TenTonHammer.com - Taking MMO Gamers to the Next Level!

May 8, 2008
By Danny "Ralsu" Gourley

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.

Notable Changes Since Last Week
Age of Armor disappointed me this week when I discovered how truly hard it is for a new player to transform his mech. The resources are expensive, rendering one of the most attractive features of the game a novelty for the rich. Fiesta is the big news, though, as it bursts into the lineup at #3. Developer Outspark admits the game aims at a young audience, but this adult enjoyed it even with its very cartoony look. Some people will complain about the lack of character customization; my bigger concern is what the grind will be like once I get above level 10.

This Week's Top Ten F2P Games

1. Mythos - (www.mythos.com) Flagship Studios, Inc. Status: Closed Beta Last Ranking: 1 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: I recently told some Premium Members in Ten Ton Hammer Chat that I believe Mythos is a better game in its beta than some pay-top-play games on the market. Yes, it's that good. Ten Ton Hammer Links: Mythos Portal Wiki Article Interview with Travis Baldree and Max Schaefer Five Exclusive Screens Beta Journal #1 Beta Journal #2 Beta Journal #3 Beta Journal #4: the FAQ Closed Beta Video Game play video

2. Wakfu -  (www.wakfu.com) Anakama Status: Beta Last Ranking: 2 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: Wakfu continues to win points from me mainly off of the design of its predecessor, Dofus. The latter was translated well, featured a decent tutorial, and was bold enough to be different from the standard. Expect Wakfu to be even better. Ten Ton Hammer Links: Wakfu Portal Screen shots A Dozen New Screens Wakfu Trailer Eight pieces of concept art

3. Fiesta - (http://fiesta.outspark.com) Outspark Status: Live Last Ranking: N/A Description: Fiesta Online is a fantasy MMORPG set in the world of Isya, where Teva (the goddess of hope) governs a world of humans and elves who look to her as their salvation. There are other gods, however--those born of the shattered Legel, god of Chaos. These gods continually strive to reform Legel and overcome the world. Ralsu's take: While it would be easy to dismiss Fiesta as a game aimed at ten year olds, it most certainly has something to offer adults. Cool cel-shaded graphics, a thorough tutorial and help database in-game, and some better-than-average translating are just part of the appeal. Ten Ton Hammer Links: Fiesta Portal Wiki Article Twenty screen shots

4. Warrior Epic - (http://warriorepic.com) Possibility Space Status: Closed Beta Last Ranking: 3 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: Warrior Epic has lofty goals to bring hand-crafted environments to a massively-multiplayer game much like Turbine did with Dungeons & Dragons Online. Will Possibility Space be able to keep enough content coming? Ten Ton Hammer Links: Warrior Epic Portal Wiki Article Developer Interview "Faustus" Video Epic Trailer

5. Magic World Online - (http://mwo.enjoymmo.com) Goldcool Games Status: Closed Beta Last Ranking: 6 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: I stand by my assertion that the creators of Magic World Online really wanted to tell a story. Too bad that story is delivered with such archaic graphics Ten Ton Hammer Links: Magic World Online Portal Wiki Article Preview Interview with Product Director Kane Hao Screen shots City siege screen shots

6. Mabinogi - (http://mabinogi.nexon.net) NEXON Status: Live Last Ranking: 9 Description: Mabinogi is a free-to-play MMORPG from NEXON set in the fantasy world of Erinn, a world based on Celtic mythology. From the very beginning, players are able to choose the age of their characters, and the characters will progress in age as well. Your reputation can increase or decrease with the NPCs in the game, so every interaction has an effect. Leveling is not only achieved through battle; your character can also gain levels by finding and keeping a job. An immense combat and crafting system also exists in Mabinogi. Ralsu's take: With another week to spend time with this game, the grind is starting set in during solo play. Still, I can see how much deeper it is that the average free-to-play game. Ten Ton Hammer Links: Mabonogi Portal Wiki Article Review

7.  NeoSteam - (www.neosteam.com) Hanbitsoft Status: Closed Beta Last Ranking: 4 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: This is one of the better looking free-to-play games out there, but it has some translation issues. Ten Ton Hammer Links: NeoSteam Portal Wiki Article End of Closed Beta Test Screens Screen shots

8. Pirates of the Caribbean Online - (http://www.piratesonline.com) Disney Status: Live Last Ranking: 5 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: If the characters did not look so goofy and Disney made a server for adults only (with more mature content), I might play this game more often. Ten Ton Hammer Links: Pirates Online Portal Wiki Article Latest screen shots Review Interview Latest content details

9. Age of Armor - (www.aoaus.com) Snail Game Status: Open Beta Last Ranking: 7 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: Age of Armor teases us with cool transformations that are very impractical to use in-game due to scarcity of resources. Still, the realm-vs.-realm action is fierce. Ten Ton Hammer Links: Age of Armor Portal Wiki Article Latest screen shots Screen shots More screen shots

10. Wonderland Online - (http://wl.igg.com) Skyunion Co., Ltd. Status: Closed Beta Last Ranking: 10 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: Wonderland Online is a whimsical romp designed to be mindless fun. Its spirit shines, but it is rough around the edges. Ten Ton Hammer Links: Wonderland Online Portal Wiki Article Closed Beta Preview #1 Closed Beta Preview #2 Character Creation Video Closed Beta screen shots $100 Giveaway (for Ten Ton Hammer beta testers)

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