What We Liked..
Excellent battle system
Realistic and detailed graphics
.. and what we didn't
Bland and repetitive quests
It takes a good setup in order to run the game at its maximum
Watch the trailer:
A big budget MMORPG, TERA originally required a subscription fee but it has recently become free-to-play. This title was released in Korea in 2011 and then later in 2013 for a Western audience. TERA was published in the US and Europe by En Masse Entertainment and Frogster, respectively.
The game has one big advantage: its combat system which was extensively highlighted during the game's marketing campaign. TERA's combat system is far from what people are used to seeing in other titles. At times the action will remind you more of a third person action game with its much more direct and visceral presentation.
Despite all this, the repetitive quests will quickly remind you that this games is an MMORPG, but fortunately the very sophisticated graphics along with the combat system make up for the repetitiveness of the quests.
More or less free-to-play, there isn't much from stopping you to at least try the game's new adaptations, except maybe its long download times.
What We Liked..
Excellent gameplay
Immersive 3rd person perspective
Other game modes are great fun
Gold sharing system encourages team play
.. and what we didn't
Slower unlocking for non-paying players
but this is nothing new
Smite is a third person MOBA developed by Hi-Rez Studios where you fight as one of the ancient gods of world mythologies, taking out enemy Gods, towers, minions and bases, all while playing in the refreshing new third person perspective.
It wouldn’t be a MOBA without a classic 3 lane map, but Smite has lots of other play options that are actually good fun – something that is sadly missing among MOBAs. Whether it’s the speedy Arena mode, the battle heavy Assault mode or one of the crazier Match of the Day scenarios, there’s plenty to do in this game.
Add to this an unobtrusive cash shop, decent graphics and well developed gameplay and you have a winner. Smite is highly recommended, a free to play title that is as enjoyable and challenging as you want it to be.
What We Liked..
It's Star Wars
Morality and conversation system
The customizable personal history of your character
.. and what we didn't
A lot of restrictions on the free-to-play option
Another World of Warcraft clone
Star Wars: The Old Republic is a recently released free to play MMORPG developed by Bioware and published by EA and LucasArts.
On one hand, its RPG aspects are excellent but on the other, its MMO qualities aren't so good. The game's creators definitely opted for the pay-to-win model with this one. The cash shop is graciously supplied and gives too large of an advantage compared to the in game stores.
Off the bat, the game had tons of potential for enjoyment. Its Star Wars licensed storyline and the opportunity to make your own customizable Jedi doppelganger had Star Wars fans hooked since their announcement.
Taking all that into account as well as its excellent graphical presentation this game is a worthy detour for any Star Wars fan looking to immerse themselves in an online community of Star Wars fandom.
What We Liked..
New take on the genre
Easier to pick up than traditional MOBAs
System to disable abusive players
Excellent graphics
.. and what we didn't
Less challenging for seasoned players
Strife is a new MOBA by S2 Games, the maker of Heroes of Newerth. Despite its name, Strife has been trumpeted as the answer to the MOBA genre’s highly competitive - even toxic – community, and playing the game it’s easy to see why. S2 have worked hard to create a softer, more accessible game without compromising on the key elements that make MOBAs so enjoyable.
From changing the farming system so that gold is shared among team members when one makes a successful kill, to the introduction of a rating system that rewards good behavior and bans multiple offenders from in-game chat, Strife is all about encouraging team play and a friendlier online environment. Gamers who love a serious challenge might prefer to stick to the high-stakes play in other MOBAs, but Strife is perfect for new and casual gamers.
It may be easier, but that doesn’t mean it’s without challenge. Strife does try to change things up. There is a giant ape who can be freed by one side to wreak havoc on the other, super useful pet companions to train and customise and a crafting system that rewards loyal players. Far from just being a novice version of a regular MOBA, Strife is a serious step in a more positive direction for the genre, and a great opening point to any gamer who’s hung back from MOBAs so far.
What We Liked..
Immersive sci-fi atmosphere
RTS elements
A lot of complexity for hardcore gamers
.. and what we didn't
Difficult for beginners
Small community (but it's still a closed beta)
Watch the trailer:
When reviewing a MOBA in 2015, the n. #1 question to address is: do we really need another one? Is there anything original enough to make it worth playing? The short answer, in Supernova's case, is yes.
Apart from the original-but-not-so-much sci-fi \ space setting (which at least is not the same ol' fantasy one), Supernova brings an appreciated dose of strategy and complexity thanks to its RTS elements: minions don't spawn at predefined intervals to follow the same, computer-defined path, but are controlled directly by players.
You'll have a tech tree to research, and resources to spend to buy the most appropriate units for your objectives, just like in a RTS game.
This really adds a lot of gameplay opportunities, and we're sure that hardcore players looking for a deep, complex game will find in Supernova a great fit.
What We Liked..
Gameplay is simple yet complex enough to keep the player engaged
Accelerated time keeps the game moving and interesting
Graphics are engaging and excellent
.. and what we didn't
Dangerously easy to rely on the game shop
Not good on battery life
Very time consuming as you level up
If orange is the new black, then farming is the new popular app. With games like Farmville and Hay Day, players can immerse themselves into the artificial pleasures of farming. This includes things like growing crops, raising livestock, and delivering goods and services to awaiting customers. Like Farmville, Township got its start on the Facebook platform and evolved into a standalone app. But where Farmville and Hay Day focus strictly on farm-building, Township expands the player's reach into other areas of development, like house-building, factories, restaurants, movie theaters, and even a zoo. It blends farm and city building together into something that's less 'nostalgic farming' and more 'farming metropolis'. The game is also quick to catch on to, with a fairly basic tutorial that relies on simple animated GIFs that show the player exactly how to play, but leaves enough room to let the player explore on their own if they want.
With a fairly basic premise ("Congratulations on inheriting some property!"), a simple-yet-complex gaming structure that keeps you engaged, and amazing graphics, Township remains a top contender in the world-building simulation apps out there.
What We Liked..
Ability to switch between classes at will
10 different classes that are fun to play
Story-driven MMORPG
Action based combat
Unobtrusive cash shop
.. and what we didn't
Typical grind at later levels
Unsubstantial PVE and PVP
Linear story pacing and delivery
Twin Saga is the latest high fantasy setting MMORPG to come out from Asia and offers a promising outlook for the genre by putting the power of choice in the hands of the player. rassembler du matériel ou forger. The game features 10 different classes that players can swap between freely at any time without cost or restriction. Player housing also takes a different approach – the Terracottage is a mobile house that can move like mounts, and is a place where guilds and friends can hang out, gather materials and even craft.
If you enjoyed games like Final Fantasy, Ragnarok and Kingdom Hearts, Twin Saga’s 3D art style and animations will definitely appeal to you as it hovers between anime and cartoon, but the graphics do look a little aged which is surprising.
Overall, Twin Saga is a fairly good MMORPG that contains rich lore and story that is complemented by a fast-paced action combat system that suits the art style. There’s plenty to do in PVE ranging from hidden quests, Astral Adventures and Dungeons, while the competitive players can try their hand at PVP in arenas or battlegrounds. Ultimately, Twin Saga should be credited for its fresh approach but doesn’t do enough to stand out from the MMORPG crowd.
What We Liked..
Open world with countless locations to explore
Huge variety of character and ship upgrades
Visually pleasant with well designed characters
.. and what we didn't
Ship combat can be tricky for beginners
School quests become repetitive
Character interactions are very text-heavy
Uncharted Waters Online is a captivating blend of historical fact and RPG fiction, where players attempt to make a name for themselves on the high seas. From humble beginnings as a student in the maritime academy you must learn the skills necessary to survive and thrive in a world full of danger. Take command of your very own ship as you set out to explore the world and uncover new opportunities to increase your fame and wealth. From the safe confines of your home Nation you will be taken on some epic expeditions and perilous trips into the unknown.
What We Liked..
Large group PvP options
Extensive character customization options
Beautiful graphics
.. and what we didn't
Flawed level system
Disconnected world
Slow progression
Unlock the mysterious and unknown treasures hidden around the realm of Nexus, in this massively multiplayer, sci-fi fantasy online role-playing game.
Wildstar takes place on planet Nexus, where a powerful race known as the Eldan have disappeared, leaving behind wealth and technology for you to explore - and now it’s completely free.
Wildstar was created by Carbine Studios and went free-to-play on September 29, 2015, removing its required subscription-based feature.
After 8 long months of redevelopment, Carbine is now handing every player a metaphorical key, in which a fictional world filled with action-based combat awaits you.
What We Liked..
Countless customization options
Comprehensive tutorial
PVP tournaments
.. and what we didn't
Level-restricted courses
Technical issues
Unresponsive support
Watch the trailer:
Winning Putt is a golf simulator set in a realistic environment, published by Bandai Namco and developed on CryEngine. Among other features, it allows players to customize their characters' appearance and gear, and offers three classes to choose from: Power, Accuracy, and Balance.
Players level up and earn gold by completing challenges that allow them to purchase new items. The game's shop offers new golf balls and bags, along with sets of clubs to optimize the gameplay. Factors such as the wind's direction, the slope of the course, the characters' mentality and stamina, and the club equipped define the players' success in each session.
Consumable items, such as edibles and GPS mini-maps, are stored in the golf bag and can be used to revitalize energy or have a better view of the terrain, respectively.