103.  Rift (2011)

5 years and still going strong

 Developer: Trion Worlds

Genre: MMORPG

Theme: Close the rifts, save the world.

There are two sides to every story.  In this story, it’s the Guardians a religious group of the Vigil.  Then there’s the Defiant, who do not follow the religion, but are focused on science and technology.  Which side will you choose?

Battle beasts and other evil creatures in Rift.

Take on your calling.  Choose from a Primalist, Warrior, Cleric, Mage or Rogue.  Then delve into the Ascended Class System where you have the power to build your character based on your style of play. 

 Want to roll a hack and slash mage?  Go for it.  The possibilities are nearly endless.

 One of the main mechanics of the game is rift fighting.  Rifts are a tear between the planes of the world where monsters can cross through.  It’s your job as an adventurer to go out and close them, slowing the monster invasion.

 As with any MMORPG, you’ll find raids, dungeons, and PVP instances.  You’ll dabble in the crafting world, fishing, cooking, creating clothing and armor.  Even join the hunt of artifacts and trade them in for awesome rewards like rare mounts.

Adventure is waiting for you in RIFT.

 

The Rifts may never be closed, but we must try.

102.  No More Room in Hell (2013)

‘Theoretically, if there’s no more room in hell, the worst outcome of dying has been eliminated…sense of urgency fading…’

 Developer: NMRiH Dev Team

Genre: FPS, Survival Horror

Theme: Film-reference heavy zombie shoot-em-up

Borrowing heavily from George Romero’s “Of the Dead” series, No More Room in Hell propses that when there’s no more room in hell, the dead will walk the earth. Well actually Romero proposed that, but NMRiH made it a reality.

The lack of HUD adds a layer of realism to this stark survival horror game. National Guard NPC’s add an element of randomness, as incurring their assistance is as likely as provoking their aggression. The 30+ weapons, well, I don’t really need to spell out the appeal to that, do I?

No More Room in Hell offers some quality Easter Eggs for the movie buffs out there, with references to flicks like American Physcho and The Big Lebowski. So you can appreciate some cultural refrences as you send those bastards back to h-e-double-hockey-sticks.

‘A very ninja-esque scene here’

101.  Vindictus (2010)

‘Little less conversation, a little more action please’

Developer: devCAT

Genre: MMORPG

Theme: Narrative and action driven online RPG

Vindictus is truly a gem. With highly responsive action, exciting cinematics, detailed and interactive environments, and a backstory of fair depth, the game puts real care into some of the more typically neglected areas of online games. Plus there just may be romance options.

Vindictus offers players nine premade, backstory infused players to select from- all with some customizable features despite the premade status. Progressing through the dense and engaging storyline can earn your player-character all kinds of titles, abilities, and additional goodies.

You’llbe hard-pressed to find a free-to-play option with as much story depth as Vindictus. You’ll be even harder pressed to find a ftp title with sexier lingerie options.

‘See what I mean?’

100.  TERA (2012)

‘This is disturbingly arousing’

Developer: Bluehole Studio

Genre: Massively Multiplayer role-playing game

Theme: The most attractive avatars in MMORPG history doing typical MMO stuff

Besides beautiful avatars with “all the right junk in all the right places”, what makes TERA special? A surrealist, colorful game environment? Yes, it definitely has that, as well as delightfully original creatures populating said world. But what really makes TERA special is the action.

TERA is an MMORPG that plays more like a third person action game than most of its genre-mates. Attacks are satisfyingly executed with a click on the target, and aren’t simply a scripted action with percent chances of success. For example, projectile spells don’t hone in on targets- there’s an anticipatory aspect to launching one.

This feature of TERA creates a more fluid feel to the action that plays out amazingly in game. Battlefield coordination is just so much more exciting with the element of fast-paced skill needed for success. Not to mention, your character will look great doing whatever he or she does.

‘TERA or Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show?’

99.  AION (2008)

A look at AION’s character creation and gameplay.

Developer: NCSOFT

Genre: MMORPG

Theme: Magic, Dragons, Warring Races Oh My!

Two races, the Elyos and the Asmodians, were formed as a result of the Cataclysm.  It was a great war that ended with the damage of the Tower of Eternity, from which all life giving energy shone.

At the time of its destruction, the Lady of Time used magic to put up a force field to protect the tower from further damage or destruction.  That field is now in trouble.

There may be a way to save the tower, but there is a cost.  One of the lands and its people, Asmodians or Elyos, would have to be destroyed and sacrificed.  Now both races fight to save their own and find an alternate way to restore the Tower of Eternity.

For centuries, the Elyos and Asmodians have been at war.

There’s a lot to be said about AION.  To start out, there are 6 classes to choose from.  Base classes are Warrior, Scout, Mage, Priest, Technist, and Muse. 

After reaching level 9, you ascend and choose a sub-class for the remainder of the game.  You’ll choose from the usual damage, healing, or tanking classes as you would with any MMORPG.

The game also boasts a heavy crafting system.  Try your hand at Alchemy, Armorsmithing, Cooking, Handicrafting, Tailoring, or Weaponsmithing to help you earn gold to spend in the game.

As of June 2015, AION has 4 expansions that add new content, quests, and instances. 

Choose your class, choose your destiny.