If you don’t have the best computer, that shouldn’t stop you from playing some of the top online MMOs out there. Today, the world of gaming is interconnected, with hundreds of millions of players interfacing in some of the best online MMOs – but what if we told you that many of those MMOs are free to play and easy to access? There are many free MMO games out there, and a lot of them can be played in a browser, which might seem amazing considering how expansive some of them are. In this guide, we’re listing the best online MMOs and the top free MMOs you can find anywhere today.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of fantasy genres or more of a sci-fi kind of gamer, there’s something for everyone in the online MMO space. It’s not important if you’re looking to build a community or a city, or whether you want to join a guild or fight hulking monsters, these online MMOs are diverse, dynamic, and hugely entertaining. For the most part, they can be played in a browser, which means you can play them on most devices – even on a Chromebook. Read on if you’re eager to learn more about the best online MMOs you can play right now.
What Is An MMO?
If you’re unfamiliar with the term, an MMO is a ‘Massive Multiplayer Online’ game. That means that it’s a kind of video game that has many players all in the same game at the same time. It’s usually a game that will be ‘online only’, meaning it offers almost nothing in the way of a single-player environment. In everything you do, you’ll be doing it alongside other players in a vast, open world.
Historically, the best MMO games have pulled in tens of millions of players with very little difficulty, and that’s mostly thanks to the freedom that an MMO represents. If you proceed with this list, you’ll come to learn that the best online MMOs boast endless possibilities when it comes to character customisation, skill paths, builds, and quests. Typically, an MMO will feature a large, open world – and it’s up to the player to explore this world at their own pace.
It doesn’t matter what kind of game you’re trying to play, almost all free online MMOs follow the same formula. They’ll often start with a character creation menu, and then you’ll be plunged into a tutorial stage, following which you’ll be sent out into an open world to fend for yourself, make friends and enemies, and follow whatever story has been created.
Are Browser MMO Games Good?
There’s something special about finding the best free MMO and having a blast playing it for hundreds of hours, but what about when the game you’ve found is confined to a web browser? Is it still just as enjoyable?
There might be a few caveats to playing a browser MMO game, but there’s nothing so impactful that it’ll ruin your experience. For instance, most browser-based games have less impressive visuals, but that’s just a limitation of the technology available. Furthermore, many users are concerned that free-to-play games feature too many microtransactions. That’s the case for many games with this operating model, and it isn’t confined to free MMOs.
Ultimately, deciding whether or not a game is good is a subjective debate, and while we can let you know the positive features of a game, it’s up to you to make up your mind. What we will stress is that these games are free-to-play, so downloading and playing them will cost you nothing – it’s a no-risk topic!
Are All MMO Games Free?
No – thanks a misconception. Most MMOs are indeed free, but many require a subscription or an upfront payment before they can be played. It can be argued that the most common and popular operating model in the business is a free game with an optional premium membership. By securing this premium membership, players get access to exclusive areas, items, boosts, and character skills. It’s not something you need to buy, but it’s something that’ll give you a clear advantage in the game, especially if you want to play it for a long time.
Many of the games that make up our list of the best online MMOs make use of this operating model.
Best Online MMOs in 2024
It’s time to get to the heart of our guide: the breakdown of the top online MMOs in 2024. We’ll also feature the best browser MMOS in this list too, if that’s something you’re aiming to get hold of.
Raid: Shadow Legends
Raid: Shadow Legends is one of the most prolific online MMOs that can be played in a browser. It has been around for a few years now, and in the time that it has been online, it has drawn in tens of millions of players. It’s a game that’s simple to learn but complex to master, allowing players to build up a force of hero characters, form alliances, and strike down their enemies. In Raid: Shadow Legends, players can control almost 1000 characters across 15 different factions.
In this free MMO game, players are tasked with fighting in turn-based arenas, scrapping against AI-powered enemies and real-world combatants. There’s a little resource management to think about and a vibrant community that can be your saviour or your nightmare, depending on how you play.
Tibia
Tibia is one of the oldest MMOs in the world, boasting a history that stretches back to early 1997. It has stood the test of time and remained a popular game, despite never having cutting-edge visuals or fantastic combat mechanics. It’s a simple, super game with plenty to see and do, and from the moment players complete the tutorial, they’re welcomed to a vast open world bursting at the seams with vicious enemies, bosses, quests, and other players. It’s a fantastic, open-ended MMO with no real end – and some players have been locked in for more than twenty years.
It’s free to play but has an optional premium subscription for those who want to take their Tibia adventures a little further. It was several years ago that Tibia could be played on a browser, but now it’s only available as a standalone, downloadable client. It’s easily one of the best free MMOs in the gaming world.
State of Survival
State of Survival is one of the best post-apocalyptic games out there, tasking players with surviving a zombie uprising and building a strong, resilient community. It’s an online game with multiplayer elements that features players operating from within the same digital environment, so by definition, it’s an MMO. In this detailed, intense game, players must fight against waves of zombies and sabotage attempts by other players. There’s a need to manage resources, construct new buildings, and go on missions to secure survivors, loot, and more.
It’s a fusion of a few different types of game – strategy, MMO, and farming simulator. There’s no doubting the diversity of State of Survival, and as it’s free-to-play, it’s a risk-free, accessible title. It can also be played on a webpage, making it one of the best browser MMOs you’ll ever find online.
Flyff Universe
Flyff Universe is a browser-based, free-to-play MMO from 2022 set in a vast open-world environment boasting unique, anime-like graphics. It first emerged onto the market more than two decades ago, but thanks to a remake that surfaced in 2022, millions of fans went flocking back to the age-old, iconic free MMO game. It’s a solid and modernised MMO with plenty to offer, and players can get involved and start grinding with no upfront costs or subscriptions.
In one review, it was stated that Flyff Universe is ‘the most advanced browser-based MMO available on the market.’ It certainly is something special, having plenty of characters on screen at one time and featuring intense combat and levelling mechanics, there’s enough in Flyff Universe to keep the average gamer entertained for a very long time.
Hero Wars
Hero Wars is an immersive browser MMO game with almost a decade on the market, and in the time that it has been around, it has racked up tens of millions of players. It’s one of the best games of its kind, boasting cutting-edge, attractive visuals, bold effects, and entertaining battles. In Hero Wars, players must build teams of hero characters and pit them against bosses, enemies, and other players. There’s an ability to form alliances and link up with other players in Hero Wars, which is one of the leading reasons why this is one of the best online MMOs in the business.
In Hero Wars, you’ll be starting a campaign at the lowest level and working your way up through various zones and regions, unlocking more as you get further into the game. It’s one of those games where the world levels up around you, and with each major milestone, you’ll find yourself unlocking new areas and fresh challenges.
RuneScape
If you’re a gamer, you’ve almost certainly heard of RuneScape. This turn-of-the-millennium MMO is more than twenty years old, and it has managed to beautifully retain a dedicated player base over the years. It’s one of the broadest, most ambitious games of its kind, and it is easily deserving of a spot on this list of the best online MMOs. It’s online-only by default, and once upon a time, it could be played on a web browser. It has since been modernised and split, with the community being divided between a newer version of RuneScape and the old-school, classic version.
There’s so much to see and do in this memorable game, and it has been around so long that a huge community has been built. There will always be resources for you to turn to if you get stuck on anything, and there are always people willing to help out. It’s a brilliant game to play with friends, and it’ll keep you entertained for many hours.
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