Category: Reviews

Meridian 59

Meridian 59 is a 3D fantasy MMORPG with a real claim to history, it is among the earliest graphical online worlds to bring MUD-style roleplaying into a 3D space. At its core, it is a social, faction-driven game built around dangerous exploration, old-school character building, and a world where other players can be as threatening as the monsters.

Publisher: The 3DO Company, Near Death Studios
Playerbase: Low
Type: F2P 3D MMORPG
Release Date: September 27, 1996
Pros: +A welcoming, tight-knit community that helps newcomers. +Authentic classic mechanics that feel closer to a MUD than a modern theme park MMO.
Cons: -Visuals and presentation show their age. -Progression can feel repetitive and time-consuming.

BanG Dream! Girls Band Party!

BanG Dream! Girls Band Party! is a 2D, anime-inspired rhythm title with visual-novel style storytelling, centered on collecting band members and performing live shows. You tap along to the beat across a large library of Japanese pop music, featuring both original tracks and cover renditions of famous anime openings.

Publisher: Craft Egg & Bushiroad
Playerbase: Medium
Type: F2P Mobile Music Rhythm
Release Date: April 4, 2018
Pros: +Polished anime visuals with strong character presentation. +Easy-to-learn tapping that stays compelling as difficulty rises.
Cons: -Skill jump can feel harsh when moving up difficulties. -Content variety outside of rhythm play can feel narrow.

Elemental Knights Online

Elemental Knights Online is a free-to-play mobile MMORPG for iOS and Android that drops you into a bright fantasy setting built for party play, boss fights, and constant character tinkering. It leans into a cute, chibi-styled 3D look, offers 15+ class paths through upgrades and specializations, and encourages co-op dragon hunts and dungeon runs with players from all over the world.

Publisher: Winlight Co.
Playerbase: High
Type: Mobile MMORPG
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Pros: +Deep character and outfit customization. +Plenty to do between quests, bosses, and events. +Cash shop power is mostly tied to cosmetics.
Cons: -Visuals show their age. -The gameplay loop can feel samey over time. -Localization and dialogue quality are inconsistent.

Darkness Rises

Darkness Rises is a 3D mobile action RPG built around fast, combo-driven dungeon runs. You pick one of four distinct classes, push through instanced stages, and steadily improve your character through gear drops, upgrades, and skill progression.

Publisher: Nexon
Type: 3D Mobile ARPG
Release Date: June 21, 2018
Shut Down: November 30, 2022
Pros: +Robust character customization options. +Stylish visuals with strong effects and animation work. +Satisfying, cinematic finishing attacks. +Tutorial does a great job onboarding new players.
Cons: -Core loop can become monotonous over time. +Classes are locked to specific genders.

Darkness Rises Shut Down on November 30, 2022

Azur Lane

Azur Lane is a free-to-play mobile shoot ’em up with light RPG progression, built around collecting anthropomorphized WWII warships and taking them into side-scrolling naval battles. You steer your vanguard through dense enemy fire, time your main fleet barrages, and experiment with fleet compositions to handle different stages, bosses, and event maps.

Publisher: Shanghai Yostar
Playerbase: High
Type: Mobile Shoot ’em Up RPG
Release Date (Global): July 16, 2018
Pros: +Friendly gacha and solid drop rates. +Excellent character art and presentation. +Action combat that stays interesting.
Cons: -Progression can involve repetition. -PvP largely runs on auto. -Takes time to learn fleet roles and systems.

Food Fantasy

Food Fantasy is a free-to-play mobile RPG that mixes gacha-style character collecting with light restaurant management. In its quirky setting, famous dishes become “Food Souls” who join your roster, fight enemies, and also help run your establishment through staffing, recipes, and upgrades.

Publisher: Elex Wireless
Playerbase: Medium
Type: Mobile RPG Management
Release Date: July 20, 2018
Pros: +Striking character art and UI. +Large roster of Food Souls with build options. +Combat includes multiple skills and team synergies. +Interesting mix of RPG battles and restaurant systems.
Cons: -Audio feedback can feel sparse. -Many actions rely on timers and waiting. -Monetization can create pay-to-win pressure.

Girls Frontline

Girls’ Frontline is a free-to-play mobile strategy RPG that mixes turn-based map control with quick, automated firefights. You play as a new commander leading squads of Tactical Dolls (T-Dolls), android soldiers modeled after real-world firearms, as you push back hostile forces across a fractured, post-conflict setting.

Publisher: Digital Sky
Playerbase: Medium
Type: Mobile Strategy RPG
Release Date (US): May 8, 2018
Pros: +Striking character art and presentation. +Large roster of collectible T-Dolls. +Tactical squad building with satisfying strategy layers.
Cons: -NA version includes additional art censorship. -Progress can involve repetitive farming. -No PvP mode for competitive play.

Onmyoji Arena

Onmyoji Arena takes the characters and mythology-inspired style of NetEase’s original Onmyoji and reshapes it into a traditional 5v5 mobile MOBA. Pick a Shikigami that fits your preferred lane and role, coordinate rotations and objectives, and push through towers until you can break the enemy base.

Publisher: NetEase Games
Playerbase: Low
Type: Mobile MOBA
Release Date: July 12, 2018
Pros: +Striking Japan-inspired presentation and memorable Shikigami designs. +Accessible touch controls that still allow smart plays. +Quick match pacing that suits mobile sessions. +Roster feels generally well-tuned across roles.
Cons: -Not many map variations compared to some competitors. -Network hiccups can occasionally affect fights.

Realm Royale

Realm Royale takes the battle royale formula and filters it through Hi-Rez’s Paladins-inspired fantasy lens. Up to 100 players drop into a medieval battleground, pick a class-driven playstyle, then scramble for weapons, armor, and abilities while the safe area closes in. The twist is its shard economy, scrap unwanted loot and turn it into crafted, high-rarity gear at forges, which gives each match a clear risk-reward layer beyond pure looting.

Publisher: Hi-Rez Studios
Playerbase: High
Type: Battle Royale
Release Date: June 5, 2018
Pros: +Easy to pick up. +Class identity and forging add variety. +Responsive, fluid combat.
Cons: -Occasional bugs and odd hiccups. -Balance can feel uneven.

Temtem

Temtem is a 3D massively multiplayer creature-collecting RPG built around turn-based battles. Set out across the Airborne Archipelago, expand your roster of Temtems, and challenge other trainers as you work toward becoming a top tamer on the islands.

Publisher: Humble Bundle
Playerbase: High
Type: Buy to Play Turn-based RPG
PvP: Duels
Release Date: January 21, 2020 (Early Access)
Pros: +A substantial story-driven campaign. +Well-supported competitive focus. +Housing and personalization options. +Polished presentation. +Play the adventure in co-op.
Cons: -Not a lot to do at the initial launch window. -Shares a very obvious visual and design lineage with Pokemon.