Atlantica Online has wowed critics and players alike even from the beta phases with a new twist to MMOs. If you want to know why it’s such a great game play it, but just in case you’re not convinced here’s 10 good reasons why you should try Atlantica Online.

1. It’s free. Being free is a great incentive to play a game, even if you’re just taking a look at it, you download and play the game no strings attached. Atlantica is free to download and play and boasts a cash shop which lets players who want to spend money purchase various items and boosts to create a better experience.

2. It’s something new. Yes, finally something new, a turn based action MMORPG. Everyone should take a look at it for this sole reason, it’s something new to the MMO world and who knows if you’ll like it or not, you’ve never tried it. While players can move in real time over the map, when you encounter mobs or players you can attack them or they can attack you which sends you into the battle screen. Here each player takes their turn at slaughtering the opponent’s mini-heroes.

3. You can be a fighter-archer-wizard all in one. The game lets you create your character but as you go along you recruit various archetypes to help you along the way. They act out pretty much the same as your hero with the sole difference that your hero is a little bit stronger that the average mercenary. You get full control, you can change their names, control what skills they will learn, it feels like you’ve got more than one hero.

4. The most extensive gathering of classes. The mercenaries you can recruit are in great numbers, pirates, monks, fighters, vikings, archers, gunners and many, many more. It’s amazing how much the game can differ depending on the mercenaries you choose to play alongside you. They level up, you can equip them, you can release them and have them roam around the map and send you resources, indeed they are yours to command.

5. It’s never been so simple. Crafting that is. You can upgrade and craft equipment all by yourself, after learning the skill of course but it is simple. You level up your skills by crafting until you get promoted and if time and effort are put into these skills you can pretty much can craft all the equipment your party needs, and believe me they’ll need a lot of it. Upgrading again is straightforward, you get loads of enchant stones from drops and you use the same weapon your are upgrading as a sacrifice, straightforward and easy especially up to lvl 40. Getting a +5 glowy, shiny sword has never been easier and more fun since you’re the one doing it all.

6. It’s never been so simple II. Moving. Bored of left clicking or holding down w? Be bored no more for now at the mere click of the button you can travel anywhere, coordinates, towns, npcs, everywhere. Are you looking for a npc to increase your crafting skill, say no more, open the information screen look him/her up and you’ll just have to sit back and relax while you characters automatically goes there. It may not be fast but when you’ve no money to teleport it beats having to go there by yourself.

7. It’s never been so simple III. Questing that is. You can go anywhere. At a click of the button takes us further. Got a quest that needs finishing, look in the log book, click on the coordinates or npc and the computer will take you there. Don’t want to look around for those mobs, no need to worry, click on the coordinates and you’re there. The game takes out all the stress of walking around aimlessly looking for mobs, quest and reward givers.

8. There are loads to do. You’ll never stop questing, believe me, there are a lot of quests, a whole lot of quests, you’ll get the impression that there is no end to them but that is a good thing. They are connected, they give you great items and rewards, they progress you through the story and through the game mechanics so well that you never realized you learned it all. Then there’s challenges (PvP), ranked matches to win, items to be had and upgraded, new mercenaries to recruit, guilds to join and fight, contests, prizez….the list goes on.

9. It looks and plays great. The graphics are beautiful with an emphasis on characters and action. Even a basic sword attack transforms into a slew of flashy effects, and it looks right. Using a freeze attack actually freezes targets, character textures are finely crafted, the equipment looks great, it all comes together to provide a great looking experience. No one can complain to how the game looks that is certain.

10. Bored, ha, Atlantica does now know the meaning of the word. Easy to get into, difficult to get out of, huge map, loads of terrain to cover, auto move is here. Boring grinding in order to get levels….I don’t think so, quest are the way to go and if a fight is what you’re looking for think about this, even a new spell for your monk might make you change your formation and tactic, this turn-based system provide a lot of depth for those who are willing to explore it. Ranked fighting is available to all levels, plenty of content for all levels, plenty of content upgrades have been made, plenty more to come. Try it, and if you get bored the first 15 minutes are on me….did I mention it was free?

Don´t forget to check out "10 Reasons not to play Atlantica Online" also written by Cosmin Uciu!

Article by Cosmin Uciu, Freemmogamer.com - Posted 8/23/09