Atlantica Online is rated the number 1 MMO by MMORPG.com; and you’ve probably never heard of it for one simple reason: it’s completely free! As a free to play (and download) game it doesn’t get as much press as it probably would, but its a great game. The download is about 2.2gig, and then you have to hit up ~500meg of patches to get online.

The story line follows a race known as the Atlantians who created a mysterious and powerful material that they came to depend on, once it ran out their powerful race fell but remnants of them survived.

You are a descendant of the Atlantians and tasked with the quest of finding your ancestral home:

You will embark on an epic journey that will take you to mysterious and dangerous locations around the world, as well as through time and human history. You will enter countless battles against creatures of legend and lore, mutated and deadly due to the influence of Oriharukon. But you will have the help of mercenaries you meet along your way, facing enemies together. You will collect clues from the remains of ancient civilizations, which will ultimately lead you to the lost land of Atlantis, and all the secrets kept there.

Whats so great about the game? It’s got exactly the parts you need: auctions, towns, clans, quests, items, armor etc – anything you’d expect from WoW/Conan/WAR but it goes further in two places:

Number 1: Guilds – this is done very nicely. My guild owns and manages a town called Prague (yes most of the map is real world). As I rise in rank I can improve the town in various ways. As I newbie I can attract people to the town (if they make it we all get XP) and I can use the town for my various needs.

As I progress I can buy buildings, set the taxes etc – which other gamers pay when they use our towns facilities (banking, travel agency) etc. It’s very well done, and I haven’t seen it anywhere else!

Almost everyone is in a guild, and just by being in one you contribute but you can become really involved and make a real impact and get everyone experience. Also, the average person is very friendly on Atlantica.

Number 2: Combat and party – I love this as well. You have a main character but also a party all of whom you control. There are many types of mercenaries who you include in your party and who level up with you. You’re main character has more customisation options etc but each individual mercenary has skills and spells to use.

When you battle, you’re party battles against another players or against a group of mobs. It’s played as a turn based battle where you execute your moves (using action points) and then the opposition does the same – like an old school Fallout! All your characters level and can use customized items etc.

It really is a great game, and worth a try – if you do try it or have tried it let us know!

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