Top 5 Free-to-Play MMORPGs
Over the past few years MMORPG‘s have gone through a bit of a change regarding the way they are funded. More and more of them are turning to a free-to-play model to sustain a player base. However, free-to-play MMO no longer means some browser-based 2D cutesy import from Japan. Some serious hard hitters of the MMO genre are now turning free-to-play. Here’s our list of the top 5.
5. Age of Conan
Age of Conan
Age of Conan had a bit of a rough ride on release. The first 20 levels were brilliantly stitched together, whilst the rest of the game was somewhat in disarray. Thankfully it’s survived its turbulent birth and worked hard to patch out its rough edges, to become one of the most brutal MMO’s available today.
Their F2P model restricts some of the character classes and slots, but there is still enough in there to keep most casual MMO players occupied. And most importantly, you can still behead your enemies with a few swift blows of your broadsword.
4. City of Heroes
City of Heroes
City of Heroes maybe one of the older MMOs out there, but that by no means limits it’s fun factor. Recent updates have seen some restructuring to the opening zones making them much less of a grind, and a switch so you get your ‘travel powers’ much earlier.
Because of it’s age, there is a huge amount of content and customisation in-game. Couple that with the lack of restrictions NCSoft have put on free players (no level cap restriction, loads of costume parts, most zones available at no extra cost) and it makes CoH well worth a look.
3. DC Universe Online
DC Universe Online
More superheroes, but this time some names your more likely to be familiar with. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and The Flash, to mention but a few. There is also a host of villains to work for, from Joker to Lex Luther, to Talia al Ghul, pretty much every major hero and villain from DC’s universe is represented here.
SOE do place some restrictions on Free Players (limited character slots, inventory & bank slots, trading etc…), but if you fancy checking out DCU, it’s possible to play through 30 levels of superhero/villain goodness. Also, you only need to spend $5 in the online store to gain access to the mid-level ‘Premium’ account which raises the level of most of the restrictions to most casual players would be comfortable with.
2. Star Trek Online
Star Trek Online
STO is a game that has come along in leaps and bounds since it’s release in 2010. Issues with the lack of ‘Trekkiness’ were solved. Lots more content was added, both by developers Cryptic, and by players themselves through the brilliant Foundry feature. A combat overhaul was done, to improve the phaser firing aspect of the game, plus more customisation to costumes, interiors to player ships, and various pets and other ‘fluff’ items were added.
Overall it’s a hugely improved game from it’s rather rushed release. Once again F2P players will have some limits on their account. Less character slots, limits on money and inventory storage, chat and mail restrictions, and they’ll be locked out of the Foundry Creator. However, the level cap will still be achievable, and all sector and missions are accessible on a F2P account, so you won’t be short of things to do! STO doesn’t actually go free-to-play till Jan 17th 2012 – But when it does, I urge you to take a journey into the final frontier.
1. Lord of the Rings Online
Lord of the Rings Online
As huge Tolkien fans, LotRO was a MMO all the gamers here in GeekTown fell in love with when it was first released. From those early quests avoiding hungry hobbits delivering pies in the Shire, to battling trolls and even a Balrog in the later game, it’s extremely easy to lose yourself in the massive world Turbine have created.
There are restrictions on F2P players. The amount of cash you can carry is limited, and you can’t auction items. Your also only allowed 1 character slot per server (with more purchasable), and some of the higher level areas need to be purchased. You can however level your hobbit, dwarf, elf or human up to the game’s level cap, and it’s a great way to test out a superb MMO without having to outlay a penny. If you’re a fan of Tolkien, it’s worth installing even if it’s just to wander around the Shire.
Win Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 with Simply Tap!
Simply Tap – Shopping in an Instant Competition
Simply Tap would like to offer all of you lucky GeekTowners the chance to win a copy of the new Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 game!
About Simply Tap – Shopping in an Instant Competition
Simply Tap is the new, instant mobile checkout that allows you to buy in seconds when you see something you like in magazines, out and about, on-line and in store. Download the app for your smartphone, register your details once, tap in the unique Simply Tap code to buy, and your delivery will be on its way. You’ll find tap codes in magazines, on posters or on the websites of Simply Tap retailers like Carphone Warehouse, Thorntons, Pretty Green, Best Buy.
Essentially, you see what you want, simply enter the Tap Code into the app, and you’ve paid in an instant. You can find out more information here: http://www.facebook.com/SimplyTap
Simply Tap have some amazing offers during their launch including Apple TV’s, Ipod speakers, Optimus Prime transformers and of course COD MW3 for £24.99 (with £10 cash back on first purchase).
You can check out all their latest offers on their Facebook page.
Download the app by searching in your App Store for “Simply Tap” or by clicking here on your phone: http://bit.ly/TapBlog
How to Win Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 on XBox 360 or PS3
Win a copy of Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 with Simply Tap!
Competition is now closed, and the winners have been emailed and DMed on twitter. 
The competition closes on 30th November 2011 and is open to UK residents aged 18 or over. NOTE: XBox 360 or PS3 versions only… sorry PC gamers! There will be 5 winners picked from entries on geektown.co.uk and Twitter. By entering this competition, you are agreeing to the rules of this competition. Full rules can be read here.
Saints Row: The Third – Pimps and Gimps
You know, the more I see of Saints Row: The Third, the more I think they looked at GTA V going all out for it’s realism, and character driven plot, and thought “screw that, what we need is Burt f**king Reynolds and giant dildo bats!”
It’s rather like there 2 were siblings. Both started off at the same place. A little ‘out there’, a little mischievous… But as they grew up and went to college, the older brother settled down, whilst the younger brother runs the wildest frat house on campus.
This new trailer not only has the aforementioned Mr. Reynolds and the erm… ‘phallic hitting implement’, but also Spacemen, Zombies, and of course – Pimps & Gimps!
Saints Row: The Third is due out on November 18th in Europe for Windows, PS3 and Xbox 360.
This is a sponsored post.
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim – New Ad
So many superb Adventure/RPG games are coming out over the next few months. Batman: Arkham City out last month, Star Wars: The Old Republic out next month, and this month top offering – Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
I’ve been a massive fan of the Elder Scrolls games since 2002′s Morrowind, so I’ve really been looking forward to this latest iteration. The action starts 200 years after 2006′s Oblivion, and this time your job is to defeat a dragon god who (it has been prophesied) will destroy the world!
The developers Bethesda Softworks seem to have taken some cues from their other smash hit ‘Fallout’ and ditched the rather cumbersome class setup for Fallout’s more flexible ‘perk’ system. Health, Magicka and Fatigue meters all stay, but the interface has had a major redesign, and the PC has also had some separate thought put into it, rather than just being a port of the console interface. There’s also a modkit coming out for the massive Elder Scrolls modding community.
New story, new graphics engine, hours of gameplay… and Dragons! Roll on 11/11/11!
For more info visit www.elderscrolls.com
Saints Row: The Third – The Wide World of Genki
I’ve been quite a fan of the previous 2 ‘Saints Row’ games. Yes, they do riff quite heavily off the GTA series, but they’ve always had a rather more wacky humour. GTA had in the beginning, but toned down in as the titles matured, where as Saints Row decided to go the opposite way, and crank the sillyness up to 11.
‘Professor Genki’s Super Ethical Reality Climax’ shown in this trailer is a fine example of Saints Row goofing around in a way only it can, by adding a reality TV show… Except this is more like cross between ‘I’m A Celebrity’ and ‘Total Wipeout’, but with death and rocket launchers!.. If only we could convince the real reality tv shows to do that… ;)
DEUS EX: HUMAN REVOLUTION RELEASE DATE!
Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Square Enix Ltd have announced Deus Ex: Human Revolution will be available on August 26, 2011 for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC platforms in Europe and other PAL territories.
The game takes place during the year 2027, 25 years before Deus Ex. Nanotechnological augmentations have yet to be developed and biomechanical augmentations are the current state of the art. The main protagonist, Adam Jensen, is a private security officer with Sarif Industries, a leading company that specializes in human augmentations. After he witnesses a chilling attack on his company which leaves him horrifically injured and forced to undergo augmentation to survive, “the conspiracy begins.” The visuals are a combination of cyberpunk and Renaissance aesthetics, resulting in a futuristic-looking Baroque world. Adam Jensen will be voiced by Elias Toufexis.
The player will visit five cities over the course of the game, including Detroit, Shanghai and Montreal. In addition, the protagonist will have his own apartment where he may store his secrets and collected information. The events in the game will lead to the formation of UNATCO from the original game
You can pre-order Deus Ex: Human Revolution now at any high street GAME store and game.co.uk.
For more info, visit www.deusex.com
