21 Best Online RPG’s The Gaming World Has To Offer
We’ve compiled a list of the most awesome MMORPG’s of all time. And we have a little something for everyone to check out from the past, present and future of gaming.
Let’s look at an expansion of a classic first:
21. WoW: Legion
WoW Trailer
In World of Warcraft: Legion, Azeroth is in danger of being destroyed at the hand of the Dark Titan, Sargeras. The Tomb of Sargeras has been opened and demons have begun pouring out and attacking the Broken Isles. It’s up to the Alliance and the Horde to find ancient artifacts that are necessary to reseal the tomb and stop the coming apocalypse.
In this expansion to the WoW series, you get a lot of great perks. There’s a new class to take advantage of: Demon Hunter. Demon Hunters are outcast elves who have mastered the forbidden dark arts of the demons. This has cost them their physical sight, but the trade-off is the ability to see through walls using spectral sight and detect enemies better than most. They can also shift into demonic forms in the heat of battle, unleashing a new terror in bad ass form. They also have amazing agility and movement.
The Broken Isles is also a new map where this story takes place. So you’ll have a lot to explore. To help with the exploration you will need to establish class halls. Using these halls, gather your forces and set out.
But to really win this fight, seek out the ancient weapons. These weapons grow in strength and change in appearance based on how you choose to level your character.
There has also been a level cap increase in this version of WoW. You can now go up to level 110 and your level 100 characters get an instant experience boost.
As always, there will be new dungeons to explore on the new section of map that will be released.
Tackle them with your guild or try them on your own. But the good times can keep rolling as you go on the new raids and explore the dungeons for epic loot.
Expansion gameplay
Demon Hunters’ wings are no joke.
Demon Hunter eye coverings for the fashionable bad ass
20. FFXIV: Heavensward
FFXIV Trailer
Join the Hero of Light on his travels through the country of Ishgard. Ishgard has been at war with dragons for centuries. You must now join the fight and hold out the light of hope against insurmountable odds.
In this expansion of Final Fantasy XIV there are all sorts of new goodies to check out. It’s not just the dragons either. Work together with your Free Company, the Final Fantasy style guild, to craft custom airships and goods for your company hall and home.
You also get winged mounts to explore the world on. And these can be more than Dragons too, look out for Griffins and other mythical flying critters.
There’s also a few exciting new character jobs to check out: Dark Knights, Astrologian, and Machinist. Dark Knights do not carry a shield, but instead wield a massive sword, and are sworn to protect the down trodden. Astrologians are magick users who have mastered the art of astromancy, using the stars to manipulate fate. Machinists are weapons experts who can use a wide variety of machines to battle—this can be a robot or just a really awesome gun.
There’s a lot to love with this one, especially since there were already a lot of customization options and quests available before this expansion launched in 2015. This version just makes it even more awesome to explore this fantasy world.
Dragons. They may be scary to fight, but they are impressive to ride
19. Eve Online
Eve Trailer
Eve is an intergalactic adventure of massive proportions. You play as a character from one of four factions within the EVE universe. Every faction is at war and every faction has a unique history and bloodline. Your experience within Eve changes dramatically based on your faction and your bloodline.
Unlike a lot of RPG’s, this one is focused on starships. You rarely, if ever, see another player walking around. You know them by their profile picture. You design ships from the ground up for a variety of purposes. They can be mining ships, battle ships, transports, whatever the quest requires.
This game has been around since the early 2000’s and boasts a HUGE universe to explore. There are over 7,000 star systems to explore. And there are hundreds of thousands of players joining you in your journey. This means that it is easier to find comrades and enemies to battle against and with. And you’ll need the help with some of the key missions. But it is possible to play alone as well. How you play is up to you.
Attacking the Citadel takes time, folks!
New updates are release all the time, so the game never gets old
That’s a lot of firepower…
18. Lost Ark
Lost Ark Trailer
The Demon King Kazero is out in the world. And he is bringing with him some Hellish minions. The world has been at peace with this demon world for so long that it has forgotten about the essential tool to drive back the demon hordes: the Ark. Now you must go forth and gather the fragments of the Ark and fight back Kazero and his underlings.
To say that this is one of the most anticipated MMORPG’s is putting it lightly. The game released its first trailer in 2014 in Korean. It has been in Beta testing since 2015 in Korea. Very little information has been released (for example, only 7/18 character classes) including an official release date in Korea or in Western markets. But it will more than likely make it to Western markets at some point in the future after a full Korean release.
This game has a ton of the familiar RPG systems—classes, customization, etc.—but it is not turn based it is a hack and slash action RPG. It is also speculated that for most missions you will be allowed to have a company of followers, but in boss battles you may have to go it alone.
The classes that we know are: Summoner, Devil Hunter, Battle Master, Berserker, Arcana, Warlord and Infighter. It looks as though the Summoner, Arcana and Devil Hunter classes are more focused on magic, while the Berserkers, Warlords, and Infighters will be focused on physical fighting; the Battle Master is seen using both so potentially is one of the balanced classes.
Are you ready to take on the Demon King?
Lost Ark Gameplay
You’ll need to battle the Demon King’s larger than life minions before you get to him.
The Summoner carves her way through dozens of enemies
17. Black Desert Online
Black Desert Online Expansion trailer
In Black Desert you join the fight over the desert in between the Republic of Calpheon and the Kingdom of Valencia. The desert is the point of war because it contains ancient artifacts known as the Black Stones. These stones are said to be responsible for the downfall of an ancient civilization that was driven mad by them. But they are incredibly powerful magical items that could turn the tides of war.
There are 9 character classes to choose from in this game: Musa, Maehwa, Tamer, Witch/Wizard, Valkyrie, Berserker, Sorceress, Ranger, and Warrior. The character customization is second to none. People have made celebrity lookalikes in the game to the point of creepiness in similarity. There are some odd restrictions though: warriors can’t be female and Rangers can’t be male.
But don’t let that hold you back. This is an absolutely beasty open world game. The graphics are stunning and will challenge even the most beefed up desktop.
Each class uses a variety of weapons and techniques to settle the conflict between the two governments and to claim the Black Stones from the desert. Things like huge lightning spells and angry arrows are a few of the weapons available to you as you go.
You can also become a winning merchant and amass thousands in smart trading. You can also use those funds to build a home and furnish it how you see fit. Explore the cities and the Desert to complete the story. Then have fun doing side quests and missions to enjoy the game even longer.
Black Desert Online Gameplay
This Michael Jackson creation is just plain awesome and creepy at the same time.
I’m thinking he doesn’t like the chains…
16. Elder Scrolls Online
Dark Brotherhood expansion trailer
Tamriel is your oyster in this version of the Elder Scrolls series. Explore the world and stop Molag Bal, the Daedric prince. He plans to destroy Tamriel while everyone is at war over other troubles.
In the newest DLC, The Dark Brotherhood, you can join the Dark Brotherhood who take it upon themselves to the bidding of Mother, a mummified woman who speaks telepathically to her followers. This usually involves killing very high profile individuals. This is risky and fun all at the same time.
There are 4 character classes to choose from: Dragonknight, Templar, Nightblade and Sorcerer. Dragonknights specialize in fire. They can devastate fields of combat and the enemies there. They can also call up earthen walls to protect their allies. Templars are the healers, but don’t think that they’re the weak White Mage of times past. The can sear those who try to stand in their way. Nightblades are the assassins of the bunch. They are excellent at sneaking and use shadow magic to draw health from enemy blood. And the Sorcerer commands all sorts of battle magic to help raid any dungeons you might encounter on your journey. But what is great is that you are not limited to a particular armor or weapon set. If you want a Sorcerer who can handle a battle axe and wear Daedric armor you can do that.
This game brings everything you love about the individual Elder Scrolls games and opens up the stage to the entirety of Tamriel. You’re not restricted to just Skyrim, for example. Explore it all and you have a VAST playing field.
Dungeons are available to both solo players and groups, which is nice if you prefer to play alone. Dungeons are the daunting mazes that all Elder Scroll fans love to hate. At times you’ll probably want to bring a few guild members along to fight off the hordes, but you’re just tough enough to try them on your own. Skyshards can be found if you’re brave enough to seek them out: they will provide a skill point for the trouble. You can join individual guilds and fight against Bal on your own timeline. Raise your skills by how you play and enjoy your game experience in your own way. A very Elder Scrolls kind of way.
Elder Scrolls Gameplay
Bring your sharpest blade to fight Daedra
Your best armor will be needed when exploring Tamriel.
15. Neverwinter
Neverwinter Trailer
No RPG countdown would be complete without some version of Dungeons & Dragons making the cut. In this free MMORPG you are defending one of the most beloved cities in the D&D universe, Neverwinter, from certain disaster at the hands of the Lich Queen Valindra just as it begins to be rebuilt.
You must search the Sword Coast for a means to stop the Lich Queen and her vanguard and gain experience and level your character all the way to max.
There are 8 Classes to choose from in this game: Great Weapon Fighter, Control Wizard, Devoted Cleric, Guardian Fighter, Trickster Rogue, Hunter Ranger, Sourge Warlock, and Oathbound Paladin. Great Weapon Fighters rely on Melee skills to help them succeed in combat. Control Wizards use a magical orb to call forth terrifying displays of arcane power.
Devoted Clerics are devoted (see what I did there?) to the healing and buffing of their comrades, but if need be can unleash powerful Holy damage on enemies.
Guardian Fighters deal a lot of hardcore melee damage, but they have the added bonus of being able to cast buffs. Trickster Rogues are the masters of subtlety. They can sneak around the chaotic battlefield, taking advantage of blind spots, and killing foes within seconds.
Hunter Rangers are ranged fighters who master the bow and some primal magic.
Scourge Warlocks create soul puppets which they use to fight in battle, these handy spells also can cast curses and draw life from the foes they kill.
Oathbound Paladins focus on defense. They take oaths to protect and be devoted during their training and it shows in their defensive nature and their healing abilities.
There are a number of expansions to this game that add quite a bit more to the experience. They expand maps and level caps. So you can get hours of fun in the main game and beyond.
So if you’ve ever wondered what D&D would be like as a full fledged MMORPG, then here is your chance to check it out.
Neverwinter Gameplay
Deal some serious damage to monster foes
Take down dragons with friends
14. Tree of Savior
Tree of Savior trailer
There once was a city that was blessed by all the goddesses. They ensured that the city would have good harvests and comfortable homes and that none would suffer unnecessarily. But one day the goddesses stopped answering prayers. People thought this was nothing until a giant tree, the Divine Tree sprang up in the middle of town and started causing mayhem. Plants and flowers turned into monsters and ghoulish beings set on destroying everything and everyone they met. It has been 4 years since that day and people are beginning to whisper about the return of the goddesses.
There are only four base classes available in this game. They are the Archer, Cleric, Swordsman and Wizard. But these are only their most basic versions. As you gain ranks throughout the game you will have choices about what you want your new character class to be. For example at rank 2 a wizard can either become a Pyromancer or a Cryomancer. At Rank 3 they can become a Psychokino or Linker. And each class has 7 ranks available and some have hidden options that require special conditions to enable you to choose that progression. There are also some extra ranks available for some of the progressions.
In a game that feels very much like the early Final Fantasies, you set out on your quest with up to four characters that you create and name yourself. There are job systems to take advantage of and some hilarious-at-times costumes to wear.
This game, from the creator of Ragnarok Online, is entirely free to play. They release updates and patches constantly so the fun isn’t restricted by your wallet or the amount of content available.
This is an action-based game and you will encounter enemies everywhere in the wilds. Use spells like Zombie to raise dead foes to fight on your side. You’ll go through unique tasks and challenges to save the land and bring back the peace of the goddesses.
Tree of Savior Gameplay
Characters are cute and small until they talk…
What will your team look like as you fight to bring back peace?
13. Riders of Icarus
Riders of Icarus Trailer
Evil has been unleashed on the world and now you must use Dragons and other fantastical beasts to destroy the evil. Teaming up and destroying strongholds and clearing dungeons is the only way to save the world from the ancient evil that has returned. The game starts with explaining what happened to the Kingom’s princess: she was taken by the Frost Guard and Rondo, who sold himself to gain amazing powers. From there you must escape Satan himself to begin your journey.
The most unique feature in Riders of Icarus is the ability to capture and tame and mount just about any beast you want. And each animal has its own unique perks and abilities. A dragon is going to enter the battle a lot differently than a bonesmasher, for example.
You can, of course, customize your character to the last detail and take advantage of unique class system that will turn the tides of battle. You can choose to be either to be a wizard, guardian, berserker, assassin, or priest.
Another awesome fact about this game is that it is entirely free to play. So don’t worry about subscription fees, just get out and tame some beasts and explore some dungeons.
Riders of Icarus Gameplay
That is one of the prettiest flying lizards I’ve ever seen.
Wait… Is that a chick?
12. Life is Feudal
Life is Feudal Trailer
Set in the time after the fall of the Roman Empire, this game seeks to show the chaos that was the medieval times in Europe. You are a settler just looking to create a homestead and alliances in this crazy time in history.
Unlike most MMORPG’s, this game is a sandbox style game. Meaning that it doesn’t have a strict storyline to follow and you create your world the way you want from the ground up.
You must defend your castle you spent time and resources creating as other players attempt to destroy it and plunder the resources within. But in true Medieval fashion, there are no guns. And there is no auto targeting, so you must figure out how angle your weapons to achieve the greatest impact on your enemies.
And everything you use to create your world must be scavenged from your environment. For example, you can’t build a castle without stones, and you can’t create a bow without wood. So the beginning of the game is very labor intensive, literally. But once you get going you and your allies can have hours of fun creating your kingdom.
Life is Feudal Gameplay
All this can be yours for the low low price of a few hours of your life
Craft your armor to make your warrior more impressive
11. Kingdom Under Fire 2
Kingdom Under Fire 2 Trailer
Kingdom Under Fire 2 is set in Bersia, which was once a great continent. In the past, crusades tore it apart, and just when peace seemed to be settling in, the Cataclysm hit and tore the land apart. Now alliances and enemies must be made to bring stability back to Bersia.
This game is a real-time strategy game and an MMORPG in one. You must become the general your faction needs and fight back the hordes using 100’s of different kinds of soldiers at your disposal.
But the game still allows you to customize your character and have interactions in the field like in an RPG. You fight the biggest and baddest enemies yourself—think giant spiders with some nasty venom, or demonic knights with just as much power as you—as you try to expand your empire and take more territory. That territory typically belongs to someone else already like other players. So you can join guilds and even countries to take on the massive armies of foes.
The game isn’t just about establishing order, it’s about spreading order. Your kind of order, not theirs. So scout out more lands and make your kingdom more expansive.
Kingdom Under Fire 2 Gameplay
Control hundreds of troops as they take down your enemies
All the fun of a strategy game, all the character customization of an RPG
10. Star Citizen
Star Citizen Trailer
Star Citizen exists at the intersection of FPS, RPG and space sim. You are a star pilot in this science fiction world and it is your job to decide what path you should take: you can be a merchant, a gun for hire, or even a smuggler.
Not only do you get to BE a star pilot in this game (gotta love those FPS features), you get to choose your ship and modify it as you see fit. There are several varieties of base ships to choose from which you will then customize from there. These ships can be giant frigates or little smuggling style ships that are meant to escape notice. Obviously, these ships will require pilots. Some you’ll be able to pilot yourself, some will require a few co-pilots (don’t worry if you like playing solo, there are NPC’s to help out) —I’m looking at you space yacht.
Can you explore different worlds? What is the combat gameplay like? Describe in vivid details
You will travel in your space ship, just like in a space sim, while you fight on the ground in FPS mode. The game does a seamless and beautiful job of combining these two styles into one fast-paced and hearty game.
There are dozens of universes to explore in your ship. Set out for a target and fight from space to get there. Once you land you can explore on foot around the planets to find the loot that you’re after or complete the mission objective. And if you run into any resistance there you’ll be able to fight it with the ease of an FPS.
The game boasts half a dozen unique play styles: some of which you can play solo, but most of which you’ll need a little help for. There are dozens of different missions to complete all based on how you choose to play.
Explore with your friends to have more fun. You’ll feel like a scene straight out of Star Wars warning your buddies that they have an enemy on their 6 while you’re flying. And you’ll have some bragging to do if you manage to save them from hostile fighters. It’s all the fun of flight and fight.
Star Citizen Gameplay
Explore massive settlements in a massive ship
Hunt down foes from the shadows
9. Lineage Eternal
Lineage Eternal Trailer
Lineage Eternal is the newest addition to the Lineage franchise. Not very many details have been released about the story itself. But what we do know is that it will be set in a middle age time era and there will be a variety of classes to choose from and customize including mages, warriors, and archers.
The game features a unique “drag action” system in which how you move the mouse on the screen changes the way that an attack is acted out. For example, you can swipe across the screen to set a row of fire across that path. The game is a hack and slash style game where you must fight your way through hordes of enemies. You also can deplete your ammunition in various classes—for example, the Archer class can run out of arrows (and does after using certain skills) making him much less helpful on the field until he can find more ammo. This will play into how you use your resources and skills that are reliant on ammunition.
Lineage Eternal is the third installment in the Lineage franchise by NCSoft. And it is supposed to be a return the grassroots of that franchise. But if you’ve never played a Lineage game, fear not. The game will be accessible and fun for all.
It’s set 200 years after the fall of the armies of good. And your quest sets off as a last ray of light against the evil that won out. You need to bring them down and bring them down hard. NCSoft aims to create a heroic adventure and it certainly sounds like one.
Here is more in-depth information about one of the classes that will be available
We’ll get by with a little help from our friends
That’s some serious range on that attack
8. Albion Online
Albion Online Trailer
Albion is a land where newcomers are not usually welcome. It’s a hostile place filled with ravenous wolves and foxes and dark cultists who follow the teachings of Morgana. But the King has decided it would be wise to settle there. And after years of failed attempts at creating settlements, he has finally created a safe enough place where civilians can settle. That’s where you come in.
This game is all about building up a whole new civilization. As a settler there are numerous jobs available to you. You can specialize in guarding carts; you can be a trader, a blacksmith, pretty much anything you want. It is so specialized, in fact, that you don’t just choose a broad job category. You can choose a specialization within that job to focus on. For example, you can choose to be the best-darned shield maker in the whole kingdom.
And you aren’t locked into that job either. If you decide that today you want to be a mage and tomorrow you want to be a warrior, you can with a simple of change of clothes or weaponry. Mages fight with staffs and warriors with swords so pick up a sword and be a warrior or pick up a staff and be a Mage. It’s a truly different look at class systems in games.
There aren’t just quests either, the whole world needs to be built. You can’t just go and buy a dagger that the game developer added into the game. You or someone in your town needs to make one and sell it to others.
And there are guilds to join and wars to fight. You don’t have to focus on just the crafting. Unlike a lot of sandbox style games, this one has a pretty rich story behind it waiting for you to discover.
Albion Online Gameplay
Take on Morgana’s forces to establish order
Create your home and design it too
7. Blade And Soul
Blade and Soul Trailer
You attend the Hongmoon School of martial arts. Living a peaceful life with the belief that there is no need to strike unless evil rears its ugly head. That is until the Jinsoyun arrive and slaughter your schoolmates and your master searching for the Twilight’s Edge, which they hope to use to unleash the forces of the Dark Realm.
This is a bit of a darker game, in case you couldn’t tell. You choose your character from 4 different races and 9 different classes. And there is superb customization. But that’s true of most MMORPG’s.
What makes Blade and Soul unique is the fast-paced action combat system, which utilizes tricky combos which must be timed perfectly to be effective.
You’ll have plenty of time to master those combos though with tons of PvP duels and Dungeons to explore. Team up with friends or go solo, it’s up to you. But you must avenge your fallen comrades and how you do it is by using those complicated martial arts moves you swore only to use to vanquish evil.
And you will, indeed, vanquish evil.
Blade and Soul Gameplay
Depending on your characterization choices, you can be a brute or a mouse or anything in between
Defeat large foes with astounding combos
6. Bless Online
Bless Online Trailer
In the world of Bless Online there are two major kingdoms: Union and Hieron. Hieron defends its holdings against the Union threat to the North. The Union has true military strength and brute force. Each kingdom represents 5 different races all vying for more prestige and recognition.
There are 10 available races in the game and 8 classes to choose from. And depending on your race is where your story starts off.
The game boasts some very impressive PvP fights as you must, at times, lead 100 troops into battle. To battle like this, you can imagine just how immense the battlefield must be. And your character race and class determines your position in these battles.
This is another game with massive customization options. Not only do you have the races and classes to choose from, you can be nitpicky with every detail of your character without making them look too absurd. What makes Bless Online go above and beyond is things like choosing not only lipstick but the glossiness of those lips, Making each eye a different color, how fat or skinny but also how muscular or not a character is are just a few options available to you.
The game is also incredibly open. If you want to scale a steep mountain in the distance, you can without running into an invisible barrier. The quests are very linear, especially initially. There are two types of play mode—action and tap-targeting. Both provide challenging combat options so it’s really dealer’s choice on how you choose to play.
Bless Online Gameplay
Will you side with the Hieron?
Battle intense fantasy creatures that threaten your land
5. Gloria Victis
Gloria Victis Trailer
This game is set in Medieval Europe. It has a basis in reality. So you follow the fate of whichever tribe you choose to be a part. There are four tribes (Azebians, Ismirs, Midlanders and Sangarians) and all are based on tribes from historical times past.
The game describes itself as low fantasy. This means there are no mages. This also means that it probably isn’t wise to wear next to nothing in the snowy mountains of tons of fur and armor in the blistering desert.
This is another sandbox style open world game. You must craft and create your villages and your weapons and armor.
NPC’s are also highly sensitive to your actions and will also notice the time of day that you are speaking to them as well as the weather outside. Don’t expect your peasants to be out and about in the snow.
Play through your tribe’s fate and explore a vast open world, which boasts no load screens and no “invisible walls.” The game is still in pre-Alpha and not widely distributed, but it is another title that is free to play so give it a go.
Low fantasy doesn't mean no giants
Team up with dozens of friends to take down your enemies
The world is your oyster… and it’s a pretty oyster
4. Kenshi
Kenshi Trailer
IF you’re looking to mix things up and play something a little different than the typical medieval style RPG or Fantasy RPG than this game is probably well worth checking out. Kenshi is set in a world where you are not the chosen one. You aren’t famous or special or even strong, for that matter. Whatever your character is, you have to work to make them that way.
The game is a sandbox style open world game. It is also a “sword-punk” game. This means that it utilizes machines and swords all at once. Don’t look for magic wielders here either. This is a game where you have to get into fights and battles and work for your levels and customized armors and weapons.
The game is very open-ended and you choose where it goes. You can build cities and protect people from the dangers of the open wastelands such as the bandits and the cannibals. You can go it alone and be a solitary farmer. You can even resign yourself to a life of slavery. But be warned: no matter which path you take those bandits and cannibals are still out there and wanting to kill you.
Your character has to put in the hours of training to become a fighter. He must sneak everywhere to be a skilled assassin or ninja. And, of course, must craft and harvest from the earth to create anything at all. And that’s a skill to develop as well.
There’s no rest for the wicked or the good if you wanna be any good at this game.
Kenshi Gameplay
Use crafting stations to up your building capabilities
Build your town and make sure it’s well defended
3. Wakfu
Wakfu Trailer
Welcome to the World of Twelve. It’s seen some rough times lately. An ogre named Ogrest who lives on Mount Zinit has recently created a cataclysm that has demolished entire empires. You must now venture to not only stop Ogrest but to help rebuilt the world that has fallen on hard times.
This is a turn-based RPG so strategical planning is of the utmost importance.
You can also make decisions within the game which impact the environments. You can hunt animals to extinction. You can also be overrun by them. You can harvest too much wheat (or not plant enough for that matter) and starve people unexpectedly.
There are 15 character classes to choose from in game. And a newer update allows you to create your own team of up to three characters to take on any challenge that you might come across.
This game is all about strategy. Whether its planning for the future with your hunting and gathering habits or how you take down Ogrest, everything is up to you. And everything has consequences.
This is a game with a lot of humor written in so if other MMORPG’s got you down then give this one a whirl.
Wakfu gameplay
I’d pay for a cute fluffy sheep too!
Plan out your settlements and use your resources well
2. Rift
Rift Trailer
You are an Ascended of Telara. Telara has been a very peaceful kingdom for centuries. But now rifts have begun to open across the land. These rifts are portals to other planes and other worlds. They release evil and destruction on those all around them when they appear. And there’s no telling when the next one will show up.
This is a classic in the world of MMORPG’s. It’s been around since 2011. But it still packs an amazing punch. New dungeons and DLC’s are released all the time giving the game the opportunity to be fresh and new with every addition.
Rift is set in a fantasy world at the beginning, but your adventures take you to all sorts of other worlds. Worlds that are underwater or have hot air balloons. The rifts take you all over the place as you explore them.
There are several different ways to play through PvP encounters as well. In Warfront (a type of Instant match) you can play Capture the Flag, Assault, Martyrdom, or Escalation. Each has it’s own unique challenges and objectives. Conquest, which you only gain access to at level 65, where you play in one of three factions in an alternate reality to gain all sorts of benefits (like exp) after taking down your opponents. You can also just battle across Telara in an Open World setting. Go after other Ascended and prove your strength as you adventure. And you can even design your own PvP dimension and take the battle to it.
The game offers a wide variety of distractions even for the most veteran of players.
Rift takes the normal race and class system of RPG’s and adds a couple more layers to make your characters fit your gameplay like a glove. First you choose your faction, then your race, then your calling. But the fun doesn’t stop there. You also get a choice of Souls that have dozens of powers and traits.
Rift started as a paid game but has since become free to play. There are some restrictions you’ll have to buy your way out of, but the game is still highly playable without the subscription. You can still max out your levels and still explore all that Rift has to offer.
Rift Gameplay
I don’t know if I’d look that calm being chased by that thing…
Take on tough bosses with your raiding crew
1. Wildstar
Wildstar Trailer
The planet Nexus is on the brink of all out war. The Dominion is the reigning empire of the galaxy. And has been for thousands of years. The Exiles have been driven from their homelands time and again by the Dominion and are trying to make Nexus their home. Conflict erupts and you must choose a side. Along the way you discover the hyper-advanced Eldan that vanished years ago. It turns out this is part of why this planet is so valuable.
There are three layers of customization to Wildstar. First: Dominion or Exile? Second: class. Third: path. There are four paths to choose from: Explorer, Soldier, Settler or Scientist. Being an explorer makes the game all about discovering the unknown. You’ll go on cartography missions, tracking missions, surveillance missions and the like.
Being a soldier means missions of battle, whether that be assassination or defense. Settlers are all about making Nexus a little more like home. This means things like expanding townships and creating government.
Scientists just want to study the world’s biology and archeology and chemistry. So when you choose one of these four classes during your customization you must also choose how you want to live on Nexus: do you want to fight for it, settle it, explore it or study it?
The game has another level of challenge since there is no way to lock on to targets (tab targeting). You must manually aim at enemies and hit them even if they are moving. And your enemies must do the same to you. So you must manually acquire your targets and fire.
You can also own and customize your own little piece of Nexus by buying and transforming a house to your liking. Pimp it out and show off your style to passersby.
Recently, NCSoft, the publisher of the game, has made a free to play version of the game. There are upgrades for purchase. But you can get the whole Wildstar experience for free now. There are also new updates and additions all the time. So the game never gets stale.
Wildstar Gameplay
He looks like a nice enough chap
Is he smiling? Guys, I can’t tell if he’s smiling or growling? Must be smiling…
Hopefully we’ve supplied you with some MMO oldie but goodies and some friendly teases of what the genre has for us down the line! These should really be enough to keep you busy for a while.
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