In this list, we've brought together the best MMORPGs and MMOs available to play in 2026, so if you're looking for some shared online adventures you can dive into, you've come to the right place.
MMO stands for massively multiplayer online game, which in essence means other players inhabit the world alongside you. MMORPGs bring some role-play into the mix with features that can also be found in the best RPGs , with quests and challenges you can overcome with others.
The best MMORPGS and MMOs of all time, starting with...
10. Dune Awakening
Developer: Funcom
Platform(s): PC
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
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Platform(s): PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
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:
PC
Xbox
PlayStation
8. The Lord of the Rings Online
Developer: Standing Stone Games
Platform(s): PC
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
Developer: BioWare
Platform(s): PC
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
Developer: ArenaNet
Platform(s): PC
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
Developer: CCP
Platform(s): PC
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
Developer: Jagex
Platform(s): PC
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
Developer: ZeniMax Online Studios
Platform(s): PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
The Elder Scrolls Online is the ultimate way to experience Tamriel. 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
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Platform(s): PC
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
Developer: Square Enix
Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
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 2025? 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:
PC
Xbox
PlayStation
Want more recommendations? Check out our pick of the best open world games you can play right now.
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