A Guide to the Internet's Most Popular Free MMORPGs

Ever since the spectacular rise of games like Everquest and World of Warcraft, MMORPGs (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games) have been all the rage, and with good reason. One part role playing, one part multiplayer, and one part social online world, they're all the best parts of gaming rolled into one.

As great as MMORPGS are, they come with a price. MMORPGS often require an initial game purchase, expensive computer upgrades, a DSL connection, and, worse yet, a monthly fee to keep playing them. For people with disposable income, playing a MMORPG isn't an issue. But what if you simply can't afford to sign up for World of Warcraft or Eve Online? Or worse yet, can't afford to buy the upgrades that'll get a high end game like these to run in the first place? Are you condemned to a life devoid of all things MMORPG?

Not anymore. There once was a time when anyone who didn't have enough money to play a MMORPG was out of luck. This has all changed. Not only are there several free MMORPGs available to the public, the list is ever-growing, and in genres ranging from fantasy medieval to even Need for Speed-type car racing.

If you're like many people, you may at first be skeptical about these freebies, thinking that they're probably poorly populated, derivative of more popular games, outdated graphics-wise, or softcore in terms of gameplay. Luckily, this couldn't be further from the truth. Some MMORPGS not only have graphics and gameplay close to what you'd get from a high end fee-based one, they're seeing populations that number in the hundreds of thousands.

Okay, so I bet you're wondering: what's the catch? Do I have to give my name, rank and serial number to sign up for an MMO? Be subjected to annoying newsletters? Or find out that there are hidden fees after all that I must pay?

If there's any catch, it's this: many free MMOs are really hobbled versions of a more fully-featured game that requires some money to play. What this means is that more often than not, when you sign up for a free MMO there'll be limits in terms of how far you can do, play, or access as a non-paying member. For example, you may not be able to level your character up past a certain point, get certain weapons upgrades, or access certain parts of the game world-- that is, unless you "upgrade" to a monthly subscriber's account. The idea behind this is to cripple the game so much, that you'll pay for the privilege of accessing more game content.

This all sounds discouraging, but the good news is that more and more companies are being less extreme in how they limit their games, because they're realizing that crippling them to the point of unplayability is counter-productive. (Players would sooner quit in frustration and boredom than actually fork over money to upgrade). So not to worry-- free MMORPGs, in spite of their limits, often come with enough activities and options to make for a satisfying gaming experience.

With that being said, what are these free MMOs that you can try out? Below is a brief listing of the most popular and well known free MMORPGS right now.

AERIA GAMES

Aeria Games isn't a free MMORPG, but an entertainment portal featuring a large number of free MMOS to choose from in a variety of genres and styles. Among them are Shaiya and Lost Chaos, two games in the tradition and style of the fantasy medieval genre that's become a standard for MMOs.

ANARCHY ONLINE

Once fee-based, this longrunning sci-fi themed MMO set thousands of years into the future is now free to play. Unfortunately, it's gotten quite a hit from hardcore gamers because of its now dated look, but what it lacks in graphics it makes up in gameplay and community. Besides, there's a highly anticipated update to the engine slated for the near future by developers.

GUILD WARS

Guild Wars, a medieval fantasy MMO in the vein of Diablo, is not 100% free; you must first buy the base game in order to play it. However, unlike other MMOs, once you've bought it the game is free to play indefinitely, no strings attached.

MAPLE STORY

Probably one of the most unique MMOs out there, Maple Story is in the form of a 2d platform scroller, so it looks and acts more like a platform game than a regular MMO. Don't let that stop you, however, as it's not only addictive, but has a huge community of players.

MMOHUB.ORG

MMOHUB.ORG is sort of like the "Gamespot" of MMOs, a splashy, graphics-ladened directory of every free MMORPG you can ever imagine, complete with reviews, video, and screenshots to help you decide which one to go with.

PERFECT WORLD ENTERTAINMENT

Like Aeria Games, Perfect World Entertainment isn't a game but a portal to the company's free MMORPGs, Perfect World and Ether Saga. Although both games are fantasy medieval, there's a difference between the two. Ether Saga has a distinctly cartoony anime style geared more towards younger players, whereas Perfect World's style is more realistic and aimed towards teens and adults.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN ONLINE

Some might argue about whether Disney's MMO version of the Pirates of the Caribbean series is really a freebie or not, as you can only own so many items and level up to a certain point on a basic account. That all depends-- if you're not into hardcore gaming, then maybe it's more of a free trial. But if you don't mind coming here just to pillage, play blackjack, engage in some pvp, or go exploring, then a free account is all you may need.

PUZZLE PIRATES

From all appearances, Puzzle Pirates looks like a kiddy game because of its lego-inspired character designs and colorful, 2D graphics in isometric perspective. But in reality, this pirate-themed MMO from Three Rings Design couldn't be less childish. Why? Because unlike so many other MMOS that rely on mindless button mashing and twitchiness for its gaming, Puzzle Pirates's gaming is based more on strategy and careful deliberation than anything else. Puzzle Pirates isn't all strategy, however; you can chill out with friends and play parlour games or engage in many social-oriented competitions and events.

RUNESCAPE

With its slightly less than stellar graphics, Runescape has become the poster child for everything that many people look down on about free MMORPGS. But in spite of its crude look, this browser-based game in the fantasy genre continues to be the most popular and longest running free MMO online, with hundreds of thousands of players on its servers (and counting!). Once you actually play the game, why it's become so poular is apparent-- even with its limited areas and content, the free version of Runescape offers load of places to go and activities to do and be entertained by. Of course, it doesn't hurt that it has hugely populated servers, low system requirements, and a relatively quick and painless client to not only download but start.

SHERWOOD DUNGEON

Set in the medieval fantasy world, this MMO is sort of like Runescape if it had better graphics, in that it's also browser-based and requires no client or heavily upgraded computer to run. On the upside, the graphics here are surprisingly good for this type of game and it's incredibly hassle free to run. (You don't even have to register for an account to play.) On the downside, gameplay is a bit lacking when compared to Runescape and the sound effects are atrocious. However, there's a potential for growth for this game, which is why I've included it here.

VOYAGE CENTURY

Voyage Century Online is a historical pirate-themed MMO that doesn't contain any of the fantasy or sci-fi elements you will see in other games (no magic, wizards, fairies, or goblins). This means that if you prefer your games with historical realism (especially ones that take place in actual geographic locales), this will be right up your alley.