Whanes' list of top 5 PBBG's / PBRPG's.
For a complete list of all known PBBG's check out my PBBG List.
Please note, the list that follows is not up-to-date, to view the most up-to-date list visit my site linked to above.
#1 Runescape
Platform: Java, 100% graphical isometric 2D.
Genre: Fantasy.
Play style: Click based with unlimited play time.
PvP: In the wilderness only.
Most MMBRPG fans need no introduction to this game. Runescape is a fully graphical MMBRPG and free to play with very few restrictions. With many skills to develop, plenty of geography to explore, PvP, tons of quests, and crafting, logging in with with nothing planned is difficult. In fact, if there is a single complaint I might have, it would be that some of the skills listed are more a nuisance than a feature. There are other fully graphical MMBRPG's , but sadly, few can be played from "anywhere".
#2 Pardus
Platform: PHP, Point & click transparent tiled realm.
Genre: Space.
Play style: Click based with 5760 APS (action points) daily.
PvP: Everywhere except for conditional safe zones.
Pardus is a highly addictive MMBRPG. This game contains every element desired in a good MMBRPG and for space genre fans, Pardus is possibly one of the best PBRPG available today. All game-action is carried out in real-time and with OOC chat, RPG chat, and alliance chat, you can literally spend the whole day (or night) logged into Pardus. Pardus is a vast and persistent universe that contains various planet types, harvestable resources and innumerable dangers. Support for clans (called Alliances in Pardus) includes the ability to appoint members to positions of leadership or responsibility. Pardus includes a large assortment of ships, ship equipment, and weapon classes available for combating PvP and NPCs. The rich social and economic system includes piracy, ambushes, bounty-hunting, cloaking, drug and slave trading, and smuggling. Pardus is a meaty experience for those that like to be challenged.
#3 Fallensword
Platform: PHP, Point & click tiled realm.
Genre: Fantasy.
Play style: Turn based with 50+ "stamina" earned per hour. 2D top down tiled realm. Well done rendered artwork.
PvP: +/- 5 levels or any level through the bounties.
Fallensword is a well-made and somewhat imaginative fantasy based mmbrpg. It contains many of the typical features we are accustomed to in mmbrpg's and has a nice polished look. Twinkers will love FS because advancement is entirely equipment dependent with over 500 unique items. Equipment is even more important than your character stats. With player auctions, a solid economic system, lots of mobs, and customizable player guilds, most mmbrpg fans will enjoy Fallensword. A word of caution, though Fallensword is popular, it's not as popular as it may appear. At the time I signed up to play I was ranked at around 450,000 and in less than a week I was able to rank up to 19,000. This means that most of the characters are inactive and under level 10, so don't be overwhelmed by the seemingly vast number of players and guilds, most are inactive anyway.
#4 The Damned Isle
Platform: PHP, Point & click tiled realm.
Genre: Fantasy.
Play style: Turn based, 50 turns (stamina) per hour.
PvP: During phases of a Bloodmoon or Full Bloodmoon.
The Damned Isle is a good example of a PBRPG. I'll list some of the features that have me hooked on this game. The realm is large and as you explore you can see creatures, other players, and building locations. Character creation and development is well structured allowing the player to control the growth of his own skills and stats. Character creation includes choosing your race, class, and god and yet you are not skill restricted for choosing a specific race so if you want to be a spell casting swordsman then it's up to you. In between the ever-popular mob hunting, there are lots of quests to complete and if you want, you can even try your hand at stealing from and killing other players. Skills have depth in the game such as "Huntsman" that allows you to hunt out other players to kill or steal from as well as "Site" that expands your vision and permits you to see more details. My only complaint about The Damned Isle is the forced horizontal scrolling (a pet peeve of mine; players should be able to define their screen resolution) and the lack of turns earned per day.
#5 Realms of Loria
Platform: Java/PHP. Point & click in an invisible tiled realm.
Genre: Fantasy.
Play style: Click based with unlimited play time.
PvP: In the arena only.
Realms of Loria has a unique charm about it. Like The Damned Isle, it is tile based but the tiles are seamless giving a unique top-down 2D in-game Ultima Style view of the world as you explore and wander around in search of creatures to hunt. Overall, the graphics are better in this game than The Damned Isle shown above and if not for the lack of quests and lore, RoL would be voted higher. New changes are planned for in the future including an expansion of the geography, crafting, and wield requirements. The game also features in-game chat (local and server wide) and the ability to cast beneficial spells on your friends.
For a complete list of all known PBBG's check out my PBBG List.