Final Fantasy XIV is a seminal MMO for a variety of reasons. It boasts gorgeous visuals, satisfying combat mechanics, and it’s easy for first-timers to pick up. It’s a game that stands on its own two feet separate from other entries in the Final Fantasy series, in large part because of its wholly unique storyline and inclusion of well-rounded, meaningful characters.
After a while, though, players might get the itch to try something different – playing the same game for a long time takes its toll, especially in an MMO setting. Fortunately, there are many other MMOs with intriguing story hooks that keep players engaged. If other MMOs don’t end up satisfying that need, the break can still help players appreciate Final Fantasy XIV when they return.
10 Guild Wars 2 (And Guild Wars 1)
Guild Wars 2 was one of the highest-rated MMOs of all time upon release and served as a fully-improved version of the original game. While Guild Wars 1 is still playable and some say has an even better sequel than its follow-up, Guild Wars 2 simply has a larger, more dedicated player base.
The story of Guild Wars 2 is unique in that it is based on the choices the player makes when creating a character. Unique objectives and story details unfold around the player, making for an incredibly immersive experience.
9 The Elder Scrolls Online
The Elder Scrolls Online is a sleeper hit of the MMO genre. Panned on its initial release for being buggy and underdeveloped, the game now has multiple expansions and updates under its belt that improved the game so much that it is one of the most-played MMOs in the world.
This MMO allows the player to explore the narrative at their own pace, with the world of Tamriel scaled to their level. Players can choose to level in just about any zone in the game, even from the start, and the tomes of lore in the Elder Scrolls franchise lend themselves to deep, beautiful storylines.
8 World of Warcraft
An absolute titan of the MMO genre, World of Warcraft is the longest-running and most-played MMO of all time. The recent expansion Shadowlands allows players to go back to any expansion in the last 17 years and experience the storylines and worlds as self-contained experiences.
While some say the game has fallen in quality in recent years the lore of the Warcraft universe is, in a word, epic. Even for dedicated players, it takes years to experience every narrative arc the game has to offer.
7 Secret World Legends
Secret World Legends is unique among MMOs for a variety of reasons, number one being the setting. Secret Worlds Legends takes place in the modern world, with real-life locations represented in-game.
It pits the player against armies of darkness and tasks the player with uncovering the secrets of the supernatural in a story-driven setting. The combat and visuals are great, but this game really shines on its narrative.
6 Dungeons and Dragons Online
When there’s no tabletop to play on, there’s always Dungeons and Dragons Online. While the graphics of this MMO are outdated, to say the least, it draws upon decades of Dungeons and Dragons lore in a seamless and satisfying experience.
Iconic Dungeons and Dragons enemies such as Beholders make their appearance, as well as iconic locations such as Khorvaire (the primary continent the Eberron campaign takes place in.) But if the visual style is too outdated, there is a spiritual successor that also takes place in the Dungeons and Dragons universe.
5 Neverwinter
Neverwinter was released far more recently than Dungeons and Dragons Online but is based in the same universe. The story revolves around the initial invasion of the Lich Queen Valindra on the city of Neverwinter, and over the years has added a number of deep plotlines any Dungeons and Dragons fan should experience.
Neverwinter has a large, dedicated fanbase and is easy for first-timers to pick up – plus, like Dungeons and Dragons Online, it’s nearly completely free.
4 Lord of the Rings Online
The Lord of the Rings franchise is legendary among fantasy epics – it’s no wonder that a game eventually came out using this lore as the basis for an MMO. Made by the same developer as Dungeons and Dragons Online, the graphics are somewhat outdated, but the representation of Middle-Earth makes up for this in spades.
The highlight of Lord Of The Rings Online is the accurate-to-the-books representation of characters and areas of Middle-Earth. Plus, players can experience being one of Sauron’s servants, as there is an option to play as an evil race.
3 Star Wars: The Old Republic
Star Wars: The Old Republic is another MMO that relies heavily upon the player’s choices to tell the story. The fact that it was developed by Bioware, the legendary company behind the Mass Effect series, should indicate the role the player has in the game’s overall narrative.
Playing as a Jedi-in-training, a smuggler, or even a Wookie never felt more immersive – and in the last few years, the game went to a free-to-play model.
2 Star Trek Online
For fans of the Star Trek franchise, Star Trek Online gives players the opportunity to join Star Fleet and command their very own vessel. This game is unique for its 3D space combat and its mission-by-mission storytelling – like the episodic nature of the show.
Star Trek Online is fun for newcomers but even better for Trekkies who recognize iconic characters from the TV series and movies, who they can then quest alongside.
1 Runescape
Ah yes, Runescape, the classic middle-school point-and-click RPG that made waves upon its initial release. The game has gone through significant changes in recent years, and re-released old school servers for players to experience the grind all over again in the original 2007 setting.
Runescape‘s storyline is uncovered through quests and throughout the world. When the player isn’t farming cows for leather outside Lumbridge, they might be solving a murder mystery or saving a town from a cave yeti. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, though, and plenty of quests and narratives are purely there for laughs.
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