Role-playing is an important aspect for many fans of MMOs. However, not every game is equally suited for role-playing and has a community where one can express oneself and exchange ideas. Therefore, we present to you 7 MMOs that are particularly well-suited for role-playing.
What is role-playing? In role-playing, it’s about taking on the role of something else, whether it be a human, an animal, or a fictional character. In MMORPGs, the term role-playing is already included, referring more to the fact that your character takes on a specific role in the story and you can eventually equip them better over time.
However, some players take it a step further and create their own personalities that the game doesn’t actually provide for. Thus, players suddenly become full-time anglers, start families, or have disputes with neighbors. They do much of this without receiving any rewards in the game. They primarily enjoy themselves.
What is this list about? The role-playing that goes beyond the boundaries set by the game is not possible in every MMO:
- In some games, content is lacking to allow players to fully immerse themselves in the game (immersion). Role-players usually want to be able to sit or use certain emotes. In certain games, however, there are contents that simply do not fit into the associated world and can even destroy immersion.
- In other games, it’s complicated to interact with other players or even to meet friends deliberately.
- Moreover, for good role-playing, it’s helpful to have a large number of players interested in it.
That’s why we have selected 7 games where you can find exactly such circumstances.
How were the games selected? The games were selected based on the editorial staff’s own experiences and some research in role-playing communities. There may indeed be MMOs that we have overlooked or where the communities are even larger. Feel free to recommend further role-playing titles to us in the comments.
GTA Online
Genre: Action-Adventure | Developer: Rockstar Games | Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | Release Date: September 2013 | Model: Buy2Play
What kind of game is this? GTA Online is the multiplayer mode for Grand Theft Auto V. You create a character and enter the vast and open game world. Various missions await you, through which you can earn money to buy weapons, vehicles, and businesses.
One content is the “Heists”, a co-op activity where you solve PvE tasks with other players. But PvP against other players or races with cars, bikes, and boats are also part of the game world.
Why is it so well-suited for role-playing? GTA V features very intricate world-building and offers many options to slip into your own role.
The best role-playing occurs on private servers that players can host themselves. GTAlife is one of the most well-known communities. There, you must live a normal life, work, earn money, and use it to buy new cars.
A video from the YouTube channel Gamebot GTA shows how role-playing can unfold:
Final Fantasy XIV
Genre: MMORPG | Developer: Square Enix | Platform: PC, PS4, PS5 | Release Date: August 27, 2013| Model: Pay2Play
What kind of game is this? Final Fantasy XIV is one of the most popular MMORPGs in the West and regularly receives content updates and expansions like Endwalker. The game resembles classic Japanese role-playing games, with a strong focus on the story. In the endgame, tricky dungeons and raids await.
Here, you can choose from different classes (called jobs), between which you can switch at any time with a character. There’s also a deep crafting system and many side quests to keep you busy for a long time.
In 2021, the free access to the game was expanded. You can now experience the content of the Heavensward expansion, level up to level 60, and visit the first dungeons.
Why is it so well-suited for role-playing? The world of Final Fantasy is vast and rich in backstory. Additionally, you can shape your character as you wish and adapt based on the job at any time.
Role-playing is so popular in FFXIV that you almost always encounter a group of players. Various communities also regularly organize role-playing events.
If you want to join such an event, you can check the calendar of “Role-playing on Light”. This German community organizes activities almost daily.
The Lord of the Rings Online
Genre: MMORPG | Developer: | Platform: PC | Release Date: April 24, 2007 | Model: Free2Play
What kind of game is this? In LOTRO – or also HdRO – you venture into Middle-earth, where you gradually leave the tranquil starter zones to face the world threatened by Sauron’s grasp.
The MMORPG stands out for its wonderful atmosphere, the many contents, and regular new updates, even though the game is already 15 years old.
Why is it so well-suited for role-playing? Tolkien’s world provides a wonderful framework to live out your own role-playing fantasies. After all, you encounter the well-known characters from the book and movie in the MMORPG.
Moreover, there are always special events in the game. For example, in 2020, the legendary wedding between Aragorn and Arwen took place. A perfect time to dress up nicely and experience a special moment from the film in a completely unique way.
This is complemented by a large role-playing community that explores Middle-earth together, takes on challenges, engages in stricter and more laid-back role-playing, or simply plays music, as shown in this video:
In Europe, the server Laurelin is especially ideal for diving into the role-playing adventure. However, you should be proficient in English, as the largest community is there.
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