Looking for MMORPG suggestions?
Looking for MMORPG suggestions?
I and a few companions from across the nation—currently four of us—often play an MMORPG on Sundays for several hours and exchange conversations...it's been a habit for years. We began with City Of Heroes, then moved to others after that ended. We've tried Lord of the Rings, Star Wars: TOR, and Secret World until its update made it difficult to play. Elder Scrolls Online is another one we've played, but we're seeking a fresh experience. (We've mostly reached the end-of-life phase on each of these titles.) Right now we're exploring Star Trek Online, though completing the tutorial in TOS didn't leave a strong impression on most of us. Would anyone suggest other MMORPGs we might consider?
Additional details: We're an older group—my youngest is 48—and all are very comfortable with technology, but we enjoy casual gaming rather than competitive play. We prefer PvE adventures focused on story progression, not PvP. If optional, we'd appreciate servers with separate PvP zones, areas, or flags. We've spent a lot of time on ESO and would welcome recommendations for other fantasy titles that are free to play with subscription options or have a base purchase model—no ongoing subscriptions needed. (Feel free to check anything else; I'm always happy to look.) No platform restrictions—only Windows games, no other devices.
With four players in mind, Final Fantasy 14 fits perfectly. Dungeon groups and other activities work best with four participants.
PSO2 has just launched in North America (other areas can join by adjusting the regional setting). The game is free to play, with optional paid premium features. Worth checking out. I’m new to it and don’t see much long-term value since the PvE content is becoming repetitive quickly. The interface seems more geared toward controllers and feels a bit outdated. I’m unsure if there’s any competitive play (PvP) available.
Final Fantasy 14 remains a top PC gaming experience for me, though you’ll need to purchase it. It has a monthly subscription model. There’s a trial version that lets you explore up to certain levels before committing. The game blends fantasy with sci-fi elements and follows a hybrid style. If you’re familiar with the Final Fantasy series, it draws from various influences. The core gameplay revolves around PvE missions, with optional PvP available if desired. You’ll typically play as a team of four—two damage dealers, one healer, and one tank—but you can rotate roles or classes freely. Leveling each character separately gives you flexibility.
It's a lesser-known indie title, possibly from a small developer. Great game, definitely worth checking out.
Monthly payments remain around £10 in the UK, covering both classic and retail items with a single sub. You receive all available expansions except the latest one, which requires an additional sub. Current double XP continues until the next expansion pre-patch releases, allowing rapid leveling. Zones now adjust to your progress, preventing you from quickly surpassing each area.
Consider playing Guild Wars 2, which offers a free core experience but worth upgrading for. The Path of Fire expansion is highly recommended as it unlocks mounts, and you’ll also get access to Heart of Thorn. Compare free vs paid accounts here: https://help.guildwars2.com/hc/en-us/art...re-HoT-PoF It’s a fantasy setting, though the early story feels a bit dull—interesting once you move past the Personal Story. PvP and WvW operate on completely different servers or worlds.
I’d need to include another entry for Final Fantasy 14 since it’s included with the subscription, even though it costs extra. If you’re hesitant, they provide a free trial—limited to level C and certain game money limits, plus restrictions on joining free companies and other game/community rules. You can try it out early to see if it fits your needs before committing to the full game with the subscription. The complete version offers the best value as it contains everything plus 30 days of play. The starter pack only gives you Realm Reborn content, which is what’s in the trial, and adds 30 days, but you’d still need to purchase additional expansions, which will be more expensive than buying the full game.