Top 5 Favorite MMO Video Games

One of the video game genres that do a good job of bringing people together is MMOs. MMOs create a space where players can interact, form friendships, and build communities. Whether it’s through guilds, parties, or global chat, the social aspect is a major appeal. they usually feature vast open worlds with rich lore, dynamic environments, and evolving stories, making them feel alive and engaging. Due to their persistent worlds, MMOs can be played for years, with new experiences always around the corner. All this and much more is why it is a very popular video game genre. So, today I wanted to talk about my personal top 5 favorite MMO video games.

5. Phantasy Star Online 2

With what my number one choice is I expected so much from this game. It came over to the Western world around the time of a global pandemic. From March 2020 till that Fall, I put over 900 hours into this game. It would rate higher on the list, but when Phantasy Star Online 2 New Genesis came out it changed for me. You could carry a character and certain things back and forth, but no money or many of the PSO2 items. That really irked me, especially since they are kind of conjoined games with being able to go between worlds. I will say however, The game offers some of the best character customization in any MMO, with detailed sliders, outfits, accessories, and even body proportions. Players can create truly unique characters.

Unlike traditional MMORPGs, PSO2 features real-time action combat with dodging, blocking, and combos, making fights feel fluid and engaging. The combat is fast, flashy, and skill-based, appealing to players who enjoy action games. PSO2 lets players mix and match different classes and weapons, allowing for tons of customization in playstyle. You can switch classes freely and experiment with different builds without being locked into one role. While there are microtransactions, PSO2 is very generous with free content, allowing players to experience most of the game without spending money. Grinding for gear and cosmetics is rewarding rather than punishing. All this is why it’s number five on my top 5 favorite MMO video games list.

4. World of Warcraft

I think this might shock a few people. While World of Warcraft is number four on my list, it’s still an amazing MMO and deserves its flowers. For a game to be around for this long and continue to keep going is remarkable. I cam into the game late around Lich King expansions and never got pulled in like others or my friends. With the announcement of “The War Within” and future expansions/updates, it won’t be slowing down. Azeroth is a massive, detailed world with diverse environments, rich lore, and deep history. Every zone feels unique, and expansions constantly add new lands to explore. WoW is built on decades of Warcraft lore, with compelling characters, political intrigue, and world-shattering events. Each expansion expands the story, keeping players engaged.

WoW’s raids are legendary. They require coordination, strategy, and skill, offering some of the best PvE content in gaming. Mythic+ dungeons also add a challenging, replayable endgame. Our own Lord Petey does a great job streaming and talking about the Mythic+ content. Guilds, in-game events, and roleplaying make the game more than just an RPG, it’s a social experience. Many friendships (and even marriages) have formed through WoW. The ability to customize UI, track damage meters, and enhance gameplay with community-made add-ons is a big plus. WoW has been around for over 20 years and remains relevant. That’s a testament to how well it’s designed and why it makes it onto my top 5 favorite MMO video games list.

3. Neverwinter

Next up would be a game that few years ago might be higher, but in recent years I’ve had a love/hate relationship with Neverwinter. I’d say this is more than likely the game I have to most hours in of all time that I can track besides maybe Halo 3. I played it on PC and then migrated to Xbox when I had the chance. Inspired by D&D campaigns, Neverwinter features epic dungeons, challenging raids, and cooperative boss fights that require teamwork and strategy. Set in the Forgotten Realms, the game brings the D&D world to life with iconic locations like Baldur’s Gate, Icewind Dale, and Waterdeep.

Players encounter classic D&D monsters, deities, and factions. Neverwinter is 100% free-to-play, with optional purchases for cosmetics and convenience items. The game allows casual and hardcore players to enjoy content without spending money. Despite being an older game, Neverwinter has detailed environments, atmospheric dungeons, and well-crafted cities, making it fun to explore. I have to say though that the majority of the events they bring out each year are just repeats or previous years with nothing changed.

My favorite even the “Winter Festival” literally has the same gifts/rewards for multiple years, nothing changed! I feel over the years Neverwinter got left out to dry from different developer changes and they no longer cared about the game. These are some of the reasons I’ve practically quit the game. However, as long as I have played it I have a bunch a great memories too with great people. This is why Neverwinter ranks number three on my top 5 favorite MMO video games list.

2. Elder Scrolls Online

Number two on my top 5 favorite MMO video games list is Elder Scrolls Online. Unlike traditional MMOs that guide players through linear zones, ESO offers true freedom. You can go anywhere in Tamriel from the start and explore at your own pace. Set in the vast world of Tamriel, ESO expands the lore of Skyrim, Morrowind, Oblivion, and more, letting players visit iconic locations and interact with legendary factions like the Dark Brotherhood, Thieves Guild, and the Psijic Order.

Like classic Elder Scrolls games, ESO offers branching dialogue, moral choices, and quest decisions that affect the world and NPCs, making quests feel more personal. ESO’s class system is incredibly flexible. You can be a stealthy mage, a heavy-armored archer, or a spellcasting tank—the skill system allows for deep customization beyond traditional MMO roles. ESO has a robust housing system, allowing players to own and decorate homes throughout Tamriel. The game also has a strong roleplaying community.

While ESO Plus offers perks like DLC access and crafting bonuses, the game is buy-to-play with no mandatory subscription, making it more accessible than traditional MMOs. ESO allows UI customization and addons, helping players tailor their experience with combat meters, inventory management, quest trackers, and more. For PvP fans, ESO offers massive faction warfare in Cyrodiil, where hundreds of players fight for control of keeps and resources in a siege-based war between the Aldmeri Dominion, Daggerfall Covenant, and Ebonheart Pact. This is by far my favorite style of PvP of all time!

1. Phantasy Star Universe

Number one on my top 5 favorite MMO video games list is Phantasy Star Universe on the Xbox 360. There are many reasons, but the biggest is it’s an experience my daughter and I shared when she was a baby for hours upon hours she would sit with me and watch as I played. This is something I will never forget. Unlike PSO, Phantasy Star Universe had a fully developed single-player campaign featuring a voiced protagonist (Ethan Waber) and a structured narrative. The story mode gave the game a more traditional JRPG feel, making it appealing to solo players.

The fluid combat system made every encounter feel exciting and skill-based. We had an expansive class 7 customization system. Players could personalize their characters with a variety of outfits, hairstyles, and accessories, making every Guardian feel unique. PSU’s online mode expanded the game into an MMO-like experience. Team up in parties to tackle missions across different planets. Participate in limited-time events and special quests that reward rare loot. Decorate personal rooms (My Room) with furniture and items, creating a sense of home. You could also go to a shrine to buy luck which could increase drop rates, upgrade chances, and other things.

Phantasy Star Universe Had More To Offer

PSU introduced three planets Parum, Neudaiz, and Moatoob. Each of them with distinct environments, enemy types, and missions. The Guardians Colony, a massive space station, served as the central hub for missions and social interactions. The Ambition of the Illuminus Expansion added more challenging missions and new areas. It also added New weapons, Photon Arts, class adjustments, and the ability to play as a customizable character in Story Mode. The expansion expanded lore and a deeper dive into the game’s universe.

Unlike most MMOs that focused on medieval fantasy, PSU’s futuristic, anime-inspired world set it apart. The blend of high-tech weaponry, space travel, and ancient mysticism gave the game a distinct visual identity. PSU had an incredible soundtrack, with tracks that ranged from orchestral epics to electronic beats, fitting the sci-fi-meets-fantasy theme of the game. My friends and I found ourselves humming or singing different songs all the time. The game allowed players to team up with NPCs in single-player and online modes, making it easier to tackle difficult missions. The Partner Machinery (PM) system also lets players raise and customize their own AI companions.

While PSO was more iconic, Phantasy Star Universe offered a deeper story, better combat mechanics, and a larger world to explore. It may not have reached the same legendary status, but for those who played it, PSU was an underrated gem in the Phantasy Star series. Although PSU’s servers eventually shut down, the game had a dedicated fan-base that kept it alive through private servers and fan projects. Its blend of RPG storytelling, MMO-style multiplayer, and sci-fi aesthetics made it a special experience for those who played it. I remember it shutting down and was extremely sad about it, but it remains number one on my top 5 favorite MMO video games list!

Final Thoughts

When it comes to MMOs even though sometimes they feel like a job they bring people together. Achieving in-game goals, from leveling up to defeating difficult raid bosses, provides a strong sense of satisfaction and progression. MMOs often encourage roleplaying communities, letting players create their own stories within the world. Like I said in the opening as well because of their persistent worlds, MMOs can be played for years, with new experiences always around the corner. They are one of my top genres and I’m sure that will remain true for some time to come. What are your top 5 favorite MMO video games of all time? Let me know.