Wondering what the best MMO games of 2021 are? Some managed to leave a mark on the community, so much so that they were pulled from digital sale, while others drift into oblivion. It's little wonder they're so popular.
Their worlds are continuously expanding, and there are seemingly unlimited quests or challenges that players can take on, not to mention ways to meet new friends and interact with others when they can't in real life. While there are plenty of good MMOs to pick up, we've narrowed it down to the five best to spend your time on.
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RuneScape
Initially released as a browser based game in 2001, the game later shifted to a standalone model right now. It's received a huge overhaul in terms of gameplay, graphics, and more, but the core essence remains the same.
There's a huge skillset available to approach (nearly) every aspect of daily life in Gielinor, and the majority of them are free too. There's even the option for veterans and newcomers to experience Runescape's original combat system, thanks to Legacy mode.
Unlike other MMOs, Runescape allows you to play the game and level up without actually getting into combat even for once. This feature gives you the ability to roleplay however you want, making it stand out from the rest of the crowd.
Final Fantasy XIV
You wouldn't think so looking at it now, but Final Fantasy XIV didn't have a smooth launch. While the original game was abandoned, Square Enix learnt from their mistakes and delivered a whopper of a game with A Realm Reborn over the next eight years. Featuring outstanding mechanics and an equally amazing look, there's a massive story here spanning both earth and space.
The class system stands out from other MMOs because you can level up all classes on a single character, if you have the patience. There's also a vibrant roleplaying scene, hunts, raids, and everything else Square Enix crammed into this giant experience. While XIV's subscription-based model, there's a (temporarily suspended) free trial that lasts until the end of Heavensward.
Black Desert Online
Developed by Pearl Abyss, Black Desert Online is widely considered one of the best looking MMOs out there, but that's just a fraction of what makes BDO so good. The gameplay is truly immersive and the world is vast, which makes up for the often less-than-stellar storytelling.
There's so much going on, so you'll always have something to do. Black Desert Online is a good MMO to get your hands on, but then again, you need to buy it in order to play it. Make use of the 30 day trial period that Black Desert offers before deciding on that purchase.
Neverwinter
Developed by Cryptic Studios, Neverwinter is one of the best MMOs based upon Dungeons and Dragons. Admittedly, the graphics aren't great, but the game has plenty of challenges and quests that you can participate in, letting you to explore Neverwinter as you see fit. The storyline is one of Neverwinter's best aspects. The game can get grindy, yes, but this makes up for it.
First of all, there's a diverse race system, each with unique perks and abilities, and that directly influences the class system too. You'll have to enter combat, but there's other ways to play after reaching a certain level. You could live your life in Neverwinter as an adventurer, or you could craft materials and sell it in the market.
Although the game is free-to-play, there's a subscription-based model Neverwinter follows. Truthfully, if you want to make the most of it, you'll need money or a lot of patience. If done right, you might never have to spend a single buck on it.
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is still considered one of the best MMOs out there today. However, a large part of the community feels that the classes are unbalanced, while the game is dependent on a complex, RNG-based system.
That said, the lore and the gameplay have kept fans captivated over the years, still pulling in players now. Given that World of Warcraft's subscriber base is practically limitless, it's really hard for any other game to keep up with this MMO. There's a lot you can do, and the only major downside is that it isn't free to play.