Best MMORPGs of 2020

It’s September already, so time for a roundup of the best and most popular MMORPGs of the year so far. We can all agree that it’s been a good year to be an MMORPG player. Having a virtual world to escape to has been a real blessing during some trying months. Demand for all kinds of online entertainment has soared, including gaming, movies and casinos. If you’re interested in trying your hand at some money games, consult our Online Casino list. For our pick of the top MMORPGs of 2020, from the biggest names to some hidden gems, stay right here.

• 1. Guild Wars 2

Our top rating goes to ArenaNet’s enormously ambitious and detailed Guild Wars 2, currently awaiting the next expansion since Path of Fire in 2017. This was teased earlier this year, but with no date given players could be in for a wait. No matter, as the existing game has more than enough to keep even the most veteran player occupied. The huge open world can be explored at your leisure, or you can engage with the main storyline where your actions affect the path of events. The combat is especially impressive and not difficult to master, and players can make use of the different mounts to help them on their adventures. Guild Wars 2 is also extremely affordable, available as a free core game with paid expansions and no monthly subscription.

• 2. World of Warcraft

If you are starting to get weary of the WoW expansion Battle for Azeroth, then you’re in luck. The next instalment of the classic favourite is due to drop on October 27. Blizzard Entertainment have been working on it for a while now, so we can only hope that it stands up against its predecessors. Knowing the quality that WoW usually brings to the table, we are fairly confident that Shadowlands will be a worthy successor to Azeroth. Fans will hope that some of their complaints over combat and levelling will be addressed, but there’s no doubt that this is one of the most eagerly-anticipated MMORPG events of the year.

• 3. Star Wars: The Old Republic

Since coming to Steam in July 2020 SWTOR has picked up a few new fans, not that it was lacking them before. In fact, the Star Wars game has been gathering a legion of players since its initial release in 2011. You will never be short of people to play with in the busy servers, but there is also plenty of single-player action to keep you occupied. The core game is free to play, and contains more than enough content if the monthly subscription is more that you are willing to pay. The great thing about SWOTR is that it is strong on both PvE and PvP aspects. This means that fans of the franchise can enjoy exploring worlds, while still appealing to players who like a classic MMORPG experience.

• 4. EVE Online

Quite possibly the most fascinating and frustrating virtual world ever to be created, EVE Online has to be played to be believed. The 7,800 star systems in this sci-fi universe allow players to experience something like the vastness of space. The internal functioning of the game is run by the players, including a virtual economy and tactical alliances. New players are often bemused by the slow pace of events, but get to grips with the interface and a whole parallel world is open to you. The combat elements are extremely high-adrenaline, but players can also choose to focus on economic activities and avoid the more violent aspects of the game. EVE Online defies description, but if you’re after a truly explorable persistent world set in space, there is none better.

• 5. RuneScape 3

We can’t complete a list of our favourite MMORPGs without a nod to the godfather of them all, RuneScape. This game is unrecognisable from the 2001 original, thanks to regular content updates, several overhauls of the gameplay and major improvements in the graphics. Players love the immersive style, which can be explored in different ways. Collect new skills, such as mining, woodworking and the newly-added archaeology. There’s plenty of opportunity for combat action, either alone or as part of a group. Critiques of the latest incarnation point out that it has less of a sandbox feel than before, but it’s still one of the best fantasy questing RPGs out there. A more chilled out game than many on this list.

• Upcoming MMORPGs for 2020 and Beyond

Clearly, all our favourite MMORPGs are versions of games that have been around for some time already. This is because most of these MMORPGs take time to find their footing and build a following, and many games have been launched and then sunk without a trace. Having said that, we are looking forward to a few new titles coming soon. Some of the ones to watch include the Magic: The Gathering MMORPG which will be known as Legends, a space-set sandbox to rival EVE Online called Dual Universe, and New World from the brand new Amazon Studios. These are just a few of the promising titles slated for release within the next six to twelve month, so watch this space.