Top 20 MMOs to Play Right Now (2025 Edition)

20. Albion Online (2017)

The player-driven economy is the heart of Albion Online, where everything from your gear to the global market is crafted and influenced by the community. It abandons traditional classes in favor of a flexible, equipment-based system that encourages experimentation. Combat is fast and strategic, especially in full-loot PvP zones where defeat can mean losing everything you're carrying. Guild warfare and territory control elevate the stakes further, while solo players can still thrive through gathering, crafting, and small-scale PvE. The isometric visuals keep performance smooth even during large-scale fights, and frequent updates ensure the world evolves alongside its players. Whether you're a merchant, fighter, or scout, there's always something to do in this dynamic medieval world. | © Sandbox Interactive

19. Lost Ark (2019)

Blending the explosive combat of ARPGs with the depth of an MMO, Lost Ark delivers a fast-paced, visually striking experience. The game is packed with cinematic dungeons, sprawling zones, and diverse classes that each feel distinct in both PvE and PvP. Its endgame thrives on complex raids that demand team coordination, while casual players can enjoy island exploration, life skills, and story-driven quests. Lost Ark has continued evolving with major content updates and quality-of-life improvements, making it far more welcoming than when it first launched. The class advancement system allows for high customization, giving players plenty of room to fine-tune their builds. Thanks to its massive global player base and seasonal content drops, the game remains fresh and relevant. There's never been a better time to jump into this action-heavy MMO. | © Amazon Games

18. Ashes of Creation (Early Access)

Innovation is the driving force behind Ashes of Creation, a next-generation MMO that aims to break the mold with its node-based world system. Instead of static cities and quest hubs, towns grow or fall depending on player decisions and activity, dynamically reshaping the world around them. This creates a living, breathing environment where every server tells a different story. Combat and class customization are also central, with players able to mix archetypes to create hybrid builds that reflect their preferred play style. PvP is woven into the game’s political and economic systems, from caravan raids to castle sieges. While still in active development, the community is growing steadily, drawn by developer transparency and bold design goals. If executed well, Ashes of Creation could become a benchmark for what MMOs can be. | © Intrepid Studios

17. PlanetSide 2 (2012)

Massive is the only way to describe the scale of battles in PlanetSide 2. This MMOFPS throws players into a perpetual war where hundreds of combatants clash over vast continents using infantry, aircraft, and armored vehicles. Faction-based warfare drives the action, with each territory captured contributing to a larger strategic goal. Despite its age, the game continues to receive updates that refine performance, balance, and visuals. The class system allows players to specialize and support their squads in meaningful ways, whether through engineering, reconnaissance, or brute force. Unlike most shooters, persistence matters – your faction’s progress lives beyond individual matches. PlanetSide 2 remains a unique and exhilarating experience for players who crave chaos, coordination, and continuous conflict. | © Daybreak Game Company

16. New World: Aeternum (2021)

Reinvented through its Aeternum update, this MMO has significantly evolved in scope and polish since its original launch. New World now offers controller support, revamped questing, and new mechanics like swimming and mounts, expanding its appeal across both console and PC. Combat is real-time and action-oriented, emphasizing positioning, dodging, and weapon synergy rather than static ability bars. Players can engage in large-scale faction wars, tackle challenging expeditions, or craft their way to wealth in a thriving player economy. The island of Aeternum itself is steeped in mystery and atmosphere, blending supernatural lore with a colonial-era aesthetic. Frequent seasonal content and cross-platform capabilities have given the game new life and broader reach. It stands today as a prime example of how an MMO can pivot and grow with its community. | © Amazon Games

15. Neverwinter (2013)

Built on the lore-rich universe of Dungeons & Dragons, Neverwinter delivers fast-paced action with a heavy emphasis on storytelling and dungeon crawling. Its combat system combines classic MMO targeting with dodge and block mechanics, bringing a more dynamic feel to encounters. Alongside the core campaign, the dozens of adventure zones offer continual expansions and seasonal events that give veteran players reasons to return. The Foundry system also allows user-generated content, letting creative players craft their own quests and stories for others to experience. Crafting and economy features are robust, giving crafters multiple professions to master. With regular updates tied to D&D sourcebooks, the world consistently expands without overwhelming players. Whether you're here for the story or the loot, there's depth and variety that keep the experience fresh. | © Perfect World Entertainment

14. Star Trek Online (2010)

Travel into the final frontier with Star Trek Online, where players captain starships and explore iconic sectors of the galaxy. The game uniquely balances two playstyles: space combat aboard your ship and ground missions that mix shooting, slashing, and dialogue choices. Fandom shines through in costume options, ship designs, and storylines featuring canonical characters and events. Episodic content updates, tied to Star Trek lore, keep the narrative evolving in meaningful ways. Crew skills and bridge officer roles add tactical depth, ensuring ship battles feel strategic, not just flashy. With cross-play enabled and a thriving community, it's easy to find veterans happy to help newcomers. For anyone who’s ever dreamed of “going where no one has gone before,” this MMO delivers an authentic and still-evolving Trek experience. | © Cryptic Studios (published by Perfect World Entertainment)

13. Ultima Online (1997)

Standing as one of the grandfathers of the MMO genre, Ultima Online set the standard with open-world sandbox elements long before they were popular. Players could craft items, run shops, build houses, and even engage in political intrigue or criminal mischief. The skill-based progression system allowed for hybrid characters, and permadeath or theft offered genuine stakes for risk-takers. PvP could be brutal, but rulesets on different shards let players control how hardcore they wanted the experience to be. Over the decades, the game has received continual updates, modern UI overhauls, and expansions that add both content and quality-of-life improvements. While its graphics are understandably dated, its depth and player freedom remain compelling – and it still maintains a dedicated, loyal player base. | © Broadsword Online Games

12. Project: Gorgon (2018)

Challenging expectations in the MMO space, Project: Gorgon charms players with quirky design and a non-linear skill development system. Its world is full of unusual quests, hidden easter eggs, and unconventional NPCs, making exploration genuinely rewarding. The skill-based progression allows you to learn anything – from necromancy to carpentry – so players aren’t locked into rigid classes. Combat is thoughtful rather than frantic, and mechanics like combo moves or environmental interactions stand out against genre norms. The indie heart of the game shows in its tight community; the developers are accessible, and often tweak content based on player feedback. It's a niche title, but for those seeking deep systems and original humor, Project: Gorgon is a memorable and endearing choice. | © Elder Game

11. Black Desert Online (2015)

Praised for its breathtaking visuals and fluid action combat, Black Desert Online set a new standard for graphical fidelity in MMOs. Its combo-focused, fast-paced fighting system requires timing and skill, rewarding mastery with visually spectacular chains of attacks. Lifeskilling – such as trading, fishing, farming, and alchemy – is a cornerstone of its non-combat gameplay, supported by an intricate, player-driven marketplace. The character creation system is among the deepest in gaming, allowing players to sculpt highly personalized avatars. Regular updates bring exciting additions like ships, housing, and new PvE/PvP zones. While the grind can be intense, many find the rewards worth the dedication, and the competitive community ensures there's always something new to push for. | © Pearl Abyss

10. RuneScape 3 (2013)

Despite its longstanding history, RuneScape 3 continues to captivate players with its mix of tradition and modern convenience. Its fully voice-acted narrative quests add dramatic flair to the world of Gielinor, while the Evolution of Combat system keeps battles feeling fresh and tactical. With over 30 skills to develop, the game offers deep, long-term progression that appeals to both casual and hardcore players. The reality of a player-driven economy and active Grand Exchange marketplace supports diverse gameplay – whether you’re a merchant, skiller, or quester. Frequent updates, seasonal events, and community-driven polls ensure content remains relevant and engaging. Plus, cross-platform play between desktop and mobile versions makes it easy to continue your adventure anywhere. | © Jagex

9. Destiny 2 (2017)

As a shared-world shooter with MMO-scale elements, Destiny 2 offers a rich fusion of PvE story missions, raids, and competitive PvP modes. Its first-person mechanics are polished, with tight gun play and satisfying ability-driven combat across classes like Titan, Hunter, and Warlock. Seasonal narratives and regular expansions continuously reshape the meta and add new raid and dungeon content. The live-service model keeps players coming back with exotic gear, seasonal challenges, and community events. Social features are strong – fire teams, clans, and public events encourage collaboration in a visually stunning sci-fi universe. With upcoming expansions always on the horizon, it remains one of the most compelling modern MMOs to play. | © Bungie

8. The Lord of the Rings Online (2007)

Immersed in Tolkien’s richly detailed world, The Lord of the Rings Online offers a nostalgic and immersive journey across Middle-earth. Its story-driven questing captures iconic locations like the Shire, Rivendell, and Mordor, appealing deeply to fans of the lore. The progression system combines trait trees with cosmetic titles and deeds, giving players meaningful goals beyond combat. Fellowship mechanics – where friends can join your adventures seamlessly – reinforce the collaborative spirit of Tolkien’s world. The game regularly rolls out expansions that faithfully recreate new regions from the books, keeping the world fresh for veteran and returning players. Even after all these years, atmosphere and music remain standout features, making it a serene and beautifully crafted MMO experience. | © Standing Stone Games

7. Star Wars: The Old Republic (2011)

Narrative depth drives the appeal of Star Wars: The Old Republic, where each class comes with its own fully voiced story arc and moral choices that impact companion relationships. The mix of story quests, flashpoints, and galactic PvP provides variety to the gameplay loop, while expansions like Knights of the Fallen Empire have added cinematic epics. Tactical combat and thoughtful class mechanics reward immersion and replayability. The free-to-play model is generous enough for most players, with optional subscription tiers offering additional content and bonuses. With continual seasonal events, new story chapters, and guild-based operations and raids, SWTOR remains a top pick for narrative-focused MMO fans. | © BioWare / Electronic Arts

6. The Elder Scrolls Online (2014)

Set in the beloved Elder Scrolls universe, The Elder Scrolls Online gives players the freedom to explore Tamriel’s continents in any order they like. Its real-time combat system combines swordplay, magic, and stealth with ability synergies that feel true to the franchise’s dark fantasy roots. Questing is richly narrative, often featuring branching dialogue and memorable characters – and many quests evoke the storytelling style that ESO fans love. The game also supports large-scale PvP in Cyrodiil, multiplayer dungeons, and sprawling solo PvE zones. With ongoing expansions adding new regions (like Blackwood and High Isle), a vibrant crafting system, and robust housing features, the world continually grows. Whether you play solo or with friends, ESO offers endless exploration and character progression. | © ZeniMax Online Studios / Bethesda

5. EverQuest / Project 1999 (1999)

Not many MMOs carry the nostalgic weight of EverQuest, but Project 1999 branches from that legacy by recreating the classic experience on a fresh server. Hardcore progression, no shortcuts, and a community-driven atmosphere bring back the challenge of the early days. Questing is deliberate and slow-paced, encouraging cooperation and exploration – something modern games often gloss over. Character build choices carry real consequences, and death can be punishing, amplifying immersion and tension. No shortcuts to max level mean every dungeon crawl is earned, fostering deep friendships and guild bonds. The vintage graphics age better for some players than for others, but the shared journey and sense of accomplishment are timeless. For purists looking to relive – or discover – the roots of the MMO genre, this is unmatched. | © Verant Interactive / Unknown Worlds Entertainment (Project 1999 community)

4. EVE Online (2003)

Nothing else in the MMO space rivals the economic and political complexity of EVE Online. Its sandbox universe is built entirely by players – from giant corporate empires to ruthless pirate syndicates. Combat can range from solo skirmishes to colossal fleet wars involving thousands of pilots. The in-game market is a living economy with real supply chains, trade routes, and market manipulation. Corporate espionage, territorial conquest, and culmination events like player-driven null sec alliances define the endgame. Skill progression is time-based, allowing multiple characters to develop in parallel. Monthly updates add new ships, mechanics, and territory systems, ensuring the universe remains dynamic. With its player-first design and high-stakes gameplay, EVE stands as a testament to what online worlds can become when left in players' hands. | © CCP Games

3. Guild Wars 2 (2012)

Renowned for its “living world” storytelling, Guild Wars 2 delivers personal story arcs that adapt to your choices without surprising paywalls. The action-oriented combat system encourages dodging, active blocking, and skill combos, making every encounter feel engaging. Its dynamic events system encourages spontaneous collaboration, turning solo travel into potential world-changing victories. PvP is robust too, with structured arenas, large-scale World vs World, and regular tournaments. Its expansion content and free updates have consistently added new regions, elite specializations, and challenging endgame modes. The lack of subscription fees combined with a generous free-to-play model makes it approachable and full-featured. With a friendly community and steady content cadence, Guild Wars 2 offers both welcoming depth and staying power. | © ArenaNet

2. Final Fantasy XIV (2010)

What began as a rough launch has transformed into one of the most beloved MMOs ever, with Final Fantasy XIV embodying cinematic storytelling, deep class systems, and stunning visuals. Its main story quests unfold with rich voice acting, cutscenes, and character-driven moments that keep players emotionally invested. Multiple jobs on a single character allow seamless role-switching, so players never feel locked into one class. Raids and trials offer epic challenges, while robust crafting, housing, and seasonal events provide plenty of non-combat distractions. The game’s cross-platform support, including console players, has grown its community significantly. Regular expansions like those in the Heavensward and Endwalker series bring entirely new continents, races, jobs, and mechanics – making its long-term evolution feel meaningful at every stage. | © Square Enix

1. World of Warcraft (2004)

Few titles have shaped the MMO landscape as profoundly as World of Warcraft, which continues to lead in content updates, player engagement, and cultural impact. Its approachable yet deep systems – ranging from varied class specs to mythology-rich zones – welcome both solo adventurers and competitive endgame raiders. Recent expansions have returned to Azeroth's epic storytelling, adding new mechanics like torghast, seasons of content, and revamps to classic gameplay. PvP battlegrounds and arenas remain popular, and new modes like zero-to-hero leveling paths give returning or new players fresh ways to jump in. Regular seasonal festivals, cross-server group finds, and thriving guild communities enrich the social experience. With nearly two decades of evolution, content, and polish behind it, WoW still stands tall as the benchmark for the genre. | © Blizzard Entertainment