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Top Ten Free MMOs

Top Ten Free-to-Play Games

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Posted September 15th, 2008 by Ralsu

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 most of my time this week with Perfect World International. I first played Perfect World back in June 2008, and I wasn't very impressed. While the game was pretty, it had a horrible translation and grind-oriented gameplay. This new iteration has the benefit of a dedicated translation team and play much differently. In a complete 180-turn, I like Perfect World International quite a bit.

I also spent some time thinking about why more people don't play free-to-play games. I came up with three reasons I like best. First, many free-to-play games are from Asian markets with gameplay, controls, and graphics often seem alien to Western gamers. Secondly, Westerners want ownership in their gaming in a way that a free account does not allow. Subscription-based games leave players with a warm and fuzzy feeling that they deserve to be able to make complaints and are entitled to customer service. Many gamers fear that not paying for the game will mean that these services are not readily available. Lastly, I think a lot people have trouble controlling their spending and are afraid that cash shops will cause them to overspend on their gaming.

In answer to the three concerns I have identified, I would respond as follows. Try some of the games in this list. Some of the games were developed in Asia. Some were developed in North America. Some were developed in Europe. These are the best free games that I have come across. Admittedly, I could make a longer list of bad games. But that does not negate the existence of good games. Don't do the work of sifting out the good ones; allow me and this Top Ten to do that. Then if you find a problem, try actually posting in the game's official forums or contacting customer service. I have done that in some of these games, and I have always gotten a response. Don't assume that customer service is not there just because you do not pay a subscription to the game. Finally, if overspending is a real danger for you, set a limit. Decide that your free-to-play game of choice is worth a maximum of $14.99 a month just like a subscription-based game. If you have trouble controlling your spending, try not to blame the game and look at yourself first.

I'd be very interested to hear why readers and developers think gamers are so hesitant to try the free-to-play market. Let us know in the forums.

The List
Perfect World International impressed me enough to crack into the Top Ten this week. I like it better than CABAL Online. But instead of bumping CABAL off of the list, I am dropping Wakfu.

Wakfu is still under Closed Beta. Nobody can talk about it, and the result is that no one is talking about it. When it goes to Open Beta, I'll talk about my impressions of the game and address whether or not it belongs on the list. Until that far off day comes, readers won't see it on this list anymore. There are too many good games out there that we can play to give a slot to game not released for public consumption that has such a low buzz factor right now.

Dungeon Runners will remain at the bottom of the list. I like the game a lot, but I need NCsoft to assure me that the game will be here 6 months from now. The rumors really shake my confidence.

Next week, I will report on my experiences with Red Stone. I'll also be diving into Runes of Magic, but it's under a non-disclosure agreement, which prevents commentary on what I see in the beta.

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
September 18, 2008
Rank Previous Game

1

1

 Atlantica Online - (www.playatlantica.com)
NDOORS
Atlantica does the best job of any game on this list of delivering a solid story and allowing gamers to play in short bursts and still feel accomplished. It fits perfectly into my busy lifestyle.

2

2

 Wizard101 - (www.wizard101.com)
KingsIsle Entertainment, Inc.
Wizard101 is fun for the whole family, but only the trial is free. Try it out and let me know what you think.

3

3

 Mabinogi - (http://mabinogi.nexon.net)
NEXON
Mabinogi offers light-hearted fantasy, but NEXON is capable of grittier games, too. I'd like to see a new game like Mabinogi only darker.

4

4

 Rohan: Blood Feud - (www.playrohan.com)
YNK Interactive Rohan seems to be losing players are they get bored with the grind. Again I find myself wishing this game were subscription-based so that more people would check it out.

5

5

 Dream of Mirror Online - (http://domo.aeriagames.com)
Aeria Games & Entertainment
Dream of Mirror Online does a lot to encourage grouping. It even has quests that involve having a certain number of people in your group. That can be a good thing and a bad thing.

6

6

 Runes of Magic - (www.runesofmagic.com)
Frogster
Runes of Magic has a beta. I am in it. I cannot use what I see in the beta to adjust the game's ranking on this list.

7

7

 Magic World Online - (http://mwo.enjoymmo.com)
Goldcool Games
Magic World Online impressed me with a good story and Diablo-like gameplay that overcome its graphical shortcomings.

8

N/A

 Pefect World International - (www.perfectworld.com)
Beijing Perfect World
Perfect World International is a little heavy-handed in trying to establish the relationships between the three races during the early quests, but it pays off in making the gamer feel like part of a world with real political workings.

9

8

 Cabal Online - (www.cabalonline.com)
ESTsoft
Cabal Online has a feel of a world on the brink of destruction. It's very different from the typical game, which presents the world as some organized and tamed that any impending doom seems like a minor inconvenience.

10

10

 Dungeon Runners - (http://www.dungeonrunners.com) NCSoft
Dungeon Runners is better than #10, but it's going to sit here until someone from NCsoft sends me a note to let me know the game is not doomed.

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