It’s true that MMO games have been instrumental in shaping online gaming experiences as we know them today. From the development of characters and avatars, to the encounter of different genders and races, to the variety of game landscapes and open environments, we have plenty to thank MMOs for in 2023.
Moreover, the best MMO games are always among the top titles available on PC and console. Below, we celebrate the best MMOs that have kept us dreaming since the turn of the millennium.
What does MMO mean?
An MMO is the acronym for “massively multiplayer online”. In fact, an MMO game is an online game that brings together a large number of active players simultaneously in real time. We are not just talking about a few dozen participants. Some MMO games can accommodate hundreds of thousands of gamers simultaneously!
Are MMO games free?
Free-to-play games are one of the three most popular types of MMO games today. The best free-to-play MMOs don’t require any upfront payment, nor do you have to pay to unlock additional in-game features. play.
Our top 7 best MMOs of all time
If you’re just getting started playing free or paid PC games or Mac games , look no further than our top MMO, featuring a host of classic and new MMO games to help you build your library.
1. World of Warcraft
Blizzard Entertainment spotted a void in the MMO games market when it launched its World of Warcraft in 2004. The game takes place in the world of Azeroth, which you can explore in first or third person, and in which you can develop the avatars of your game characters .
By 2017, 13 years after its initial launch, World of Warcraft had generated over $9.2 billion in revenue, making it one of the most successful gaming franchises of all time, let alone the category of MMO games.
2. The Elder Scrolls Online
The Elder Scrolls Online is developed by ZeniMax Online Studios and not Bethesda Softworks, which designed and produced the other titles in the Elder Scrolls series. Nevertheless, ZeniMax has done an outstanding job of ensuring that the version for online games stays true to the series. Available on both PC and console, the game remains very popular with PC gamers but is less captivating on console.
Next year, The Elder Scrolls Online will celebrate a decade of MMO games while still remaining relevant.
3. Runescape
Jagex launched RuneScape in January 2001. Originally, this title was to be a browser-based game, working with JavaScript. Fifteen years later, it has been updated using the C++ programming language to ensure the future of this classic MMO role-playing game. Since its inception, more than 300 million players have created an account on RuneScape, and Guinness World Records has made it the largest free-to-play MMO in the world.
In the absence of a linear plot, the participants (represented by personalized avatars) can define their own objectives and build their scenario.
4. Guild Wars 2
Guild Wars 2 caused a stir upon its release on the MMO scene. First of all, Guild Wars 2 is hands down one of the most beautiful MMO games ever made. The game’s environments and landscapes stand the test of time.
It’s also free to play, making it the best free-to-play MMO in terms of value and gameplay experience. Guild Wars 2 is the fourth installment in the Guild Wars franchise. Apart from the visual aspects, the mechanics of the game are out of the ordinary.
Its developer, ArenaNet, considers it to be the best MMO to integrate a scenario that evolves according to the decisions made by the participants. This is an item rarely used in MMO games and often reserved for single-player RPGs .
5. EverQuest
EverQuest is undoubtedly the top MMO of all time. Developed exclusively for PC by Verant Interactive and 989 Studios, EverQuest was one of the first fantastic MMO games and it’s still as immersive today as it was when it was released 23 years ago.
The main reason EverQuest makes it to this list? It was the first MMO to adopt a 3D game engine, which helped place EverQuest among the top MMOs of its time. In many ways, EverQuest was the ancestor of World of Warcraft, with a series of classes and races guaranteeing enduring playability. EverQuest far exceeded the commercial expectations of its developers, prompting them to begin development of a sequel in 2004.
6. Lord of the Rings Online
If you’re wondering which MMO to play, here’s the answer! Released in April 2007, Lord of the Rings Online is still a top rated MMORPG on the planet. It consistently gets an average rating of 9/10 on Steam, which is generally a good barometer of the best MMOs for PC and console gaming fans.
You can play alone in multiplayer battles or in co-op mode with friends or with customizable AI in a multitude of battles.
If you fancy playing the villain, you can always try your hand at being Sauron’s minion, battling as a monster against other players in PvMP (Player vs Monster Player) battle modes.
LOTR’s clever use of morale rather than hit points or health to improve character performance remains as innovative as ever 16 years after its release.
7.Blue Protocol
Let’s also talk about one of the most anticipated multiplayer games of recent years: Bandai Namco’s Blue Protocol, published in collaboration with Amazon Game Studios. After a hugely successful Japan-exclusive release last year, the rest of the world is eagerly awaiting the green light to get a slice of the action in 2023.
This is arguably the best anime-inspired MMO. It has been garnering excitement from Western gamers ever since its teaser trailer aired at last year’s Game Awards. Blue Protocol will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S, as well as Windows.