Drakensang Online (PC)

Here is a pretty neat game I stumbled upon, and it's free to play too! Drakensang Online is an web browser based RPG game, no downloading required. It is free to play as I mentioned, but you can buy in game item and bonuses in the online shop. Released sometime in early 2011, this game seems to have gained quite a following.

Basic Gameplay:
I initially started playing this game while waiting for the release of Diablo3. If you are familiar with RPG's this game was pretty easy to get started. Of course there is an account registration and you have to choose a server and a class in order to get started. There were 3 character classes to choose from:

• Spellweaver
• Dragonknight
• Ranger

I chose ranger as my class, and started playing on Tegan Server (USA) Game starts out with a fairly easy to learn tutorial before you get into the real world. Once you finish this tutorial session you are teleported to the main realm. From there, you can choose the many NPC characters with quests and there are also many shops for gear/items. Main form of control is using the mouse to click for movement as well as hotkeys for casting spells and skills. Quests consists of killing certain monsters or bosses and gaining certain items. As you progress in the game and get higher level you also explore more of the world.

Pro's

1. PVP: I enjoyed the PVP (player vs player) aspect of the game. There is an option to battle in arena for 1 vs.  1 or team battles as well. There is also an option to be PVP flagged throughout the world if you so choose. Winning battles in the arena gives you points (Called badges of honor) towards skill upgrades that give you bonuses in pvp. Ex: Deal 15% extra damage vs other players or take 15% less damage from players. 
2. Quest: I found this to be the main goal when it comes to leveling and acquiring items. Quests are suited towards level and I find them to be fair and as well give money and exp. Progressively get harder as you level. 
3. Community: Large player base community, it seems like there is always someone to hunt with or join parties, whether you are already hunting or find a group in town.

Con's

1. Movement: I found some of the movement to be glitchy. Whether it be due to internet or the fact that it is a browser game it doesn't always run smoothly. Also the spells, some cast late or are delayed when you press a hot key, then you press it again which just makes it cast twice after the mob has already died. 
2. Specialty Items: There is an option here to combine like magic items to create 1 better magic item. I find some of these to be rather extreme as it costs "Crystals of Truth" to identify these magic items. Theses crystals are rare to find from mobs but can be bought in store with in-game currency (Called Andermant). Some items need over 600 crystals after being combine, which seems extreme to me when trying to obtain better gear. 
3. Customization: I wish there were more customization in characters. Each class looks really similar to each other and there are only 3 classes to choose from.
4. Player interaction: I couldn't trade with other players or drop unwanted items on the ground, they would automatically delete. There were times when I wanted to give things away but could not. This seems like a must in most of these games, however, non existent in this game.  

Overall I would say it was a decent game to play. I  stopped playing at around lvl 21/22 as Diablo3 had been released. It was a great game to kill time and sometimes I still pop on just to see whats new. Its lacking a few things that I enjoy like crafting and player to player interactions, but still worth a shot if you are looking for something new to play. 

Console: PC
Cost: Free
(In-game store option available)
Genre: Action RPG
Rating: 6/10
Click Here to Play Drakensang!