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This roundup is dedicated to bringing you the best MMORPGs and MMOs to play right now in 2026.
As you may already know if you're on the hunt for recommendations, MMO stands for massively multiplayer online game. Drawing you into shared worlds and experiences with other players, they're often even better to play with friends. MMORPGs are much the same, expect they bring role-playing goodness into the mix, and included a lot of features found in the best RPGs.
From taking on quests together, to overcoming challenges with others, this list brings together all kinds of shared experiences that are still worth your time today. Whether it be ones set within the Star Wars timeline, the Final Fantasy universe, and so much more, we've taking into consideration some of the latest new games, as well as longstanding highlights that are often counted among the best PC games. I've also included the kind of vibe you can expect from each entry (which you can learn more about in our FAQ section). So, if you're ready to explore our pick of the best MMORPGs and MMOs to play in 2026, read on.
The best MMORPGS and MMOs of all time, starting with...
10. Dune Awakening
Release date: June 10, 2025
Platforms: PC
Vibe: Chill Out
Dune Awakening pulls you into the sands of an open-world Arrakis as you try to try to navigate its many dangers alongside other players. As a survival MMO, you'll start out with only the clothes you have on and not much more. Then it's up to you to build up your own base to seek shelter from the scorching sun, avoid the threat sandworms, and withstand storms by extracting water, increasing your knowledge, gaining more tools, and ultimately rising up from nothing.
With a vast world to explore, you can find socials hubs to meet others trying to survive, or try to brave the depths of the desert for treasure. With different classes to choose from and master, lots to craft, and plenty to uncover on Arrakis, Dune Awakening can get a bit grindy when playing solo, but it's a great MMO to get stuck in with pals. For more, check out our Dune: Awakening review.
9. Fallout 76
Release date: November 14, 2018
Platform(s): PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
Vibe: Expect the Unexpected
There's a good chance that you'll be waiting another decade to play Fallout 5, so why not bridge that upcoming Bethesda games gap with a little walk around an always-online wasteland? Fallout 76 has endured a tumultuous trajectory since its release in 2018, although Bethesda Game Studios has worked hard in the years since to breathe new life into its smaller-scale MMORPG.
The 2020 'Wastelanders expansion' marked a turning point for the apocalyptic open world of Appalachia, and what we have today is a fun, cooperative action RPG that can be easily enjoyed traveling solo or with a group of friends. In our Fallout 76 review, we said the game was "like meeting up with an old former friend," and it's only gotten better since then, so it's worth your time for sure!
Play it here:
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8. The Lord of the Rings Online
Release date: June 6, 2012
Platform(s): PC
Vibe: Better with Friends
The Lord of the Rings Online may be getting on in years, but it still has a very active community, and if you're a fan of JRR Tolkien's Middle-earth, you're sure to love it's amount of attention to detail. From its recreation of the Shire, to the Mines of Moira, you can step into many familiar locations as your own customized hero. With various classes to choose from, as well as races plucked from the LOTR universe, you can set out on an adventure of your own as you work to earn titles and improve your skills.
While you can play solo, there's also plenty of co-op skirmishes you can take on with your pals in the online world. And if you want to experience Middle-earth's darker side, you can fight against other players as a servant of Sauron. With crafting, farming, and more, The Lord of the Rings Online is still a great time to this day, and it's even still getting updates.
7. Star Wars: The Old Republic
Release date: December 20, 2011
Platform(s): PC
Vibe: Story-driven
Time flies when you're having fun in The Old Republic era of the Star Wars timeline. It's hard to believe, but BioWare's MMORPG is now over a decade old. Naturally, the free-to-play MMO has changed quite a bit in that time, but the fundamentals remain: expansive storytelling, great production values, and the opportunity to truly live out your own Galactic Republic or Sith Empire.
With eight classes, each with their own complete narrative journey, a dialogue system that draws from the success of Mass Effect, abilities across the Light and Dark alignment, and combat that will evoke strong memories of KOTOR, Star Wars: The Old Republic remains an absolute riot that can still be played to this day. In fact, as pointed out in our Star Wars: The Old Republic review, it's one of the best Star Wars games of all-time.
6. Guild Wars 2
Release date: August 28, 2012
Platform(s): PC
Vibe: Better with Friends
Guild Wars 2 has always sat firmly in the shadow of World of Warcraft, but now, after a decade of expansion and evolution, it's easy to see why ArenaNet's MMORPG has remained so popular. There's a depth and scale to its design that remains impressive to this day, regardless of whether you're coming in for the dynamic living world that reflects your actions or the diverse story campaigns that'll keep you busy for hours on end.
Guild Wars 2 is an MMO built around discovery and exploration, and what's impressive is that ArenaNet hasn't allowed it to crumble beneath a bloat of content. In our Guild Wars 2 review, we praised the title as "a refined" RPG that respects your time, energy, and attention. Guild Wars Reforged was also just recently announced to be in the works, so as is a modernized edition of the original game with its expansions. Only time will tell if it'll manage to replace Guild Wars 2 on our list though. So stay tuned.
5. Eve Online
Release date: May 5, 2003
Platform(s): PC
Vibe: Better with Friends
Eve Online has often been regarded as the most interesting MMORPG to read about but one of the most boring to play. Most of that claim is utter nonsense, but there is one truth in there: Eve Online is, without a doubt, one of the most fascinating experiences to come out of the video game industry.
That's largely because of the community that has been able to rally around and flourish within the complex sandbox of real-time space combat and stats management. With a player-driven economy, rulesets and faction hierarchies driven by a real-life council of players, and conflicts that have driven some of the most incredible stories in gaming, Eve Online has to be experienced to be truly appreciated. For more information on one of its best expansions, you can also read our EVE Online Red Moon Rising review.
4. Old School RuneScape
Release date: February 22, 2013
Platform(s): PC
Vibe: Better with Friends
Developer Jagex continues to do excellent work in the MMO space, with Runescape 3 continuing to impress. But that's not the version we want to celebrate in our list of the best MMORPGs. Instead, we want to turn your attention to the behemoth, which is Old School RuneScape.
If you have fond memories of ignoring homework and work assignments to play the legendary MMO in a minimized browser window, then this is the version of RuneScape for you. It's effectively a time capsule of the 2007 version of the game, albeit one that continues to benefit from key quality-of-life improvements, frequent updates, and new content patches as chosen by the massive community of players that still rally around its servers.
3. The Elder Scrolls Online
Release date: April 4, 2014
Platform(s): PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
Vibe: Better with Friends
The Elder Scrolls Online is the ultimate way to experience Tamriel with pals. While many of you may still be squeezing what little life Skyrim has left to give, the truth is that TESO is making the painfully long wait for The Elder Scrolls 6 a little more manageable. The Elder Scrolls Online has steadily developed into one of the best MMORPGs on the market and the best way for console players to experience the joys of massively multiplayer online gaming.
With freedom and flexibility built into all of its core systems and years of expansion packs that are designed to let you return to the worlds popularized by games like Morrowind and Oblivion or head into previously unexplored territories like Summerset Isle and Elsweyr, The Elder Scrolls Online is one of the most generous MMORPGs that you can play today and fully deserves it's high rating in our The Elder Scrolls Online review.
2. World of Warcraft
Release date: November 23, 2004
Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S,
Vibe: Better with Friends
World of Warcraft remains the quintessential MMORPG. It changed the landscape of the video game industry when it launched in 2004, and Blizzard has continued to push boundaries ever since. Naturally, with almost 20 years of evolution and expansions behind it, there are elements to World of Warcraft that are a little rough around the edges.
And there's a tension between the need to appeal to players fresh into starting areas and existing players who aren't attracted by the nostalgic allure of World of Warcraft: Classic. But there's an underlying brilliance to WoW that is difficult to ignore, particularly as Blizzard continues to deliver new expansions and issue key quality-of-life improvements regularly. You can check out our World of Warcraft: The War Within review if you are keen to know about this absolute classic.
1. Final Fantasy 14
Release date: September 22, 2010 (initial launch)
Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Vibe: Better with Friends
Given the popularity and longevity of World of Warcraft, how is it that Final Fantasy 14 has taken the top spot in our ranking of the best MMORPGs that you should play in 2026? The truth is, Square Enix has done a truly incredible job transforming this experience; what was once dead on arrival now stands as one of the most consistently impressive MMOs on the market – a realm reborn, as it were.
While a refreshing approach to class structure, fantastic progression pacing, and a gorgeous visual design are certainly attractive, it's the storytelling side of play that really sets FF14 apart. Square Enix has continued to pack massive-scale adventures into this MMORPG package, something which is only improved by the release of five truly fantastic expansions. If you're looking for a new MMO to play this year or have been considering a return to Eorzea for a while now, there's never been a better time to jump into Final Fantasy 14. For more, check out our Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail review.
Play it here:
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Best MMORPGs and MMOs FAQs
How do we decide on the best MMORPGs and MMOs?
Having played and written about MMORPGs and MMOs for many years, this list brings together the highlights I'd recommend trying out for one reason or another. Working together with fellow experts on the team here at GamesRadar+, we've tried to put together a broad selection across various platforms that are still active and worth trying out today in 2026.
Our RPG "Vibes" explained
Our RPG vibes are used in our best list roundups as shorthand descriptors for the general kind of experience you can expect from each game we recommend here. While more than one vibe can often apply, I've picked the one I think best reflects the game and the list it exists in.
You can find a breakdown of our vibes below:
- Better with Friends: RPGs that can be played solo but thrive with others. These offer the possibility for shared experiences, be that online or locally.
- Quick Play: RPGs that aren't hard to pick up and play whenever you have the spare time. The perfect choice for busy folks after quick gaming sessions.
- Chill Out: RPGs that let you take things at your own pace, explore, and venture on side-quests if you choose. For those looking for a less demanding and more stress-free time.
- Expect the Unexpected: RPGs where you can get silly and find yourself in novel and very unusual situations. Things can go wrong quickly, but also in very funny directions.
Why do we update our best list rankings?
We update our bests lists here at GamesRadar+ to make sure they reflect what we think are the best games available right now. In order to do that, we update our rankings to keep them as current as possible, taking any new releases into account. Given the online nature of MMORPGs and MMO's, we also want to make sure any games included in our roundup are still active, enjoyable, and worthwhile.
How often do we update our best MMORPGs and MMOs list?
We tend to update our bests lists on at least a monthly basis. This is to ensure it most accurately reflects the best picks around currently. As such, we take into account the latest new games within the genre that we either want to highlight or include, and also make sure all of the information is still accurate at the time of updating.
Of course, sometimes our ranking won't always need to change if we're still happy with the games we've already included.
Want more RPG recommendations? Check out our pick of best open world RPGs, best sci-fi RPGs, or best ARPGS.
