The 10 Best MMORPGs to Play in 2023

Are you looking to pick up your first or next MMORPG? Whether you’re new to the genre or need a break from your regular game, this list has some options!

MMORPGs are great fun. The great thing about them is that they never really end. You can keep playing them even after you’ve beaten the main story. And in most cases, more main stories and other stuff will be added through expansions, DLCs, or patches.

The games on this list promise dozens, if not hundreds, of hours of gameplay. Compared to other games, you get a lot of content for your investment. 

But which MMORPGs are worth playing in 2023? Are older titles still worth it, or should you go for one of the shiny, new titles? 

It may surprise you, but older MMORPGs are the clear winner. Newer MMORPGs like New World still have a lot of work to do before they’re worthy of a place in any top 10.

Also Read: 10 Best New Games of May 2023

Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy XIV is an incredible game with a vast world, hundreds of hours worth of quests, much stuff to explore, and many friendly players. It’s one of the most welcoming MMORPG communities.

You may have heard that the story can be a slog initially, but the developers have listened and shortened the painful quests quite a bit. One fact is still true: The writing of expansions like Heavensward and Endwalker is top-notch.

If you like crafting, exploring, loads of achievements, fun titles, and a world you can get lost in, this game is a good choice. 

There’s now even an Island Sanctuary, where you can go and build your little island paradise once you’ve arrived in the Endwalker expansion.

You don’t need to know anything about previous Final Fantasy games to enjoy FFXIV, originally released in 2013. 

FFXIV has a very generous free trial. You can play the base game and the first expansion for free. So, why not give it a go?

Elder Scrolls Online

Elder Scrolls Online was released in 2014 and drew in a crowd of gamers who wanted Skyrim as an MMORPG. ESO isn’t Skyrim, as your decisions in this game don’t matter much. It’s an MMORPG, after all.

However, ESO manages to capture the Elder Scrolls atmosphere very well. You can go around, explore and see where your path takes you. Or you can follow the main story or one of the hundreds of side quests.

The sheer amount of content can be overwhelming as the game doesn’t do a very good job of telling you what to focus on, but that’s also part of the charm. It’s a big adventure, and the whole world is open to you, even at low levels.

ESO often feels like a single-player game, but there are plenty of ways to team up with others if you want to.

Also Read: New Steam Beta: How to Get, New Features, and More

Guild Wars 2

In Guild Wars 2, you can choose between some cool races. The game will start in a different starter area, depending on which of the five races you choose. Later on, the different racial paths will merge in the main story. 

This game’s all about the threat of the elder dragons and how Tyria deals with their influence. This game differs from other MMORPGs, as there aren’t the usual quests. Instead, there are various events and “Hearts”, which give you some insight into local lore.

Guild Wars 2 was released in 2012, so it’s already 11 years old, but still awesome. The graphics are still nice looking, though; In bigger fights with dozens of players around, you can expect some lag if you play on the highest settings.

And that’s the great thing about Guild Wars 2: The game’s very alive and friendly. Starter areas are busy, and even if you’re alone at an event, you can shout out in the map chat, and people will come to help you.

There’s an immense amount of stuff to do in GW2, and it’s tremendous fun!

World of Warcraft

Yes, WoW is old. It was released in 2004. Even in 2023, every MMORPG list still mentions WoW as one of the best. There’s a huge player base, and while the WoW community doesn’t have the best reputation, you shouldn’t come across bullies in the early stages of your game time.

WoW has many expansions, with Dragonflight being the most recent one. Each expansion added new stories, new features, and new maps. Even though it’s a pretty old game, it still looks decent enough.

If you’re looking for an MMORPG with enough content to keep you busy for a long, long time, WoW is a good choice.

Lord of the Rings Online

In April 2007, Lord of the Rings Online entered the MMORPG. Many LOTR fans picked the game up and were surprised by how well the game told stories set in Middle Earth. 

In LOTRO, you aren’t one of the main heroes, but you follow their path closely and help the inhabitants of Middle Earth. You will meet familiar characters like Frodo, Sam, Gandalf, and Aragorn, but you’ll also help Elrond in Rivendell.

LOTRO went through many changes throughout the years, not all good. Many long-term players of LOTRO have turned their backs on the game and only return infrequently.

If you’ve never played LOTRO before and always wanted to run around as a Hobbit and explore Hobbiton, Rivendell, and other famous locations, then LOTRO is worth a go. The stories are well-written and full of lore. Gameplay up to Rohan is lots of fun.

While Rohan can be demotivating for some, it’s worth playing through the game once for the story. There are hundreds of hours of gameplay for you. Some places might feel deserted, but be honest: Would you expect to meet dozens of other people in remote corners of Middle Earth?

Star Wars: The Old Republic

This game was released in 2011 and is not only interesting for Star Wars fans. The story takes place well before the original Star Wars movies. And there’s indeed quite a lot of story. The game’s quests are fun and interesting, even if you usually don’t care about Star Wars.

The classes in this game feel unique, and exploring the various places SWTOR has to offer is quite exciting. Even in 2023, the game is still a lot of fun, and plenty of players are around if you want to team up with others.

This might be your alternative if pure fantasy MMORPGs aren’t your thing.

Also Read: What Was the First Video Game Ever?

Black Desert Online

BDO was released in 2014 and has awesome character customisation. It’s also a very good-looking MMORPG. This game has some interesting features, like taming horses, and feels different from other MMORPGs.

That doesn’t mean it’s missing your typical MMORPG staples, but some little touches make this game stand out from the crowd. But one warning: It’s pretty grindy, and some complain that your real-life wallet can be your strongest weapon.

BDO has a higher learning curve than some other MMORPGs, and it has a few complex systems. To me, that was the fun part. It’s nice to see a challenge here and there. While BDO might not be the best MMORPG out there, it’s worth some time.

Blade & Soul

Blade & Soul is a great MMORPG if you love Asian games. The game has been available for Western gamers since 2016 but has been around longer in Asia. The localisation is quite good, and there don’t seem to be too many awkward translation mistakes.

This MMORPG has a fun combat system and reminds a little of fighting games like Street Fighter. Some epic fights are fun to watch if you get the hang of moving your character around like a star from an Asian action movie.

In addition to the fast-paced combat, the game has a decent story and a nice community. It’s free to play, so there’s no harm in giving it a go!

RuneScape

Ah, RuneScape. It just has to be on the list. It’s older than WoW and has been the first love of many MMORPG players. It was released in 2001 and is still loved by millions of gamers.

If you’ve never played RuneScape, you should try it. Sure, it’s old and doesn’t look as fancy as newer games, but it’s so much fun! There is much content to explore as the game is still updated.

It’s unlikely that you’d get away from RuneScape in under 100 hours of gameplay. Once you get into it, it’s one of the games that grab you, even though it’s not as beautiful, looks-wise.

Playing RuneScape will also give you a new appreciation of how MMORPGs have developed.

EVE Online

While fantasy MMORPGs often dominate the market, there’s also EVE Online. It’s one of the few good science fiction MMORPGs and has been around for 20 years. It’s one of the classics and still evolving!

EVE Online is enormous and a really good example of a sandbox game. You have lots of freedom in the MMORPG, which can be overwhelming for newbies but is also one of the game’s strong points.

Players fully control the economy, and it’s an interesting aspect of the game, considering how simple the economy systems of other MMORPGs look in comparison.

EVE Online isn’t a very casual-friendly MMORPG. It would help if you were willing to invest some time to become good. It’s worth it, though, especially if you like the idea of space exploration and epic battles in space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Worth Starting an MMORPG That Has Been Out for Many Years?

People often think it’s hard to catch up to the people at the end-game, but that shouldn’t be a reason not to play an older MMORPG. If the game’s still there and has many players, it’s worth a try!

Let’s take Guild Wars 2. Sure, it’s been out for a few years, but it’s not dying, has a large player-base, and is pretty newbie-friendly. Experienced players often start new characters, so even low level zones are always filled.

Are MMORPGs Pay-to-Win?

Not all of them! Some MMORPGs, especially Asian ones, allow players to throw a lot of money at the game. In some MMORPGs, real money can buy you a real advantage, but it’s not the case for all of them.

In games like FFXIV and Guild Wars 2, you can spend money on items, but they’re usually cosmetic or just for convenience.

Is It Hard to Get Started with MMORPGs If You’re a Total Newbie?

No, most MMORPGs are newbie-friendly, with good tutorials and great starter zones. Many MMORPGs have great communities welcoming newbies, so you should always be able to find some support, especially in FFXIV!