Summary

  • Many MMOs offer in-depth character customization, allowing players to create unique avatars with diverse backgrounds and appearances.
  • Games like Neverwinter, Guild Wars 2, and World of Warcraft provide players with various customization options for races, classes, and backstories.
  • Black Desert Online stands out for its extensive customization system, allowing players to tweak even the smallest details of their characters.

The world of Massive Multiplayer Online games draws thousands of players into a unique, digital world, pitting them together cooperatively against events or placing them in PVP scenarios to see who the most skilled player truly is. Aside from fun content and an engaging world, another key to success in MMOs is in-depth character customization.

Every MMO normally starts by allowing gamers to select a race and then make any necessary tweaks to their appearance, determining their hair, facial features, and additional accessories such as scars or tattoos, and there are even some studios that go the extra mile by adding sliders for body types and height. For those looking for great character customization options in MMOs, there are many options available.

6 Neverwinter

Craft A Unique D&D-Themed Character

Neverwinter character customization screen
Neverwinter
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Released
June 20, 2013
Developer(s)
Cryptic Studios
Platform(s)
PC, PS4, Xbox One
Genre(s)
MMORPG

One of the main components of any D&D campaign is character creation. These games can run for years depending on the party, so it is vital that players create a character that they enjoy playing as, mixing and matching lineages, races, classes, subclasses, alignment, and backgrounds to create someone who is interesting and complex with their own wants, needs, and personality.

An MMO can easily take up as much time, but thankfully, Cryptic Studios allows Neverwinter players to create characters with just as much depth. While players can't expect to find as much freedom with their appearances as Black Desert, for example, they can still choose many races, classes, and backgrounds found in the pen and paper game, allowing them to customize their characters' origins as well as their looks.

5 Guild Wars 2

The Player Can Tailor Their Biography Through A Series Of Questions

Guild Wars 2 character customization screen Sylvan
Guild Wars 2
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Released
August 28, 2012
Developer(s)
ArenaNet
Platform(s)
PC
Genre(s)
MMORPG

Despite the name of the game, the crux of Guild Wars 2's storyline revolves around the emergence of the five Elder Dragons that have been slumbering beneath the continent. Their awakening causes all manner of destruction that the player characters find themselves in the middle of. But before they gather their party, they first need to make it.

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MMOs are perfect for players that want to embark on a crazy adventure in another world. This gets a bit easier with free-to-play options.

Guild Wars 2 allows players to choose from a unique roster of races and classes for an experience unlike any other MMO, but alongside the limited but still decent appearance options, there are more options beyond aesthetic, such as the character's backstory. Depending on what race is chosen, a series of questions is presented to determine the character's profession, personality, and personal story. The answers can affect the reaction NPCs have to the character, which adds an extra layer of immersion to this already excellent game.

4 World Of Warcraft

Expansions Added A Whole New Host Of Cutomization Options

World of Warcraft character customization options hair and eyes
World of Warcraft
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Released
November 23, 2004
Developer(s)
Blizzard
Platform(s)
PC
Genre(s)
MMORPG

When discussing MMO's, World of Warcraft is likely the first one that comes to mind. It is by far the most popular online game, and even non-gamers are likely to recognize the title. Its popularity has led to Blizzard continuing development even two decades down the line, releasing more expansions that add content, including customization options.

Expansions such as Dragonflight allowed players a more diverse and vibrant range of hair and eye colors to create more eye-catching characters, and the more recent Shadowlands allowed players to tweak things like ear length for elves, levels of decay for Forsaken, and a wider range of skin tones for even more diversity. With how much World of Warcraft is thriving, it is likely fans can expect even more customization options in the future.

3 Destiny 2

Guardians Are Free To Customize Their Character Whenever They Please

Destiny 2 character customization
Destiny 2
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Released
August 28, 2017
Developer(s)
Bungie
Genre(s)
FPS

The first Destiny proved largely a success among players, even if there were some criticisms against the promised single-player experience, which wasn't exactly what a few fans were hoping for. But the popularity warranted a second game that promised to be bigger and better than before, and it lived up to this promise.

The MMO looter-shooter would not be complete without character customization, which is exactly what it provides players with before they begin their adventure. But if players change their mind, they are free to revisit the customization screen throughout the game to try on a new hairstyle or change their makeup.

2 Final Fantasy 14

Square Enix's Branch Into Online Allows Fans To Play And Customize Unique Races

Final Fantasy 14 character customization dye system
Final Fantasy 14 (2010)
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Released
August 27, 2013
Developer(s)
Square Enix
Genre(s)
MMORPG

Square Enix is mostly known for creating their hit fantasy RPG series Final Fantasy, which treats fans to well crafted lore, sprawling storylines, and casts of likable characters. By the time the 14th installment came around, the studio was ready to branch out and try something a little different.

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All Playable Races in Final Fantasy 14

Which race to play is a crucial choice in Final Fantasy 14, so players can use this guide to discover the race that is best for them.

This game turned out to be an MMORPG, allowing fans to enjoy a new Final Fantasy experience with their friends. One great aspect of the world is the many unique races featured within, such as Miqo'te, Viera, and Au Ra, to name just a few. Not only do gamers have the option to play one of these races, but they can customize their faces, hair, eyes, and even add extras such as tattoos. The amount of customization options available ensures that nearly everyone playing Final Fantasy 14 will have a wholly original and unique look.

1 Black Desert Online

Players Have Free Reign Over The Most Minute Details

A woman with a white eye, a brown eye and a tattoo created in Black Desert Online
Black Desert Online
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Released
March 3, 2016
Developer(s)
Pearl Abyss
Platform(s)
PC, Xbox One, PS4, iOS, Android
Genre(s)
MMORPG

Black Desert Online, a free fantasy MMO developed by Korean games studio Pearl Abyss, became very popular among MMORPG fans and even lured in non-fans with its promise of an in-depth and well-implemented customization system that allowed players to dedicate hours to crafting their masterpieces. What is even better is that it is all for free; no buy-in cost or subscription is needed.

Tales of its customization were very true, as players could highlight different parts of their character's face and tweak them to absolute perfection, including cheeks, ears, forehead - just about anything one can see can be tailored. As for the game itself, it follows most typical MMO gameplay styles that places an emphasis on getting a little help from friends. Some grinding may be needed, but at least gamers can do so in style.

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RPGs With The Most Impressive Customization Options

Some RPGs let players go crazy with their customization options. These are by far the most impressive.

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