Category: Reviews

Exteel

Exteel was a 3D science fiction MMO third person shooter built around fast arena matches and customizable combat mechs. Battles supported up to 16 players at a time, with each pilot tuning their machine through a deep catalog of parts, weapons, and skills that changed both performance and playstyle.

Publisher: NCSoft
Type: F2P Shooter
Release Date: December 4, 2007
Closure Date: September 1, 2010
Pros: +Extensive mech customization with many parts, weapons, and skills. +Both PvP and co-op modes for different moods. +Strong graphics and effects for its time period.
Cons: -Equipment commonly used time limits or durability instead of permanent ownership. -Premium shop gear created a pay-for-power perception. -Match balance could feel rough for newer players versus veterans.

Wolf Team

Wolf Team is a 3D, lobby-driven tactical FPS that tries to stand out in a crowded MMO shooter space with one standout hook, the ability to shift into a werewolf mid-match for high-mobility melee combat.

Publisher: Softnyx
Playerbase: Medium
Type: MMO Shooter
Release Date: May 11, 2010 (NA/EU)
Pros: +Standout werewolf transform mechanic. +Match stats are tracked. +Streak rewards add momentum. +Solid selection of firearms. +Eight wolf mutation options.
Cons: -Cash shop power can heavily sway fights. -Most weapons are rentals, aside from starter guns.

Blackshot

Blackshot is a 3D tactical MMO FPS set against a far-future backdrop where rival mercenary outfits fight proxy wars for powerful corporations. It offers 40+ maps, 5+ modes, and a progression layer built around tactics and weapon mastery that gives the familiar lobby shooter loop a bit more structure.

Publisher: Vertigo Games
Playerbase: Low
Type: MMO Shooter
Release Date: May 11, 2010 (NA/EU)
Pros: +Cosmetic items can be earned without spending. +Tactics add light build customization. +Standout modes like Protect the Commander.
Cons: -Occasional visual bugs. -Most weapons are rented in hourly chunks.

Tales Runner

Tales Runner is a 3D MMO racing game that trades cars for characters, letting you sprint, jump, dash, ski, and climb through obstacle-filled stages themed around fairy tales from both Western and Asian folklore.

Publisher: OGPlanet
Playerbase: Low
Type: MMO Racer
Release Date: April 22, 2014 (NA)
Shut Down Date: April 20, 2017
Pros: +Charming, colorful presentation. +Several modes beyond standard races. +Includes solo and cooperative play. +Social hubs and mini games add variety.
Cons: -Few graphics and display options. -Small community makes matchmaking tough. -Unstable client with frequent issues. -Core loop can feel repetitive over time.

Sparta: War of Empires

Sparta: War of Empires (often shortened to SWoE) is a 2D, browser-based strategy MMO set in Ancient Greece, where you manage a modest Spartan city-state and try to grow it into a regional power. Between base building, army management, and constant pressure from other players, the game leans heavily into competitive play, with King Leonidas acting as your guide through the early steps.

Publisher: Plarium
Playerbase: Medium
Type: Browser Strategy MMO
Release Date: March 13, 2014 (International)
Pros: +Strong presentation for a browser title. +Premium currency is obtainable through questing.
Cons: -Busy, sometimes confusing UI. -Noticeable pay-to-win pressure.

Forge of Empires

Forge of Empires is a 2D, browser-first strategy MMO from InnoGames, best known for long-running titles like Tribal Wars. The core loop is city-building and careful resource management, with your settlement evolving across historical eras, from a rough Stone Age village into a much larger, more complex modern city. You can play it in a web browser, and it also has dedicated versions on iOS and Android.

Publisher: InnoGames
Playerbase: Medium
Type: Browser Strategy MMO
Release Date: Apr 17, 2012 (International)
Pros: +Meaty solo campaign with steady objectives. +Satisfying era-to-era growth from Bronze into industry. +Lots of systems to optimize and upgrade.
Cons: -PvP is present but not the main focus. -Progression can feel deliberately slow.

Secret of the Solstice

Secret of the Solstice is an anime-styled fantasy MMORPG that mixes 3D environments with charming 2D character sprites. Taking place in the world of Xen, it offers a surprisingly deep job system and a lighthearted presentation, even if its overall structure follows familiar grind and quest loops that many older free-to-play MMOs leaned on.

Publisher: Outspark
Type: MMORPG
Release Date: January 9, 2008
Closure Date: August 11, 2011
Pros: +Lots of class paths to explore. +Memorable music throughout. +Attractive sprite work and character art.
Cons: -Visual direction feels extremely RO-inspired. -Combat and leveling can become routine. -Not much to do once you reach the upper levels.

Alliance of Valiant Arms

Alliance of Valiant Arms, better known as AVA, is a lobby-based 3D tactical MMO shooter that leans into grounded modern weaponry and a more “mil-sim adjacent” presentation than most free-to-play FPS games. Its setting frames a near-future conflict between the European Union (EU) and the New Russian Federation (NRF), giving the maps and modes a familiar modern-infantry tone.

Publisher: NeoWiz
Playerbase: Medium
Type: MMO Shooter
Release Date: Nov 11, 2009 (Original)
Relaunch Date: August 25, 2022
Pros: +Large weapon selection and lots to unlock. +Strong mission and achievement progression. +Deep attachment and weapon tuning options. +Detailed stat tracking and performance history.
Cons: -Premium gear can offer notable power advantages. -Bots in AI modes are extremely unconvincing.

Combat Arms

Combat Arms is a 3D, tactical, lobby-based MMO shooter built around fast rounds and a deep armory of guns and gear to tinker with. It also has some historical significance, it was among the earlier free-to-play tactical shooters to gain real traction in Western markets, and it has managed to keep a steady audience long after its debut.

Publisher: Valofe
Playerbase: Medium
Type: MMO Shooter
Release Date: Jul 11, 2008 (NA)
Pros: +Massive weapon selection (250+), with lots to try. +A strong spread of maps and modes for varied matches. +Smart weekly free-weapon rotation for testing gear.
Cons: -Cheating can still impact matches. -Most weapons are time-limited unless you pay. -Stability issues can show up on modern PCs.

Star Citizen

Star Citizen sits in a strange but fascinating space between MMO, space sim, and shooter. It aims to deliver dogfighting, trading, and on-foot FPS action in one persistent sci-fi universe. It is buy-to-play rather than subscription based, which makes the entry model simple even if the larger project is still evolving.

Publisher: Cloud Imperium Games
Playerbase: TBD
Type: MMO
Release Date: 2072 (estimate)
Pros: +Blends on-foot FPS with space sim style flying. +Heavily shaped by players and emergent activity. +Development is unusually open and community funded.
Cons: -No locked-in launch window.