Fantasy games

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.

A big budget MMORPG, TERA originally required a subscription fee but it has recently become free-to-play. This title was released in Korea in 2011 and then later in 2013 for a Western audience. TERA was published in the US and Europe by En Masse Entertainment and Frogster, respectively.

The game has one big advantage: its combat system which was extensively highlighted during the game's marketing campaign. TERA's combat system is far from what people are used to seeing in other titles. At times the action will remind you more of a third person action game with its much more direct and visceral presentation.

Despite all this, the repetitive quests will quickly remind you that this games is an MMORPG, but fortunately the very sophisticated graphics along with the combat system make up for the repetitiveness of the quests.

More or less free-to-play, there isn't much from stopping you to at least try the game's new adaptations, except maybe its long download times.

➔ Main points:

• A very popular MMORPG, which happens to be also the most played free to play game on Steam.
• Typical Korean gameplay, with lots of enemies to kill and farming quests.
• Action-based combat system with combos and special attacks.
• Amazing graphics.

Thirty Kingdoms by Bytro Labs is a free to play empire building strategy game for web browsers. As the ruler of your kingdom, the gameplay will have you look after your provinces by managing your resources, building new structures from well fleshed out tech trees, and players will need to expand by taking over hostile territories. To do that, players can build up an army of various units and send them away in real time to do battle, and the outcome is decided by multiple realistic factors such as army morale and terrain.

The most interesting thing about Thirty Kingdoms is its level of realism, and actions such as moving armies and building structures will take a long time to complete. Game progression will be slow which means that not everyone will enjoy it. However, the game does provide multiple socializing options that allows for diplomatic and cunning styles of play.

Thirty Kingdoms is a good immersive kingdom building game that offers hours of fun that lasts for prolonged periods of time. While the graphics are minimal and there are no in-game sounds, players who enjoy strategy games without the hassle of additional downloads or slow internet will definitely find something to like in Thirty Kingdoms.

➔ Main points:

• Long-term empire building that feels realistic
• Immersive and strategic gameplay
• Fantastic socializing options that helps diplomatic gameplay
• Good variety of buildings and army units to build
• Minimal requirements for a browser-based game

Unlock the mysterious and unknown treasures hidden around the realm of Nexus, in this massively multiplayer, sci-fi fantasy online role-playing game.

Wildstar takes place on planet Nexus, where a powerful race known as the Eldan have disappeared, leaving behind wealth and technology for you to explore - and now it’s completely free.

Wildstar was created by Carbine Studios and went free-to-play on September 29, 2015, removing its required subscription-based feature.
After 8 long months of redevelopment, Carbine is now handing every player a metaphorical key, in which a fictional world filled with action-based combat awaits you.

➔ Main points:

• Relaunched as a free-to-play online game after a subscription-based start
• 5 PvP options, including epic 30vs30 fights.
• A fair and balanced game with no pay-to-win feature
• Diverse character customization options
• Choose among 4 different paths (explorer, scientist, soldier, settler) to get path-specific incentives and questing opportunities

Wizard101 is a free to play and family friendly MMO that puts players in the shoes of a wizard. In the graphically pleasing world of Spiral, players will use magic that's determined by their school of choice in turn-based combat using a deck of cards which provides for a fun and strategic combat experience.

Questing in Wizard101 feels like a grand adventure that will be familiar to Harry Potter fans, and the game's story is funny and well written with voice acting to boot.

It may be free to play, but the game does have restrictions on the amount of play areas, so players will have to front some money monthly if they want to access to areas and advance the stories.

As a whole, Wizard101 is great MMO that is suitable for kids and adults, providing a lot of magical fun through it's gameplay and story.

➔ Main points:

• Unique and fun turn-based combat that uses a deck of cards for skills
• Funny and engaging main story
• Low system requirements due to dated graphics
• Family friendly MMO
• Free to play with restrictions

Aion is a truly massive MMORPG in terms of size as well as scope. This formerly pay-to-play game attempts to reinvent the usual MMORPG experience through its original gameplay which allows the player to explore its world in an interesting new way.

The game offers players a chance to take a side in the conflict between two opposing races, the Asmodians and the Elyos. There is a classic struggle of good (Elyos) over evil (the Asmodians) as the races are in essence angels and devils.

The game earns its place among MMO juggernauts thanks to its great graphics and unique flight system.

➔ Main points:

• 2009 MMO-RPG
• Unique Flight Mechanics
• Lots of Classes
• Fun Combo System
• Great looking environments.

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

Black Desert Online is an open world sandbox MMORPG that features Asian style graphics and some of the best action combat in any MMO game to-date. The graphics ranging from environment designs to the character creator is top notch.

There’s plenty of content for players to soak their teeth into for both PvE and PvP. Besides the decent amount of class choices, players can also dive into Life Skills, which is a refreshing take on crafting systems within the MMORPG genre. One great aspect of Black Desert Online is that it rewards you for simply playing the game and doing the activities you enjoy most, as players gain a multitude of XP and points to spend that progresses their characters further. The game does offer something for every playstyle.

Overall, Black Desert Online is the poster child and an excellent example of a Buy to Play Asian MMORPG that’s done right. It may have its issues such as the heavy grind and over reliance on RNG and luck, but the game deserves to be played nonetheless.

➔ Main points:

• Addictive fast paced action combat MMORPG
• Excellent character creator and graphics
• Huge open sandbox world with no loading screens between zones
• Free content updates and expansions
• Large population and active in-game community

Bleach Saga Online is a browser-based MMORPG with a fantasy setting and Anime style. It was launched on july 2014 by GoGames

The game’s plot happens in the manga universe created by Tite Kubo, which means you may run into, meet, interact and even play as many of his best-known characters.

➔ Main points:

• Original Story and anime style
• Three classes to choose from
• PvP arena
• Turn-based automated combat
• Guild system

Dauntless is a free to play monster hunting MMO that lets players hunt solo or in groups to take down the world's most dangerous behemoths. The combat system is deep and tactical due to a good range of weapons and combos available, while fights are engaging as hunts take a long time to complete. The result is a rewarding experience overall. The game offers RPG elements like crafting systems and gear progression to chase, and the world is gorgeous thanks to its marriage of cartoon art-styles with gritty and realistic textures for its monsters, armor and environments. Dauntless is an incredibly polished and exciting alternative to paid monster hunting games out currently.

➔ Main points:

• Free to play MMO with gorgeous graphics and art-style
• Engaging combat system that blends action and tactical combos
• Cash shop is stocked with cosmetics and no pay to win
• Can be played solo or with groups to diversify your monster hunts