I have a couple of F2P gaming notes for this week. First off, I’ll note that Runes of Magic officially launched on March 19. It is a terrific game worth trying for people who want to see what it would be like to play a quality title for free. Ten Ton Hammer snagged an end-of-beta interview for you here. I’ll be playing Runes of Magic this week in the hopes of bringing you some quick reference guides for early April.

Next up, I have been promising more details on Free Realms (FR). G4 recently interviewed Sebastian Strzalkowski from Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) about the game. Among the important details gleaned were that the world will be open (zoneless), that players can subscribe for $4.99/month, and that premium subscribers do get access to content nobody else gets. To hear Strzalkowski tell it, though, SOE was adamant about not teasing free players with a trial of the game and trying to push them to buy access to the “real game.” The jury is still out for me, but I think I agree with one reader who emailed me that FR might “be the most expensive F2P game ever” once they give players access to the shop to buy costumes and paraphernalia through microtransactions a small as $.99 each.

Speaking of the reader who emailed that comment, I’d like to take this moment to thank him for questioning my order of games where Warrior Epic (WE) and FR are concerned. Long ago, I promised to not rank games in beta stages higher than released games. I lost my mind and put WE up pretty high based on potential and features. I’ve been burned before doing that, so I am adjusting this week.

WE drops to #10 in light of the slow pace of its currently inactive beta. It’s been exactly nine months since we were able to give away beta slots for the last phase of beta. Furthermore, our December interview with Brice Lucas gave the impression that the next stage of closed beta was just around the corner. It’s apparently a big corner, but I have faith in WE based on the awesome community interaction between the staff and the players.

If I move down one game in an exclusive or halted beta, I have to move down Neo Steam to keep things fair. It gets the #8 slot. Now order should be restored to the Top Ten. Thanks for reading!

Top Ten Free-to-Play Games March 23, 2009
Rank		Game
1 Last week: 1		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: 2		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
3 Last week: 3		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
4 Last week: 4		span style="font-weight: bold;">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
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: 8		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 Hammer Review
7 Last week: 10		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
8 Last week: 6		Neo Steam - (http://neosteam.atlusonline.com) Atlus Online Neo Steam is a steampunk game set in a world where warring factions compete for a limited supply of the resource Neo Steam. It was above average in most categories during closed beta for the US, but it had multiple translation problems. Atlus Online should iron out the kinks. Neo Steam Portal Preview
9 Last week: 9		Free Realms - (www.freerealms.com) Sony Online Entertainment Free Realms is a a 3D fantasy world designed to encourage exploration and support casual play. With graphics similar to WoW and all the gameplay of a standard MMOG, Free Realms could appeal to adults. Its many minigames and events are designed to please teens. Free Realms Portal Preview (coming soon!)
10 Last week: 7		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!)

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.