Whether you live in the U.S. and have tomorrow off, or you're watching in wonder from afar, taking bets with your friends to see exactly how many Americans can do truly dumb things in the name of freedom (chasing each other around with Roman candles seemed like a fantastic idea after a case of beer), this week has been full of events happening in quite a few games. While we've written about a good deal of them already, here's my pick of the top 5 games to play this weekend, regardless of locale. Don't singe off your fingers yet, you've got gaming to do!

5. Marvel Heroes

I admit, I have a huge traditional MMO bias here. I love super hero movies and in fact, they're pretty much the only kind of movie I like seeing in the theater, outside of the occasional other action flick. I never really got into super hero comics (outside of anti-heroes) and I haven't found a super hero MMO that's roped me in. Also, I think I'm just too much of a spazz to get the hang of top-down views. It's like my dumb brain can't just line up where I want to go with where I'm actually going. However, I love the Marvel movies, so in theory, I can already get behind the IP. Plus, Deadpool.

While Marvel Heroes isn't necessarily my thing, that doesn't stop me from supporting them and their week-long celebration for both Independence Day and Canada Day. This is the only game on my list that's directly celebrating two national holidays this week, and I think it's great that they're giving a nod to two different countries. Earlier today, I wrote about how Marvel Heroes is extending two of their events, along with running events until early Tuesday morning of next week. Right now is a great time to be logging in, especially if you want to work on earning rarer heroes!

4. WildStar

I know what you're thinking: Really? WildStar is only number 4? But it's Carbine's successful, hot new title! And it's new!! Hear me out. WildStar is a really fun game. I don't even hate the Arkship because every time Mondo Zax yells at me and tells me he's busy, it makes me a little warm and fuzzy inside. WildStar's become my slow-burner game, for whatever reason, and I'm just not in a hurry to consume content at a lightning pace. I'm currently subscribing to several MMOs, and honestly, I wish I had more free time.

That doesn't mean that I'm not stupid excited about The Strain Ultradrop. The new emote is hysterical, I love the new housing plugs and décor, and, even though I can't enjoy it yet, I love that Carbine is already adding in new content. My sub is active, I log in throughout the week, and I'm still happy with it. I see WildStar as something I'll be with long-term, and I am not in a hurry to push to max level to be bored waiting for my friends to log in. For once, I'm casually digesting a game and taking it slow to 50. It's a new era for me, but with my new-found want to take it slow, WildStar will be my least played game over the weekend.

3. Neverwinter

As I write, I am installing Neverwinter. Ever since I learned the story of The Ring of Scale versus The Claw of Veeshan, I've had a bit of a thing for dragons. My raiding guild was aligned with Kael Drakkel, but I went with Skyshrine. Because I had the exact opposite faction from everyone else, I could walk around the north wing in the Temple of Veeshan, where I would act as a spotter for our Monk puller. Like a true Bard, while everyone else was fighting dragons, I would often spin yarns of lore to my guildmates as to why I would rather take the harder road to gearing up (I would either attend alt raids with my main or join pick up raids), instead of just joining in the fight.

With Neverwinter kicking off their Season of Dragons, I can't resist. Writing about Neverwinter's Season and their upcoming forth module, Tyranny of Dragons, reminded me of my old raiding days, but also giving me a new way to explore a whole new kind of lore. While I'm familiar with Dungeons and Dragons lore, I do not know it anywhere as well as I do EverQuest's. I'm looking forward to running around Neverwinter this weekend and seeing what all Perfect World has been doing with it.

2. Guild Wars 2

Between Guild Wars 2 and WildStar, I find World of Warcraft's lack of dodging to be disturbing. In WildStar, I perfected my art of dodging, but Guild Wars 2 is where I began learning the fine art of double tapping out of those pesky red ground reticules. I've been playing a good amount of both games lately, but all of this hubbub we've been raising here on Ten Ton Hammer about Guild Wars 2 Week really makes me want to dive back into Tyria and do something I haven't done in some time: puzzle to death. Some might think that gracefully achieving a puzzle by platforming through it without fault is the way to go, however, I seem to be able to reinvent death on a nightly basis. I make platforming a whole new art style with my ability to die where no one should even be high enough to fall to death, or get stuck in the weirdest possible place where I'd rather just die and get it over with so I can get out of there.

Season Two of Living World for Guild Wars 2 began this week it's a great time to be logging in. ArenaNet is great about adding in world-changing content that can only be experienced once as it unfolds. They have received criticism over it, and yeah, missing out on it sucks. However, when you are able to make it into the game and you are able to experience this type of content, it's awe inspiring and addictive. I look forward to joining our heroes and experiencing Season Two firsthand.

1. STAR WARS: The Old Republic

While I'm sure that this is not going to be everyone's choice this week – hell, I keep surprising myself with my choice for it to be my #1 – but damn nostalgia is one hell of a drug. For one reason or another, it seems like I've been talking to friends about SWTOR a ton lately. Not to mention, I've been writing about it so much lately.

There's nothing I love more than healing, especially if I can level in an MMO while healing. My Smuggler has been level 50 for too long, and because of double experience this week, along with a healthy dose of nostalgia, I plan on spending way too much time queuing for PvP matches to get my Scoundrel's heal on as much as possible. What better way to celebrate freedom?