Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games have become increasingly popular in recent years, with an ever-growing number of titles available to players. As the gaming industry continues to evolve, so too do the MMORPGs that we can enjoy. With so many different MMORPGs to choose from, it can be difficult to know which ones are worth your time and energy. In this article, we will be taking a look at some of the best free-to-play MMORPGs that are worth playing in the year 2023. We will be exploring a variety of different titles, from fantasy-based games to sci-fi adventures, so that you can find the perfect MMORPG for you.

 

• Old School Runescape
• Warframe
• EVE Online
• Destiny 2
• Final Fantasy XIV
• Star Wars: The Old Republic
• Albion Online
• Lord of the Rings Online
• Blade and Soul
• Maplestory
• Guild Wars 2
• Lost Ark
• Neverwinter

 

Old School Runescape

Old School Runescape is another free-to-play MMORPG that launched in 2013. The game follows a 2007 version and has no microtransactions. There is an optional monthly subscription that can be bought using OSRS GP. The base game offers plenty of content and the subscription unlocks a massive amount of additional content. The game also doesn't feature the traditional tank, healer, and DPS setup and instead uses a rock-paper-scissors approach. Old School Runescape is one of the largest MMORPGs in the world and has an active player base.

 

Warframe

Warframe is a free-to-play MMORPG released in 2013 and available on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch. The game plays more like a third-person shooter, but still includes all the MMORPG elements such as exploration, group play, quests, classes, and gear progression. Players get to play as space ninjas and will unlock a spaceship that acts as a hub. Warframe has a healthy population, so players won't have trouble finding other players to join them.

 

EVE Online

EVE Online is an MMORPG released in 2003 and available on PC and Mac. The game is completely free-to-play, but players can opt for an optional subscription that unlocks quality of life options and spaceships. EVE Online is more of a space exploration and spaceship building simulator and players will form fleets to battle for control of the most valuable portions of the universe.

 

Destiny 2

Destiny 2 is a free-to-play MMORPG released in 2017 and available on PC, Xbox, PlayStation, and Stadia. It's cross-play enabled, so players on all platforms can play together. The game focuses more on first-person shooter elements, but still includes MMORPG elements like gear progression, weapon progression, and instance dungeons and raids. There are three classes to choose from and players can explore planets or jump into PvP.

 

Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy 14 is an MMORPG released in 2013 and available on PC, Mac, and PlayStation. The game is known for its storytelling and has plenty of group content despite its focus on the story. Final Fantasy 14 is free-to-play, but only up to level 60, including dungeons, raids, trials, and the entire story through that point. Players will need to buy the game and a subscription to access the rest of the content. The game features the traditional tank, healer, and DPS setup and players can change classes at will.

 

Star Wars: The Old Republic

Star Wars: The Old Republic, launched in 2011, is a great option for those looking for a story-driven experience. The game has eight class stories, each with multiple endings that are determined by your decisions. The game is available on PC and is free to play the base game. If you choose to subscribe, you get access to all eight class stories, plus all the zones in the game.

 

Albion Online

Albion Online is a fantasy sandbox MMORPG which released in 2017. It is available on PC, Mac, iOS and Android and is free to play. Albion Online is a full loot, PvP MMO, so it is a great option for those looking for an adrenaline rush. The game also has plenty of PVE content and PvP events that can be integrated into PVE environments. If you find yourself enjoying the game, you can choose to subscribe to get quality of life and increased progression bonuses.

 

Lord of the Rings Online

Lord of the Rings Online, released in 2007, is free to play and has great Lord of the Rings inspired story with excellent voice acting. In order to access all the races and classes in the game, you need to spend some money. You can choose to subscribe for 15 bucks a month to get extra inventory space, extra quests, and more.

 

Blade and Soul

Blade and Soul is an action combat MMORPG that was released in 2014. The combat is good and the game offers a mix of PVP and PVE content. The game has a vibrant population and dynamic world. If you choose to subscribe, you can get quality of life bonuses and increased progression.

 

Maplestory

Maplestory is a free to play 2D side-scrolling MMORPG developed by Wizet and published by Nexon. The game has been around for 20 years and is still incredibly popular. It offers a unique experience and can be enjoyed for free. However, it is full of microtransactions.

 

Guild Wars 2

Guild Wars 2 is one of the most popular free-to-play MMOs on the market. It was originally launched in 2012, and since then, it has been updated and improved over the years. The game is available for PC and allows you to play up to level 80 for free, including all job stories and base game zones. Guild Wars 2 does not feature the traditional tank, healer, and damage dealer roles, but instead allows players to build towards specs that partially fill those roles. One strength of Guild Wars 2 is its fully voice-acted main story, which creates an immersive story experience. It also features an incredible mount system and glider system. You can purchase expansions to unlock new content and zones, but the base game is completely free.

 

Lost Ark

Lost Ark is another great free-to-play option. It was released in 2019 in Korea and will be coming to Western markets in 2022. It is available for PC and allows you to play the entire game for free. The cash shop does feature pay-to-win items, but the game itself is completely free. Lost Ark does not feature the traditional trinity of roles, but instead requires players to be responsible for their own characters. It is a top-down MMORPG that combines elements of Diablo and Black Desert Online. It is a newer game, so its developers are actively supporting it. If you want to progress faster, you can purchase an optional subscription using in-game currency, but enjoying the game is unnecessary. 

 

Neverwinter

Neverwinter is an action combat MMORPG released in 2013, available on Xbox, Windows, and PlayStation. The game is based on the Dungeons & Dragons universe, so players can expect an immersive and exciting journey. Neverwinter is a great choice for those looking for a completely free MMORPG experience, as the entirety of the game can be enjoyed without spending a dime. Players can unlock content faster by purchasing in-game currency, but it's not necessary for enjoying the game.

The game's combat system is solid and the voice-acted quests add a great level of immersion. Furthermore, the development team has implemented catch-up mechanics to help new players close the gap with those who have been playing for years. The population size is also adequate, so players won't ever feel alone.

 

Conclusion

The MMORPG genre is filled with an ever-growing number of titles, and with so many to choose from, it can be difficult to know which ones are worth playing. Luckily, this article has helped to narrow down your choices to some of the best free-to-play MMORPGs that are worth playing in the year 2023. Whether you’re looking for a fantasy-based game or a sci-fi adventure, there is sure to be an MMORPG that is perfect for you. So if you’re looking for an exciting new MMORPG to explore in 2023, make sure to check out some of the titles mentioned in this article!