It's now a week after the expo ended, and I think it's safe to say that E3 2009 is officially done. (Except for the poor bloggers still trying to play catch-up with the previews and news.) We saw and played a lot of cool games, we talked to a lot of cool people, and we even went bowling against Runic Entertainment; but the after party is over, and it's time to present the MMO Life Network's awards for the best free-to-play and pay-to-play MMOs, MMORPGs, and Online Games of E3 2009. (And if you missed our coverage during the show, catch up here.)

How did we decide the winners? First, by category. MMORPG is obvious; MMO is a massively multiplayer online game that didn't primarily focus on RPG elements; and online games were games that were played online, but weren't massive. We picked winners via a combination of things too difficult to explain and too tenuous to wrap your mind around, but basically it dealt with how fun the game was, how different the idea was, our opinion of the game before/after E3, and how good it felt compared to the competition.

Without further ado...

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Best Free-to-Play MMO Game of E3 2009

"TAIKODOM"

It was a tough choice, but in the end, the best free-to-play MMO of E3 2009 was the "EVE"/"Jumpgate" hybrid, "Taikodom." Although not fully playable (or it would take a lot more than E3's three-day period to experience), "Taikodom's" combination of the hardcore aspects of "EVE" along with the casual action-combat elements of "Jumpgate" make it the most promising free-to-play space MMO in quite some time.

Runner-Up: "Dragonica"

The whimsical 3D MMO sidescroller came close, but "Taikodom's" unique combination gave it the edge.

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Best Free-to-Play MMORPG of E3 2009

"RUNES OF MAGIC: CHAPTER 2"

Much better graphics? Entirely new lighting and water? ELVES?! "Runes of Magic's" upcoming Chapter 2 add-on looks like an entirely new game. The "WoW"-like visuals are completely overhauled, the game looks more mature, the new features sound promising... Basically, almost every major complaint people have made about "Runes of Magic" seems to be getting touched upon in the next add-on.

Runner-Up: "Soul of the Ultimate Nation"

Will we finally see "S.U.N." release in the US? Looks like it. Unfortunately, other recent games make it appear more dated than it would have been had it come out in 2007/08 as originally planned.

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Best Free-to-Play Online Game of E3 2009

"HUXLEY: THE DYSTOPIA"

Wait... What? "Huxley?" Remember that game? It used to be this huge upcoming MMOFPS with up to 100 players per side... But now, it's pretty much your standard free online shooter, albeit with some sort of character tracking. But while the game doesn't retain many of the things that made it so talked about years ago, it's still extremely fun, and the class set-ups are still a blast. Let's just hope it releases this time!

Runner-Up: "Dungeon Fighter Online"

Combining arcade sidescrolling action, the possibility of a joystick, and nostalgia couldn't quite overcome "Huxley's" visuals and fast-paced class-based FPS makings.

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Best Retail MMO Game of E3 2009

"GLOBAL AGENDA"

The other main competition for this award was "All Points Bulletin." So how did "Global Agenda" beat "APB?" Simple: it was playable in a polished form. While "APB" sounds absolutely amazing, the MMOFPS is still, at this point, all talk. (Or pre-recorded video watch.) Meanwhile, "Global Agenda" is amazing in its own way, and fully playable. It helps that the game is incredibly fun, and that we're already addicted even after only an hour playing.

Runner-Up: "All Points Bulletin"

If Realtime can do what they're claiming with "APB," expect something special. But that's *if*. Although even if the gameplay tanks, the character creator will be worth the price of admission.

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Best Retail MMORPG of E3 2009

"STAR WARS: THE OLD REPUBLIC"

Fully voiced NPCs? A true story-driven MMO where your choices impact the events around you in ways you don't imagine? Very cinematic combat, even for lower-leveled players? At this point, "The Old Republic" is shaping up to be the Star Wars MMORPG we all wanted when the last one came out. Hopefully, this time it actually lives up to expectations.

Runner-Up: "DC Universe Online (PS3)"

Never would we have imagined that an MMORPG would be better on a console... But then we played this.

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Best Retail Online Game of E3 2009

"LEAGUE OF LEGENDS"

"League of Legends" is fun. That's really all that needs to be said. The game is funny, fast-paced, and everything you'd want out of a project with the names it has behind it. If you ever played and loved "DotA" or any number of "DotA" clones, then you're going to love "League of Legends." Let the revolution of Teemo the Swift Scout begin!

Runner-Up: "Left 4 Dead 2"

Milking the franchise for money? Possibly. A clearly superior version of the "L4D" formula and engine? You bet.

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Best New Game of E3 2009

"HEROES OF TELARA"

Before E3 began, when I saw the press release for "Heroes of Telara," Trion's upcoming MMORPG, my first thought was, "Great, another generic fantasy game that's going to crash and burn." Imagine my surprise after the E3 demonstration, and after finding out more about Trion's platform and the game itself. Suffice it to say, I was wrong, and "Heroes of Telara" looks like it has the makings to not just "another fantasy MMJORPG," but "a great fantasy MMORPG."

Runner-Up: "Final Fantasy XIV"

A testament to Square: you can just announce your game and almost win an award.

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Overall Best MMO, MMORPG, or Online Game of E3 2009

"GLOBAL AGENDA"

Are you surprised? You shouldn't be; we only wrote three previews for this one game. "Global Agenda" combines everything we love -- quirkiness, MMO play, sci-fi stuff -- in a very fun, very tactical package. If this game doesn't become more anticipated as it gets nearer to release, then you'll have no one but yourselves to blame when we start seeing more "WoW" clones filled with elves and magic, instead of original titles with new ideas.

Runners-Up:

"League of Legends"

"The Old Republic"

"Runes of Magic: Chapter 2"

Posted by Brendon Lindsey
June 10, 2009

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