Embark on an epic journey through the realm of online gaming! Join us as we count down the most influential and beloved MMORPGs that have shaped the genre. From classic titles that started it all to modern masterpieces, we're exploring the virtual worlds that have captivated millions of players worldwide.
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo and today we are finding who dominates the genre.
00:15When it comes to role playing games whose multiplayer elements could be described as
00:19massive, these are the 20 best in that field.
00:22Hotkey go to shift 1 cause it's time to get started, such a lame intro.
00:28Ultima Online
00:31If you haven't thought about this game in 20 years, many fond memories may be flooding
00:35your mind right now.
00:36Released in 1997, Ultima Online was one of the first and most popular MMORPGs.
00:41It was a fascinating time in video game history where anything was possible and developers
00:46were truly enjoying their creative freedom.
00:48The game is set in the Ultima universe, a cherished series of open world fantasy RPGs
00:53that started in 1981.
00:55Ultima Online had a long lifespan, receiving 8 expansions and numerous free updates.
01:00One interesting aspect of the game is that the developers prioritised player freedom,
01:04which included the option to be evil.
01:15Terror
01:16This South Korean MMO has been thriving for over a decade and shows no signs of slowing
01:21down.
01:22Terror is a fantasy MMO that emphasises immersive combat mechanics, setting it apart from far
01:27more mainstream titles like World of Warcraft.
01:29With over 28 million players, the game is well loved for its extensive character creation
01:33options, accessible gameplay style and a wide variety of stylish armour and weapons to collect.
01:39Warhammer Online
01:40Warhammer Online is an MMORPG that had a dedicated fanbase even before its release, much like
01:49Elder Scrolls or Warcraft.
01:51The Warhammer tabletop game originated in the 80s, gaining popularity as fans engaged
01:55with various video game adaptations, including the Total War Warhammer series, which brought
02:00us its universe to real-time strategy gaming.
02:03Released in 2008, Warhammer Online features a vibrant, high-magic fantasy world similar
02:08to World of Warcraft.
02:09However, like many MMORPGs, it experienced a decline in subscribers just months after
02:14its launch.
02:15Despite receiving positive reviews, the game ultimately shut down in 2013.
02:19Either way, it still has a dedicated fanbase that continues to live on player-run private
02:23servers, which remain very active.
02:33Neverwinter
02:34Neverwinter is a free-to-play action MMORPG inspired
02:48by the renowned Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.
02:51Epic narratives, dynamic combat and classic role-playing elements await those brave enough
02:55to venture into the enchanting world of Neverwinter.
02:58Explore and defend one of the most cherished cities from the Dungeons & Dragons Forgotten
03:02Realms campaign as it emerges from the ruins of destruction.
03:06This immersive MMORPG will take you from besieged city walls to subterranean tunnels, where
03:11you'll uncover forgotten secrets and seek out lost treasures.
03:24Phantasy Star Online
03:25If this list was on the top 20 most underrated MMORPGs of all time, there's a real chance
03:36that Phantasy Star Online would take the number one spot.
03:40Rare reviews include, I play this for 4 straight months this year and I think I found my all-time
03:44favourite game, and I experienced this game for the first time in 2023 and it quickly
03:48became one of my favourites ever.
03:50It's incredibly rare for a game this good to go relatively forgotten, but alas, Phantasy
03:55Star Online is unknown by many.
04:02Lord of the Rings Online
04:06Transitioning to a free-to-play model, Lord of the Rings Online experienced a significant
04:10boost in popularity.
04:11Set in J.R.R.
04:12Tolkien's Middle Earth, it delivers exactly what you'd expect, a traditional MMORPG with
04:18a Lord of the Rings theme.
04:19The game promotes exploration with its discovery-friendly map.
04:22Much of Lord of the Rings Online makes references to the movies and books, which is a major
04:27attraction for fans of the series.
04:29A good selection of races and classes makes this universe feel as full and intricate as
04:33the Lord of the Rings MMORPG should feel.
04:36Black Desert Online.
04:55A standout Korean MMO, Black Desert Online burst onto the scene and disrupted its competitors
05:01with a unique combat system, stunning graphics and a captivating storyline.
05:05It was a hit and even to this day, it still ain't quit.
05:10It features one of the most diverse character creation systems found in any MMO, making
05:14it a major draw for players who want their characters to stand out.
05:18There's also plenty of guides online to make your characters look like particular people,
05:22or things.
05:30Star Trek Online.
05:32I tell you what, if you ever want to make dumb money, take an IP that people love and
05:41make a high quality game on that IP.
05:44Trekkers were undoubtedly thrilled at the chance to immerse themselves in the Star Trek
05:48universe and fulfil their dreams of becoming a Starfleet officer, which contributed to
05:52the enduring popularity of Star Trek Online.
05:55While critical reviews were mixed, the game has persisted with numerous expansion packs
05:59and updates to keep the experience fresh.
06:02It may not be perfect, but that's kind of the point.
06:04If it's a popular universe, people are probably going to open up their wallets anyways.
06:18EVE Online.
06:32One of the best aspects of playing EVE Online today is that the game has undergone numerous
06:37updates since its launch.
06:39These changes have led many players and critics to reassess the title positively.
06:43While several developers have tried to create enjoyable, outer space themed MMORPGs, EVE
06:48Online stands out where many others have struggled.
06:50If you played this back in 2003 and felt a little disappointed, I urge you to give it
06:55another crack, because the wrinkles that bothered you initially have most likely been ironed
06:59out.
07:00New World.
07:07MMORPGs often delve into the fantasy genre, and New World does it better than most.
07:16Set on the enchanting island of Aeternum, you play as a 17th century explorer uncovering
07:21new resources, mystical powers, and encountering other players who you can befriend or battle.
07:26At launch, New World faced challenges due to an overwhelming number of players, causing
07:30its servers to struggle.
07:32However, the game has since recovered and gained popularity, and it was nominated for
07:36Best Multiplayer Game at the Game Awards.
07:38I stopped playing it in the early days, and revisited it after writing this list.
07:41So let me just say, you should all be playing this game.
07:52EverQuest.
07:53EverQuest is one of the earliest MMORPGs still enjoyed by a substantial playerbase, 25 years.
08:00Think about that for a second and tell me that ain't an achievement worth celebrating.
08:03The game transitioned to a free-to-play model in 2012, but players voiced concerns that
08:08this option restricted access to only a small portion of the game's content.
08:12As one of the most influential MMORPGs in history, EverQuest has significantly impacted
08:16the genre.
08:17Titles like World of Warcraft might have evolved differently without its influence, which is
08:21pretty cool.
08:22Trove.
08:24This is home.
08:27It's all that's left of the once glorious realms of the Sun Goddess.
08:32Before the land was lush.
08:35Trove is a sandbox MMORPG reminiscent of Minecraft that debuted in 2015.
08:40It was later ported to PlayStation and Xbox and Switch, making one of its strongest qualities
08:44its availability.
08:46And its game.
08:47Truly, it's the game.
08:48I just wanted to emphasize the availability.
08:50Unlike many MMORPGs, Trove translates seamlessly to consoles, offering a straightforward yet
08:56surprisingly captivating experience.
08:58It's an excellent first MMO for younger players and has garnered strong support from its community.
09:04Good for kids.
09:05Good for adults.
09:06Rift.
09:07As you might expect, Rift is a classic MMORPG that shares similarities with World of Warcraft.
09:14Initially, like WoW, Rift operated on a subscription model before adding a free-to-play option
09:19with limited features.
09:21One might wonder why players would choose Rift over WoW.
09:24While Rift does not offer many distinguishing features from the genre giant, some players
09:28appreciate its intensity and the extensive range of skills that add more depth to the
09:32gameplay.
09:33It's entirely possible for gamers to enjoy both World of Warcraft and Rift, as both are
09:37outstanding games in their own right.
09:41Star Wars The Old Republic
09:49With the third highest budget of any video game ever produced, Star Wars The Old Republic
09:53excels at delivering deep and enjoyable RPG elements on a grand scale.
09:58Players can choose to be a lightsaber-wielding Jedi or a commando embarking on a unique journey
10:03tailored to each character's class.
10:05Like many of the games on this list, it continues to hold relevance in today's MMORPG landscape.
10:10Overall, Star Wars The Old Republic is an outstanding MMORPG that effectively weaves
10:16an engaging Star Wars narrative.
10:30Destiny 2
10:38I promise this is the only entry on our list that is debatable as an MMORPG, but unfortunately,
10:44there is debate to be made.
10:45Most debates end with Destiny 2 is either an MMOFPS or an FPS RPG, but not an MMORPG.
10:52Which as a line, makes absolutely no sense.
10:55That's just an oxymoron.
10:56It's oxymoronic.
10:58Destiny 2 shines with its captivating blend of immersive storytelling, stunning visuals
11:02and engaging gameplay.
11:03The game features dynamic, cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes alongside regular
11:07content updates and seasonal events.
11:10Its deep lore and expansive universe encourage exploration, making it a rewarding experience
11:15for both casual and dedicated players.
11:24RuneScape
11:33Launched in 2001 as a free-to-play MMORPG, RuneScape has remarkably maintained its popularity
11:39over the years.
11:40At any given time, the game boasts at least 50,000 active players.
11:44In RuneScape, players engage in classic MMORPG activities like fishing, mining, blacksmithing
11:50and battling enemies.
11:51The PvP area in the wilderness serves as a true test of a player's skills.
11:55While the graphics of old-school RuneScape may not be impressive, they're undeniably
11:59nostalgic and charming.
12:01This combined with the enjoyable gameplay is what makes it endure.
12:06Guild Wars 2
12:12We love an MMORPG that takes things in a new direction, whilst also holding onto the elements
12:17that makes the genre fantastic.
12:19Rather than following the typical questing format of MMORPGs, Guild Wars 2 features an
12:23event-based system that encourages players to collaborate with their guilds, parties
12:28and other players.
12:29While the idea of guilds isn't exclusive to MMOs, Guild Wars 2 perfected the formula from
12:35the start.
12:41Elder Scrolls Online
12:47Unlike the Elder Scrolls RPGs developed by Bethesda, Elder Scrolls Online was created
12:52by ZeniMax Online Studios.
12:54Although ZeniMax isn't known for developing Elder Scrolls titles, they successfully crafted
12:58one of the best MMORPGs of all time.
13:01Remarkably, they stayed true to the Elder Scrolls series while avoiding the pitfalls
13:04of a standard MMORPG.
13:07While the game is best experienced on PC, the console version is also really impressive.
13:12If you played this upon release and felt underwhelmed, we encourage you to try again because the
13:16updates have been outstanding.
13:19Final Fantasy XIV
13:32Although Final Fantasy XI also deserves some praise as one of the best MMORPGs of all time,
13:37we're looking at the much newer Final Fantasy XIV.
13:40Final Fantasy XIV has come a long way since its launch.
13:43With better graphics than World of Warcraft, a playable console version and a steady stream
13:47of quality content, it's quickly becoming one of the best MMORPGs available.
13:52The ability to play on the latest consoles truly sets Final Fantasy XIV apart.
13:57With enhanced visuals, a unique PvP mode and ongoing community support, it's clear why
14:02it's becoming the new champion of MMOs.
14:05Jump on it now, because it's not just for Final Fantasy fans.
14:32World of Warcraft
14:33Who the hell didn't see this one coming?
14:44World of Warcraft has long been the reigning king of MMORPGs.
14:49When it launched in 2004, it shook the video game industry to its core, reaching a peak
14:54of 12 million players in 2010.
14:57Its vast content and diverse player base solidify its status as one of the top MMORPGs
15:03and one of the greatest games of all time.
15:05With the release of its classic versions, the game has had a serious resurgence of love,
15:10especially from people who haven't touched the game in years.
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