If you’re wondering what Massively Multiplayer Online (MMO) games are, well, the name pretty much says it all. MMO games essentially refer to video games which allow a large number of players to participate simultaneously over an internet connection in a shared world at once.
Like single-player games do, MMORPGs definitely have their own appeal as well. The explosive growth in MMORPGs has motivated many game designers in building online multiplayer modes into single-player games.
Without further ado, here are some of the best MMORPGs which have stood against the test of time and withheld their popularity even till today:
- Final Fantasy XIV
With the original release of Final Fantasy XIV receiving a rather negative response and critic overall back in 2010, Square Enix immediately took action to hire a new team to remake the game entirely. As it turns out, this proved to work out in their favour. Now Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn is back and better than ever, especially with its recent latest expansion of the Endwalker release on December 7 this year. Its been almost a week, yet the login queues don’t seem to be getting shorter anytime soon.
Step into the world of Eorzea, a picturesque environment consisting of everything fans have come to love about FFXIV over the years. It has everything the series is known for: an engaging storyline, flashy cutscenes, and visually appealing graphics. It also offers players immense flexibility and dynamic gameplay when it comes to selecting a class choice. At level 10 onwards, players have the option of choosing from eight different combat classes with just the switch of a weapon.
What’s notable is also how few other MMORPGs have received as many quality updates and expansions as FFXIV, such as the Shadowbringers expansion and Nier: Automata-themed raids. Players get to experience new races, jobs and instances, along with a level cap increase. If you’re a fan of the Nier series, the Nier: Automata-themed raids are sure to provide additional lore through its engaging storyline as well.
- New World
Developed by Amazon Games, New World is no doubt one of the most talked about fantasy MMORPGs which is exclusive to the PC. Taking place on the mysterious island of Aeternum which also just so happens to be the source of fantastical legends, players take on the role of an explorer whose interests lie in colonizing the island. However, it just so happens that Aeternum houses Azoth, a magical substance that turns the flora and fauna, and even dead explorers against you.
In New World, players get to choose from one of three factions, which consists of The Marauders, The Syndicate and The Covenant, before proceeding to work together with other players to take control of settlements throughout Aeternum. This is where things start to heat up, as players will often find themselves at loggerheads with the four computer controlled factions to protect their player cities.
New World offers a multitude of dynamic gameplay options, such as Expeditions, Invasions, Outpost Rush and War Mode. Expeditions are essentially your conventional MMO dungeon, whereas War Mode is a 100-person PvP mode which pitches factions against each other. New World also has a PvE mode known as Invasion, where players get to work with 49 other players to defend their faction’s fort against waves of computer-controlled enemies. Last but not least, is a PvPvE mode called Outpost Rush, which involves a 20v20 battle where players juggle between capturing and defending outposts all while fighting off computer-controlled enemies.
- Genshin Impact
Recently voted as the best mobile game in The Game Awards 2021 is Genshin Impact, a game which was released just a year prior.
Sure, though Genshin might not exactly be ‘massively’ multiplayer, it still does allow large number of players to participate simultaneously on the same server and features a dynamic open world that is hard to beat. If the game bosses prove to be a little too much to handle, players also have the option of entering co-op mode so that 3 other friends can be invited to play in their world as well.
Genshin’s visually appealing graphics is just one of the many pull factors the game has to offer, another being exploration as an aspect the game also revolves around. The best part? Genshin is not only completely free to download, but also cross compatible across many devices which makes it extremely flexible and convenient for players to experience gameplay on different devices, such as on mobile, PC, or even Playstation.
- Trove
At first glance, Trove may seem like a carbon copy of Minecraft, but in reality, it has indeed so much more to offer. As an action-based MMO, if definitely differs from other building games on PC, where players can travel from world to world to loot dungeons and participate in online quests with friends or guild members. Players also get to choose from a wide range of different classes as they take on dungeon bosses, such as a Gunslinger, Knight, or Ice Sage, and many more.
Of course, Trove also provides the basic function of building as well, where players get to craft almost anything and everything. You can even make and submit your own items, and get to see your creations in-game in dungeons, class costumes and lairs. Players can rake in and load up on hoards of treasure and special gear from the deepest and darkest places in Trove, which just adds to the adrenaline this game is sure to provide you with. So really, Trove is just as good as Minecraft, if not even better.
- Elder Scrolls Online
Elder Scrolls Online definitely lives up to its reputation as an award winning online RPG with its ever-expanding storyline across the world of Tamriel. Set a thousand years before Skyrim and 800 years before Morrowind and Oblivion, players start out as a prisoner in Coldharbour’s Wailing Prison, before making their escape. Afterwards, the continent of Tamriel is yours for the taking as players are now granted with their newfound freedom to explore the world, all while battling monsters, discovering dungeons and crafting weapons solo, or even alongside other fellow adventurers.
With plenty of planned future DLC releases, you’ll most likely never tire of the Elder Scrolls Online universe with its constant updates and expansions which brings both old and new regions into the game like Murkmire and Summerset.
Just in case you haven’t heard, the recent New Life Festival Event will commence in Elder Scrolls Online on 16 December, offering players a chance to snag some festive-themed rewards and event tickets. After completing the intro quest, players can then take part in the ten daily quests which will be available till 4 January.
