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 May 23, 2022, by Rhenn Taguiam: With Blizzard having recently announced Dragonflight as its most recent World Of Warcraft expansion, now is the perfect time for RPG fans to delve into the MMORPG space to adventure on a massively multiplayer scale. However, those new to the scene might want to start something fresh, so they don’t get overwhelmed with lore and mechanics of long-time games such as WoW. Thankfully, some of the most-suggested MMOs for fans are beginner-friendly. To help out new players, more have been added to the list.

14 Lord Of The Rings Online

Platforms: macOS, Microsoft Windows

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 high fantasy roots of the genre. Set in Middle Earth during the events of both the films and the books, players get to become a character accurately based in J.R.R Tolkien’s iconic masterpiece, in the spirit of their chosen race and even classes.

Players of Lord Of The Rings Online get to participate in remarkable stories set during iconic scenes in the films, as well as memorable moments in the books. Newcomers to MMORPGs who want a first game packed with rich lore will fall in love with Lord Of The Rings Online.

13 Champions Online

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360

Recent popularity of superhero films and media today will have fans eager to become their own superheroes, and 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 an already robust character creator, players can choose among superhero templates to base their powers on.

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After creating their character, players can roam huge open worlds where 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

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Classic Mac OS

Players who want to boldly go where no man has gone before will want to try Star Trek Online. This MMO takes them to not just man a starship, but also become its captain. Featuring both iconic characters and newcomers to the franchise, 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 Trekfashion.

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

11 Star Wars: The Old Republic

Platform: Microsoft Windows

Fans of the Star Warsfranchise dream of going on adventures with Rey or even Luke and Han, and thankfully Star Wars: The Old Republic is the closest fans could have to such an experience. Despite 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 Warsgame, players don’t necessarily just 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 of Force-users.

10 Dungeons & Dragons Online

Platforms: macOS, Microsoft Windows

Gamers who haven’t tried MMORPGs yet may have heard ofDungeons & Dragons, and how this tabletop RPG lets players pull off stunts and adventures without the constraints of graphics cards and processors. After all, dice and imagination (with a bit of math) is all people need to pull off D&D — and Dungeons & Dragons Online is a neat way of translating the game’s fantastical concepts into an MMORPG.

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In this game, players get acquainted with the TTRPG’s 4th Edition and embark on adventures set in some of the franchise’s most popular locales. Interestingly enough, the game also incorporates dice-rolling into its gameplay, as well as full-blown story-oriented quests that can engross fans in the TTRPG’s rich stories.

9 RuneScape

Platforms: Web browser, Microsoft Windows, Android, macOS, iOS

Anyone who’s never played an MMO and wants a relatively “safe” introduction to the genre won’t ever go wrong with RuneScape. Since its 2001 release, RuneScaperemains a fan-favorite among MMO enthusiasts today - and continuous dev support is seen with its improving graphics and evolving gameplay.

Perhaps the “OG” sandbox MMO, RuneScape takes place in the world of Gielinor where players can be anyone they want to be. Thanks to an array of 27 skills, players can become typical adventurers (warriors, rogues, or mages), or even spend their days leisurely improving their skills as cooks, bakers, fishermen, or even miners. To others, RuneScape’s robust player economy is a test of their business skills. Thanks to these varied options, RuneScape can be a perfect first game for any MMO newcomer who still wants to find the kind of gameplay experience they’re looking for in the genre.

8 Albion Online

Platforms: Android, macOS, iOS, Classic Mac OS, Linux, Microsoft Windows

Fans of the open-world genre will likely get interested in playing Albion Online as their first MMO. Like RuneScape, Albion Online boasts a sandbox premise where players can do virtually whatever they want in the scope of the game. However, unlike RuneScape, Albion offers a more player-driven experience that can transform the way players look at sandboxes in a creative sense.

Aside from its unique aesthetic, Albion Online also boasts a player-driven economy where players themselves craft and sell items. Likewise, Albion Online has a realm system where guilds can claim Territories.

7 Rift

Platforms: Microsoft Windows

MMO newcomers who hesitate to face the pressure of raiding will likely appreciate Rift for incorporating public events as a core part of its gameplay. Set in the elemental nexus of Telara, Rift will have players take on the role of closing the eponymous Rifts - unstable elemental areas - that keep on spawning monsters. Instead of requiring players to manually create parties to close Rifts, the game instead adds everyone to a public raiding party. Moreover, closing Rifts will give players bonuses based on their participation, further encouraging players to join the events.

Outside Rifts, the overall gameplay of Rift remains very akin to standard class-based RPGs, with added personalization of Souls. In the game, Rift lets players choose one of five Classes, all of which possess Souls that act as unique skill trees. Thanks to the interchangeability of Souls, players have the option to optimize their characters depending on what a particular situation needs.

6 Neverwinter

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

Despite its 2013 release, Neverwinter remains a great entry MMO for fans who want the depth of Dungeons & Dragons with action-based gameplay. Contrary to D&Dadaptations that are often tactical RPGs, Neverwintertranslates D&D 4e mechanics into a real-time action RPG setup. On top of this, players get to participate in a rich game narrative.

From a gameplay standpoint, players can be one of eight Classes, all of which are staples in D&D games. And instead of tap-target skills, Neverwinter allows players to dish out deadly attacks, combos, and movements throughout combat. Newcomers to MMOs who want a fast and loose experience with a compelling narrative won’t go wrong with Neverwinter.

5 Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch

Fans of JRPGs will likely have heard of Phantasy Star Online 2, especially if they’ve tried any of the sci-fi fantasy Phantasy Star games. Despite its numbering, PSO2has no story ties to the first online Phantasy Stargame, except for the fact that they’re both MMOs. In PSO2 - and particularly, the free sister release New Genesis - players become ARKS Operatives to help the Oracle find a new home planet for settlers.

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As with other MMOs, PSO2: New Genesis will have players create and customize characters, selecting a Race and a starting Class. Combat-wise, New Genesis is extremely fast-paced, perfect for action RPG fans. Classes declare the kind of weapons players can use, which in turn can dictate the kinds of skills they can use. Not only can players interchange Classes, but they can combine Class skills and benefits via Sub-Classing. Newcomers who want a fast-paced action MMO with a decent level of character progression will love PSO2: New Genesis.

4 The Elder Scrolls Online

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, OS X, PlayStation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Fans of The Elder Scrolls who played any game in the franchise won’t have to look anywhere else for an MMO. After all, The Elder Scrolls Online takes the entirety of Tamriel and transforms it into a place where players can claim it as their own. In The Elder Scrolls Online, players take the role of adventurers during the Second Era - a timeframe even recent Elder Scrollsgames haven’t explored in their lore.

As with other MMOs, ESO gives players six classes to choose from - Dragonknight, Necromancer, Nightblade, Sorcerer, Templar, or Warden. As with other Elder Scrolls games, players get unique skills, spells, and passives depending on their Class and Race of choice. Thanks to this familiar Elder Scrolls approach, existing fans new to MMOs can look at The Elder Scrolls as a safe game to play.

3 Guild Wars 2

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS

Albeit a sequel to the original Guild Wars, Guild Wars 2 manages to leave a mark of its own in the MMO space. Set after the events of Guild Wars, Guild Wars 2sees the re-emergence of Destiny’s Edge within the world of Tyria, with players tasked with grouping together to eliminate the Elder Dragons. Despite its paid nature, what perhaps makes Guild Wars 2 an attractive entry point for MMO newcomers is its expansive yet very personalized approach to player growth.

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Its skills-heavy gameplay needs players to select only 10 Skills as part of their rotation, all of which they can possess depending on the combination of Race, Profession (class), and even Weapon they’re holding. Moreover, all Professions have dedicated healing skills, eliminating the need for a pure healer in raids. More importantly, the game boasts world-based instanced events and even a storyline that changes depending on the player’s choice of biography during character creation.

2 Final Fantasy 14

Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, macOS

Newcomers to MMOs who are massive fans of Final Fantasy won’t make a wrong move getting into Final Fantasy 14 as their first foray into the genre. Like other Final Fantasytitles, FF14 boasts a massive world with a compelling storyline that has all staple FF elements in them. Players, as Warriors of Light, need to protect the world of Hydaelyn from various threats. They start as adventurers with a Class that evolves into one of the many iconic Jobs of the franchise.

Gameplay-wise, FF14 translates the familiar Job System into the staple tab-target bar-heavy systems of typical MMOs. However, each Job has special gimmicks that allow them to bring something new to every party. Likewise, despite the game’s paid nature, the sheer depth of its story and character progression can make even low-level gameplay extremely enjoyable.

1 World Of Warcraft

Platforms: Microsoft Windows

Fans of the Warcraft RTS can finally know what happened to Azeroth after the rise of Arthas as Lich King in World Of Warcraft. Despite its 2004 release, World of Warcraftremains one of the largest - if not the largest - MMOs today. Aside from boasting the world of Azeroth from Warcraft as its setting, WoW has perhaps established some of the most familiar tropes and norms in MMO gaming today. These include optimized toolbars for combat, Dungeon Finders, persistent raids, and a sprawling in-game Auction House.

However, what perhaps makes WoW appealing to MMO newcomers is its overall presentation. Firstly, the current expansion (Shadowlands) offers players a one-time booster to get their characters as close to the endgame as possible. Outside this, the game offers a decent amount of quests and reasonable progression that will have players explore the entirety of Azeroth as they level up. Moreover, the game even offers opportunities to skip the leveling process and proceed straight to the endgame.

Finally, the game offers enough unique play styles that can help newcomers to the genre acclimate to the many approaches of the MMO scene.

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