Summary
MMOgames are known for their large, multiplayer communities that help them endure for years. Players make guilds, take on world bosses, and work together to conquer raids, but that doesn’t mean that MMOs are only for those playing in groups. Many MMO titles provide players with decent solo player experiences, giving them a story to uncover and a world to explore that would be on par with some single-player RPG titles.
Although built with giant servers that can contain thousands of players, it doesn’t mean that people have to play with each other. Massively multiplayer is in the name, so some content will be locked off if players want to go it alone. Despite this,some MMOs have been going on for so long now that the years of support and expansions have resulted in hundreds of hours of content, even for the solo player.
Best MMORPGs (Updated 2023)
This list contains our picks for the best MMORPGs that you may play in 2023. These games will keep you entertained for days.
10PokeMMO
Unofficial Pokémon, Bigger Than Ever
PokeMMOis not a traditional MMO title.It is not an official game, instead being a fan-made projectthat has ported the ROMs from severalPokémontitles to PC. It also has multiplayer infrastructure, allowing players to roam the world with others like any other MMO and benefits from being completely free. It combines Gen 1 to 5 and players are able to go from region to region, provided they have downloaded the corresponding ROMs.
Although the main point ofPokeMMOis the multiplayer aspects,it also lets players relive the older generations of thePokémonseries, albeit with some gameplay changes that make it more challenging. If players ignore the MMO aspects, this fan project is essentially a remaster that combines five generations ofPokémongames, providing a lot of content while making it all convenient for PC players, and is definitely worth checking out for those wanting to relive their childhood.
New Worldis Amazon Games' take on an MMORPGand, like the studio’s parent company, it is massive. It suffered from a buggy launch and set records for the game with the biggest drop off in player numbers, but after three years, the game has been refined to alleviate most of the issues from its release. Thanks to its relatively recent launch, the game is better looking than most MMOs and the action combat is great for those coming from single-player RPGs, having earned aMetacriticscore of 70.
New World Review-in-Progress: Grindy, But Promising Returns
New World is a stunning technical and visual masterpiece and has potential to redefine the MMO genre, but gameplay can be grindy and breed toxicity.
New Worldsuffers from a lacking end game, but still offers players plenty of content until they reach the max level. In general, new content for returning players has been lacking for a while, since the game doesn’t have the decades behind it other MMOs do and the studio slowed down in order to prepare for a console release. Still, for new players, it is worth checking out, and a lacking end game won’t affect many solo players, since that is when most multiplayer raids tend to happen.
The Elder Scrolls Online
The Elder Scrolls Onlinehad a bit of a rough start to its life, but with subsequent expansions, it is now a well-liked title that expands on the world of Nirn and the continent of Tamriel. Much like other titles inThe Elder Scrollsseries, the game is massive and full of content. Tamriel has always been a brilliant place to explore, and withESOshowing players areas that haven’t been seen sinceArena, there is plenty to see for solo players.
ESOcombat is nothing likeSkyrim, andit should be noted that the game is an MMO first and anElder Scrollsgame second. Do not go into the game expecting it to be anotherSkyrimorOblivion.
Oddly enough, one of the main complaints aboutESOis its lack of PvP content, which solo players tend to ignore, but it is something to note. One of its main benefits is the expansion and telling ofElder Scrollslore, which is surprisingly interesting and deep. With aMetacriticScore of 71 and expansions that add whole countries,ESOis definitely worth trying out for those that are fans of fantasy lore and exploration.
Black Desert Online
Black Desert Onlineis one of the most stylish MMOson the market. This applies to its addictive combat, which is arguably the best in the genre, and its character customization, which is more extensive than most single player titles released today. The game is stunning, with impactful effects that accent certain attacks. The implementation of combat alone makes it worth checking out, even if the game can be very grindy at times.
BDOhas a ridiculous number of things to do.It is famous for its PvP because of its amazing combat system, but its sandbox nature and many lifestyle skills (such as fishing) give players plenty of content. The story is underwhelming and having gender-locked classes is strange, but players are known to put thousands of hours into this title, with some treating it like a full-time job. There will always be something to do inBDO,and its stylish presentation earned it aMetacriticscore of 73.
6Neverwinter
Free-To-Play D&D MMO
WithDungeons & Dragonsbeing as popular as it has ever been, it is the perfect time to try outNeverwinter.Set in the Forgotten Realms,Neverwinterlets players explore the same world as theBaldur’s Gateseriesand its engaging action combat has aged well for a game over ten years old. Its changes to leveling have made it great for first time players, making it less of a grind to progress through the levels.
Neverwinterdoes have multiplayer dungeons, but players aren’t required to do them to get high-end gear, making it ideal for solo play. It is also free, as are all of its modules, but with any free-to-play system, be aware of microtransactions.Neverwinterisn’t quite the time killer thatBlack Desertis, and its world isn’t the biggest out there, butit is casual-friendly, with plenty of story to do for solo players. It has aMetacriticscore of 74.
10 Cliches In Almost Every MMORPG Game
The MMORPG subgenre has been an enduring one in gaming since its PC inception, and it’s not without its fair share of cliches over the years.
If players are looking for an MMO with a great story,Star Wars: The Old Republicis the game for them. With each class having its own great storyline, a free-to-play model that includes the first two expansions andBioWare’s signature narrative writing, the game is perfect for solo play. It has a lot of single player RPG elements, like moral choices, companions with relationships to foster, amazing storytelling and witty dialogue.
SWTORis set roughly 300 years afterKnights of the Old Republicand its sequel. It has characters from those titles, as well as their descendants.
The game falls short in two categories for most solo players. The combat is the typical tab target system, which many solo players may not be used to, and the visuals are lacking, even if the art design of certain planets helps alleviate this issue. Still, with all the story at their disposal and great characters to experience it with,SWTORis one of the best MMOs for solo players who want to follow an enticing narrative, which resulted in aMetacriticscore of 85.
The Lord of the Rings Online (dupe)
For those looking for both a more traditional MMO and a familiar setting,The Lord of the Rings Onlinecould be the perfect MMO for them. Although its visuals have aged, the game isn’t far off its 18th birthday andthe art design of the game makes up for it by being relatively faithful to Tolkien’s work.Middle-earth has been recreated in all its splendor while also being just as massive as one would expect, giving fans of the setting a lot to explore.
LOTROis the perfect game for those looking to get immersed in a rich fantasy worldand the entire story can be soloed, although some may struggle depending on their class. The game is massive, with so much content that there is always something to do. Plus, the game is free-to-play up to level 95, which will take some time to get through. The tab targeting combat may be a turn-off for some, but the game is a traditional one and one of the best of its kind, earning an immenseMetacriticscore of 86.
Final Fantasy 14started life so poorly that the entire game was remade, being namedFFXIV: A Realm Reborn.Since then, it has become one of the most played and well-liked MMOs on the market, famous for its welcoming community. That being said, there is plenty to do for solo players. As of patch 6.5, the entire game can be played solo, and players will be matched up with NPCs instead to help them through their journey.
FFXIVis famous for its friendly and respectful community. After thedeath of the legendary mangaka behindBerserk, Kentaro Miura, theFFXIVcommunity held an in-game ceremony to honor him.
FF14has the signatureFinal Fantasycharm to its world, giving the player colorful lands to explore.The story is stellar for an MMO too, having the same feel as many in the JRPG genre. The story gets expanded on with the many expansions the game has benefited from, and the community continues to be healthy despite the game being almost fourteen years old. Its age actually helps it by adding new content, which includes a recent graphics update.FF14has an impressiveMetacriticscore of 87.
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Old School RuneScape
When people think of MMOs, they either think ofWorld of WarcraftorRuneScape.There’s a reason whyRuneScapehas endured for 23 years, and that can be attributed to its addictive nature. It is dated, and players shouldn’t go into it expecting a dynamic, involved experience, but the game is a great time killer, keeping players hooked for years. There are two versions of the game,RuneScapeandOld School RuneScape.
The newer version ofRuneScapeis also known asRuneScape 3.
Old School RuneScapeis the more popular version and has a very traditional charm to it. Even though it is an “old school” version,RuneScapeis still receiving content. In fact,content is not something people should worry about with this game; there is always something to do, even for players that have invested two decades in the game, and if people can see past the dated visuals and gameplay,Old School RuneScapeis a great title to check out with itsMetacriticscore of 87.
10 Iconic Fantasy Franchises That Need An MMORPG
Franchises like Warcraft and Final Fantasy have benefited greatly from MMORPGs, but what other franchises need to do this?
Guild Wars 2is well known for being one of the best MMOsand the game’s entire story can be completed solo. It is a polished title with satisfying combat, a gorgeous open world to explore and random world events that players can just turn up to. Its movement is also exceptional, providing players with gliding, flying mounts, and jump pads. At points, the game has a Metroidvania map design, which is useful in making the world feel more involved than most other MMOs.
Guild Wars 2has unique combat that is a blend between tab targeting and action combat, featuring dodging and many other movement options. It also benefits from build variety, letting players make anything that they want. There’s no guarantee that the build will be good, but respeccing at anytime allows players to experiment while playing through a decent story.Gold Wars 2is also free to play and isan MMO worth tryingif players have time to kill, especially with its exceptionalMetacriticscore of 90.
