Developer: Cabochon Inc.
Publisher: Cabochon Inc.
Year of Release: 1997
System: Windows 98/Me +

Style: Retro styled Role Playing game, similar to old PC games.

Main Site(s): www.cabochon.com (basic note)
Support Site(s): Wyvern RPG (Forum 1), Wyvern RPG (Forum 2)

Features: Distinct Retro feel, multiple Race selection, usual class selections, Centralized auctions, easy to use interface, Customizable macros for more personalized game play, Player score boards hosted on main site, Crime listings, ability to advance to rank of Wizard(GM) by contributing to the game world, 85% of the art player contributed. And although the game was first introduced to us in 1997, over ten years ago, it is still in Beta.

Subscription: Free To download, Free to Play

Graphics: 4/5
Sound & Music: 2/5
Game Play: 3.5/5
Control & UI: 3.5/5
Uniqueness: 4.5/5
Support: 2/5

^ A typical view of the game, this pic taken in a Desert Village known as Bandar Gaah.

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Developer: CCP Games
Publisher: CCP Games, Mobius Games
Year of Release: 2003 (Q2)
System: Windows XP, Vista, Mac OS X 10.4.9+, Linux

Style: Epic space simulation with role playing elements

Main Site(s): Eve Online
Support Site(s): Allakhazam Eve (database), Eve Online Ships (database of ships)

Features: state-of-the-art visuals and gorgeous locations, highly customizable ships, epic list of skills, 100% player driven economy, players can establish corporations and control sections of space, corporations can pool together resources and build massive space stations, jukebox, passive skill system where you will continue to train even when logged off, highly detailed centralized market/trade system, game incorporates one entire galaxy and over 5000 solar systems, players play on a super computing cluster that houses all players in one universe in real time, player deaths means your ship is destroyed and you will only retain your skills if your clone has the advancement for it, realistic economy where it’s possible to infiltrate another corporation and wreak havoc - player and corporate politics are a huge possibility

Subscription: first monthly payment is a one time fee of €19,95 / $19.95; €14,95 / $14.95 per month thereafter; cheaper monthly packages for longer terms

Graphics: 5/5
Sound & Music: 5/5
Game Play: 4.5/5
Control & UI: 4/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Support: 4/5

^ A Minmatar battle cruiser in combat. An enemy ship explodes nearby.

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Developer: Joymax
System: Windows 2000, XP, Vista

Style: Somewhat cartoony, with realistic and RPG elements

Main Site(s): http://www.silkroadonline.net (IE4.0+ only)
Support Site(s): Silk Road Online forums

Features:
Focuses on RPG elements, within a real world historical setting. A large world to explore, with changing landscapes as you enter different regions. PVP based combat that centers mainly around three jobs. Different races to choose from, each with different templates within to customize your look, somewhat. Varying skill set ups that allow for completely customizable toon abilities.

Subscription: Free to play forever, but with cash shop features that let you spend real money for little extras for in the game world.

Graphics: 3.5/5
Sound & Music: 4.5/5
Game Play: 4.5/5
Control & UI: 3/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Support: 4/5

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Developer: SD Enternet
Publisher: Game&Game
Year of Release: 2006 (Q1)
System: Windows 98/ME, Windows XP, Windows Vista 32bit

Style: Isometric naval warfare, Real-time simulation

Main Site(s): http://www.navyfield.com (North America), http://www.navyfield.eu (Europe), http://sdenternet.co.kr (Korea/Asia)
Support Site(s): Navy Field Guides

Features: focuses on PvP gameplay; ability to recruit sailors to operate on board your ship or to help out in the shipyard; sailors can be assigned different positions at later levels; crewmen can gain experience and level; warships can upgrade armour, weapons, ammo, ship class and model; four distinct nations with neutral starting nation; scaled models (though gun ranges aren’t scaled to ship sizes); vast range of ship class and types including the Japanese Yamato class battleship

Subscription: free to play forever, optional $7.99/30 days Gold subscription, optional $11.99/30 days Premium subscription, optional useful paid features like unique ships or elite sailors

Graphics: 3.5/5
Sound & Music: 3.5/5
Game Play: 3.5/5
Control & UI: 3.5/5
Uniqueness: 5/5
Support: 4/5

^ One of the loading screens. The painted still images are beautiful. If only the in-game graphics are up to date with them.

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Developer: Wizet
Publisher: Nexon, Shanda, Gamania, AsiaSoft
Year of Release: 2003 (Q2)
System: Windows 98/ME, Windows XP, Windows Vista 32bit (has random incompatibility issues)

Style: Cartoony, 2D platform hack & slash, RPG elements

Main Site(s): http://www.maplestory.com
Support Site(s): Maple Story Wiki (database), Hidden Street (database)

Features: vibrant cartoony graphics, distance blur and moving backgrounds while player walks from area to area, simplified character leveling system, repetitive level grinding, mini games in which players can play with others or by themselves, seasonal and holiday in-game events moderated by game masters, Cash Shop to decorate your toon or to add pet features to help you quest, emphasize on interacting with other players through emotes and a marriage system (for heterosexual marriages only), wide variety of environments and creatures, easy-to-rebind keyboard controls as well as a quick-bar for potions and special powers and spells, straightforward user interface and controls

Subscription: free to play forever, optional Cash Shop purchases with Nexon Cash for character fashion accessories and pets

Graphics: 4.5/5
Sound & Music: 4/5
Game Play: 3/5
Control & UI: 5/5
Uniqueness: 3/5
Support: 0.5/5

^ In the Free Market area where players can trade with other players. Channel 1 often has a multitude of traders on every floor. You will find a lot of your needs met here.

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Developer: Blizzard
Publisher: Vivendi Universal
Year of Release: 2004 (Q4)
System: Mac OS X, Windows XP, Windows Vista 32bit

Style: Somewhat cartoony with realistic elements

Main Site(s): http://www.worldofwarcraft.com
Support Site(s): WoW Wiki (database), Thottbot (searchable database), WoWHead (database), Allakhazam (database), The Goblin Workshop (database) WoW Insider (news, guides), Curse.com (add-ons)

Features: PvP, PvE, various battlegrounds, incentive to explore, vast world, different environments, over 2000 quests of different types, deep story, great customer service, centralized in-game auction house, parental controls to limit time played per day and per week, crafting system very straightforward, all items colour coded to reflect rarity and usability, key bindings possible, user interface can be modified, two distinct enemy factions, ten races, nine classes and three detailed specializations for each class - can also cross-specialize, seven primary professions which players can choose two to learn and three secondary professions, gathering materials are straightforward, many modes of travel, different mounts, good realistic-enough physics, convenient “Look For Group” system, soloable game play

Subscription: 10 day free trial, $14.95/mo USD, first 30 days free upon subscribing, discounts on 3 and 6 month subscriptions

Graphics: 4/5
Sound & Music: 5/5
Game Play: 5/5
Control & UI: 5/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Support: 4/5

^ Character models and skins are fabulous to look at. Players can test-wear any linkable item from the chat channel, from character sheets of other players, and from add-on modules.

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