Did you ever wonder what other MMOs are out there? The MMO universe has more to offer apart from the popular and critically acclaimed titles.
Lesser-known MMOs are worth checking out for many reasons. While the big companies are crowd-pleasers looking to appeal to a broad category of players, smaller studios are not afraid to implement unique ideas that stray from the beaten path. Games like these are appealing because they tend to have tight-knit and less toxic communities.
Broken Ranks
- Developer: Whitemoon Games
- Release Date: January 25, 2022
- Platforms: PC, Mac
- For fans of Isometric MMOs, Baldur’s Gate, Icewind Dale
Broken Ranks is an isometric MMORPG that boldly implements turn-based combat. That’s not a staple of the genre, but it’s nice to see developers trying out new things. And nailing it.
Players have 10 seconds to choose their combat actions. They do it all at the same time. This certainly makes co-op more interesting.
Broken Ranks features an RPG class system with seven options. Each class has distinct actions. This free-to-play MMORPG allows players to trade premium currency between themselves. Platinum gets you cosmetics and other vanity items, but no unfair advantages.
Broken Ranks was released in 2022 which means that your eyes won’t have to put up with old-fashioned graphics.
Foxhole
- Developer: Siege Camp
- Release Date: 28 Sep, 2022
- Platforms: PC, Mac
- For fans of War Games
Foxhole is a military MMO where players take part in large-scale battles that last for weeks. Unlike real-life war, which we can all agree that it royally sucks, in-game wars are quite well thought out and entertaining.
From strategy development to ammo and fuel production and building facilities, players are responsible for much more than just fighting.
Speaking of combat, Foxhole allows players to man war machines such as tanks and gunboats.
If you are not much of a fighter, you can contribute as a planner and builder. Players design railway systems, trenches, and bases.
Foxhole has a decent price and positive reviews.
Realm of the Mad God
- Developer: Wild Shadow Studios, Deca Games
- Release Date: 20 Feb, 2012
- Platforms: PC, Mac
- For fans of Retro Games
Do you want to give other players hell? Bullet hell, to be more precise. Then step into Oryx, the Realm of the Mad God in this bullet hell action MMO.
ROTMG is not your casual play-after-work leisure game. It’s a challenging experience with engaging combat.
Players select one of the 18 available classes and participate in co-op battles. They go Dutch on the struggles and the rewards as XP and items are shared.
Numerous wearables and consumables allow players to personalize play styles and last a bit longer in battle.
ROTMG has perma-death, so every bit counts. If that is not hardcore enough, wait until you see the 8-bit graphics.
Return of Reckoning
- Developer: Mythic Entertainment
- Release Date: 2014
- Platforms: PC
- For fans of PvP MMOs, Warhammer
Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning was the opposite of a lesser-known MMO back in the day. It was all the rage in 2008 peaking at 800,000 active players.
Unfortunately, the numbers dropped leading to subsequent server shutdowns. The game closed in 2013, but it didn’t rot in the MMO graveyard.
It was resurrected as a private server in 2014. It has been running strong ever since. Return of Reckoning implements some changes and more content. It holds to the original gameplay. The active player base of die-hard fans is always happy to receive new players.
Neverwinter Nights Arelith
- Developer: BioWare / Fan-Made
- Release Date: NA
- Platforms: PC
- For fans of Dungeons & Dragons, The Forgotten Realms, Role-Play
Arelith is a persistent Neverwinter Nights multiplayer server. It welcomes all gamers who wish to discover an RPG Dungeons and Dragons adventure in the Forgotten Realms.
Players are drawn to Arelith mainly for the role-playing component. All actions, including PvP, are driven by role-play.
Power-leveling, dungeon spamming, and rushing to end-game content have no place in this world. This is about defining your character’s journey and interacting with others in a meaningful way.
To play Arelith, you need a Neverwinter Nights copy which you can find pretty cheap nowadays.
Gloria Victis
- Developer: Black Eye Games
- Release Date: June 9, 2016
- Platforms: PC
- For fans of PvP MMOs
Are you a fan of the Mount and Blade, Mordhau, or Chivalry combat system? Then you’ll love Gloria Victis. This MMORPG features non-target action combat where skills matter more than gear.
The gameplay is PvP-oriented. PvE questing allows players to strengthen their powers and practice for PvP wars.
If you don’t want to fight in the ongoing three-nation war, you can support your faction or guild as a crafter or builder. The economy is player-driven. Players don’t rely on drops for equipment. Many pieces of gear come from crafting.
Gloria Victis takes place in a low-fantasy setting inspired by Medieval Europe.
Mortal Online 2
- Developer: Star Vault
- Release Date: November 23, 2021
- Platforms: PC
- For fans of PvP MMOs, Sandbox MMOs
Ok, we’ve all heard about Mortal Online, but did you know that it has a sequel? Mortal Online 2 came out in early 2022 without too much bang.
It didn’t gain traction for a simple reason. It wasn’t that good at launch. However, the developers didn’t abandon it at this stage. They are working to deliver the product that was promised.
The game proposes a sandbox experience with free character development. We have four races and a multitude of skills ranging from fishing to weapon crafting.
Mortal Online 2 is on the right track. Hopefully, it will get there before we all forget about it.
PlaneShift
- Developer: Atomic Blue
- Release Date: 2 May 2002
- Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux
- For fans of Old-School MMOs
PlaneShift is a fantasy MMORPG from a team of volunteer developers that call themselves Atomic Blue.
The robust character system features 10 unique races and customization through six schools of magic and unlimited professions via skills. PvE content offers hundreds of quests. Numerous zones to explore where NPCs and mobs trigger dynamic events are available. Players can build homes and castles.
Whether you seek the thrills of adventure or a role-playing experience, you can enjoy PlaneShift in many ways.
PlaneShift Unreal is a new in-development version that uses the Unreal Engine.
Uncharted Waters Online
- Developer: KOEI TECMO GAMES CO
- Release Date: 19 Dec 2018
- Platforms: PC, Playstation
- For fans of Pirates, Anime MMOs
Set in the Age of Discovery, Uncharted Waters Online caters to MMORPG fans longing for naval escapades.
More than 75 professions and 100 skills allow players to develop unique characters that take the role of fighters, traders, pirates, and more. As a fleet captain, you have access to at least 500 historic vessels, each one with unique features and functionalities.
UWO motivates players to work as a team to complement their skills. If you don’t want to rely on others, you have the option of visiting the cash shop.
This 2004 game still receives updates and new content.
Vendetta Online
- Developer: Guild Software
- Release Date: November 1, 2004
- Platforms: PC, Android, iOS, Mac, VR
- For fans of Sci-Fi MMOs
Vendetta Online is a space MMORPG with an interesting combat system that tests players’ reactions and quickness to adapt to various situations. Careful aiming is a must as the game implements friendly fire.
Players boost their skills through practice and missions. A reputation system progressively unlocks harder missions with better rewards.
As spaceship pilots, Vendetta Online players are also in charge of their vessels. The customization system features many options and equipment load-outs.
PvP wars between members of different factions and co-op encounters are part of the gameplay.
However, not everything is about combat. Miners and traders also have a place in the world of Vendetta Online.
Runes of Magic
- Developer: Runewaker Entertainment
- Release Date: March 19, 2009
- Platforms: PC
- For fans of Old-School MMOs, World of Warcraft
It looks like World of Warcraft, it (sort of) plays like World of Warcraft, so it must be a WoW clone. It’s obvious that the developers are no strangers to Blizzard’s flagship MMORPG, but Runes of Magic is no mere WoW rip-off.
The character system allows players to combine classes resulting in unique roles. Thanks to the housing feature, players can claim a corner of Taborea upon which they build and customize a house.
Guild halls are part of the housing system as well. PvP siege wars invite players to test their skills against each other in massive conflicts.
Runes of Magic is free-to-play, so give it a try!
Pirates of the Burning Sea
- Developer: Flying Lab Software
- Release Date: January 22, 2008
- Platforms: PC
- For fans of Pirates
Judging by the name, you’d think that Pirates of the Burning Sea is all about free-roaming marauders with a penchant for rum. This naval MMORPG invites players to discover the life of an 18th-century ship captain.
You start by pledging allegiance to a nation of choice and pick out a career that determines the play style.
The career selection includes pirates and more honorable professions, such as naval officers and free traders. Each career favors certain ships which are just as important as the player’s avatar.
Pirates of the Burning Sea has a user-driven economy with most of the items coming from crafting.
Will to Live Online
- Developer: AlphaSoft
- Release Date: April 5, 2018
- Platforms: PC
- For fans of FPS MMOs
Will to Live Online fills the post-apocalyptic game slot in our lesser-known MMOs list. RPG, shooter mechanics, and survival features are on the menu.
Each one of the four character classes has specific abilities and uses different gear. Weapons support cosmetic and functional customization with realistic behavior.
Players uncover the story behind the game apocalypse as they explore the open world. The wasteland is not a welcoming place. You will face dangers from all sorts of creatures including mutants and other players.
Team up with other survivors for raid encounters and fight against them in clan wars!
Perpetuum
- Developer: Avatar Creations
- Release Date: 17 Oct 2014
- Platforms: PC
- For fans of Sci-Fi MMOs
Since the closure of the official servers in 2018, Perpetuum became open-sourced and handled by the community.
The Sci-Fi MMO has one persistent server. This means that player-made changes don’t go away with the next reset.
The world of Nia is yours for terraforming. Players can raise structures ranging from temporary barricades to vast settlements.
They are also in charge of the industry and economy.
The character development system is time-based. It provides equal opportunities for both casual and hardcore members and reduces the grind.
PvP wars for territory provide challenging content.
A Tale In The Desert
- Developer: EGenesis
- Release Date: 2003
- Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux
- For fans of Social Games
A Tale In The Desert is one of the most unique MMORPGs ever made. It doesn’t have any combat. At all. How weird is that? Many believe that A Tale in the Desert is a sociological experiment in MMO clothing.
The game is set in ancient Egypt. Players take the role of citizens, crafters, traders, lawmakers, and so on.
The game has seasons called Tellings. Each Telling lasts for roughly one year. In the end, the progress resets and a new Telling begins. During a Telling, players must pass Tests in Disciplines such as leadership and architecture. You can do this on your own or by working with others.
A Tale In The Desert has a subscription business model with a free 24 hours trial.
Wurm Online
- Developer: Code Club AB
- Release Date: June 6, 2006
- Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux
- For fans of Sandbox MMOs
The bigger, the best, the most challenging, and, sadly, not the most popular MMO game, Wurm Online provides a sandbox experience like no other.
Players have absolute freedom in crafting, creating, and building almost everything they can envision.
Wurm Online is not an accessible game. It’s hard to learn. It takes hours of patience to figure things out. If you don’t mind a steep learning curve and have no problem analyzing mechanics to get the hang of the gameplay, Wurm Online is worth the time.
The game is free to play, but if you do decide to get serious, consider the premium options.
Florensia
- Developer: Gamebryo
- Release Date: 2008
- Platforms: PC
- For fans of Anime MMOs
For your daily dose of casual grind-based MMOs, we recommend Florensia. The game is old, it came out in 2005. Luckily, it has cute anime graphics that are made to pass the test of time.
You start by selecting one of the four basic classes. At level 40, the character transitions into one of the eight advanced classes.
Players can fight on both land and sea with specific terrestrial and naval combat abilities. Different types of vessels with customization options are available.
Florensia is a free-to-play feel-good MMO with lots of content perfect for chill gaming sessions.
Haven and Hearth
- Developer: Seatribe
- Release Date: 2009
- Platforms: PC
- For fans of 2D MMOs
Haven and Hearth have retro 2D graphics which might not be for anyone. What this MMORPG lacks in visuals, it makes up for in gameplay.
The persistent game world shapes according to players’ actions. You begin the journey in a harsh environment with nothing more than basic tools in your inventory. The first thing you will learn is how to start a fire.
As you delve further into this Slavic and Germanic-inspired fantasy world, you acquire crafting, building, farming, and all sorts of other skills.
The goal of the game is not to gear up and kill bosses. Haven and Hearth provides a digital world in which players build and interact in virtual societies.
Mist Legacy
- Developer: Virtys
- Release Date: Sep 13, 2022
- Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux
- For fans of Boardgames, Isometric MMOs
Mist Legacy is a free-to-play isometric MMORPG. Players discover the fantasy world of Myriaden and everything it has to offer.
Starting with the no-class system, you develop your avatar using a set of skills. The crafting mechanic takes a similar approach. There are no recipes or blueprints. Crafted items are the result of combining materials based on their characteristics.
Domains are player-owned homes. When you are not at home crafting, you will be out into the wild fighting and honing skills.
Five specializations allow players to customize how their characters behave in battle. Mist Legacy implements turn-based combat.
TemTem
- Developer: Crema
- Release Date: January 21, 2020
- Platforms: PC, Playstation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch
- For fans of Pokemon
Temtem is here for all those who crave a Pokemon MMO game. This creature-collecting escapade happens in the Airborne Archipelago.
The world has six islands inhabited by all sorts of critters destined to become minions. This is where you come in.
The story will take tamers through all six islands as they collect Temtems and fight against the Belsoto Clan.
It takes about 50 hours to finish the story. PvE co-op adventures, player housing, and PvP battles are end-game content.
Temtem has garnered positive reviews at launch, a good sign that the game is worth the money.
Did we miss any lesser-known MMOs on our list? Leave a comment below!