The 20 Best MMOs You Can No Longer Play

MapleStory 2 (2015)

Few sequels tried to reinvent themselves as boldly as MapleStory 2, which transformed the original’s beloved 2D side-scrolling formula into a colorful 3D voxel-based world. With its unique art style, customizable housing, dungeon maker, and interactive social spaces, it had a charm that stood out in a crowded market. The combat system felt fluid and approachable, especially for players familiar with action-based MMOs. Despite a devoted fan base and frequent updates, the game struggled to retain long-term engagement outside its Korean audience. Global servers were shut down in 2020, marking an abrupt end to what many saw as a game with untapped potential. Today, it’s remembered as a creative, cheerful title that simply couldn’t hold ground in the live-service MMO space. | © Nexon

WildStar (2014)

Satirical, fast-paced, and packed with flair, WildStar had all the ingredients to become a major hit. Its sci-fi setting on the planet Nexus combined witty writing, vibrant environments, and one of the most responsive action combat systems ever seen in the genre. Telegraph-based abilities turned every battle into a dance, while deep housing systems allowed for player expression far beyond basic decor. Yet behind its energy was a game burdened by shifting business models, high-end raid barriers, and server population issues. Despite a loyal community and critical praise, its fate was sealed when NCSoft shuttered developer Carbine Studios in 2018. The MMO landscape still hasn’t seen another game with quite the same flavor or ambition. | © NCSoft

Marvel Heroes (2013)

Fast-paced, loot-driven, and dripping with comic book nostalgia, Marvel Heroes combined the mechanics of an action RPG with the scale of an MMO. Players could take control of dozens of Marvel icons, each with their own skills, voice lines, and gear progression paths. Frequent updates tied into major Marvel Cinematic Universe releases, keeping the game in step with fans’ interests. But behind the scenes, internal turmoil and licensing complications with Disney led to a sudden and unceremonious shutdown in 2017. Despite the heartbreak of its closure, Marvel Heroes remains fondly remembered as one of the most content-rich Marvel games ever made. | © Gazillion Entertainment

Firefall (2013)

A promising blend of open-world exploration, team-based shooting, and futuristic technology, Firefall had all the makings of a genre-defying MMO. Its jetpack-fueled movement and class-based combat made moment-to-moment gameplay thrilling, while dynamic world events and crafting systems added long-term depth. However, behind the scenes, the game’s vision constantly shifted, with frequent redesigns and delays muddying its identity. By the time it officially launched, much of the early excitement had faded, and the player base never recovered. Servers were eventually shut down in 2017, and despite rumors of a revival, it remains offline – an ambitious sci-fi world lost to time. | © Red 5 Studios

ArcheAge (2013)

Few MMOs dared to offer as much player freedom as ArcheAge. From high-seas piracy to player-run governments and complex trade routes, it delivered one of the most ambitious sandbox systems seen in an online RPG. Players could build houses, run farms, and even steal trade packs from rival factions, all while engaging in fluid action combat. Its hybrid “sandpark” design gave it broad appeal, combining open-world PvP with structured questing. However, aggressive monetization and pay-to-win criticisms plagued its Western release, leading to steep population decline. While it still operates in some regions, the original version most Western players knew is effectively gone. | © XL Games

Rift (2011)

At launch, Rift was hailed as a serious contender to genre giants, offering dynamic world events and a deep, flexible class system that let players customize roles in ways few MMOs could match. Its rift invasions – tears in reality that would spawn enemies and bosses – were genuinely exciting, encouraging spontaneous group play across zones. Dungeons, raids, and open-world content came frequently during its prime, and the game built a loyal following thanks to its polish and innovative features. However, years of slow development, monetization changes, and lack of major updates have left it a shell of its former self. While technically still online, it feels abandoned, with low population servers and virtually no ongoing content support. | © Trion Worlds / Gamigo

TERA (2011)

Known for its stylish action combat and anime-inspired aesthetics, TERA brought something new to the MMO table with its real-time, skill-based fighting system. Players dodged, blocked, and aimed attacks manually – adding a sense of immediacy and control that few other titles offered at the time. The world of Arborea was vast and beautiful, with massive bosses known as BAMs (Big-Ass Monsters) that demanded coordination and skill to defeat. Over the years, the game introduced numerous classes, battlegrounds, and updates, but its population steadily declined. The Western servers were officially shut down in 2022, bringing an end to a game that once felt ahead of its time in combat design. | © Bluehole Studio / Gameforge

Free Realms (2009)

Designed with accessibility and charm in mind, Free Realms was a casual MMO that welcomed younger audiences while still offering plenty of activities for all ages. Players could switch between dozens of jobs – from ninja and chef to kart racer and postman – making it more like a virtual world than a traditional RPG. Its vibrant art style, mini-games, and social zones like the Snowhill lodge or seaside parties made it more of a hangout space than a hardcore grinder. Despite reaching millions of players, its servers were abruptly shut down in 2014, with little explanation from Sony Online Entertainment. Fans still talk about the game’s cozy community and stress-free vibe, which remain unmatched even today. | © Sony Online Entertainment

Warhammer Online (2008)

Few MMOs have delivered faction-based warfare as fiercely as Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning. With its Realm vs. Realm system, large-scale siege battles, and public quests, the game emphasized group combat and dynamic world interaction. Its gritty fantasy setting brought the Warhammer universe to life with brutal classes like the Black Orc and Witch Elf, and PvP felt integral – not optional. However, balancing issues, performance problems, and stiff competition from larger titles limited its long-term success. The servers shut down in 2013, but its core ideas lived on and inspired many PvP systems in games that followed. A fan-run emulator, Return of Reckoning, continues to keep the spirit alive for those who miss its glory days. | © Mythic Entertainment / Electronic Arts

Tabula Rasa (2007)

Few games blended science fiction and MMO gameplay quite like Tabula Rasa. Spearheaded by Ultima Online creator Richard Garriott, the game combined fast-paced shooting with RPG progression in a war-torn interstellar setting. Players joined the fight against alien invaders using a hybrid combat system that rewarded both accuracy and strategic positioning. Its moral choice mechanics and instanced story missions gave it narrative depth, but a troubled development cycle and mixed reception ultimately cut its life short. NCSoft shut the servers down in 2009, barely two years after launch. Still, for a brief moment, Tabula Rasa stood as one of the more ambitious – and unusual – MMOs of its time. | © NCSoft

Dungeon Runners (2007)

Biting humor, dungeon-crawling chaos, and a loot system that poked fun at genre clichés made Dungeon Runners a cult favorite. This free-to-play MMO didn’t take itself too seriously, parodying RPG tropes while still offering engaging gameplay and fast-paced combat. Players could switch between classes on the fly and dive into randomly generated dungeons filled with over-the-top enemies and absurd gear. While the game had a small but loyal community, its limited budget and niche appeal led NCSoft to shut it down in 2010. Its light-hearted tone and arcade-style fun are still fondly remembered by those who appreciated its irreverent charm. | © NCSoft

Vanguard: Saga of Heroes (2007)

Ambition defined Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, a high-fantasy MMO that aimed to deliver a massive open world, deep class systems, and complex crafting and diplomacy mechanics. Its world, Telon, was stunning in scale and diversity, featuring three continents and dozens of playable races and classes. Group content, flying mounts, and player housing were implemented early, setting a standard for MMOs to come. Unfortunately, the game launched in an unfinished state and struggled with performance issues, ultimately dooming its growth. Despite later improvements and a dedicated core community, it was shut down in 2014. For many, Vanguard remains the poster child for “what could have been” in MMO design. | © Sony Online Entertainment

Club Penguin (2005)

Colorful, silly, and endlessly creative, Club Penguin introduced millions of children to the world of online gaming. It offered a safe, moderated environment filled with mini-games, seasonal events, secret agents, and snowball fights. Players could customize their igloos, adopt puffles, and roleplay with friends in themed servers. While it was more of a virtual world than a traditional MMO, its influence was massive – spawning merchandise, books, and animated shorts. Disney purchased the game in 2007, but declining interest and shifting trends eventually led to its closure in 2017. Reboot attempts have come and gone, but none have quite captured the original’s innocent magic. | © New Horizon Interactive / Disney

The Matrix Online (2005)

For fans of the iconic sci-fi films, The Matrix Online was a dream come true. Set after the events of The Matrix Revolutions, the game continued the franchise’s storyline with new characters, factions, and missions, with updates delivered as live in-world events. Its wire-fu-inspired combat system featured martial arts, bullet time, and hacking mechanics, helping it stand apart from other MMOs of the era. Players aligned with Zion, the Machines, or the Merovingian to shape the narrative across instanced zones in a digital simulation of major cities. Despite the promise, low subscriber numbers and minimal support led to its shutdown in 2009. The final in-game moments, where every player was deleted by an agent, remain one of the most poetic MMO endings ever. | © Monolith Productions / Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

City of Heroes (2004)

One of the first MMOs to truly embrace the superhero genre, City of Heroes allowed players to create custom heroes with near-limitless design freedom. From power sets to costumes and origin stories, the character creator set a new bar for customization. Its mission design encouraged cooperative play and solo-friendly progress, while expansion into City of Villains and Going Rogue added new factions and storylines. Despite a loyal fan base and ongoing updates, NCSoft shut down the servers in 2012, sparking widespread disappointment and community campaigns for revival. The game’s influence can still be felt today, both in player-run servers and spiritual successors that carry its legacy forward. | © Cryptic Studios / NCSoft

Face of Mankind (2003)

A bold experiment in player-driven storytelling, Face of Mankind offered a persistent sci-fi world where players formed governments, police states, and rebel factions through political and military action. It stood apart by avoiding traditional quests, instead relying on faction-based objectives and community roleplay to shape the experience. The freedom given to players was unmatched at the time, with real consequences to your choices and actions. However, this open-ended structure also made it challenging for newcomers and lacked the hand-holding many expected from MMOs. After multiple shutdowns and attempted revivals, the servers went permanently offline in 2015. Today, it's remembered as one of the most ambitious and unpredictable online sandboxes ever created. | © Duplex Systems / Nexeon Technologies

Star Wars Galaxies (2003)

Among MMO veterans, Star Wars Galaxies is still considered a masterclass in player freedom and world-building. Before its infamous overhaul, the game offered dozens of professions, a fully player-run economy, and expansive sandbox systems that let you live as anything from a smuggler to a moisture farmer. Cities were built by players, politicians campaigned for leadership roles, and crafters fueled the galactic economy. The game’s “New Game Enhancements” update drastically changed the core mechanics, alienating much of the original player base. Even so, it remained operational for several more years until its official closure in 2011. Fans continue to preserve it through emulator projects – proof of how beloved and influential it remains. | © Sony Online Entertainment / LucasArts

Earth & Beyond (2002)

In the early 2000s, space-based MMOs were few and far between, which made Earth & Beyond stand out as something truly different. Blending space exploration, combat, and RPG-style progression, the game allowed players to pilot ships across a sprawling galaxy, uncovering mysteries and engaging in faction politics. Its atmosphere was immersive, with excellent music and visual design that gave each sector its own identity. Despite a strong start and a loyal following, the game never reached the subscription numbers needed to sustain it. EA pulled the plug in 2004, just two years after its launch, ending one of the genre's earliest space operas far too soon. | © Westwood Studios / Electronic Arts

The Sims Online (2002)

Long before social simulators became mainstream, The Sims Online gave players a chance to live out digital lives in real time with other people. It combined the life-simulation gameplay of The Sims with online economies, property ownership, and even user-run businesses. From running cafes to designing homes, players could build virtual identities in a constantly evolving world. Unfortunately, it struggled with limited gameplay depth and technical issues, which prevented it from gaining a large or lasting audience. After a rebranding attempt as EA-Land, the game was shut down in 2008. Despite its flaws, it paved the way for modern social MMOs and virtual worlds. | © Maxis / Electronic Arts

Asheron's Call (1999)

A pioneer of the 3D MMORPG era, Asheron’s Call was groundbreaking in its time for offering a seamless world without instancing, a flexible magic and skill system, and monthly story updates that pushed a live narrative forward. Players could align under monarchs in a unique patronage system, creating real community structures and rivalries. Its lore-rich setting, Dereth, was filled with secrets, and exploration was always rewarded with danger or discovery. Though it never reached the same population heights as its peers, it earned a fiercely loyal fan base that stayed with it for over 17 years. When the servers were finally shut down in 2017, it marked the end of an era for the genre. | © Turbine Entertainment