Massively multiplayer online games, more commonly known as MMOs, have had a dedicated following for several decades. Renowned for needing hundreds of hours to "complete," if they can be completed at all, they are famously difficult to get into.

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That said, there has never been a better time to get into an MMO. MMOs have become a lot more accessible in the past decade, and a lot more varied. As a result, there's an MMO out there for everyone, even people who prefer to play solo. Thanks to the massive player communities and constantly updating worlds, MMOs present a gaming experience like no other.

Updated January 15th 2023 by Kitty Leggett: MMOs change and often improve with time. While new games are slow to catch on, many old classics have only gotten better. As such, this article has been updated to reflect the changes over the last year, from expansions to patches.

10 Destiny 2 Mixes Sci-Fi And Magic

A promotional image for Destiny 2 Season of the Haunted

Destiny 2 is an FPS shooter with many MMORPG elements mixed in for good measure. Between the incredible raids, challenging dungeon experiences and frequent random co-op moments, Destiny 2 feels like less like a shooter and more like a proper MMO.

Made by Bungie, the creators of Halo, Destiny 2's combat is thrilling and has true impact to it. Additionally, every weapon is an utter joy to use. With constant new seasons released and expansions every year, there's always more content to enjoy and new weapons to acquire.

9 Lord Of The Rings Online Is True To Its Setting

The Lord of the Rings Online heroes fighting around a campfire

Lord of the Rings Online, also known as LotRO, is unlike many other MMOs that are still around today. While some draw players in with to their combat, complex classes, or hundreds of hours of endgame content, LotRO has something different. LotRO possesses all the aforementioned traits, but the real reason to play the game is its story.

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The developers have lovingly translated the pages of Tolkien's fantasy epics into an MMO experience unlike any other. Every story is deep, complex, and incredibly well-written. Players can even experience the entirety of the Lord of the Rings' story, following the Fellowship through their journey across Middle-Earth and culminating in the battle of the Black Gate. LotRO still receives active support, its story continuing to this day.

8 Warframe Focuses On Acrobatic Action

An image of a huge gathering of tenno in Warframe.

Many MMOs focus on wide-open worlds or expansive stories, but Warframe chose to put all its effort into gameplay. There's no tab-targeting to be had, instead players rush through levels with acrobatic fast-paced movement while they shoot and slash their way past enemies with a vast arsenal of weapons.

Story may not be the focus, but there are still quests to be had, if a player wants to do them. Likewise, most content can be done solo if a player wishes, but Warframe is often made better by the addition of friends. Warframe also offers plenty of customization opportunities for its aesthetics and for gameplay.

7 Guild Wars 2 Is Still Going Strong

An image of chaotic cover art for Guild Wars 2

There was a time when Guild Wars was a name known by all MMO players and it became one of the juggernauts of the industry. It fell on hard times since those days, at least until the recent release of End of Dragons. For a while, Guild Wars 2 struggled to find a direction for the game as a whole, but the new expansion proved a breath of fresh air.

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Guild Wars 2 is free-to-play, and it's easy to try out. With fun combat and many adventures to be had, players are likely to stick around. There's a decade of content to enjoy, and a fairly large community to enjoy it alongside.

6 Star Wars: The Old Republic Is A Force To Be Reckoned With

An image of the Sith Lord Darth Malgus from Star Wars: The Old Republic

Similar to Guild Wars, Star Wars: The Old Republic is a once-classic MMO that saw its popularity fade away with time. Despite a strong story, later expansions introduced some issues players were very unhappy with. That said, Star Wars: TOR is still very actively supported, and the developers say they have "no plans to stop anytime soon."

Many are optimistic that Star Wars: TOR will continue to improve. Worth experiencing for the world of Star Wars alone, players have chances to world-hop across the galaxy and play as a variety of classes, such as the Jedi, Sith, Bounty Hunters, or even Republic Troopers.

5 EVE Online Has All The Space Players Need

An image of spacecraft flying through space in the MMO game, EVE Online

EVE Online is an MMO in the same way that Destiny 2 is in that it can be a single player experience. However, the world is populated with millions of other players constantly exploring the universe at the same time.

As a result, EVE Online is a unique experience, featuring some of the best starship flying to be seen in video games besides some stunningly massive communities. EVE Online even holds several Guinness World Records for the gigantic wars its communities wage amongst themselves.

4 Elder Scrolls Online Lets You Explore Tamriel

Featured image for an article titled "10 Times Elder Scrolls Games Broke Their Own Rules"; An image of promotional art for Elder Scrolls Online.

Given how often Skyrim gets a re-release, it can be easy to forget just how expansive The Elder Scrolls really is. The Elder Scrolls Online has done its best to capture that. Serving as effectively a prequel to the rest of the series, ESO lets players explore the far past of Tamriel.

While not quite the sandbox the single-player Elder Scrolls games are, ESO still tries its best. If a player sees something on a shelf, they can generally grab it. One area the game really shines is its stealth gameplay. Being a skillful thief or ruthless member of the Dark Brotherhood is fully supported.

3 World Of Warcraft Is Experiencing A Revival

World of Warcraft, The Lich King wielding the cursed sword Frostmourne

As one of the older MMOs still out there, World of Warcraft has seen many ups and downs over the game's long life. While WoW's future was somewhat uncertain following lackluster updates and controversy within Blizzard, its new Dragonflight expansion seems set to revitalize the game after a long slumber.

The biggest thing World of Warcraft offers compared to many other MMOs is the sheer scale of its world. The only loading screens a player will face are for dungeons or moving between continents. Additionally, exploration is heavily encouraged and rewarded, offering discoveries ranging from quests to countless Easter eggs.

2 Runescape Is Still A Classic MMO

runescape logo against a blue sky

Having launched in 2001, Runescape has managed to remain a classic, and has even outlived many other games supposedly set to kill it off. With a lighter tone and a greater focus on humor than many other MMOs, its uniqueness has aided its longevity.

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Players can still save the day from dragons and monsters, or they can focus on ducks of unusual size, a cabbage farm in need, or stopping a penguin plot. Runescape also pioneered the Free-To-Play MMO, and there's plenty of content new and old for even free players to enjoy.

1 Final Fantasy XIV Shows Just How Polished An MMO Can Be

Characters posing in Final Fantasy XIV.

Final Fantasy XIV may have had a rocky start, but it's exploded in popularity since the launch of A Realm Reborn. With the resounding success of its Endwalker expansion, the game shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon, and exciting patches have only added to the fun.

FFXIV's biggest claims to fame are its vast story and exceptional polish — bugs rarely occur. There are plenty of side activities for a player who wants a break from adventure, from climbing the ranks in Riichi Mahjong to a laid-back island life maintaining a cozy farm or even decorating a house.

NEXT: 15 Best Multiplayer Free To Play Games