The last few years have offered few highlights for MMORPG fans. But 2021 could be the first year that really shines. As part of Find Your Next Game, we at MeinMMO present to you new games and expansions that are set to be released this year.
What is this about? In this post, you will find 13 MMORPGs that will either receive a major expansion or celebrate their release in 2021.
However, these are not just titles currently in development, but actually games whose release for 2021 has been confirmed by the developers or publishers. Of course, delays may occur again, but we wanted to gather the highlights of the year for you.
The list is not a ranking by release date or popularity, but aims to provide as much variety as possible. If you don’t want to wait until the release of one of these titles, you can find the 15 best MMOs and MMORPGs that you can play in 2021 here.
Note: The article was originally published on January 18, 2021, and was last updated on June 7 with current information about Swords of Legends Online, Elyon, PSO2, and New World.
New World
Setting: Fantasy | Developer: Amazon Game Studios | Platforms: PC | Release: August 31, 2021| | Website: New World Website
What is New World? New World is a sandbox MMO. You reach the mysterious island Aeternum, where Azoth, a mystical material, can be found.
On the island, you will encounter wild beasts, the hostile NPC faction Corrupted, who has come into contact with Azoth, and hostile players you can fight in optional PvP.
New World offers:
- 3 playable factions
- A classless system, where your armor and weapons determine your playstyle
- Quests and events in the open world
- A crafting system that is very important, as you must craft your own equipment
- A housing system
- 50v50 PvP wars
- A lore that is told in the open world.
What is happening in 2021 with New World? After the release has already been postponed several times, Amazon has announced a new, fixed date. New World is set to be released on August 31, 2021. Before that, there will be a beta.
The alpha of the MMO is currently running, which is under NDA. Recently, new servers for Europe were launched there.
In the coming months, there should be plenty of new information, videos, and livestreams about New World. Recently, the developers presented:
- The new endgame area Reekwater Swamp
- The first new dungeons, including the Amrhein Dig, which we at MeinMMO were able to test
- New weapons like the magical ice gauntlets
- Some adjustments to the combat system
The changes to New World over the last few months have been discussed by us at MeinMMO in a column: New World is increasingly becoming a theme park MMORPG, and that is a good thing.
Who is this interesting for? With New World, a big release is finally on the horizon again. The game has already garnered a lot of attention, especially on Twitch, since its test week in August 2020.
The MMO primarily targets players who love crafting, exploring the world, and enjoy an action combat system without unnecessary fluff. However, those who prefer tab-targeting and a theme park world with a fixed story should look for another MMORPG.
What we from MeinMMO think after around 40 hours of gameplay about New World can be found here:
Despite some flaws: Why Amazon’s New World is a true MMO jewel
Swords of Legends Online
What is Swords of Legends? The MMORPG is set in ancient China and focuses on storytelling and quests. The story revolves around a magical sword that promises great power to its owner. However, this sword is controlled by a demonic creature.
Swords of Legends stands out with its beautiful graphics and is supposed to offer the following content at launch:
- 6 different playable classes – Deathbringer, Summoner, Bard, Sword Mage, Berserker and Spear Master – each with 2 specializations and no gender lock
- An active combat system with dodge rolls
- A game world with various large zones where you can encounter players and monsters from Chinese mythology
- Fully voice-acted cutscenes in English
- Housing, where players can retreat
- Various mounts
- Dungeons and raids with up to 20 players
- Different PvP modes where you can fight against other players
What is happening in 2021 with SOLO? The Chinese MMORPG is set to be released here later this year. Distribution will be handled by the German publisher Gameforge.
The release is planned for summer 2021 on a separate client and on Steam and Epic.
Who is this interesting for? Swords of Legends Online is particularly interesting for fans of theme park MMORPGs. The game places a strong emphasis on story, quests, dungeons, and raids. PvP is only available in specific areas and arenas.
MeinMMO editor Alexander Leitsch has already tried the game:
I played 80 hours of Swords of Legends and say: “The MMORPG is much better than you think”
