The Best MMOs for Beginners: Which One Should You Play First?
1. World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft (WoW) is the undisputed king of MMOs and a great place to start. The game has been around for over a decade, which means it has a huge player base and a wealth of content to explore. You'll start out by creating a character and choosing a faction (Alliance or Horde) before venturing out into the game's massive world, completing quests, battling monsters, and interacting with other players.
WoW's accessible gameplay and intuitive interface make it easy for beginners to jump right in. The game also features a great tutorial system that will guide you through the basics of play, making it a great first MMO for anyone.
2. Guild Wars 2
If you're looking for a more modern MMO that's still beginner-friendly, Guild Wars 2 is a great choice. The game boasts an open world that encourages exploration and discovery, and its unique combat system makes battles more engaging than traditional MMOs.
Beyond traditional questing, Guild Wars 2 excels in offering players a variety of activities to participate in alongside the story. As far as MMOs go, it feels like one of the most accessible and streamlined, which is great for newcomers.
3. Final Fantasy XIV
For fans of the Final Fantasy franchise, Final Fantasy XIV is a great place to start your MMO journey. The game features a rich, vibrant world and a unique story that fans of the franchise will love. But even if you haven't played any of the previous games, you'll find plenty to enjoy here.
Like most MMOs, Final Fantasy XIV allows you to create your own character and class before venturing out into the world. But what really sets it apart from other MMOs is its in-depth crafting system and job system, which allow you to customize your character and playstyle in unique ways.
4. Star Wars: The Old Republic
If you're a fan of the Star Wars franchise, you'll love Star Wars: The Old Republic. The game takes place thousands of years before the events of the films and features its own unique story and characters. You'll create your own character and choose whether to join the Jedi or the Sith before jumping into the game's massive world.
The Old Republic also features full voice acting, which really helps to immerse you in the game's world. And like other MMOs on this list, it features a variety of activities beyond traditional questing, including crafting and player-vs-player combat.
5. Elder Scrolls Online
If you're a fan of the Elder Scrolls games, you'll feel right at home in Elder Scrolls Online. The game takes place in the same world as the single-player games, Tamriel, and features a vast world to explore.
What sets Elder Scrolls Online apart from other MMOs is its open-ended gameplay. You can explore the world and complete quests at your own pace, or jump into PvP battles if you're feeling competitive.
6. RuneScape
RuneScape has been around for over 20 years, which makes it one of the oldest MMOs still in existence. But despite its age, the game has continued to evolve and improve, making it a great choice for beginners.
The game features a massive world to explore and a variety of skills to level up, including combat, crafting, and more. It's also one of the few MMOs on this list that you can play in your web browser, which makes it incredibly accessible.
7. Star Trek Online
For fans of Star Trek, Star Trek Online is a great choice for a first MMO. The game takes place in the Star Trek universe and allows you to create your own character and ship before venturing out into the universe to explore new worlds and complete missions.
The game also features extensive customization options, allowing you to fine-tune your character and ship to your liking. And like other MMOs on this list, it features a variety of activities beyond traditional questing, including space combat.
So there you have it, the best MMOs for beginners. Each game offers something unique and different, so it's up to you to decide which one appeals to you the most. But no matter which one you choose, you're in for an unforgettable adventure.