In Monster Hunter Wilds the seasonal festival “Festival of Accord: Blossomdance” returns. This not only introduces special event quests but also allows you to receive exclusive rewards that would typically require payment.
What kind of festival is this? From April 23 – May 7, 2025, the first Festival of Accord: Blossomdance ran in Monster Hunter Wilds, transforming the Great Site into a sea of cherry blossoms. Inspired by the Japanese cherry blossom festival, you could participate in festive activities.
Additionally, all event quests returned, allowing you to earn the rewards once again. However, the highlight may be the exclusive rewards you can receive through the festival, as some of them are items that you would usually expect to find in the shop – and you could get them quite easily.
The event is now returning temporarily as part of the anniversary, and you can experience it again within the following timeframe and secure the rewards:
February 18 – February 25, 2026
You can find out what rewards await you and what you can experience at the event here.
Update from February 19, 2026: As part of the anniversary, Blossomdance is returning temporarily. We have therefore updated the post for you.
You can watch the trailer for the spring event here:
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Feast of Harmony: Blooming Dance – Event transforms Monster Hunter Wilds into a Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival
Exclusive Rewards – also for your mount and camps
What rewards does the event provide? The highlight may be the special rewards that are given to you easily. You just need to log in during the event and claim your registration bonus. Afterwards, you will find the items at the locations where you can use them. You won’t receive any further notification for that.
Only the Sakura Teddy Pendant must be claimed at the logistics counter by going to “Accept Items”.
This allows you to receive the following items:
Saikrii Armor
Pendant
Gestures
Background music
Field camp equipment options
Field camp adjustments
Background for Hunter profile
Pose for Hunter profile
Nameplate for Hunter profile
Title for Hunter profile
The Saikrii Armor should excite many fans, as it stands out significantly from what can be earned in the game, allowing for even more customization. Such content is typically found in the shop for real money or must be earned. Thus, you can simply enjoy the gift.
Additionally, you will be able to collect crafting materials through activities, allowing you to craft the following equipment for yourself and your Palico:
To obtain festival tickets that you need for this, you must complete various daily loot tasks.
Additionally, almost all past event quests return along with two festival-exclusive event quests. In “Daughters of Carabosse,” you can earn materials with which you can also get armor for yourself and your Palico that resembles butterflies:
In the quest “That doesn’t work for me!” you can earn exclusive headgear and glasses – including a rose-tinted round glasses for Alma.
Otherwise, exclusive meals await you in the Great Site’s canteen, which you can enjoy using special vouchers received as a registration bonus. You will also receive 2 Super Luck vouchers daily instead of one, and discounts throughout the entire festival period in the supply depot.
Despite the amazing free rewards, there will also be a DLC in the shop that provides you with a few more event-related items. This includes an exclusive outfit for Alma and another dragon-inspired armor for your Saikrii.
You can now challenge Lunala in Pokémon GO. To successfully defeat the boss, we will show you the best counters in the raid guide.
What kind of Pokémon is Lunala? Lunala is a legendary Pokémon from Generation 7 and the counterpart to Solgaleo. It has the types Psychic and Ghost. If you have a Cosmog, you can develop it into Cosmoem and then either into Lunala or Solgaleo.
When is the Pokémon in raids? You can challenge the legendary monster in 5-star raids from February 21 to February 22, 2026.
We will show you which Pokémon and moves are the best counters against Lunala and which types it is weak to (type effectiveness).
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So sah das Pokémon GO Fest 2025 in Paris aus
Defeating Lunala in Raid – With These Counters
Mega Tyranitar with Bite and Brutal Swing
Shadow Tyranitar with Bite and Brutal Swing
Necrozma (Dawn Wings) with Shadow Claw and Moongeist Beam
Mega Absol with Snarl and Brutal Swing
Shadow Hydreigon with Bite and Brutal Swing
Mega Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play
Shadow Darkrai with Snarl and Shadow Ball
Shadow Absol with Snarl and Brutal Swing
Mega Gengar with Lick and Shadow Ball
Mega Salamance with Bite and Brutal Swing
Tyranitar with Bite and Brutal Swing
Shadow Weavile with Snarl and Foul Play
Shadow Houndoom with Snarl and Foul Play
Mega Banette with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
Darkrai with Snarl and Shadow Ball
Shadow Salamance with Bite and Brutal Swing
Kingambit with Snarl and Foul Play
Lunala with Shadow Claw and Shadow Ball
Mega Gyarados with Bite and Crunch
Trikephalo with Bite and Brutal Swing
Weaknesses of Lunala: The Pokémon has the types Psychic and Ghost, making it doubly weak to attacks from types Ghost and Dark. Therefore, you should primarily use these attacks to defeat Lunala.
Is there Shiny Lunala? No. At this time, you cannot obtain the Shiny variant of the monster.
How many Trainers are needed? If you have strong counters and they are at a high level, you can defeat Lunala with 2 Trainers. If you want a more relaxed battle, you should bring more Trainers.
In Monster Hunter Wilds the second seasonal festival “Festival of Accord: Flamefete” retuns. This not only brings special event quests into play, but you can also obtain exclusive rewards that you would usually have to pay for.
What kind of festival is this? From April 23, 2025 – August 6, 2025, the Festival of Unity: Flamefete took place in Monster Hunter Wilds, transforming the Great Site into a summery ambiance with fiery heat and beachwear.
Additionally, a large number of all previous event quests returned, allowing you to earn rewards once again. A highlight were the exclusive rewards that you could obtain through the festival. Some of them were items that were otherwise expected to be found in the shop – and you received them quite easily.
Now the event returns temporarily as part of the anniversary, and you can experience it again during the following period and secure rewards:
February 25 – March 4, 2026
What rewards await you and what you can experience at the event can be found here.
Update from February 19, 2026: As part of the anniversary, the Fire Festival returns temporarily. We therefore updated the post for you.
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The Festival of Concord: Fireproof – Trailer shows a summer event in Monster Hunter Wilds
Exclusive Rewards – also for your Mount and your Camps
What rewards does the event hold? The highlight are the special rewards that you receive quite simply. So you don’t have to do anything else but log in during the event and claim your login bonus. After that, you will find the items at the locations where you can use them. You will not receive any further notification for this.
Thus, you will receive the following items:
Saikrii Decoration
Charm
Gestures
Background Music
Field Camp Equipment Options
Field Camp Customizations
Background for Hunter Profile
Pose for Hunter Profile
Nameplate for Hunter Profile
Title for Hunter Profile
The Saikrii armor should particularly please many fans, as it stands out significantly from the ones included in the game, allowing for even more customization. Such content is often found in the shop for real money or must be earned. So you can simply enjoy the gift.
You will also be able to gather crafting materials through activities, allowing you to craft the following equipment for yourself and your Palico:
To receive festival tickets, which you need for this, you must complete various daily quests.
Summery Event Quests with Suitable Outfits
What event quests are there? Additionally, almost all past event quests return and two festival-exclusive event quests are introduced. In “Two Annoying Poison Spitters,” for example, you can earn material for stylish swimsuits in Lagiacrus style and a Hawaiian shirt with a straw hat for your Palico:
In the exclusive quest “Ui, that Stinks,” on the other hand, you receive material for a gun lance that looks like a gigantic corn cob. Yes, a corn cob. Additionally, you may receive material that you can use to craft summery glasses for yourself and Alma.
What other activities are there? Additionally, you can expect exclusive meals at the Great Site’s canteen, which you can enjoy through special vouchers you receive as a login bonus. You will also receive 2 Super Luck vouchers daily instead of one, and discounts throughout the festival period at the supply depot.
Furthermore, during the event period, Fabius will be available as a selectable helper hunter to assist you on your hunts.
Despite the great free rewards, there will also be a DLC in the shop that will provide you with even more event-related items. This also includes exclusive outfits for Alma, Erik, and Gemma, as well as another fiery armor for your Saikrii.
It’s been almost a year since Monster Hunter Wilds was released. Now Capcom has released a final major update for the game. There are not only new quests and tougher variants of known monsters, but also a rather special sword finds its way into the game.
What kind of patch is this? To celebrate the one-year anniversary, Capcom is releasing one last update for Monster Hunter Wilds, apart from the upcoming expansion. The new update not only comes with new quests but also with significantly stronger monsters.
As with every new title update, SteamDB notes a surge in players, even though the peak of 78,000 players is not as high as during the last updates (in December, the peak was 123,000). However, this may change again in the coming days.
One of the biggest highlights is a new sword. Not only was it designed by a fan, but it also has interesting stats and abilities.
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Monster Hunter Wilds shows TU4 with the first Elder Dragon and Winter Festival
Stylish sword with a strange effect
Why is the sword so special? With the new update, the Great Sword Shatterseal enters the game. The sword was designed by player Nolan Lu, who won a competition. Not only does it look stylish, but it has its own animation when charging, and even a shard effect upon impact.
But it’s not just visual. The sword has the unique skill Shattering Reflection. When you charge your Great Sword attack, you trigger AoE damage upon impact, not just the cut itself. This ability has no cooldown (Source: game8.co).
The weapon also has a nearly entirely white sharpness gauge in its Rarity 8 version. This means it takes quite a while before you need to sharpen it with a whetstone.
Unfortunately, the weapon also has 2 disadvantages: on the one hand, it has lower base damage than other good great swords, and on the other, it has no element. This means the weapon will likely remain niche. At least you can use it as a decorative weapon. Just keep in mind that the visual effect may not work then (Source: Reddit).
To obtain the weapon, you need to farm the materials from the event quest Dream of Every Hunter.
What else is coming into the game besides the sword? If you really want to test your skill, there is a first 10-star quest in the game with the battle-hardened Arkveld. For this, you’ll receive not only a new stylish armor but also amulets that you can transform into Talimsane.
In addition, all other top predators are also supposed to get a 10-star variant in their battle-hardened form. So there are several new quests intended to push you to your limits.
If you’re already looking forward to Monster Hunter Stories 3, there is a collaboration in the game that gives you a special armor for your Palico. Otherwise, there are:
More event quests
A free editing voucher for your character and Palico
A new pendant, also designed by a competition winner
New side mission to obtain Nadia’s armor
The Festival of Unity allows you to obtain seasonal items that you missed
The new competitor for Diablo takes the next step. There is now a demo of Darkhaven, the new ARPG from some former Diablo developers, available on Steam.
What is Darkhaven? Darkhaven is an action RPG set in a dark fantasy post-apocalypse. You are sent into the dangerous world and must grow into a hero while fighting invasions from the rifts of reality. The demo is now available on Steam.
Who are the developers? Behind Moonbeast Productions are many of the former developers of Diablo and Diablo 2. Among them is Erich Schaefer, who formerly worked as Art Director for Diablo and later became the project leader of Diablo 2.
Here you can watch the trailer for Darkhaven:
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Darkhaven: Das neue Action-Rollenspiel ehemaliger Macher von Diablo hat jetzt einen Namen
Darkhaven has several special features
What makes Darkhaven so special? Darkhaven aims to stand out from the competition and boasts several features:
The world can be altered by destroying the terrain
Islands, bridges, and entire settlements can be built
A combat system where you can jump, climb, dodge, and position yourself strategically to gain an advantage over the monsters
No classic random linear levels, but a cohesive game world made up of biomes
The developers of Darkhaven have also considered modders and plan to integrate an editor into the game. With this, you should be able to create your own items, monsters, classes, and quests in real-time. This can go as far as allowing you to design your own rule set.
What is included in the demo? On the Steam page of the demo are some details about the test version of Darkhaven. According to the developers, there is no fixed end to the demo, but character progression will be halted at level 8.
Furthermore, the demo includes a class with 6 available skills. As a final feature of the demo, there is a world event that you can trigger if you follow the main quests. This event is supposed to change your world completely.
Whether Darkhaven can ultimately prevail against Diablo remains to be seen. On February 12, Blizzard brought a new class to Diablo 2 after 26 years. With the shadow drop of the “Reign of the Warlock” expansion for Diablo 2: Resurrected, the remake has received the Warlock as a class. MeinMMO editor Karsten Scholz also immediately started the download after 4 years: The best Diablo manages with a shadow drop, that I start the download immediately after 4 years of break
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
ARC Raiders offers players many options to interact with others. You can confront other players or collaborate with them. However, the tests were not peaceful at all, which surprised the developers..
As an extraction shooter, ARC Raiders provides you with many ways to interact with the game. If you find strong loot, you must escape with it to keep it. You can find loot in the game world or take it from other players once you defeat them.
ARC Raiders receives new matchmaking option and trophy display with Headwinds
PvE and PvP are meant to have a balance
Why were the developers surprised? In an interview with PCGamer, Design Director Virgil Watkins from Embark Studios spoke about player behavior. He reveals that there was no collaboration during their tests. They were significantly more aggressive.
The developers were therefore surprised by the behavior of the players at release:
This kind of surprised us, in exactly how many people latch onto, and are having fun with, these [PvE] elements of the game. So it certainly encourages us to lean more toward giving opportunities to have friendly and fun interactions.
However, they do not want to focus solely on PvE players but continue to ensure that the PvP aspect is as fair as possible. They never want to force players to fight; that decision should be up to them.
The balance between PvE and PvP is challenging, but they also do not want to take sides. Players should experience their own stories based on their approaches in ARC Raiders. And that is not something we can ever force or engineer. And I’m glad we don’t try.
The big new event from Overwatch started on February 10 and immediately caused some issues. Now Blizzard is compensating you with generous loot if you played in the first week.
What was the bug? The bug was quickly addressed in the official Overwatch forum. Players increasingly reported that they did not receive rewards for completed daily or weekly challenges in the Battle Pass of Season 1. Additionally, level rewards were not correctly distributed, as user sanek109991 mentioned in the Overwatch forum.
Who will be compensated by Blizzard? In a post in the forum, Blizzard employee Eric shared some details about the compensation for affected players. According to him, players are eligible for compensation if they completed at least one event challenge in the first week, from February 10 to February 17.
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Overwatch shows 5 new heroes in Season 1: Conquest in the gameplay trailer
Blizzard gives away legendary loot
What is Blizzard giving away? In the same post by the Blizzard employee, the loot that will be given to you is also described. Affected players will receive the following:
12 normal loot boxes
1 epic loot box
1 legendary loot box
One Sojourn and Emre voice line
2 common titles
1 weapon charm
1 Emre name card
When will you receive the loot? Blizzard states that due to the quantity of rewards, it may take a few days for the loot to appear in your inventory. So please have a little patience before you ask where your gifts are.
Blizzard is also changing one more thing: Some players were unable to switch factions and thus could not level the event pass. As a result, Blizzard decided to reduce the required number of event passes needed for the legendary title of the faction.
To obtain the titles of Strike Commander (Overwatch) and Lupine Imperator (Talon), you now only need to complete 7 instead of 8 event passes. The “Double Agent” challenge has also been reduced from 16 event passes to 14.
With the new “Overwatch × Talon” event, 5 new heroes have come to Overwatch. Throughout the year, 5 more are expected to be released, connected to the event’s grand story. You can check out the first 5 newcomers here: These are the 5 new heroes you can play in Overwatch next week
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In the right MMORPG, you can spend hundreds of hours (and even more). And so you don’t have to spend hours trying out games in your search, MeinMMO shows you in a new YouTube video 12 MMORPGs that are worth it in 2026 – and for whom.
The heyday of MMORPGs is long gone: You can also tell by which games dominate the year. Many of the best MMORPGs in 2026 remain older titles like World of Warcraft, The Lord of the Rings Online, Star Wars: The Old Republic. Guild Wars 2 and The Elder Scrolls Online have already been around for over 10 years.
If you want the most spectacular graphics, there are also newer titles like Throne and Liberty. Despite a turbulent development history and criticism, it also stands out positively, especially due to the sense of community that arises and its vibrant world. And Black Desert Online remains one of the visually most impressive MMORPGs even around 9 years after release.
There’s more in the video: These were just a few of the MMORPGs that are still worth it in 2026. To not go overboard here, you can find the rest in our YouTube video. There, we also delve deeper and answer among other things the following questions:
What makes these MMORPGs still special today?
For which type of player is the respective MMORPG most worthwhile?
As varied as individual tastes are, so too are the MMORPGs in the video. So if you’d rather leisurely explore a world and experience stories, or if you like action-packed battles – there’s something for every type of player here.
Are you currently enjoying one of these MMORPGs? Or do you think there’s definitely a title missing? Feel free to let us know in the comments. For a deeper insight into what is changing this year 2026 in The Elder Scrolls Online, you can also check here: Is The Elder Scrolls Online worth it in 2026?
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
In Pokémon Pokopia you can play with friends in co-op mode via multiplayer. What you can do in the game for Switch 2 and how the co-op gameplay works is explained by MeinMMO.
How does the multiplayer mode work? Once everyone has the game Pokopia, you can use all features without restrictions.
If only one player has the game, it’s best to use the game share feature of the Switch 2. A owner of Pokémon Pokopia shares their game with others who are on the same Wi-Fi network. All players need a paid subscription to Nintendo Switch Online for this.
How do you start the multiplayer? You need to proceed as follows:
Start the multiplayer mode on the Switch 2
Use the “Game Share” option.
On Switch 2: Accept the invitation directly in the system
On Switch 1: Download an app if needed, such as the Switch-2 connection client (to be revealed at release)
Join the lobby on your console
After joining, you will find yourself on the host’s island. Depending on where you are invited, you can try different things.
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With Pokémon Pokopia, Nintendo mixes two of its most popular franchises for the Switch
Two Multiplayer Modes in Pokopia
What can be done? There are two different types of islands you can visit:
There is the option to explore the host’s main islands. To avoid causing any disruption, you have limited permissions. It’s similar to how it works in Animal Crossing. Here, you can only look around.
In addition, there are the Cloud Islands, which operate independently of the main islands of the story mode. You can think of these islands more like private servers in Minecraft. Here you can build everything from scratch with the host and design it as you like. Here, you can express your creativity together.
Is there anything that cannot be played in co-op? Yes, it is not possible to play through the story mode together and generate progress. Only each owner of Pokopia can do that for themselves.
Can I play without a host? In the Cloud Islands, it is indeed possible to hop onto the island without the host. This allows anyone who has time to enter the island and continue building on it. However, this does not work with game share, as you need to own Pokopia yourself for this.
How many players can play at the same time? A total of 4 players can be on an island at the same time. However, when a player leaves the island, it is possible for another to join. Thus, an unlimited number of players can enter an island, but only 4 can be there simultaneously.
Nvidia and AMD are unlikely to release new graphics cards in 2026. Some players see this as a great opportunity.
The RAM and memory crisis has now also reached graphics card manufacturers: Some producers do not want to release a new graphics card this year, while others prefer to launch specific products for the AI market. Therefore, there will likely be no new graphics card for gamers in 2026.
Nvidia is not expected to release new gaming graphics cards in the RTX-50 series (like Super models) and will delay the start of the RTX-60 series to 2027. The focus is to be on AI products.
AMD is also expected to abandon the development of a fast high-end card and focus on server chips in 2026 (via allround-pc.com).
Some players believe that this is a great opportunity for the gaming market. Others see it more as a problem for those who are already having a hard time. This is shown in a discussion on Reddit.
Players see the lack of new graphics cards as an opportunity for the gaming market
The argument of some players: Developers are demanding ever higher requirements for their games, putting pressure on the PC market with these demands. Many players are therefore forced to buy the latest and greatest hardware every year to benefit from the new features. And this makes PC gaming increasingly expensive.
But is this really an opportunity? Some do not really agree. Because while some are rejoicing and seeing the current situation as an opportunity, others are less enthusiastic. Those who already own powerful, high-performance hardware can simply wait out the current situation.
And this is indeed a big problem that many are already facing: Many computers will end up in the trash due to the end of Windows 10 and companies and users will inevitably need replacements. Those stuck with very old hardware cannot simply wait out the high prices. Someone who needs to replace a defective component now will be confronted with the high prices.
A missing generation of graphics cards also typically prevents older generations from becoming cheaper because they would otherwise have to be sold off to make way for new models. And if people do not buy new graphics cards, significantly fewer models will end up on the second-hand market.
In the grim future of Warhammer 40,000, humanity has established a galactic empire. However, among the countless planets under its control, four are particularly important – including one that has already been destroyed.
Warhammer 40,000 is set in the dark future of our own world. Humanity has built a galactic empire in the 41st millennium that spans countless planets. At the top of everything sits the Emperor, who is both the founder and god-like ruler.
“Countless” planets doesn’t mean that we were just too lazy to count: No one really knows how big the empire is. It could encompass several million planets or even billions. But even among endless worlds, there are four that are particularly important to humanity.
We will show you which worlds these are and what makes them special. As our source for all the lore, we used the Lexicanum. This is a fan-created online wiki, but the entries rely on official material from Games Workshop and licensed partners.
[toc]
Mars
The name is not just a reference, it really refers to the Red Planet from our solar system. In the 41st millennium, it has become a holy place for the human empire.
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The Tech-Priests of the Future: This is the Adeptus Mechanicus in Warhammer 40,000
Already in the 22nd century, Mars was made habitable through terraforming and subsequently settled by industrial cartels. Very soon, the planet developed into the first hive world of the empire, one of many so-called “Hive Worlds”. On such planets, billions of people live packed densely in gigantic cities, often under dystopian conditions.
Mars became a center for industry and scientific advancement. It is also the home of the powerful Adeptus Mechanicus. This is an imperial cult that worships the Emperor as the Omnissiah – a manifestation of the Machine God.
The Adeptus Mechanicus provides the empire not only with the best engineers and powerful weapons but also holds a monopoly on all technological knowledge used in the empire. If Mars were to be destroyed, it would deal a catastrophic blow to the forces of humanity.
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The actors from the Netflix adaptation of One Piece are giving their all for their roles. Even the fans notice this and claim that they cannot keep up with one of the actors.
How much do the actors enjoy their job? In the past, the actors of the Straw Hat crew have repeatedly shown how serious they are about their roles. Other actors have also given everything they have for the series:
Mackenyu gives his all for his role and constantly shows that he is also a big fan of the series. Now he has impressed fans with a small action, leading them to believe he might be the bigger enthusiast.
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Netflix shows in the new trailer for One Piece the many new villains of Season 2
Mackenyu is faster than his character
What did he do? A few days ago, a new video was released on the X account of Netflix, showing a short clip of Nico Robin from the series. She turns around, walks towards the camera, and ends the video with the pose where she uses her Devil powers.
In the comments, many fans are looking forward to seeing her. They can’t wait to see her in the final series and think she is the perfect Nico Robin.
Although there isn’t much to see in the video, fans show their affection for the clip and the actress playing Nico Robin with a like. It is noted that Mackenyu reacted with a like to the video within 15 seconds.
The fans on X wonder if anyone could have beaten Mackenyu to the very first like. One user thinks that the actor is a bigger fan than they are.
Why is this so ironic? His character Zoro is known for his scatterbrained nature. He never reaches his destination quickly as he gets lost constantly. That his real-life counterpart found the like button so quickly distinguishes him from his role.
The new update for Diablo 2 has not only introduced a new class but also a stash that is meant to make life easier for all players. However, the veterans are not satisfied.
What is wrong with the stash? While modern ARPGs typically offer seemingly infinite stash space, at least for real money, everything was different 25 years ago when Diablo 2 was released. The stashes were small, and players had to resort to alternatives, such as creating their own characters solely to store items.
However, with the new update of the game, the developers have significantly simplified the stash options. As is common in modern ARPGs, a stash has been added so that players can finally store all their items neatly. But that’s not good enough for the veterans.
After 25 years, Diablo 2 has a new class:
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Diablo 2: Resurrected introduces the new class of the Warlock in the gameplay trailer
Full stash after a short time
Where are the issues? Even if the new stash from the developers is a step in the right direction, it seems that the developers at Blizzard have underestimated the “collecting desire of the veterans.” Because they are already complaining on Reddit about the lack of space in the stash after only a short time.
It seems that the veterans dissolved their stash characters to pack their items into the stash. As a result, the stashes quickly became full, and it turns out that some players now have hardly any space left for more items.
Thus, the veterans write:
inypark36 laughs on Reddit: “The developers have definitely underestimated the ‘collecting frenzy’ of us Diablo 2 veterans. Lol”
Bulletchief expresses disappointment on Reddit: “I was super disappointed when I learned about the 99 stack size… It’s so dumb… 999 would have been fine, but 99? Silly.”
corry29 explains on Reddit how the update changes everything: “I literally had a character named Keys. I deleted them last night”
longbrodmann looks forward to Reddit: “These are updates that we deserve.”
Is the feature bad? No, not at all. The developers have done many players a favor with the stash. The fact that the stashes are now overflowing only proves how necessary it was to move items from all those stash characters.
In this case, Blizzard simply underestimated how much stuff players actually have and should have equipped the stashes with more space so that all players could truly do without stash space in the future.
Instead of disparaging the feature, players just want even more of it, which can be seen as the greatest compliment to Blizzard. If a new patch in a few weeks provides some relief, the developers will have done everything right with this feature. You can learn more about Diablo 2 here: Fans of Diablo 2 defend the price of the new DLC after strong start on Steam: “A bargain”
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
A motivated Dungeon Master created a particularly ambitious riddle for his friends in Dungeons & Dragons. He made his own secret language complete with hieroglyphs that hid a secret message. The community is tasked with deciphering the message and also discovered the franchise that served as inspiration for the Dungeon Master.
What is this secret language? The DM a-goodvisual-aid shared with the community on Reddit a riddle he created for his friends in Dungeons & Dragons. It is a secret language made up of small semicircles and dots that he “wrote” on a paper.
Message from the Dungeon Master (Image source: a-goodvisual-aid on Reddit)
He explains that this is a dead language in the campaign that was banned by an immortal king. Accordingly, it should be difficult for his group to decipher the message. However, he also mentions that it reveals some significant effects of magical items presented in the story.
He now challenges the community to decipher his message. He promises bonus points to those who find out which novel or which franchise his campaign is based on. And the riddle-loving players of Dungeons & Dragons are not to be underestimated.
Start video
The trailer for Critical Role’s The Mighty Nein on Amazon Prime shows the first conflicts that the “heroes” have to struggle with
Community Deciphers the Message of a Famous God Emperor
What message did the Dungeon Master hide? Despite the confusing hieroglyphs, the Reddit user JoshGordon10 managed to understand the rules of the secret language and decipher the message on the same day. He recognized that the symbols with dots and circles stand for vowels and that if arranged correctly, the remaining letters can be deciphered. With some trial and error, he eventually arrived at the following result:
To Chef Malky, please ensure that this document is published after my death. While I am writing this, my death may not occur for thousands of years.
I have drunk the elixir beyond my limits. I am intoxicated by the elixir and can see the Golden Path. The universe has prepared it for me. I cannot make a mistake. The universe is revealing itself to me. I am intoxicated by the elixir and have seen visions of a being of light. The being led me to swallow the egg of the toad and take my place as ruler for all time. The elixir will seep from my skin and protect me from harm. I will be remembered as a god and as the last tyrant and the last king of Sikara.
The translated deciphered message by JoshGordon10. You can find the direct English translation of the secret language here on Reddit.
The franchise that these contents are based on, unfortunately, was not entirely identified by him; however, there are other users who immediately recognize terms like the “Golden Path”.
Spoiler Alert! If the content of these words sounds familiar, feel free to read on without worry. Others will read spoilers that concern a major sci-fi franchise.
What franchise inspired the Dungeon Master? As other Reddit users note, it is a reference to the eponymous “Golden Path” from the Dune franchise, specifically the fourth novel of Frank Herbert’s story, “God Emperor of Dune”.
The titular God Emperor Leto II Atreides overdoses on a special spice elixir and transforms into a gigantic hybrid of sandworm and human, capable of seeing all kinds of future scenarios. He uses this ability and intentionally becomes the tyrant of the entire universe to save humanity nonetheless. The novel ends with, as in the encrypted message from the Dungeon Master, his instructions being read and executed after his self-planned murder.
Another hint at Dune as an inspiration source is the name “Sikara” (or Sikarra, if the code allowed for double letters), which when read backward reveals the name “Arrakis”, the name of the desert planet from Dune.
Many Dungeon Masters love to confuse their players in Dungeons & Dragons with particularly tricky but sometimes actually quite easy riddles. One DM dedicated a riddle to another DM to ask him out on a date. However, the answer to this question was also encrypted in a riddle that the desperate DM just couldn’t crack: Dungeon Master of Dungeons & Dragons asks his crush out with a riddle, gets one back, and can’t solve it
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
Chicken creature Scrappy demands a cat bed from you in ARC Raiders if you want to level him up to the maximum. How to find it efficiently and safely is explained in our guide.
How do you best find a cat bed? Cat beds can mainly be found in residential and commercial areas. The following places are particularly recommended:
Buried City
Plaza Rosa
Santa Maria House
Piazza Arbusto
Damp Battlefields
Pale Apartments
Ruby Residence
The Blue Gate
Village
Which map is best suited, why, and which tips can help you in your search, you will find out in the next section.
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ARC Raiders receives new matchmaking option and trophy display with Headwinds
The best locations and tips to find a cat bed
Where is the best place to look for the cat bed? If you want to safely return from a match with a cat bed, the Buried City map is particularly suitable, as the possible areas are close together, thus increasing your chance of quickly looting the desired item.
You should definitely check the locations in the colored boxes.
Which buildings should be prioritized? Look especially for stores or apartments and then search their shelves or dressers for the suitable loot.
What tips should be followed? Once you find it, it’s best to store it in your security pouch, if you have one. This way, you can be sure that you exit the match with the cat bed even if you die.
If you want to benefit from the security pouch but don’t want to lose your strong items, just equip a cheap augment and shield and nothing else. This way, you still benefit from the security pouch without greater losses upon death.
However, if you are rather uncertain, you can also rely on a free loadout to ensure you don’t lose valuable items in case of doubt. The areas are dangerous, and you could easily be surprised by ARCs or enemy Raiders. It may not hurt to go looting with weapons.
Be particularly careful around the Santa Maria Houses, as strong Bastion ARCs may be present there. Then, use the nearby subway to quickly leave the map.
To level Scrappy up to the last level, however, you not only need the cat bed. You also need to find olives and cactus fruits to train your rooster, so he may bring you even better loot. Where to find the resources is explained in our guide: ARC Raiders: Finding olives and cactus fruits – This is how you catch the fruits
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
We present to you the 12 best free-to-play MMORPGs in 2026 that you can play right now in Germany. For these games on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch, you don’t have to think long or sift through tests to see if they’re worth your money, as these are top-category free online role-playing games.
Especially for us MMO fans, buying a new game is difficult. With good MMORPGs, long-term relationships are formed. No one wants to spend 30, 40, or 50 euros on a game that they don’t like right after the tutorial.
With free-to-play games you don’t take that risk: The games are free at first. Many of the free-to-play MMORPGs that we recommend in our top list are a bit older, but you will also find some newer representatives of the genre.
All the games mentioned here are also playable in English. Register, install, and get started. The little fix for boredom.
The article was last updated on February 18, 2026. Due to a lack of new releases, we have not made any adjustments to the list, but instead added current developments for the respective games.
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12. Secret World Legends – Dark Mood in the Modern MMO
Release: July 31, 2017 – Remastered by Secret World | Platform: PC, Steam, Mac | Setting: Dark Fantasy | Developer, Publisher: Funcom | Download for the game:To the official website of SWL
In 12th place on our list is Secret World Legends. A remake of the mystery MMO The Secret World, which has been “modernized”. Dark alleys and forests create an exciting atmosphere with their creepy beasts, and the thrilling soundtrack adds to the experience. Many quests take place on several levels, thus deviating from the dull “Go there, kill 20 creatures, come back” principle. In the combat system, you now aim with the mouse instead of the TAB key.
The contents of Secret World Legends are free; however, if you want to level up your character faster, you can pay for it. Those who do not pay will have to invest many hours of grind for character development.
Secret World Legends has plenty of content, but it is rarely played today. Updates are now released only in homeopathic form. However, the Steam ratings from the past 30 days are 80 percent positive.
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Secret World Legends: The Launch Trailer
Pro
Diverse quests with tricky puzzles and games where you need to think
The setting is modern – neither fantasy nor anime, but a world of its own: What if all conspiracies and myths were true?
Story and world are top-tier – humor, tension, and creepiness alternate.
Contra
Combat system is not developed. Players criticize the superficiality and wish for more depth.
Requires a lot of grind for good equipment.
Further development has practically come to a halt.
Suitable for: Secret World Legends is recommended for players who enjoy games with plenty of story and special quests. If you are not deterred by grinding in the endgame and enjoy a dark atmosphere while gaming, you should give SWL a chance. It is a game that every MMORPG fan should play at least once.
11. Star Trek Online – Not a Hero, but a Starship Captain
Release: 10.02.2010 | Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Mac | Setting: Science Fiction, Star Trek Universe | Developer, Publisher: Cryptic Studios, Perfect World | Download for the game:To the official website of Star Trek Online
At number 11 on our list is Star Trek Online a unique MMORPG not just for Trekkies. Here you control not a hero, but an entire spaceship, along with a crew. STO features a fair free-to-play model, a huge selection of ships, and various game modes.
In addition, there is a license with Star Trek that grants the game and thus the player access to a sophisticated and clever cosmos of stories and characters. It is impressive that the game is continuously being developed. In February 2026, the new content patch Corruption was released, featuring a reunion with Nicole de Boer as Ezri Dax.
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Star Trek Online: Ascension Launch Trailer
Pro
Star Trek license with lore bonus for fans
The unusual setting with spaceship battles
Fair F2P system
Regularly released (smaller) content updates
Contra
Boring outdoor missions that are no longer up to date
Tedious endgame consisting of grinding reputation or special collectible items
Suitable for: Primarily, Star Trek Online appeals to all fans of the series. But not exclusively. Anyone interested in gameplay with starship battles can also find enjoyment in this MMORPG, even as a non-Trekkie.
The gaming experience differs significantly from typical “I’m just playing one character and making them particularly strong.”
10. (Old School) Runescape – The Successful Classic
Release: 01.04.2001 | Platform: PC, Mac, Android | Setting: Fantasy | Developer, Publisher: Jagex | Download for the Game:To the Official Runescape Website
Ranked 10th on our list is the MMORPG classic Runescape and the classic variant Old School RuneScape. The MMORPG may not be graphically up to date due to its age, but it offers a lot of content.
You explore a vast world, participate in the player-driven economy, and complete many quests. Runescape exists in an extremely popular Old School version, and the regular version is also continuously being developed.
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Old School RuneScape – Trailer for the Steam Release
Every hero can achieve something in the game world – thanks to the player-driven economy
There is simply so much to do. Those who are new will be busy for months or years
An active community
Contra
Runescape is now almost 25 years old and you can really tell
The game is not for everyone – it does not play particularly comfortably
Suitable for: Runescape may appeal to those who want to experience how MMORPGs were played in their early days. Additionally, the online game attracts anyone looking for a challenge and wanting to dive into an MMORPG. It is not a game that targets casual gamers.
Even today, Runescape remains one of the most sought-after MMORPGs on Twitch because it offers players a lot of freedom.
9. Neverwinter – Modern Free2Play in classic design
Release: 30.04.2013 | Platform: PC, Steam, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | Setting: Fantasy, Dungeons & Dragons | Developer, Publisher: Cryptic Studios, Perfect World | Download for the game:To the official website of Neverwinter
Rank 9 is held by Neverwinter an MMORPG for PC, PlayStation and Xbox, designed from the beginning for a free-to-play model. Against the backdrop of the D&D world, Neverwinter emphasizes combat aspects and team play. Additionally, players can express their creativity and design their own missions, offer them, and allow others to play them.
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Neverwinter PS4 Trailer
New so-called adventure modules with additional stories are regularly released. For mid-March, for example, module 32.5 is planned, which is currently in the testing phase. This year, the game is also promised to become significantly more beginner-friendly and accessible – according to the promise from the new, old head Jack Emmert.
Pro
During your adventures in Neverwinter, you will encounter places, heroes, and villains that you may recognize from tabletop games or D&D novels.
Action-packed combat system, very intuitive and dynamic – also playable with a controller
Contra
While it is not pay-to-win, you are often encouraged to invest money.
Has suffered a decline in recent years.
Suitable for: Players looking for a solid, classic MMO that is continuously supplied with new content will find themselves well served with Neverwinter. The MMORPG also appeals to fans of Dungeons & Dragons.
8. Blade & Soul – An Asia Hit in the West
Release: 01/19/2016 | Platform: PC | Setting: Fantasy | Developer, Publisher: NCSoft | Download for the Game:To the official B&S website
The Fantasy Martial Arts MMORPG relies on Asian graphics, a wild revenge story, and action, action, action in Wuxia style. The game thrives on an exciting combat system, where the player must choose the right ability in the right situation to chain together combos.
Everything in the game is fast and direct: With just a few button presses, you initiate the instant action, standing with about five others in a dungeon, and the fight begins. In the best moments, the player feels like they are transported into an Eastern.
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Blade & Soul NEO: Trailer announces release date for the graphical remaster
Instant action, engaging combat system with refined combos like in beat’em-ups
Acclaimed PvP with many player-versus-player modes like arenas
Many ways to improve your character
Developers regularly enhance engine and graphics
Contra
Monotonous quests, grinding through dungeons quickly becomes boring
Small PvP community in the West compared to Asia
Harsh free-to-play monetization with pay-to-win elements
Suitable for: Those who are looking for a mix of beat’em up and MMORPG will feel welcome in Blade & Soul. The PvP system is fair and allows the better player to win. However, one must really enjoy the Asian or Wuxia setting – it is not subtle. And be able to overlook the omnipresent monetization.
7. Lord of the Rings Online – Great Community in Middle-earth
Release: 04/24/2007 | Platform: PC, Mac | Setting: Fantasy, Middle-earth | Developer, Publisher: Standing Stone Game, Daybreak Game Company | Download the Game:To the official HDRO website
Rank 7 in our MMORPG charts belongs to the world of Middle-earth and the Hobbits. HdRO (or LOTRO) thrives on atmosphere, a great community, and an expansive world. From the tranquil starting zones, players gradually venture into a corrupted world threatened by Sauron’s grasp. In doing so, the player embarks on a journey through a nuanced cosmos that breathes the spirit of the books.
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18 years after the release, The Lord of the Rings Online announces its new expansion “The Kingdoms of Harad” in the teaser trailer
Meanwhile, the story has grown beyond the novels, and we experience events taking place after the War of the Ring, such as the wedding of King Aragorn and Arwen. Last year, the MMORPG celebrated a sort of third spring through the premiere of modern servers and the free provision of many contents. This was recently complemented by a modernized user interface.
Pro
Full-fledged MMORPG with a fantastic fantasy world
Great community that welcomes newcomers with open arms – The passion for Middle-earth connects the players
The Free2Play version was significantly expanded in 2022
Contra
The game shows its age, players often complain about weak performance leading to stutters
Difficult endgame situation: You have to grind or pay to unlock more content.
Suitable for: The Lord of the Rings Online clearly appeals to fans of Middle-earth and Tolkien. Anyone looking for an MMORPG and wanting to dive deep into the multifaceted world of Middle-earth will find what they are looking for here. Although the game is not fresh anymore, the developers are not running out of ideas. According to their own statement, they could bring content for the next 20 years.
6. Albion Online – The Sandbox for PvP Lovers
Release: 07/17/2017 | Platform: PC, Mac, Android, iOS | Setting: Fantasy | Developer, Publisher: Sandbox Interactive | Download the game:To the official Albion Online website
Rank 6 is occupied by the sandbox MMORPG Albion Online. The online role-playing game from Germany aims to provide you with a vast world in which you can forge your own path. Whether as a resource gatherer, crafter, or warrior.
The focus is on PvP battles, but more is increasingly offered in PvE as well. Albion Online uses an interesting system where your equipment determines what role you take in the game. With sword and armor, you are a fighter; with a pickaxe, you gather resources.
Free class system where you determine your role through your equipment
Good mix of PvE and PvP
The economy is driven by players
Player numbers are increasing year by year
Contra
Lots of grinding
Open PvP may not appeal to everyone, especially since equipment can be lost in some zones
Graphic style takes some getting used to
Suitable for: Albion Online is an MMORPG for those who want to feel transported back to the time of Ultima Online. You can be attacked by other players almost anywhere in the world, making it an adventure to gather resources.
It is also possible to make a name for yourself as a blacksmith in the world. Albion Online simply offers many opportunities.
5. Star Wars: The Old Republic – Great Stories, Tough Choices
Release: 20.12.2011 | Platform: PC | Setting: Fantasy, Star Wars universe | Developer, Publisher: Bioware, Electronic Arts | Download the game:To the official SWTOR website
The MMORPG Star Wars: The Old Republic was for a long time a worthy bearer of the title “Best Free-to-Play MMORPG.” SWTOR is one of the most innovative MMORPGs ever. It heavily focuses on storytelling and captivates with moral choices and fully voiced as well as filmed quests – and of course with the Star Wars license, which has become much more present in cinemas and streaming in recent years. This has introduced Star Wars to a new generation.
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Star Wars: The Old Republic zeigt Grafikupdates im Trailer
Since 2023, SWTOR is no longer part of Bioware. The game has been sold to the third-party studio Broadsword. Many of the developers from the team have moved along to continue taking care of their “baby.”
Good storytelling – The game’s story is highly praised by players as a core element
Rich content – There are enough raids and dungeons to keep you entertained for a long while
Excellent for solo players
Will still be expanded in 2025
Contra
The “Free2Play model” offers a large scope but can also be quite restrictive at times.
The combat system could use more dynamism
Suitable for: SWTOR appeals to Star Wars fans and generally MMORPG enthusiasts. Here, the good story is in the foreground and you can immerse yourself deeply without paying.
However, SWTOR has increasingly developed into a solo RPG similar to Knights of the Old Republic in recent years. Whether the game is still worth playing for you, we reveal here: Is Star Wars: The Old Republic still worth it?
4. Throne and Liberty – The largest MMORPG of recent years
Release: 01.10.2024 | Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series | Setting: Fantasy | Developer, Publisher: NCSoft, Amazon Games | Download for the game:To the official Throne and Liberty website
The latest online role-playing game on this list places an unusually large focus on the “Massively” in MMORPG – which is unusual by today’s standards. Those who are eager to make a huge game world unsafe together with thousands of other characters and dive into cooperative as well as competitive content involving a large number of other players will have a lot of fun here.
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Throne and Liberty: Trailer shows regions of the Wilderness of Talandre expansion
Increasingly more content for solo players and small groups
Beautiful game world, nicely staged campaign
Motivating character progression
Many meaningful detail adjustments for the western market
Contra
Hardcore players are frustrated by restrictions on many contents
Those who want to get the most out of the MMORPG need the right guild
Free2Play model plus real money currency tied to the auction house => bots are a problem
Suitable for: Throne and Liberty is clearly aimed at MMORPG fans who want to fully engage with an ambitious guild and dive into castle sieges, raid challenges, and PvP battles. Thanks to a delightful leveling campaign, entertaining dungeons, or the tower challenges, one can also have some fun in Solisium alone.
3. Guild Wars 2 (Core Game) – The Most Innovative MMORPG
Release: 12/28/2012 | Platform: PC | Setting: Fantasy | Developer, Publisher: ArenaNet, NcSoft | Download for the game:To the official GW2 website
Guild Wars 2 was released in 2012 as a Buy2Play MMORPG and the main game remains one of the best genre representatives that you can play today. With the Heart of Thorns expansion in 2015, the base game of Guild Wars 2 became Free2Play, without Arenanet changing anything about the business model like the cash shop.
Start video
Guild Wars 2 zeigt die hübsche Strandregion der neuen Erweiterung Visions of Eternity
Lovingly designed world with many details that MMORPG fans will joyfully explore
Exciting story that can be influenced by your decisions in the game
Dynamic worlds: something is always happening, many quest events in the open world that you solve together with other players
The horizontal progression is perfect for casual gamers
Contra
Content patches and expansions are increasingly smaller or appear less regularly
Fans of PvP or raid content get little love in Tyria
Suitable for: Guild Wars 2 is suitable for anyone who wants to play a high-quality MMORPG, where its F2P factor is not noticeable. Only fans of PvP and raid content might be left wanting. Horizontal progression has its advantages, but not everyone enjoys it.
2. Final Fantasy XIV (Free Trial) – The biggest WoW competitor
For many years, Final Fantasy XIV has been considered the second great subscription MMORPG alongside World of Warcraft. What some may not realize is that you can now play Square Enix’s online role-playing game largely completely free!
Specifically, the base game A Realm Reborn and the expansion content Heavensward and Stormblood are part of the so-called “Free Trial” version of FFXIV. So you have access to 16 jobs even without a purchased version or subscription and may level your hero up to level 70.
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Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail – The Final Trailer
And of course, you are also allowed to dive into the many content outside of the campaign, such as crafting, the mini-games of Gold Saucer, or the optional dungeons and raid challenges from A Realm Reborn, Heavensward, and Stormblood.
Features like the beginner’s arena, the mentor system, or the preferred worlds help you get started in the beautiful fantasy world of Eorzea. And if you enjoy what you play, you can upgrade your version of Final Fantasy XIV to the latest expansion.
Pro
One of the best theme park MMORPGs on the market
Extremely extensive trial version
Content for almost all player types
Players can also find teammates for low-level dungeons and raids via group search
Contra
The start with A Realm Reborn is sluggish and somewhat outdated.
Those who want to experience the full package ultimately need to subscribe.
Suitable for: In the Pro List, it already states: Final Fantasy XIV offers such a wide range of content that almost every type of player can feel at home in Eorzea. Only if you prefer action-packed combat systems might the static brawls of this MMORPG classic deter you.
Rank 1: Lost Ark – Full-Featured MMORPG from the Diablo Perspective
Release: 11.2.2022| Plattform: PC | Setting: Fantasy | Developer, Publisher: Smilegate, Amazon | Download for the game:To the official Steam page of Lost Ark
Lost Ark was released in South Korea in 2019, has steadily increased since then, and is now considered the best Free2Play MMORPG and the most important MMORPG release since 2014.
The game features powerful hack ‘n’ slash action combat like in Diablo, but combines it with deep and sophisticated MMORPG elements. Lost Ark takes place in a strange Asian world where demons coexist with futuristic steampunk heroes, swordsmen, and cowboys.
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Lost Ark: Trailer zur Valkyrie zeigt die neue Klasse in Aktion
The game is praised primarily for its outstanding development over the past three years, the long-time fair payment model, as well as the enormous variety and depth in content. Criticisms mainly focus on the grindy random factor in armor upgrades, the gender lock which is common in Asian games, parts of the content that can be almost too time-consuming, and the high bot population.
Pro
Outstanding strong development
Fluid, exciting combat
New ideas like sailing
Strong visuals
Events happen constantly, allowing quick access to endgame
Contra
Repetitive game content
Cash shop system heavily favors paying players
Bots are a problem
Suitable for: Actually all MMORPG fans. Especially since the developers keep introducing new systems and events to lower entry barriers and make progress less cumbersome until the endgame.
The Asian setting, the unusual perspective, and the grindy equipment progression in the endgame might deter many western players.
We can recommend all MMORPGs on this list. It should be noted, however, that nothing is really “Free2Play”, no matter what the ads or labels promise you. All the games on our list provide countless hours of fun and can also be played into the endgame without ever having to reach for your wallet.
How much enjoyment one can derive from a certain level when the game throws the “Just pay something already” club between your legs varies from game to game. However, downloading these games is definitely worthwhile. Just to get an overview of the genre and see if other designers are also making great games.
Have fun trying out these F2P games! Are you looking for even more alternatives? Which MMOs and MMORPGs are currently worth it, we reveal here: The 15 best currently MMOs and MMORPGs
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The Twitch streamer LostKittn is participating in the Sauercrowd project, but unfortunately died twice during the leveling phase of WoW Classic Hardcore. Now she celebrated an emotional happy ending.
Who failed how? The Twitch streamer LostKittn is also participating in the German WoW project Sauercrowd. In the last 90 days, she has already invested over 522 hours in World of Warcraft (Source: SullyGnome.com). She mainly plays with Naguura and JenNyan.
The second time was even more unfortunate: The Twitch streamer forgot that she had muted herself in Discord, so her teammates were unaware of the danger LostKittn was in. The guild members simply could not hear her. You can watch the scene in this Twitch clip.
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WoW Classic: The Hardcore Servers Are Here!
With Character 3 at Level 60
What happy ending did LostKittn achieve? Despite her two setbacks, LostKittn did not give up and finally leveled a third character. With this one, she reached level 60 as well. Her achievement made her emotional after all the ups and downs, and the Twitch streamer had to cry tears of joy.
You can watch the clip here on YouTube:
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Although GTA 6 is likely already in the starting blocks, there are still some changes in GTA 5 Online that specifically affect the people who have made the game huge over the years.
What is this official platform? About a month ago, Rockstar Games launched its official mod shop for GTA 5 Online. This follows the acquisition of the studio Cfx.re, which had previously handled modding for GTA and Red Dead Redemption without Rockstar’s support.
However, Rockstar seems to want a piece of the pie now, which is why they are launching their own product. This concerns the competitor alt:V. The multiplayer modding provider for GTA 5 allowed players to mod servers for the game and develop their own game modes for 9 years.
But that is now coming to an end, as the developers confirm they received a message from Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive, clarifying that FiveM is the only licensed platform for GTA 5.
This is how it all started:
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Rockstar Games reveals the first trailer for GTA V
Bye, Bye alt:V
What does this mean for the platform? The developers of alt:V will not fight against Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive and have already announced that they will end their service in 2026. They are giving developers until July 6 to migrate all servers to FiveM.
From that date, the infrastructure around alt:V will be shut down, meaning that servers, whether transferred or not, will no longer function. Registrations will be stopped beforehand and the server lists will disappear.
Why now? The fact that Rockstar Games is ending alt:V after nine years at the exact time when they released their own mod store with Cfx.re seems more than just a coincidence from the outside.
Also, the modders at FiveM, who were acquired by Rockstar Games, had to hear from the developers before the purchase that their mods would “facilitate piracy,” as PCGamer.com writes.
For players and server operators, the end of alt:V means trouble and work, as they must switch to Rockstar’s own platform FiveM and adjust some of their work. It remains unclear why Rockstar is making this move now, after the cards will be reshuffled with GTA 6. When GTA 6 will start, you can find out here: Chef of GTA 6 reveals when it will finally start and when we can expect Trailer 3
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
The Steam Deck is still available in Germany. MeinMMO editor Benedikt Schlotmann explains for whom the investment of nearly 700 euros can be worthwhile and who should stay away from it.
But for whom is the purchase of the most expensive Steam Deck worthwhile? I will explain whom I can recommend purchasing the model and whom I would definitely advise against it. After all, 700 euros is quite a lot of money.
Who would I generally recommend the Steam Deck to?
Large Steam Library: The Steam Deck is definitely worth it if you have already purchased many games through Valve’s platform. Another advantage: Many titles have now been optimized for the handheld.
For commuters and frequent travelers: If you are often on the road and really don’t have much time for gaming at home, then the console is a very good option for on-the-go. The Steam Deck is compact and can be easily stored in your luggage. With a gaming PC or a PS5, this becomes more difficult.
For parents: If you have put the kids to bed in the evening and still have half an hour to play, then the Steam Deck is worth it for a quick gaming session.
You want to play older AAA games: If you primarily want to catch up on older top titles, like The Witcher 3, then the Steam Deck is worthwhile. You can enjoy older titles without significant limitations.
Indie and retro games: Especially indie games and very old games run very well on the Steam Deck: Here you benefit from the long battery life. Even without a power outlet in reach, you can play for several hours straight.
Lots of storage and OLED: With the OLED display of the Steam Deck, you benefit from vibrant colors and strong contrasts that an LCD cannot provide. For a similar OLED display, you pay significantly more with competitors: The Lenovo Legion Go 2 costs about at least 1,200 euros.
Hollow Knight and also its successor Silksong (in the picture) run very well on the Steam Deck.
Who would I strongly advise against?
Playing modern titles at high quality: If you absolutely want to play the latest AAA titles at high quality with stable FPS, then the Steam Deck is not recommended.
For very new games, the Steam Deck’s battery drains out in a very short time because you require a lot of power.
The Steam Deck also becomes loud and hot with new titles. And having a hot, roaring Steam Deck on your lap is not really fun.
Many modern titles only run at low settings with partly below 30 FPS. Therefore, these games are hardly enjoyable on the Steam Deck.
Competitive multiplayer games: If you mainly play competitive multiplayer games that rely on anti-cheat, secure boot, and similar measures. Such games almost never run on the Steam Deck, and even with various tricks, you cannot be sure that you won’t get banned in the end. In the end, it just isn’t worth it to be “rewarded” with a ban after all the troubles.
Casual players with little gaming time: If you only have a little time for gaming and want to play for a few hours every few weeks, then the Steam Deck is only worthwhile to a limited extent, and other options are cheaper:
For a Nintendo Switch, you pay around 300 euros, and even a used console (PS5 or Xbox, or even the old generation) is cheaper.
GeForce Now, assuming you have a good internet connection, can be a better option. With GeForce Now, you can purchase day passes if you only want to play for a few hours every few weeks. You can read a preview report on GeForce Now on MeinMMO.
Tight budget or uncertainty: If you have a tight budget or are simply unsure whether you can make use of the Steam Deck, just skip it.
My tip: If you are unsure but still want a Steam Deck, then ask around in your circle of friends. If someone already has a Steam Deck, then look at the device in practice. This saves you a spontaneous purchase that ends up just sitting in the corner unused.
Console players: If you mainly play on a console or even games that you can mainly play on Game Pass or exclusively on the PS5, then the Steam Deck is also not really worth it. Typically, you will also lack a significant Steam library to use on the device. You would have to repurchase this library.
In an interview, a publishing representative from Crimson Desert explained that they don’t actually like the RPG term. However, that doesn’t mean that the open-world adventure lacks any RPG elements. MeinMMO reveals what you can expect in detail.
However, this has changed over the years. Officially, the developers refer to the game as an open-world action-adventure. And indeed, at release on March 19, there will be no multiplayer or co-op. Crimson Desert offers a pure single-player experience.
Is Crimson Desert a role-playing game? In the current episode of the podcast “Dropped Frames”, Will Powers, Director of Marketing for Crimson Desert, stated that they internally also don’t like the RPG term.
The developers don’t want to call it an RPG because they already have an MMORPG. Using the term RPG creates certain expectations. For example, regarding character creation, an experience points and level system, and similar aspects. These things that some players might expect [when the term RPG is mentioned] are not present in Crimson Desert.
However, there are a whole range of RPG elements. Therefore, we find it a bit difficult to categorize the genre because we want to shape the right expectations. The focus of Crimson Desert is definitely on the open world. For me, it is the truest version of an open-world game that I have played so far.
Crimson Desert shows more of the fights and progression in the action RPG in the new gameplay video
Role-playing game or no role-playing game?
Later in the podcast, Will Powers goes into more detail about specific areas of Crimson Desert, which makes it clearer how much role-playing there is in the open-world adventure.
There is an inventory system (with a limit on space), and you collect loot. However, this loot is not random, like in a Diablo. Instead, there are many unique equipment pieces that you can earn through well-defined methods – such as boss fights.
There is a crafting system where you collect blueprints and can create and upgrade equipment items.
By mastering challenges, exploring the world, or defeating opponents, you earn so-called Abyss artifacts. You then invest these in a kind of talent tree, through which you can unlock numerous new maneuvers and improvements for Kliff and the other playable characters.
The talent tree is supposed to be branched enough to prioritize different play styles – for example, if you wish, you can focus more on ranged attacks.
There is only one difficulty level, and all enemies in the world have a defined strength level. If you encounter problems in one area, you can continue elsewhere in the open world and attempt again later with noticeably stronger abilities.
Additionally, there should be various ways to increase the strength of Kliff and the other fighters beyond equipment and talents: for example, in the form of buff food or collectible consumables like revival items.
When it comes to the combat system, the influences are said to even reach into the fighting game genre. According to Will Powers, the sheer number of features, systems, and content is unique for a single-player experience. This extent is only possible because Pearl Abyss thinks in MMO sizes and originally conceived Crimson Desert as an MMO.
In the same interview, the publishing representative also revealed more details about the monetization of Crimson Desert. While the predecessor game Black Desert is a pure service game with a shop and seasons, the open-world adventure is supposed to be a pure premium experience – Crimson Desert promises: No cash shop, no microtransactions
This is an AI-powered translation. Some inaccuracies might exist.
