On Steam, there are numerous MMORPGs with beautiful anime graphics, most of which are even free to play. We at MeinMMO present you with some of the most popular anime MMORPGs.
Some find the graphics off-putting, others love them. If you are a fan of games like Genshin Impact and want to play with many other players, you are in the right place.
How was the list created? We searched Steam for anime MMORPGs that have received at least a “mostly positive” rating and selected some relevant ones from that. We refer to the ratings of the last 30 days. We will sort the games for you, placing those with the highest percentage at the end.
Additionally, we include player counts that we read from the site SteamDB. The number given is the peak of the last 30 days. Some of the games also have their own client besides Steam, which means the numbers from SteamDB cannot represent the total count.
NosTale
Developer: Entwell | Release: 2006 | Rating: 70% positive | Player Count: 551
What kind of game is this? NosTale is a classic among anime MMORPGs. It is considered a classic within the genre and has been playable on Steam since 2017. You create your character and enter the village of NosVille. Shortly after, you engage in your first, rather simple, battles. Every few levels, you pass through a timespace, the dungeons in NosTale.
Later, you can choose between several classes: swordsman, archer, martial artist, and mage. As the gameplay progresses, you can further specialize your character.
Long-time players particularly love the community in NosTale. Guilds are called “families,” and it should feel that way. NosTale still has a charm for many players that keeps bringing them back to the MMORPG.
MapleStory
Developer: Nexon | Release: 2003 | Rating: 70% positive | Player Count: 4,047
What kind of game is this? The game world of MapleStory is set up like a side-scroller and features 2D graphics. Your characters are cute chibi figures. You choose from one of 4 professions, which function like classes. As you level up your character, you gain access to further professions that allow you to specialize your playstyle.
It was released in 2003 in South Korea and slowly expanded to the rest of the world. MapleStory became playable in Europe starting in 2005.
Although it is almost 20 years old, it is still loved and played. Since 2012, it has even been available on Steam. Players especially appreciate the unique aesthetics of the MMORPG.
Toram Online
Developer: Asobimo | Release: 2021 for PC, 2015 for Mobile | Rating: 71% positive | Player Count: 1,136
What kind of game is this? Toram Online was initially a pure mobile MMORPG but received a standalone PC version on Steam in 2021. It is a classic MMORPG set in a medieval fantasy environment. Toram offers you an open world, dungeons, PvP and PvE battles, as well as quests and story.
Unlike many other MMORPGs that are developed with a focus on mobile, Toram does not rely on features like auto-play or numerous assistants. You still have to play yourself, which the community appreciates.
What is particularly special about Toram is the variety of options for character creation with over 500 billion combinations. It offers free skill trees that allow you to customize your character as you wish. There is, however, no fixed class system.
Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis
Developer: SEGA | Release: 2012 | Rating: 72% positive | Player Count: 3,931
What kind of game is this? Phantasy Star Online 2 mixes science fiction elements with fantasy. In the open world of the game, numerous PvE missions await you, which you can complete alone or with others. Additionally, the MMORPG features an action-packed and dynamic combat system. You fly around and constantly change your position.
Although it was released in 2012, it only arrived in the West 8 years later. It has been playable on Steam since 2020. You can also start the free MMORPG on Xbox and PlayStation. Crossplay between all platforms is possible.
With New Genesis, the game received a fundamental remake of the game system and graphics. Since then, it is more of an MMORPG than it was before. It gives the option to switch between the old and new version of the game. So when you download PSO2 New Genesis on Steam, you automatically get the older version as well.
Elsword
Developer: KOG Co. | Release: 2007 | Rating: 77% positive | Player Count: 967
What kind of game is this? Elsword is a 3D sidescroller with cute graphics. The story of the game is told through small comic sequences.
You start with one of 14 characters that you can improve over time. You fight with bows, swords, or magic and engage in dungeons and bosses in PvE. PvP is also available in Elsword. You fight either in 1v1 or in team battles.
The combat system is a particular highlight. You don’t just hit, but allow your character to perform unique combos, leading to strategically thought-out fights.
Aero Tales Online: The World
Developer: Anisage Games | Release: 2022 | Rating: 81% positive | Player Count: 77
What kind of game is this? In Aero Tales Online, you create a character and enter a fantasy anime world. You choose between 6 different classes and can also decide whether you want to use tab-target or action combat. So, whether you will attack automatically or need to aim with your attacks.
The MMORPG focuses equally on PvP and PvE. There are raids and dungeons, but also arena fights and large battles between players. The graphics look rather like the game is a few years older.
At a certain level, you can then explore the world of Aero Tales Online while flying. Other cool features include farming, music, and housing.
The player counts have been relatively low since release. According to reviews on Steam, however, most who have tested it like it. Additionally, Aero Tales Online is still in Early Access. Therefore, player numbers could rise again by the time of the full release of the MMORPG.
Final Fantasy XIV
Developer: SquareEnix | Release: 2013 | Rating: 87% positive | Player Count: 45,237 | Costs: Base game €9.99 + subscription €12.99 monthly
What kind of game is this? Final Fantasy XIV is one of the most popular MMORPGs ever. It focuses on an emotional story and offers players the opportunity to purchase several DLCs to further the story and level up. The expansion Endwalker was released in 2021.
In addition to the story, you can expect PvE content like dungeons, raids, and boss battles. However, in FFXIV, you only need one character, as the classes are called jobs and those who bring a lot of time can level each one to level 90.
Additionally, you can level various crafting and gathering classes, buy a house, and design your own island, which was recently added to the game with an update.
Meanwhile, you can play the game for free up to level 60, but afterwards, you will have to purchase an expansion and subscribe to continue playing. The free trial version is unfortunately not available on Steam.
Anime MMORPGs Coming Soon to Steam
Traha Global
The MMORPG Traha Global will be released in November 2022 for PC and mobile. It takes place in an open world developed with Unreal Engine 4, resembling Lost Ark.
You create a character and choose a class, which you can later switch. In the world of Traha, there is a war between two warring kingdoms.
You join one of the two kingdoms, which engage in massive RvR battles against each other. A total of 100v100 players participate. In addition, Traha Global also offers numerous PvE contents such as classic raids and dungeons.
Traha offers you various weapons and classes to switch between. You can also level professions, which works similarly to Final Fantasy XIV. Through crafting and cooking, you create items that benefit you in battle.
Tower of Fantasy
The MMORPG Tower of Fantasy strongly resembles Genshin Impact and was already released in August 2022. The release on Steam was certain, but until recently there was no fixed date. We now know it will be playable on Steam starting October 20, 2022.
Alongside the Steam version, the highly anticipated Vera update will also be released. This will continue the story and, according to the developers, will be very emotional.
Similar to Genshin Impact, you have the opportunity to draw different characters with so-called “special orders”. From these, you build a team for combat.
The MMORPG offers you daily quests, an exciting main story, and stunning graphics. Furthermore, you’ll be traveling on various mounts, climbing, flying, or swimming. In PvE, you encounter world bosses and other monsters, can explore the world and collect cores, with which you can draw the characters. PvP is also possible.
What do you think of our list? Which of the anime MMORPGs have you played, which are you currently playing? Which ones do you want to try in the future? Are you more a fan of free-to-play or paid models in MMORPGs? Which MMORPG has the best graphics for you? Feel free to let us know in the comments here on MeinMMO!
These MMORPGs are currently played the most:
The 10 MMORPGs with the Most Players on Steam in October 2022
