15 Years in Browser Games

The Story

I started playing text-based RPGs in 2009. The first one was The Reincarnation—a spiritual successor to Archmage, one of the original browser strategy games from 1998.

I had no idea what I was getting into.

I started as a newbie, watching from the outside. The guild I looked up to was OuT—Once Upon a Time. They weren't the biggest alliance. They were the most skilled. A condensed group of players who understood the game at a level most people never reached.

Before OuT, winning was a numbers game. They proved you could win with talent.

I studied how they played. Analyzed their moves. Eventually, I joined them. And over time, I became one of the top players myself—by learning from people who were better than me.

The 3am Raids

I still remember the 3am raids. Not because I wanted to be awake—because the guild needed me.

We had players in Australia, Europe, Asia, and the US. When a major war kicked off, you didn't sleep. You coordinated on mIRC, waited for everyone to check in, and showed up.

It sounds crazy when you describe it to someone who hasn't experienced it. Why would anyone sacrifice sleep for a browser game? But if you've been there, you understand. It's not about the game. It's about the people. It's about not letting your team down.

The Players I'll Never Forget

The real test of a game isn't its features—it's whether you remember players years later.

WarTree was the diplomat. He could offer you a deal that looked beneficial—genuinely good for your guild—and you'd agree. Then three weeks later you'd realize he'd somehow positioned himself to win no matter what happened.

Tjinn was the mathematician. He treated the game like a puzzle, finding loopholes nobody else could see. Last I heard, he went into professional poker.

Shiraha taught me things that extended beyond the game. I learned digital marketing because of him.

Detritus was a constant enemy for years. We fought. He was one of those players you couldn't break. After years of being on opposite sides, we became friends. When I stopped playing TR, Detritus was the one who recruited me to Agonia.

From The Reincarnation to Agonia

After 15 years of The Reincarnation, I wasn't sure I'd find something that felt the same. Most games I tried were either dead, pay-to-win, or missing the community.

Then Detritus reached out. He'd found Agonia and thought I'd like it.

He was right. I'm 500+ days in now. I still set 3am alarms—not because the game forces me to, but because my faction needs to move camp before the enemy finds us.

Why I Built This Site

Most "best text-based RPG" lists are written by people who've never played the games. They scrape features from wikis, compile listicles, and call it a guide.

I wanted something different. A site built on authentic experience. Games I've actually played—hundreds or thousands of hours. Communities I've been part of. Players I remember by name.

TabWarriors isn't about feature lists. It's about helping you find the game—and the community—that matches what you're looking for.

If you've read this far, you probably understand what I mean.

What This Site Is

• Real reviews from real play
• Honest recommendations based on 15 years of experience
• Focus on community-driven games where your reputation matters
• No paid placements (unless clearly disclosed)

Games I've Played

• The Reincarnation: 15 years
• Agonia: 500+ days (current)
• Torn: Exploring

Contact

Have a question? Want to suggest a game? Use the contact form or find me in the Agonia Discord.