Pioneer Spirit

[Ralsu]

Mabinogi’s Expansion Offers Adventure and Exploration

Danny "Ralsu" Gourley continues to hunt for quality free MMOs, but sometimes he has a hard time stopping playing his favorites long enough to try something new. This week, he examines the factor that makes Pioneers of Iria, the expansion to Mabinogi, so appealing:

The inhabitants of Iria live a vastly different life. Their continent contains plains, deserts, and snowy regions. They ride different mounts, command unique technologies, and keep atypical customs. Iria feels like a new land instead of just another land tacked onto an existing game.

Read the full story here.

[Birinus]

I was wondering if you've played Chronicles of Spellborn? I assume its going to be free to play and its pretty damn good for a free game. I gave it a spin this weekend and its easily in my top 5 (my top 5 being Atlantica, Spellborn, Runes of Magic, Holic and Sword of the New World). Its pay to play quality and has a really nice atmosphere. Its definitely better then most of the games on your list (no offense) so I'm guessing its not there for reasons other then the game itself.

[Ralsu]

Originally Posted by Birinus

I was wondering if you've played Chronicles of Spellborn? I assume its going to be free to play and its pretty damn good for a free game.

Haven't tried it yet, but I plan to. I think it could get the same consideration as Wizard101 for the list. That is, it's not free-to-play, but it is free to download.

Interesting that you should mention Holic. I tried it once and liked what I saw early on. At the time, we were leaving certain titles under the jurisdiction of Ten Ton Hamster (now defunct). I didn't want to put too much effort into a game I would not be able to write about a lot, so I left it alone. Maybe I will check it out again.

I like SotNW for its graphics and lore. The combat left a little to be desired for me, but I think a person could do a LOT worse with a free game than SotNW.

[mckimmins]

I tried out free realms today for an hour or two. Early impressions are very high! Any game that gives me that many gameplay options I am excited about. How long till we get that preview? :P nudge nudge

[Birinus]

So after figuring out how the payment system is going to work in Spellborn I have to say its not really a F2P game. I didn't realize that going into it so I take back what I said about it being on the main list.

Also, Spellborn is giving off some huge Saga of Ryzom vibes and I fear for its success. Thats not a knock on either games quality, but I just get the feeling that its going to have quite the struggle holding on to a large enough player base due to how niche it feels overall. Being a good game doesn't always equal success.

I have played Free Realms as well and I won't comment on it much but so far I'm not 100% it deserves to be in the main F2P list either. Your gonna have to pay that $5 sub to get anything worthwhile out of it. Not to say that $5 is alot for how fun the game is but still.