Finding your footing in the expansive realm of MMOs can be a daunting task, especially with the plethora of enthralling worlds vying for your time. To simplify your journey, we’ve curated a definitive guide to the top MMOs to explore.
For newcomers, MMOs can often seem overwhelming. If you’re unsure about where to begin, look no further. From epic adventures to classic highlights, we’ve assembled a list of the leading MMOs currently at your disposal.
Whether it’s the grand adventures of Final Fantasy XIV or the nostalgic allure of Runescape, our selection caters to every gaming preference. Below are 30 of the best free-to-play and subscription-based MMOs to dive into throughout 2024.
1. World of Warcraft
Overview: As the most recognized name in the MMO genre, World of Warcraft has rightfully earned its status despite facing challenges in recent expansions.
Our Take: Since its inception in 2004, World of Warcraft has remained a staple in gaming households worldwide. Continually attracting fans, it boasts legendary characters such as Alexstrasza, Khadgar, and Tyrande Whisperwind. Players embark on exhilarating quests across a high-fantasy world enriched with expansions that provide epic narratives, dungeons, raids, open-world PvP, and immersive battlegrounds.
The depth of class design in WoW is unparalleled, featuring diverse play styles through specializations that transform gameplay experiences. While it caters mostly to players with ample time for grinding currencies and achievements, casual players will find joy exploring the expansive lands of Azeroth and beyond.
At Blizzcon 2023, the introduction of The Worldsoul Saga was announced, promising three expansions to shape the game’s future for years. The first, The War Within, is already playable and marks a triumphant comeback for the game following Dragonflight. With fresh activities and a captivating story, the expansion embraces solo players in a manner previously unseen in WoW, making it an ideal moment to dive in.
2. Final Fantasy XIV
Overview: Square Enix’s ambitious endeavor to bring the Final Fantasy franchise into the MMO space results in an impressively narrative-rich experience.
Our Take: Initially met with backlash upon its 2010 release, Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV) underwent a complete overhaul, emerging as A Realm Reborn in 2013 to much acclaim. The game transcends typical MMORPG expectations, prioritizing storytelling—all six expansions can take up to 40 hours just to complete their narratives, not including added zones, jobs, and challenges.
Community plays a significant role within this MMO, with a mostly friendly environment welcoming players of all types. While hardcore enthusiasts exist, casual elements like Island Sanctuary provide a more laid-back gaming experience.
The recent Dawntrail expansion, launched in July 2024, introduces a new tale set in Tural, plus new jobs like Pictomancer and Viper, further fleshing out the game’s lore. With such variety, FFXIV is perfect for those seeking a welcoming and diverse MMO experience.
8. Warframe
Overview: Control a warrior from an ancient race, battling factions within a captivating science fiction universe.
Our Take: Few free-to-play games rival the immediate impact of Warframe. Players embody a Tenno, highly skilled warriors awakened in a futuristic Earth, battling against factions like the Grineer, Corpus, and Infested across the solar system.
The narrative weaves through encounters with these groups, offering an engaging ongoing story through regular content updates. With impressive character customization through Warframes, players can shift their gameplay styles with varied powers and abilities, allowing for roles from ranged support to frontline warriors.
Warframe excels in its fast-paced movement mechanics, enabling swift navigation through maps with exhilarating swordplay and powerful ranged combat. For fans of Destiny 2 seeking more expansive social tools, Warframe stands out as a fantastic option.
3. EVE Online
Overview: Set in a distant future, EVE Online offers a player-driven sandbox where the community shapes the universe.
Our Take: EVE Online stands unmatched in its simulation depth, emphasizing exploration, trade, and conflict while players stake their claim in this vast cosmos. While it isn’t your typical MMORPG where you embody a character in a physical world, EVE encourages a blend of exploration and strategy for dedicated sandbox lovers.
You become a Capsuleer, navigating ships from a capsule using advanced neural technologies, with over 350 customizable ships to engage with. The universe, known as New Eden, encompasses over 7,000 solar systems governed by four different empires, each rich in lore and stories to discover.
Players can select various careers—from explorers to bounty hunters—that alter their journey through the game. The latest Equinox expansion introduced new features and structures focused on making onboarding smoother for newcomers, making it an ideal time for players to explore the game’s darker corners.
4. The Elder Scrolls Online
Overview: The MMO iteration of Bethesda’s beloved Elder Scrolls series transports its rich world into an online format.
Our Take: For anyone eager to explore one of the foremost story-driven RPG franchises with friends, The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is your destination. The developers continuously expand Tamriel, enabling players to traverse iconic locations like Morrowind, High Isle, and others.
ESO encompasses all the classic features expected from an Elder Scrolls game, accompanied by thrilling quests and guilds like the Dark Brotherhood. Unlike some competitors, ESO incorporates a dynamic combat system granting players agency over their actions, allowing for various playstyles.
With extensive customization for player housing and the flexibility to create hybrid classes, players can craft personalized gaming experiences. With years of expansions to explore, there’s never been a better time to enjoy ESO.
5. Old School RuneScape
Overview: A nostalgic nod to an earlier version of RuneScape, featuring a persistent world and numerous RPG mechanics.
Our Take: Old School RuneScape (OSRS) re-emerged in 2013, celebrating the original gameplay style from 2007 while responding to community feedback for new content. This engaging experience incorporates traditional RPG elements, with a wealth of skills to level and a vibrant player community, fueling trade and social interaction.
While the simple point-and-click mechanics may not suit everyone, OSRS embodies the social spirit of MMOs, making it an easy recommendation for players seeking an engaging world.
6. Guild Wars 2
Overview: This story-driven, dynamic MMO features a committed development team dedicated to consistent content updates.
Our Take: Guild Wars 2 often plays second fiddle to WoW but has carved its own niche as a top-tier MMO. Its distinct gameplay mechanics and narratives differentiate it from competitors while offering newcomers an inviting entry point with feasible onboarding.
The character customization systems allow decisions to influence gameplay experiences significantly, from starting backgrounds to pivotal narrative routes. The game releases updates through ‘Living World’ seasons, adding quests and areas to explore continuously. PvP in Guild Wars 2 is accessible and rewarding, while World vs. World offers massive battles against players from rival realms.
7. World of Warcraft: Classic
Overview: A nostalgic return to the original World of Warcraft experience, fostering an active and dedicated community.
Our Take: World of Warcraft Classic invites players back to the game’s roots, offering several versions, including Classic Era and Cataclysm Classic, providing varying experiences based on the original game phases.
The recent Season of Discovery introduces innovative quests and capabilities for a limited time, accessible through active WoW subscriptions. With an ever-thriving community and rich content to explore, there’s no better time to re-engage with this iconic MMO.
8. Warframe
Overview: Step into the role of a member of a powerful ancient race while engaging in battles against rival factions within a fantastic sci-fi setting.
Our Take: As far as free-to-play offerings go, few games stand out like Warframe. Players join a faction of ancient warriors known as the Tenno, awakening to find themselves in a future where they must battle various enemies, including the Grineer and Corpus.
The ongoing narrative unfolds through excitement-packed updates, presenting a universe rich in lore and challenges. Warframe allows extensive character customization via diverse Warframes, each granting distinct abilities and roles in battle, whether you prefer ranged combat or to lead assaults personally.
Its standout feature lies in dynamic movement mechanics, providing exhilarating gameplay as you traverse environments with fluidity. If you enjoy the aesthetic and gameplay of Destiny 2 but seek a broader social framework, Warframe will most certainly impress.
9. Lord of the Rings Online
Overview: The ultimate MMO experience set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, filled with adventure and exploration.
Our Take: Since its 2007 launch, The Lord of the Rings Online has crafted a vast and intricate representation of Middle-earth. While dated graphics might not appeal to everyone, the immersive world for fans of the lore remains captivating.
Transitioning to a free-to-play model in 2010 allows players to enjoy much of the game without financial investment, though premium expansions are available for purchase. Players can choose from seven races and eleven classes to tailor their gaming experience, fostering a rich environment for PvE adventures.
Combat is complemented by a PvP mode that pits players against each other in monster roles, while the overarching storyline draws heavily from Tolkien’s writings. With minimal costs tied to entry, this MMQuality game is very much worth exploring.
10. Black Desert Online
Overview: Renowned for its stunning graphics and expansive gameplay, Black Desert Online provides one of the richest MMO experiences available.
Our Take: Pearl Abyss’ Black Desert Online stands out for its exceptional aesthetics and high-fidelity world. The game’s open-world freedom allows players to engage in a myriad of activities, from combat to life-skills like farming and trading.
While casual players might find the extensive progression system a bit daunting, there’s much to keep you engaged with an abundance of quests and activities. Character customization offers unparalleled flexibility in designing your avatar to fit your preferred playing style.
Moreover, the game frequently provides players with opportunities to obtain free items through various redeemable codes, enhancing your journey as you explore the vast realms.
11. RuneScape
Overview: The “modern”adaptation of the legendary MMO offers a variety of updated features aimed at a newer generation.
Our Take: As one of the original MMOs, RuneScape has evolved dramatically since its debut—boasting significant visual updates and content expansions.
Fully accessible and playable across multiple platforms, from PC to mobile devices, RuneScape allows seamless gameplay through cross-save functionality. Newcomers are welcomed with a structured experience more forgiving than its predecessors, making it a user-friendly introduction to the genre.
With numerous skills available for players to level up, even free users have access to over 15 skills—notably, Fishing and Woodcutting. The game’s evolution and respect for its roots make it a must-try for anyone interested in MMORPGs.
12. New World
Overview: Amazon Game Studios’ New World draws on colonial America themes as players explore an enigmatic land brimming with secrets.
Our Take: The game’s 1600s setting effectively combines unique armor styles with a fantastical aesthetic, presenting players with challenges against corrupted NPCs influenced by the island’s dark energies.
As you delve into uncovering the lore, engaging in dungeons, and participating in mass PvP battles, New World invites a dynamic play experience, complemented by diverse crafting skills and combat options. Even as player counts fluctuate, there’s substantial content available, ideal for both lone adventurers and those seeking camaraderie.
13. Lost Ark
Overview: A rare combination of MMO and ARPG elements allows players to experience lost treasures within a stunning isometric realm.
Our Take: Initially launched in South Korea in 2018 and finally released in the West in early 2022, Lost Ark presents a diverse array of character classes, each with its unique gameplay style. Players explore extensive continents, battle through quests, and engage in both PvE and PvP activities.
Character enhancements and skill upgrades empower further customization and personal playstyle. The world of Arkesia offers refreshing variety, eschewing the somber tone of many typical ARPGs and inviting players of all experience levels to embark on thrilling adventures.
14. Star Wars: The Old Republic
Overview: The premier MMO set in the expansive Star Wars universe, featuring beloved characters and iconic locations.
Our Take: Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR) serves fans of BioWare’s games with its rich narrative, romanceable companions, and compelling plotlines. Players can thrive in a free-to-play model up to level 60, gaining access to substantial content without financial commitment.
Each class presents a distinct storyline, allowing players to choose paths aligned with the Light or Dark side, leading to unique character development. With numerous rich quests and expansive worlds to explore, it remains an essential experience for fans of Star Wars.
15. Fallout 76
Overview: Bethesda’s celebrated Fallout franchise transitions into the MMO genre, inviting players to explore a post-apocalyptic Appalachia.
Our Take: After a rocky start, Fallout 76 has undergone significant revitalization, integrating NPCs and revitalizing quests that enhance the game’s narrative depth. Players can now engage with familiar factions and embark on unique expeditions to notable Fallout locations.
With an assortment of weaponry and armor, as well as intuitive crafting systems, the game immerses players in the survivalist landscape filled with enriching experiences and updates that regularly enhance gameplay.
16. Star Citizen
Overview: The most-funded game in history, Star Citizen is a sprawling space sandbox that blends genres into a vast experience.
Our Take: Despite controversy over its lengthy development and ambitious scope, Star Citizen continues to innovate as it ever-expands its offering. With distinct gameplay modules focusing on ship exploration, combat, and ground battles, it delivers a technological marvel worth investing time in.
The persistent universe combines the three gaming modes and provides an engaging platform, allowing players to traverse limitless space while uncovering new adventures.
17. Blade & Soul
Overview: An often-overlooked MMO, Blade & Soul combines Wuxia-inspired martial arts with an immersive open world.
Our Take: Since its launch in 2012, Blade & Soul captivates players with its deep narrative, exciting character creation, and slick action-based combat. Players begin their journey as students, then immerse themselves in epic battles against dark forces threatening their homeworld.
The game features a wealth of classes and races to choose from, with numerous combat styles that foster diverse gameplay strategies. With the release of an Unreal Engine 4 update in 2021, the game holds considerable appeal even for newcomers.
18. Elite Dangerous
Overview: Elite Dangerous offers a hardcore flight simulation set in a 1:1 scale Milky Way galaxy with an ever-changing universe.
Our Take: While comparisons have been drawn with other titles, Elite Dangerous empowers players to navigate a spacious universe, earning exploration rewards and controlling their own journeys. Grounded in space travel and exploration, the Horizons update enables planetary landings, adding more depth to the gameplay.
Though it may lack the spontaneous interactions found in EVE, the rich player-community sets this game apart, offering continued adventures across the cosmic expanse.
19. Neverwinter
Overview: Set within the Dungeons & Dragons universe, Neverwinter offers adventure amid the classic fantasy elements.
Our Take: Despite facing competition over the years, Neverwinter establishes itself with fast-paced combat and memorable encounters enriched by quality narrative. However, 2024 sees it showing age compared to other mainstream MMOs, possibly limiting its player experience.
The game’s world is vibrant and beautifully crafted, yet it suffers from a decreasing player base and a cash shop laden with microtransactions. Still, plenty of enjoyment awaits in this exciting fantasy landscape.
20. Star Trek Online
Overview: Star Trek Online presents grand-scale space combat in an expansive universe full of iconic characters.
Our Take: Celebrating its over 15-year journey, Star Trek Online remains engaging despite its visual age. Players emerge as captains in a narrative 30 years post-Star Trek: Nemesis, maneuvering in both space battles and planetary land explorations.
Game mechanics balance direct ship control with character RPG elements, with tactical space battles rewarding strategic thought. Its engaging narrative structure adds depth, making this MMO worth experiencing, even if its peak years may lie behind it.
21. Albion Online
Overview: This sandbox MMORPG pivots on player-generated economies and eschews traditional class systems.
Our Take: Albion Online gives players immense freedom, creating characters that rely directly on their gear, allowing for diverse builds and playstyles. This open-ended approach fosters creativity, lending to a unique gaming experience that diverges from typical MMORPG structures.
Players will encounter intense PvP action as they push through combat scenarios, making it more appealing for gamers who thrive in competitive arenas. The presence of a pay-to-win element may hinder some, but Albion shines as a casual pursuit for many players.
22. Diablo 4
Overview: The latest installment in the iconic ARPG series, Diablo 4 builds on existing foundations while introducing fresh challenges.
Our Take: While it has faced criticism, Diablo 4 captivates players with its engaging storytelling. Players pursue Lilith in the quest to reach level 100, with new expansions planned to elevate the experience further.
With five classes to choose from and a sixth upcoming, gameplay depth rewards skill and knowledge, ensuring longevity. While straddling the line between ARPG and MMO, the underlying RPG elements layered with a rich narrative make it a must-try.
23. Trove
Overview: Trove combines MMO elements with a Minecraft-inspired aesthetic, allowing for exploration and creativity.
Our Take: Trove excels in family-friendly gameplay, offering a diverse array of classes and opportunities for creativity. With 17 unique classes, players can explore the world of crafting and combat at their own pace.
The game promotes player-made gear, offering a unique twist in character customization. For those seeking immersive gameplay and a robust housing system, Trove delivers an entertaining experience for fans of any age.
24. Dune: Awakening
Overview: As the first MMO rooted in Frank Herbert’s Dune universe, it draws players deeper into a narrative where Paul Atreides does not exist.
Our Take: Capitalizing on the renewed interest in Dune via recent adaptations, Dune: Awakening promises extensive lore and character development intertwined with the gameplay. This ambitious title is in beta, with plans for hybrid classes and player-driven choices heating up the excitement.
While a formal release date is yet to be set, the growing community and beta participation could lead to a thrilling experience for fans of the franchise.
25. Tibia
Overview: A seminal title in the MMORPG community, Tibia is characterized by its nostalgic 2D world and engaging fantasy experience.
Our Take: With an enduring player base, Tibia remains popular 25 years after its launch. Despite its simple graphics and interface, its hardcore gameplay retains an appeal for dedicated fans.
The challenge of leveling and the brutal penalty for death offers a deep commitment that few modern MMOs replicate. While the learning curve can be steep, returning players find a rewarding experience that stands the test of time.
26. Peace of God
Overview: A social sandbox MMO blending elements of medieval myth and legend.
Our Take: Entering Steam Early Access in June 2024, Pax Dei captures attention with its engaging concept rooted in collaborative adventures. Its expansive world allows for resource gathering, crafting, and territory control.
Realistic housing mechanics introduce a sense of community, while fast-paced combat attracts those eager for collective engagement. The player-centric design illustrates potential excitement for a collaborative adventure.
27. Blocked
Overview: Palia blends elements from simulation games, putting a spotlight on community and bonding.
Our Take: For players craving extensive combat mechanics, Palia may not satisfy. However, this cozy simulator brings players together in a shared world where growing and shaping home plots create a welcoming environment.
Customizable housing, resource management, and crafting fortify the gameplay, making it available to enjoy solo or with friends. Its free-to-play model encourages players to explore this vibrant universe.
28. RIFT
Overview: Offering a full range of MMOs, RIFT provides dungeons, raids, and epic battles.
Our Take: While RIFT may adhere to classic MMO conventions, it effectively delivers on most fronts. Set within the universe of Telara, it satisfies adventurers with familiar fantasy elements and an engaging experience.
The class system presents an innovative approach, enabling players to shape their abilities based on personal preferences, bringing fresh versatility to character development.
29. Dofus
Overview: A tactical turn-based MMORPG set in a whimsical high-fantasy world, this title offers both free and premium accounts.
Our Take: Centered around dragon eggs called Dofus, the game weaves an inviting narrative with hands-on turn-based combat. Though it may not rival the best, its unique style keeps players engaged.
Paid options significantly expand the experience, with free users potentially facing limitations. Its nostalgic appeal is worth exploring for those seeking an alternative gaming experience.
30. Romans: Age of Caesar
Overview: A cooperative grand strategy MMO that allows players to steer the Roman Empire’s development at its peak.
Our Take: Currently rated with mixed reviews on Steam, Romans is an intriguing title. It immerses players in history’s most notable empire through cooperative city-building mechanics.
While it can be tackled solo, team collaboration enhances success. Although the graphics and gameplay can feel outdated, the cooperative aspect presents a fascinating exploration of MMO potential.
With this exploration of the leading MMO titles, consider checking out the top Soulslike games to keep your adventure going in 2024.
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