MMOs, that is, 'Massively Multiplayer Online' games, may not be as popular as they were in their heyday, but that hasn't stopped several from maintaining some serious success. But the majority of us tend to associate MMOs with the PC platform, and not for no reason. In all likelihood, this is where the bulk of them will always be.
But consoles haven't been left entirely out to dry, and the Xbox One and more recent Series X/S line of consoles have proven Microsoft's commitment to providing non-PC gamers with a surprisingly solid spread. In fact, there are enough MMOs on Xbox consoles for us to list not just the best Xbox MMOs, but the best free Xbox MMOs all on their own.
Updated on August 8, 2023, by Gabrielle Huston: MMOs are becoming increasingly popular in recent years! Everyone loves to feel like part of a great big online community, after all. We've added a few entries to this list that we think are worth your time.
Trove
Those that are looking for something a bit "different" will find a lot to enjoy with Trove, a voxel-style adventure game that features building elements similar to Minecraft.
The game is very beginner-friendly, allowing players to shape a procedurally generated world as they see fit, building up their own bases and homes or simply setting off to adventure deep into enemy territory, fighting against monsters and other creatures on a quest to secure some rare loot.
Trove is free-to-play, easy to pick up, and can actually be pretty fun with a group of friends. It's definitely worth giving it a shot.
Black Desert Online
Is an Xbox MMO truly free if you have to pay for a Game Pass subscription? Technically, no. So, why is it here? Because Xbox Game Pass is such a sweet deal, it's practically a requirement in our eyes for any Xbox owner who has the spare cash to shell out for it on a monthly basis. Which brings us to Black Desert Online, free with Xbox Game Pass.
The clashing kingdoms of Valencia and Calpheon give Black Desert Online much of its flavor. Calpheon is more of an enterprising culture relative to Valencia's deeply spiritual society, and developer Pearl Abyss does a great job demonstrating the intricacies of both with some splendid visuals.
That said, you'll find all your favorite conventional MMO fare here, from housing to raiding. Oh, and some unusually rad dynamic weather systems, too.
Phantasy Star Online 2
North American fans have waited what seems like forever for a chance to play Phantasy Star Online 2, and now they finally can. Those that hop into the adventure on an Xbox will find a smooth, visually pleasing, and exhilarating experience.
Although the story can be a bit wonky at times, the combat is the real selling point for the title. It's some of the most engaging and entertaining found in any MMORPG, helping to set PSO2 apart from many of the other free-to-play options available to players. Fun to play alone, or with friends, Phantasy Star Online 2 is a must-play for MMORPG fans.
Take note, though, that in order to play Phantasy Star Online 2 today, you'll need to access it from the menu of a newer game — a game we're about to mention.
Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis
It can be difficult to describe Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis to newcomers. It's set a millennium after the events of Phantasy Star Online 2, but in a bid to avoid alienating the player base from that game, Sega has opted to refrain from calling this Phantasy Star Online 3. The combat, the content, even the graphics are all separate enough to warrant such a name, but here we are.
There are minor gameplay elements that can link together between New Genesis and its quasi-predecessor, and it's clear the publisher hopes that both titles will maintain the sort of financial success that the former has touted. If you're unsure which game to try first, give them both a couple of hours and see which one hooks you.
Bless Unleashed
Blessed Unleashed is not a direct copy of the now-defunct Blessed Online. Instead, the MMO takes characters and elements from the previous game and incorporates them into a new setting for Xbox One and Series X/S players to enjoy.
It features action-oriented combat is combo-driven. In other words, players need to press a series of buttons on the game controller to weave their way through the game. In turn, they gain spells and abilities to use in other areas. There are five player classes to choose from in Blessed Unleashed, each well-defined enough to last you another few dozen hours.
Sea of Thieves
Since its introduction in 2018, Sea of Thieves has been played by over 10 million people. That says something for a free MMO about pirates. Add that to the fact that players don't spend their time killing thousands of mutated alien monsters heck-bent on destroying the Earth. You can even crossplay between PC and Xbox!
In Sea of Thieves, players captain a pirate ship on the open sea and have a chance to explore their surroundings, find treasure, and loot other players. Yes, if needed, they can fight as well. Yet, there's treasure to be found at the end of each skirmish. The more you collect, and the more Trading Companies you pass through, the greater your legend becomes.
DC Universe Online
Originally released in 2011, DC Universe Online is a veteran of the genre. With the MMO being ported to the Nintendo Switch in 2019, Daybreak Game Company's action-oriented title is destined to remain relevant for the foreseeable future.
DC Universe Online is primarily for fans of the comics, who are allowed to create an original character to immerse themselves within DC's storied universe. With new episodes being released sporadically that center around established heroes and villains, DC Universe Online has just the right mix of fanservice and quality.
Neverwinter
Set within the Dungeons & Dragons universe, specifically Neverwinter's Forgotten Realms, Neverwinter was among the earliest MMORPGs to hit the Xbox One. Furthermore, the 2015 port proved that traditional MMOs had a place on the console.
As tends to be the case with most MMOs, Neverwinter's early hours can be somewhat of a slog, although the campaign never gets too boring. The real excitement starts once players begin to take part in massive battles against towering enemies, typically dragons.
Warframe
The MMO genre is loosely defined; in fact, technically, the original version of Warframe does not qualify. A usual characteristic of the genre these days is the existence of an open world where seemingly endless players can interact, an element that was absent in Warframe. However, over the years, Digital Extremes has constantly updated the third-person shooter, eventually adding areas that permit players to truly feel like part of the universe.
Consequently, Warframe's early hours are comfortably the least enjoyable. The story is threadbare and time is spent primarily clearing procedurally-generated levels with little rhyme or reason. Later on, Warframe opens up its myriad of planets and civilizations, revealing it has far more to offer than just great combat.
World Of Tanks
World of Tanks has become a staple of the recent MMO scene, with the game being made available on various devices. As a free-to-play title, when it comes to vehicle models and environmental detail, World of Tanks blows most of its contemporaries out of the water. With a number of different game modes, there is more than enough variety to ensure the user base keeps coming back for more.
Teamwork is a huge part of World of Tanks, with matches pairing users together in a tactical fight that requires constant communication. Overall, World of Tanks is not instantly gratifying but grows into something special over time.
TERA
An MMORPG praised for its fast-paced and fluid combat, TERA is one of the veterans of the genre and has been available on PC since 2011. It's especially worth a try if you're usually a fan of RPGs.
The real-time combat is comfortably the main reason to play TERA, especially with a controller. On Xbox platforms, TERA arguably has among the best action-oriented gameplay on the system.
Star Trek Online
Star Trek needs no introduction. If there is one franchise that seems tailor-made for the MMO treatment, Star Trek would have to be it. Even though the license does occasionally dabble in action, Star Trek is primarily about space exploration and discovering the unknown, which is ideal for a space-explorer MMORPG.
Star Trek Online has its fair share of problems, including uneven performance and bland quests, but Cryptic Studios has done a respectable job of updating the game since its initial release in 2010. The gameplay is divided into space battles and ground combat, with the former being particularly fun. If nothing else, STO allows fans to live out their dream of captaining a ship and going where no one has gone before.
Skyforge
Skyforge is somewhat underrated, often failing to earn a mention alongside the best MMORPGs on the market. Released in 2015 on PC before being ported to consoles in 2017, Skyforge literally allows its players to be gods, although ones who are charged with protecting the world of Aelion.
Skyforge's most interesting concept is its progression system, which does away with levels. As the story states that a god's strength is directly dependent on their followers, the player automatically gains access to new equipment as they complete more quests and gain prestige. This mechanic makes it far easier to experiment with the game's wide array of classes.
Halo: Infinite
Halo: Infinite was the major recent addition to the Halo universe, an open-world game that featured the Master Chief in all his glory! You might be asking yourself, can it really be free? The answer is yes and no. The multiplayer half of Halo: Infinite is available for anyone to enjoy for free on Xbox and PC. However, you'll need to buy the game in order to enjoy the story and open-world campaign.
The online multiplayer is pretty impressive all on its own, though! So many gamers have grown up with this franchise; it helped define what a multiplayer FPS would be like. Though it's not an MMO in the usual sense, where a lot of players interact together in an open world, it's worth a try just for nostalgia alone.
Destiny 2
Destiny 2 is not a fully-fledged MMO, however, Bungie's online shooter has been steadily implementing more RPG elements. With the base game going free-to-play recently, there has never been a better time to try Destiny.
Despite coming out to decent reviews, Destiny 2 experienced a rather turbulent first year, with the post-game leaving a lot to be desired. Since then, Bungie has improved things considerably, especially since the developer cut ties with Activision. Tons of players enjoy it every day, and for good reason!
Naraka: Bladepoint
There are few online PvP titles quite like Naraka: Bladepoint. It is developed by 24 Entertainment and published by NetEase Games Montreal. It became free-to-play on July 13, 2023.
At it's core, Naraka: Bladepoint is a battle royale game that pits 60 players against each other in an action-packed and beautifully designed arena. Much like other battle royale games you're familiar with, the fighting zone will become smaller as time goes on and players are killed, until only one remains.
Crossout
World of Tanks is the best vehicular combat MMO on Xbox, but Crossout serves as a decent Mad Max-esque alternative. Taking place in a post-apocalyptic wasteland, the point of Crossout is to scrap together different parts to build the ultimate vehicle, which can then be used in a variety of match types that reward even more parts.
The micro-transactions are unfortunately quite intrusive and grant a noticeable advantage to those willing to spend cash; however, assuming someone is willing to look past this element, Crossout is an entertaining distraction.
Fall Guys
If you love chaotic, cute, colourful fun, you need to try out Fall Guys. It's a battle royale game, so not quite a traditional MMO, but it's not really a fighting game. Instead, you and the other players compete in unique minigames and slowly get eliminated as the rounds go on until someone is declared the winner.
It's actually inspired by reality game shows with obstacle courses, like Total Wipeout, as well as children's playground games like Tag. You might find yourself doing any kind of wacky activity, including (but not limited to) playing soccer, running a race, trying to remember a pattern, or completing an obstacle course!