If there’s one thing GameOgre.com has always loved, it’s free MMORPGs. From the early 2000s to today, free-to-play games have brought millions of players into massive online worlds without the barrier of a subscription. Some of the biggest MMORPGs started free or transitioned to free later and many hidden gems were discovered because they didn’t cost a dime to try!
GameOgre has been covering free MMORPGs for over twenty years, so let’s take a trip down memory lane and look at some of the best we’ve covered over the years! Keep in mind that these are MMORPGs without a subscription. There was a game back in the day called The Realm Online where I was able to start on a free trial and then trade (with just in-game items) for a year subscription of the game. That went well for a few months until the game banned me for doing that. This was many years before all the account buying today. That game notwithstanding, here are the best overall Free MMORPGs on GameOgre.com!
Few games embody the spirit of a free MMO like RuneScape. Back in the forum and review directory days, it was one of the most talked-about titles on GameOgre. The browser-based simplicity, endless quests, and social nature made it the perfect entry point for thousands of new MMO players. Without a doubt, RuneScape was the most reviewed game in our old review directory with 1321 reviews!
When MapleStory first hit the scene, it turned heads with its bright 2D graphics and side-scrolling MMO style. GameOgre covered it early on as one of the most unique free MMORPGs available, and many players fondly remember sinking hours into grinding, chatting, and exploring colorful towns.
While technically not “free” at launch (you had to buy the box, but no subscription), Guild Wars was always seen as the perfect middle ground between free and paid MMOs. GameOgre highlighted it often for its innovative instancing system and competitive PvP.
GameOgre’s review directory was buzzing when Perfect World launched. It offered a huge world, flying mounts, beautiful graphics, and deep character customization, all completely free-to-play. For many, it was their first introduction to the wave of Chinese-developed MMOs that would flood the genre. Perfect World was consistently one of the highest ranked games in the directory.
When DDO went free-to-play, it was a huge deal. Suddenly, players could explore official D&D adventures online without a subscription. GameOgre featured it as a standout example of how going free could breathe new life into a struggling MMO.
