Best Free to Play MMO 2016

So 2016 is nearing the halfway mark and there have been only a handful of MMORPGs released this year that are free to play. So compiling what is available The Salamander is recommending these F2P MMOs for their solid gameplay and generous Free to play system. Here they are in no particular order:

Aion

There is one thing I miss in many games and it is something that Aion wants to give me. The ability to soar, to fly free of the bounds of silly gravity. This year the Winds of Fate have bouyed up players and brought two new zones for people to romp around in. Atreia has been with us for a few years but none of its beauty or grace has been lost in that time.

 Echo of Soul

Though it shut down in several countries in Asia, this year saw the western launch of Echo of Soul. Since launching they’ve introduced one new class, two dungeons, and started a PvP season which will continue until March 2016.

Guild Wars 2 

Since January we’ve been hearing all about the Heart of Thorns expansion for Guild Wars 2.  Something that probably doesn’t get as much fanfare but definitely should get more notice is the fact that the base game of Guild Wars 2 went from a buy to play model to free to play. There’s no longer any cost between you and the world of Tyria. 

ASTA 

Dubbed the Asian World of Warcraft. This Free to Play game is actually a very solid game. It is a more traditional MMORPG with tab-targeting, Each race has their own starting area, classic trinity play. Great soundtrack, CryEngine 3 graphics, good dungeons and mounts and great PvP systems. The only knock on the game is hardly anyone is playing it. The Salamander has been playing this since November and I highly recommend it if you like WOW or a more traditional MMO.

Path of Exile

As an action role playing game, Path of Exile is rather unique on this list. We could add in Devilian but that would hardly be fair as it’s only just out. That and Path of Exile doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to a fight. If ARPGs are your thing and you like the idea of a tough world out to do it’s damndest to break you, well the Path is right there.

Rift 

RIFT has been free for a while now but it hasn’t been idle. This year saw the release of RIFT 3.4 Into The Wilds. The strenght of the Soul system in RIFT has always meant that any of the four callings could in a pinch fufill any of the standard roles you’d expect. Tanking Mages and healing Warriors are admittedly a little odd, Trion has also brought the Primalist out to play on Telara. If you’ve never played, there is still something just so… inspiring about coming out of the tutorial and watching the skies tear open with a planar invasion. Be sure to give it a look.

SWTOR 

When the MMOGames team was at Gamescom there was a question put to the Bioware team that was dealing with the buildup for Star Wars: The Old Republic and in particular the then upcoming Knights Of The Fallen Empire update. The question was simply, how is it Bioware could in four minutes make us care more about a character than any of the three prequel movies could about anything. Simply put, Bioware are masters of story and the Knights of the Fallen Empire is their return to form for players out for that sort of experience.

TERA 

TERA is undergoing a metamorphosis or at least that is how it seems. This year has seen more than a few updates to Aborea. Notably this year the Gunner came blasting onto the scene with the Brawler all but upon us as well. Mayhem has never been hard to find in TERA but now there is more motion to go with it.This game has seen a massive influx of players since moving onto Steam. 

Blade and Soul 

Blade and Soul took it's sweet time coming West but now that it is here we are glad it is. The game is beautiful and beyond that has just about the best action combat found in an MMO.(Sorry TERA) The questing and non combat activities are not quite up to it's competition but the Dungeons and Combat alone make this one to play regardless.

EQ2 

Though a bit more restricting than some on this list for free players. If you buy one expansion pack you get every other expansion pack that came before it. The sheer amount of content to be had in EQ2 is almost unmatched in the genre. This is a game that you can lose weeks in not just hours.From Questing, to Crafting, to Decorating your house there is always something to do. After all these years it still has a healthy population and a massive amount of content. 

So there you have it. SalamanderHam's list of the best F2P MMOs out right now. This list will change as more games come to market. I am playing the Korean Bless Online right now and once it comes West (Which is confirmed!) We shall see if it launches Free to Play or not.