Everyone likes free stuff. The quality of free products may not be the same as commercial apps or games, but they still provide the users an abnormal sense of satisfaction that only comes from getting things for free. Role-playing games (RPGs) and massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) are one of the top played varieties of games on the planet, and with games like World of Warcraft demanding hefty premiums for online play, gamers have nowhere else to turn to but free RPG games online to get a little taste of an expansive universe and a sense of playing with a community.
Free games are generally sub par and can never compare to big budget titles like World of Warcraft, however, there are always exceptions, and the following list of awesome free RPG online games (or should I say, top MMORPGs) hopes to prove that free games can be as fun, exciting and as good as pay-to-play titles.
Top MMORPGs #1. Maple Story
Maple Story is one of the most famous and ever-growing free RPG games online, and may be regarded as one of the few successful free-to-play top MMOPRGs. Chances are that you have at least heard of this game before, and if not, you might want to check it out. The 2D side-scrolling MMOPRG is based in a fantasy setting and features graphics stylized after anime. The game has a massive community and a whole host of other features that are seemingly present only in games that are not free.
One of the best aspects of this free RPG game is that it is easy to pick up and start playing, but that also makes it a little grinding oriented. The game’s publisher, Nexon, has done much to fix this and the constant updates have turned the focus of the game to quests, and it now features a unique questing system. Maple Story also features a variety of job advancements which keep players busy for hours on end.
The game tries hard to keep fresh and invite new players into its ever-growing fold, and in order to achieve this, it has a steady stream of updates that constantly add new features and make some tweaks, making the experience much more enjoyable on the whole.
Maple Story can simple be regarded as one of the best free MMORPGs of all time, its gameplay will keep you hooked for months and the sheer amount of content and variety will keep you coming back for more.
Top MMORPGs #2. Adventure Quest Worlds
Adventure Quest Worlds is the successor to the 2002 hit Adventure Quest and brings you the same art style and simple gameplay as the original, but with a much more expansive world, which is still flash-based and offers unfathomable levels of accessibility. Artix Entertainment’s newest rendition of Adventure Quest gives players plenty of options to play – be it in a small screen while browsing the web or using full screen mode to enjoy the game’s simple yet elegant cartoon-style graphics.
The game itself has a lot of variety and has a mixture of story-driven quests along with the option to just grind and level up. Combat in this newest rendition is much more fast paced than its predecessor, but remains simple and does not overwhelm players. It’s a free RPG game, but there are subscription options available to unlock a whole host of advanced features not available to free players.
Adventure Quests Worlds is a light-hearted, fun and casual, top MMORPG and can be played and enjoyed by a broad audience, but limited graphics and locked features for paid subscribers may put some people off. The fact remains, however, that this is still a great game to just pick up and start playing.
Top MMORPGs #3. RuneScape
RuneScape is a free online RPG game based around a 3D fantasy that has traditional fantasy elements, open-ended gameplay and a player-driven economy. Even several years after release, RuneScape is one of the most detailed browser-based MMORPGs available. Both HD and SD versions of the game are available to play. The character creation, the login process and the actual game client are all accessed through the game’s home page, and account creation and character creation are fairly simple and easy processes.
The highlight of the game is its skill-based progression method, meaning that anyone can be a master mage, warrior, and craftsman at the same time with a bit of training, giving you the freedom to try a little bit of each style and see which you enjoy most. Multiple characters and players are free to move between servers with the same character and items attached. The only flaw here is the limited support and levels for free players.
RuneScape has definitely passed the test of time and is still one the best free MMORPGs experiences available today, with constant updates, player versus player, a player run economy and a unique progression system making it a game worthy of your attention.
Top MMORPGs #4. Perfect World
Perfect World is another top MMORPG in a 3D fantasy setting, but there is one difference here: the game is gorgeously designed. It give players both level and skill-based progression and a very innovative character creation system with lots of options for customization, along with a large variety of playable classes and races. It is without a doubt one of the most in-depth MMORPGs available.
The design quality is top notch in the graphics department, and character models and spell effects are all impressive, culminating in some of the best visual effects seen in a free online RPG game. Perfect World is not quite as good in gameplay as combat feels a bit dull and levelling is incredibly slow and almost impossible through grinding.
The game is still enjoyable though and should not put off any players with its slightly altered gameplay compared to other free RPG games online. Perfect World also boasts an internet radio station and if players get tired listening to the built-in music, which is pretty good by the way, they can just start the radio and listen to some other tunes. It also features massive guild battles and guilds can actually control towns and territories in the game world.
Perfect World is immensely fun and one of the most polished games with impressive graphics and some truly innovative features — making it one of the top MMORPGs available today.There is no reason for anyone to skip out on this incredible experiences.
Conclusion
All the games mentioned here deserve a chance to be played, however, games like Adventure Quest Worlds and Maple Story are definitely geared towards a younger audience and might not be the cup of tea for older, more experienced players. For those players, I would recommend Perfect World and RuneScape, as they are pretty hardcore and would leave you wanting more.
Which free online RPG or MMORPG games do you like to play? Did we miss out your favourite game? Leave your feedback in the comments section below.
Kat
August 12, 2011
I’ve been playing perfect world online for 5 years now and I don’t even feel like everything is boring despite how long I’ve been playing. I so love the maps and the places in-game. Whenever I would want to rest and just relax my mind. I would just go to a forest or sit on the shore of an island away from cities and just stare at the beautiful scenery of the game. I love the character customizations as well. I can pretty much reflect my personality to my character with how she looks and how she dresses up. I have never seen a game that gives players very detailed character customizations as PW. From the noseline to the shair of your lips , to the shape of eyes and facial features not to mention the lovely hairstyles to choose from. Perfect World is just so wonderful words can’t express how much I admire this game. I’ve been an online game player for like 10 years now but never did I stay long in a game than I did with PW. I just feel at home with it.
In a perfect world
I could be someone
I could be your sun
And I will shine
In every step that you take
In a perfect world
I’ll be the stars at night
So I could be your guiding light
And if you’re feeling out of place
I’ll be a friendly face
So fly with me, stay with me
In a perfect world
We’ll be as free
In a perfect world
In a perfect world
We can be as free
Be what we want to be
Nothing’s gonna break our love apart
In a perfect world
Where magic spells come true
A paradise for me and you
In a perfect world
There will never be a sad tomorrow
In a perfect world
Jackson Chung
August 12, 2011
Looks like you really enjoy the game!
Mark
August 15, 2011
I think you’ve made a great list here. Personally, I’ve been playing Runescape for about 6 years now. I started playing when my pre-teen son wanted to play. He had no experience online, so it seemed like a great way to share some time while helping him learn about appropriate boundaries online.
Much to surprise, I have found myself continuing to play, for two unexpected reasons. First, the gameplay is truly diverse, in that you can take any approach to playing that you might take to living life, from blind ambition to totally bohemian. Secondly, and more importantly, is that the player base is extremely broad. In the member version of the game, you will find most of the players range from college age to retired professionals. The game allows as much or little social engagement as you like, so just about anyone will find people they like. (And as a side note, many of these games are very economical to play the full/paid version. In the case of Runescape, its about US$6/month, for an incredibly well developed game.)
I’m wondering if you’ve thought about doing a list of stories that discuss the move to online social environments like this? In my experience, and from what I’ve heard from others, the degree of social connectivity in the MMOs (and similar environments) is to a level of connection that companies like Facebook can only dream of.
Thanks for a great site!
Zaeem Shoaib
August 24, 2011
Hey Mark,
Glad you’ve enjoyed Runescape. I’ve been playing for 2 years and I am HOOKED.
About your suggestion…I also believe that MMORPGs provide a level of connectivity and interaction that is not available on any other platform, however, the user base of games is limited as opposed to a free-to-use website, which is why we really can pit a site like Facebook against an MMORPG like WOW.
Even though WOW is a great game and has a huge user base it can’t really compete with a site like facebook which is solely focused on social connectivity and boasts a user base in the hundreds of millions.
That said, If i can get my hands on some tangible data on the amount of users moving to MMOPRGs for social interaction instead of websites, I’d be glad to write something about it.
Thanks for reading!
John Gamer
September 18, 2011
I used to play mmorpg like Perfect World and SUN but right now i am enjoying M.O.B.A games like League of Legends.
Less farm and more PVP.
http://onlinefreepcgames.blogspot.com/2011/09/league-of-legends-often-abbreviated-as_17.html
Amanda
January 6, 2012
America’s First MMO Gaming Services Company is Yeh! for Games, Inc. Popular services include WoW PvP Honor Points Farming & Conquest points leveling, Dungeon Raid Runs, WoW Arena gear, WoW Power leveling, WoW Gold, and Reputation grinding.