Eve Online is one of the oldest and most complex MMORPGs out there. The sheer amount of things players can do and experience is staggering. Between the PvP fights, large-scale crafting, exploring, mining, and other activities, there is no shortage of things to do and see.
Yet for some players, there may be aspects of the game that aren’t as appealing. There may also be bitter veterans who need a break and would like to try another game that still retains the Eve Online feel. Here are some of the closest MMORPG alternatives that players can try.
Updated August 18th, 2022 by Geoffrey Martin: Fans of the extensive sci-fi MMORPG Eve Online are spoiled for choices when it comes to similar game experiences. There are dozens upon dozens of games that can provide that specific MMORPG enjoyment. Eve Online is often known for its staggering number of activities and customization. It's a game that you can sink hundreds of hours into, something that is often true for other MMOs as well. This list is being fleshed out with games that you can play if you are a fan of Eve Online.
14 Star Trek Online
It should come as no surprise that fans of sci-fi-themed MMORPGs will likely enjoy Star Trek Online. This long-running and prolific MMO is all about Star Trek fan service while still providing a top-tier free-to-play experience. Focusing heavily on narrative and various story directions, Star Trek Online tasks you to create your very own Captain who you will guide through this feature-rich adventure.
This game gives you plenty of freedom when it comes to customization, choosing missions, and combat. Easily one of the highlights of Star Trek Online is being able to command your very own starship replete with your own crew and focus. Being able to fly through space, encounter alien planets and creatures, and explore to your heart's content makes this game one to play for fans of sci-fi MMOs.
13 Lost Ark
If you happen to be in the mood for a massive MMORPG but want something with a fantasy tinge then look no further than Lost Ark, one of the more recent games on this list. Lost Ark is an isometric MMORPG with a heavy emphasis on character/class creation, exploration through seven regions, and duking it out against baddies in real-time action combat.
One of the standout features of Lost Ark is the Tripod system, a set of progression mechanics that are linked to your character's distinct abilities and skills. On top of the intense combat and thrilling exploration, Lost Ark rewards players with tons of quests, narrative arcs, and plenty of loot to satiate almost anyone.
12 Skyforge
Having first released in 2017, Skyforge is one of those sci-fi fantasy MMORPGs that has managed to stand the test of time. While five years might not sound that long, the game certainly deserves to be lauded for not only continuing to build a long-term community but also by drawing in new players to its expansive universe.
Skyforge has you create your very own avatar who will be tasked with exploring the lush world of Aelion. Skyforge features almost twenty different classes to choose from that can be swapped out as you see fit. The game also offers a robust combat system filled with dynamic events and unbridled sci-fi action.
11 Destiny 2
Destiny 2, from legendary Halo developer Bungie, took the mistakes and foibles from the original Destiny and turned them around (mostly) for Destiny 2. For the uninitiated, Destiny 2 is a dynamic online multiplayer shooter with intense firefights and a cornucopia of customization for your chosen guardian.
Destiny 2 blends the best aspects of first-person shooters, MMOs, sci-fi power fantasies, all set in a massive universe set across various vibrant and dangerous locations. Destiny 2 is best played with other party members, however, you can easily go in all guns blazing as a lone wolf if you so wish.
10 Elite Dangerous
Elite Dangerous is about as close as it gets to Eve Online for many people. Players are tasked with trying to survive in a hostile galaxy while behind the wheel of one of many space ships. Players can mine, trade, and interact with the world and other players in a variety of ways.
One thing players like about Elite Dangerous is that it’s a more combat-oriented game than Eve Online. The gameplay is centered around dog fights and piloting a ship. For players looking for something a little more action-based this is a good alternative.
9 Dark Orbit
Dark Orbit is a browser-based game that emphasizes playing within a clan. Each player controls a variety of spaceships as they explore the galaxy, gather resources, and battle PVE enemies. It’s free-to-play and far simpler than Eve Online.
It does cater to more of a PVE-based crowd. There is PVP content but it’s very limited and very hard to get into. This is a great choice for players who liked running missions, mining, or working peacefully in corporations and don’t want to deal with griefing.
8 Perpetuum
Perpetuum takes Eve Online’s formula and grounds it, literally. Instead of spaceships players now pilot large mechs to explore planets looking for artifacts or battle other players. The game is fairly cheap and the graphics still hold up a decade later.
There is an adjustment to fighting and traveling on the ground as opposed to space. The game can also feel a bit dated in spots. Still it’s a solid alternative that shakes up the model a little bit. For many players, it’s sort of what life would be like prior to becoming a capsuleer.
7 Wurm Online
Wurm Online is a great choice for players who want the Eve Online formula in a fantasy setting. The economy is entirely built from the ground up by fellow players. Players are free to do whatever they’d like as far as exploring, crafting, and even building large homes.
Admittedly the game is a bit dated, finding a space empty enough to build something large is tough, and the graphics aren’t going to win awards any time soon. Still, it’s a great open-world game that offers a lot of freedom for players to do what they want.
6 Warframe
Warframe is an alternative for players who want to step out of the spaceships and into the role of a soldier. Players can pilot Warframes that have various capabilities and offer distinct styles of gameplay. There is also a tremendous amount of crafting as nearly every item can be built, upgraded, and enhanced.
The world is far more linear as players interact with each other via missions on pre-built levels. This game isn’t for those who enjoy exploration. For those who enjoy the crafting, PVE, and co-op aspects of Eve Online, it’s an option.
5 Star Conflict
Star Conflict bears some similarities to Eve Online the same way Elite Dangerous does. Players pilot spaceships that are fully customizable as they explore and fight in a large universe. The ships can be customized down to the last bolt, a feature not found in Eve Online.
Admittedly building a ship from scratch can get tricky, but players will find making tweaks to existing ships to be really helpful. For players who always wanted to trick out their Kestrals or modify their Vexors this is a good game.
4 Battlestar Galactica Online
In Battlestar Galactica Online players can choose to be Cylons or Colonials (humans). The gameplay is centered around dogfights in space with players piloting everything from fighters to the Battlestar itself. Players are expected to work together within their faction in true multiplayer to protect the primary ship and win the war.
Commanding a Battlestar can be fun but often feels like being a Titan pilot who stays at home a lot and is largely ignored. This game relies heavily upon massive co-op gameplay so players who enjoyed working together in corporations in Eve Online will like this one.
3 Pirate Galaxy
In Pirate Galaxy players start out in a bare-bones ship before upgrading and improving it to something incredible. All the while players will explore a large galaxy pursuing various questlines as they gather resources and fight enemies.
Players who enjoyed pursuing faction quests like the Servant Sisters of Eve storylines will enjoy this game. The game looks great even today and the ship customization is nice. It does take a bit of a learning curve to get into, though experienced Eve Online players have seen worse.
2 Ascent The Space Game
With over 270 billion star system Ascent The Space Game is a massive alternative to Eve Online. Everything in the game has been built by players which means an ever-shifting and adapting marketplace. The game boasts exploration, colonization, mining, and combat against PVE enemies.
It should be noted there are no PVP aspects to this game outside of market manipulations. For players who enjoy the trade wars in Jita, fighting rats on asteroid belts, or wanted to play Eve Online in a peaceful mode this is a solid choice.
1 Astro Lords
Astro Lords is a strategy game that emphasizes building asteroid-based colonies to produce armies and amass resources. The game plays like a mobile title and players are tasked with defending their colony against other players and a hostile alien race.
As stated earlier the game plays like a mobile title which may or may not be a good thing for certain players. The click and drag combat may be boring for some. But for those who enjoyed the managerial aspects of Eve Online or the thrill that comes with factory production and logistics this may be the game for them.