Some of you might be familiar with Turf Battles from a few years back. However, for those of you who are not, It is an MMORPG that was released a couple of years back, but is now being re-published and re-released by Aeria-Games. To be honest, I had never played this game before and was reluctant to review it, especially seeing that it has already failed once before. However, as the saying goes, just about everything deserves a second chance, right?

Right off the bat, you can tell that this is a game from a few years back and some of the graphics and effects might appear a little dated. However, you shouldn’t let that put you off as what you have here, is a rather solid game with all the glitz and glamour you would expect from the most recent titles. What’s more, this game is also free and lets face it, that is a win in everyone’s book.

For those of you that are not familiar with MMORPG games, like most, when you first get in you are prompted to create your avatar and access one of the game servers. There is only one or two at the moment, but I suspect this will change in time. Classes are limited to race of which there are two; Human and Nephilim (Elf). As an Elf you can choose to be either a Archer or Blue Mage. The Blue Mage also advances to a sub-class which is the Black Mage. Humans, on the other hand can choose, Blade, Fist or Red Mage which, like the Elf’s magic class, can become a Yellow Mage. Though the choices affiliated with class might seem fairly limited, there are many skills for each group, thus ensuring game play does not become stagnant too quickly.

The game itself is consistent of several main features which, like many MMORPG games, includes, combat, questing, and grinding. PvP in Turf Battles is as much a part of the game as any other feature and unfortunately for those who dislike competitive style games, there is no getting around it. PvP is open and from the word go, the game is a free for all. You can attack other players and they can attack you. What’s more, you can also kill them, steal their loot and start trying to build a real name for yourself.

There is a level cap, which is high, around 180 I think. However, as large as this might seem, it doesn’t take all that long to reach as levelling is done fairly swiftly, with most of the quests giving you good exp and being finished in relatively little time. Though combat and questing is all well and good, the main draw of this title is, of course, its PvP elements and more than once have I heard it said that this has one of the best PvP systems ever seen on a freely available MMORPG game. What’s more, you can also join up with other players and form what are known as tribes. You can help your tribe conquer new lands and thus gain riches and power. Yes, as the old saying goes, game and fortune awaits those who seek it. There is a big world to explore and many places you can choose to establish a tribe. You can compete in tournaments in the arena, which is good for those who worry about loosing things as there is no penalty for death. Tribes can also enter some of the party only dungeons which are filled with the biggest, meanest monsters of the game.

Essentially, game play, though not exactly cutting edge in terms of aesthetic appeal, is fast-paced and doesn’t leave you trailing on at a snail’s place like many of the other MMROG games I have been playing recently. I guess, since it has failed once, all we can do is hope, but I don’t see what people don’t like about the game. It’s as good, if not better than the other F2P games currently available. All I can say is give it a shot.