Summary

• MMO titles can offer solo player experiences that rival single-player RPGs with rich stories and vast worlds to explore.
• PokeMMO and RuneScape are two games that will give players a retro experience.
• Neverwinter and The Elder Scrolls Online offer deep worlds to explore for solo players.

MMO games are known for their large, multiplayer communities that help them endure for years. Players make guilds, take on world bosses, and work together to conquer raids, but that doesn't mean that MMOs are only for those playing in groups. Many MMO titles provide players with decent solo player experiences, giving them a story to uncover and a world to explore that would be on par with some single-player RPG titles.

Although built with giant servers that can contain thousands of players, it doesn't mean that people have to play with each other. Massively multiplayer is in the name, so some content will be locked off if players want to go it alone. Despite this, some MMOs have been going on for so long now that the years of and expansions have resulted in hundreds of hours of content, even for the solo player.

10 PokeMMO

Unofficial Pokémon, Bigger Than Ever

PokeMMO is not a traditional MMO title. It is not an official game, instead being a fan-made project that has ported the ROMs from several Pokémon titles to PC. It also has multiplayer infrastructure, allowing players to roam the world with others like any other MMO and benefits from being completely free. It combines Gen 1 to 5 and players are able to go from region to region, provided they have ed the corresponding ROMs.

Although the main point of PokeMMO is the multiplayer aspects, it also lets players relive the older generations of the Pokémon series, albeit with some gameplay changes that make it more challenging. If players ignore the MMO aspects, this fan project is essentially a remaster that combines five generations of Pokémon games, providing a lot of content while making it all convenient for PC players, and is definitely worth checking out for those wanting to relive their childhood.

9 New World

Amazon's Massive Take On An MMO

New World is Amazon Games' take on an MMORPG and, like the studio's parent company, it is massive. It suffered from a buggy launch and set records for the game with the biggest drop off in player numbers, but after three years, the game has been refined to alleviate most of the issues from its release. Thanks to its relatively recent launch, the game is better looking than most MMOs and the action combat is great for those coming from single-player RPGs, having earned a Metacritic score of 70.

New World suffers from a lacking end game, but still offers players plenty of content until they reach the max level. In general, new content for returning players has been lacking for a while, since the game doesn't have the decades behind it other MMOs do and the studio slowed down in order to prepare for a console release. Still, for new players, it is worth checking out, and a lacking end game won't affect many solo players, since that is when most multiplayer raids tend to happen.

8 The Elder Scrolls Online

ESO Is Rich With Tamriel Lore

The Elder Scrolls Online had a bit of a rough start to its life, but with subsequent expansions, it is now a well-liked title that expands on the world of Nirn and the continent of Tamriel. Much like other titles in The Elder Scrolls series, the game is massive and full of content. Tamriel has always been a brilliant place to explore, and with ESO showing players areas that haven't been seen since Arena, there is plenty to see for solo players.

ESO combat is nothing like Skyrim, and it should be noted that the game is an MMO first and an Elder Scrolls game second. Do not go into the game expecting it to be another Skyrim or Oblivion.

Oddly enough, one of the main complaints about ESO is its lack of PvP content, which solo players tend to ignore, but it is something to note. One of its main benefits is the expansion and telling of Elder Scrolls lore, which is surprisingly interesting and deep. With a Metacritic Score of 71 and expansions that add whole countries, ESO is definitely worth trying out for those that are fans of fantasy lore and exploration.

7 Black Desert Online

Masterful Combat

Black Desert Online is one of the most stylish MMOs on the market. This applies to its addictive combat, which is arguably the best in the genre, and its character customization, which is more extensive than most single player titles released today. The game is stunning, with impactful effects that accent certain attacks. The implementation of combat alone makes it worth checking out, even if the game can be very grindy at times.

BDO has a ridiculous number of things to do. It is famous for its PvP because of its amazing combat system, but its sandbox nature and many lifestyle skills (such as fishing) give players plenty of content. The story is underwhelming and having gender-locked classes is strange, but players are known to put thousands of hours into this title, with some treating it like a full-time job. There will always be something to do in BDO, and its stylish presentation earned it a Metacritic score of 73.

6 Neverwinter

Free-To-Play D&D MMO

With Dungeons & Dragons being as popular as it has ever been, it is the perfect time to try out Neverwinter. Set in the Forgotten Realms, Neverwinter lets players explore the same world as the Baldur's Gate series and its engaging action combat has aged well for a game over ten years old. Its changes to leveling have made it great for first time players, making it less of a grind to progress through the levels.

Neverwinter does have multiplayer dungeons, but players aren't required to do them to get high-end gear, making it ideal for solo play. It is also free, as are all of its modules, but with any free-to-play system, be aware of microtransactions. Neverwinter isn't quite the time killer that Black Desert is, and its world isn't the biggest out there, but it is casual-friendly, with plenty of story to do for solo players. It has a Metacritic score of 74.

5 Star Wars: The Old Republic

BioWare's Signature Storytelling

If players are looking for an MMO with a great story, Star Wars: The Old Republic is the game for them. With each class having its own great storyline, a free-to-play model that includes the first two expansions and BioWare's signature narrative writing, the game is perfect for solo play. It has a lot of single player RPG elements, like moral choices, companions with relationships to foster, amazing storytelling and witty dialogue.

SWTOR is set roughly 300 years after Knights of the Old Republic and its sequel. It has characters from those titles, as well as their descendants.

The game falls short in two categories for most solo players. The combat is the typical tab target system, which many solo players may not be used to, and the visuals are lacking, even if the art design of certain planets helps alleviate this issue. Still, with all the story at their disposal and great characters to experience it with, SWTOR is one of the best MMOs for solo players who want to follow an enticing narrative, which resulted in a Metacritic score of 85.

4 The Lord Of The Rings Online

A Faithful Adaptation Of Middle-Earth

For those looking for both a more traditional MMO and a familiar setting, The Lord of the Rings Online could be the perfect MMO for them. Although its visuals have aged, the game isn't far off its 18th birthday and the art design of the game makes up for it by being relatively faithful to Tolkien's work. Middle-earth has been recreated in all its splendor while also being just as massive as one would expect, giving fans of the setting a lot to explore.

LOTRO is the perfect game for those looking to get immersed in a rich fantasy world and the entire story can be soloed, although some may struggle depending on their class. The game is massive, with so much content that there is always something to do. Plus, the game is free-to-play up to level 95, which will take some time to get through. The tab targeting combat may be a turn-off for some, but the game is a traditional one and one of the best of its kind, earning an immense Metacritic score of 86.

3 Final Fantasy 14

A Realm Reborn Has A Satisfying Story

Final Fantasy 14 started life so poorly that the entire game was remade, being named FFXIV: A Realm Reborn. Since then, it has become one of the most played and well-liked MMOs on the market, famous for its welcoming community. That being said, there is plenty to do for solo players. As of patch 6.5, the entire game can be played solo, and players will be matched up with NPCs instead to help them through their journey.

FFXIV is famous for its friendly and respectful community. After the death of the legendary mangaka behind Berserk, Kentaro Miura, the FFXIV community held an in-game ceremony to honor him.

FF14 has the signature Final Fantasy charm to its world, giving the player colorful lands to explore. The story is stellar for an MMO too, having the same feel as many in the JRPG genre. The story gets expanded on with the many expansions the game has benefited from, and the community continues to be healthy despite the game being almost fourteen years old. Its age actually helps it by adding new content, which includes a recent graphics update. FF14 has an impressive Metacritic score of 87.

2 Old School RuneScape

There's A Reason Why RuneScape Is Still Alive

When people think of MMOs, they either think of World of Warcraft or RuneScape. There's a reason why RuneScape has endured for 23 years, and that can be attributed to its addictive nature. It is dated, and players shouldn't go into it expecting a dynamic, involved experience, but the game is a great time killer, keeping players hooked for years. There are two versions of the game, RuneScape and Old School RuneScape.

The newer version of RuneScape is also known as RuneScape 3.

Old School RuneScape is the more popular version and has a very traditional charm to it. Even though it is an "old school" version, RuneScape is still receiving content. In fact, content is not something people should worry about with this game; there is always something to do, even for players that have invested two decades in the game, and if people can see past the dated visuals and gameplay, Old School RuneScape is a great title to check out with its Metacritic score of 87.

1 Guild Wars 2

Exceptional World-Building & A Branching Story

Guild Wars 2 is well known for being one of the best MMOs and the game's entire story can be completed solo. It is a polished title with satisfying combat, a gorgeous open world to explore and random world events that players can just turn up to. Its movement is also exceptional, providing players with gliding, flying mounts, and jump pads. At points, the game has a Metroidvania map design, which is useful in making the world feel more involved than most other MMOs.

Guild Wars 2 has unique combat that is a blend between tab targeting and action combat, featuring dodging and many other movement options. It also benefits from build variety, letting players make anything that they want. There's no guarantee that the build will be good, but respeccing at anytime allows players to experiment while playing through a decent story. Gold Wars 2 is also free to play and is an MMO worth trying if players have time to kill, especially with its exceptional Metacritic score of 90.

Source: Metacritic (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)