Best Online MMORPGs for PC

When it comes to pure world immersion few games come as close as an MMORPG. They’ve become titans of the gaming industry for a reason. But it can be illuminating to really take a look at why they’re played by so many people all over the world.

MMORPGs take you on an easily identified and very satisfying character arc. You begin as a low level vagabond barely able to defeat a solitary goblin to this titanic force of nature capable of slaying gods. There’s a real sense of progression with MMOs which enhances the sense of growth. You’re getting better gear, better weapons and facing off against stronger enemies. But even more than that you’re achieving a better sense of the world you’re inhabiting and your role inside of it.

Another area that MMORPGs have excelled in have been in the technological realm. And this means more than just better graphics and more detailed game worlds. In recent years browser based free MMOs have become more and more prevalent. With browser MMOs you don’t need a powerhouse PC to get the most out of your gaming experience. Any PC with an internet connection can connect you to any number of fantastic free-to-play games.

It was also common for MMOs to only be accessible through a monthly subscription fee or, at the very least, a pricey upfront purchase. While many of these games can justify these costs that doesn’t mean that everyone’s willing or able to pay them. This is another area where browser based MMOs excel. They’re free to play which means there is zero financial commitment. So if you don’t like a game you don’t have to play and you’re not missing out on a dime. And thanks to recent advancements in browser based games you don’t have to sacrifice quality either. These games can be just as enthralling and impressive as their more established brethren. But don’t take our word for it, you’ll find dozens of free-to-play browser based MMORPGs on this page alone, including standouts such as League of Angels II and Dragon of Legends. Give one of them a try and see for yourself what all the excitement is about.

Army Rage – Defunct

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Army Rage is a 3D World War 2 themed MMOFPS game that allows players to compete with others in realistic battlefield environments. The game is set during one of the most deadly conflicts in the history of the world, WWII.  As a soldier, you are divided into teams to fight for their alliances. Army Rage is a fast-paced shooter that features four playable classes that are switchable in between re-spawns. Join the Axis or Allies and prepare for bloody war!

Set in 1939?s World War II, players become skilled soldiers fighting on the American based Alliance or German Reich. Choose between four playable classes: Assault, Scout, Support, Engineer, and participate in intense Team Death Matches with up to 24 players on the battlefield. Perform assist or direct kills for XP and earn coins to buy various weapons during the game. You are able to equip your hero with an assortment of artillery and gear for an advantage during battles.

Toss grenades for explosive attacks or make precise shots using SVT40 Sniper. Soldiers also have the option of riding in authentic looking Sherman tanks while blasting away at enemies on the battlefield. Join fast paced Death Matches to the complex King of the Hill game mode to test your skills as an officer. Earn kill points and enough assists to move up the ranks from rookie to a highly respected general in this fun free-to-play first person shooter.

ArcheBlade

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ArcheBlade

I’ll start off by saying I like the idea of ArcheBlade. The
concept of a third person MOBA/brawler title is one that definitely intrigues
me, as does the mix of third-person shooter styled controls with the dynamics
typical in a fighting game. The concept actually interested me enough that I
was willing to look past the animu visuals to see if there was
anything of substance within.

Unfortunately, what I found was about as flimsy as the black
tissue paper that Elrath passes off as clothing.

I?m not sure where to start here, so I think I might as well
begin with the characters. I?m willing to overlook their over-the-top design,
the skimpy, ridiculous outfits of many of the female characters, and even the
god-awful voice acting (although the next time I hear the line ?just got out of
the shower!? I?m throwing my headset out the window).  I like to think they add a bit of personality
to the whole experience; they give it a sort of insane, quirky vibe.


I will admit that the combat, too, is fairly solid. ArcheBlade is basically an entertaining, fast-paced hack-and-slash, where you?re as
likely to be torn to shreds in a manner of seconds as you are to consign your
foes to a quick and painful death. Though the combos do take some getting used
to, there?s actually a surprising amount of depth to the game, if you?re only
willing to dig deep enough.

Unfortunately, when you do that digging, you?re likely to
notice a number of glaring issues.

Out of the thirteen characters on ArcheBlade?s roster, some are unarguably better than the rest. For example: due to their
large size, champions like Danmei or Cezanne are nearly impossible to miss in
combat. Melee champions have an easy time juggling them because if their
relatively large hit-boxes, while they can find it next to impossible to land
their abilities on smaller heroes.

There?s also the fact that most of the text in the game ?
including the ability descriptions ? reads like it was shoved through Google
Translate a few times, pasted into the game, and then left to its own devices.
I?ll give you folks an example:

?When the evil generalissimo of the Dwarf Empire who dreamed
to govern the world suspected his downfall, and spread his blood relatives on
the ground by manipulating his genes. The plan was to create the so-called
?children of the generalissimo?. The by-product of the plan was Dick.?

That rather amusing description is quoted directly from the
game?s lore page.  This sort of quality
is pretty much par for the course in ArcheBlade; grammar and sentence
structure clearly weren?t the developers strong suits, and as a result some of
the text in the game actually grows so incoherent as to border on completely
unreadable.

The lack of a matchmaking system ? in favor of a bunch of
player-hosted servers ? is also somewhat bewildering to me. A game like ArcheBlade is uniquely suited to matchmade games, yet instead, developer Codebrush
has decided to basically make it a complete and utter free for all. The end
result is that novice players frequently come up against veterans while they?re
trying to learn the ropes, quitting after they find themselves getting
thoroughly trounced.  It?s something
Codebrush desperately needs to fix if they?re going to move forward.
Like so many of the other games I?ve reviewed recently,
ArcheBlade has potential?which it?s gleefully choosing to ignore. Pick it up
on Steam or online if you like ? you probably won?t find me playing it much in
the near future.

ArcheAge

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ArcheAge is an open-ended MMORPG from XLGames and Trion Worlds that seeks to free the player from the predefined paths and progression that has become a staple to the RPG genre. Described as a “Sandpark MMORPG,” the game lies firmly between the sandbox and themepark genres.

Players will play as one of four available races, divided between two continents. The Nuians and Elves dominate the western continent, while the Firran and Harani stake claims in the east. More than 100 unique classes can be created through the combination of up to three Skillsets, ranging from Battlerage, to Sorcery, to Shadowplay and more. Skillsets can be swapped at any time allowing the player to tailor their character to any preference or situation.

ArcheAge features a world driven by the player. You can become who you want, perfect the skills and crafts that you love and exploit them to make a living through the game’s player-driven economy. Farming and collecting resources will give you the necessities you need to create your own home, castle or even city through the use of city stones. But be wary, your creations are always at the risk of PvP attack. Constructed siege weapons and rallied armies can deal a devastating blow to even the greatest of powers.

The ocean promises to play a key role in ArcheAge’s player-driven economy. Build and equip ships, assemble crews and secure trade routes to work the seas to your good fortune. Or, take a completely different approach and pirate unsuspecting ships, taking advantage of those trying to make a decent living.

One of the more unique systems to be implemented in the ArcheAge is the judicial system. Commit an in-game crime? You could be subject to punishment by authority of the player run courts. Serving prison time and working off your debt — or attempting escape — is all part of this living, breathing world.

ArcheAge is a free-to-play MMORPG experience. For more information or to sign up, click the Play Now button.

APB: Reloaded

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APB: Reloaded

APB (All Points Bulletin): Reloaded is an action based third-person shooter MMO produced by Realtime Worlds. It takes place in the modern city of San Paro where the Enforcers (a well-organized faction of special forces, police units, and mercenaries) attempt to contain the activities of Criminals (bands of terrorists who prey on the city and its civilians). A player may chose to play either faction by creating a highly customizable character in the chosen faction and completing missions or participating in senseless cop-on-thug violence (or vice versa).

APB is a real time world that is as immersive as it gets. There is no offline mode, so yesterday’s game will be different today. The action is non-stop in this urban sprawl and opportunities for fun are endless. Play with your friends and form groups to beat missions, gain ranks, score some cash and unlock many of the hundreds of new clothes, guns, and cars available. The music is great, and there’s even a marketplace where you can sell music you’ve created for in-game cash. The game’s engine also gives room for tons of hilarious stunts, edge-of-your-seat battles, and death defying chases.

This off-kilter MMO is sure to strike a nerve with some, but this addicting title is must try. So ask yourself, “Do I believe in justice… or chaos?” and prepare yourself for the relentless onslaught that is the living city of San Paro.

Allods Online

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Allods Online

Allods Online is a free-to-play fantasy MMORPG developed by the Russian company Astrum Nival. The game entered its open beta stage on February 16, 2010. Ever since then numerous levels of polish have been added on top of the original design and the vast majority of the game?s problems have been ironed out. The game was finally launched on May 11, 2011 together with its fourth volume called Astral Odyssey.Many of the game?s composing elements could be considered traditional for the fantasy MMORPG genre, but a few are a bit more original than expected. Among them is the players’ ability to build ships and with them sail the magical space called The Astral. To make things even more interesting, players can engage in ship-to-ship combat and explore zones otherwise unreachable.

The Allods Online player base is split into two factions: The League and The Empire, each of them with three races and a panoply of classes to choose from. While the class system might see a bit overwhelming especially to a new player or to someone unaccustomed with the fantasy MMORPG canons, it does provided a most welcomed variety and the time invested in understanding the system and what each and every class brings to the table is eventually well worth it.

Allods Online managed to impress gamers and critics alike by providing triple-A quality gameplay, graphics and sounds in a free-to-play business model. The artistic direction of the game bearing the unmistakable influence of the Russian art school is particularly impressive.

Alliance of Valiant Arms

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AVA is a high-octane MMOFPS that plunges you into the middle of a world at war. Side with the European Union (E.U.) or Neo-Russian Federation (NRF) and take up arms across vicious urban battlegrounds. Test your skills against your friends and see if you have what it takes to come out on top!

Powered by the Unreal3 engine, AVA offers immersive gameplay with HD quality graphics. Engross yourself in stunningly rendered battlefields and feel the heat of combat in lucid detail. Realistic actions and character movements bring the warfare to life as you fight to survive in the ruthless alternative history world of AVA.

Think you?re on top of your game? AVA provides a wide variety of game modes in which to prove it. Itchy trigger finger? Try your hand at classic gun-slinging modes like Annihilation or Escape, and mow your enemies down as they come your way. Master tactician? Try one of the more unique modes, like Escort, in which you must guard a tank and prevent its destruction as it trundles into enemy territory.

Dominate the battlefield and eliminate the competition in Player vs. Player missions ? or, if teamwork?s more your style, hook up with some friends and comb through intense, objective-based Co-Op missions. Endless challenges await you!

The right soldier for the right situation: Choose from three soldier classes with different traits and specialties to match your play-style ? then gain the edge you need to prevail by unlocking unique skills and upgrades for your soldier.

Aion

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Aion

Aion is a converted free-to-play 3D fantasy MMORPG from NCSoft set in the gorgeous world of Atreia. Home to the brave Asmodians and radiant Elyos, these two factions have turned on each other after an epic cataclysm divided their peoples. You must not only defend your kin from opposing factions, but also rid the world of an abyssal evil that promises to turn your world to rubble.

The game has a truly immersive environment, where players can fly through breathtaking scenery and explore a wonderfully diverse planet. With thousands of quests available and plenty of instanced dungeons, you may chose to dedicate your time to help the residents of Atreia, challenge yourself against the story line, or increase your skills in the profession of your choice. Also, challenge other players in PvPvE within the Abyss and Balaurea where the winning sides earn taxes and special items.

So strap on your wings and get ready to soar through the awe that is Aion. You’re in for a treat!

Age Of Conan

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Age of Conan

Explore the world of Hyboria in Age of Conan, Funcoms latest MMORPG title to adapt a free to play model. Based on the highly popular Conan franchise, the game lets you explore a world of magic and monsters as you battle your way through, using everything from a battle-axe to dark magic.

Age of Conan features twelve unique classes and 4 races all with in-depth skill trees and abilities that allow players to customize their character as they progress through the game.The combat in AoC is arguably one of the most interactive in the MMO universe, instead of the typical button mashing of 1-5, players choose how to swing their weapon and perform combo attacks to unleash stronger abilities. The combat system is heavily skill based which attracts many PvP fans to the game and the recent update including hardcore PvP servers has gone down really well with the community.PvP is a large part of Age of Conan, players can join free for all servers allowing for instant combat against other players almost anywhere in the game.

More reserved PvP fans get plenty of action in the form of Guilds and Siege Battles. Guilds are able to build or conquer Battle Keeps.  Siege Battles are large-scale combat scenarios where guilds fight each other in the hopes of claiming new territory or capturing better resource locations.

Age of Conan now offers a free to play model allowing players to download the client and play for free with minimal restrictions, you can progress through the game easily as a free player but you don’t gain access to some of the more unique mounts and raids. Funcom also recently introduced a micro transaction system in the form of a standard MMO item mall, a free to play player can use this item mall without needing to upgrade to a premium account.