By Danny "Ralsu" Gourley

About This List
Please refer to the Top Ten Free-to-Play Games Portal to find out how to get a game you make or like on this list.

Week in Review
I spent more time in Cabal Online this week. The music is my favorite part so far, but combat has a more visceral feel than the average game. It's worth trying if you don't mind putting Xtrap (another of the anti-hacking programs free-to-play games often use) on your computer. I know my anti-virus detects Xtap as a trojan. I won't say much more about it because I hope to write my first impressions soon.

I also downloaded the Perfect World International and ArchLord clients this week. I didn't get to play either because I got into the Warhammer Online beta and was busy with that. Ididn't even get as much time as I wanted to for testing the Stamina system in Atlantica Online.

The List
This week's change is that I am dropping Deco Online off of the list to add Cabal Online. I haven't played Cabal Online enough to tell anybody that it's great, but the music alone makes it worth trying it out. Besides, Deco Online had been scraping by on pure luck the past few weeks. As I have said continually, several other games are just as good to me: Requiem: Bloodymare, Fiesta Online, or even Pirates of the Caribbean Online.

Next week, I'll dive into ArchLord between sessions of WAR. And I'll try to share my thoughts on Cabal Online. If I get extra time, I want to try the new Perfect World client.

Here are my Top Ten Free-to-Play Games for this week.

Disclaimer: The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Ten Ton Hammer network or staff.

Top Ten Free-to-Play Games August 22, 2008
Rank	Previous		Game
1	1		Atlantica Online - (www.playatlantica.com) NDOORS Atlantica Portal The big controversy in Atlantica is the Stamina system, which forces players to group or PvP before they can grind again. I have not tested it enough (or at a high enough level) to judge, but any system that tries to force a style of game play on us is usually bad. It could be worse, though. They could have removed book stacking!
2	2		Wizard101 - (www.wizard101.com) KingsIsle Entertainment, Inc. Magic101 Portal Wizard101 battles are fun, but the graphics slow the thing down a little. The schools of magic are balanced fairly well, and the updates for the game are huge.
3	3		Mabinogi - (http://mabinogi.nexon.net) NEXON Mabonogi Portal Mabinogi gives players the option to work jobs to gain levels. Nothing like relaxing after a day at the factory by tending sheep for the villagers in a game!
4	4		Dungeon Runners - (http://www.dungeonrunners.com) NCSoft Dungeon Runners Portal The rumors that Dungeon Runners is in trouble persist. If this game folds, it will be a great loss for free-to-play gamers. Download it and try it soon to show some support.
5	5		Rohan: Blood Feud - (www.playrohan.com) YNK Interactive Rohan Portal Rohan lets players battle it out for control of cities in its Township Battles feature.
6	6		Dream of Mirror Online - (http://domo.aeriagames.com) Aeria Games & Entertainment DOMO Portal Dream of Mirror Online features ten classes, but you can mix and match classes to get the unique blend you want to play. I have a Shaman/Wizard combo that is fun for damage.
7	7		Runes of Magic - (www.runesofmagic.com) Frogster Runes of Magic Portal Runes of Magic will enter Closed Beta August 28. Until then, enjoy the latest screens. The minotaurs look pretty impressive.
8	8		Magic World Online - (http://mwo.enjoymmo.com) Goldcool Games Magic World Online Portal Magic World Online is right up there with DOMO for depth of story among the Top Ten. In addition to the overarching story of encroaching evil, there is lore for the different factions and plenty of storyline for non-player characters you meet.
9	N/A		Cabal Online - (www.cabalonline.com) ESTsoft Cabal Online Portal Cabal Online has one of the rockingest soundtracks you can hear in any game. It's worth trying it just for that if you don't have a problem with Xtrap.
10	10		Wakfu - (www.wakfu.com) Ankama Wakfu Portal Wakfu could end up being a terrific strategy game. The developers at Ankama are dedicated to the series, and I have even heard rumors of a Wakfu for the Nintendo DS.

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