Ankama’s Free-To-Play MMORPG Trilogy (Dofus, Wakfu, Waven) Deserve More Love

We need to talk about Ankama Studio and their turn-based trilogy: Dofus, Wakfu, and Waven. These are three free-to-play MMORPGs with charm and depth. Yet, despite their quality, none have reached mainstream success.

Dofus was where it all began back in 2004. Built entirely in Flash, the game offered a turn-based combat system reminiscent of titles like Final Fantasy Tactics. The grid-based strategy gameplay was unusual for an MMO at the time, but the colorful 2D art and quirky humor were familiar. Every zone, monster, and spell looked hand-painted. The game also tied progression to collecting magical dragon eggs, which gave players long-term goals beyond simple leveling. It was big in France — which is where the developers are located — and parts of South America, but Dofus never took off globally.

Wakfu, the sequel, expanded things in pretty much every way possible. Released in 2012, it refined the tactical combat, deepened the political and ecological systems, and turned the player community into a living part of the world. Players could run for government positions, set taxes, influence the environment, and even replant forests or overhunt species. The world was dynamic. On top of that, the game’s art was upgraded with better animations and more expressive character designs. The soundtrack is a banger too. And, I must mention the Wakfu animated series that followed.

Waven came next, in 2024. It was Ankama’s attempt to modernize the formula while keeping its soul. The game trades the isometric pixel look for more vibrant 3D cel-shading and reimagines combat as a faster, simplified tactical experience. Instead of controlling a party, you build a customizable hero with spells and companions. It is still turn-based but streamlined for quick play sessions. There is also cross-platform accessibility via mobile, PC, and browser — with your progress syncing across devices.

Despite all of this, these games remain niche. Most fans of the genre have heard of Dofus. Maybe Wakfu. Probably not Waven. The reasons are varied. Ankama’s audience has always been strongest in France and Latin America, where local marketing and language support gave it traction. The thing is, Western audiences prefer action combat, cinematic storylines, and realistic visuals. While the cartoon visuals may get a pass, the turn-based combat is something many folks will not bother with. That is a shame, too, considering the humor and classic-style progression seem like they would be a hit today with the exploding popularity of Old School RuneScape.

Those who do give Dofus, Wakfu, or Waven a try, though, might be pleasantly surprised. The humor is offbeat but endearing. The combat rewards strategy over reflexes. The art is warm and vibrant. All three titles feel handmade, and they are all tied together through shared lore for those who wish to dive deep.

So, I believe these games deserve recognition. They are free-to-play MMORPGs that contain charm and are unique. It might be too late for Dofus and Wakfu, but perhaps Waven has a chance to grow. Or, Ankama is working on a fourth entry that will finally propel things into the spotlight.