What We Liked..
Fully free to play
Good dungeons and raids
Plenty of collection systems
.. and what we didn't
Disappointing story and quests
Aging graphics and visuals
Cash store reliant
Blood Rites is a free to play Asian fantasy MMORPG, first released in 2011. The game features a tab-target combat system, four classes and plenty of progression systems to sink your teeth into. These include weapon enchantments and the more popular Elf companion system, which lets you increase attributes with pets. In the content department, the game's PvE dungeons and raids is where you'll have the most fun, as opposed to the unbalanced PvP modes and a bland story and questing experience to level cap. Graphics and visuals doesn't do Blood Rites any favors, but players actively looking for a classic MMORPG won't mind that too much. Elswhere, the in-game cash shop can be obtrusive if you want to be a competitive player, but otherwise the game is completely playable as a free title.
What We Liked..
Classic RPG Style
Great PVP fighting mechanics
Armor and weapons still look cool
.. and what we didn't
Dated graphics & low res character models
Heavily P2W PVP
Unbalanced economy
Very low player base
Shaiya holds a place in many people’s hearts as the first MMO they’ve ever played. And as such, people looking back on it today might be viewing it through those dark-tinted nostalgia glasses which may obscure their objectivity when talking about it.
Over 11 years since its’ release, does Shaiya hold up? In a way (Private servers), yes, but for the most part, Shaiya is as dead as an MMO can get. The way it works with old-school MMOs is they either need to have a large enough player base to keep them going, or they need to modernize with the times to draw in newer players.
Shaiya does neither. Few veterans of the game are left, and the changes that the developers have made to the game over the years have only pushed old-school players away even more. There’s nothing on offer here that the new generation of gamers won’t find somewhere else. Somewhere better. The uniqueness of Ultimate Mode, is little more than a novelty feature now, and the P2W aspects of the PVP just kill the game, despite its’ potential. Shaiya still has its’ high points, but the official game is long past its’ prime.
What We Liked..
Fun and fluid action combat
Sandbox world with plenty to do and no loading screens
Free content updates
Populated in-game servers
Excellent graphics
.. and what we didn't
Very grind-heavy and time consuming
Heavy RNG and cash shop reliance
PvP griefing is normal
Genre: war, action, mmorpg, simulation
Setting: fantasy
Graphics: full 3D
PvP: guild or factions matches or duels PvE PvP
Black Desert Online is an open world sandbox MMORPG that features Asian style graphics and some of the best action combat in any MMO game to-date. The graphics ranging from environment designs to the character creator is top notch.
There’s plenty of content for players to soak their teeth into for both PvE and PvP. Besides the decent amount of class choices, players can also dive into Life Skills, which is a refreshing take on crafting systems within the MMORPG genre. One great aspect of Black Desert Online is that it rewards you for simply playing the game and doing the activities you enjoy most, as players gain a multitude of XP and points to spend that progresses their characters further. The game does offer something for every playstyle.
Overall, Black Desert Online is the poster child and an excellent example of a Buy to Play Asian MMORPG that’s done right. It may have its issues such as the heavy grind and over reliance on RNG and luck, but the game deserves to be played nonetheless.
What We Liked..
Authentic MTG Experience
Player Population
Newbie friendly
.. and what we didn't
Matchmaking system needs work
Watch the trailer:
Magic: The Gathering Arena is a free to play online digital card game that offers the same cards, authenticity and fun that the table top version does. With only one game mode available in the open beta, 1v1 matches are still good fun as finding matches are quick due to plenty of players. Progression is a key feature as players play more to unlock new cards and decks for deck-building, which is a staple of Magic:The Gathering. While it doesn't offer anything extra to stand out from other online card games, Magic is arguably the card game that started the genre, and in that regard it doesn't need to be unique or special other than to give players an authentic game experience to supplement the physical version, which it does.
What We Liked..
Great anime style aesthetics
Multiple game servers
Decent amount of match modes
.. and what we didn't
Dated animations
Cash shop sells advantage
Low active player base
Confusing and clunky UI
S4League is a unique looking third person anime style shooter that gives manga fans a platform to express their love for both Neo-Tokyo art syle and shooter games. S4League offers a variety of PvP game modes in addition to PvE Story and challenge modes, but the true superstar are the unorthodox match modes like Chaser and Touchdown, which offers some refreshing objectives that are uncommon in shooters.
From a graphics standpoint, the game is unfortunately dated in several areas, especially with animations and the clunky menu UI. Player populations aren't very high either, and that could be down to the game's age. On a more positive note, for loyal and long term players, there are many things to collect and achieve as progression goes way beyond gear and equipment with the addition of collectible cards, costumes and character avatars. Overall, S4League is a fun and stylish game in small doses if one can overlook its age.
What We Liked..
Visceral mech combat
A variety of weapons and modules to tweak your mechs
Gorgeous visuals with the Unreal Engine 5
.. and what we didn't
Similar to its predecessor
Some matchmaking issues
War Robots: Frontiers takes the classic War Robots formula and catapults it into the realm of high-fidelity, physics-driven mayhem. Published by My.com, this third-person mech shooter offers large-scale battles where hulking war machines clash in destructible environments. Unlike its mobile predecessor, Frontiers is built from the ground up for PC and consoles, leveraging Unreal Engine 5 to create more immersive combat scenarios.
The game focuses on team-based, objective-driven battles, where players pilot powerful mechs—called "War Robots"—customizing their weapons, armor, and abilities to fit their playstyle. Whether you prefer agile skirmishers, heavy artillery platforms, or tank-like juggernauts, Frontiers has a mech for you. Combat is dynamic and fast-paced, emphasizing strategy, positioning, and environmental destruction. Buildings crumble under heavy fire, providing both tactical opportunities and chaotic spectacle.
Customization is a big deal here, allowing players to tweak their machines with different weapons, modules, and abilities. The movement system is more refined than in the original War Robots, with smoother animations, better weight distribution, and an overall more polished feel. The maps are large and varied, featuring urban battlegrounds, industrial zones, and open wastelands.
For fans of mech-based destruction, War Robots: Frontiers delivers thrilling, high-octane action, estabilishing itself as one of the best online shooter of 2025.
What We Liked..
Graphically beautiful presentation
Imaginative and vibrant locations
Huge variety of items to find and skills to learn
.. and what we didn't
Repetitive gameplay
NPC's seem "wooden" and lack personality
Combat can be frustrating
Runes of Magic has everything you might expect from an old-style MMORPG.
It is captivating, extremely varied and rather vast; offering a fun and challenging experience to new and veteran RPG players alike.
The game's strengths undeniably rest with its variety, as there are hundreds (if not thousands) of objects to find, collect and / or create.
Whilst the graphics may appear dated by modern standards, Runes of Magic is a perfectly good title for anyone who wants a decent MMORPG without having to spend a fortune.
What We Liked..
Magic and superpowers makes things interesting
Retains familiar gameplay
Character system offers long term goals
.. and what we didn't
Premium is pretty expensive
Graphics
CRSED is a grotesque battle royale online shooter that lets you play as one of eight unique hero characters, and each one will offer a different combat style thanks to their skills.
Unlike most generic battle royale games, CRSED has littered its maps with ritual sites offering mythical superpowers and magic abilities (that of course bring advantages to the players who use them), alongside traditional weaponry and... yes, the frying pan.
There's plenty of progression with skill trees for your characters, new seasonal content to keep things fresh, and a cosmetic shop to dress them up when you want to look fancy.
CRSED offers the familiar battle royale gameplay experience with a much-appreciated touch of humour.
What We Liked..
vehicle customization
earn real money currency on the market
engaging combat
.. and what we didn't
heavy grinding
dated graphics
ultimately light on content
Crossout is an online shooter based around vehicular combat in a post-apocalyptic future. One might go as far as to say that it is mad… to the max. Or at least, one day it might be, but for the moment Crossout is a few interesting ideas bundled into a grindy open beta. So naturally, a lot of what the game is and offers is subject change over time. Until then, though, Crossout is all about grinding for weapons and car parts in order to build a better vehicle to allow you to continue grinding for even better weapons and car parts.
What We Liked..
Deep mech customization options
Strong mix of PvP and PvE
Stunning visuals and atmospheric maps
.. and what we didn't
Balance issues between mech classes
Long matchmaking times
Progression system feels grind-heavy
Steel Hunters drops you into a war-torn futuristic battlefield where towering mechs and elite pilots engage in fast-paced tactical skirmishes. Combining elements of battle royales, MOBA, and third-person shooters, it challenges players to outwit, outgun, and outmaneuver each other in chaotic, yet strategic encounters.
Developed by Kingsoft and driven by Unreal Engine 4, the game stands out for its crisp visuals, highly customizable mechs, and the delicate balance between survival mechanics and deep progression systems. Players select from a roster of distinctive steel titans, each equipped with its own weapons, abilities, and playstyle, and then jump into large, open arenas riddled with environmental hazards, loot zones, and rival hunters.
The core gameplay revolves around PvEvP (Player vs Environment vs Player), where AI-controlled enemies and real opponents create a constant layer of danger. As you eliminate targets and complete objectives, you gain upgrades on the fly—enhancing your mech’s firepower, armor, and mobility.
Resource gathering, stealth ambushes, and tactical positioning are key components, offering a more methodical pace than your standard run-and-gun shooter.
The mix of tactical decision-making, mech customization, and intense firefights helps Steel Hunters to carve its niche in the increasingly crowded PvP market. It's not for everyone, but for those who enjoy Titanfall’s mechs with a hint of Escape from Tarkov’s tension, it just might be a hidden gem worth exploring.