Growing up, I was totally into MMORPGs. They were perfect for me because most of them were free to play, and thankfully, they didn’t need a super powerful computer to run – my old PC could handle them just fine!
It was a complicated genre with a lot of rules, especially for a young child like me. However, it was incredibly influential in my early gaming experiences, and it was this genre, above all others, that showed me how much I loved video games.
Over time, I took on more work and slowly played fewer and fewer massive multiplayer games. Now, I’ve completely stopped allowing myself to play them – otherwise, I find it impossible to get anything done.
Even though I used to spend a lot of time playing these games, I don’t find most modern MMORPGs very appealing. That’s why I’m revisiting the past and sharing my list of eight great MMORPGs that deserve to be remembered.
Because this list focuses on games that are still running, it will include some older MMORPGs that aren’t as popular as they used to be.
8. Life is Feudal
The Difficulties of Realism
| Developer(s) | Bitbox Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Xsolla |
| Release Date | 2018 |
I’ll never forget reviewing Life is Feudal for a big gaming website – it was a truly unique and memorable experience.
I’m not a big fan of hyper-realistic games, especially when most games in this genre are filled with over-the-top effects and fantasy characters. That’s why this game felt like a welcome change and immediately grabbed my attention.
Unlike most MMORPGs where you just try to win, this game made me feel like I was truly building a life for my character within its medieval setting. That feeling was so unique and engaging that I happily spent hours upon hours playing, determined to succeed even when the game presented challenges.
The game’s direction took a turn for the worse when it switched to a monthly subscription model. Dealing with its old-fashioned visuals and awkward controls just wasn’t fun anymore. Life is Feudal transformed from an immersive medieval experience into a costly one, and it’s no surprise people stopped playing it.
7. Ragnarok Online
From a Manhwa to a Full-fledged Franchise
| Developer(s) | Gravity Interactive |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Gravity Interactive |
| Release Date | 2003 |
Most early online role-playing games used either a third-person perspective or a camera angle similar to the game Diablo, and often aimed for a more realistic look. Ragnarok Online was different, with a unique visual style that helped it become easily recognizable.
The game’s unique visual style – a blend of 3D backgrounds and 2D characters that feels more like an anime than a typical adult comic – immediately grabbed my attention, and I downloaded it without hesitation.
I usually play as a Mage in games like this, and it really paid off here. Learning new skills looked and sounded amazing, which made hunting bosses and collecting cards incredibly fun. Plus, I think this game has the best music in the genre!
Like Life is Feudal before it, Ragnarok Online gradually lost its core appeal. Now, you can mostly progress by simply buying things with in-game money instead of actually earning them through effort – a problem many modern MMORPGs share.
6. Silkroad Online
A New Fantasy
| Developer(s) | Joymax |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Joymax |
| Release Date | 2006 |
Silkroad Online was a typical MMORPG that I really enjoyed years ago. It wasn’t particularly innovative, but after trying other similar games, it perfectly hit the spot for what I was looking for.
I’ll never forget how massive those early games were – just getting around felt like a real journey! Each area was huge, almost like a full open-world game on its own. But honestly, I loved it. The Chinese setting was such a refreshing change of pace. Back then, everything was either super traditional Tolkien-inspired fantasy, and this was just… different, and beautifully so.
Technically and visually, Silkroad Online was stunning. It really impressed me, particularly how it made the player-versus-player combat feel even better. The game’s ‘Trinity’ system – where you choose one of three sides and battle the others – was especially enhanced by the impressive graphics, animations, and overall presentation.
I always considered it a pretty typical multiplayer game, and honestly, it felt like a bit of a grind. It just couldn’t keep up with the times – it didn’t update or add new features quickly enough. That’s why it’s one of the few MMORPGs I’ve never gone back to playing.
5. Forsaken World
As Good as It Is Controversial
| Developer(s) | Perfect World Entertainment |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Perfect World Entertainment |
| Release Date | 2011 |
Once I’d explored everything I wanted to in Cataclysm for World of Warcraft, I started playing Forsaken World, which was advertised as a major step forward for the genre.
It wasn’t exactly beautiful, but I didn’t mind because it functioned flawlessly. It had everything I wanted: a huge player community, intense player-versus-player combat, stunning graphics and sound, an incredible world, and a diverse range of classes to choose from. It was perfect for what I was looking for.
Honestly, even just getting to pick a Vampire as my character felt like a fresh start compared to most MMOs. It wasn’t just about grinding levels – the game had really deep skill and talent trees that actually made me feel like I was building a unique character, something a lot of MMOs only pretend to offer.
It’s disappointing, but the developers have once again made the game rely too much on players spending money to succeed, which really hurt the experience. The aggressive way they handled the in-game economy completely killed my motivation to play, and I think that’s why Forsaken World lost so many players – it was a really significant decline in popularity.
4. MapleStory
Adorable and Addictive
| Developer(s) | Nexon |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Nexon |
| Release Date | 2003 |
It might have been silly to base my gaming choices on how a game looked, but it’s how I found fantastic titles like MapleStory, which is one of Nexon’s best games.
It felt more like the simple online games I used to play than the huge, complex role-playing games I was familiar with. But its quick, arcade-style gameplay was surprisingly engaging, and I ended up playing it for years.
Whether it was the way the game built upwards, its memorable enemies, the calming music, or the beautiful layered backgrounds, it truly felt like a one-of-a-kind adventure. No matter how many other games were released, good or bad, nothing ever quite measured up.
A sequel followed, but the original game eventually faded as players moved on. Now, it’s impossible to revisit the classic experience, meaning future generations will miss out on what was a uniquely charming blend of massive multiplayer gameplay, simple flash animation, and pure relaxation – the original MapleStory.
3. Dekaron
A Tale of Growth
| Developer(s) | Nexon |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Ubifun |
| Release Date | 2004 |
Originally called 2Moons, Dekaron shows how an online game can change a lot over time while still keeping what makes it special and maintaining its player base.
So, the game got a new name partly because of how it was being released in different countries, but honestly, it also just shows how much the game has improved! It started out fun, but it’s seriously become one of the greatest games in the genre – a total glow-up, if you ask me.
Dekaron was incredibly addictive thanks to its vast world, compelling quests, difficult dungeons, extensive character customization, and stunning art style – a combination that made it easy to lose yourself for hours on end.
Even if you weren’t interested in player-versus-environment content, Dekaron had an incredible PvP system. It let you duel anyone, anywhere, and also supported huge battles that motivated players to prepare like nothing else I’ve experienced in other games.
Honestly, the game just… faded away. It wasn’t about bad decisions with how they made money or the content being all over the place. It really just seemed like people lost interest, and that’s what ultimately hurt it. I still log in to my old servers now and then, but even I have to admit, it doesn’t feel the same as it used to.
2. Lineage 2
The Classic of Internet Cafés
| Developer(s) | NCSoft |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | NCSoft |
| Release Date | 2003 |
It’s hard to say if everyone feels the same, but for many of us, Lineage 2 was the game that first showed us what MMORPGs were all about – and it did so brilliantly.
When it comes to cooperative adventures, player battles, large-scale world events, player-versus-player combat, diverse character classes, and impressive gear, this game essentially set the standard for the genre.
Despite having incredibly detailed and time-consuming farming elements, the game was surprisingly engaging. Everything worked together so well that it felt less like a game you played for a few hours, and more like a fully immersive second life.
Whether you were an avid gamer or completely new to video games, almost everyone enjoyed Lineage 2. Its influence on the genre was huge – I’d say it only trails World of Warcraft, especially when considering similar games.
As video games became more popular and accessible, many started focusing on quick and easy gameplay. Unfortunately, this often meant adding features that let players pay to win or progress automatically, which ultimately ruined the fun. It’s frustrating to keep repeating this explanation, but it finally helps us understand why the genre is in its current state.
1. Mu Online
The King of the Old School
| Developer(s) | Webzen |
|---|---|
| Publisher(s) | Webzen |
| Release Date | 2001 |
As a longtime fan, I think it’s safe to say most of us agree that Mu Online was one of the first MMORPGs to really become popular with a huge number of players – it really paved the way for so many games that came after it!
It really captured the spirit of the original Diablo games, making it especially meaningful to people like me who grew up with that series. In fact, it was the very first video game I ever played.
Okay, so the game looks a little different with this new isometric view, but honestly, everything else I loved is still there! You can really lose yourself in the PvE stuff if you like playing alone, and there’s tons of PvP to keep you hooked. It makes all that time spent exploring, getting stronger, and improving your gear feel totally worthwhile.
Honestly, what I loved most about Mu Online was the private servers. They were amazing because you could really customize your experience. Want a super challenging game? Done. Something more relaxed? Easy. Longer quests, shorter ones, brighter graphics, a darker feel – you name it, there was a server for it! The game was so popular, there were literally hundreds of different versions, each tweaked to fit exactly what people wanted.
Even after over twenty years of significant improvements in gameplay and storytelling, this game, like others on this list, isn’t as popular as it used to be. Once dominant titles have suffered from things like unfair in-app purchases, being moved to mobile devices, or simply losing public interest. Still, it’s important to remember them fondly as a key part of so many people’s childhoods.
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2025-12-01 19:43