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Top Ten Free-to-Play Games Week 1

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Posted April 21st, 2008 by Ralsu

April 23, 2008

What This List Is
Simply put, this is the top ten free-to-play (F2P) games as rated by Danny "Ralsu" Gourley based on features and play experience. This list is not exhaustive. There are dozens of other games out there that have not been considered in making this list. This list also tries to focus on newer or upcoming games.

Want Your F2P Game on This List?
If you are a developer or publisher who thinks your F2P game could make it onto this Top Ten list, just email Ralsu with the details. It won't guarantee your game a spot on the Top Ten list, but Ralsu might just give it a try and write about it for our millions of readers.

Have a F2P Game You Think Ralsu Should Try?
Ten Ton Hammer community members, are there F2P games out there you think Ralsu would enjoy? Is there a game you want him to try and report on so you know if it is good without spending your time trying it out? Tell us in our forums. Posting a suggestion won't guarantee that your game cracks the Top Ten list, but Ralsu might just give your suggestion a try and write about it.

This Week's Top Ten F2P Games
1. Mythos - (www.mythos.com) Flagship Studios, Inc.
Status: Closed Beta
Last Ranking: N/A

Description: Mythos is a free-to-play MMORPG in development by Flagship Studios, the makers of Hellgate: London. It can be considered a mixture of World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Guild Wars. Like Guild Wars, players can meet and interact with other players in the town areas. They can group with other players to traverse epic dungeons (like World of Warcraft), and the stat allocation is reminiscent of the Diablo games.

Ralsu's take: With a dedicated development staff and addicting game play, this is easily the best F2P game I have played.

Ten Ton Hammer Links:

2. Magic World Online - (http://mwo.enjoymmo.com) Goldcool Games
Status: Closed Beta
Last Ranking: N/A

Description: The world of Magic World Online is inhabited by the legion of the King of the Devils, Lucifer. Humans are on the brink of extinction and must battle to regain the world from the grip of the evil army and expel the devils back to Hell. The Dominant Sword, a sword infused with the spirit of the King of the Gods Odin, can help the humans in this quest.

Ralsu's take: Another Diablo clone, this one seems to have gotten a solid translation. Combat can be a little repetitive but intense. I need more play time before I say more about it.

Ten Ton Hammer Links:

3. Pirates of the Caribbean Online - (http://www.piratesonline.com) Disney
Status: Live
Last Ranking: N/A

Description: Captain your own ship and head to the horizon, locate buried treasure or explore tropical islands, work on your weapon skill or sit on a beach drinking rum. In Pirates of the Carribean Online, your choices are your own as you set out to be the most notorious pirate the world has ever seen. You can expect to come across those famous pirates from the films in the game as well. Jack Sparrow, Captain Barbossa and Elizabeth Swann are but a few of the characters you will see in the game.

Ralsu's take: Light-hearted fun for the whole family, the game based on the movie based on the ride is a fun romp, but don't take it too seriously.

Ten Ton Hammer Links:

4. Wakfu -  (www.wakfu.com) Ankama
Status: Beta
Last Ranking: N/A

Description: The developers at Ankama Games are ready to hit the gold mine again. With the success of their first MMOG, Dofus, it seems only appropriate that Ankama Games would quickly turn around and create their next big hit, and it seems that they're ready to do that with Wakfu.

Ralsu's take: This is a strategy game with colorful graphics that rival the turn-based strategy games I have been playing on handheld systems for years. I can't wait to really get into the depths of this game.

Ten Ton Hammer Links:

5. Warrior Epic - (http://warriorepic.com) Possibility Space
Status: Closed Beta
Last Ranking: N/A

Description: Warrior Epic takes online games and action role-playing games into new territory. To begin, the game is free to download and free to play online with no strings attached. Choose several warriors from a large group of specialized classes and play cooperative campaigns or slug it out with friends in player-vs-player combat. All of this can be set up in a matter of minutes because of a tiny download.

Ralsu's take: This game makes the list for what look to be solid graphics and a dedication to releasing a good product in addition to a unique system that uses a small download to make the game "portable."

Ten Ton Hammer Links:

6. NeoSteam - (www.neosteam.com) Hanbitsoft
Status: Closed Beta
Last Ranking: N/A

Description: In a world where Neo Steam is the most valuable source of energy, three kingdoms have risen for power. These three kingdoms fight an all-out war to decide who will be the rightful of the neo steam generator.

Ralsu's take: The steampunk feel to this game fits, and this vehicles and characters look very cool. I expect it to have fun PvP. I'm still waiting to see what the translation is like.

Ten Ton Hammer Links:

7.  2Moons - (http://2moons.acclaim.com) Acclaim
Status: Live
Last Ranking: N/A

Description: 2Moons is an adult-themed, fantasy MMORPG title for Microsoft Windows PCs that was imported from Korea and is being developed and published by Acclaim. Originally known as Dekaron in the Korea, Japan, and China, Acclaim changed the title of the game to 2Moons. Unlike most imported MMO's, the story behind 2Moons, along with some gameplay elements, is being completely revamped.

Ralsu's take: 2Moons has pretty graphics for a free game. The user interface is nice, too. At times, expect more going on that you can really take in, as the action can be intense. The PvP is one of the best I have seen, even if I suck at it.

Ten Ton Hammer Links:

8. Age of Armor - (www.aoaus.com) Snail Game
Status: Open Beta
Last Ranking: N/A

Description: Age of Armor is a sci-fi based MMOG that features huge, transforming robots that players can pilot throughout the AoA world. Players will decide between three races (Human, Enhanced Human, and Neo-Human) and two factions, which will then determine what sorts of weapons, robots, and items they can equip and use. Robots will be able to "transform" into various modes, including a giant gestalt form (think the Constructicons from Transformers) that will be operated by six individual players.

Ralsu's take: I think the MMOG genre is missing the niche mech title, and Age of Armor looks to fill that niche perfectly. Solid graphics, huge bosses, and cooperative play in giant combined gestalts makes this one a game to keep on your short list.

Ten Ton Hammer Links:

9. Puzzle Pirates - (www.puzzlepirates.com) Three Rings Design
Status: Live
Last Ranking: N/A

Description: The player takes the role of a pirate, having adventures on the high seas and pillaging money from roaming enemy ships (human- or computer-controlled). The mechanics of Puzzle Pirates are driven by puzzles. For example, to effectively sail a ship, crewmates must play puzzles representing work at the sails for speed, pumping bilge water to remove it from the ship, and carpentry to fix any damage the ship may take.

Ralsu's take: This is perhaps the quirkiest title on the list. I haven't spent a ton of time with it, but I like the quick fun of solving a few puzzles but feeling a sense of continuity. There is no other MMOG like Puzzle Pirates.

Ten Ton Hammer Links:

10. Wonderland Online - (http://wl.igg.com) Skyunion Co., Ltd.
Status: Closed Beta
Last Ranking: N/A

Description: Wonderland tells the story of a young person (the player) who is stranded on an island after a shipwreck. The castaway first assumes the island is deserted but soon meets up with other survivors. Before long, they discover the island is actually rife with activity, resources, and dangers. That's where players come in; they'll be looking to harness the resources to get back home while making friends and enjoying an adventure. According to the website, Wonderland contains all the features players expect from MMOGs today: crafting, pets, spells, and exciting quests.

Ralsu's take: Great colors and turn-based combat are fun, but the translation is rough.

Ten Ton Hammer Links: