World of Tanks is set during the World War 2 era but also encompasses the years preceding and following that infamous conflict. All of the vehicles, equipment, and environments are historically accurate and are drawn from the 1930s-1950s period. The client size comes in at a bit over 1 GB, but won’t take long to download since multiple direct download links are provided. Players sign in using their email address and don’t have to worry about character creation. All new players start with a Soviet MS-1 and a German Leichttraktor. These are light tanks and won’t put up much of a fight, but they are versatile and enough to learn the ropes. There’s no tutorial or trial round to worry about, either. Players can simply click the large red ‘Battle!’ button towards the top of the screen and get started.

Final Verdict: Good

World of Tanks is an easy to approach, tank-based shooter that has layers of depth to unravel. Quickly jump into massive 30v30 battles, or take the time to customize one of the hundreds of tanks available in World of Tanks. The game can be enjoyed in short bursts, or more competitively as part of a clan.

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Publisher: CyberStep
Playerbase: High
Graphics: Low Quality
Type: MMO – Third Person Shooter
EXP Rate: Medium
PvP: Multiple Modes – up to 30v30 battles
Filesize: 414 mb

Pros: +Fast-paced gameplay. +Over 50 playable bots & 300 parts. +Co-op missions and quest modes. +Simple keyboard controls & gamepad support.

Cons: -Blocky visuals. -Limited graphic options. -Repetitive gameplay. -Interface lag.

CosmicBreak Overview

Like Exteel, CosmicBreak is a Third Person Shooter where players control mechs. The game offers both competitive and cooperative game modes and allows players to customize their character using 50+ mech types and 300+ parts. Fight large 30v30 battles in Union Wars and Epoch Battle mode. Host rooms or join those started by others in the Arena. For cooperative play, mission mode allows up to five players to work together as a team against NPC opponents. CosmicBreak is a quirky, Japanese free-to-play MMO that mecha fans should check out!

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Publisher: IJJI
Playerbase: High
Graphics: High Quality
Type: MMO
EXP Rate: Medium
PvP: N/A
Filesize: ~1,600 MB Installed

Pros: +Excellent weapon customization options. +Unique switchable class system. +Very polished and balanced gameplay.+Unique achievement system (Medals / Badges). +Great interface.

Cons: -Yet another ‘modern’ tactical MMOFPS. -Aiming takes a while to get used. -Needs more weapon variety.

Alliance of Valiant Arms Overview

Alliance of Valiant Arms is one of those rare F2P MMO gems that has both top-notch graphics and extremely in-depth and varied gameplay. A.V.A can easily hold its own against pay-to-play FPS games like Counter-Strike Source and even Call of Duty 4, both in graphics and gameplay. Those who played other tactical MMOFPS games like Combat Arms, Blackshot or even WolfTeam should be able to quickly familiarize themselves with AVA, as most MMOFPS games tend to be very similar. Alliance of Valiant Arms runs the Unreal 3 engine, so expect great graphics. Perhaps the most notable aspect of AVA is its numerous game modes. They are:

Annihilation – Annihilation mode is basically team deathmatch. The European Union (EU) and New Russia Federation (NRF) duke it out across one of the game’s many levels. Whichever team reaches either 80 or 180 points first wins.

Demolition – Demolition mode is essentially the same ‘plant the bomb’ game mode popularized by Counter-Strike. The EU team must plant a C4 bomb in one of two bomb sites while the NRF must defuse it.

Escort – The EU team must ‘escort’ a tank that slowly moves through the map while the NRF have to use Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPGs) to destroy it. If the tank reaches the end of the map before time runs out the EU team wins, otherwise the NRF wins. This is one of the more popular and unique game modes in Alliance of Valiant Arms.

Free for All – As the name implies, players are by themselves and must kill anyone they see. Whichever player has the most kills at the end of the round wins.

Domination – Basically king of the hill. Opposing teams must capture and hold the command post located in the center of the map for a period of time to win.

Survival – Exactly like Suppression mode, but with one one life per player.

Convoy – The EU team must find and capture a ‘nuclear suitcase’ that is guarded by the NRF on one map before time runs out. Eliminating the opposing team is another way to win a round in Convoy mode.

Publisher: SubaGames
Playerbase: Medium
Graphics: Medium Quality
Type: MMOFPS
EXP Rate: Medium
PvP: N/A
Filesize: ~1024 mb

Pros: +Simple controls, and low system requirements. +Optional tutorial. +Decent selection of game modes.

Cons: -Dated graphics. -Gameplay can get repetitive. -Few maps. -Buggy gameplay. -Copied maps from Counter-Strike. -Only a handful of weapons available.

Mission Against Terror Overview

Mission Against Terror (M.A.T. for short), is an Asian developed, free-to-play MMOFPS. While the game was already several years old before making its North American debut, it still offers classic tactical shooter gameplay mixed with some new game modes. Mission Against Terror is a competitive game in China and supports traditional game modes including bombing mode, wherein one team must plant a bomb while the other must stop them. As an MMO, MAT allows players to customize the appearance of their avatar and relax at a virtual bar in between firefights. Like Combat Arms, Cross Fire, and other shooters, Mission Against Terror has its own variation of mutation mode where players must fend off mummies that can infect humans. There’s also an interesting robot mode (coming soon) where a team of players must defend against a swarm of AI controlled robots.

Game Modes – Solo, Team Deatchmatch, Mummy, Bomb, Training and Chat Room

Playerbase: Medium
Graphics: High Quality
Type: MMO
EXP Rate: Medium
PvP: N/A
Filesize: ~3,200 MB Installed

Pros: +Unique sci-fi setting. +Fluid gameplay. +Wall jumps, cloaking and boosters add some interesting dynamics. +Varied game modes. +Solid variety of weapons and gear in the store.

Cons: -Only a handful of maps. -Weapon customization could use more depth. -Similar to other FPS games.

Genesis A.D Overview

Genesis A.D is 3D MMOFPS published by ijji that’s set in a dystopian sci-fi future. The game blends the tactical gameplay of Alliance of Valiant Arms with the crazy wall jumping mechanics of GunZ. Genesis A.D is also one of the few MMOFPS games with a sci-fi setting; that alone helps the game stand out amongst the dozens of modern-day tactical shooters. The game boasts smooth gameplay, solid graphics, and plenty of game modes to keep players entertained. Much like Alliance of Valiant Arms, Genesis A.D has three playable classes:

Assault – Specialize in shotguns and automatic rifles. They are excellent soldiers meant for front-line combat and can be played aggressively, as their booster packs allow them to quickly leap across the map into battle.

Sniper - Specialize in picking off their enemies from a safe distance with high-powered sniper rifles and energy rifles, which can quickly kill their opponents. They also have access to cloaking technology, making them quite deadly and capable of covert kills.

Supplier - Capable of using automatic sub-machine guns, and are useful for recharging their teammate’s HP and energy. They are excellent support characters, and while incapable of standing toe-to-toe with a good assault character, they are extremely versatile and helpful to their team.

Publisher: Ala Playa
Playerbase: High
Graphics: High Quality
Type: MMO
EXP Rate: Medium
PvP: N/A
Filesize: 303MB

Pros: +Good tutorial, +Balanced gameplay, +Good music, +Varied weapons, Large player base, +Stylish graphics +Good variety of clothes and skills

Cons: -Very few playable maps, -Few game modes, -Latency issues (Servers are in Europe)

S4 League Overview

S4 League is a fun fast paced sci-fi MMO shooter. With fast paced gameplay, catchy techno music and balanced gameplay it’s a must play for any MMO fan. S4 League has several game modes, but the two most popular ones are Deatchmatch and Touch Down. Deathmatch is a team vs team type game where whichever side gets the most combined kills at the end of the round wins. Touch Down mode is basically capture the flag with a twist; players have to grab the ball from the center of the arena and bring it to their enemy’s base before dieing. When you die with the ball you drop it and it can be picked up by both a teammates and enemies. The game has a large selection of weapons and gadgets in the store ranging from rockets to swords.

GAMEPLAY

The various weapons throughout the game were created with more than ten different aspects in mind including operation type, amount and rate of recoil, rate of fire, and even the minimal movements of the view caused by the draw back. The game provides you with a dynamic and realistic experience as if you were actually on the battle field.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

OS: Windows XP / Vista
CPU: 833 MHz Pentium 3 or equivalent
RAM: 256MB
Free Space:  500MB
Graphic Card: GeForce3 64MB or equivalent VGA card
Direct X: Direct X 9.0b

Featuring a combat system that allows players to create structures, progress through technology trees, produce and command units, while at the same time developing a persistent character of their own; Soul Master includes rich item customization systems that enable players to acquire unique stat and skill bonuses both for their personalized avatars as well as their RTS buildings, production capabilities, and controlled units.  In addition to the robust PvP content, Soul Master features a wide range of PVE scenario modes such as defending objectives, escort missions, co-op challenges, boss raids, and AI RTS battles.

With fast paced combat that combines the high-speed action of a character vs. character brawler and the tactical elements of a squad-based RTS, Soul Master sets out to take the very best of both worlds and merge them into a genre unto itself.

KEY FEATURES

- A non-targeting combat system allows for action-driven gameplay, where player reactions and skills decide the outcome of fights.
- An independent trooping system allows for directive and intuitive command over multiple units, while simultaneously allowing players more comprehensive control over their avatars during active MMO-style combat.
- Resource-driven RTS combat allows players to create defensive towers, barricades, resource arvesting structures, and unit production facilities while progressing through simplified, traditional RTS tech-trees that let players focus on strategic, active gameplay in both Team and Free-for-All PvP.
- Compelling animation and rich, stylized graphics immerse players in the greater fantasy world of the game while achieving a seamless and striking blend of RTS and MMO art design.
- A deep item-alteration system allows players an expansive amount of customization options that affect both MMO and RTS-style combat, and add an additional level of tactical depth to character progression and player strategies.
- An built-in video recording system allows players to capture their own gameplay footage to analyze flaws and mistakes in their tactics and help improve their competitive skills.
- Completely free to register, download, and play the entire course of the game with access to all in-game features and functions while remaining competitive with all other users.

BACKGROUND STORY

Nobody knows for certain how it was first discovered, but its immense power and endless potential were enough to destroy the greatest empire of the Bunden continent: Elamond.

The Magic was a gift and a curse for the Empire that first experienced its effects. With its populace split between fear of the unknown and a hunger for power, the Great War that soon followed was swift and terrible. The conservative citizens that distrusted the corrupt influence of Magic were forced from their homes in an exodus across the continent and eventually found refuge to the north. The revolutionists that had embraced the darker nature of Magic and brutally toppled the Elamond government entered into an age of obsessive, uninterrupted mystic study.

CLASSES

Knight
A well-rounded melee fighter armed with a swword and a focus on offensive abilities.

Priest
Priests specialize in defensive skills, and are able to heal both themselves, their allies, and Souls under their command.

Bearcat
A quick, stealthy fighter that uses two iron grapples to engage in deadly mid-range combat before slipping out of harm’s way.

Slayer
A powerful melee fighter that uses a huge two-handed sword, and her devastating strikes are more than enough to cut through the toughest opponent.

Chrisnian
A swift, lethal opponent in melee and mid-ranged combat that utilizes elegant swordplay and lighting fast kicks to dance around their foes.

Maharite
Maharites are experts in fast, ranged combat with their powerful boomerangs while at the same time are adept at healing and strengthening the Souls under their control.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

OS: Windows XP / Vista / 7
CPU: 1.8 Ghz Intel P4 or equivalent
RAM: 1 GB RAM
HDD: 2 GB Free
Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce 6600 or better

BACKGROUND

The time is set several centuries ahead of the present. There is a war between the government (The Collective) and the various rebelling colonies of the outer solar system moons, notably the Titan colony. The Collective is a pure democracy; every single citizen has a voting unit in which they vote on every issue, although more often only on the issues that concern them. The rebels are mainly located in the outer colonies of the solar system and are a minority compared to the much larger populations of Earth and Mars. The rebels feel their colonies are being exploited for resources and labor due to the fact that they have little voice on what is decided. The citizens of the larger populations cannot understand why people would rebel from a system where everyone has a say and thus the war. Titan has the largest population of the outer rim colonies and therefore the major battles are between them and the Collective army. However, many colonies provide militia and able bodies to the cause of groups such as the European mercenaries. Due to the chaos, many privateers have emerged, such as the Morgan Raiders who will throw in with anyone providing they are paid, even though they have no love for any faction.

GAME MODES

• Mechanized Skirmish; Prepare for the tension of piloting heavy combat equipment in this game of mechanized combat mayhem. This is the best place for new players to try out the world of Infantry.
• Ambush; A team game of keep away – only with HEL guns and rocket launchers.
• Bug Hunt; Join the Collective Marines as they protect their spaceship against the infiltrating alien Skrall. Or team with the aliens as they maneuver the ship’s air ducts intent on defeating the marines!
• Capture the Flag; The stakes are high in this action-packed team combat game. Choose your role as Infiltrator, Field Medic, Infantry, Combat engineer or Heavy Weapons. Don your Jump Pack as a Jump Trooper or lead your team to victory as a Squad Leader. Your goal is to get the flags and protect them from the enemy.
• I:RPG; Infantry’s action/RPG project. Enter the world of Infantry from a new perspective. Clever class and item selection as well as deft skill are needed in order to build up your character and propel yourself down the path of your chosen profession.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

Pentium 90
16 MB RAM
28.8 kbit/s modem
2 MB video card
Windows 9x or newer