The 10 Best MMORPGs in 2024

MMORPG games have become one of the most famous genres in the industry since the turn of the millennium, and to this day, hundreds of titles are available on the market and receiving constant updates from their developers to keep their audience engaged.

But given these massive universes, which demand time and dedication, what are the best options available in 2024 for both beginners and veterans? The answer depends on what experience each person is looking for, and what other works and games led them to eventually seek out an MMORPG.

In this article, we present a general analysis of the ten best MMORPGs available on the market in 2024, having considered factors such as popularity, uniqueness of their gaming experience, how friendly they are to free-to-play players and their historic legacy for the genre!

10 - Fallout 76

Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series, Xbox One

Despite its disastrous launch in 2018, Fallout 76 has become one of the most fun MMORPGs to play due to its cooperative nature, where players come together for common goals while exploring a vast open world devastated by nuclear war.

The game has several characteristics inherent to the franchise while also seeking to bring some mechanics typical of MMOs to create a fun experience for Fallout fans and newcomers, whether they are just people looking for a fun online game, or those who have arrived from the overwhelming success from the Amazon Prime series.

Fallout 76 also has its dose of peculiar stories and destructive character in an almost cartoonish way, as in the recent case where a player launched a nuclear bomb in the camp of Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, after the company announced the closure of some studios, including Tango Gameworks, responsible for the action game Hi-Fi RUSH.

9 - Star Wars: The Old Republic

Platforms: PC

Active since 2011 and with a high number of players, Star Wars: The Old Republic is the ideal choice for any fan of the universe created by George Lucas or for players who prefer narrative-oriented games, with stories that deepen their immersion and enrich the general lore of the multimedia franchise.

With the potential to become a Jedi, Sith Lord or Bounty Hunter, players can customize their characters and choose between eight classes and adventure through different worlds and famous regions of the franchise while embarking on missions, raids and multiplayer or PvP content while delving into the history of the Old Republic, hundreds of years before the famous Skywalker saga.

Its graphics may look dated and some of its gameplay patterns repetitive, but Star Wars: The Old Republic remains a solid choice among MMORPG fans and manages to create a worthwhile experience for both free-to-play and paying players.

8 - Guild Wars 2

Platforms: PC

Guild Wars 2 stands out among MMORPGs for its extremely engaging action combat, with rotation of weapons and skills while characters can roll, dodge attacks and even fight for their lives when defeated.

The game has been gaining fans of the genre since 2012, and its horizontal leveling system and the construction of a beautiful world rich in history and exploration make it a clear choice among fans of the genre and, perhaps, one of the best MMORPGs of all time - which is reinforced by its highly sociable community and challenges that, while may not please everyone, create a wholesome and fun experience.

7 - Black Desert

Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One

Created by Korean studio Pearl Abyss, Black Desert has more than 25 classes to choose from while its combat focuses on real-time action, and its vast and open world rewards exploration above any other aspect, making it a unique experience both for PC gamers and console fans alike.

There are times, however, when it feels like a huge grindfest when it comes to collecting rare items or leveling up skills, which can alienate some players while attracting others more focused on this kind of content.

6 - EVE Online

Platforms: PC

EVE Online is one of the most innovative, immersive and brutal experiences in the history of MMORPGs, almost entirely focused on the most tryhard cooperative aspect between players, where all combat, exploration and resources need to be properly planned by the team to be successful.

Set in a universe with space travel, EVE offers a true role playing for all players, where they perform specific functions for the benefit of their communities or nations while naturally needing to deal with the inherent conflicts of human nature, whether in its economy, diplomacy or combat.

Of all the games on this list, it is probably the least beginner-friendly and the one that requires the most recurring commitment to your character, missions and your role in your group, but if you want an immersive space adventure that rewards you for your high learning curve and dedication, it can be your ideal choice.

5 -Runescape

Platforms: PC, iOS, Android

Considered one of the pillars in the construction of various mechanics of modern RPGs, Runescape has more than 20 years of history and, despite suffering from dated graphics, remains a solid option for those looking for an MMO whose experience, learning and history are simple, but fun enough to dedicate a few hours a week to exploring its world and interacting with other players.

Another great attraction of it is the fact that it can be played on Android and iOS devices, which helps with the user's mobility in, for example, dedicating themselves to it while traveling to work or returning home, or during study breaks, in addition to facilitating the player's learning curve on different devices.

4 - Lost Ark

Platforms: PC

With excellent graphics and a combat style with real-time action reminiscent of Diablo and Path of Exile, Lost Ark has established itself as one of the best MMORPGs today in just two years, with free-to-play content that is not very limiting when it comes to audience outside of cosmetics, making it extremely friendly for newcomers and veterans who want a new experience in the genre.

If you're looking for a game more focused on action, fascinating visuals in a universe with hundreds of available content and dozens of classes to master, Lost Ark will probably be the game for you, but it may alienate players who prefer a more classic MMORPG and/or who prioritize playing on consoles.

3 - The Elder Scrolls Online

Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One

The Elder Scrolls series needs no introduction and has become a worldwide phenomenon within and outside RPG communities after the resounding success of TES: Skyrim - and while we await any slightest update on the sixth game in the franchise, The Elder Scrolls Online proves to be the definitive way to explore Tamriel.

Just like Skyrim, TES Online offers great freedom of customization and exploration, with direct and indirect references to several games in the series while we revisit regions known to fans of the franchise and new maps exclusive to the online game.

The Elder Scrolls Online also stands out among games of the genre for being solo-friendly, that is, players can focus on their characters' individual journey and explore the world and Dungeons alone if they prefer, or establish links with other players to face great challenges - this freedom creates both the feeling of your character's development within the TES lore while also allowing you to establish new bonds and alliances with other players.

2 - World of Warcraft

Platforms: PC

You can't go wrong with World of Warcraft. It's essentially the safe choice for anyone looking to explore an MMORPG, and probably the title that made many come into contact with the genre for the first time.

When released, WoW became the most popular game in the world and a force to be reckoned with inside and outside the industry, where it directly influenced the way in which several other titles were produced in addition to being referenced in works of fiction and even having documentaries about it, thus leaving its mark on history.

Today, some elements of design, gameplay, or graphics may seem dated and don't compete well with what younger audiences are often looking for, but if you want the definitive MMORPG experience, World of Warcraft is, undoubtedly, the best game out there.

1 - Final Fantasy XIV

Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One

Final Fantasy XIV started as a huge fiasco in its 1.0 version due to its dated mechanics and execution problems. However, under the direction of Naoki Yoshida, the game was redesigned and eventually became one of the greatest MMORPGs of all time.

In the role of the Warrior of Light, the player can define their race, appearance and choose one of several classes already known from other games in the franchise while embarking on a continuous story surrounded by political intrigue, magic and mysteries.

Its narrative, soundtrack and setting are widely praised by fans of the series and MMORPG enthusiasts, and it offers both a good solo experience in most of its content and an excellent multiplayer experience with a mostly friendly community.

Having a free trial until the end of Stormblood and more than ten years of updates, Final Fantasy XIV offers hundreds of hours of exploration and content for free-to-play players, and with the launch of its new expansion, Dawntrail, scheduled for July 2024, and its graphics update, we can expect the game to remain active for another decade.

There are still several other titles available that can please different niches of players, and being a market in constant evolution, it won't take many years for another game to become one of the best MMORPGs today.

Therefore, we recommend that you try different works and find the one that best fits with the world, narrative and mechanics of your preference, and dedicate yourself to this title until your interest in other games leads you to a possible new journey.

Thanks for reading!