As an online-focused genre, MMOs are never really “complete.” Most of them launch with deep lore and plenty of story content, but developers are constantly adding new expansions, events, and systems to keep players engaged for years.
Because these games can, in theory, go on forever, it is worth choosing carefully. MMOs demand time, and you want to invest that time in one that feels rewarding and supported long term.
The good news is that several titles released years ago still hold up remarkably well against newer competition. With consistent updates and strong communities, they remain solid entry points today. Here is a list of some of the best MMOs you can start playing right now.
Best MMOs to Play in 2026
While most MMOs are traditionally built with PC players in mind, many of the titles below are also available on consoles such as PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, with some even launching on mobile devices like tablets and smartphones. In many cases, that also means cross-play support, allowing you to start a session on PC and continue it on another platform.
Because these games are tied to personal accounts, you can step away whenever you need to and return later without losing progress. Your character, gear, and progress will be waiting for you.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in.
EVE Online | May, 2003
EVE Online is a massive galactic conquest simulator and space sandbox that has remained relevant for over two decades. Known for its single-server universe, every player action can have a lasting impact on the game’s complex, player-driven economy and political landscape. It is world-renowned for its sprawling spaceship battles, some of which have involved thousands of players and earned Guinness World Records for their scale and real-world cost.
While the gameplay often involves navigating menus and managing industrial or trade empires, the high stakes of losing ships in combat give every action deep meaning. Recent graphics updates have kept the title looking modern, and its community remains one of the most dedicated in the MMO genre, often forming massive corporations that govern entire solar systems.
Old School RuneScape | February, 2013
Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is a thriving sandbox MMO based on the 2007 version of the original game. It is celebrated for its community-driven development, where new features and updates are only implemented if they pass a democratic vote by the player base. The game offers a satisfying “grind” across dozens of non-combat and combat skills, allowing players to pursue their own interests, from master-level crafting to high-intensity player-killing in the “Wilderness”.
Despite its retro aesthetic, the game continues to grow and is considered one of the most single-player-friendly and respectful of player time. Its simple point-and-click mechanics make it accessible on both PC and mobile with full cross-progression, ensuring players can progress their characters whether they are at home or on the go.
Warframe | March, 2013
Often described as a “sci-fi cyber-ninja” simulator, Warframe is one of the most successful free-to-play titles on the market. It features exceptionally fluid third-person combat where players use “Warframes”—advanced bio-metal suits with unique abilities—to parkour through levels and decimate enemies. While it is known for an intensive “grind” for gear and resources, the game is widely praised for providing immense value without requiring financial investment to access its core content.
Over the years, the game has evolved far beyond its original mission-based structure, adding massive open-world zones, spaceship combat (Railjack), and deep cinematic story expansions. It supports full cross-play and cross-progression across PC, consoles, and mobile devices, making it a staple for action-MMO fans.
It is worth mentioning that we recently made a guide on Warframe’s Incarnon Weapons, which is a very important aspect of gameplay you should master.
Albion Online | July, 2017
Albion Online is a sandbox fantasy MMO that distinguishes itself through a classless combat system and a completely player-run economy. In Albion, “you are what you wear”; your abilities are determined by the gear you equip, allowing you to switch from a tank to a mage or a scout simply by changing your outfit. This flexibility is central to its gameplay, which emphasizes player choice and tactical adaptability.
The game is famous for its high-risk, full-loot PvP in certain zones, where dying can mean losing all currently equipped items to your opponent. For those less inclined toward combat, the game offers deep crafting, gathering, and the ability to manage private islands for farming, all while maintaining a unified world across PC and mobile platforms.
Destiny 2 | September, 2017
Developed by Bungie (same developers of Halo and, more recently, Marathon), Destiny 2 is a premier looter-shooter that blends tight first-person shooter mechanics with traditional MMO elements like raids, dungeons, and public events. Players take on the role of Guardians, defenders of Earth’s last city, wielding elemental powers and a vast arsenal of “Exotic” weapons to fight alien threats. The game is lauded for its best-in-class gunplay and high-quality social activities that require coordination among large groups of players.
While the game offers paid expansions, the free-to-play “New Light” experience provides a solid entry point for casual players to explore the solar system and participate in weekly events. Its cross-platform support makes it an excellent choice for playing with friends on different systems, maintaining a vibrant community through regular content, “Episodes”.
Genshin Impact | September, 2020
A personal favorite of mine, Genshin Impact took the gaming world by storm with its beautiful anime-style open world (Teyvat) and became, essentially, the precursor and poster game for the “gacha” character system.
The game focuses on elemental combat, where players swap between a party of four characters to trigger powerful reactions like “Vaporize” or “Frozen”. It is particularly strong as a story-driven experience, offering hundreds of hours of exploration, puzzles, and questing for free.
Although it is primarily a solo experience, it features co-op play for up to four friends to tackle dungeons and bosses together. The developer consistently releases massive updates (we have talked about the upcoming Version Luna recently) that expand the map with new nations and characters, ensuring that there is always something new to discover in its pristine and expansive world.
Once Human | July, 2024
Once Human is a post-apocalyptic survival MMO set in a world plagued by supernatural anomalies. Unlike traditional RPGs, it places a heavy emphasis on base-building and resource management, requiring players to maintain their character’s hunger, thirst, and sanity while exploring a vast, dangerous map. The combat utilizes a mix of crafted firearms and melee weapons to fight bizarre, eldritch-inspired enemies and massive world bosses.
The game features a unique server structure where players share a world, allowing them to collaborate on massive structures or compete for resources. Its progression system is tied to both story missions and “jobs” found in various hub centers, providing a unique blend of survival and RPG mechanics that feels distinct from other titles in the genre.
Palia | March, 2024
Palia is a “cozy” life-simulator MMORPG that intentionally avoids combat to focus on community, relaxation, and creativity. Players arrive in the world of Palia as humans and are tasked with building their dream home, gardening, fishing, and befriending the local inhabitants. The game encourages social interaction, allowing players to visit each other’s homes and collaborate on various life-skills in a shared, persistent world.
Despite the lack of traditional combat, the game offers a deep lore and an evolving narrative about why humans have suddenly reappeared. It is a free-to-play experience with a focus on aesthetic customization, making it a perfect retreat for players who want the social atmosphere of an MMO without the pressure of competitive power-leveling.
Wuthering Waves | May, 2024
Developed by Kuro Games, Wuthering Waves is a free-to-play open-world action RPG set on the post-apocalyptic planet of Solaris-3. Players take the role of Rover, an amnesiac Arbiter who awakens to explore a world reshaped by a cataclysmic event known as the Lament, which introduced monsters called Tacet Discords.
While bringing a similar gameplay schematic as seen in Genshin Impact, Wuthering Waves is a friendlier choice compared to its HoYoVerse counterpart, due to its focus on fast-paced action combat and a reduced (albeit still existent) importance on elemental aspects. Instead, parries and dodges done with precision are key here, while managing energy resources that allow not only for character switching, but also making them enter and leave the fray with a heavy-damaging skill to boot.
The title is also highly regarded for its exceptional traversal systems, which allow characters to wall-run, glide, and dash across fields without consuming stamina. Since its initial release in May 2024, the game has expanded significantly through massive updates like Version 2.0 and 3.0, which added vast new regions such as the Europe-inspired Rinascita and the subterranean world of Lahai Roi. By early 2026, Wuthering Waves has cemented its place as a top-tier MMO experience, winning the Player’s Voice award at The Game Awards 2025 and sustaining a massive global community through its generous free-to-play model and consistent content expansions.
And, if you wanna get started on it, we can also show you how to build your own Rover from scratch.
Throne and Liberty | October, 2024
Throne and Liberty is a modern MMORPG that features high-end graphics and a unique animal-shapeshifting system for travel. Instead of using mounts, players transform into wolves to sprint, birds to glide, and aquatic creatures to swim across the world of Solisium. The combat system is weapon-based rather than class-based, allowing for significant flexibility in how players build their characters for different roles.
The game’s primary draw is its massive-scale PvP, including castle sieges and guild wars that take place in a seamless open world. While it offers plenty of PvE content like world bosses and dungeons, the endgame is heavily focused on guild coordination and territory control, supported by full cross-play between PC and consoles.
Where Winds Meet | November, 2025
Where Winds Meet is a breathtaking Wuxia-style action RPG that recently launched its global version. It features next-generation graphics and highly stylized martial arts combat, allowing players to perform gravity-defying stunts, swordplay, and mystic abilities. The game tells a classic tale of love and revenge set in a richly detailed historical open world where exploration is as much of a focus as the combat.
While the game includes “gacha” elements for its economy, the core experience is designed to be fair for free-to-play users, with most microtransactions focusing on cosmetics. Players can master various martial arts styles and weapons through challenging PvE boss battles, which have been described as particularly difficult and rewarding.
Oh, and speaking of “rewarding”, check out our tips on how to create a major, damage dealing build for your character in Where Winds Meet!
