Given the expansive nature of an MMORPG, it's not surprising that they contain some of the most intricate plots in gaming. The lengthy service-based nature of an MMO generally requires continuous updates, patches, and expansions that continue to pile in more content and narrative goodness, so it likely goes without saying that settling down with a quality game from this genre means you won't need another for quite some time.

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The end result obviously runs the risk of turning out incredibly convoluted in terms of story, owing to the heaps of lore and worldbuilding necessitated. But on the other hand, it can also set the stage for some remarkably incredible and engaging storytelling if the writers are up to the task.

Updated on September 2nd, 2021 by Rhenn Taguiam: Given their multiplayer nature, MMORPGs often have a reputation of providing sprawling open worlds for players to do as they please. As a result, players often band together to take on dungeons or embark on quests alone to fight various monsters and bosses while wearing progressively aesthetic outfits. Due to this focus on player experience, it makes sense for a lot of players to assume that MMOs shouldn’t boast great stories.

Thankfully, storytellers amongst devs just couldn’t resist imparting unforgettable tales within the confines of their MMOs. Be it through sprawling campaigns or simple side quests, some games just take the time immersing their players with engaging stories that just make a playthrough unforgettable. Which MMOs boast the best storytelling?

14 Dungeons & Dragons Online

A player fighting a dragon in Dungeons and Dragons Online
  • Platforms: Microsoft Windows
  • Get It Here: Main Site

Players sick of waiting for “the right timing” to play D&D with friends can finally indulge their itch to play a TTRPG in Dungeons & Dragons Online. Despite its MMO branding, DDO remains quite a faithful “adaptation” of the acclaimed TTRPG in a multiplayer game format. In true D&D fashion, players build a character based on a combination of Race, Class, Attributes, Skills, and Feats. And as with any D&D session, players rely on their combination of skillsets to tackle various challenges in roleplaying, combat, and exploration.

Unlike other MMOs, DDO boasts narrative-driven quest lines. Even the most “basic” quests feature memorable stories, with narration that can make players feel as though they’re in a session with a DM. While free players can only enjoy up to Level 20 content, the game’s Reincarnation System gives players an incentive to recreate their characters and replay content. Thanks to Multiclassing, each iteration of a player character can combine a multitude of Classes to get different experiences.

13 Secret World Legends

A group of players fighting a threat in Secret World Legends

Serving as the free version of The Secret World, Secret World Legends boasts some of the most comprehensive storylines for an MMO in the market. Unlike other heavy sci-fi or heavy fantasy MMOs, Secret World Legends taps into the modern supernatural genre. In its story, players get swept in a clandestine war between the world’s protectors and denizens of the “secret world” - creatures and factions hell-bent on bringing armageddon to civilization.

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While the game provides extensive freedom to customize characters, where Secret World Legends truly shines is its narrative. Quests in Secret World Legends almost always have standalone stories to share. And while a lot of the MMO’s quests rely on combat, an extensive amount of quests also revolve around immersive investigation and exploration. Players looking for an extremely immersive MMO will appreciate Secret World Legends and its heavy emphasis on how players affect the game’s setting.

12 EVE Online

A space fight in EVE Online

While others can argue about how “deep” EVE Online quests go, one can’t deny the MMO’s talent in immersing players. Players new to EVE Online can feel overwhelmed with the many things they could do at first. After all, they can decide to make business through trading, engage in combat as bounty hunters, or enjoy exploring the game’s vast cosmos.

However, where EVE Online shines is its ability to extend its stories to real-life drama. After all, various guilds and clans in EVE Online have achieved worldwide acclaim that even PVP wars can get international coverage. Aside from the game’s rather realistic take on the sandbox nature of space exploration, players will appreciate how immersive clan-based drama could get.

11 Black Desert Online

A group of characters in Black Desert Online

MMO players who have heard of Black Desert Online will immediately remember its robust character customization system. After all, seeing extensively customized characters doing martial arts combat will always remain a sight to remember for players. However, Black Desert Online also contains a deep story revealed in quests and hidden throughout the background.

While players had a hard time digesting its initial story, Black Desert Online begins with the destruction of the powerful Elision Stone en route to the trading city of Goma Naru. The game then promptly begins with the player’s character apparently having lost their memory. For newcomers, the amnesia route can become a decent way to slowly digest both the game’s story and background details without feeling forced.

10 ArcheAge

ArcheAge
  • Platforms: Microsoft Windows
  • Get It Here: Trion

ArcheAge is a bit dated at this point, but people continue to play because they so are invested in the game's fantastic lore. Initially released in Korea and a year later in North America and Europe, this acclaimed game's story revolves around a classic power struggle between good and evil.

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And given that it's adapted from a book entitled The ArcheAge Chronicles (by Jeon Min-hee), prospective players are most certainly in for a narrative treat. Just don't let the game's age throw you off!

9 Guild Wars 2

guild wars 2 future
  • Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Classic Mac OS, macOS
  • Get It Here: Buy the Game

Guild Wars 2 is a game with phenomenal storytelling, picking up 250 years after the events of the Eye of the North expansion for the original Guild Wars. Each Guild Wars 2 character plays through a "personal story" that eventually merges with those of other players in a confrontation with a terrifying Elder Dragon — but it doesn't end there.

Through its "Living World" seasons, players can continue to pursue fresh narrative content. Needless to say, MMO players get a lot of value out of this, not to mention tons of wonderful storytelling to experience.

8 Skyforge

Skyforge story

Skyforge rides an interesting middle ground between science-fiction and fantasy, blending the best of both genres to fashion a unique and intriguing setting. In Skyforge, players are thrust into the role of an immortal hero defending their planet from hostile forces. The New Horizons update added a considerable amount of new story content, adding to the longevity of Skyforge.

While not the most celebrated massively multiplayer online role-playing game, it is free-to-play, so players can experience this narrative without spending a dime. There is some pay-to-play content, but the majority can be accessed without spending money.

7 Star Trek Online

star trek online promotional

In the year 2049, the Federation and the Klingon Empire are in the midst of an ongoing battle. To provide some background, this is a game set approximately thirty years after Star Trek Nemesis' events, the tenth film in the Star Trek movie series.

One doesn't have to be a Trekkie to appreciate the story of Star Trek Online. This massively multiplayer online role-playing game has a story that deals with conflict and power struggles told through episodic missions. Not every mission ties into the overarching plot, but they are intriguing nonetheless.

6 Final Fantasy 14

  • Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, PS3, PS4, PS5
  • Get It Here: PC, PSN

There are several major story arcs contained in Final Fantasy 14. This massively multiplayer online role-playing game proves relevant because of its intriguing storylines that never cease to surprise. The game takes place in a fictional land known as Eorzea, which exists in the fictional world Hydaelyn.

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Expansions like Stormblood, Heavensward, and Shadowbringers add depth to the story in many ways. Although the game was dubbed a failure at launch, a turnaround made this into a masterpiece.

5 Neverwinter

Neverwinter MMO

This massively multiplayer online role-playing game is an independent, standalone title. It's a game that delivers a story themed after previous Neverwinter Nights games. Neverwinter's main antagonist is Valindra Shadowmantle — once a moon elf, and now a fearsome Lich queen leading an attack on Neverwinter itself.

Neverwinter differs from games from the same genre since it's very story intensive. You won't find zones with crowds of people, but you will be drawn in by its story-based gameplay.

4 The Lord Of The Rings Online

Lord of the Rings Online - characters riding on horseback through water

How could any game set in the The Lord of the Rings universe not cater to players who love a good story? Featuring classic and familiar characters like Aragorn, Gandalf, and Frodo, the story of The Lord Of The Rings Online gets convoluted as you delve deeper into it, yet it's part of an adventure that's worth experiencing. The Epic Story (the main storyline) is formatted as a series of books made up of chapters. New books were added in later updates, further expanding what was already one of the longest and most well-developed stories in the genre's history.

3 Star Wars: The Old Republic

Star Wars: The Old Republic

Star Wars: The Old Republic's immersive storytelling is made up of chapters, and it's arguably the game's best feature. BioWare and the now-defunct LucasArts put together one of the most expansive massively multiplayer online role-playing games in history here. With a budget of over $200 million, no expense was spared. As a fun note, classic RPG fans will be thrilled to know that the game contains dialogue choices for each conversation. It was an ambitious project, but ultimately, the end result was worth it.

2 The Elder Scrolls Online

fighting a sabretooth tiger

Many would indeed argue that The Elder Scrolls Online has the best storytelling seen in a massively multiplayer online role-playing game. The main questlines are epic enough, but even the side quests generally feature engrossing dialogue with well designed and fleshed-out characters, quite reminiscent of the franchise's traditional mainline games. The Elder Scrolls had a smooth transition to online, to say the least of it.

1 World Of Warcraft

lich king arthas
  • Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS
  • Get It Here: BattleNet

Could it have been any other MMO? Some of the later expansions like Mists of Pandaria and Cataclysm may not have received the same acclaim as some previous expansions, but World of Warcraft undeniably features some of the most deep-reaching story and lore to be found in the gaming industry. It can't be forgotten that The Lich King and Illidan are among the greatest video game villains of all time. Blizzard has invested literal decades building out Warcraft lore, and it shows.

Come to World of Warcraft for the grind but stay for the story — the fine balance between well-crafted gameplay and a stunningly detailed setting is why millions are still invested in this game, despite it having released way back in 2004.

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