It seems like anytime a new MMO tries to dethrone WoW, they come up short and end up settling for being one of the best games like World of Warcraft.
So while it’s safe to assume WoW isn’t going away anytime soon, fans are welcome to take a break and seek out new experiences every now and again.
In this list, we’ll highlight the best games like World of Warcraft on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch platforms.
Make sure to check back in the future to receive more recommendations for games similar to World of Warcraft!
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Final Fantasy XIV
Platforms: Windows, PS5, PS4
To kick things off, our first recommendation for the best games like World of Warcraft is Final Fantasy XIV, which is often credited with reviving the MMO genre.
In it, you take on the role of a warrior of darkness tasked with restoring peace to the world by eliminating evil monsters and other villains.
While its endgame crafting can feel a bit tedious, that won’t be anything new to seasoned WoW veterans.
Updates continue to expand FFXIV’s world while introducing new systems and events including fishing raids and city restoration projects.
Divinity: Original Sin II
Platforms: Windows, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Mac, iOS
Despite not being an MMO, Divinity: Original Sin II will scratch that RPG itch for WoW fans who crave new adventures in fantastical worlds.
Created by Larian Studios, the game draws inspiration from classics like Baldur’s Gather and Planescape: Torment while including a few modern amenities.
Similar to WoW, just about every action taken by the player affects Divinity’s world, with some having small effects and others completely reshaping Rivellon.
This extends to Original Sin 2’s end-game states, which include seven main endings, five character-specific endings, and much more tied to certain regions/races.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Another recommendation that comes courtesy of Larian Studios is Baldur’s Gate 3, a D&D-inspired RPG currently in Steam Early Access.
In it, players assemble a party of heroes before returning to the Forgotten Realms for an adventure rich in friendship, betrayal, sacrifice, survival, and absolute power.
Like WoW, the game does a great job of streamlining its combat and storytelling to keep players immersed in its world while completing quests.
Since Baldur’s Gate 3’s Early Access launch in 2020, Larian has rolled out consistent patches based on player feedback.
Black Desert Online
Platforms: Windows, PS4, Xbox One
Like many MMOs and games like World of Warcraft, Black Desert Online is often criticized by its playerbase for being a lot grindier than many would prefer.
Thankfully, the game makes up for some of the slog with satisfying combat that relies on combo-based maneuvers and a flexible career system with multiple paths.
Much like WoW, there are various disciplines to take up, ranging from merchantry to fishing, mass production, and more, depending on the region.
Additionally, BDO gives you the option to set up automated workers to farm materials and become more proficient over time.
Conan Exiles
Platforms: Windows, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Conan Exiles is a great alternative for any WoW fan that enjoys both RPGs and survival games that require you to make the most of your surroundings.
The game drops players into a brutal medieval open world teeming with monsters and other dangers to navigate while gathering resources to stay alive.
Like WoW, Conan Exiles is best known for its robust multiplayer that lets you battle other players, create settlements, and capture NPCs as slaves.
There’s a lot more to do than what we’ve just outlined, and the game does an excellent job of giving you the freedom to focus on your favorite activities.
The Elder Scrolls Online
Platforms: Windows, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Mac
Both WoW and The Elder Scrolls Online have done a fantastic job of building upon existing lore via world-altering updates and content expansions.
This can be appealing to players who are completely new to the series as well as longtime Elder Scrolls fans who want to dip their toes in MMOs.
Along with advancing the series’ narrative through voice-acted side quests, ESO offers PvP battles, base customization, and free-roaming exploration.
Last but not least, grinding is easier than ever following the One Tamriel update, which adds level-scaling to let players explore challenging endgame zones.
Warframe
Platforms: Windows, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch
Warframe is another long-running sci-fi MMO that may appeal to fans of games like World of Warcraft and has the added benefit of being free-to-play.
In it, you take on the role of deadly space ninjas traveling to different worlds and using breakneck traversal to wipe out enemies and gather materials.
Like WoW, the game features a robust class system that assigns you unique skills and traits depending on your Warframe build, weapons, and ability modifiers.
While its combat and movement systems are a lot more technical and involved than WoW, you should have no problem zipping around environments with ease.
Trove
Platforms: Windows, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Next up on our list of the best games like World of Warcraft is Trove, a unique sandbox MMO with vibrant voxel-based graphics.
From a gameplay perspective, Trove has a lot in common with WoW, allowing players to take on quests to earn new weapons, armor, charms, and mounts.
Additionally, the game features an impressive number of classes to explore and level up, with the option to swap between different characters on the fly.
It also happens to feature one of the more enticing free-to-play MMO models that let you access a wealth of content without spending a single penny.
Path of Exile
Platforms: Windows, PS4, Xbox One, Mac
Speaking of being on a tight budget, Path of Exile is another free-to-play game with generous RPG progression and loot-based rewards.
In it, you take on the role of an Exile forced to survive on the dark continent of Wraeclast before exacting revenge against those who wronged you.
Much like WoW, the game includes a robust character customizer that allows you to combine unique class abilities using gems and passive skills.
In addition, it has a pretty big playerbase that comes at the cost of being online-only.
Guild Wars 2
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Although Guild Wars 2 makes many attempts to stand apart from World of Warcraft by incorporating fresh ideas, the two share much of the same DNA.
Instead of relying on a subscription-based model, the game opts for a free-to-play structure that offers a surprising amount of content with no upfront cost.
Like WoW, GW2’s world will react to decisions in meaningful ways, including visual changes and new quest types based on your actions.
This results in an experience akin to single-player RPGs with all of the features and community-based interactions of a huge MMO like WoW.
RuneScape
Platforms: Windows, Linux, Mac, iOS, Android
World of Warcraft players are likely to have some familiarity with RuneScape, whether that be the old-school classic or the new and improved version.
First released in 2001, the game still manages to pull consistently high numbers, no doubt a testament to RuneScape’s lasting design.
For those unfamiliar, it employs an open-ended approach to quests and progression, letting you focus on the activities you enjoy most.
In turn, this grants players the flexibility to build characters with hyper-specific skills or spread themselves thin across several areas.
Diablo III
Platforms: Windows, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Mac
If you’re looking for another Blizzard game that features multiplayer and RPG progression, Diablo III is a solid choice that holds up in 2023.
Presented as an isometric dungeon crawler RPG, it sees you picking from seven different classes before setting off on a quest to defeat Diablo himself.
Along the way, you and up to three players in your party will encounter and battle droves of mobs and bosses in pursuit of increasingly powerful gear.
Like WoW and many other Blizzard titles, Diablo III’s appeal stems from its flexible challenge, allowing you to tailor your experience based on your skill level.
Grim Dawn
Platform: Windows
Grim Dawn is another non-MMO that offers a unique setting and story about a resistance fighter caught in a war between supernatural forces.
Gameplay sees players navigating dungeon environments ranging from caverns and forests to wastelands and deserts inhabited by otherworldly beasts.
Like WoW, the game rewards curiosity and exploration with hidden chests and little bits of lore that flesh out Grim Dawn’s dark fantasy setting.
It’s also exceptionally tough in terms of difficulty and grind, something which shouldn’t be a problem for longtime WoW players.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Platforms: Windows, PS4, Xbox One
Dragon Age: Inquisition is another game like World of Warcraft that’s often regarded as the most overlooked and underrated entry in the beloved RPG franchise.
In it, players choose their race and class before setting off to investigate a mysterious ripple in the sky that has caused demons to begin pouring into their world.
The game is billed as a single-player RPG but does have a multiplayer component that sees you working with other players to clear dungeons for rewards.
While it’s admittingly rough around the edges, many of its issues have been addressed and ironed out via post-launch patches.
Rift
Platform: Windows
In line with subscription-based MMO games like World of Warcraft, Rift is worth checking out despite not receiving any major new content in several years.
In it, you embark on a heroic adventure after choosing from four separate WoW-adjacent classes that include Rogue, Mage, Warrior, and Cleric.
From there, you’re free to band with friends or take on the world solo as you encounter several dungeon quests as well as raids that require player collaboration.
By the end game, you’ll find yourself grappling with Rift’s most challenging raids, many of which can take over an hour to complete.
The Lord of the Rings Online
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Even if you don’t consider yourself a Middle-earth fan, The Lord of the Rings Online is likely to sink its hooks into you.
Unlike Rift, it continues to receive updates and expansions adding new features and structural changes, including one rendering the game free-to-play.
Although its graphics are quite dated by today’s standards, this is less likely to be an issue for fans of the MMO genre.
Of course, you can find many of the same activities offered by games like World of Warcraft such as crafting, home decoration, and PvP combat.
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Platform: Windows
Last but not least, Star Wars: The Old Republic is a classic MMO that distinguishes itself from games like World of Warcraft by having your class affect the story.
This is a pretty big deal when you consider there are eight to pick from, each with a unique playstyle and narrative path.
Additionally, SWTOR has received a lot of support over the years, resulting in a ton of content updates and expansions to work through.
The most recent is ‘Legacy of the Sith,’ an expansion adding new story content, explorable planets, events, and rewards.
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