Though I, too, have joined the ranks of Free Realms Anonymous, I have been trying out new free MMOs in my spare time. I beta tested Twelve Sky 2, which is being published by Aeria Games, for almost ten whole minutes before I uninstalled it. I’ll leave you with the description of the game I gave my wife and move on:

[Read in movie narration voice]: In a very brown world, somebody needs you to do something. You’ll have a hard time figuring out what, so instead you’ll eat a sandwich while your gorgeously rendered character auto-fights hordes of lookalike enemies. If you can go at it long enough without gouging out your eyes, you’ll get a chance to participate in the fierce PvP the game supposedly offers.

If you like that I found out about the brown brown (so brown) world of Twelve Sky 2 and warned you away from it, I have some bad news. The Top Free MMOs is going on indefinite hiatus with the completion of this week’s article. The truth is that I have only three months left to write for Ten Ton Hammer (my decision), and I have too many things I want to accomplish. To get as much done as possible, I am retiring the list. After my departure, perhaps another writer will bravely step forward to pick up where I left off in this important community service (Hey, if you don’t think it’s community service, you try playing Nostale!).

I leave the list exactly as I had it last week, but I want to make some notes here. If I were to include games that restrict content to subscribers, Free Realms would top the chart. Wizard101 would come in just behind Dungeon Runners. My personal watch list includes the Ys MMO, but that game is limited to Europe right now, which is why I am not adding it here. I also follow Torchlight and Gatheryn with keen interest.

I hope you have enjoyed reading the Top Ten, and I’ll see you in the forums.

Top Ten Free MMOs May 6, 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		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: 6		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: 7		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: 8		Rohan: Blood Feud - (www.playrohan.com) YNK Interactive Rohan is a traidtional fantasy MMOG with deep lore and nice graphics. The world features intense PvP, gambling, and a few creative systems for managing gear. The level curve steepens midway through the game while the story diminishes. Rohan Portal Ten Ton Hammer Review
9 Last week: 9		Exteel - (www.exteel.com/us) NCsoft Exteel is a visceral PvP-centric game featuring mechs and beautifully designed levels. Exteel uses a lobby system to connect players, and people can upgrade their mechs with resources found in game or purchased from the item mall. Exteel Portal Ten Ton Hammer Review
10 Last week: 10		Florensia - (http://en.florensia-online.com) Florensia Western Global The peace in Florensia is fragile and you need your friends as well as strong allies to fight against sinister monsters on shore and at sea. Train your skills, experience thrilling trips through the countryside, load the cannons and hire a skilful crew to explore the ocean. Get ready for Florensia! Florensia Portal Preview

Ralsu's Watch List
	Game
	CABAL Online - (http://cabal.ogplanet.com/main.og) ESTsoft CABAL Online drops players in a brutal world where people are on the verge of extinction. Combat is  pretty fast, and the difficulty level runs higher than the average game.  The game requires grinding or grouping from an early level because of abrupt shifts in the difficulty of mobs. CABAL Portal Preview
	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
	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
	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!)
	Wizard101 - (www.wizard101.com) KingsIsle Entertainment, Inc. Wizard101 is an online, wizard school adventure with collectible card magic, and wizard duels! The game allows players to create a student wizard in an attempt to save Wizard City and explore many different worlds. In Wizard101, cards are magic spells. There are Fire spells, Ice spells, spells of Myth, and much more. The game is free to download. To access all of the areas, gamers will need to subscribe. Magic101 Portal Ten Ton Hammer Review

About This List

Please refer to the Top Ten Free MMOs Portal to find out how to get a game you make or like on this list.