Some MMORPGs used to be very popular 10-20 years ago. Today they are almost forgotten, but you can still start and play them. We at MeinMMO present 5 of them to you.
The MMORPG genre has changed a lot over the years. People look back on games that were popular in the past with nostalgia, since the graphics are too outdated for most players and unfortunately there are hardly any players left. In many MMORPGs that are now considered “rather dead”, however, it used to be very different.
How did this list come about? To find out which MMORPGs used to be popular, we looked at the Google Trends of various games since 2004. Unfortunately, Google doesn’t look further back, which is a shame, since some of the MMORPGs were released earlier.
Each of our listed games is color coded above. The graph now shows which MMORPGs were frequently searched for in the past:
In addition to the trends, we refer to research on the topic. It is clear that Ultima Online, Lineage and EverQuest are among the veterans. Metin2 and Aion were then added as a result of the trends. As the 6th MMORPG, Ragnarok is also interesting, as it was initially no longer playable in the original, but has returned.
We deliberately focus on games that used to be big and aren’t any more. For example, RuneScape, which enjoys great popularity to this day, falls out of the list. We also made sure that you can still play the MMORPGs today.
lineage
publication: 1998
Focus of the MMORPG: Fantasy, PvE, PvP
Business model: Free2Play
Developer: NCSoft
What kind of game is this? Lineage is a Korean MMORPG series. In the still playable version, you choose your character from 30 different classes and enter the world of Aden. In it, 3 kingdoms are enemies and you have to try to restore peace.
Already in 2003 it received the sequel Lineage II, which became even better known than the original. There are also some mobile games for Lineage. The original only runs in Korea and received a remastered version in 2018. In the west, since 2011, there is only the sequel to Lineage.
For the future, the developers are planning the MMORPG Throne and Liberty, formerly known as Lineage 3, Lineage Eternal and Project TL.
EverQuest
publication: 1999
Focus of the MMORPG: Fantasy, PvE, Exploration
Business model: Free2Play
Developer: Sony, Darkpaw Games
What kind of game is this? EverQuest is one of the absolute classics among MMORPGs. It takes place in the fantasy world of Norrath and lets you start in different cities, depending on your class.
You choose from 16 classes and 16 races. Players are divided into factions of “good” and “evil,” with races corresponding to each faction, as well as neutral races.
The focus of the game is on PvE, while PvP is only possible to a limited extent. In EverQuest you have found a group or guild to do raids with and kill bosses. In the beginning there were 3 continents to explore, later more were added.
Although EverQuest was considered more beginner-friendly than other MMORPGs at the time, it offered some uncomfortable challenges. For example, melee fighters were only allowed to respawn in town and then had to run back to their content. That just took 30 to 60 minutes. Fast travel was hardly possible at the beginning of the game, unless you accidentally found a portal master.
To this day, the MMORPG has a loyal player base, which is now not as large as it was back then. EverQuest has even been available on Steam since 2012.
The sequel EverQuest 2 was released in 2004. In addition, an MMORPG called EverQuest Next was in development until a few months ago. Unfortunately it has been discontinued. However, we do know that the mastermind behind EverQuest is currently working on a new MMORPG.
aion
publication: 2008
Focus of the MMORPG: PvP
Business model: Free2Play
Developer: NCSoft
What kind of game is this? In the MMORPG Aion you decide between “light” and “dark”. You choose between the Elyos, who live on the light side of the fictional world Atreia, and the Asmodians, who live on the dark side. Ultimately, you go into battle for your faction, where you face other players.
You choose your character from 6 classes, for which there are 12 specializations. Aside from PvP content, Aion also offers a few opportunities for PvE, the option to fly, and item gathering.
Since its release, the MMORPG has received regular updates, although the number of players has fallen sharply. Aion has been available on Steam since 2012 and is currently advertising there with a Halloween event.
Those who played Aion before and want to immerse themselves in total nostalgia will soon be able to play on one of the Aion Classic servers. Everything is there again as it was for the release with patch 1.0.
Metin2
publication: 2005
Focus of the MMORPG: Fantasy, Grind, PvE
Business model: Free2Play
Developer: WebZen/Ymir
What kind of game is this? In the Korean MMORPG Metin2 you choose your character from 5 classes, it used to be 4. Then you choose one of 3 kingdoms for which you want to fight.
In Metin2 you not only kill monsters and occasionally other players, but farm Metin stones from which you can get valuable rewards. With different levels you are on different maps to farm the right stones.
Leveling takes forever from level 30, later it’s almost unbearable. Also the grind to get the best items is frustrating. Nevertheless, Metin2 was one of the most played MMORPGs for a few years after its release in 2005.
Metin2 was also available on Steam, but left the platform in August and can only be played in its own client.
Ultimate Online
publication: 1997
Focus of the MMORPG: fantasies
Business model: Free2Play with possible subscription
Developer: Electronic Arts
What kind of game is this? Ultima Online is considered by many to be the origin of all modern MMORPGs, although Meridian 59 is even older and also had an open world. In Ultima Online you enter the sandbox world Britannia. You go through dungeons or sail on a heavy warship.
You can craft everything for your character yourself, whether weapons or equipment. In addition, each player can build and set up their own house.
Until 2017, the MMORPG required players to pay, then it received a Free2Play version with a possible subscription.
It continues to receive updates even after 25 years, there have been 10 expansions in total and numerous smaller patches. In 2020, the first new server started in 15 years. A mobile version of Ultima Online was also launched in the same year.
Ragnarok
publication: 2002
Focus of the MMORPG: Anime, PvE
Business model: Free2Play
Developer: gravity
What kind of game is this? Ragnarok is the veteran of anime MMORPGs. It throws you into a cute colorful world that you explore with your character.
The story is about the god Ymir no longer maintaining peace on the world of Ragnarok and war raging. Monsters attack Rune-Midgard and tales of mysterious demons emerge. You, the hero, must put the riots back in order.
However, the original game and its successor Ragnarok 2 were discontinued in Europe in 2018 for data protection reasons. However, the rights were sold, which is why Ragnarok is officially playable again.
In addition, more and more games based in the Ragnarok universe are appearing, most of them for mobile devices. In 2021 alone, 3 new ones were announced. Ragnarok Begins is the only one for the PC and should come to us in the west soon.
What do you think of our list? Which of the MMORPGs did you play earlier? Which of your favorites from back then are not on the list? Or are you more fans of World of Warcraft and RuneScape, which have had high player numbers since release? Write it to us in the comments here on MeinMMO!
However, these MMORPGs are currently the most played:
The 10 most played MMORPGs on Steam in October 2022