I continue to play Nostale, but I recently got my wife to play some Atlantica with me. NDOORS never ceases to impress me; their latest round of patches has made the game perform smoother than ever. That fact coupled with some recent problems with stability for Runes of Magic has prompted me to switch my #1 and #2 spots. I still believe RoM has more mass appeal in the long run (and I get that games in beta have issues), but nobody will tolerate an unstable game for long no matter how many cool features it has.

I’ve gotten a few emails from readers who want to know more about the aging feature in Mabinogi and why I think you can still play without ever buying a rebirth from the item mall. My main reasoning is that characters don’t die. Aged characters will be weaker because they earn fewer AP than young characters. But you don’t have to buy the rebirth if you can sleep at night knowing your character is weaker than the next guy’s. How this feature affects your ability to participate in higher level content I can’t say. I haven’t been there yet! In the meantime, the game is really fun. Don’t let my criticism of the aging system keep you from trying Mabinogi.

Top Ten Free-to-Play Games February 9, 2009
Rank		Game
1 Last week: 2		Atlantica Online - (http://atlantica.ndoorsgames.com/) NDOORS Atlantica is a squad-based fantasy strategy game that breaks the mold. Players can control up to nine characters at once in fast-paced turn-based combat. A lot of the systems in Atlantica are different from the standard fare on the market. Atlantica Portal Ten Ton Hammer Review
2 Last week: 1		Runes of Magic - (www.runesofmagic.com) Frogster Runes of Magic is a traditional fantasy game that uses a Dual Class system to inject a little strategy into character planning and a lot of flexibility into grouping. RoM has all of the features gamers want in a subscription-based game, but they’ll enjoy them for free here. Runes of Magic Portal Preview
3 Last week: 3		Dungeon Runners - (http://www.dungeonrunners.com) NCSoft Dungeon Runners is a hack and slash fantasy game that infuses every aspect of gameplay with humor. DR makes fun of other games, the genre, and even itself. This is the perfect game for a player looking to blow off steam after a rough day at work. Dungeon Runners Portal Ten Ton Hammer Review
4 Last week: 4		Mabinogi - (http://mabinogi.nexon.net) NEXON Mabinogi provides so many things to do that it earns its self-appointed moniker of “A Fantasy Life.” Players can farm, play music, hunt, craft, go to school and more in this fantasy land. In Mabinogi, combat is not the only way to advance. Mabonogi Portal Ten Ton Hammer Review
5 Last week: 5		Requiem: Bloodymare - (www.playrequiem.com) Gravity Interactive Requiem: Bloodymare is a horror-themed game that blends the traditional elements of MMOGs with the visceral feel of a gore film. Requiem is worth a look because of its fresh take on setting in MMOGs. Requiem Portal Preview
6 Last week: 6		Warrior Epic - (http://warriorepic.com) Possibility Space Warrior Epic is ready to begin the next round of closed beta soon. It provides a fantasy hack and slash dungeon crawler experience with some very innovative features, including the ability to choose different character classes for each dungeon and a Warrior Hall that grows with the player. Warrior Epic Portal Preview (coming soon!)
7 Last week: 7		Dream of Mirror Online - (http://domo.aeriagames.com) Aeria Games & Entertainment Dream of Mirror Online puts the player in the starring role of a classic Chinese myth. The eastern-based lore provides a refreshing twist on MMOGs, and the multi-class system makes character development in this fantasy game fun. DOMO Portal Ten Ton Hamster DOMO Portal
8 Last week: 8		Exteel - (www.exteel.com) NCsoft Exteel is a lobby-based fragfest featuring customizable mechs. The graphics are top-notch, and the action is heart-pounding. Exteel Portal Ten Ton Hammer Review
9 Last week: 9		Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine - (http://megaten.aeriagames.com) Aeria Games & Entertainment Shin Megami Tensei: Imagine Online brings the popular RPG to life in the MMOG sphere. Players can use friendly persuasion or aggressive coercion to get demons to fight by their side. The dark subject matter and modern setting of the game is a welcome contrast to the enchanted glens filled with pixies we often find in MMOGs. Megaten Portal Preview (coming soon!)
10 Last week: 10		Perfect World International - (www.perfectworld.com) Perfect World Entertainment, Inc. Perfect World International is a gorgeous fantasy game with unparalleled character customization. Wildly popular in the East, PWI is already garnering a rabid player base here in the West. Perfect World International Portal Preview

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.