8 Best MMORPGs Forgotten by Time

When I was young, all the games I played were MMORPGs, since they were accessible both in price and technical specifications, as they were usually free and suitable for my old PC.

Certainly, it was a difficult genre to get into due to the endless mechanics and systems, especially for a 5-year-old, but it was not only the one that most influenced me in my early years as a gamer, but also the one that directly made me discover that video games were my ultimate hobby.

The years passed, I took on more responsibilities, and gradually I stopped playing as many massively multiplayer games as I used to, to the point where today I’ve literally forbidden myself from playing them because, otherwise, my productivity goes down the drain.

However, even if these kinds of games didn’t completely consume my time, the truth is that their modern representatives don’t entirely excite me, so I’ve decided to take a look back at the ever-melancholic hall of nostalgia to share this list of the eight best MMORPGs forgotten by time.

8

Life is Feudal

The Difficulties of Realism

I remember Life is Feudal being among the first video games I had to review for a major gaming outlet, and it was one of the most unusual experiences I’ve ever had.

I wasn’t, and still am not, used to extremely realistic games, much less in the context of a genre dominated by fantastical warriors with more visual effects than the eye can take in, so it was a breath of fresh air that really captivated me.

Feeling like I was not just surviving, but striving to become someone within its medieval world, was so different from the typical MMORPG hero’s journey that I couldn’t help but dedicate countless hours to it, proving to myself I could go far even in a game that actively threw obstacles in my way.

Unfortunately, the title went down some questionable paths and became a monthly subscription service, so tolerating its outdated graphics and clunky gameplay was no longer as entertaining. Life is Feudal went from being a medieval simulator to a money pit, so I’m not surprised that it’s been forgotten.

7

Ragnarok Online

From a Manhwa to a Full-fledged Franchise

Another common feature in the MMORPG genre was the predominance of third-person views or Diablo-style cameras with a ‘mature’ aesthetic, which made Ragnarok Online stand out easily.

With its isometric perspective that combines 3D environments with 2D characters, more reminiscent of an anime than a comic for adults, I think I’ve rarely decided to download a game so quickly.

As someone who always chooses the Mage class for these kinds of games, I can say it was an excellent decision on my part because of the audiovisual spectacle of acquiring a new skill, so I was always excited to hunt new bosses and farm cards while enjoying what I believe to be the best OST in the genre.

Unfortunately, following somewhat in Life is Feudal‘s footsteps, Ragnarok Online ended up losing a lot of its purpose over time, and now most of the progression can be achieved through in-game currency rather than by working for it, which I think is a common problem in MMORPGs today.

6

Silkroad Online

A New Fantasy

Silkroad Online is the stereotypical MMORPG I loved back then, and while it didn’t offer anything I considered groundbreaking, it satisfied my needs for the genre after I’d thoroughly explored its contemporaries.

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I still remember the endless walks to get anywhere, since even the hubs themselves were the size of a contemporary open world, but I also remember how much I enjoyed it because of its Chinese setting, so distinct from the strictly Tolkien-esque fantasy that dominated the genre.

The animations, weapon impacts, draw distance, character progression, maps… On a technical and audiovisual level, Silkroad Online took my breath away, especially because it enhanced the PvP experience of its Trinity system, where you picked one of three factions and hunted your rivals to the death.

From then on, I always thought it was a very standard multiplayer game, and perhaps even too grindy for my taste. It struggled with the passage of time and was unable to update and innovate at the necessary speed, which is why it is among the few MMORPGs I have never returned to.

5

Forsaken World

As Good as It Is Controversial

After squeezing every last drop of content I was interested in from Cataclysm in World of Warcraft, I redirected all my attention to Forsaken World, a video game that was marketed as the genre’s great evolution.

I never felt it was, though I didn’t care because it worked perfectly. A large user base, high levels of PvP, amazing audiovisual effects at every turn to satisfy my craving for stimulation, a spectacular setting, many well-differentiated classes… It was exactly what I wanted.

Just the fact that they allowed me to choose a Vampire already made it feel different from the typical gameplay structures of MMORPGs, as it boasted diverse skill and talent trees that truly emphasized the ‘RPG’ aspect, which often remains only superficial.

Unfortunately, once again, its developers went down the pay-to-win path, and the game was ruined. The economic factor was so aggressive that I honestly lost all desire to play, and I believe it’s the main reason Forsaken World suffered one of the biggest drops in public appreciation I can remember.

4

MapleStory

Adorable and Addictive

Although it might have been frivolous of me to let the art style of video games influence whether I played them, it did lead me to discover gems like MapleStory, among the best Nexon games ever.

It was much closer to the games I played on websites than to the titanic MMORPGs I was used to, but there was something about its almost arcade-like presentation that drew me in, and it eventually held onto me for who knows how many years.

Perhaps it was the verticality, the unforgettable enemy designs, the relaxing rather than epic music, or the colorful parallax backgrounds that made you immersed in a dream journey, but it felt like a unique experience that, no matter how many games came out, better or worse, none would ever compare.

It later received a sequel, lost all its players, and it became impossible to return to its classic version, so new generations will have to live with the unacknowledged pain of not having played MapleStory, the finest fusion of MMORPG, flash game, and relaxation ever created.

3

Dekaron

A Tale of Growth

Originally known as 2Moons, Dekaron is proof that an MMORPG can undergo significant evolution without losing its essence and community in the process.

While the main reason for the name change was related to its distributors and localization outside of Asia, it also reflects the game’s evolution over time, transforming from a good experience into one of the best in the genre’s history.

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Thanks to the scale of its enemies, the engaging nature of its quests, the challenging spirit of its dungeons, the deep customization of each class, and the superior artistic style in both environments and items the genre has ever seen, playing Dekaron felt like stepping into a black hole of addictive content you never wanted to leave.

Even if you didn’t care about PvE, Dekaron boasted what is, in my opinion, the best PvP structure ever conceived, ranging from one-on-one duels anywhere to massive battles that generated a level of preparation from players unlike anything I’ve seen elsewhere.

And… nothing else happened. To be honest, there’s no controversy surrounding monetization or poorly focused content; it’s simply that the lack of enthusiasm for the genre took its toll. I still occasionally return to the servers I used to play on, but even for me, it’s not the same anymore.

2

Lineage 2

The Classic of Internet Cafés

I don’t know if the general reality aligns with my personal experience, but Lineage 2 single-handedly introduced my entire generation to the world of MMORPGs, and in the best way possible.

If you think about PvE content with a social focus, player skirmishes, world events, PK systems, unique classes, spectacular weapons and armor, or any other basic element of the genre, this distinguished title laid the known foundation.

Although it has one of the most excessive farming components I’ve ever witnessed, it didn’t bother you at all because all the mechanics worked in perfect harmony, making you experience it almost as a second life rather than a multiplayer game to which you dedicated hours of your day.

Whether you were a hardcore gamer or someone who had never touched a game before, everyone loved Lineage 2, whose impact on the genre I think is second only to World of Warcraft, at least within the niche.

Then the video game industry grew, the game became more casual, and it introduced too many pay-to-win and automatic progression elements that simply killed the vibe. It pains me to end all these paragraphs with the same explanation, but at least now we know why the genre is the way it is now.

1

Mu Online

The King of the Old School

Despite everything above, I think I can say there’s a consensus that Mu Online stands among the pioneers of MMORPGs as one of the first to achieve true mass appeal.

Being among the few that fully embraced its Diablo heritage, it’s the most relevant title for a generation like mine, and it was even the first video game I ever played.

Although the isometric perspective significantly alters the game’s feel, the other strengths described in previous posts remain, with plenty of PvE content to make playing solo very enjoyable and ample PvP events and mechanics to give meaning to so many hours of exploration, leveling up, and upgrading weapons and armor.

However, I’d say the best thing about Mu Online was its private servers, which allowed for an almost tailor-made experience. Whether you wanted a harder, easier, shorter, longer, more colorful, darker, more varied, more straightforward version, or any other kind, the game was so popular that it had hundreds of versions adapted to suit every imaginable preference.

More than two decades later, and after a virtually industrial evolution in terms of gameplay and narrative scope, it’s nowhere near the phenomenon it once was, just like the other games on this list. Those that were once kings are now victims of pay-to-win, mobile platforms, or public disinterest, though they’re worth remembering for what they were: the childhood of millions.

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