Summary
- MMORPGs like New World, Guild Wars, and Ultima Online offer unique gameplay experiences, from exploring fantastical islands to party-based adventures.
- These games have withstood the test of time, with some being played for over a decade and still attracting millions of players.
- Despite some notorious behavioral issues, with a little discipline, MMORPGs can provide an enjoyable escape into immersive worlds.
Although the name would suggest that massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs)are similar to role-playing games, they are different on so many levels. Working with other players to achieve goals by combat and trading and being able to work on talents such as fishing and blacksmithing is what makes MMORPGs so special.
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Posts 1MMORPGs have taken pop culture by storm, inventing their own vocabulary, not to mention a host of problematic psychological afflictions! Indeed, these titles are notorious for driving some people over the edge of acceptable behavior, but with a little temperament and discipline, they're a lot of fun.If you're ready to lose yourself in another world, you may want to start with one of these.
Updated on October 9, 2024 by Jerel Levy: Final Fantasy 14 has seen the launch of Dawntrail, and World of Warcraft has opened a new continent with The War Within and New World Aeternum making a splash. These games have fundamentally changed the MMO space, with each game making fans feel strongly about their inclusion. We've updated this list to change the ranking based on their latest expansion inclusion and enhanced the article as well.
17 Ultima Online
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MMORPG Released September 24, 1997 ESRB m Developer(s) Origin Systems Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Multiplayer Local Multiplayer Franchise Ultima Powered by Expand CollapseMany fond memories are probably springing into your head right now. Launched in 1997, Ultima Online was one of the earliest, most popular MMORPGs. It was an interesting time in video game history where anything could go, and game developers had the time of their lives. This game wasset in the world of Ultima, which is a beloved series of open-world fantasy RPGs that began in 1981.
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PostsUltima Online had a long life and received eight expansions (as well as lots of free updates). One fun fact about the game is that it wasimportant to the developers that players were totally free,which meant that they needed to be free to be evil. They spent a long time balancing the ways that a player could be a criminal while protecting other players from undue harm.
16 TERA
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MMORPG Released May 1, 2012 ESRB M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) Bluehole Studio Publisher(s) En Masse Entertainment, Gameforge, Nexon Multiplayer Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThis South Korean MMO has been running for over a decade and shows no signs of slowing down.TERA is a fantasy MMO with a focus on immersive combat mechanics, as opposed to more popular titles like World of Warcraft.
The game is popular among its 28 million+ players for having a robust character creation system, a more accessible style of play, and plenty of fancy armor and weapons to get your hands on.
15 Trove
Trove
Released
2015-07-09
Developer
Trion Worlds, Gamigo Us Inc,
Publisher
Gamigo, Trion Worlds
Trove is a Minecraft-style sandbox MMORPG that was first launched on PC in July 2015. It was ported to PlayStation and Xbox in March 2017 and then finally arrived on the Nintendo Switch in June 2021. Not many MMORPGs are suitable for console platforms, but Trove fits like a glove.
It's simple but surprisingly engaging. This is a great 'baby's first MMO' choice for younger audiences. It's also beloved by its fans; out of almost 90,000 reviews on Steam, it has a 9/10 score.
14 Planetside 2
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First-Person Shooter MMO Released November 20, 2012 ESRB T For Teen Due To Violence Engine ForgeLight Multiplayer Local Multiplayer Developer Rogue Planet Games Publisher Daybreak Game Company Powered by Expand CollapseWhile different from the traditional MMORPG formula, Planetside 2 was nevertheless an MMO in spirit, with a different game mechanic as its core focus. The objective of the game was to participate in a massive-scale war for dominance across the planet Auraxis.
The game holds the Guinness World Record for most players competing in a single battle - an astonishing 1158, to be exact. Nothing quite matches the sheer scale of Planetside 2, and although its glory days are behind it, it's still an MMO title with a lot to boast about.
13 Black Desert Online
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MMORPG Released March 3, 2016 ESRB m Developer(s) Pearl Abyss Publisher(s) Pearl Abyss Engine Black Desert Engine Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise Black DesertWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALAnother Korean MMO with a lot going for it, Black Desert Online, came seemingly out of nowhere and upended its competitors with a very distinct combat system, excellent graphics, and an engaging storyline.
Black Desert Online sports one of the most diverse character creation systems of any MMO game, a major plus for gamers who don't want to look like they rolled off the assembly line. There are a ton of classes to choose from, a boatload of esteemed titles and accomplishments to obtain, home-building options, and yes, pets—a very good pet system.
12 Star Trek Online
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MMORPG Released February 2, 2010 ESRB T For Teen due to Fantasy Violence, Mild Suggestive Themes Developer(s) Cryptic Studios Publisher(s) Gearbox Publishing, Perfect World Entertainment, Atari Engine Cryptic Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise Star TrekWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALTrekkers were definitely excited at the prospect of immersing themselves in the Star Trek universe and living out their dreams of being a Starfleet officer, which made Star Trek Online such an enduring hit.
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PostsThough critic reviews were mixed, the game has soldiered on with several expansion packs and updates to keep things fresh.It's not perfect, but it's still a great vehicle for Star Trek fans looking for a little MMO escapism in a world they probably know, top to bottom.
11 EverQuest
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RPG Released March 16, 1999 ESRB t Engine True3D Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise EverQuestWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALEverquest is one of the earliest MMORPGs that is still played by a large number of people.The game changed to a free-to-play model back in 2012, but players complained that the free-to-play option limited you to a small fraction of the game's content.
EverQuest is one of the most influential MMORPGs of all time. Titles like World of Warcraft might have been different if not for the influence of Everquest. Played in the first-person, Everquest provided an immersive experience that made stealth-based and hands-on combat enjoyable.
10 Rift
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Released
2011-03-01
Developer
Gamigo
Publisher
Gamigo US
As you might expect, Rift is a typical MMORPG that issimilar to World of Warcraft. Like WOW, Rift used a subscription service, then later integrated a free-to-play option with reduced features.
One might wonder why people would play Rift when they could play WOW. Yes, Rift did little to distinguish itself from the genre titan, yetsome players prefer Rift's intensity and wide selection of skills that give the game more depth. It's possible for people to like both World of Warcraft and Rift; both are excellent games.
9 Runescape
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MMORPG Released January 4, 2001 ESRB t Developer(s) Jagex Publisher(s) Jagex Engine runeTek 5 Multiplayer Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALFor a free-to-playMMORPG that launched all the way back in 2001,Runescape has somehow managed to remain popular all these years. Runescape still has at least 50,000 players playing the game at any given time. In this title, players perform typical MMORPG tasks such as fishing, mining, blacksmithing, and battling with enemies. The PVP area in the wilderness is a true test of a player's Runescape prowess.
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PostsA new version of Runescape, Runescape 3, was launched in 2013. Though there are new versions,Old School Runescape remains the most popular version. Graphically, Old School Runescape is not very impressive, but the gameplay is fun, and that's what has made the difference.
8 Lord Of The Rings Online
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MMORPG Released April 24, 2007 ESRB T For Teen due to Blood and Gore, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence Developer(s) Standing Stone Games Publisher(s) Daybreak Game Company Engine Havok Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise The Lord of the RingsWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALAfter shifting to a free-to-play model, Lord of the Rings Online surged in popularity. Set in J.R.R Tolkien's Middle-earth, Lord of the Rings Online is much as you'd expect—it's a traditional MMORPG with a Lord of the Rings theme.
It's a game thatencourages exploration because of its discovery-friendly map. Chances are, if you enjoyed Star Wars: The Old Republic and are a fan of Lord of the Rings, you'll like this game. Much of Lord of the Rings Online alludes to the movies and books, which is a huge draw for fans of the series.
