to overcome to autonomy of the early game levels.
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..
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..
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..
Though basic
the graphic style does work together fairly well. Combat is fun at first play.
.. and what we didn't
Repetitive gameplay
undetailed graphics and an overpowered cash shop.
After making several games exclusively for the Korean market, Gameforge has finally released Elsword to the rest of the world, breaking it out from 4 long years of exclusivity for our Asian counterparts.
The game follows a fairly linear plot, with lightweight gameplay that’s just entertaining enough for beginners without the demands of complex gameplay or narrative. Starting up, you choose from six characters who must immediately go off in search of fragments of the El stone, a powerful crystal that brings life and prosperity to the land.
The gameplay itself is a mix of action and side-scrolling platforms where, within various dungeons, you’ll punch up monsters with a flick of your fingers across the keys.
Graphically, the game puts up a cheery disposition but really lacks in detail, appearing more like a badly animated comic strip than an actual 3D game up to the standard of modern titles.
Elsword is a game that’s lightly fun but far from excellent, catering mainly to those who are happy to make do for free and spam punches at any beast or human within reach. You know what they say - without infamy and without praise.
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..
Fun to play
Fine graphics and detail.
.. and what we didn't
Game is too similar to its predecessor.
One Piece 2 is an adventure browser-based MMO that allows you to assemble a crew of dangerous pirates and sail to dangerous expeditions with your character Luffy, with the ultimate goal to be the Pirate King.
Over the course of the story, you earn vitality points to make significant improvements to your crew to gain an upper hand in your fights.
In addition to living the story of the 'One Piece' treasure and the quest to become the Pirate King, you can also engage yourself in PvP battles against your friends and use your battle-hardened skills to finish top and win the spoils.
What We Liked..
Since the game plays itself I can easily make myself a sandwich while watching my character auto-level
.. and what we didn't
The developers' usage of artwork from the main Soul Calibur series to promote their game feels really tacky
Game plays itself to a fault
no sense of progression and rewards don't feel earned
complete lack of engagement
Game Overview
When I had first heard of a Soul Calibur MMO, I was a bit surprised. I never would’ve thought that a classic fighting game franchise would enter the world of MMOs. After all, how would an MMO fighting game work? What else would there be to do that online competitive and non-competitive play didn’t already cover?
And then when I went to the game’s website and discovered that it was a Chinese browser MMO all my curiosity dissipated entirely and turned into disappointment. Chinese browser MMOs have a reputation for being a niche genre of video games, that caters to very specific gamers.
You will either like them, or you won’t; there is no in between. If you like games that you can heavily AFK and or put on auto-pilot, then you’ll probably like Chinese browser MMOs, but if you want your games to be engaging and interactive, then these games are not for you. Soul Calibur is your run on the mill Chinese browser MMO. It doesn’t change the wheel in any way, and in some cases, it actually makes the wheel worse.
What We Liked..
Unique hybrid MOBA and Battle Royale gameplay
Huge roster of playable characters
Plenty of customization
Play to earn
.. and what we didn't
Long queue times
Unbalanced matchmaking for PvP modes
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.
What We Liked..
Simple to grasp
Easy mechanics
Short game duration
.. and what we didn't
Long queue times
Low playerbase
Needs more progression mechanics
Lack of customization and maps
Battle Arena is a free to play 2D multiplayer shooter from ShadowWolf Games, available for download on Steam. The game offers a singular mode, five different characters, and over 15 unique weapons that players can use and power up during matches. For a platform shooter, games are tentatively short, and players don't require any FPS experience whatsoever. Unfortunately, progression systems and unique customization options are far and few between, meaning there isn't much to keep you playing beyond the easy matches.