Announcements

The best MMO and MMORPGs to play in 2023

img
Aug
28
Spread the love

What is the best MMORPG on PC? If you’re wondering, those oft-used letters represent the words Massively Multiplayer Online, and refer to games where thousands of players come together in the same world. Is it one with spells to sling and demons to slay? Working your way through the stars as a miner or a corporate bigwig? Solving ancient conspiracies and fighting Lovecraftian horrors? Maybe it’s all of them.

Add RPG for role-playing games and we’re off to the dungeons! Ultimately, the deciding factor for the best MMORPGs on PC largely comes down to personal preference, so with that in mind, here’s our list of the top MMOs currently alive and kicking. You’re sure to find something that will swallow up entire days at a time, and many of these entries can also be considered some of the best PC games around. While there are plenty of recently updated and new MMOs to consider, the golden oldies on this list have withstood the test of time.

Here are our top picks for the best MMORPG:

Neverwinter

Neverwinter is a surprise. It is thematically Dungeons & Dragons, taking the places, classes, spells, and abilities from the tabletop game, and then cramming them inside one of the best MMORPGs. It should not work, but somehow it does. It helps that there is an earnest love for the source material of DnD games, and each quest feels like one you could imagine yourself embarking upon while sitting around a table.

Lots of free expansions – which include new races and classes – have been introduced in the time since Neverwinter launched, taking players far from the safety of Neverwinter itself to lands like Icewind Dale, where barbarians and unpleasant temperatures are the least of your worries.

Play Neverwinter for free.

Play for free

Star Trek Online

Miss watching Star Trek on TV? Star Trek Online might tide you over until the next season of Discovery on Paramount Plus. Each quest in this MMO is like an episode of the show, and each mission series is an arc, complete with the occasional filler episode.

Take a trip to Risa, visit DS9 in Star Trek Online, land on planets, and practice your diplomacy, or get into tense space battles with Cardassians, Romulans, Borg, and whoever else is causing mischief. Space fights are tactical while playing out in real time, as it’s key to position your ship to get the most out of your firing arcs. On any away missions that devolve into combat, the game turns into a squad-based third-person shooter, complete with ability cooldowns.

STO has grown into a gargantuan, compelling, and free MMO and one of the best space games out there; it’s frequently expanded by massive updates that add whole new storylines, and a while back, the neutral Romulan faction introduced unique missions and ships.

Speaking of ships, that’s what really sets this game apart from other MMOs. You’re not just outfitting and leveling up a hero; you get a whole crew and a starship to manage and customize.

Play Star Trek Online for free.

Romans: Age of Caesar

Do you like a bit of city-building in your MMOs? If so, you’ll love Romans: Age of Caesar, as it’s a game that tasks you with helping to rebuild the Roman Empire. You’ll work cooperatively with up to 16 other players, and together you’ll have to build and maintain a city.

As you play, loads of other groups of players will be working on their own cities, and together you all form part of a large, interconnected digital empire. Sometimes you’ll need to do battle to defend yourself from oncoming barbarians, and sometimes you’ll have to create trade routes so that you can establish relationships with the other cities. There’s a lot to this game, and it’s easy to get sucked into its world.

Play Romans: Age of Caesar for free.

Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn is a story of heartwarming redemption. When it was originally released, it was not very good. In fact, it was terrible. This triggered Square Enix to take drastic action – ditch the old team, hire a new team, and remake Final Fantasy XIV in its entirety.

The outcome is A Realm Reborn. And it is good. It hits everything the series is known for epic stories of good and evil duking it out, varied, painfully gorgeous environments, over-the-top characters, flashy cutscenes, and Chocobos galore. It is also clever: players have great flexibility within their FFXIV classes. As soon as you hit level 10, you can switch to any of the game’s eight combat classes at just the switch of the weapon. The upside is that players do not need to create alts to try out other roles.

The Endwalker expansion adds new jobs (the Reaper and the Sage), locations, instances, and the long-requested male version of the Viera race. However, the story takes center stage, concluding the events that began in A Realm Reborn. Few MMOs receive as many quality updates and expansions, so it’s worth hopping back in if you’ve been away for a while. If you want to learn more, check out our FFXIV Endwalker review. It’s also well worth checking out our FFXIV leveling guide if you’re new to the JRPG game.

The best MMORs: Lost Ark. Image shows characters on a floating island looking up at other floating islands.

Lost Ark

The hit Korean MMO finally made it to Western shores and we gave it 9/10 in our Lost Ark review.

If you’re considering checking the game out, we’ve got some guides that can help: from how to level up quickly to what you need to know about Lost Ark gold and Mokoko seeds.

Best MMORPG games: World of Warcraft. Image shows a man looking out over a landscape with lots of trees.

World of Warcraft

Over a decade old and still the most popular MMORPG game in the world, World of Warcraft is a bit special. WoW has changed a lot during its long reign, introducing several new classes and races; check out our WoW Dragonflight tier list for a glimpse at the most powerful character combinations that are now possible. Over the years, players have also been treated to a graphics overhaul, whole new continents… players can even travel back in time. The world is enormous and teeming with rich, story-laden quests at every turn.

At times it seems traditional, which is unsurprising considering it is the MMO that defined the modern style of the genre, but Blizzard is still mixing things up. The WoW Dragonflight talents system overhaul provides welcome class complexity that’s guaranteed to shake up the meta, along with revamps to professions and UI that will blow the cobwebs off Blizzard’s venerable RPG game. WoW’s longevity means there’s great third-party support, with innumerable WoW addons to assist you on your journey. If we had to crown an MMO as king of the genre, World of Warcraft would likely be it. 

Best MMORPG games: Runescape. Image shows characters in a tavern. They're enjoying themselves.

Runescape

Like World of Warcraft, Runescape has been a staple of the MMORPG genre for as long as we can remember. But rather than dwindle, Runescape continues to grow in terms of both players and content. New quests and events are introduced on an almost weekly basis so that veterans always have something fresh to experience while new players enter a world already enriched by a decade of lore and adventures.

Don’t worry about getting to grips with Runescape either, as its community is among the most generous and friendly in all gaming (or you can check out our Runescape beginner’s guide) – whether you’re looking for advice on a tricky quest or simply after a chat, you’ll find help is always at hand. It’s not just history that Runescape boasts either; with major expansions, a mobile release, and countless spin-offs, Jagex’s MMO shows absolutely no signs of stopping.

Best MMORPG games: Black Desert Online. Image shows a man riding a horse towards a sunset.

Black Desert Online

Black Desert Online received a graphics overhaul in 2018 to remaster the original (and already gorgeous) MMO, breathing new life into the game. It certainly makes up for what it lacks in polished dialogue with one of the best character creators around and a gorgeous fantasy world that you’ll want to roam around for hours.

Just don’t get too comfy, as there’s plenty of fighting and grinding, so if you’re looking for a relaxing MMO, this may not be the game for you. As Black Desert Online isn’t your average MMO, it can be tricky to get your head around the new systems, especially how combat, trade, diplomacy, and resources work. Check out our beginner’s guide to Black Desert Online if you want to jump into this MMO brimming with sword fights and fiery chaos.

Best MMORPG games: EVE Online. Image shows otherworldly ships flying through space.

Eve Online

There’s a good chance that you’ve already heard about one of the many tales of dark bastardry that have spun out of Eve’s New Eden. It is a game of cold-hearted betrayal, mining, economics, more betrayal, more mining, and the occasional thousand-person spaceship battles – the latter of which has earned the game several Guinness world records.

With CCP’s hands-off approach, the universe of New Eden is one of the most player-driven MMOs in existence. Wars span weeks, if not months, across multiple systems. Years of plotting and sabotage to bring huge corporations down from the inside. Reports of huge losses in ships and cargo, some reaching the thousands of dollars in real-world value. As you can imagine, it is not the easiest game in the world to learn, but that doesn’t mean it is impossible. Our own Eve Online beginner’s guide will show you how to set up one of the best MMOs around.

Best MMORPG games: The Elder Scrolls Online. Image shows a party of three characters coming up against a large stone creature with electricity coming out of it.

Elder Scrolls Online

Despite a rocky beginning, The Elder Scrolls Online remains a strong entry for one of the best MMORPGs on PC. The Elder Scrolls games are among the best RPGs around, and now you can sink even more of your time into the series’ rich and vibrant universe by playing online with friends or total strangers.

Set 1,000 years before Skyrim and 800 years before Morrowind and Oblivion. The Elder Scrolls Online begins in Coldharbour’s Wailing Prison, where, staying true to Elder Scrolls tradition, the player is a prisoner. After escaping, you’re free to explore the continent of Tamriel, battling monsters, discovering dungeons, and crafting weapons with fellow adventurers or on your own. With a handful of expansions bringing old and new regions into the game like Murkmire and Summerset, not to mention plenty of planned future DLC releases, the Elder Scrolls Online universe is forever expanding, making for an MMO that always feels fresh.

Best MMOs: Three Guardians of each class in Destiny 2 advance through a swamp, weapons at the ready in this online looter FPS.

Destiny 2

In Destiny 2, you take on the role of a righteous and stalwart Guardian, defending the last city of humanity against anyone or anything that would seek to destroy it. As with most action MMOs, you begin by creating your Guardian, customizing their face, hair, and body to your satisfaction. There are three classes to choose from – the shield-bearing Titan, spell-slinging Warlock, and agile Hunter. Each class comes with its own unique abilities, along with perks and upgrades to differentiate yourself from other players of your Destiny 2 class.

Once you’ve decided on your character, you’re let loose to explore the solar system, uncovering its secrets through engaging missions that you can complete solo or with friends. The valuable loot you can uncover on your travels is vital to improving your Guardian’s equipment, but Destiny 2’s story is where it truly shines. Its ever-expanding world is constantly receiving updates, including seasons, events, and expansions, and it shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. Take a gander at our Destiny 2 Lightfall review and the full list of the Lightfall exotics you can expect to pick up while hitting Lost Sector locations. If you’d prefer to stick to the main campaign for the time being, we’ve also got a complete Destiny 2 Lightfall mission list to steer you in the right direction.

Best MMORPG games: Trove. Image shows a blocky man swinging through a cave.

Trove

Trove is an action-focused MMO, often compared to games similar to Minecraft, and one of the best building games on PC. Firstly you’ll need to build a base, a home from home, where you can fashion all sorts of creatures, weapons, and items. Once your home base is established, you can zip between worlds, loot dungeons, and go on quests online with your friends or guild pals. Trove’s dedicated community is always updating and bringing the best Trove mods, so there’s always something to do, whether you’re improving your base or looting with your online buddies.

Best MMORPG games: Arcehage. Image shows a dragon near a town.

ArcheAge

ArcheAge can be a traditional MMO, with quests, factions, and a completely forgettable story. But what makes it one of the best MMORPGs is that you can ignore all of that and head into the sea.

The ocean is huge. To sail from east to west in the fastest ship in the game can take anywhere between 45 minutes and an hour, depending on dangers like storms, whirlpools, sea creatures, or pirates. Even a legendary Kraken dwells in the northern ocean, and it takes an entire raid of 40+ players and ten galleon-sized ships, cannons blazing, to even scratch it. Deep under the ocean, you can find shipwrecks filled with delicious bounty, the hardest of which requires diving gear to reach.

ArcheAge is free to play, with a premium subscription available that offers several perks, including the ability to claim your own patch of land – not instanced, genuinely taking up space in the open world – on which you can build a house or even an underwater aquafarm full of fish. Alternatively, there is ArcheAge Unchained, a new separate version of the game that gives you access to all the perks of a subscription for a one-time fee.

Regardless of which version you choose, the fantastical world of ArcheAge is the perfect setting to embark upon a life of crime on the open seas, where you’re essentially playing a pirate game, and everyone else is an unsuspecting sailor – but instead of a parrot, you’ve got a dragon.

Best MMORPG games: Albion Online. Image shows a group of people in a town square. Some of them are riding elephants or mammoths.

Albion Online

If you’re looking for an MMO where you can sit back, relax, do a little crafting, and tend to your farm while popping out for the occasional fight and odd monster hunt, then Albion Online is not your game.

It’s PvP from the get-go, and for that reason, you’ll always need to be alert and on guard. The full-loot drop system can be slightly frustrating, but Albion Online demands players to be tactical and patient. It’s a lot of fun and requires brain power and perseverance to steer your guild in the right direction, but it’s as rewarding as it is tough.

Best MMORPG games: Lord of the Rings Online. Image shows several people riding on horseback along a river.

Lord of the Rings Online

Tolkien’s World of Middle-earth is a perfect setting for an MMO. It has great characters, a massive world to explore, and everyone is always fighting.

Humans, Elves, Dwarves, and Hobbits – aka the good guys – make up the playable races of Lord of the Rings Online, and as hunters or burglars or one of the other classes, you’ll go on your own adventure, half-following in the footsteps of the famous Fellowship. Meet Ents, get lost in Moria or take long rides through Rohan.

Expansions push the story forward, following the books, and with each major plot point comes new mechanics, like the addition of mounted combat. If you have ever dreamed of experiencing Tolkien’s world firsthand, this MMORPG has you covered. Best of all, it is free-to-play, making it the perfect RPG MMO to play right now.

Best MMORPG games: Star Wars: The Old Republic. Image shows a party of four, ready for battle - some of them have guns, some of them have lightsabres.

Star Wars: The Old Republic

A galaxy far, far away is the perfect setting for one of the best MMOs, so it is no surprise that BioWare’s Star Wars: The Old Republic is a winner. Play as one of eight classes split across the Empire and Republic. Each has a detailed, dramatic story, and they are good. Surprisingly so.

You can take on the role of an Imperial Agent, working for the good of the Empire by rooting out terrorists; a Jedi Knight sworn to hunt Sith and protect the galaxy; or even a slave-turned-Sith Inquisitor, playing a dangerous game of politics. You can play all of this for free, but as a subscriber, you can level faster and concentrate solely on the interesting class and planetary quests instead of the trite filler rubbish.

Several expansions have kept it feeling reasonably fresh, but it is the excellent Knights of the Fallen Empire expansion that really deserves to be played. With its web of intrigue, relationships, and a focus on player choice, it feels more like a proper Knights of the Old Republic sequel than anything that has come before it. SWTOR is easily one of the best Star Wars games ever.

Guild Wars 2

Guild Wars 2

Where World of Warcraft is as traditional an MMO as they come, Guild Wars 2 is the weird, contrarian opposite. Its design can be seen as an attempt to fix and improve on every broken mechanic that online games persist in pursuing, and its success in these areas makes it one of the best MMORPGs you can play.

Guild Wars 2’s content constantly evolves through the Living World episodic updates. Should you not be ready to meet that challenge, you can play lower-level adventures without spending a dollar, as the core game is now entirely free. If you’re curious, our Guild Wars 2: End of Dragons review will get you up to speed with the latest expansion, which pits players against the cataclysmic Elder Dragons.

Best MMORPG games: World of Warcraft Classic. Image shows an orc standing near an artifact.

World of Warcraft Classic

If you didn’t expect to see World of Warcraft on this list twice, then you’re severely underestimating Blizzard’s juggernaut MMO. There are thousands of World of Warcraft veterans nostalgic for the charm and challenge of the vanilla game, and the launch of WoW Classic has granted their every wish. Based on the version of Azeroth pre-Cataclysm, WoW Classic is home to veterans and newbies alike, enjoying the sense of community that emerges by necessity when you remove dungeon finders and quest markers.

Access to the game is included with a standard World of Warcraft subscription. Even if you’re familiar with the modern game, it’ll take substantial adjustment to survive the notoriously difficult leveling experience of Classic. While some diehard fans might claim that spending hours on a WoW Classic dungeon, wiping against the final boss then running back to find that he’s despawned and can’t be summoned again is all part of the adventure, they probably want you to suffer like they did. Instead, learn from their mistakes and prepare yourself thoroughly with our WoW Classic tips for new players. We also have guides for WoW Classic races, and the enviable WoW Classic legendary weapons you can obtain.

Best MMOs: A row of archers defends a settlement from invaders in New World, a colonial MMORPG set in the 1600s.

New World

New World is as much a sandbox survival game as it is a traditional RPG. It dispenses with the typical character creation of other fantasy MMOs – there are no other races aside from humans, and classes are replaced with attributes and skill systems that grant you the freedom to experiment with different character build at your leisure. New World is set in an approximation of the 1600s, so while you can don burnished plate armor and cast spells with an elemental staff, you can also wield a musket or blunderbuss – take a look at our New World weapons tier list for the full scope.

The newly discovered, hostile land of Aeternum is threatened by The Corrupted, a demonic horde whose presence must constantly be beaten back by the forces of good. You can band together and help construct and maintain settlements or strike off into the wilderness and face the supernatural threat alone. You can craft, quest, and explore across Aeternum and even wage war in large-scale PvP conflicts as each New World faction’s territory expands and encroaches upon one another. If you’re looking to get started, our New World beginners guide and leveling guide will certainly help you find your footing.

And so concludes our list of the finest MMORPGs available to play on PC. What worlds you dive into next is entirely up to you. Will you go for one of the free MMOs, or will you be splashing out on a subscription? Regardless of your choice, know that the best multiplayer games are a ticket to new friends and, of course, new enemies. Pick your battles, create your clans, and head into a new adventure. Good luck!

You must be logged in to post a comment.