Released in 2004, World of Warcraft brought new meaning to the massively multiplayer online role-playing game genre. Even about 20 years later, the game still boasts millions of active players. There is never a shortage of things to do in World of Warcraft, yet players might want alternatives after grinding hundreds and possibly thousands of hours.

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The most elite players have spent potentially years across multiple characters (and usually accounts). Fans looking for alternatives should try out these games for a challenge outside World of Warcraft. They might not offer the same exact experience as the MMO, but they should be able to scratch a somewhat similar itch. Let’s take a look at some of the best games like WoW.

Updated March 8, 2025 by Mark Sammut: WoW is still going relatively strong, even if its heyday probably passed a long time ago. Still, new MMOs are fairly rare, particularly ones that even attempt to stand alongside Blizzard’s behemoth. In 2021, Amazon released a title that tried to reinvigorate the genre. The attempt was honorable but not faultless. Consequently, in 2024, Amazon tweaked that project in the form of New World: Aeternum.

19

Throne And Liberty

A Modern MMORPG With Lineage

Released

October 1, 2024

Developer(s)

NCSoft

MMORPGs do not come around often, and when they do, there is no guarantee they will be around for the long haul. Throne and Liberty is not perfect, nor is it a direct alternative to World of Warcraft, but it is an ambitious project that represents parts of the genre at its best. These types of releases are extremely rare, and it is just exciting to get in on the ground floor (or as close to it as possible). As great as WoW is, the game is probably not attracting too many new players at this point in its lifespan; for the current generation, Throne and Liberty could be their WoW. Or, to be more exact, it could be their Lineage.

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Starting as a Lineage sequel, Throne and Liberty is very much inspired by that 1998 classic and its sequel, which was also published by NCSoft. Consequently, the MMO revolves heavily around social interaction and PvP, with sieges and wars between guilds taking center stage in the endgame. While this element contradicts WoW‘s PvE focus, the game still has plenty of dungeons that players can take solo or as part of a group. The campaign can keep somebody busy for a long time, especially since they will need to grind quite a lot.

Beyond the pretty great PvP, Throne and Liberty has a clever weapon system that allows players to mix and match two categories, allowing them to create makeshift classes in the process.

18

White Knight Chronicles 2

A Grind-Heavy JRPG That Might Scratch A Similar Itch As WoW

Systems

Released

September 13, 2011

Developer(s)

Level-5, Japan Studio

OK, Level 5’s White Knight Chronicles games tend to be divisive, garnering praise for their combat, visuals (for the era), and build options, while receiving plenty of criticism for their stories and repetitive natures. Still, these projects were ambitious and can provide a relaxing grind similar to World of Warcraft. Very few single-player RPGs are comparable to MMOs, so the pickings are generally slim if somebody wants this type of game. White Knight Chronicles 2 is one of these rare options, and it is a fairly good one that can keep somebody engaged for a couple of months.

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While White Knight Chronicles and its sequel are roughly equal in quality, the latter includes a remastered version of the former, so there is no reason to opt for the original. Immediately, it needs to be said that the story is weak and hard to follow, to the point that it could be regarded as a negative part of the package rather than just something to ignore. Ultimately, White Knight Chronicles 2 shines in its combat system, which shares similarities with MMOs through its use of a cool-down system. The JRPG also nails a sense of scale, putting players up against massive creatures that can take a while to overcome. Although it was originally packaged with a multiplayer mode, nowadays, White Knight Chronicles 2 is solely a single-player option, which is perfectly fine. Players will be controlling a party throughout the campaign, so it can still feel like a cooperative package.

17

Guild Wars 2

A Classic Online RPG That Keeps On Giving

Systems

Guild Wars 2 is a pretty unique MMO that many fans have grown to love. Its steady stream of content updates means that players can jump back into the experience and enjoy a wealth of new content to explore, which is especially entertaining with a group of friends.

The sheer number of things to do in this game is mind-boggling and will ensure that players can sink hundreds of hours into the game without feeling even slightly bored. Guild Wars 2 is a massive achievement that shows just how much the MMO landscape has evolved with its innovative mechanics.

16

New World: Aeternum

Good Combat, Great Visuals, And Decent Story

Released

October 15, 2024

Developer(s)

Amazon Games

New World has had an interesting life so far. Attracting attention as Amazon Games’ big addition to the MMORPG sphere, the project debuted in 2021 on PC, garnering a fairly mixed response in the process. While the visuals and combat were regarded as good for the genre, the muddy story, uneven pacing, and underwhelming endgame made it a hard sell for anyone but die-hard fans who want to try every MMORPG in existence. Furthermore, the game’s price tag might have discouraged a few people from giving it a try, even if they thought the more action-oriented combat might suit their preferences.

In 2024, New World received a notable retooling, all in the lead-up to its console launch. To celebrate this era, the game was renamed New World: Aeternum, signaling that this is an evolved form of the vanilla version that debuted three years earlier. Make no mistake, Aeternum came with quite a few significant alternations, resulting in an experience that is far more immediately enjoyable and beginner-friendly. Aeternum is one of those MMOs that also tries to sell itself to the action RPG crowd, to the point that multiplayer can be pretty much ignored in favor of a solo playthrough. Honestly, playing through the campaign might be the most enjoyable part, especially since PvP can be quite hit-and-miss.

New World: Aeternum is not perfect and tends to lose steam after a few months of play, which is not great for an MMO. However, the game looks fantastic, plays well, has a deep crafting system, and quite a lot of customization options. While not World of Warcraft, it is a respectable attempt to shake up the MMO formula.

15

Valheim

Familiar But Wildly Different

Systems

Released

February 2, 2021

Developer(s)

Iron Gate AB

In truth, Valheim and WoW share very few things in common. The former is a crafting and survival game that focuses on PvE. Players will spend most of their time exploring biomes in search of resources they can use to develop their bases and craft better items. It is a straightforward concept that works very well, and Valheim is one of those releases that can easily consume someone’s life for months on end. Despite combat being fairly prominent, the early-access game is surprisingly relaxing, and players are generally encouraged to do their own thing. Co-op is also supported.

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So, Valheim is a different beast than Warcraft; however, it can deliver a comparable feel to Blizzard’s MMO, even if its components are different. They both present immersive worlds that players can get happily lost in, and their controls and movements are somewhat similar too.

14

Kingdoms Of Amalur: Re-Reckoning

Vibrant World, Accessible Combat

Released

September 8, 2020

Developer(s)

38 Studios, Big Huge Games, KAIKO GmbH

Kingdoms of Amalur has had an interesting life. Originally released in 2012, the action RPG garnered a mostly positive reception thanks to its versatile hack and slash combat, which was arguably among the genre’s best at the time. However, behind-the-scenes issues caused the game to disappear for a few years, at least until a remaster was published in 2020. The latter even received an expansion.

A single-player experience, Kingdoms of Amalur takes place in Faelands, a vibrant realm that does just enough to differentiate itself from most other fantasy kingdoms. While the story is nothing amazing, the gameplay is a great deal of fun, even if it does feel a bit dated by modern standards.

13

Final Fantasy 14

Perhaps The Best MMORPG On The Market?

Systems

The initial release of Final Fantasy 14 was nothing short of a disaster. However, Square Enix had the hindsight to pull the plug on this title and re-release it after all the kinks were sorted out. The result was Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn, one of the greatest MMORPGs of all time. It fixed almost everything wrong in the previous iteration, with its expansions being universally beloved by fans. Players seeking out games like World of Warcraft will certainly be well-serviced by this title.

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Now, it should be said that while both games fall under the general MMORPG bracket, they are not actually all that similar in terms of gameplay and mechanics. FF14 shines in its storytelling, slower-paced combat, job combo build variety, housing system, and a less intensive endgame. These elements combine to create a gameplay loop that feels very different from WoW, with neither project being necessarily better than the other. They are also both significant time sinks.

12

Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age

A Single-Player Alternative To FF14

Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age

If someone wants to try out Square Enix’s franchise but prefers a purely single-player experience, Final Fantasy 12 is arguably the closest option to an MMO-style game. Now, it should be noted that FF12‘s combat is very different from World of Warcraft since it is menu-based, which is a significant change from most traditional systems found in MMOs. Just to be clear, the game has fantastic combat that grants players a lot of control over their party’s actions, along with adding a constant strategic element to battles. Still, going from WoW, FF12 can take some adjusting.

Beyond the minute-to-minute gameplay, FF12 brings to life a gorgeous world, Ivalice, and tells a pretty compelling story, albeit one that is told from the perspective of a polarizing protagonist. The gameplay loop is also very MMO-style, with the party heading out into large open areas filled with enemies. FF12 also gives players huge skill trees to allow them to fine-tune each playable character. While the PS2 original was and still is fantastic, players should pick up The Zodiac Age version.

11

Divinity: Original Sin 2

A CRPG Masterpiece

Released

September 14, 2017

Larian Studios crowd-funded this now smash-hit top-down RPG in their Divinity series. But this game takes place long after the events of the first Original Sin title. It places players as a custom character or one of 6 pre-made people with unique stories and plenty of ways to derail the main narrative.

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The game harbors hundreds of choices from what order to do quests to whether or not that Magister who spoke down to the player lives to see nightfall. WoW players are likely to love Divinity: Original Sin 2‘s soundtrack, great visuals, and captivating world lore.

10

Neverwinter

Dated But Not Without Charm

Inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, Neverwinter has been around since the early 2010s, and Crytic’s free-to-play MMORPG has had an up-and-down life since then. While “new” compared to WoW, Neverwinter is cut from the same cloth as Blizzard’s eternal project, especially in terms of quest design and combat. Containing 12 playable races and an array of classes, the MMO gives players a respectable range of customization options to allow them to craft the hero best suited for them.

Although grinding is undoubtedly part of the overall package, Neverwinter provides a decent entry-level experience by streamlining the main campaign’s early hours, permitting new players to reach the level cap quite quickly. However, once that point is reached, the focus shifts to item level, which is quite a time investment.

9

Xenoblade Chronicles Games

MMO-Style Combat In Single-Player Experiences

• 	Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition	Xenoblade Chronicles 2	Xenoblade Chronicles 3	Xenoblade Chronicles X
  Platform(s)	Switch	Switch	Switch	Nintendo Wii U
  Released	2020-05-29	2017-12-01	2022-07-29	2015-12-04
  Developer(s)	Monolith Soft	Monolith Soft	Monolith	Nintendo SPD, Monolith Soft
  Genre(s)	RPG	RPG	RPG	Open-World, Action RPG

No single-player project can scratch the same itch as World of Warcraft. Much of the latter’s appeal rests on its multiplayer and community, and solo titles cannot replicate that element. However, a few developers have tried to translate the MMO blueprint into a standard single-player campaign, and none have arguably done it better than Monolith Soft. The Xenoblade Chronicles games are ambitious open-world RPGs that (usually) tell engrossing stories while featuring combat systems that gradually layer a billion mechanics on top of each other.

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While some entries are more divisive than others, they are all fantastic in their own right, including the underappreciated Wii U spin-off, Xenoblade Chronicles X. Newcomers who are not sure where to start should go with either Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition or Xenoblade Chronicles 3. The former is an all-time classic, while the latter represents the series at its most accessible since it actually explains its battle system in a way that makes sense.

8

Grim Dawn

Great Combat, Great Loot

Systems

Released

February 25, 2016

Developer(s)

Crate Entertainment

Another dungeon crawler like Diablo, this game expounds upon the genre with dozens of possible builds. It might not be an MMORPG, but the game’s breadth of content isn’t exactly lacking. It’s a nice alternative for MMO players who want something a bit more personal.

Though a fantastic co-op game, Grim Dawn makes for a challenging and fun solo game, as well. It’s a little less hardcore than Path of Exile, too, so players who might be new to the genre or hesitant to pay a subscription fee for an MMORPG can get their feet wet.

7

Black Desert

Really Fun Combat & Gorgeous World

Released

March 3, 2016

Developer(s)

Pearl Abyss

Black Desert is established as a cornerstone of the MMORPG sphere, and it is even set to get a successor in Crimson Desert. While waiting for the latter to become a reality, newcomers can jump into Peal Abyss’ active game, which is not free-to-play but is regularly on sale for very low prices. Now, it should be noted that Black Desert and WoW are wildly different experiences, and fans of the latter should only check out the former if they are craving a change of pace. More importantly, the endgame is entirely devoted to grinding gear and can be a money sink, so ignore this one if that does not sound remotely appealing.

Black Desert shines in two main areas: combat and graphics. The world is arguably among the most beautiful in the genre, and the game’s high production value is evident throughout the campaign. The combo-driven combat system is flashy and exciting as it leans into character action territory, and it is more than enjoyable enough to keep someone entertained while they are grinding to level 60.

6

RuneScape

An Eternal MMORPG

Whether players choose to play OldSchool RuneScape or the new RuneScape, there is much incentive to get into this free-to-play game. It’s one of those games with a subscription option, but it’s not required. OldSchool RuneScape heavily influenced later massively multiplayer games.

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Though the graphics are basic, almost everyone agrees that the gameplay is phenomenal. One can fish, mine, blacksmith, cook, and more. The Steam release has crossplay with mobile users and makes a relaxing game to play with friends.

5

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Gorgeous World, Solid Story, & Decent Combat

Released

November 18, 2014

BioWare’s Dragon Age is one of the biggest IPs in the Western RPG genre. All the available games are good-to-great in their own right, and while Origins is generally regarded as the franchise’s peak, Inquisition is the best pick for World of Warcraft fans. The 2014 game opts for a more action-oriented battle system than earlier entries, and the combat does have an MMO feel to it.

After creating a character from a range of races, players step into the role of the Inquisitor as they are tasked with stopping a continuous invasion of demons. Inquisition is split into self-contained but fairly open maps, each of which contains side quests along with plenty of loot.

4

Star Wars: The Old Republic

Not Only For Star Wars Fans

Systems

Released

December 20, 2011

Star Wars: The Old Republic was Electronic Arts’ most expensive video game to develop and market when it was released. This expansive game takes players to various worlds in the Star Wars universe. The ability to play as a Jedi or Sith gives this game much replay value. One can also choose to be a commando as they participate in group quests as well as single-player ones.

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The story of Star Wars: The Old Republic is intriguing. Players can choose between dialogue options as they take control of the epic story. WoW fans might appreciate time in a space-themed fantasy game vs. another high fantasy game.

3

Fable Trilogy

Vibrant World, Solid Customization, Accessible Combat

• 	Fable	Fable 2	Fable 3
  Platform(s)	Xbox (Original), Xbox 360, PC	Xbox 360	Xbox 360, PC
  Released	2004-09-14	2008-10-21	2010-10-26
  Developer(s)	Big Blue Box Studios, Lionhead Studios	Lionhead Studios	Lionhead Studios
  Genre(s)	Action RPG	Action, RPG	Action RPG

Even if it struggled to live up to its initial promises, the Fable franchise mostly consists of decent-to-great action RPGs that are overflowing with personality, humor, and whimsy. Admittedly, the trilogy might hit differently with people who did not grow up on them, but they are still charming adventures with decent personality customization, simple combat, and semi-open worlds. The first two games are particularly worth trying, while the third one was and still is polarizing for a reason.

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Obviously, WoW and Fable are very different in most areas, and the latter is only for people who are craving self-contained single-player RPGs. That said, they both give players quite a bit of freedom in crafting their characters’ journeys and dispositions, with Fable allowing the protagonist to act pretty evil if that is the direction someone would like to go.

Weak Start, Strong Follow-up

Alongside FF14 and WoW, Elder Scrolls Online is arguably the biggest MMO of the last decade, and its success goes beyond a general affinity for the license. Following a fairly unspectacular launch, the game eventually found its place as a more casual-friendly experience that encourages immersion through class customization and housing.

While not lacking in combat or engaging questlines, ESO maintains a more relaxing and stress-free pace than most of its competitors, which can be positive or negative depending on what type of MMO someone is craving. The class, housing, and crafting systems are particularly fantastic, arguably among the very best in the genre. That said, the combat can be quite polarizing.

1

Blizzard’s Other Games: StarCraft Or StarCraft 2

Blizzard’s Legendary Sci-Fi RTS Series

• 	StarCraft	StarCraft 2
  Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows	PC, macOS
  Released	1998-03-31	2010-07-27
  Developer(s)	Blizzard	Blizzard
  Genre(s)	Real-Time Strategy	Real-Time Strategy

Tempting as it might be to simply recommend every Blizzard game, the developer’s other projects are very different from WoW, even the entries within the same franchise. The first two Warcraft games have their positives, but their ages are inescapable, to the point that their gameplay and controls might be too frustrating for beginners. They are also not extremely important in terms of lore.

Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos is rightfully hailed as one of the greatest real-time strategy games of all time, if not the greatest, and the 2002 classic should be a must-play for anyone interested in diving into this universe. Unfortunately, the original version is not easy to come by in this day and age, and new players might have to turn to the controversial Reforged remake. The online element is very divisive, but the single-player campaign is mostly fine and comes with a few worthwhile QOL adjustments.

Diablo is an OK option, especially the two most recent mainline entries since they are fairly fast-paced and accessible.

Out of all Blizzard’s games, StarCraft is arguably the least obvious recommendation for WoW players. The sci-fi franchise focuses squarely on RTS gameplay, which is far removed from the MMO’s gameplay loop. While both entries in the series have lengthy campaigns, neither of them is particularly amazing on a story level, although they are both fantastic in terms of level design, gameplay, and presentation. Honestly, there is nothing in common between StarCraft and WoW, except for the fact that they represent Blizzard at its absolute peak. StarCraft 2 is just an all-around masterpiece, and the same can be said for its predecessor despite its age.

Systems

Released

November 23, 2004