Renaissance Kingdoms - One of the Best Browser Based MMOs Online?

Written by: Finn Orfano • Edited by: Michael Hartman
Updated Mar 25, 2009

An online browser based MMO, Renaissance Kingdoms has been one of the underrated games available today. This review is intended to give you an idea about the game and its features.

Introduction and Brief Overview of Renaissance Kingdoms

If you are looking for a simple online browser based MMO without much fighting and conquering to do, Renaissance Kingdoms is for you. There are no downloads and no payments to play. Just create an account and play directly from your browser. Of course there are a couple of special features that can be activated for a small payment, but the majority of the game is totally free to all.

Players are given a random in-game avatar, a fifty pound starting amount, and two loaves of bread. Your immediate goal is to advance to the next level. There are a total of five levels in the game. Players start at level 0 wearing nothing but rags. They then need to earn a certain amount before he or she can proceed to the next level. Slowly with each level, the player becomes more sophisticated, advancing until they reach the level where simply just having fun and relaxing are all that matters (the very new level 4).

This game would run extremely well on a Netbook.

Interaction and Roleplay in Renaissance Kingdoms
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The best feature of the game is its interaction with other players. This, however is not applicable to everyone. I am not saying that the players don’t always interact with you, or they are not friendly. It’s just that you are in a big fix if you are from a different time zone just like me. Then, at certain times, barring a couple of RK addicts, the game is practically deserted.

Unlike many traditional MMOs, Renaissance Kingdoms focuses on player interactions to a significant extent. Similar to the real life need for a social life, Renaissance Kingdom encourages you to bond with other characters, have a couple or more drinks with them at the taverns, and enhance your mood.

Another key feature of the game is the forums which are a very integral part of the game. As the game focuses greatly on the roleplay (RP) feature, the forums provide you with a place to show your true renaissance colours. More details will be provided in a separate article - Guide to Roleplay in Renaissance Kingdoms.

Renaissance Kingdoms Graphics
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Graphics are another positive feature of this game. Although there aren’t any real-time dynamic graphics, the pre-rendered scenes and backgrounds create a mood and aura of the old world. Currently in its third version, the game's graphics have come a long way indeed. You can clearly see the various parts of the town you are in, as well as other aesthetically pleasing graphics. One particularly beautiful image is the fruit orchard with a glimmering stream running through it.

A typical RK town (Image courtesy: Renaissance Kingdoms)

A typical RK town (Image courtesy: Renaissance Kingdoms)

As you can see in the image, there is a small window in the bottom for the player character. You can clearly see the church, the taverns and other sections of the town. The forums can be accessed from the same page.

Crafting, Classes, and Professions
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Other features like farming, professions, armies and guilds are also part of the game, making it a very diverse in terms of providing opportunities for the players. It encourages you to be what you want to be – a trader, a farmer, a vagrant or even a thief. Yes, you can become a thief, but don’t forget, like in real life, there are players who are servants of the law and you can be prosecuted for every crime you commit!

The last I heard, there are still some more opportunities in the offing. There soon will be additional types of fields and professions, giving the players a wider choice in occupations and goods.

Players are encouraged to work their way into advancement, earn their keep, and become educated and wealthy citizens of their counties. As far as I am concerned, I give the game a thumbs-up and encourage all of you to join in the fun.

grumpy Apr 8, 2010 9:39 PM

Cheating

There is a lot of cheating in RK, and the admins do very little to fix the issue despite constant complaints. People use proxies to have multiple accounts, sometimes over 50 of them.

One person in Ireland for example has over 50 accounts and has been having them for over a year now, and uses them to fix elections and fight in armies.

It is not restricted to Ireland alone. There are lots of complaints originating from RK places like Portugal and Greece as well.

S Apr 8, 2010 9:30 PM

There are a lot of clones in RK, and the admins do very little to stop them from proliferating. This can be seen very clearly in RK duchies like Greece, Portugal and Ireland.

Sywardus Sep 9, 2009 8:07 PM

Whaat ???

Whaat are you talking about ???........ most of the players are in their 20's and 30's - although a few younger players do find their way to the game, as well as a few older players. As far as cybersex goes, I wouldn't know... but any time you have role playing games, people would more than likely role play - and in an innocent way...If you don't like that, then this game isn't for you. the game is closely monitored by censors in forums and in-game activities. If suggestive items are posted, offenders are disciplined.

A highly insecure person would be the only one posting a complaint about a simple game set in the middle ages. the game is sometimes very similar to SCA. It is fun to figure out how to navigate and cope within the limitations of the time period (1457, as of this posting).
shhheeesh....

L Jun 5, 2009 10:13 AM

This Game is not what you think

RK is more then just some on line game. It is a dating service. People people from the game meet on MSN and have cyber sex if, they are not already doing it in the taverns. This game should be baned, children are exposed to the pervertions and forced to follow suit. Families have been ruined due to this game. Players beware!!

Renaissance Kingdoms - One of the Best Browser Based MMOs Online?

Introduction and Brief Overview of Renaissance Kingdoms

Interaction and Roleplay in Renaissance KingdomsRating

Renaissance Kingdoms GraphicsRating

A typical RK town (Image courtesy: Renaissance Kingdoms)

A typical RK town (Image courtesy: Renaissance Kingdoms)

Crafting, Classes, and ProfessionsRating

Comments

Interaction and Roleplay in Renaissance Kingdoms
Rating

Renaissance Kingdoms Graphics
Rating

Crafting, Classes, and Professions
Rating