The massively multiplayer online role-playing game, or MMORPG genre, is dominated by a couple of big games. World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy XIV, Tera, and a few others are the games that most fans of the genre tend to sink their teeth into.
But the popularity of those games doesn't stop developers from attempting to create new games in the genre. While it's not quite like the gold rush when Everquest and World of Warcraft first took off, the genre is anything but dead.
Most gamers are thinking about the new Xbox and PlayStation 5 in 2020, but if you're a fan of MMORPGs, you needn't feel left out, because there are some very exciting games set to come out in the genre over the course of the next year.
1. Temtem
Release Date: Jan 21, 2020
Platform: PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One
Temtem is a little different from the traditional MMORPG in that it's not set in a fantasy setting. Instead, it's a create collection MMO inspired by games like Pokemon. For anyone who has ever played a Pokemon game and wished it had more internet features, this is the perfect game for you.
The game has a very interesting art style that definitely makes it stand out from the pack. The characters and creatures look distinct enough to make it not just feel like a Pokemon copycat, but it still definitely has the trappings fans of Pokemon expect.
2. New World
Release Date: May 2020
Platform: PC
Amazon is getting into the video game space in a big way with its upcoming New World MMORPG. In terms of setting, it looks a bit like what you expect from an MMO, but it appears to be veering off into some innovative directions that make it different from the pack.
One thing that makes it stand out is the lack of classes—players can play however they want. Amazon is promising 1000 player servers, which should create an action-packed game with lots of other players roaming around. Visually, it looks quite pretty, with high-end visuals that rival non-MMO games.
3. Phantasy Star Online 2
Release Date: Q2 2020
Platform: PC, Xbox One
Phantasy Star Online 2 isn't technically a new game, as it was released in Japan in 2012, but SEGA has finally announced that it's coming to North America. Because the game has had years of refinement and episodes in Japan, it should be quite a bit more solid and complete than most new MMORPG games.
As far as gameplay goes, PSO2 is far more action-orientated than most MMOs, which makes it stand out from the crowd. All combat is real-time and there's a full combo system that gives the gameplay quite a bit more depth than other games in the genre.
4. Starbase
Release Date: 2020
Platform: PC
Starbase is an MMO set in outer space, which already makes it different from most games in the genre. But what really makes it stand out is the look and feel of the game—it's all voxel-based. Using voxels opens up the game to a level of destructibility that isn't available in other MMOs.
Outside of the destructible environments, the game is all about building. Players will create space stations and ships. There's also a heavy emphasis on exploring, crafting, and trading. Of course, there's also combat to round out the gameplay. It sounds like a pretty well-rounded experience, and it's definitely an exciting game worth keeping on your radar.
5. Magic: Legends
Release Date: Beta in 2020; final date unknown
Platform: PC, Xbox One, and PS4
Not much is known about Magic: Legends, as the game was just announced recently. We do know it's based on the Magic: The Gathering universe and that it comes from the creators of Neverwinter. Both of those facts are enough to make us excited to play this game.
We'll have to wait and see how things shake out as Magic: Legends moves through development (and if it actually comes out in 2020, as a final release date isn't available yet), but it's definitely a game we can't wait to get our play.