Which new MMORPGs were released in 2018? Which were at least playable in an Open Beta or Early Access?
This list makes no claim to completeness. It only includes the titles that were released in 2018. MMORPGs planned for 2019 do not appear in this article.
Here are the PC MMORPGs that were released as new titles in 2018 in the form of a beta, Early Access, or release version. If you are interested in console MMORPGs, we have the appropriate equivalent for you here: These 3 MMORPGs are set to come for PS4 & Xbox One in 2018.
Bless (PC)
- Release: Released on May 30, 2018, Steam release on October 23, 2018
- Features: Themepark, European medieval with Asian flair
- Model: Free2Play
Bless or Bless Online is a South Korean MMORPG developed with Unreal Engine 3 and at great expense. It has great graphics and a soundtrack from Hollywood.
Bless focuses on the battle between two factions as XXL-PvP and on a world reminiscent of the European Middle Ages – for Asians, this is as exotic as the Kung Fu era is for us in Asia. The exotic race “Hawk” is clearly modeled on Germans. And PvE content like dungeons or a comprehensive pet system is also not missing in Bless.
The gameplay concept resembles that of World of Warcraft with modern graphics and a slight Asian touch. This potentially appeals to a lot of people.
Bless has been free for a month: Here’s how the MMORPG is doing now
Closers
- Release: February 6, 2018
- Features: Anime, Story, Teamplay
- Model: Free2Play
In the anime MMO Closers, you belong to an elite group of fighters facing an extraterrestrial threat. The story is at the center of Closers and is told like in an anime film. Throughout the storyline, you learn more about the invasion and the backstory of the heroes.
Together as a team, you fight your way through the levels and use your special abilities to defeat even gigantic boss monsters. Teamplay is very important as you can execute combo attacks this way. Over time, you improve your hero with more powerful skills and loot that you collect during missions.
The anime MMO Closers is now live, the alien invasion is underway!
Legends of Aria (formerly Shards Online, PC)
- Release: Open Beta on November 23, 2018 via Founder’s Pack, but Steam release on January 9, 2019
- Features: Own worlds, sandbox, crafting
- Model: Buy2Play
Legends of Aria – The spiritual successor to Ultima Online offers a unique game principle: Each player can manage a so-called Shard, their own world. Here you set your own rules and decide whether the world is more focused on quests or PvP.
With your heroes, you travel from shard to shard and explore these worlds. Crafting is as important as exploring the world and fighting against monsters and other players. However, there is also a central world for all players, where you can also experience adventures. The rules of this world are determined by the developers of the game.
Why I’m excited about this new MMORPG as an Ultima Online fan
Life is Feudal: MMO (PC)
- Release: January 11, 2018 (currently in Early Access / Open Beta)
- Features: Sandbox, Survival, city building
- Model: Buy2Play with item shop
Life is Feudal aims to provide a real sandbox experience. Here you determine how your hero develops, what role he plays, and how you influence the development of the world. You start with essentially nothing and can become the ruler of a kingdom.
Life is Feudal places you in a medieval world. Survival elements play a large role, as you must work your way up from nothing. You start by gathering resources, building a first hut, hunting animals, and crafting equipment. When you encounter other players, either PvP fights arise, or you team up to build a settlement together. This way, it is possible to build entire cities. However, these also need to be managed to maintain order. Rival cities engage in wars, leading to massive battles. The world evolves in this way continuously.
Life is Feudal: MMO Test – After 40 hours, I found it awesome
Lost Ark (PC)
- Release: Open Beta since November 2018 in Korea, no release date yet for the West
- Features: Action MMORPG, isometric view
- Model: Free2Play
Lost Ark hits the same chord as Project TL, formerly Lineage Eternal. From an isometric perspective, you explore a fantasy world and fight numerous monsters in action-packed battles. This feels reminiscent of Diablo 3. However, like Project TL, the MMORPG elements are more prominent. This means you will encounter other players on your journey and can team up with them or fight against them.
Lost Ark is also said to have many similarities with Guild Wars 2 and is essentially going to be an MMORPG that you play from an isometric perspective.
Now that it’s finally here, the new MMORPG Lost Ark is being swamped by players
MapleStory 2
- Release: October 4, 2018
- Features: Themepark with sandbox elements, PvE, group play, anime
- Model: Free2Play
MapleStory 2 takes you into the colorful Maple world. You create a hero, follow quests, fight monsters and bosses, but you can also build a kind of virtual second life in the large sandbox world. You can build houses and together with other players create entire cities. You can participate in many community activities, including mini-games, and even compete in PvP with other players.
MapleStory 2 is the successor to the very successful MapleStory in Asia, but shifts the game into a 3D world. The title was well-received from the start and offers much that MMORPG players have long wished for.
This is MapleStory 2, currently the largest MMORPG on Steam
Project: Gorgon
- Release: Early Access since March 13, 2018
- Features: Classic, PvE, group play
- Model: Buy2Play
Project Gorgon aims to bring back the times of classic MMORPGs like Everquest or Asheron’s Call. PvE content is the focus. As you explore a very large game world and complete quests with friends while fighting against monsters, you improve your hero by using skills. Additionally, you can even become a werewolf or vampire.
Throughout your adventures, you encounter many interesting NPCs who have their own goals that may conflict with yours. Additionally, it is possible to craft items and sell them to other players at market stalls. The MMORPG’s economy is intended to be player-driven.
New MMORPG on Steam – But is Project Gorgon worth your money?
Rend (PC)
- Release: Since July 31, 2018 in Early Access
- Features: PvP, construction, survival
- Model: Unknown
The MMORPG Rend aims to offer a mix of classic MMO elements, survival, and MOBA. The game is divided into rounds, during which you aim to destroy the enemy fortresses. In the game world, three factions confront each other, of which you belong to one. You gather resources to build a fortress, try to survive in the wilderness, craft equipment, and fight against rival players.
Just before the end of a round, it is possible to attack the enemy base. The faction that survives at the end wins the match. After that, the game starts over. Depending on how well you played, you can improve your hero for the next match.
After 17 hours in Rend, I’m still at the beginning
Shroud of the Avatar Episode 1 (PC)
- Release: March 27, 2018
- Features: Sandbox with single-player mode, crafting, housing
- Model: Buy2Play with item shop
Richard Garriott’s Selective-Multiplayer-RPG SotA, which is now referred to as an MMORPG, is released in five episodes. Episode 1, which contains the base game and the first story section on the continent of Novia, will essentially form the basis. The game combines the freedoms of a sandbox with the story of a single-player RPG. You can follow the story through quests or simply live the virtual life of a merchant, crafter, or adventurer in the fantasy world.
New episodes are planned to follow each year, adding new game systems and new areas. Additionally, each episode continues the story. For Episode 2, for example, a new continent is being planned, and it may become possible to steer ships, fight naval battles, and ride mounts across the continents.
This is how Richard Garriott explained his new game Shroud of the Avatar to us
Soulworker
- Release: April 6, 2018
- Features: Anime, Story, Teamplay
- Model: Free2Play
The anime MMO Soulworker puts you in the role of heroes chosen by the gods to stop an alien threat that threatens to annihilate humanity. You participate in missions that you complete cooperatively. During this, you fight against many enemies and improve your hero. Over time, you learn new abilities that help you deal with ever more powerful creatures.
You explore a post-apocalyptic city and experience a story told like in an anime. Soulworker offers a “playtime limitation” system, where you can extend your playtime through a subscription, which causes some displeasure among fans.
Wild West Online (PC)
- Release: May 10, 2018
- Features: Western, PvP
- Model: Buy2Play, Free2Play conversion planned
In Wild West Online, you decide whether to stand on the side of the law or become a bandit. As a bandit, you conduct raids, fight other players, and try to enrich yourself illegally. As a lawman, you hunt down the bandits and collect bounties on them.
You will encounter a large world with plenty of freedom. The developers are attempting to create a Wild West world where many adventures await you. The game will be released in two parts:
- Frontier is the well-known online game in an open world focused on PvP, crafting, hunting, and survival
- Magnificent 5 is a battle royale variant. In this, 20 teams consisting of 5 players each compete on a large map. You build forts and search for artifacts.
Wild West Online has launched: Catastrophic reviews on Steam
Worlds Adrift (PC)
- Release: Early Access May 17, 2018
- Features: PvP, group play, airships
- Model: Buy2Play
Worlds Adrift takes you into a world made up of floating islands. You travel these islands together in a group with airships that you build yourself. On the islands, you gather resources to build fortresses and upgrade the ships. You defend your base against attacks from other players and can also launch attacks on player groups. PvP is therefore a focus.
However, group play is also very important, as you only have a good chance of surviving in the world within a guild. An airship must also be piloted by the group. Some players operate cannons, others fend off boarding attacks, and one player steers the ship.
Worlds Adrift is now on Steam: MMO with the amazing technology SpatialOS
More 2018 overviews:
