MMORPGs Perfect For Newcomers To The Genre

With giants such as World of Warcraft and Final Fantasy XIV dominating the realm of MMORPGs, it doesn’t help newcomers to feel overwhelmed with the idea of playing a multiplayer game with thousands of other people at the same time. After all, it feels daunting to have to create a character in World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy XIV and stick with them for hours’ worth of story, grinding, and dungeoneering.

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And with hundreds of MMOs on the market, newcomers who want to explore the MMORPG genre might not even know where to start. It’s all a matter of finding the game with just enough linearity and character options for players to immerse themselves in an MMO at their own pace. Thankfully, some MMORPGs in the market are perfectly capable of easing newcomers into a “full” MMO experience.

Updated on 26 January 2024 by Rhenn Taguiam: With MMO classic World of Warcraft coming in hot with the upcoming release of its The War Within expansion, newcomers to the MMO genre may feel overwhelmed with the number of games available in the market. Thankfully, players who are looking for their first MMO experience may be able to rely on few games to let them enjoy the fundamentals of an MMORPG while still immersing them in decent story, gameplay, and a myriad of other features. Among must-try games for newcomers in the genre include a game where they become wizards, a sci-fi MMO that lets players mix and match classes, a fantasy martial arts MMO, as well as a cooperative city-builder.

20 Wizard101

Metacritic User Score: 6.4

Despite the existence of Hogwarts Legacy and the nature of Wizard101 as a 2008 release, its vibrant kid-friendly aesthetic and evidently dated mechanics don’t hinder it from providing players with an enjoyable gameplay session. After players study at the Ravenwood School of Magical Arts, their wizard can explore the floating islands of the Spiral and defend the realm from various opponents.

Players begin the game by creating their Wizard and selecting a school (Fire, Ice, Storm, Life, Death, Myth, Balance) that will define their overall playstyle. Combat in the game comprises Duels, where players manage regenerating pips, that act as mana to fuel their many spells. While Wizard101 is definitely not as hardcore as other popular MMOs, its nature as an older game can make it a decent starting point for players who want to gradually deep-dive into titles that show the genre's later improvements not just in terms of graphics, but also gameplay.

19 Romans: Age Of Caesar

Steam Rating: 6/10

When players think of MMOs, the imagery is usually associated with a character teaming up with other players around the world in order to defeat ginormous bosses in raids. This isn’t the case in Romans: Age of Caesar, as the title this time around brings players together not as adventurers but as city leaders. Touted as a city-building MMO, players of Romans: Age of Caesar are dropped into an evolving game world where they manage their city through different components.

The “open world” of Romans: Age of Caesar tasks players with becoming one of 15 governors in a growing Rome. Players manage their own sections of the city, all the while trading and even defending each other from attacks. The survival of the city relies not just on the skill of one player, but on both the cooperation and deception of others. The game boasts a political component where players can compete for the role of Caesar, be it through negotiation or backhanded tactics.

18 Blade & Soul

Metascore: 68

While some players considering Black Desert Online as the game to pave the way for hyper-realistic characters in tandem with fast-paced gameplay, Blade & Soul attempts to compete in the action department with its Eastern-inspired fantasy aesthetic. After players create a character based on a combination of a race (such as humans and half-beasts, demons, and spirits) and a class (like the staple Assassin to the more intricate Gunslinger), players need to quickly adapt to a world where combos and chains determine success.

Newcomers to the MMO genre who want a game where they can enjoy flashy playthroughs without focusing too much on the meta may enjoy Blade & Soul. While its endgame eventually forces players to be more careful with their builds, Blade & Soul may become a decent branching-off point for button-mashers who want to become more intentional with their gameplay.

17 Phantasy Star Online 2

Steam Rating: 73%

Given the release of the more action-packed and graphically-intensive Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis, the base game of Phantasy Star Online 2 is nowhere near losing its touch as a traditional sci-fi MMO. Set in outer space, players start their PSO2 journey as ARKS Operatives in charge of defeating the Falspawn terrorizing various planets. Keeping its gameplay in line with its Phantasy Star source material, players may find PSO2 unique in terms of its combat mechanics.

When players create a character and choose a preliminary class, they’re eventually able to combine them with sub-classes they unlock. This combination sets the kinds of weapons and special abilities players can use, allowing them to mix-and-match builds to fit exactly the playstyle they prefer.

16 Black Desert Online

Metascore: 73

Despite its relatively simple premise of nations fighting over a resource, Black Desert Online serves as a must-try first MMO. It's an easy introduction for players who feel overwhelmed at the idea of juggling various interfaces. A key element in its flashy martial arts combat is how character-tied Classes emphasize mobile gameplay with an accessible combo system. Black Desert Online is half musou and half fighting game, making it enjoyable for MMO fans.

Perhaps the highlight of Black Desert Online’s appeal is its robust character creation system. With an art style akin to anime-inspired 3D works, Black Desert Online players can work hours to create their “ideal” version of a martial arts character. Combined with the game’s high fantasy setting and robust visuals, it’s easy to get immersed in combat and in styling one’s character with captivating gear.

15 Lost Ark

Metascore: 81

An isometric MMO, Lost Ark makes for a middle ground between isometric RPGs such as Diablo, and the isometric forms of classic MMOs such as Ultima Online. While Lost Ark has quite the basic premise of a world brought to the brink of war, it finds its player base more invested in its combat mechanics.

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Boasting 24 classes to mix and match, Lost Ark provides players with room for combat customization. Although similar to Diablo 3’s skill system, Lost Ark ups the ante by giving players the means to kit their characters with almost any skill from the available classes. This ensures players can explore the game’s open world exactly how they want, and ensures that no two builds are the same.

14 Lord Of The Rings Online

Metascore: 86

Gamers who want to get into the MMORPG scene might want to give Lord of the Rings Online a shot, especially if they want to sink their teeth into the genre's high fantasy roots. Set in Middle Earth during the events of both the films and books, players get to become a character based in J.R.R Tolkien’s iconic masterpiece, in the spirit of their chosen race and even classes.

Lord of the Rings Online players participate in remarkable stories set during iconic scenes in the films, as well as memorable moments in the books. MMORPG newcomers who want a game packed with rich lore will fall in love with Lord Of The Rings Online.

13 Champions Online

Metascore: 72

Recent popularity of superhero films and media will have fans eager to become their own superheroes. Champions Online is exactly the MMO for that. Newcomers to the genre will appreciate the flexibility of Champions Online in both creativity and gameplay. In addition to a robust character creator, players can choose among superhero templates to base their powers on.

After creating their character, players can roam huge open worlds. They can do justice towards roaming villains terrorizing citizens, do random side missions from scattered NPCs, or even do globe-trotting adventures to save the day from various nefarious villain groups.

12 Star Trek Online

Metascore: 66

Players who want to boldly go where no man has gone before will want to try Star Trek Online. In this MMO, players not only man a starship, but also become its captain. Featuring both iconic characters and new faces, Star Trek Online will have players become the center of conspiracies involving Starfleet, ease tensions before they break into war, and help with various affairs in typical Star Trek fashion.

Although it seems like a typical science fiction MMO, this recognizable nature makes Star Trek Online such an accessible game for newcomers to MMOs. Considering how the game carries the same depth of the series in terms of personalized stories, Star Trek Online is a delight.

11 Star Wars: The Old Republic

Metascore: 85

Fans of the Star Wars franchise dream of going on adventures with Rey or even Luke and Han. Star Wars: The Old Republic is the closest fans could have to such an experience. Taking place years before the beloved film franchise, Star Wars: The Old Republic allows fans to explore both the Light and Dark Side of the Force through their allegiances.

In this Star Wars game, players don’t necessarily take the role of the Jedi or Sith. They also have the option to become bounty hunters, gun-toting officers, or skilled assassins that can take down even the most powerful Force-users.