Between brand-new releases and expansions to fan favorites like World of Warcraft, 2024 has already been a big year for MMOs. Standing for "massively multiplayer online," and usually followed with the further qualifier "role-playing games," MMO is a vast and all-inclusive term that requires just one thing: an interconnected game world that can be inhabited by thousands, if not millions, of players at once. Although amazing MMO expansions like Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail have already been released, the rest of the year is slated to have some amazing games.

Of course, there are hallmarks of the genre: customizable characters, combo- and placement-based combat, and a ton of grinding tend to be the norm. But an MMO can be anything as long as it's shared by a large number of players. 2024 and beyond has several heavily anticipated MMOs that introduce strange new worlds, long-awaited sequels, and linear expansions. They span genres from epic sci-fi to classic fantasy to survival horror. Some of them are exclusive to PC, while others are available on a wide variety of consoles. There's an MMO for everyone in 2024, and these are just some of the most anticipated.

14 Ship Of Heroes Is A Customizable Superhero Sequel

Coming To PC In 2024 Or 2025

Ever wanted to design a custom superhero? Ship of Heroes has got that covered. The sequel to 2004's City of Heroes, Ship of Heroes is set in the distant future, when humans (and superhumans) have taken to space. Early previews reveal an incredibly robust character creator, and, like its predecessor, a detailed system of superpower customization.

Ship of Heroes appeals to the consummate role-player, especially anyone who's ever doodled their own superhero in the margins of a sheet of notebook paper. It doesn't have a set release date, but it is expected either by the end of 2024 or early in 2025.

13 Corepunk Is A Top-Down MMORPG

Coming To Early Access PC

Corepunk is entering its Early Access phase beginning on November 26, 2024, with no precise announcement yet about how long before its full release. Concept art for the game was released back in 2019 and the game has been in development ever since with a growing niche community awaiting its release.

Corepunk features a wide open world with a variety of different classes to choose from and sub-classes that affect abilities and combat. With a seamless open world that transitions between different regions without a loading screen, it stands apart from other MMOs with its top-down perspective. Corepunk is also an MMO with crafting and resource collection elements, melding together aspects of survival titles with massively multiplayer gameplay.

12 Ashfall Is A Post-Apocalyptic Shooter MMO

Coming To PC, PS5, & Xbox X/S By The End Of 2024

Set in bleak urban environments with cybernetic threats around every corner, Ashfall is another ambitious third-person MMO set in a desecrated post-apocalyptic wasteland. Set in what has been dubbed the Eastern Wasteland, players will make their way through various biomes with nine different shooting styles and a variety of different abilities and equipment. With eye-catching visuals and a unique world based on Eastern culture, the sometimes vivid but often oppressive wastelands along with intricate and bright urban environments.

Developed by NetEase Games, Ashfall is another third-person over-the-shoulder shooter MMO and looks to be fairly grandiose and epic in scale. Ashfall is set to release sometime before the end of 2024, and only time (and players) can tell whether Ashfall will become the next big MMO or just another blip in a glut of poorly-received titles.

11 Project LLL Is A Slick Sci-Fi Shooter MMO

Coming To PC & Consoles 2024

Although claims that the highly ambitious Project LLL will still be released in 2024 have been met with some doubt, it's indisputable that the project has the potential to be the next big MMO. Set in a stylized future in a decimated Seoul, South Korea, the massively multiplayer game features snappy shooting, a huge depth of weaponry, and high-tech gadgets. Developed by NCSoft, the first glimpse of gameplay in this slick third-person shooter was released at the tail end of 2023, with more gameplay shown a few months later.

Incredibly lifelike graphics, flashy and colorful combat, and enemies, along with the re-envisioned South Korean locations, help set the shooter apart from other games. In addition, a huge amount of thought has gone into the lore and backstory for the game, with a fully fleshed-out history and gameworld as explained by the Project LLL's Project Leader, Seeder Jaehyun Bae, on the NCSoft website.

10 EverQuest 1 & 2 Are Getting Anniversary Expansions

Coming To PC December 2024

To celebrate EverQuest's 25th birthday and EverQuest 2's 20th, EQ's current developers, Daybreak Game Company, are teasing an exciting expansion for those who still delve into the decades-old titles. EverQuest's next expansion, The Outer Brood, along with EQ 2's next expansion, Scars of Destruction, are slated to come out in December 2024, as in typical EverQuest fashion.

Although the game may feel outdated to some, there's still a relatively dedicated fanbase that comes out for all its expansions every year. This year should be even bigger and better than in the past, as it's celebrating big franchise milestones.

9 Path Of Exile 2 Is A Dark Fantasy Sequel

Coming To MacOS, PC, PS5, And Xbox Series X/S

The original Path of Exile is a Diablo-style, top-down, dungeon-crawling action RPG. Character classes are incredibly mutable, with a variable system of main classes and subclasses that allows for a wide range of playstyles. Oh, and it's all free to play - microtransactions exist, but they don't affect gameplay so much as they are cosmetic customization options.

Path of Exile 2 promises more of the same, with a new story, new classes, new weapons, and new locations. The game is expected to be released as an Early Access title on December 6, 2024, for PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PS5 systems. Current speculation is pointing to the game leaving Early Access and fully launching sometime within 2025.

8 Guild Wars 2 Also Has An Expansion Planned For 2024

Coming To PC In 2024

Like ESO, Guild Wars 2 has been going on for a long time - since 2012, in this case. It's always been praised for its approachability and wide variety of customization options, and those only grow with the addition of each expansion. Characters may pick from a deep pool of skills, classes, and professions. Guild Wars 2: Janthir Wilds was released in August 2024 and offered a new player housing game mechanic and open world events.

The sixth Guild Wars 2 expansion is in development with a 2025 release window. As of the time of writing, developers have not revealed the name or story concept regarding what the expansion will bring.

7 Soulframe Is A New Take On The Typical MMO Blueprint

Coming To PC In 2025

Developed by Digital Extremes, the same group that created the highly popular free third-person multiplayer shooter Warframe, Soulframe is taking a new approach to the typical MMO with its unique combat system. Reminiscent of soulslike games developed by FromSoftware, Soulframe is an ambitious MMORPG that ditches the frenetic, fast-paced action of Warframe and replaces it with methodical melee combat with an emphasis on timing attacks, blocks, and dodges.

Although not confirmed, it's also likely Soulframe will release for consoles, though Digital Extremes have not yet confirmed which ones.

Also, unlike Warframe, which is set in a sleek, hyper-stylized sci-fi setting, Soulframe opts for high fantasy elements woven with sci-fi to create a rather unique aesthetic. Soulframe Preludes is the name of the invite-only closed alpha test that is currently occurring, with developers hinting that though it is not ready for full release yet, it will be made available for players in 2025. Soulframe developers have a scheduled livestream set for November 29, 2024, at which time many hope they will provide a concrete launch date.

6 Eternal Tombs Will Constantly Be Changed Through Events

Coming To PC In 2025

Eternal Tombs stands out as a unique experience through its staff called Tomb Masters who will continuously shape the player's experience by changing things in the world and leading events and adventures. They may lay traps, spawn special mobs, alter the environment, or reveal secret areas in real time while players are actively participating in the world. The MMORPG will allow players to run their own shops, kill monsters, defend castles, craft, engage in PvP, or play in the world however they most enjoy.

Prospective players can sign up for the next pre-alpha period on the Eternal Tombs website right now. No specific launch date for the game has been announced yet other than that it should be available in 2025, for PC only.

5 Star's Reach Will Give Players A Galaxy To Explore

Coming To PC In 2025

Star's Reach is an interesting take on a sci-fi exploration MMORPG. Created by the designer of Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies, this is a MMORPG experience where players can explore, settle, and rule planets and areas of outer space either alone or with their friends. Said to be a "living galaxy", the development team wants players to have control of many aspects of settling these worlds, although they are quick to point out that there is a rich story to the game as well.

Star's Reach underwent external playtesting in October 2024, which is leading many to expect a full release of the game sometime in the first half of 2025, although no release date has been announced at this point.