Mad World

Perhaps one of the most unsettling – and insanely addictive – MMORPGs out there, Mad World combines a gritty art style with some in-depth combat mechanics to deliver an experience that's tough to beat. It's a combination of old and new, where players will find a fair challenge and a rich online community to adventure.

While most MMORPGs go for the flashiest visuals and the most realistic characters, Mad World dares to innovate with its hand-drawn style and unapologetic violence. Add to that the game's compelling skill-based combat, and what you get is a shining light in a sea of samey-looking titles.

Keep Moving

Over the years, games like Runescape have conditioned MMORPG players to play in one very particular way: standing still while their character does all the heavy lifting. It makes sense when we think of the RPG part of the MMORPG genre, but that doesn't excuse just how repetitive these games can get in the long run.

Mad World, on the other hand, reinvigorates the tired genre by focusing more on fast-paced action and continuous movement than its predecessors. Gone are the days of right-clicking to see what happens: players must really get into the action if they hope to succeed in the veritable mad world that is Mad World.

All for One, One for All

In most MMORPGs, classes dictate which roles players assume in every encounter. However, Mad World is not like most games in this genre. Instead of following a rigid class system as in Path of Exile, players can switch weapons and roles on the fly thanks to Mad World's responsive weapon-swapping mechanic.

Knowing when to change to the right weapon for every job is the key to victory in Mad World. To make matters even more interesting, each boss poses a unique threat that can only be repelled with a combination of weapons, meaning that teamwork is vital.

Not Made Equal

Even though most characters have access to a similar weapon pool, the same cannot be said of their skills. Mad World features a complex skill tree for players to construct their ideal characters. Every time you clear a trial you get red crystals. These gems can be used to power up your character.

The game gives a certain degree of freedom to the player, allowing them to pick and choose from multiple skills rather than being a linear path. What this means is that, essentially, you can create overpowered characters very early on. Sure, the game ends up being a bit too easy because of that, but that's a welcome addition to any MMORPG.

Pros

• Fast-paced action
• Beautiful hand-drawn visuals give the game a unique identity
• Tons of loot and enemies to discover in a fascinating dark fantasy setting

Cons

• Can be a bit easy at times
• Combat can get too hectic and confusing during the more demanding encounters