Our concept of what counts as an MMO has developed dramatically over the previous few a long time. Whereas grindy RPGs are nonetheless the primary issues most folk affiliate with that time period, the reality is that an MMO might be principally any type of recreation. And which means there’s in all probability a minimum of one or two free MMOs on the market for everybody.
However discovering the correct one is all the time a journey, as a result of there are such a lot of MMOs on the market, and it may be irritating to take a position cash in a brand new recreation solely to appreciate you hate it after a couple of hours. However we might help you out with each of those issues. Under, we have assembled a listing of a few of the finest MMOs operating which you could play without spending a dime with none limits on how a lot time it’s important 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 perfect MMORPGs total, 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Regardless of being fairly outdated at this point–Guild Wars 2 launched approach again in 2012–the action-oriented Guild Wars 2 is as common in 2025 because it’s ever been, which is a significant testomony to how effectively the sport has been maintained and up to date by ArenaNet over time. And Guild Wars 2 is a uncommon MMO by which the sport world may shift in response to your actions, which generally makes it really feel extra like a single-player RPG. However that is thing–most MMOs are hamster wheels, finally, and so something that may successfully shake up the components 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 stuffed with copycats, Maple Story is its personal factor.
Star Wars: The Outdated Republic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 huge $200 million finances, Star Wars: The Outdated Republic is nonetheless nonetheless going robust today–even although its carte blanche period ended when it went free-to-play about 9 months after it launched. And this recreation 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 might appear to be certainly one of many fantasy MMOs at a look, Albion On-line is definitely a hardcore sandbox with a player-run economy–and you possibly can play it nonetheless you want, whether or not that be questing for uncommon supplies or staying on the town the place it is secure and crafting gear, or one thing fully completely different. Given the entire lack of rails, Albion On-line has a fairly steep studying curve for brand new gamers, since its openness might be daunting at first–but it may be very rewarding for people 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 focus of each the Neverwinter Nights single-player RPG sequence and the traditional 1991 MMO of the identical identify, Neverwinter places extra of a deal with 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 signifies that Neverwinter could possibly be the pure MMO for people who love Larian’s masterpiece.
Stalcraft: X
- Developer: EXBO
- Writer: EXBO
- Platform(s): PC
Basically an MMO adaptation of the S.T.A.L.Ok.E.R. video games, Stalcraft: X units you and your pals free close to Chernobyl, the place you may be pressured to combat and survive towards native characters, mutants, and gamers from different factions who’re scavenging the wasteland identical to you’re. In different phrases, it is all of the ache and distress of S.T.A.L.Ok.E.R., however with the extra bonus hell that’s different folks. Sure, Stalcraft is unquestionably geared towards masochists–but, hey, any person’s gotta do it.
Sky: Kids of the Gentle
- Developer: Thatgamecompany
- Writer: Thatgamecompany
- Platform(s): PC, PS4, Change, iOS, Android
For these in search of one thing fully completely different, we now have Sky: Kids of the Gentle, a uncommon MMO that may precisely be described as cozy with its deal with social actions and puzzles over fight. Made by Thatgamecompany, the vibe masters liable for indie darlings Flower and Journey, Sky is a recreation that’s, fairly actually, about making pals and hanging out with them–so preserve this one in thoughts for whenever 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 trendy 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 plenty of the conventional MMO trappings–as you’d count on for a recreation from 2012–but its distinctive setting makes it really feel like one thing extra recent than all the conventional fantasy settings that a lot 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 via any form of linear story as you play. RuneScape additionally innovated by introducing its throwback mode, Outdated Faculty RuneScape, in 2013, effectively earlier than a few of its rivals, like WoW, tried the identical factor. However Outdated Faculty RuneScape stays distinctive in that it is a democracy–all updates are voted on by the group and require a 70% approval to be applied.
Lord of the Rings On-line
- Developer: Standing Stone Video games
- Writer: Dawn Sport 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 slightly bit much less emotionally satisfying than the film model, nevertheless it’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 all the time be there due to that.
Star Trek On-line
- Developer: Cryptic Studios
- Writer: Arc Video games
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
It isn’t 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 a lot of the motion takes place in that context. Thankfully, Star Trek On-line is much more accessible than the different long-running area MMO, EVE On-line, which has little doubt been a major think about 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. However it’s precisely that odd dearth of Warhammer MMOs that led followers to revive Age of Reckoning as Return of Reckoning a yr 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 steadiness modifications, and even some additional 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 without end, however this one is definitely slightly older. Launched in 1997, Tibia contains so many trappings of the style which have persevered 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 regardless that Tibia could appear primitive at first look, it will make you take a look at extra trendy MMOs in all new methods.
Ultimate 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 Ultimate Fantasy XIV offline for a yr with a view to overhaul it–and the trouble paid off, because the rebooted model has been going robust for a decade now. FFXIV has a powerful storyline for an MMO, notably when you get into the expansions, and it provides an uncommon quantity of flexibility as a result of you are able to do each job within the recreation on a single character, no alts required. On prime of that, the world of Eorzeo is an exceptionally nice recreation world to hang around in, because of each the beautiful artwork type and vibey soundtrack–just as you’d count on from any respectable Ultimate Fantasy title.
Future 2
- Developer: Bungie
- Writer: Bungie
- Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Sequence S|X
Certain, Future 2 could also be slightly bit past its heyday at this point–the preliminary Gentle and Darkish saga reached its climax in 2024, and participant counts have fallen off since then. However Future has one essential high quality that a lot of the different video games on this checklist haven’t got: 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 gadgets 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 isn’t usually which you could describe an MMO-type expertise as being a celebration recreation, however Transformice definitely qualifies, particularly in the event you’re wild sufficient to play ranges with collision detection. And with bite-sized rounds that normally finish inside a minute or two, it is a uncommon MMO that works finest in small doses.
