Free Realms
”Free Realms” is the first free-to-play MMORPG developed by the legendary MMO studio, Sony Online Entertainment.
As the name implies, “Free Realms” is about choice. Players will only have to make one character, as that character can switch off between classes on the fly. Classes include everything from MMORPG staples such as Adventurer, Miner, Blacksmith, Explorer, Warrior, Archer, Wizard, and Brawler, to some more unique ones such as Ninja, Postman, Medic, Treasure Hunter, Kart Driver, Chef, and Card Duelist.
It's already one of the most popular free MMOs in the world, so if you haven't tried it yet you need to.
SCROLL DOWN TO THE COMMENTS BELOW AND LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS GAME.
- Pro: A wide variety of jobs means everyone can find something they like.
- Pro: Lots, and lots, of people to play with.
- Pro: Non-paying players will have plenty to do.
- Pro: You can hop in, play for 10 minutes, and accomplish something.
- Genre: Minigames, Virtual World, MMORPG, Fantasy, 3D
- Area: USA / Global
- Official Site: Free Realms
- Publisher: Sony Online Entertainment
- Developer: SOE San Diego
- Platform: Microsoft Windows
Screenshots
Review
Sony Online Entertainment’s new free-to-play casual MMORPG, “Free Realms,” certainly built up a lot of hype prior to its release. Last year, at E3 2008? A few people looked at the game, but overall, it was written off as “too kiddy.” Fast forward to its release in 2009, and suddenly everyone is jumping into “Free Realms” to try it out.
And for good reason. Despite its kid-friendly appearance and design, “Free Realms” really is unlike any MMORPG on the market. For most games, having the option to craft or fight is as much choice as you get; and even then almost all MMORPGs let you advance only through combat. In “Free Realms,” however, combat is only one very small piece of what you can do, and how your character can grow.
In addition to combat, you can perform all sorts of tasks. Cooking, kart racing, exploring, wizardry, archery, delivering mail, training pets—the options available are almost overwhelming. A lot of the “jobs” involve playing minigames to gain experience and complete them. For example, to collect most resources for cooking and other resource-based jobs, you’ll have to play a minigame that is right at home at any number of Flash gaming portals. Other jobs, such as postman and destruction derby driver, take place in actual game play, turning what was once a standard MMORPG into a race, or car combat game.
Currently, there are fifteen jobs in the game; 6 combat, 3 tradeskill, 2 driving, and 4 miscellaneous jobs. The game is free-to-play with optional premium content, which includes 4 of the 6 combat jobs, and a large portion of all non-crap equipment. At less than $5/month, though, it’s a small price to pay for people who find themselves enjoying the game.
Visually, “Free Realms” is also unlike other MMORPGs on the market—especially free-to-play ones. With a whimsical, fantasy-heavy appearance, playing “Free Realms” is like stepping into an interactive fairytale storybook. Colorful creatures and fantastical fauna abound, and you’ll run into a huge variety of clever and memorable creatures.
For me, the most enjoyable jobs were those related to combat, card duelist, and adventurer. Combat in “Free Realms” is instanced and completely optional, with many dungeons spread throughout the world. In most battles, you’ll have to kill a certain number of enemies—and a boss—before you die X number of times. It’s not as deep as the combat in games like “Guild Wars” or “WoW,” but it’s enjoyable, and with the 6 types of combat available there’s a nice change of pace from one quest to the next.
Card dueling plays like a typical card game. Not surprisingly, there are cards for purchase at major retailers, which will give you more cards in the virtual card dueling world. It’s not the deepest CCG, but Sony Online Entertainment has taken a lot of time to make sure the card games in their MMOs are well-executed and deep, and the game in “Free Realms” is no different.
Ultimately, “Free Realms” lives up to what’s promised: a free-to-play MMORPG that people of all ages can enjoy, and that gamers of all persuasions can play. Are you a casual gamer who plays the occasional Flash game? There are plenty of jobs for you. Do you play “WoW” and other MMORPGs regularly? Then you’ll find some enjoyment in the combat jobs, and exploring the world.
The game does have one major shortfall that leads to a few problems; there’s too much to do. That may sound silly, but as of now, with all of the jobs available no single job has a huge amount of depth. If you only enjoy cooking or being a brawler, the game won’t last you very long before you get bored. On the other hand, SOE has made it clear they plan to continue adding classes and expanding what’s currently available, so perhaps in time they’ll be able to flesh it out a bit. Until then, players will still get plenty of playing time out of “Free Realms,” and best of all, not paying isn’t going to put you at a complete disadvantage like other “free-to-play” games with “optional” subscriptions.
Review Brendon Lindsey
October 9, 2009
Review
Never really get it going because the website keep crashing. Frustrating to even start the game.
wie, on October 25th 2009 10:55 am
I think they tried to pack too much into it... Card duel and demo derby fighting racing cooking crafting games and more are not supposed to be combined it makes my brain hurt watching to fast pace video trying to just name the half of it.
adminus, on October 24th 2009 05:22 pm
People tend to think that some free MMOs are not good becuase it takes money to make the content. That simply is not true. Look at Jagex Games studio for example, they have become such a small privately owned company but yet their games are free (which the option of membership at a small price). I tried Free Realms out on the weekend it released. I think the pro to this MMO is that it adds a variety of everything: social and combat/adventure. There is everything to do in this game. The graphics are very good as well but I don't judge MMOs purely on combat. The largest shortfall though is that if your a casual or hardcore gamer that likes MMOs like WOW, Runescape, Everquest and so on you might not enjoy this game. I found that it is geared way to much for kids for me to enjoy but I would probably allow any kid to play it. They seem to have good moderation and all usernames have to be approved in order to play the game.
Darkmagic76, on October 18th 2009 09:55 am
i dissagree with the first comment strongly i play wow i played everquest and alot of other mmo's wow is the best by far but there are good free 1's best free 2d MMO -maplestory best free 3d MMO- luna online there no more browsing threw site i just told every1 what they were lookin for XD
speak the truth, on October 6th 2009 01:07 pm
No Decent MMO will ever be free due to the fact that it takes time and effort to make them and noone works for free there are several available where you can do most of the things on there games for free but youd be better off spending the 15 dollars a month playing WoW luke
Aces, on September 18th 2009 12:40 pm
I think this game is bad
lol, on September 3rd 2009 10:25 am
Free Realms is celebrating the 4th of July with plenty of spirit! These fun features include: -Seaside Summer Splash with a treasure hunt that rewards players with Seaside Stickers that can be redeemed for fireworks and other prizes. Also, a TCG scenario that rewards card duelists with the exclusive Star Shot Candle item -The Summer Sparkler Bundle is available now for Members only! Members must log in and claim this blue and green sparkler Find out more about these cool features on the official FR site!
ZaM01, on July 2nd 2009 05:01 pm
cool game i played it its really cool
oblivion, on June 29th 2009 01:41 am
this game is the best
game, on June 25th 2009 07:41 am
Free realms is the best despite the cons.But it is really hard to find a MMO without having a subscription to get all the good stuff
Luke, on June 24th 2009 11:34 am
This game would be so much more enticing if their website functioned properly!
Skovold Z, on May 12th 2009 01:23 am
Heey i just cant logg in in the servers cuz its says something with *save files performes* i dont know what it says so can some1 help i will be thnx full my char name is kin6453 help me and we can play togheter =D thnx
Anonymous, on May 10th 2009 02:04 pm
i think this games is so cool.
crisscross, on May 7th 2009 01:09 am
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The game itself is okay if you just want something mind-numbing to relax by before going to bed, but don't expect anything particularly challenging. Although there are many "different" jobs there are only a handful of basic styles of play, and they get old in a hurry. My greatest complaint about Free Realms is SOE's misguided approach to the social side of the game. It's a mixture of left-wing feel-good all-inclusive politics and extreme right-wing puritanical conservatism. The chat filter in Free Realms is programmed to hash not only all numbers, but any "naughty" words IN ANY LANGUAGE. That is to say, they support foreign languages to the exclusion of supporting English. It is impossible to discuss even such basic things as character levels and items for trade without resorting to "filter avoidance," which will get your account suspended for 3-4 days. Banned words include such basic words as "people," "bronze", and just about any word beginning with "con," "com," and "un." Even my character's first name, "Miles," is hashed by the filter. In order to make sure that nobody is doing anything naughty they have a team of "enforcers" snooping into private conversations to see what people are saying. I was having a discussion with a friend in private message (we're both over 30) and I said something "mature" by avoiding the filter. A couple hours later I got an email from an enforcer stating that I had been banned for 3-4 days for sexual content. After reading a few reviews I soon discovered that I am not the first person to have been suspended after being spyed upon by the SOE enforcement Nazis. You can read more in the comments on IGN's review of Free Realms.
Miles Oldfield, on October 30th 2009 05:40 am