MMO Games ranking

When it comes to free to play sandbox MMORPGs, Albion Online stands out. Its top-down isometric gameplay, low-polygonal graphics, huge game world and immersive sandbox systems are its core strengths that keeps its healthy playerbase coming back for more. In Albion, players will grow their classless characters into farmers, crafters, traders or sell-swords, depending on what you want to do which means there's literally something for everyone. While its progression systems are deep and complex, it offers long-term grinds that are worth the effort. Unfortunately, solo players will find it hard to progress far in PvE if they dislike PvP, while large guilds and factions will dominate the economy in different parts of Albion. Overall, it's a solid free to play MMORPG.

➔ Main points:

• Isometric sandbox MMORPG
• Free to play with optional premium currency and status
• Deep and immersive progression systems
• Grindy but worth the effort especially for PvP end-game
• Large and active playerbase

EVE Online is a legendary space simulation MMO that first launched in 2003. The game puts players in a compelling visual game world that's all about conquering space for your race, corporation and faction. With almost two decades worth of content and updates, EVE Online offers PvE and PvP that's unique in the genre, where both solo players and large guilds can carve our their own fun and history through huge battles where everything is at stake, in addition to exploration, economy, crafting and more. While it's an intricately complex game to get into for new players, the time investment pays off in the long run if you have an end goal in mind. The game is free to play and its microtransactions aren't that intrusive. Overall, it's still a household MMO title and worth playing even today.

➔ Main points:

• Deep and immersive space sandbox simulator
• Offers plenty of content for all types of players
• Can be enjoyed for free without pay walls
• Graphics are decent for a 17 year old game

Overview

If orange is the new black, then farming is the new popular app. With games like Farmville and Hay Day, players can immerse themselves into the artificial pleasures of farming. This includes things like growing crops, raising livestock, and delivering goods and services to awaiting customers. Like Farmville, Township got its start on the Facebook platform and evolved into a standalone app. But where Farmville and Hay Day focus strictly on farm-building, Township expands the player's reach into other areas of development, like house-building, factories, restaurants, movie theaters, and even a zoo. It blends farm and city building together into something that's less 'nostalgic farming' and more 'farming metropolis'. The game is also quick to catch on to, with a fairly basic tutorial that relies on simple animated GIFs that show the player exactly how to play, but leaves enough room to let the player explore on their own if they want.

With a fairly basic premise ("Congratulations on inheriting some property!"), a simple-yet-complex gaming structure that keeps you engaged, and amazing graphics, Township remains a top contender in the world-building simulation apps out there.

➔ Main points:

• Blends both city building and farm building together
• Grow your own crops, take care of your own animals, and sell the wares that you make
• Build and grow things in real-time with accelerated speed
• Focus on building your city into whatever you want it to be!
• Game shop allows player to use real money to advance your level faster

Overview

Your team of five must strategically capture points, called power circles, in order to grant your Guardian enough power to attack the enemy Guardian, at which point you get the awesome privilege of seeing your gigantic creature dart across the map to give the enemy a good walloping, causing the enemy Guardian to become vulnerable to damage. If your Guardian overpowers the enemy’s enough, then it will be instantly wounded, and you won’t even need to attack it yourself. Talk about a sense of satisfaction (or overwhelming weight of your failures if you’re on the other end).
The game currently features 21 heroes, with more arriving as time goes on, and three maps, plus the expected assortment of skins for both heroes and weapons.

➔ Main points:

• 5v5 skirmishes
• Fast-paced 3rd person action
• Contribute to the battle in a wide variety of roles, including tanks, supports, and nukers.
• Cartoonish, stylized graphics

Honkai: Star Rail is a free-to-play, turn-based role-playing online game developed by HoYoverse, already known for its flagship game Genshin Impact. Set in a vibrant sci-fi universe, players traverse diverse worlds aboard the Astral Express, engaging in strategic battles and uncovering a rich narrative.

Honkai: Star Rail propels players into a universe teeming with adventure, mystery, and a dash of interstellar whimsy, shifting gears from real-time action to a more strategic, turn-based combat system, offering a fresh yet familiar experience for both veterans and newcomers.

The game introduces you to the Astral Express, a cosmic locomotive that serves as your gateway to a multitude of worlds, each with its own unique aesthetic and lore. From the icy expanses of Jarilo-VI to the bustling, futuristic cityscapes of the Xianzhou Luofu, the environments are crafted with meticulous detail, making exploration a visual treat.

Combat in Honkai: Star Rail is where strategy enthusiasts will find their playground. The turn-based system requires thoughtful team composition and skill synergy. Each character brings distinct abilities to the table, and mastering their interplay can lead to satisfying victories against the game’s diverse array of adversaries. The inclusion of elemental affinities and status effects adds layers of depth, ensuring that battles remain engaging as you progress.

Narratively, the game doesn't shy away from complexity. The storyline is rich with interwoven character arcs, political intrigue, and philosophical musings on the nature of civilization and the cosmos. Side quests and character-specific missions further expand the lore, providing a comprehensive understanding of the game's universe.

However, it's worth noting that, like many free-to-play games, Honkai: Star Rail incorporates a gacha system for character and equipment acquisition. While it's entirely possible to enjoy the game without spending money, progression can be slower, and obtaining specific characters may require patience or luck.

➔ Main points:

• Strategic turn-based combat: Assemble a team of heroes and engage in tactical battles against a variety of foes.
• Expansive universe exploration: Travel aboard the Astral Express to diverse worlds, each with unique stories and environments.
• Deep character customization: Enhance your characters with various abilities, equipment, and upgrades to suit your playstyle.
• Rich narrative experience: Uncover an intricate storyline filled with memorable characters, political intrigue, and cosmic mysteries.
• High-quality visuals and sound: Enjoy stunning graphics and a captivating soundtrack that bring the game's universe to life.
• Free-to-play model: Accessible to all players, with optional in-game purchases for those who wish to enhance their experience.

Call of War: 1942 is a strategy game set during World War 2. You build, you expand, you go to war, and yes – you exploit. Call of War is most definitely a 4X (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate) game, and even if that genre isn’t quite familiar to you, you’ve probably heard of another immensely popular 4X game: Civilization. Call of War takes the concepts of a 4X game and applies them to a free-to-play model.

➔ Main points:

• Browser-based 4X strategy game
• Matches last weeks
• Set during WWII
• Light system requirements

Dark Omen is a high fantasy browser-based MMORPG that pits you and other heroes against a demon invasion and you must save your world. The game is free to play and features in-depth MMORPG systems like PvE dungeons, PvP arenas, Guilds and more which is great for browser players.

The game offers limited class choices at launch, but makes up for it with very good graphics and combat mechanics. Content isn't original, but offers enough progression such as upgrading mounts, gear and more to keep players interested at the end-game.

➔ Main points:

• Completey free to play at launch with optional cash shop
• Lack of class choices as only two available at launch
• Very good graphics but it takes a long time to load
• Plenty of character progression mechanics that may seem overwhelming

In most collectible card games, the hero, or summoner (or whatever you want to call it), sits out of sight, signified by a portrait, but in Duelyst, your general starts on the battlefield and gives the game its namesake. Battles in Duelyst are just that, duels. It’s your general pitted against your enemy’s general, and all the cards you play are in service of that.

➔ Main points:

• fun implementation of generals
• lots of strategic options
• grid-based movement and positioning
• great pixel art

Eudemons Online is a classic 2.5D MMORPG that offers traditional gameplay and a unique feature involving pets. Players will acquire, level and raise numerous Eudemons alongside their main classes to be effective in combat. Eudemons have their own skills and abilities that makes each class playthrough unique. The game utilizes traditional browser-like features like auto-pathing, grinding and RNG gear upgrading to name a few. For a free to play title, the cash shop is very influential which is to be expected. Eudemons Online's strength is in its classic gameplay, giving fans of 'Asian Grinder' games a solid game to get hooked onto. It's weak points are the aging engine and graphics, plus the advantageous cash store. Overall, Eudemons Online is a great window into the classic non-3D MMORPG titles of the past, and is worth a look if you're a fan of what it offers.

➔ Main points:

• 2.5D MMORPG with classic gameplay
• Fun and interesting pet system
• Free to play title with optional advantages
• Plenty of classes to choose from

Fairy Tail: Hero's Journey is the official online MMORPG of the manga series. For a free to play web-browser game, fans of the franchise will be rewarded as it features authentic characters and story from the manga.

The gameplay is easy to grasp as players pick from one of three classes and progress through the world via leveling up themselves and their companions. Combat is turn-based with party dynamics that are fun to watch due to the excellent animations. However, the battles are passive for the most part meaning you actively do nothing but watch most of the time. The game also has an in-depth cash shop that can be advantageous, but not necessary for end-game progression. Overall, Fairy Tail: Hero's Journey is a good free to play title that will serve loyal fans of the series with plenty of originality and fun.

➔ Main points:

• Gorgeous authentic world and art style based on the Fairy Tail franchise
• Dozens of pets and companions to collect
• Turn-based party battle system but passive in design
• Free to play browser game but expect intrusive cash shop
• Easy to follow stories and quests for fans but will differ for newcomers