What better way to start the New Year than with a brand new MMO adventure?
If your early 2022 goals don’t include a fresh MMORPG experience or revisiting an older title, you’re doing it wrong. Lacking ideas? Check out this list!
17. World of Warcraft
- Developer: Blizzard
- Release Date: November 23, 2004
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Blizzard
You might think that we saved the best for last or you could be realistic about the current state of our once-most-beloved MMORPG.
WoW is struggling, yet hope is not lost. Patch 9.2 comes to tie up the Shadowlands story. It brings the final raid where we face Zovaal, but – let’s be honest – it’s the Lich King Anduin fight that hypes up most of the players.
The patch also feeds the cosmetic pile that has become one of the staples of the Shadowlands expansion. To shake things up, you can also dabble in WoW Classic or TBC Classic.
16. EVE Online
- Developer: CCP Games
- Release Date: May 6, 2003
- Platform: PC, Mac
- For fans of Sci-fi MMOs
Let’s face it, there’s always EVE Online o’clock. Whether it’s a good decision or not, that’s up to you and your MMO expectations.
EVE is a great MMO to start the year because it provides that challenge that may very well fit with your New Year resolutions.
If you want to learn a new MMO with intricate systems, then go for it. EVE is not an easy game. If you master it, it will provide a sense of accomplishment that will set you on a great path for 2022.
15. New World
- Developer: Amazon Games
- Release Date: September 9, 2021
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Survival MMOs
One of the newest kids on the MMO block, New World stole the show for several months. Nothing compares to a new MMO experience and NW is here to offer just that.
The game is fairly easy to learn. Players love that you can earn significant XP from fishing, mining, and the likes, so you don’t need to grind mobs and quests all the way to max level.
The developers are hard at work. The newest patch deployed a series of changes requested by the community.
It also added the holiday event, a clear sign that more content is in preparation as we speak.
14. Star Wars: The Old Republic – Legacy of the Sith
- Developer: Bioware
- Release Date: February 15, 2022
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Star Wars, Sci-fi MMOs
Because nothing beats playing at the beginning of a new expansion. Legacy of the Sith comes on February 15th.
It promises to take players to unexplored corners of the galaxy where no man has gone…oh wait, wrong franchise.
Manaan is the hot destination for the eighth Star Wars: The Old Republic expansion, but it’s not the only new area. Story-driven quests take players to the planet of Elom where they discover what goes on beyond the walls of an abandoned Sith Fortress.
Gameplay additions include combat styles that take character customization one step further.
13. Blade & Soul
- Developer: NCSoft
- Release Date: June 30, 2012
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Anime MMOs, Martial Arts MMOs
One thing we love about Blade & Soul is its regular update schedule. Once every few months, the game gets more content and new items. You always have something fresh to do, whether it’s completing story-driven quests, clearing dungeons, or starting a new character.
Casual gameplay is not missing either. Between running end-game content and taking part in the many game events, you can rest assured that your gaming hours will be well spent.
You don’t need to worry about monthly costs, because B&S is a free-to-play MMORPG.
12. Path of Exile
- Developer: Grinding Gear Games
- Release Date: Oct 23, 2013
- Platform: PC, Mac, Playstation, Xbox
- For fans of ARPGs
Path of Exile is the multiplayer action RPG that never ceases to amaze. Initially branded as a Diablo clone, it rapidly became clear that it’s so much more than that.
Grinding Gear Games developed intriguing lore and built an elaborate game that has earned its rightful spot in the ARPG genre.
Expansions are rolled out at an impressive pace. Another admirable thing is the business model. Despite being free-to-play, POE was never marked as pay-to-win. A sequel is currently in the works.
11. Destiny 2 – The Witch Queen
- Developer: Bungie
- Release Date: February 22, 2022
- Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
- For fans of Shooter MMOs
February 2022, what a good month for MMOs! The Witch Queen expansion comes to add more content to the action-packed MMO shooter.
Destiny 2 gets new story content and that’s just the beginning of a wonderful expansion.
Conflict Eternal is a new Throne World six-player instanced activity.
If you are hankering for a challenge, the new raid has got you covered.
If crafting is your heart’s desire, prepare to discover the new system that allows you to create customized weaponry.
10. Rust
- Developer: Facepunch Studios
- Release Date: December 11, 2013
- Platform: PC, Mac, Playstation, Xbox
- For fans of Survival MMOs
Do you have what it takes to conquer a survival MMO? Only one way to find out! Rust is a game in which you have no friends, at least in the beginning.
The mobs are out to get you and the other players are not willing to share resources with a newcomer.
You start with a rock, a torch, and your wits. Eventually, you will find your tribe. Players work together to build shelters and to raid others’ towns.
Rust has complex crafting systems and intense PvP.
9. Elder Scrolls Online
- Developer: Zenimax
- Release Date: April 4, 2014
- Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
- For fans of the Elder Scrolls, Skyrim
If you’ve been on the Elder Scrolls Online wagon for a while now, you know what happens in January. The new year-long adventure is revealed. It includes the main expansion that usually comes out in the Spring and the DLCs.
But first, let’s focus on the content at hand. The final Gates of Oblivion DLC is available. This is the grand finale of the current adventure.
The Deadlands DLC contains a new zone and story quests. This is your chance to discover Mehrunes Dagon’s home. Spoiler: The Price of Destruction is not very fond of guests. Good thing you are not there for a social call.
8. Star Trek Online
- Developer: Cryptic Studios
- Release Date: February 2, 2010
- Platform: PC, Mac, Playstation, Xbox
- For fans of Sci-fi MMOs
STO is that MMO you’ve always wanted to try, but somehow never did get around to it. No more excuses! 2022 is the year when you finally see what’s the deal with this Star Trek-based MMO.
Storytelling is the game’s forte. More than 40 Star Trek actors have lent their voices to in-game NPCs. Quests and missions have that Star Trek feel that you either love or don’t really care about.
If you are a Trekkie, this is one MMO you cannot miss. If you aren’t, you might become one.
7. Albion Online
- Developer: Sandbox Interactive
- Release Date: July 17, 2017
- Platform: PC, Mac, Android, iOS
- For fans of Isometric MMOs, PvP MMOs
Recently, Albion Online Steam reviews went from Mostly Positive to Very Positive. If you haven’t tried it before, now’s the time to give it a go.
PvP and crafting, that’s the name of the game.
Albion Online has one of the best MMO crafting features. It’s a deep system that allows players to gather materials, create items, become farmers, and set up shops. Every item in the game comes from the hands of a crafter.
PvP is a big part of Albion Online, so get ready for competition and ganking.
6. Guild Wars 2 End of Dragons
- Developer: Square Enix
- Release Date: February 28, 2022
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Fantasy MMOs
The start of 2022 brings the End of Dragons. The third Guild Wars 2 expansion completes a 250-year old story.
In addition to the epic conclusion of the dragon saga, End of Dragons features elite specializations, a new siege mount, and fishing-related content. We know that last one grabbed your attention.
Skiffs are coming to the game giving players the chance to set sail, explore, and spend their time catching more than 200 unique fish.
Oh, and did we mention that the fabled continent of Cantha becomes finally available?
5. Black Desert Online
- Developer: Pearl Abyss
- Release Date: 24 May, 2017
- Platform: PC, Playstation, Xbox
- For fans of Korean MMOs
Black Desert Online could be your 2022 time sink. The game is teeming with content. Explorers will appreciate the open world and the lack of loading screens, not to mention the breathtaking visuals.
Crafters will enjoy the sandbox features and the player housing system. PvE and PvP are both very well represented. Raids, guild missions, dungeon runs, field combat, large-scale wars, and more do not allow adventurers a second of rest.
The character system includes more than 20 unique combat styles and a plethora of cosmetic customization options.
4. RuneScape 3/Old School RuneScape
- Developer: Jagex
- Release Date: January 4, 2001
- Platform: PC
- For fans of Old School MMOs
Kudos to Jagex for keeping RuneScape on the MMO scene for more than 20 years! Time passed, but dust never settled on this veteran MMORPG.
Whether you go for the updated 2013-version RuneScape 3 or the original Old School RuneScape, you are in for a treat.
The skill-based character progression blends in with bewitching quests and complex systems to make RuneScape a unique game that has inspired many modern titles.
There’s a free-to-play version, so you can try it before paying for full access.
3. Lost Ark
- Developer: Smilegate
- Release Date: 2022
- Platform: PC
- For fans of ARPGs, Isometric MMOs
It took three trips around the Sun for Lost Ark to arrive in Europe and North America. Three long years during which positive game reviews poured from Korean players and critics who got their hands on the game.
The gorgeous action MMORPG came in first in six Korea Game Awards categories. Lost Ark features seven continents. Adventurers explore these areas as they complete PvE missions and take on others in PvP.
Action RPG combat complements iconic MMO features such as dungeons and raids to create a one-of-a-kind experience.
2. Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
- Developer: Square Enix
- Release Date: November 19, 2021
- Platform: PC, Mac, Playstation
- For fans of Final Fantasy, Anime MMOs
Suffering from success. That’s what happened shortly after the Endwalker launch in early December 2021, when game sales were temporarily halted due to too many people wanting a slice of the action. Saying that Endwalker is popular is a huge understatement.
The story is amazing, the gameplay doesn’t stray too far from the original tried and tested formula, and the additions were warmly received by the player base.
There has never been a better time to play FFXIV.
1. Fishing Planet
- Developer: Fishing Planet
- Release Date: August 11, 2015
- Platform: PC, Mac, Playstation, Xbox
- For fans of Fishing
Admit it, how many times have you logged into an MMORPG just to fish? Sometimes we want nothing more than to unwind and look at the beautiful scenery.
Fishing Planet is a realistic free-to-play MMOFPF – first-person fisher – that has everything you’d want from a leisure game. Most players agree that the MMO part is a bit of an overstatement, but who would like others stealing their catch anyway?
Fishing Planet has surprisingly realistic AI for fish and tackle behavior. The world features more than 20 unique environments that are home to more than 170 fish species.
What MMOs are you playing in 2022? Let us know in the comments below!