Our concept of what counts as an MMO has advanced dramatically over the previous few many years. Whereas grindy RPGs are nonetheless the primary issues most people affiliate with that time period, the reality is that an MMO might be principally any sort of sport. And meaning there’s in all probability no less than one or two free MMOs on the market for everybody.
However discovering the best one is at all times a journey, as a result of there are such a lot of MMOs on the market, and it may be irritating to speculate cash in a brand new sport solely to comprehend you hate it after just a few hours. However we can assist you out with each of those issues. Beneath, we have assembled a listing of a few of the greatest MMOs operating that you would be able to play at no cost with none limits on how a lot time you need to get to know them. You do not need to be hasty with selections like these, in any case. In case you do not thoughts a subscription or upfront charge, try our picks for the greatest MMORPGs general, or take a look at different nice free video games outdoors the MMO style.
Guild Wars 2
- Developer: ArenaNet
- Writer: ArenaNet
- Platform(s): PC
Regardless of being fairly outdated at this point–Guild Wars 2 launched method again in 2012–the action-oriented Guild Wars 2 is as widespread in 2025 because it’s ever been, which is a serious testomony to how nicely the sport has been maintained and up to date by ArenaNet over time. And Guild Wars 2 is a uncommon MMO wherein the sport world would possibly shift in response to your actions, which typically makes it really feel extra like a single-player RPG. However that is an excellent thing–most MMOs are hamster wheels, in the end, and so something that may successfully shake up the system is welcome.
Maple Story
- Developer: Nexon
- Writer: Nexon
- Platform(s): PC
This charming side-scrolling dungeon crawler is faster-paced than your common MMO because of its action-oriented gameplay, and it is a uncommon instance of the style the place the social expertise is commonly as a lot of a draw because the gameplay. In a style filled with copycats, Maple Story is its personal factor.
Star Wars: The Previous Republic
- Developer: Bioware
- Writer: EA
- Platform(s): PC
That is, fairly actually, an old-style Bioware RPG melded with World of Warcraft-style MMO mechanics, with branching plotlines and private tales, and the result’s a uncommon MMO that prioritizes storytelling as extremely because it does forcing you to grind out loot. Whereas it was seen as a little bit of a boondoggle when it was launched in 2011 because of its monumental $200 million funds, Star Wars: The Previous Republic is nonetheless nonetheless going sturdy today–even although its carte blanche period ended when it went free-to-play about 9 months after it launched. And this sport has the odd distinction of being the one factor from the pre-Disney Star Wars canon that’s nonetheless ongoing today–the remainder of the outdated canon died a decade in the past.
Albion On-line
- Developer: Sandbox Interactive
- Writer: Sandbox Interactive
- Platform(s): PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
Whereas it could appear to be considered one of many fantasy MMOs at a look, Albion On-line is definitely a hardcore sandbox with a player-run economy–and you’ll be able to play it nevertheless you want, whether or not that be questing for uncommon supplies or staying on the town the place it is protected and crafting gear, or one thing utterly completely different. Given the whole lack of rails, Albion On-line has a reasonably steep studying curve for brand new gamers, since its openness might be daunting at first–but it may be very rewarding for folk who discover their area of interest.
Neverwinter
- Developer: Cryptic Studios
- Writer: Arc Video games
- Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One
Primarily based on the Dungeons & Dragons location that was beforehand the main target of each the Neverwinter Nights single-player RPG sequence and the traditional 1991 MMO of the identical identify, Neverwinter places extra of a give attention to storytelling than your common MMO. Whereas it is definitely not on the extent of Baldur’s Gate 3 in that regard, the truth that it shares the D&D setting and trappings implies that Neverwinter may very well be the pure MMO for folk who love Larian’s masterpiece.
Stalcraft: X
- Developer: EXBO
- Writer: EXBO
- Platform(s): PC
Basically an MMO adaptation of the S.T.A.L.Okay.E.R. video games, Stalcraft: X units you and your pals free close to Chernobyl, the place you will be compelled to struggle and survive in opposition to native characters, mutants, and gamers from different factions who’re scavenging the wasteland identical to you might be. In different phrases, it is all of the ache and distress of S.T.A.L.Okay.E.R., however with the extra bonus hell that’s different folks. Sure, Stalcraft is unquestionably geared towards masochists–but, hey, any individual’s gotta do it.
Sky: Youngsters of the Mild
- Developer: Thatgamecompany
- Writer: Thatgamecompany
- Platform(s): PC, PS4, Swap, iOS, Android
For these in search of one thing utterly completely different, we’ve got Sky: Youngsters of the Mild, a uncommon MMO that may precisely be described as cozy with its give attention to social actions and puzzles over fight. Made by Thatgamecompany, the vibe masters accountable for indie darlings Flower and Journey, Sky is a sport that’s, fairly actually, about making mates and hanging out with them–so preserve this one in thoughts for if you want a change of tempo from the limitless quest grinds that include each different MMO.
Secret World Legends
- Developer: Funcom
- Writer: Funcom
- Platform(s): PC
A really uncommon instance of an MMO that takes place in fashionable society, The Secret World is a darkish fantasy impressed by conspiracy theories and folklore–with factions just like the Illuminati and the Templars. Whereas The Secret World has quite a lot of the conventional MMO trappings–as you’d anticipate for a sport from 2012–but its distinctive setting makes it really feel like one thing extra recent than all the conventional fantasy settings that many of the video games on this checklist have.
RuneScape
- Developer: Jagex
- Writer: Jagex
- Platform(s): PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
Initially launched in 2001, RuneScape has confirmed extraordinarily resilient largely because of its extra open construction that does not require you to work by any kind of linear story as you play. RuneScape additionally innovated by introducing its throwback mode, Previous College RuneScape, in 2013, nicely earlier than a few of its opponents, like WoW, tried the identical factor. However Previous College RuneScape stays distinctive in that it is a democracy–all updates are voted on by the neighborhood and require a 70% approval to be applied.
Lord of the Rings On-line
- Developer: Standing Stone Video games
- Writer: Dawn Recreation Firm
- Platform(s): PC
Expertise the story of The Lord of the Rings within the type of a World of Warcraft-style MMO that is been operating since 2007. It is in all probability a bit bit much less emotionally satisfying than the film model, but it surely’ll hit the spot for these people who need their limitless quest-grinding to come back with the perfect lore out there. What actually retains this one preserve chugging alongside, although, is its extraordinarily devoted playerbase of Lord of the Rings-obsessed followers who will completely by no means cease taking part in this game–it’s one which feels prefer it’ll at all times be there due to that.
Star Trek On-line
- Developer: Cryptic Studios
- Writer: Arc Video games
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
It is not usually that we get an MMO that’s genuinely completely different from different MMOs, however Star Trek On-line qualifies as a result of each participant is the captain of their very own ship, and many of the motion takes place in that context. Luckily, Star Trek On-line is much more accessible than the different long-running house MMO, EVE On-line, which has little doubt been a big consider its longevity.
Warhammer On-line: Return of Reckoning
Platform(s): PC
Contemplating what number of Warhammer video video games there are, it appears fairly unusual that the franchise has solely ever produced one MMO, Age of Reckoning, which was taken offline in 2013. But it surely’s precisely that odd dearth of Warhammer MMOs that led followers to revive Age of Reckoning as Return of Reckoning a 12 months after it closed–and now, a decade later, this fan-run model of Warhammer On-line has been round twice so long as the unique `was. Return of Reckoning is not only a recreation, though–it has added quality-of-life enhancements and stability adjustments, and even some further content material.
Tibia
- Developer: CipSoft
- Writer: CipSoft
- Platform(s): PC, Mac, Linux
EverQuest tends to get all of the love because the elder statesperson of MMOs which have caught round eternally, however this one is definitely a bit older. Launched in 1997, Tibia contains so many trappings of the style which have endured into the current, however they’re all introduced in pixel artwork with a top-down view like so many RPGs had been within the ’90s. So although Tibia could seem primitive at first look, it will make you have a look at extra fashionable MMOs in all new methods.
Last Fantasy XIV
- Developer: Sq. Enix
- Writer: Sq. Enix
- Platform(s): PC, Mac, PS4, PS5, Xbox Sequence S/X
After an exceptionally tough preliminary launch again in 2013, Sq. Enix took Last Fantasy XIV offline for a 12 months to be able to overhaul it–and the trouble paid off, because the rebooted model has been going sturdy for a decade now. FFXIV has a powerful storyline for an MMO, significantly when you get into the expansions, and it gives an uncommon quantity of flexibility as a result of you are able to do each job within the sport on a single character, no alts required. On prime of that, the world of Eorzeo is an exceptionally nice sport world to hang around in, because of each the beautiful artwork model and vibey soundtrack–just as you’d anticipate from any respectable Last Fantasy title.
Future 2
- Developer: Bungie
- Writer: Bungie
- Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Sequence S|X
Positive, Future 2 could also be a bit bit past its heyday at this point–the preliminary Mild and Darkish saga reached its climax in 2024, and participant counts have fallen off since then. However Future has one essential high quality that many of the different video games on this checklist do not have: the moment-to-moment expertise of taking part in it’s prime notch. Sure, the hamster wheel grind can get outdated quick, however no different shooter, MMO or in any other case, can fairly match Future 2’s really feel.
Transformice
- Developer: Atelier 801
- Writer: Atelier 801
- Platform(s): PC, Mac, Linux
A horde of mice, all managed by gamers race throughout vicious platforming ranges to seize some cheese and convey it again to the beginning of the extent, whereas a Shaman mouse participant summons gadgets and create units that may help–or not assist, in the event that they determine to be a troll–the mice get to the place they are going. It is not usually that you would be able to describe an MMO-type expertise as being a celebration sport, however Transformice definitely qualifies, particularly in case you’re wild sufficient to play ranges with collision detection. And with bite-sized rounds that often finish inside a minute or two, it is a uncommon MMO that works greatest in small doses.
