Category: Reviews

Smite

Smite is a free-to-play 3D fantasy MOBA that puts you in control of legendary gods from world mythology and drops you into fast, team-based matches. Its biggest twist on the genre is perspective and control, instead of the classic top-down, click-to-move style, Smite plays from a third-person, over-the-shoulder camera with WASD movement, which makes fights feel closer to an action game than a traditional strategy-heavy MOBA.

Publisher: Hi-Rez Studios
Playerbase: High
Type: MOBA
Release Date: March 25, 2014
Pros: +A distinct third-person spin on the MOBA formula. +Healthy competitive ecosystem and ranked play. +Plenty of modes and a large roster of Gods. +Fair monetization with no pay-to-win power.
Cons: -Many Gods must be earned or purchased before you can use them. -Tough for new players to learn efficiently.

Tera

Tera: Rising is a 3D fantasy MMORPG best known for bringing a more hands-on, action-game approach to MMO combat. Instead of relying on tab targeting alone, you are expected to aim attacks, time blocks, and dodge enemy swings while questing through Arborea’s zones and tackling its dungeon bosses. With multiple races, a deep class roster, and flashy skill design, Tera delivered a distinct style of MMO moment-to-moment gameplay during its run.

Publisher: Krafton Blue Hole
Type: MMORPG
Release Date: May 1, 2012 (NA)
Shut Down Date: June 30, 2022
PvP: Duels / Battlegrounds / Open World
Pros: +Smooth visuals and responsive combat feel. +Guild conflicts with a political layer. +Skill-based targeting that keeps fights active. +Controller support.
Cons: -Questing can drag in the middle levels. -Crafting feels underdeveloped and unrewarding.

Tera Shut Down on June 30, 2022

DC Universe Online

DC Universe Online is a 3D superhero MMORPG built around the DC multiverse, letting you craft an original hero or villain and step into familiar streets like Gotham City and Metropolis. It blends action-driven combat with MMO progression, and it frequently puts you in the orbit of famous faces such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Lex Luthor, and the Joker, whether you are fighting beside them or cleaning up the chaos they leave behind.

Publisher: Daybreak Game Company
Playerbase: Medium
Type: MMORPG
Release Date: January 11, 2011
PvP: Arenas / Open World (optional)
Pros: +Strong character creation with plenty of visual variety. +A famous universe brought to life with recognizable characters, solid voice work, and story presentation. +Responsive action combat that feels good moment to moment.
Cons: -Many story arcs and activities are locked behind paid DLC. -Mission structure can feel lengthy and repetitive over time. -Low level cap.

Champions Online

Champions Online is a 3D superhero MMORPG with a comic-book presentation, built around the fantasy of designing your own costumed hero and taking that character through open zones, missions, and instanced content. Its cel-shaded look helps it stand out from more grounded MMOs, and the game leans hard into classic heroics, from stopping street crime in Millennium City to throwing down with monsters, aliens, and supervillain factions, plus the occasional duel with other players.

Publisher: Arc Games
Playerbase: Medium
Type: MMORPG
Release Date: September 1, 2009
PvP: Arenas / Duels
Pros: +Excellent costume and hero creator depth. +Huge set of powers (Archetypes) with lots of build variety. +Tutorial does a good job without being mandatory.
Cons: -Chasing certain gear and unlocks can feel grind-heavy. -A lot of desirable options are gated behind Gold membership (subscription.) -Controls can feel clunky at times.

Blade and Soul

Blade & Soul is a 3D fantasy action MMORPG built around wuxia style martial arts and real-time, combo-focused fighting. Instead of relying purely on cooldown rotations, you are encouraged to react, time counters, and link abilities together to keep pressure on enemies. It pairs that kinetic combat with stylized zones and striking character designs that lean heavily into its signature art direction.

Publisher: NCsoft
Playerbase: High
Type: Action MMORPG
Release Date: January 19, 2016 (NA/EU)
PvP: Open World / Arenas / Battlegrounds
Pros: +Fast, combo-driven combat that feels responsive. +Story delivery is steady and easy to follow. +Stylish characters and scenic zones. +Clean UI that is simple to learn.
Cons: -Getting around can feel sluggish. -Combat depth creates a tougher learning curve for newcomers.

Forsaken World

Forsaken World is a 3D fantasy MMORPG set in the world of Eyrda, built around traditional questing, instanced dungeons, and a healthy dose of PvP. With 6 races and 9 classes available, it leans into variety, and it remains notable for offering Vampires as a playable class, which is still uncommon in the genre.

Publisher: Gearbox Publishing
Type: MMORPG
Release Date: June 14, 2011 (NA/EU)
Shut Down: November 30, 2022
PvP: Duels / Arenas / Guild Battles
Pros: +Wide selection of races and classes. +Clean, feature-rich UI. +Strong character creator options. +Lots of occupations and side systems.
Cons: -Cash shop advantages can affect competitive play. -PvE leveling is generally very forgiving and rarely demanding.

Forsaken World Shut Down on November 30, 2022

Neverwinter

Neverwinter is a free-to-play 3D action MMORPG that drops players into the Forgotten Realms, using Dungeons and Dragons as its foundation. Rather than relying on tab-targeting, it leans into a more active combat style where you line up attacks, watch enemy windups, and dodge danger zones. Between recognizable DandD locations, a campaign-forward quest flow, and a strong emphasis on instanced content, it aims to feel like a playable tabletop adventure, just with a hotbar and real-time movement.

Publisher: Arc Games
Playerbase: High
Type: MMORPG
Release Date: June 20, 2013
PvP: Arenas
Pros: +High-quality voice work and presentation. +Questing that prioritizes narrative. +Responsive, action-focused fighting. +Foundry tools add a steady stream of community content.
Cons: -Some store purchases feel close to quality-of-life necessities (bag space). -Arena matchmaking can feel lopsided. -Certain features and content are gated behind spending.

Eden Eternal

Eden Eternal is a 3D, anime-styled fantasy MMORPG from X-Legend that leans heavily into charm and flexibility. Its cel-shaded presentation and upbeat world design immediately signal that this is a lighter, more colorful take on the genre, but the real hook is mechanical: instead of locking you into one job forever, the game lets you unlock and swap between 20+ classes on a single character. Because each class levels separately, progression turns into a long-term project, and that grind is exactly what kept many players experimenting with new roles for years.

Publisher: Aeria Games
Playerbase: Low
Type: MMORPG
Release Date: June 15, 2011 (NA/EU)
Shut Down Date: April 29, 2021
PvP: Duels / Arenas / Guild vs Guild Territory Wars
Pros: +Standout multi-class design that stays fun. +Large roster of classes to unlock. +Attractive cel-shaded art style. +Strong housing features. +5 playable races.
Cons: -Most classes have limited skill variety. -Progression can feel repetitive and grind-heavy.

Eden Eternal Shut Down on April 29, 2021

Last Chaos

Last Chaos is a long-running 3D fantasy MMORPG set in the medieval realm of Iris. It leans into classic MMO staples such as quest-driven leveling, gear progression, crafting professions, pets, and several forms of PvP. With nine playable classes and a very high level cap of 184+, it is designed for players who enjoy steady, grind-friendly character growth and long-term stat and equipment tuning. Originally arriving in Western regions in 2006, it also stands out historically as one of the early free-to-play MMORPGs to gain traction outside Asia.

Publisher: Fawkes Games
Playerbase: Medium
Type: MMORPG
Release Date: November 20, 2006 (NA/EU)
PvP: Duels / Castle Sieges / Open PvP
Pros: +Extremely high level cap (184+). +Crafting has real depth and progression.
Cons: -Shows its age visually. -Some classes are gender locked. -Leveling and questing can feel repetitive.

Scarlet Blade

Scarlet Blade (released in Asia as Queensblade Online) is a 3D sci-fi and fantasy MMORPG built around an overtly “mature” presentation, including frequent nudity. Players pledge themselves to one of two sides, the Free Knights or the Royal Guards, then level through quest zones, dungeons, and PvP while the game leans heavily into fan service. Scarlet Blade officially shut down on March 31, 2016 on the Aeria portal.

Publisher: Aeria Games
Playerbase: Medium
Type: MMORPG
Release Date: March 27, 2013 (NA/EU)
Shut Down Date: March 31, 2016
PvP: Duels / Faction Battlefields
Pros: +Distinct sci-fi and fantasy blend for zones and enemies. +Action feels smooth and responsive. +Eye-catching character and environment visuals. +Dungeon runs are an enjoyable change of pace.
Cons: -Questing can become a repetitive grind. -Weak quest writing and uneven dialogue. -Voice work often fails to match the tone.