There is an opinion that MMORPG is not a genre for consoles. Indeed, there are many more such projects on PCs, starting with pass-through ports from mobile phones and ending with popular projects with a long history. However, recently more and more massively multiplayer role-playing games are being released on PlayStation and Xbox.
In this TOP, we have collected for you the 10 best MMORPGs that you can play on consoles in 2024 or later. Most of them are completely new, but there are also some that will still be relevant thanks to major updates.
Into the Echo
We’ll start with a dark horse called Into the Echo. This project was announced in 2021, and since then the developers have periodically conducted tests, albeit under NDA. The game may not release in 2024, but new milestones have already been confirmed.
Into the Echo is a fantasy MMORPG with a time travel concept, developed in Unreal Engine 5. The action takes place on the planet Raava with unique tribes, cultures, languages, flora and fauna. Events that happened in the past changed the inhabitants and gave them the power to travel through time to mysterious events, gradually revealing the rich history of the planet.
However, the developers promise to please players not only with lore, but also with content. Into the Echo will feature a variety of activities for PvP and PvE with various tasks, the completion of which will allow you to receive a reward for the entire faction, group, or yourself. Features such as crafting, puzzles and different modes are also announced.
Bitcraft
If you’re tired of the same type of MMORPG and want something more relaxed, then Bitcraft can be an excellent alternative. The project is somewhat reminiscent of Palia with its concept of a peaceful MMO, in which there is no place for battles.
In BitCraft, players will begin their journey in a nearly untouched wilderness with mysterious remnants of an earlier civilization. Alone or together with other adventurers, they will have to build a new prosperous civilization through construction, hunting, crafting, farming, trading and research. The developers promise unprecedented freedom and long-term character development that allows players to create their own stories and shape the world.
As with Into the Echo, BitCraft is being put through a series of tests. If the release does not take place, then we will at least be able to play the alpha version.
Perfect New World
An interesting fact: Perfect New World was originally developed as a console MMORPG, and the release was supposed to take place primarily only on PlayStation and Xbox, followed by a port for PC. Although the authors abandoned this idea, it is not difficult not to notice that the “console roots” still remain.
Perfect New World is an oriental fantasy MMORPG with a large open world. Players will be able to team up with each other and explore the secrets scattered throughout the world, helping its inhabitants solve their problems, capturing spirit beasts, passing dangerous dungeons and defeating monsters. PvP will also appear in the game.
At the time of writing, there are four known classes, each of which has a unique talent system: Berserker, Mysticsword, Galeblade and Dragonspear. However, they promise to add even more in the future. A wide selection of skills and a wide variety of combos will give players the opportunity not to limit themselves in battle and develop their own fighting style. Unfortunately, the first tests revealed several serious problems with the game, so we hope that they will be fixed by release.
Black Desert
Black Desert made it into our top for two reasons. Firstly, it is still one of the most popular MMORPGs that is regularly supported by new content. Secondly, in 2024 the developers are going to release a native version for current generation consoles. Let us remind you that the game is currently backwards compatible.
Even though Black Desert was released almost 10 years ago, the game still looks great. Pearl Abyss does not abandon the project and often releases updates with new classes, locations, bosses, etc., and also holds events. The developers have also prepared a lot of new things for 2024.
It is worth noting that, unlike the PC version for Russia, on consoles Black Desert is a paid MMORPG. Therefore, to access you must purchase the full version. Cross-platform multiplayer is only supported between PlayStation and Xbox, which means you won’t be able to play with PC players.
Blue Protocol
The hype around Blue Protocol has long passed, but the game can still take its rightful place on users’ consoles. The Japanese version was released back in June 2023 on PC, and the Western version is expected to be released in 2024, including on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S consoles.
Blue Protocol is a PvE-oriented MMORPG in the anime style, developed on the Unreal Engine 4. In the story, players will have to join forces to save their native and once prosperous world of Ragnus from destruction. The project boasts an advanced artificial intelligence system, thanks to which monsters and bosses intelligently attack healers or characters with low HP. The developers also implemented a non-target combat system, rich customization settings and an interesting plot.
In its homeland, Blue Protocol is praised for its beautiful graphics, dynamic combat system and interesting plot. However, the main criticism was the small amount of content, due to which the game quickly becomes boring. However, by the time we go global, we will probably get a more complete version.
The Elder Scrolls Online
The Elder Scrolls Online receives major expansions every year, adding dozens of hours worth of quests and other content. For example, the latest chapter, Necrom, introduced a new class called Rune Master, and the previous chapter, Black Forest, allowed players to perform activities with AI-controlled companions. In 2024, we can expect the release of another expansion, which has not yet been announced at the time of writing.
You can play The Elder Scrolls Online on both current and previous generation consoles. Of course, you can get the best experience on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, since there the game can run at a stable 60 FPS and with fast loading times. Cross-platform multiplayer is only available between generations: PS4+PS5 or X1+XS.
The Elder Scrolls Online is perfect for those who value story above all else. The developers did a good job on the quests, including side quests. The latter often have several paths to follow and are fully voiced. However, there is also enough online content in the game: from dungeons to PvP activities.
Chrono Odyssey
This is the second game in our TOP, the plot of which is related to time travel, called Chrono Odyssey. If no postponements happen, the release will take place in the second half of 2024, including on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. It is noteworthy that the game was originally planned to be released on mobile devices, but this idea, fortunately, was abandoned.
Chrono Odyssey is an open-world fantasy MMORPG produced by Chrono Studio, the in-house studio of NPIXEL, best known for Gran Saga. Unreal Engine 4 was used as the engine in the early stages of development, and soon the authors switched to the fifth version.
The developers promise an exciting combat system that requires unpredictability and control. Players will need to master the basics of attack, defense and evasion, as well as switch between multiple weapons in real time. An advanced character editor is also announced, allowing you to customize the appearance in detail. The key feature of the game is the presence of the so-called chronotector, which allows you to bend space-time and manipulate.
Throne and Liberty
Throne and Liberty is worth paying attention to, if only because there are no MMORPGs reminiscent of Lineage on consoles. Therefore, the new project from NCSOFT will be almost the only option for line workers to play something even remotely similar on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S platforms. The global release will take place in 2024.
Even before its release, Throne and Liberty had changed several times. Auto-combat was removed from the game, characters were allowed to move while using skills, and there was more PvE content. In general, we are pleased that the developers are listening to feedback and at least trying to change the points that testers especially did not like. Therefore, if the Koreans do everything right, then the game has every chance of success.
Throne and Liberty features a large open world in which you can travel while transforming into animals. The game features a variety of activities, including large-scale sieges, boss raids, classic dungeons, and random map events. In addition, the developers did a good job on the plot and lore of the game, so we can expect beautiful videos, charismatic characters and interesting stories. Although the project will obviously be more popular on PC, the console version will certainly find its player.
Final Fantasy XIV
Final Fantasy XIV stands out in our TOP at least because it is one of the few MMORPGs that have been distributed through a subscription model for a long time and, in general, are doing well. However, if you are a complete beginner, then the developers allow you to try out all the content of A Realm Reborn and two add-ons that will give you hundreds of hours of gameplay. After this, if you like the game, you can purchase the full version and pay for a subscription.
In 2024, we’ll see a major expansion for Final Fantasy XIV called Dawntrail. In anime parlance, this will be a kind of “beach episode” in which the characters will take a break from the events of past stories that have unfolded over several years. A new plot, a new class, new locations, new dungeons and much, much more will be added to the game. So players will have something to do.
I would especially like to praise the console version. It would seem that adapting WoW-like gameplay to gamepads is very difficult, but the developers really succeeded – it is played on a gamepad no worse than with a keyboard mouse. Moreover, support for Dualsence features on PS5 has been added, and loading speeds are even faster than on PC. The only drawback is that the console version cannot be installed with a crack, which is actively being developed by fans.
By the way, in 2024, Final Fantasy XIV will also be available on Xbox Series X|S, so fans of Microsoft consoles will finally be able to play one of the best MMORPGs.
ArcheAge 2
Information about ArcheAge 2, which appeared in the financial report for the third quarter of 2023 from Kakao Games, greatly angered fans of the original game, but pleased console players. The fact is that the developers, apparently, are guided by the latter when developing the sequel. The studio abandoned large-scale factional PvP battles in order to concentrate on single-player content. This was done for the sake of Western players, who, according to a representative of Kakao Games, are accustomed to dynamic single-player console games. It is reported that this approach will allow you to enjoy a dynamic non-target combat system.
However, this does not mean that the game is completely devoid of interaction between players. The authors tried to implement a wide range of content for small groups of players and guilds. For example, special dungeons and a reworked trading system will be part of these multiplayer activities.
ArcheAge 2 is being developed on Unreal Engine 5 and will offer stunning graphics that can be seen in the gameplay trailer. Chung Minhee, who is the screenwriter of the first part, is responsible for the plot. The game will take place some time after the events of the original, when people began to move to the huge Primary Continent of Auroria. If previously the story led the player by the hand, now he will be able to choose in what order to go through individual storylines.
ArcheAge 2 will be in closed beta testing in 2024, allowing players to experience the game for the first time. The release should take place this year, if early information is to be believed, but we do not rule out a postponement to a later date. If you prefer to play on consoles, then it’s definitely worth the wait.
This concludes our TOP 10 console MMORPGs of 2024. Share your opinion about the projects presented in the article in the comments and tell us what exactly you play on consoles.