Free Online RPGs

The internet is full of free things. That’s the beauty of it. And among those free things are games. Lots of them. In the free online game business (or lack there of, since it’s free), RPGs seem to be a hot property. For an explanation of what an RPG is, please visit our article on Role Playing Games.

Since the sudden rise of popularity in MMORPGs (Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games), a lot of online RPGs have jumped to the MMORPG genre, so I’ll be referring to them as such. The majority of free MMORPGs are browser-based, meaning they play directly in your browser instead of operating in their own client. A lot of them, especially the older ones, are mostly text based and fairly devoid of graphics. Free MMORPGs are usually turn-based, and revolve around amassing resources and advancing whatever it is that you control over that of other players. There are several variations as to what you control (e. g. character, empire, army) and what resources you require (e. g. gold, food, oil). You usually have the option to attack another player in some way, which usually results in stealing resources from them or at least destroying some of their resources.

Of course there’s a lot more to text-based MMORPGs, but that’s more or less the basics. In order to do much of anything, you need to use turns. Most games gives you a set amount of turns in a day, and once those are used up, you just have to wait until the next day.

Most of the newer, more advanced free MMORPGs look and play like real RPGs, complete with improved graphics and gameplay. A lot of the newer ones also offer pay membership as well as free membership, with pay members getting more out of the actual game.

These are some of the more popular free MMORPGs, as well as some of my personal favorites.

RuneScape was taken over in 2001 by Jagex Ltd. The game is Java-based, meaning that you don’t have to download anything--you can run it straight from the official site. It’s one of the most popular free MMORPGs in the world. RuneScape is set in medieval times. For more information on Runescape, please visit our RuneScape page.

Anarchy Online was created in 2001 by Funcom. Even though it’s free, you’re still required to download the client from the main site. The expansions, however, do cost money. Anarchy Online is famous for utilizing the sci-fi genre as opposed to the MMORPG-friendly fantasy genre.

Kingdom of Loathing is a hilarious browser-based MMORPG that Aysmmetric Publications launched in 2003. It was originally offered in open-beta, but the beta officially ended and the finished product was released in June 2005. Kingdom of Loathing is one of the few MMORPGs that you can actually complete.

A personal favorite of mine, Urban Dead is a text-based MMORPG that takes place during the direct aftermath of a zombie outbreak. You choose whether you would like to start as a human or a zombie, but humans can be converted to zombies and vice versa during the course of the game. Urban Dead was launched in 2005 by Kevan Davis.

Another favorite of mine, Hobo Wars is a browser-based MMORPG that puts you in the role of a homeless person trying to make it in the city. You’ll fight other homeless people, as well as beg for money and look for cans. Hobo Wars was created in 2003 by Andrew Hogan.

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