Best MMORPGs in 2024 [Current and Upcoming]

Unlike many one-and-done games, MMORPGs are all about creating a character in a persistent world where, in theory, you can play for years. But what are the best current and upcoming MMORPGs to check out in 2024?

Best Current and Upcoming MMORPGs in 2024

10. Elder Scrolls Online

Released back in 2014, The Elder Scrolls Online took the beloved Bethesda franchise online with great success. As with most MMOs, it had its fair share of teething problems, but it has been regularly updated and improved ever since. With 2024 marking its 10th anniversary, we can expect the game to get even more love in the coming months.

Set in the world of Tamriel Elder Scrolls Online, it is a high fantasy MMORPG with the usual choices of skills, classes, and crafting available. Level up as you explore, traveling freely into new areas and zones in search of adventure. Combat is real-time and skill-based, meaning players coming from other Elder Scrolls will feel right at home.

• Release date: Available now

Related: ESO Necrom: All new companions in Elder Scrolls Online

9. Ship of Heroes

As a fan of the classic superhero MMORPG City of Heroes, I was excited to hear about the upcoming sequel, Ship of Heroes. Better still, it is claimed to be on schedule for a 2024 release. The game was available to demo in October 2023, so I’m hopeful it will hit our screens this year. 

City of Heroes allowed you to create your superheroes and head out onto the streets to fight crime.  Ship of Heroes dials this forward 500 years into the future, with the action taking place on a huge spacecraft floating through space. The game promises hundreds of powers within the standard MMO-style archetypes (tank, DPS, etc).

• Release date: 2024

8. Tarisland

MMORPG behemoth World of Warcraft was a huge hit in China for many years, but a licensing breakout between Blizzard and its Chinese host NetEase. This has paved the way for a WoW-alike in the shape of Tarisland to swoop in with a bid to take its place. But as the game continues to develop, interest is rising in the west as well as the east.

Tarisland has a very similar cartoon fantasy style to World of Warcraft, while the gameplay also suggests a class, leveling, and combat system akin to its rival. What could make all the difference is that it looks likely to be released on mobile as well as PC, so if the crossplay works well and it's free-to-play, the game could well be huge. 

• Release date: 2024

7. Throne and Liberty

Throne and Liberty was a little higher up my list previously, but a less-than-spectacular Korean launch late in 2023 has slightly dampened expectations. However, we can only hope NCSoft is using this time to iron out the bugs and gremlins before the game’s highly anticipated 2024 worldwide release. 

NCSoft has a great track record, while the fact Throne and Liberty is the renamed successor to the successful Lineage series is also keeping the hype high. Once released, you can expect a high fantasy experience with a seamless open world to explore, with a combat system that gives you the choice between (WoW style) tab-targeting or a slightly more action-based system. 

• Release date: 2024

6. World of Warcraft

While ESO’s 10th anniversary is impressive, World of Warcraft will be celebrating 20 years in the MMO space in 2024. Having once been the undisputed king of the genre, Blizzard’s slightly cartoon-style fantasy game has survived through some troubled times in the last decade. But it has seen a real resurgence in form, with new formats and the popular Dragonflight expansion putting it back on track.  

The simple yet effective tab-targeting combat and leveling systems in World of Warcraft became the standard for many years, while its solid storylines and strong mix of solo, PVP, and multiplayer end-game raids won it an army of fans. It has seen many copies, with a potential Chinese release (Tarisland) aiming to be the next, perhaps also in 2024. 

• Release date: Available now

Related: All upcoming World of Warcraft expansions – Worldsoul Saga

5. Final Fantasy XIV

The Final Fantasy franchise needs no introduction, having had a slew of huge RPG hits over the years. So it was quite a surprise when 2010’s MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV was a bit of a disaster on release. But Square Enix stuck with it and now has one of the most popular and loved MMOs on the market. 

Fans of the FF universe will feel immediately at home—chocobos and all—while MMO fans will recognize the usual tab-targeting combat from MMOs of the era. However, FFXIV has done a great job of creating a real community alongside some tough end-game content, giving fans the best of both worlds. 

• Release date: Available now

4. Dune Awakening

Survival MMORPG Dune Awakening is being developed by Funcom, who previously brought us innovative MMO titles such as Age of Conan and Secret World, not to mention the long-running sci-fi game Anarchy Online. We’d hoped to see it arrive in 2023, so we’re dialing it forward a year and keeping everything crossed…

While a survival MMO isn’t exactly groundbreaking, it’s the rest of the proposed package that has me excited. As this is Dune, there are also going to be largescale wars, potentially with battles on the scale of Planetside in the offing., as well as solo and small group play. If they get this right, no one will remember all the delays. 

• Release date: 2024

3. Corepunk

With several rounds of closed beta testing on the way after a first public alpha in December 2023, there are high hopes of a Corepunk release in 2024. Developer Artificial Core is promising a seamless post-apocalyptic world to explore, containing dungeons, trading opportunities, and PVP battling, with rating systems for them all.

Corepunk will be a bit of a genre mash-up, while combat is responsive while incorporating tactical elements. All the usual character archetypes are promised (tank, DPS, etc.) plus plenty in between, but it will have a top-down view more akin to the likes of Guild Wars 2 and Path of Exile. 

• Release date: 2024

2. New World

Amazon threw its hat into the MMORPG ring with the Western release of MMORPG New World in 2021. While the game had a lot of early hype it failed to live up to expectations, seeing its initial audience dwindle. But credit to Amazon, it stuck with the title and has been building it back up ever since. 

While it has a traditional MMORPG look, New World’s combat is more action-based, requiring players to physically target enemies and dodge attacks. However, everything else is traditional, with players leveling up to gain access to new and more powerful skills, alongside crafting and being able to level up weapons. Anyone who was initially interested but put off should take a second look.  

• Release date: Available now

1. Blue Protocol

Fans of action-packed anime-style MMORPGs have been chomping at the bit for Blue Protocol for quite some time now. It was slated for a worldwide release in 2023, but that became just a Japanese release. However, western fans should now be virtually guaranteed a 2024 release, with technical tests having already taken place in November 2023. 

Gameplay in blue Protocol is defined by your weapon, meaning it is easy to switch classes. Battling is action-based but with simple controls rather than tab-targeted, while you’ll be able to choose four sills to combine. While not a full MMO, you’ll be able to choose from solo and party play when going on adventures.

• Release date: 2024

For more best game lists here at Pro Game Guides, check out our Most Anticipated Games of 2024 and the Top 10 Best Roguelites and Roguelikes in 2024!