Between RPG, FPS, and MMO, you can't spend any amount of time in the gaming world without bumping headfirst into an acronym. For those accustomed to them they're convenient, but if you're one of the uninitiated they have the potential to make things more confusing and less accessible than you dared believe.
Here, we're going to touch on a genre that's already confusing enough without acronymic obfuscation - the MMO, or Massively Multiplayer Online game.
Even if you aren't familiar with the phrase MMO or MMORPG, we're willing to put a bag of gold on the notion that you've heard of at least one of the games that fall into either of these categories. World of Warcraft, Runescape, at least one of them will have appeared in a banner ad in your browser at some point.
MMOs are essentially expansive virtual worlds where you can live another life as an avatar of your choosing. They take time commitment which isn't ideal for everyone but given the sheer number of games in the genre and the amount of money they're known for bringing in, we think it's safe to say a second in-game life is an appealing proposition for a large proportion of the world.
Of course, a fun second life isn’t the same for everyone. Perhaps you want to play an elven mage in a high fantasy world; if all that Game of Thrones stuff isn’t for you perhaps your own space ship to explore galaxies far away would suit.
Once you’ve found your world do you want to have complete freedom over what you do next, or would you like a detailed story to engage with? Is playing alongside your friends to defeat monsters and villains the idea of a good time, or would you rather be a lone wolf that’s set to take down every other player in the game world?
No matter which of these scenarios appeals to you most, there’s probably an MMO game out there that will suit you. To make it easier to find the second life that you wish was your first, we’ve put together this list of the best massively multiplayer online games out there that you can jump into right now.
What can I play it on? PC
What’s the payment structure? Try free until level 20 then monthly subscription fee
Let's face it, this was an obvious one. Blizzard's World of Warcraft has been going since around 2004 and it's been the reigning champion of the MMO genre for a long time. In that time it's changed quite a lot.
It's one of the most successful and influential games in the genre with new content frequently being added for a thriving, dedicated player base. If subscriber numbers look like they're wavering even slightly you can be sure Blizzard will come out with another great expansion to corral everyone back into the fold and maybe bring some newbies with them. The next one? Battle for Azeroth.
World of Warcraft is kind of an essential for anyone interested in the high fantasy MMORPG and we can’t see it being knocked from prominence any time soon.
You can download the game for free on the official website.
What can I play it on? PC
What's the payment structure? You can download the base game for free and then each expansion is buy-to-play
If you're looking for player-versus-player combat then you should definitely give Guild Wars 2 some of your time. Whether you like fighting other players in contained structured modes or you'd be interested in fighting against hundreds across sprawling maps in World-versus-World mode, Guild Wars has you covered.
For those that don't enjoy the grinding that's traditionally involved in MMOs then guild Wars 2 will also appeal – this is an accessible game and it doesn't try to copy World of Warcraft. The game's world is dynamic and player decisions have real consequences which promises a story that feels individual.
You can download the game and purchase expansions on the official site.
What can I play it on? PS4 and PC
What's the payment structure? Buy-to-play
It's not been an easy journey for this Final Fantasy MMO. First launched in 2010 to an overwhelmingly negative response (and for good reason, really), Square Enix then spent two years reworking it and rebuilding it to create something much better.
In its latest and vastly improved form, Final Fantasy 14 is a game that will appeal to franchise fans and newcomers alike.
Boasting an accomplished class system and a story that builds steadily over the game's various expansions, this is an MMO which really captures the essence of the Final Fantasy franchise with plenty of fan service.
What can I play it on? PC
What's the payment model? Free-to-play with purchasable DLC and optional subscription
When it comes to fictional worlds perfect for MMO adaption, Tolkien's Middle-earth is certainly one of them. Sure, Frodo's adventure was thrilling but we all know we could have one equally as exciting if we had the chance.
You get to choose between being a Human, an Elf, a Dwarf or a Hobbit before you drop into Middle-earth and explore the locations you know and love with an intimacy that no other Lord of the Rings game has allowed.
You can expect to find the usual World of Warcraft style of questing here, alongside crafting mechanics and the ability to purchase and set up a home. Overall, it's a pretty standard MMORPG in terms of mechanics, but its setting really helps it stand out.
Though the game is free-to-play, there are expansions available for purchase which add to the game's story and introduce new items and mechanics. Even better for Tolkien fans: the storylines follow in line with the books.
You can fine the base game for free on the official site or Steam.
What can I play it on? PS4, Xbox One, PC
What's the payment structure? Buy-to-play
It's been a while since the last mainline Elder Scrolls release and we're pretty sure it'll be a while until the next one so if you're a fan looking to breathe fresh life into Tamriel, Elder Scrolls Online is an excellent option.
Like Final Fantasy 14, this is a game that struggled initially. But since dropping its subscription fees for a buy-to-play model, perception has dramatically improved. Despite being one of the most modern and recent MMOs to hit the market, Elder Scrolls Online has really picked up traction, which is undoubtedly helped by being in a recognizable universe that many wish to return to.
It's recently had its first big expansion in the form of Elder Scrolls Online: Morrowind, but there are frequent DLC updates added throughout the year and the game world is absolutely massive. Here you'll find the traditional Elder Scrolls viewpoint and combat but it’s all neatly tied in with those traditional MMO features like looting, crafting systems and PvP and PvE missions.
What can I play it on? PC and mobile later in 2018.
What's the payment structure? Free-to-play but can pay monthly membership for more items, character customization, quests and game world access. Membership will also include mobile game access when it's launched.
Like World of Warcraft, Runescape is one of those names that's renowned in the MMO world, partly because it's one of the oldest games in the genre still going.
Originally a browser-only game, over the years Runescape has expanded into its own program with vastly improved visuals and mechanics. At its heart, though, it remains a game that's dedicated to giving players freedom in combat and questing. It's perhaps for this reason that it remains one of the most popular and updated games in the MMO genre.
You can start playing via the official Runescape site.
What can I play it on? PC and Xbox One (soon)
What's the payment structure? Buy-to-play with optional in-game purchases
Black Desert Online certainly isn't one of the more accessible games on this list, but it's one that you may find it worth investing some time into. As a Korean MMO it does place a heavy emphasis on grinding, but for anyone looking for deep and interesting profession and crafting systems it's a contender.
More than many other MMOs, this is one that will try to draw you into a second life. It also has one of the most robust character creation systems in the genre. This is a game that has something to engage with on big and small scales. Want to fish and farm? You can do that. But you can also take part in guild wars and sieges past a certain level. There are various systems and mechanics to engage with and connecting them together can be rewarding. But it's also time consuming and complicated.
Don't expect a vast story here – this is very much a sandbox game where you craft your own story and adventure.
Black Desert Online a complex but stunning game. Though some improvements are still needed, we have a feeling its impending launch on Xbox One could help push this one a little further into the mainstream.
What can I play it on? PC
What's the payment structure? Free-to-play with subscription
There's been a lot of high fantasy in this list so far – if you're more of a space age type then you might want to take a look at Eve Online.
Maybe. We know we said Black Desert Online is complicated but Eve Online edges to beat it. This is a game world that's been going for 14 years and it's become somewhat infamous for being one of uncaring betrayal. While you can do whatever you want in the game, just remember that others can do whatever they want. And sometimes that involves ruining you. Space colonization is a tough game and there's no room for lasting friendships.
EVE Online is kind of the ultimate in sandbox MMO gaming – it's a game world driven by its playerbase; a playerbase capable of dragging out wars and schemes over periods of months with plenty of fighting, smuggling and sabotage in between.
Just because it's not the easiest game to learn doesn't mean you can't do it, though. Unlike the creators of Black Desert Online, over the years developer CCP has attempted to make it slightly more accessible and the developer has put together a thorough and helpful tutorial for beginners.
Besides, sometimes there's no better lesson than getting something horrifically wrong. The introduction of a free-to-play option is also a great chance to dip your toes in and see if you're interested in delving deeper.
What can I play it on? PC
What's the payment model? Free-to-play
Rather than a sprawling world with endless choice, Secret World Legends is an MMO which places a lot of focus on storytelling. If you're tired out by the usual high fantasy and space fare, this is a game which is set in a world very close to our own. Well, kind of. It's our world if cults, mythological creatures, crazy conspiracies and supernatural phenomenons were commonplace.
There's more than 100 hours of story to enjoy here and players are able to explore locations all over the world and take part in a range of missions to unlock the mysteries of the world.
While it's possible to play through the story on your own, you can also team up with others and adventure with players from across the world.
You can start your story via the official website or on Steam.
What can I play it on? PS4 and PC
What's the payment model? Free-to-play
Planetside 2 is a first person shooter on a massive scale. If you're not interested in the kind of granular play offered by games like Black Desert Online, then this game's focus on all out war against other players might appeal to you.
The game revolves around three factions in a constant state of war. Players will choose their faction and then spend their time attacking and defending bases on a huge map to remain ahead of the competition. One day you could be on the attack, the next you could be desperately defending. Either way you're always fighting.
Planetside 2 is now five years old and though it doesn't have quite the same popularity or playerbase as it once did, it offers something a little different to the rest of the MMOs on this list.
You can get going for free on the official site.
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