Gamers’ Introduction

During the first few years of their existence, people thought online games were doomed to be one hit wonders, but this has proven to be untrue. Online games are extremely popular and are devouring the gaming market. Here are the Top 10 Most Popular Online Games of 2007!

1. Pangya

Before “Pangya”, online gamers never really had anything to say about golf. After “Pangya”, online gamers around the world have this to say about golf: Super swing, Pangya! This offbeat yet highly entertaining online game brought golf to the attention of millions of online gamers worldwide, and the phenomenon never seems to let go. “Pangya: Season 3”, the latest expansion patch, brought the ever-popular Kaz the Samurai Warrior into the world of Pangya. Additional features from the new expansion patch includes several new golf courses, a revamped trading system where players may buy and sell in-game items, and, last but not the least, the much-awaited Overworld feature. So get your game on!

2. Ran Online

Do you remember what it feels like to be the top student of your class? How about being the class bully, or being bullied? If so, then this online game is set to blow you away. “Ran Online” is a campus-based online game in the tradition of “Ragnarok Online”. The creators have created a rich school environment where players are allowed complete freedom of movement. So now you can bring your character to the next level while exploring the game’s rich campus settings. You can also try your luck battling it out with other players in player vs. player, or PVP mode. With four distinct character classes to choose from—Brawler, Swordsman, Archer and Qigong—you can rest assured that monotony is unheard of in this of the universe.

3. Granado Espada

Known as “The Sword of the New World” in the United States and other European countries, “Granada Espada” is the current trend setter in a competitive market. Available character classes include the fighter, the wizard, the musketeer, the Scout, and the Elementalist. The game developers, IMC Games, decided to do away with the popular fantastical formula. They, instead, took a notorious era in the history of mankind, the Age of Exploration, threw in a bunch of cool-looking characters, and created a game with tons of flare and personality.

4. RF Online

Do you love magic and heavy machine guns? Then “RF Online” is for you. “RF Online” is the blockbuster online game from developer CCR. Set in the distant Novus system, a galaxy where high forms of sorcery and technology are at constant collision with one another, “RF Online”’s plot follows the three-way war between the Accretia clan, the Bellato clan, and the Cora clan. The game-play itself is unique when it comes to the use of race-specific abilities, something of a treat to look forward to in PVP. “RF Online” has recently become free to play in many countries around the world.

5. Perfect World

“Perfect World” is a tale of soul and swords. The game’s developers, inspired by ancient Chinese mythology, have succeeded in creating a world that defies all conventions. In “Perfect World”, beasts talk, gigantic birds rule the sky, and humans and elves fight together to bring down ferocious creatures. The game offers a plethora of interesting side-quests and features, including a territorial battle feature, a mount system, a marriage system, a crafting system, and a phone lock feature, specifically designed to combat the worsening crisis in account hacking.

6. Final Fantasy XI

“Final Fantasy XI” is an online gamer and Final Fantasy fanatic’s dream come true. In this game, players assume the role of any of the five tribes that inhabit the world of Vana’diel: the Elvaan tribe, the Hume tribe, the Galka tribe, the Mithra tribe, and the Tarutaru tribe. The game has received a generous amount of critical applause since it initial release in 2002.

7. Fly for Fun

“Fly for Fun” (sometimes called FlyFF) holds the record for being the first online game to offer complete freedom of movement in the air! In this game, players can use a broom or a skateboard to soar and fly off to different parts of the world in their pursuit of stronger monsters to slay. The game is at its ninth version as of writing. Version 10 is slated to come out soon. Available classes include mercenary (becomes Knight or Blade), magician (becomes Psykeeper or Elementor), assist (becomes Ringmaster or Billposter), and acrobat (becomes Ranger or Jester).

8. Ragnarok Online

“Ragnarok Online” may be the epitome of online gaming. No other online game managed to attract the attention of millions of PC gamers around the world at a time when network games, like “Counter Strike” and “Starcraft” were primarily responsible for burnt crisp video cards and hard drives. “Ragnarok” features an ensemble cast of fantasy character classes: the mercenary class (good with the sword), the thief class (adept at sneaking and confusion), the mage class (adept at magic and sorcery), the archer class (good at long-distance combat), the acolyte class (party healers and buffers), and the merchant class (your average traders).

9. Tantra Online

“Tantra” many be a weird name, but it’s a great game. Set within an enigmatic universe where human summoners and ghastly monsters rule the land, “Tantra” is one of the most innovative online games of all time. All “Tantra” players are required to choose one of the three gods: Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. The consequence of your chosen god becomes evident once you enter the game’s fantastic PVP arena. “Tantra”’s PVP mode is like no other; it is an assault on the senses. Depending on your chosen god, you will be transported to your god’s castle, and as a follower it is your duty to launch an invasion on the castles of the other two gods. When the three tribes collide, all hell breaks loose, and that is when the game of “Tantra” reaches its finest hour.

10. World of Warcraft

Legendary game developer, Blizzard took its award-winning fantasy world to new heights when it unleashed this mammoth online game. Available character classes include the druid, the hunter, the mage, the paladin, the priest, the rogue, the shaman, the warlock class and the warrior. Huge, breathing environments, a crafty roster of playable classes, a thrifty trading system and an addictive PVP system makes this game a blast to play.

This year might see the evolution of some of these games while some new online games can also be launched. While we’re waiting for the next big thing in online gaming, why not indulge in a game or two?

(Fans of online gaming are usually fans of gaming in general. And when they need to get that fix, it’s important that they familiarize themselves with the classics included in our list of the Best PC Games Ever, the Top Video Games of All Time and the defining list of Top Ten PC Games You Should Never Miss. )