The 18 Best MMORPG Games You Can Play Right Now

We already mentioned it in the intro, so it's only right that we kick off this list of the best MMORPG games worth playing now with World of Warcraft. Released in 2004, WOW morphed into a mainstream phenomenon as it "wowed" millions of players with its fantastical lands, an addictive gameplay loop that pushed players to make their custom character the strongest of them all, and a good mix of PVE & PVP content that resulted in iconic raids & arena battles. These days, WOW keeps on kicking thanks to a host of previously released expansions that have thrown in new playable races, PVP battlegrounds, main campaign quests, and so much more. WOW is the quintessential MMORPG that other games in the genre make valiant attempts to knock off the top of the mountain.

Now there is a sect of fans that miss the good old days of WOW before it got filled with a wealth of new content and gameplay changes that those fans might not have been the biggest fans of. World of Warcraft Classic abides by those fans' tastes by giving them a familiar and comfortable experience where they can enjoy the world's biggest MMORPG when it was in its Patch 1.12.1 state. Nowadays, the Burning Crusade Classic and Wrath of the Lich King Classic expansions have given this throwback version of WOW even more content to enjoy for this MMORPG's older crowd.

Everyone who was around at the time of the original version of Final Fantasy XIV knows how unsatisfying it was due to its antiquated design and unsatisfying gameplay loop. Insert Naoki Yoshida aka "Yoshi-P," who did the unthinkable by steering the game's ship to a much better release thanks to the assistance of some other talented game developers who wanted to see this MMORPG realize its full potential. And that's exactly what came to pass with FF XIV: A Realm Reborn, which is filled with enticing journeys to embark on, a wealth of intriguing stories to watch unfold, plenty of fun battles to engage in with fellow online heroes & heroines, and strong expansions that offer new battles classes to master & so much more. If you're prepared to become a storied "Warrior of Light," then step into the wondrous world of FF XIV.

The beloved attributes that make up the legacy elements featured in Dungeons & Dragons have been incorporated into the Neverwinter series of action RPG games. Speaking of that beloved franchise, it actually has a quality MMORPG experience that employs fast-paced battles, unforgettable campaigns, and the sorts of fantastical worlds that you're used to seeing on the cover of D&D rulebooks. If all of that sounds good to you, then be sure to dive into Neverwinter's vast offering of battle classes, adventure zones, and battle pass campaigns. The "Forgotten Realms" campaign setting and its vast realm of "Faerûn" await your presence!

"To explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before." That inspiring quotable always gets Star Trek fans pumped up since it brings back the warmest memories of the adventures Captain Kirk and Spock have embarked on. If you've been itching to become a captain of your very own starship and explore the vast reaches of space, Star Trek Online will provide you with everything you desire. Set 30 years after the events of the movie Star Trek: Nemesis, this MMORPG throws you into the captain's chair and tasks you with managing your crew, leaving that same chair to engage in on-foot laser battles, and making sure all of your ship's systems are running well.

There was a glorious time back in the day when DC Universe Online was released during the height of the MMORPG craze and managed to cut out a nice spot for itself amongst diehard comic book fans. In this current day and age where MMORPGs are a little less emphasized in comparison to big-budget AAA games, you can still log on and make your presence felt among a collective of other players as either an esteemed savior or a merciless villain. DC Universe Online gets a lot of love from us for having a more action-based combat system that looks and feels super cool when a group of superpowered beings is duking it out at the same damn time. Saving the world or damming it is so satisfying when you get to do it as your very own custom superpowered avatar.

So there's Old School RuneScape, which earned a surprisingly huge player base during the mid-2000s and still going strong to this very day. On the other side of the spectrum is the 2020 version of RuneScape, which takes the high fantasy themes of its predecessor and livens it all up with a nice coat of paint and plenty more worthwhile activities to do. The magical realm you'll inhabit here will give you and your allies worthwhile quests to complete, farmland to harvest, pirate ships to sail, and so much more. The modern-day version of RuneScape offers newcomers a newfound adventure worth embarking on, which qualifies it for anyone on the lookout for the best MMORPG games to play right now.

For fans of the isometric action RPG mechanics that Diablo has done so well since the series' inception, we'd like to push you toward another great game that adopts that same addictive play style. Lost Ark is an incredibly flashy and hard-hitting action RPG combat that consistently keeps you on the edge of your seat. Your eyes will regularly be greeted by gorgeous landscapes that can be explored across land and sea within the mystifying realm of "Arkesia." You can engage with Lost Ark via PvE and PvP modes of play, so you'll get the most out of battling alongside your co-op party members and choosing to go head-to-head with Lost Ark's equally powerful human player population. The combat will stick out to you as Lost Ark's best feature, plus the abundance of its plentiful content will keep you playing for months on end.

It's always impressive to see just how much these Korean development studios have gotten and the visually awe-inspiring games they have been putting out in the wild as of late. One of the first titles to hail from one of those studios is the high-fantasy MMORPG Black Desert, which owes its creation to a studio known as Pearl Abyss. Just take one look at this game in motion and you'll see why it gets tons of praise - it just looks so damn phenomenal! From a gameplay perspective, Black Desert focuses on active combat mechanics that cater to fans of games such as Devil May Cry and God of War. Besides Black Desert's riveting combat are tasks associated with fishing, hunting, alchemy, PvP wars, and so much more.

If the setup of an interplanetary MMORPG sounds enticing to you, then this latest pick on our list of the best MMORPG games should end up on your playlist. EVE Online stands out as the very best planet-hopping game within that genre thanks to it being super rewarding complex and wholly replayable. Once you choose your character race and take control of your trusty custom spaceship, you'll get caught up in some monumental space dogfighting involving PvE and PvP elements. On top of all those enticing features, EVE Online also lets players dive deep into mining, trading, and even piracy during their travels through the vast expanses of space.

The single-player Elder Scrolls games have a penchant for capturing the imagination of their fans thanks to infinitely replayable adventures placed within a mystifying fantasy medieval world. It makes all the sense in the world that an MMORPG based on that iconic franchise gives millions of players the chance to explore every nook and cranny of "Tamriel." The Elder Scrolls Online sets its fans on the path of a triumphant savior as they join forces with their allies to save their realm from "Oblivion." Surveying massive dungeons, clashing with vicious beasts, and clashing with other players during heated PvP matches as either a Human, Elvish individual or Bestial person happens to be a ton of fun.

Destiny 2 has expanded to an impressive degree - the base game is satisfying on its own, but it's the additional worlds, character classes/subclasses, and weapons that make this game so hard to put down. If you're prepared to invest countless hours into an amazing first-person shooter and MMORPG mashup, then you'll get the best of both worlds in Bungie's highly lauded space epic. There's a ton of fun to be had as you build up your "Guardian" and delve into missions that involve taking down extraterrestrial foes on several neighboring planets. Linking up with other Guardians for super tough raids and engaging in thrilling multiplayer skirmishes will certainly keep incoming players busy. Destiny 2 and its plentiful expansions/updates will throw first-timers into a vortex full of worthwhile content.

What we have on display for this next pick slotted onto our list of the best MMORPG games is a one-of-a-kind voxel experience. When we say voxel, we mean the distinct visual stylings of Trove that make it look completely different from every other MMORPG on the market today. Blocky 3D visuals are fully embraced here as you venture off to far-flung fantastical lands where swords, shields, dragons, "Meownts," and so much more litter the landscape. Besides battling with your chosen custom fighter and collecting tons of loot during repeated dungeon runs, you'll also be able to build grand structures that can be your personal living space or something far more majestic that will catch the attention of your fellow Trove players.

It's become quite apparent that the best MMORPG games tend to stick to the theme of giving players a medieval fantasy-themed world to start their digital lives. Albion Online sticks to that presentation and does it quite well - it's pretty cool to get sucked into a game that adopts iconic Arthurian legends to lend a sense of familiarity to its proceedings. The other interesting aspects of this MMORPG are a player-driven economy where every item is created by those same players, a classless-character system that welcomes player freedom when it comes to building their battle-ready avatars, and an emphasis on large-scale battles that never get old to be a part of & watch unfold.

Celebrated author J. R. R. Tolkien's "Middle-earth" realm has played host to some of the most riveting events ever conceived in a medieval fantasy world. The Lord of the Rings Online gives fans of the books and films their own method toward finally being a part of the "Fellowship" in a more active manner. Iconic locales, such as "Weathertop" and "Lothlórien," will allow you to fully immerse yourself in a world where Dwarves, Elves, "Hobbits," Men, High Elves, and more can choose to become a Burglar, Captain, Champion, etc. Map out your own destiny in The Lord of the Rings Online and you'll get sucked into an experience that constantly keeps you amused.

On the MMORPG side of things, Star Wars Galaxies started out relatively strong but sadly turned into something underwhelming by the time its last expansion launched. On the other hand, Star Wars: The Old Republic is honored to be the superior entry in the genre for that famed galaxy far, far away. After players decided to join the "Galactic Republic" or the "Sith Empire," they set out to explore beyond the stars during a seemingly never-ending space expedition. Like most MMORPGs of its kind, The Old Republic features its fair share of exciting raids and dungeon crawls. The strong focus on interacting with NPCs to access special plotlines and even romances gives this game much more to invest in compared to its genre contemporaries. BioWare Austin's past experience with the Mass Effect series shines bright here - leaving one's imprint on the galaxy as a "Jedi," "Sith," "Bounty Hunter," etc. is a dream come true for gamers and fans of Star Wars alike.

Over 16 million players have gotten glued to their PC monitors thanks to this next pick on our list of the best MMORPG games. Guild Wars 2 grabbed plenty of attention during its 2012 launch and has done a great job of keeping its fanbase pleased with constant updates and expansions that further build out the world of "Tyria" and its many conflicts. Small- and large-scale battles erupt at a moment's notice as you make good use of Guild Wars 2's five races and nine professions that are tailor-made for hard-fought combat. Raiding, crafting, solving puzzles, confronting massive bosses, and unlocking new abilities that will turn you into a world-beater all equal up to a gratifying MMORPG experience.

New World is one of the more recently released MMORPGs out on the PC gaming market and it features a unique premise that separates it from the genre heavyweights that bask in the themes of medieval fantasy. Set during the 17th century during the Age of Exploration, players will find themselves exploring every part of a fictional island set in the Atlantic Ocean known as "Aeternum." On your own or with four friends by your side, you'll align with one of three factions ("Marauders," "Syndicate," or "Covenant") and embark on various quests that'll see you engage in epic battles, discover all sorts of supernatural beings, gather goods, craft essential items, etc. With a classless-based combat system and no auto-locked targeting intact, players will get to enjoy the sort of combat that evokes the feel of action games that cater to more active melee/ranged battle mechanics.