Train Station

Train Station

Train Station is a railway simulation game where you build your station, sign contracts, build your collection and gain achievements, all for free!

TrainStation is a game where you can build and run your own train station. You can play the history of railroads from its very beginning to the supermodern trains of the future. From steam giants to modern locomotives. Buy trains, send them to various destinations, earn gold and materials, dispatch trains to your friends, visit your neighbours, do business with Contractors and build your own station with various buildings and decorations. Take on the challange and have lots of fun with our TrainStation!

Pocket Starships

Pocket Starships

Pocket Starships is a brand new free to play mobile MMO from Spectacle Games. The game is available on both Android and iOS devices and brings players a vast universe filled with space combat. The game will connect thousands of players in their sci-fi world with a crafting system, alliance system, live chat and more. The goal of the game is to, obviously, dominate the entire galaxy, and you’ll do that with your ship building skills.

The highlight list of the game reads like this:

  • Command your ship in massive PvP real-time space battles
  • Battle with and against thousands of other players for galactic dominance in a vast universe
  • Build thousands of different in-game items with the advanced crafting and upgrading system
  • Recruit players and build strong alliances
  • Connect with players in the global and alliance live chat system
  • Engage simultaneously across iOS, Android and PC due to true cross-platform technology
  • Receive notifications when its time to join decisive battles with your faction

Cannons Lasers Rockets

Cannons Lasers Rockets

Full disclosure: this game’s still in alpha, so a lot of the current problems could potentially be fixed by the time it’s ready for its official release. At the same time, however, the developers have displayed a few distressing tendencies that don’t necessarily bode well for the title’s future. I’ll just describe my experience with CLR, and let you folks be the judge of whether or not it’s worth playing or not. 

Cannons Lasers Rockets takes the traditional MOBA concept and attempts to spin it on its head, mashing it together with a third-person space combat simulator. How it works is pretty simple: each team has a base on either side of the map .There are several ‘lanes’ in each combat, guarded by massive flagships known as Defenders. The goal is to get past the defenders in order to destroy the opposing team’s base. Pretty simple, right? You’re helped along in this by strange little starships known as hornets, awakened from floating structures known as cocoons – standard minions, basically.

In that regard, Cannons Lasers Rockets actually puts another rather interesting twist on tradition. I’m not sure if it’s a glitch or not, but Hornets are hostile to whatever ship happens to get close enough. As such, awakening a cocoon on the opposing team’s side of the map will provide you with some much-needed firepower to get past the Defenders, but you could also find yourself being torn apart by your own forces. 

Once a cocoon is awakened (by shooting its shields down), the only way to rid yourself of the constant stream of hornets is to destroy it. So far so good, right? 

The control scheme’s your pretty standard WASD affair, with the mouse used for aiming and the mouse-keys and number keys used for your ships abilities. Destroying hornets, cocoons, structures, or enemy ships will net you points with which to upgrade your own ship. Again, pretty standard stuff, but with the potential to be pretty damned fun. Unfortunately, here’s where the game starts to stumble.

For some reason. battles are restricted to four ships in total. That’s two teams of two ships each, as opposed to the traditional 5v5 MOBA formula. You’d think this would make it easier for players to find a match, but that’s not the case – it took me at least twenty minutes just to get into my first game, and even once I did, the lag was a constant issue, combined with framerate drops and a whole host of mechanical glitches. Since it’s an alpha, I’m willing to overlook most of these problems. on the assumption that they’ll be patched out when the full game releases. 

One thing I’m not willing to overlook is the horrible matchmaking system and its horrendous wait times. If you’re building a MOBA,that is literally the most important component of your game, right after gameplay. If the developers can’t get that right, even in alpha, well…doesn’t really bode all that well, does it?

As if that’s not enough, the game doesn’t even do freemium all that well, either. Free players (or “trial” players) only have access to two ships, while those who shell out $15.00 gain access to ten premium vessels. Near as I can tell, there is no way for free players to unlock these without paying money. 

The problem is that beneath all these problems, there’s actually a very promising (and honestly, incredibly fun) game. I’m holding out hope that, once it’s out of alpha, it’ll be more worthwhile. For the time being, I’d recommend skipping out on this one – it doesn’t have much to offer right now. 

GunZ 2: The Second Duel

GunZ 2

When I was younger (and perhaps more foolish) I managed to draw a great deal of enjoyment from a rather strange little game called GunZ: The Duel. This third-person platformer was all about quick fingers, melee, and parkour – I was hooked. You can imagine my excitement then, when I realized that there’s a sequel, currently in open beta on Steam. Does it live up to the legacy of the original? 

Well…yes and no. 

Full disclosure here: I’m kind of awful at this game. I’m not entirely certain why, or what it is about it, but…I can’t play to save my life. Keep that in mind as you read this review (though I’m not going to be commenting much on game balance – everything seems to be in order there). 

One thing I’m going to say before moving on is that purist fans of the original should probably avoid GunZ 2. They have, unfortunately, gotten rid of K-Styling (they’re using a new engine, without the easily-exploitable flaws of the original). What that means is that you’re going to have to rely more on your standard outfit of moves. Unfortunately, while you’ve still got a pretty varied set of moves, the mechanics feel like they’ve been gutted somewhat, as well. Although you’re going to be moving with a fair bit of agility, GunZ 2 feels somewhat slower than its predecessor, with much less parkour than the original. What’s more, Although each of the four classes is somewhat unique in the gear available to them, melee ultimately feels the same whether you’re a Gunslinger or a Shield Trooper.

Oh, yeah. Forgot to mention: remember the awesome freedom you were afforded in GunZ? How you could design your character however you wanted, giving them whatever guns and cosmetic gear you saw fit? Yeah, say goodbye to that in the sequel, where the developers have inexplicably decided to switch over to a class system. At creation, you’re going to need to select one of the four different characters; the others will remain locked to you until you shell out either real money or a hefty sum of in-game cash.

That’s strike one against GunZ 2, and a significant one, at that.

There’s also a severely limited range of cosmetic items available for your character compared against the previous game – though admittedly, this may be due to GunZ 2 still being in beta. I’ll give it a pass on this, as the team behind it could well release more stuff as the game moves past its beta stage. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that they don’t make it pay to win, though certain elements (like the respawn coins, which let you revive your character in the single-player missions and cost $2.95 a pop) don’t really bode well, nor does the somewhat exorbitant price of most of the stuff in the shop. 

Ultimately, I don’t dislike GunZ 2…but I don’t like it all that much, either. It’s sort of…bland and soulless, in spite of how good it looks and sounds. That’s a shame, given how fun the original was (though admittedly, I might be looking at it through rose-colored glasses). Ah, well. Back to Loadout. That game’s giving me more entertainment than this one possibly could. 

World Tour Fishing

World Tour Fishing

Exciting, edge of your seat action in the classic battle between fish and fisher! Quick reflexes, complex rod and real simulations keep you on your toes every second you’re reeling in the next World Record Catch!

Catch indigenous fish and travel to the best spots that even the pros dream about! With more than 1000 fish found in their native habitats, any closer to real life and you’ll need to buy bait.

Some of the unique aspects of the game include the Fishpedia and the aquarium system.  The Fishpedia gives the game a Pokemon like feel, wanting to collect all the fish from around the world.  There is a combination of strategy and reaction timing to catching the fish, and they do come with various difficulties in order to catch some of the more rarer ones.  

Champions of Regnum

Champions of Regnum

Champions of Regnum is a Fantasy MMORPG by NGD Studios. This free-to-play MMO specializes in PvP, with an enormous Realm-vs-Realm style that promises to deliver intense warfare. Choose your allegiance: Will you fight alongside the dwarves of the north, Alsius? Test your mettle with the southern wood-elves of Syrtis? Or fight for your dark elf brothers in Ignis?

Do you have the chops to be a Warrior? A warrior must be mighty and stout. Do you posses the cunning of an Archer? A keen eye and a steady frame will lead you to riches. Or is your prowess, perhaps, to be found in the Mage? The highly-intelligent master of the elements.

Choose your role, play it well, and bring glory to your people.

City of Steam

City of Steam

City of Steam is a free-to-play 3D browser-based fantasy MMORPG by Mechanist Games. Set in an industrial world, players embark on a quest to restore society from post-apocalypse. Travel through the steampunk inspired universe and hack-and-slash your way through quests, missions, and instances.

Chose from 1 of 10 races; the Heartlanders, Ostenian, Stoigmari, Aven, Riven, Goblin, Hobbe, Draug, and the Orcs. There are also 4 different classes to chose from; the Gunner, Warder, Arcanist, and Channeler.

Warhammer 40K: Eternal Crusade

Warhammer 40K: Eternal Crusade

Warhammer 40k: Eternal Crusade is a Sci-Fi MMORPG currently under development by Behaviour Interactive. This third person MMORPG has a heavy PvP focus where players fight for territory control. The combat system is uniquely engaging, with a 3D, third-person, action-based targeting system.

Chose from on of four unique factions: The Space Marines, the Orks, the Eldar, or the Chaos Space Marines. Invite your friends and make a squad, fight together and dominate!

Limited information is available, so stayed tuned for more!

Dawngate

Dawngate

Dawngate is a top-view MOBA currently under development by Waystone Games. There will be two bases, one on the bottom left corner and another in the top right. Three lanes will lead minions and champions from on base to another. Kill the minions passing through your assigned lane and work with your teammates to infiltrate the enemy base.

There is not much information currently available regarding the game’s development and release.

Hearthstone

Hearthstone

So…I kind of regret downloading Hearthstone. No, not because there are any inherent problems with the quality of the game. Quite the contrary, actually – it’s probably one of the most solid card games I’ve played in years, mechanics-wise. Everything from the music to the graphics to the voice acting is impeccably done, and the freemium elements of the title – while they do smack very faintly of pay-to-win – are implemented well enough that they don’t particularly impede one’s enjoyment.

The way the game works is deceptively simple. In Hearthstone, there are two ‘types’ of cards – Neutral and Class. Neutral Cards – which feature various recognizable creatures pulled straight from World of Warcraft, referred to as “minions” – can be used in most any deck, but don’t include any spells within their ranks. Presumably, these represent the myriad monsters and NPCs you’d encounter in the MMORPG itself. Class Cards, meanwhile, are meant to represent a particular classes skills and abilities. While they tend to include a few minions, they’re primarily comprised of spells and equipment. Each deck may only choose Class cards from one particular Class – for example, you wouldn’t be able to include the Warlock’s class cards in a Priest deck.

Each class -represented by a familiar face from Warcraft canon, from Uther Lightbringer(Paladin) to Jaina Proudmoore(Mage) to Rexxar(Hunter) – furthermore has its own special ability, costing only two mana. This adds a unique bit of flavor to the game, and can actually form the crux of a deck’s entire strategy. For example, a common tactic with the Mage is to use Enrage minions (which get bigger when they take damage) and hit them with her one damage Firebolt spell to pump them up on the turn they’re summoned, while a priest might decide to steal those minions for himself, healing them with his ability.

Like I said…deceptively simple.

On first booting up Hearthstone, you’ll be walked through a short series of tutorial battles which will walk you through the basics (and introduce you to the game’s peculiar sense of humor). Playing as Jaina Proudmoore – the hero used to represent the Mage, the first class to which players have access – you’ll fight through a series of amusing foes, from the vicious Hogger straight up to Illidan Stormrage himself. Afterwards, the game effectively turns you loose, equipping you with a single booster pack, a selection of Neutral creatures, and the Mage class. If you’d like, you can stick with the Mage, or defeat the AI to unlock any of the game’s other classes. Play games, and you’ll level up your class, unlocking more Class Cards for them and enabling you to improve your deck.

That actually leads me to one of the biggest problems with Hearthstone – indeed, a problem shared by many games of its ilk. Due both to the leveling system and Hearthstone’s mirotransactions, there’s actually a bit of a barrier to entry for new players. Until you’ve accumulated a few booster packs, your deck’s probably going to feel a touch ineffective. That’s because many of the most powerful cards are unlocked not through leveling up, but as random drops in booster packs. These packs are bought with Gold, which can either be gained through completing “Quests” (for example, win 3 games as a Mage) or with real-world money.

That’s a minor gripe, at best. Even though it’s only in beta, Hearthstone is already incredibly addicting – and extremely promising. One thing is certain: Blizzard definitely knows how to do free to play.

Dogs of War Online

Dogs of War Online

As a tabletop gamer myself, I was immediately drawn to Dogs of War Online. The free-to-play strategy game is reportedly based on a tabletop war game of the same name. While I can’t say I’ve ever played the latter, after a bit of time with the former, I’m sorely tempted to. Although Dogs of War Online certainly does have its faults, it was, as a whole, both entertaining and engrossing.

Set in the war-torn world of Aarklash, Dogs of War Online pits three primary factions against one another: Light, Darkness, and Destiny. The Forces of Light are pretty much your vanilla ‘good guys,’ and are represented by humans and mages. Darkness, meanwhile, are the undead and unholy; creatures that have no business existing in the world. Finally, Destiny draws the Wolfen to its fold; wolf-like creatures who don’t share the black-or-white morality of the other two factions. These three groups are referred to as the Lion, the Ram, and the Wolf, respectively. When you start out, you’ll be granted access to one of the three; you can unlock more as you play through the game.

Army Points – immediately familiar to anyone who’s played a game like Warhammer – are used as a numeric representation of how powerful your forces are. Each unit has a particular AP value based on its stats and special abilities. Fielding a few ultra-powerful units might give you the edge, but you could easily see your bruisers taken down by a group of smaller, weaker foes. The units in each alliance follow the same design principles as one another, with enough variety that you’re free to develop your army as you see fit.

Take the force of the Lion, for example. Individually, they tend to be far weaker than the Wolfen, who gravitate towards savage units designed to roll over their foes in rapid succession. A Wolfen force may seem overpowered at first – after all, a single Wolfen can kill scores of swordsmen. With proper tactics, however, the brutes are rarely a problem – though the smallest mistake could see your army obliterated in a few turns.

The primary component of Dogs of War Online is engaging with duels in other players to gain fame and wealth with which they can build up their forces. There are other activities, as well; individual units can be sent on missions like tournaments, shakedowns, or kidnapping, removing them from your army for a set amount of time. Although the rewards for such missions are great and the investment small, there’s a chance your unit might end up injured or dead – though this decreases significantly with more skilled units. Oh, I should probably mention – each unit gains experience every time it’s used in combat, eventually leveling up and gaining access to new perks and abilti

The game looks and plays marvelously, with fluid animations, an easy-to-use interface, and aesthetically pleasing hex-grid maps. I won’t get too much into the details of combat, but suffice it to say, it’s quite satisfying, with a pleasing amount of depth. I’ll let you discover the rest for yourself.

The in-game cash shop is admirably designed, without even the barest hint of pay to win. Anything you can buy with purchased currency is available with in-game cash and a bit of effort grinding up the necessary funds. The end result of this combined with the game’s matchmaking system is that no player really feels like they’ve an unfair advantage over the rest; there’s really little difference between paying players and non-paying ones (save perhaps that the non-paying folks have spent more time in-game.)

Oh, and players can also construct their own buildings that will generate units for them, too, somewhat eliminating the need to use the cash shop at higher levels.

Now, Dogs of War Online isn’t perfect. There’s really no narrative to speak of, and the single-player missions are relatively bland as a result. Bad grammar and misspellings run rampant throughout the game, and the matchmaking system sometimes takes a bit longer than it should to track down opponents. It’s also still in beta, so expect a few quirks here and there. Still, it’s good for a bit of fun, especially if strategy games are your forte.

Heva Clonia Online

Heva Clonia Online

Heva Clonia Online is a Fantasy MMORPG currently under development by PlayBuster and OG Planet. In Heva Clonia, players can create clones of monsters and adventure through a cutely animated world. Clone and collect unique pets by cloning in-game monsters!

Use your pets to battle hordes of enemies and fight alongside your friends in co-op dungeons. Choose your class, evolve your powers, enhance your job, and find glory!

Heva Clonia Online is currently in beta testing, scheduled to release this fall!

Trove

Trove

Trove is an open-ended Fantasy MMORPG currently under development by Trion Worlds. In Trove, players will be able to build whatever they can imagine. Travel through countless realms and complete quests, defeat enemies, and discover the deepest secrets of the realms.

Trove has an expansive loot system, with hundreds of items to find in your adventures. Customize your character, level up, and build the world of your dreams. Each world is unique in that no two worlds have identical landscapes or environments. Raise and lower terrain, chop down trees, and dig your way around.Trove promises to be a fun new title, so stay tuned for more updates as they release!

EverQuest Next

EverQuest Next

EverQuest Next is a 3D Fantasy MMORPG currently under development by Sony Online Entertainment. Tagged as the largest sandbox to date, Sony promises that this next-gen title will revolutionize and reinvigorate the EverQuest Series. Unfortunately, not much information is available regarding its release.