Top 10 Best MMORPGs to Play – 2023 Update
Christmas is just around the corner, and the first Sun of 2023 is soon to dawn within a couple of days! Like every year, 2023 will awe us with its unique collection of brand-new MMORPGs.
Since new MMORPG titles will take time to fully develop and accumulate a considerable player base, your best bet is to go with a bit old but fully developed MMORPGs. There is no doubt that MMORPGs are a big-time commitment. Check out the following list of the best MMORPGs:
1. World of Warcraft (WoW)
World of Warcraft is an absolute MMORPG masterpiece from Blizzard Entertainment that redefined the traditional MMO games of the time. The game is a 2004 classic role-playing video game that stands immune to the tests of time.
WoW is mostly regarded as the "Best MMORPG" due to its highly addicting role-playing gameplay elements and satisfying visuals. The game is set in the Warcraft Universe and takes place in the bustling open world of Azeroth.
WoW gives players an insane level of character customization. You can choose to join The Alliance or The Horde, which have their own seven unique characters and faction-limited classes. Each character type and class is unique, allowing for some next-level strategic combat style development.
The unprecedented popularity and the gigantic player base have encouraged developers to keep the game ongoing via game expansions. The latest is the 2022 Dragonflight expansion, where you can now ride dragons and quickly travel around. If you are a newbie and love beating monsters, quickly get yourself a WoW leveling service!
As the MMORPG of choice by millions of players, WoW is one of the top 10 role-playing games of all time. It is a PC-exclusive game available only on Microsoft Windows and macOS.
2. EVE Online
Fans of science fiction would come across EVE Online as a lover receiving a love letter. It is a 2003 MMORPG work of art by CCP Games. Despite being a classic 2003 video game title, EVE Online delivers cutting-edge aesthetic gameplay graphics.
In this role-playing game, the story is set 21,000 years into the future when humans have started colonizing space. This new home, known as New Eden, houses over 7,800 different star systems.
In EVE Online, players choose one of the four playable races: The Amarr Empire, The Gallente Federation, the Caldari State, and the Minmatar Republic. Each playable race is further divided into three different bloodlines to allow room for tactical development. Moreover, you can also choose from one of the many in-game professions, such as mining, trading, combats, exploration, as well as space piracy!
In the space realm, players command a huge variety of 350+ spaceships and engage in fierce lethal space battles, both solo and in teams. EVE Online boasts of having one of the biggest community-driven in-game economies where more than 1 million daily transactions take place!
Players are in complete control of their actions that impact the New Eden universe in one way or the other.
Thanks to continuous support from the developers, New Eden is ever-expanding and continues to be one of the best MMORPGs out there. EVE Online is a PC-exclusive game available only on Microsoft Windows and macOS.
3. The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO)
The Elder Scrolls Online is a 2014 state-of-the-art MMORPG developed by ZeniMax Online Studios. It takes pride in delivering its players a gigantic immersive world of Tamriel, brimming with tremendous day-to-day activities.
This iconic role-playing game features non-linear gameplay, enabling players to craft their own stories in the Elder Scrolls Universe. From the captivating snowcapped peaks of Skyrim to the alienated swampy lands of Morrowind, as well as the majestic sun-drenched isles of Summerset, players can explore almost all of Tamriel!
The Elder Scrolls Online offers a wide category of ten races and six classes for players to choose from. Each class and race has unique attributes, powers, and weaknesses that allow for many strategic gameplays and combat styles.
Thanks to the consistent quality DLC drops and performance updates, despite being almost a decade-old video game, ESO is actively thriving with thousands of players! Owing to its massive game world, newbie players also get cheap coins to speed up their game progress in ESO.
If not THE BEST, then indeed, The Elder Scrolls Online is one of the best MMORPGs out there! The game is available to play on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
4. Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR)
Old is gold, or so they say. Star Wars Franchise needs no introduction. Since 1977, this iconic franchise has inspired millions of people and has even been adopted into movies as well as games. SWTOR is a 2011 space fiction MMORPG developed by BioWare.
The game delivers an unprecedented level of deep storyline that glues users to their seats for hours. Set in the Star Wars Universe, the game plot takes place 3600 years before the events of the rise of Darth Vader.
In Star Wars: The Old Republic, players start by joining one of the two opposing factions: The Galactic Republic and The Sith Empire. Each faction has four unique classes that players can choose as per their gameplay preferences.
SWTOR also allows players to have companions by their side. A just combination of character class and companion takes the SWTOR MMORPG experience to a new level. With several planets to visit, exploration to be done, quests to be completed, and bearing the consequences of your actions, in Star Wars: The Old Republic, players embark on a unique journey since every class has its own tale to tell.
Like many top 10 best MMORPGs, SWTOR is a Windows-exclusive video game.
5. Old School RuneScape (OSRS)
When nostalgia hits hard, there is little room left for logic and reason. Old School RuneScape is yet another captivating MMORPG video game. This iconic game was developed by Jagex in 2013 and is very much inspired by the retro-style gaming era.
OSRS takes pride in having a loyal and humongous player base that is ever-steadily growing. The game is set in the fictional realm of Gielinor, divided into kingdoms. Gielinor is composed of diverse environments and climates that are home to a number of creatures, such as dwarves, vampires, goblins, elves, and monkeys.
Old School RuneScape is just like a typical MMORPG game where players co-exist in one shared world. They choose an in-game profession from a wide range of skills, mainly divided into three categories: Combat, Gathering, and Artisan. Each category has its own further set of sub-skills.
Players slay monsters, farm resources, and master their artisan art along with other players. The game features a simple point-and-click input control and retro-style plain combats mechanics.
Old School RuneScape is indeed one of the best MMORPGs out there. It was initially made for PC platforms, but mobile versions for Android and iOS also got rolled out in late 2018. Every update and development in OSRS is decided by the players via in-game polls, which are then implemented by the developers.
6. Guild Wars 2
Guild Wars 2 developers love to take unique routes toward game development than most of their counterparts. Developed by ArenaNet, Guild Wars 2 is a 2012 work of art MMORPG video game that requires no subscription fees at all!
Combined with its stunning role-playing gameplay elements and aesthetic visuals, no wonder why Guild Wars 2 have such a gigantic loyal player community. The game storyline is set in the epic fantasy world of Tyria that takes place 250 years later than the original Guild Wars.
Like many other MMORPG video games, Guild Wars 2 gives players a tremendous amount of freedom in creating their in-game character. In Guild Wars 2, players choose from five different races and nine professions, allowing for a wholesome strategic gameplay experience.
The combination of race and profession determines the number of skills players have access to, from which they can only select 10. In the shared world of Guild Wars 2, players take part in raids as well as top-notch PvP and PvE battles.
Guild Wars 2 is a Windows-exclusive game that will soon get its 4th DLC update! With no subscription fees and captivating gameplay mechanics, it is one of the top 10 best MMORPGs of all time!
7. Final Fantasy XIV (FFXIV)
Final Fantasy XIV is a 2013 MMORPG video game developed by Square Enix. Following its failed launch in 2010, the developers practically re-developed the game in its 2013 re-release. The new game engine and revamped gameplay, along with its ever-engaging storyline, make Final Fantasy XIV impossible not to love.
FFXIV is not your everyday fantasy-inspired MMORPG title. The game is set in the fictional world of Hydaelyn and is focused on the region of Eorzea.
Players start the game by joining one of the 3 Grand Companies: Order of the Twin Adder, Immortal Flames, and Maelstrom of Limsa Lominsa. Final Fantasy XIV features a persistent game world where all players co-exist.
This role-playing video game gives players wholesome freedom in creating their own unique in-game character. Players can customize their characters based on their race, gender, class, as well as facial features. Moreover, players further improve their characters by participating in battles, dungeons, FATE, and quests.
The game economy is mainly driven by the players. The job system gives players access to job-exclusive powerful skills, armor, weapons, and magic. Players often get some cheap gil for an easier game life in FFXIV.
Final Fantasy XIV is available to play on PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5.
8. ArcheAge
ArcheAge delivers a once-of-a-kind MMORPG experience to its player. It is a 2013 classic role-playing video game developed by XL Games. Although a sequel was recently announced, ArcheAge is here to stay and is far from dead.
Unlike most MMORPGs, where you can play in only a third-person view, ArcheAge allows players a first-person perspective as well. The game is set in a medieval fantasy world comprising two distinct continents. These are Nuia and Harihara.
From fierce ground dog fights to deep-sea warship battles and swift, lethal aerial combats, players can do almost anything in the diverse thrilling world of ArcheAge. The game allows players to choose from 6 different factions, all with unique exclusive skills and attributes. There are 14 unique skill sets and 364 different class combinations to bring in strategic and tactical gameplays.
Moreover, ArcheAge players can take part in a lot of role-playing activities, from trading and farming on the continent to pirating in deep seas and gliding through the sky. ArcheAge is bustling with tons of activities and supports an in-game player-driver economy.
Being one of the top 10 best MMORPGs, ArcheAge enjoys continuous support from developers and is only available to play on Windows.
9. Phantasy Star Online 2 (PSO2)
PSO2 is an over-the-top MMORPG developed by SEGA Online R&D in 2012. Phantasy Star Online 2 takes its graphical inspiration from Japanese animations and delivers a top-notch open-world gaming experience to its players.
PSO2 is based on the Phantasy Star Universe, and the game's setting primarily focuses on the exploits of the space-faring organization, Oracle.
After choosing their server, known as "ships", players create and customize their in-game character via a myriad of options. Players may select a gender, race, class, body, and facial features for their game character.
There are 13 distinct classes in the game where 4 "Scion Classes" are initially locked. Moreover, Phantasy Star Online 2 features four different races as well: Humans, Newman, CAST, and Deuman.
PSO2 is largely action-oriented and, therefore, features a large arsenal of weapon types. Apart from completing quests and embarking on unique adventures, players also participate in deadly PSO2 battles against enemies.
Thanks to the continuous support from the developers, the game is ever-expanding. As of 2022, New Genesis is the latest chapter in PS02. Phantasy Star Online 2 is available to play on Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
10. New World
New World promises an all-new adventure for its players. It is a relatively younger MMORPG title but has managed to steal the recent stage light. New World is a 2021 role-playing video game developed by Amazon Games Orange County.
The game is set in the mid-17th century fictional land of Aeternum, which has only been heard in legends before. Players start by joining one of the three factions: Marauders, Syndicate, or Covenant. These are organizations that have contrasting plans for the future of Aeternum.
As players set out on behalf of their faction for the ultimate claim over Aeternum's territory, they wage war with opposing players and develop and defend their areas of control.
Players can form groups of up to 5 players and explore the captivating world, all the while gathering resources, crafting items, fighting monsters, and gaining control over settlements in this unique MMORPG.
New World is a lawless land of ranged artillery, brutal weapons, and supernatural powers, where you have complete freedom in crafting your own story. Being a relatively new title, New World is currently playable on Windows only.
So, this is our list of the top 10 best MMORPGs to play in 2023. Do you have some other recommendations? Let us know in the comments below!