Best MMOs on the Xbox Series X/S

Key Takeaways

• The Xbox Series X/S offers a variety of engaging MMOs, catering to different preferences and play styles.
• Recommended MMOs on Xbox Series X/S include Fallout 76, Destiny 2, and Warframe for unique experiences.
• The Elder Scrolls Online is considered the best MMO on Xbox Series X/S, providing vast world-building and captivating quests.

MMOs have a niche audience, and that’s even more true for console MMO releases; however, the Xbox Series X/S has a multitude of MMOs available for players to try. Ranging from classic high fantasy MMORPGs, to relaxing creature-collecting MMOs, there is something available for everyone.

Sometimes, players just want to boot up an MMO, grind out some training, and relax, and these games provide the ultimate opportunities for gamers to do so on the Xbox Series X/S. These titles prove that the genre isn’t just restricted to the PC and that there are plenty of great MMOs available for console gamers.

(Updated by Rhenn Taquiam on November 25, 2024): With November 2024 for Xbox owners arriving with new personalization options such as gamerpics from screenshots and achievements as well as being able to directly join Discord voice channels, owners of the console have a lot more to play with as they enjoy their sessions with friends. However, these new features also become the perfect companion for MMOs that owners of Xbox Series X/S can play with others — especially Discord calls functionality that may allow them to directly communicate with allies online during raids and multiplayer content. Some MMOs for the Xbox Series X/S that players should consider paying closer attention to include a semi-remake of Amazon’s MMO and a post-apocalyptic looter-shooter featuring different characters.

14 The First Descendant

A Decent Looter Shotter Bogged Down By Grinding

Set in the world of Ingris devastated by invasions from the alien Vulgus and Colossi race, it’s only thanks to a renegade Vulgus faction called the Magisters that remnants of humanity survived in The First Descendant. The eponymous characters of the game are Descendants, or beings whose dormant Arche gene were activated to force their evolution. Armed with advanced weapons and unique abilities, players can use different Descendants and their different playstyles to wreak havoc on the battlefield in different ways.

The game isn’t necessarily without its flaws, especially for fans of looter shooters who might notice The First Descendant being too grindy for its own good. Despite boasting a selection of interesting enemies and massive boss fights, the abundance of repetitive quests and rather grindy opponents can ruin the fun of the game. Thankfully, First Descendant does boast an equally diverse cast of characters with unique abilities to make sure shooting enemies can be done in a ton of different ways, giving the genre a much-needed change of pace.

13 New World: Aeternum

A More Refined Version Of New World

Although New World: Aeternum at first glance seemed like a conversion of the original New World game into an action RPG-esque equivalent upon its release for the Xbox Series X/S, fans and newcomers to the franchise will be graced with a retooled MMO that is as welcoming to hardcore players as it is to newcomers. The game retains its original premise — that of explorers in the Mid-17th Century fight for control in the mysterious land of Aeternum — this time with a better focus on the solo and co-op experience, streamlined mechanics for controllers, as well as cutscenes that have done a great deal in helping players immerse in this fantastical take on the Age of Colonization.

Gameplay-wise, New World: Aeternum packs all patches and updates to the original package and releases it to consoles with new content. This means players can still enjoy the game’s noteworthy weapon-based combat, where players learn skills and mechanics based on the weapons they create and not necessarily on a “class” they pick. Streamlined controls for consoles alongside a new lock-on feature meant more solid connecting hits for melee users and more tactical prowess for ranged combatants. Moreover, the game retains its rewarding Crafting System, where most of the game’s best items and tools are often made instead of looted.

12 TERA

A Traditional MMO That Features Third-Person Targeting

Released originally in 2011, TERA is notable for integrating the traditional MMO experience of questing, grinding, and PVP with real-time third-person targeting. Set in a world besieged by the metallic Argons of the Underworld, players become members of the Valkyrion Federation to stop their threat. While the PC servers were shut down in 2022, the console versions that were released in 2020 remain functional today.

Despite its age, TERA‘s focus on more rhythmic and methodical skill rotations per class can be a nostalgic refresh compared to today’s more hyperintensive MMOs. However, TERA does suffer from MMO hurdles, such as gritty encounters and applying a skill-intensive system to a real-time targeting system. Regardless, it remains a must-try for Xbox players who want a challenging classic MMO experience.

11 Final Fantasy 14

Allows Players To Become Warriors Of Light On A Far-Reaching Journey

The much-awaited Xbox release of Final Fantasy 14 finally happened in March 2024, bringing with it A Realm Reborn and the entirety of the MMO’s current releases. Set in Eorzea, players take on the role of the Warrior of Light destined to save the world from various threats. Gameplay involves players leveling up a selected Job with unique abilities sprawled across a traditional MMO-based skill rotation system, and FF14 is especially praised for an intuitive controller-supported interface.

Fans who want a “definitive” MMO experience on the Xbox would appreciate the in-depth story, raiding culture, and community-driven elements of FF14. Its interface can be especially thrilling for players who want the same PC-esque complexity of an MMO while using a controller, as the game’s Cross Hotbar allows players to seamlessly transition between commands by simply holding the shoulder button and a corresponding D-pad or face button.

10 Fallout 76

Survive A Nuclear Apocalypse With Other Gamers

Although launching with a rocky start, which seems to be a reoccurring theme for MMOs, Fallout 76 has found its identity and now proves to be an unmissable game for Fallout fans. When it launched back in 2018, it was devoid of life (or actual gameplay for that matter), but Bethesda has fixed a lot of the issues, and it’s now well worth playing.

It’s hard to imagine that the game actually released with no human NPCs, but thankfully, they were added in a later update, and there are dozens of entertaining quests for players to tackle, not to mention a huge post-apocalyptic open world to explore. It’s not the best MMO, and some of the features are still yet to be fixed, but it will provide an engaging experience for any post-apocalypse fan.

9 Destiny 2

Save The Solar System From The Darkness With Friends

For many console gamers, Destiny 2 and its first entry have been the first experiences of playing an MMO, which speaks volumes to its legacy and outreach. An incredibly popular series, Destiny 2 features some captivating gunplay and combat, as well as a decent story and world for players to explore and immerse themselves in. While there is some debate within the community about whether Destiny 2 can be considered an MMO, it is listed as such both on Steam and by Bungie itself.

There’s something super satisfying about searching for the best gear and loot and finally obtaining the best weapons, mods, and armor in the game. It provides a great feeling when players discover the best tiered gear in the game, or when they’re finally able to craft specific upgrades or mods that they’ve been working towards. The raids are excellent, and they provides a great sense of teamwork with other players, which is an important feature often neglected in other MMOs.

8 Temtem

A Unique Take On The Creature Collector

Newcomers take a familiar first step in the world of Temtem by leaving the town of Zadar and embarking on an adventure in the Airborne Archipelago – a premise all too familiar to Pokemon aficionados. However, the breathtaking vibrance of the game’s anime-esque mixed-genre environments is a feast for the eyes – especially for players looking for an MMO beyond the traditional hard fantasy or hard sci-fi experience.

Combat-wise, Temtem matches are fought in teams of two. A player’s roster can either buff each other with skills or use synergies to endow attacks with special effects based on their elements. Instead of skills having a set amount like in Pokemon, abilities in Temtem cost Stamina to use – and while Stamina regenerates every round, Temtem without Stamina can trade their Health to pull off attacks at the risk of being knocked out. This new take on turn-based creature mechanics can make Temtem an intriguing game for gamers looking for a Pokemon alternative.

7 Warframe

Provides Players With In High-Octane Space Ninja Battles

Warframe is a slick sci-fi MMO that’s been going for quite a few years now. Players take control of a race called the Tenno, who are effectively space ninjas, and can hop, skip, jump, slide, and slash their way through anything. It’s a fast-paced, action-oriented combat MMO with various levels, storylines, and quests.

Warframe has often been overlooked by many due to its different approach and complicated premise, but it’s a unique game that has had a lot of heart put into it. The developers have frequently supported and updated the game, and the vast majority of content is free for all to consume. It’s now got over 50 million players worldwide and has become one of Digital Extreme’s most successful titles.

6 Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis

A More Action-Packed Phantasy Star Game

Here’s an MMO that was developed and published by Sega in Japan in 2012 and has only been available to Western gamers since 2020, receiving a major update titled “New Genesis” in 2021, which is sort of a separate game but not really. Yeah, it’s complicated. But the baseline is that it’s an anime-style sci-fi MMO with some gorgeous environments, and it features some awesome, captivating action gameplay.

It’s not a title that will be for everyone, but for fans of anime and JRPGs, and, of course, MMOs, this is one worth trying, if only out of curiosity. It’s quite a hard premise to explain, but it’s a classic JRPG (the stakes are high). Essentially, it provides an end of the world kind of feeling, and gamers should play it just to experience what it’s like.

5 DC Universe Online

Become Heroes With The Justice League

DC Universe Online is probably the best superhero MMO ever made, and it’s still pretty great to this day despite releasing back in 2011. It’s an essential game for any superhero fans (especially DC fans), as players get to create their own superhero character and can interact with all-time favorites like Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman.

It’s kind of a comic fan’s dream summarized in a video game, as players get to become official members of the Justice League to fight super-villains and stop crime. There’s not really any MMO quite like it, and despite having a relatively niche audience, it’s a great game with an awesome setting and some good combat.

4 Star Trek Online

Everyone Can Boldly Go Where No One Has Gone Before

It was never going to be long before there was an MMO created in the Star Trek universe. Star Trek Online was released in 2010 and is a great MMO for Star Trek or any sci-fi fans in general. It’s a special experience for all the Trekkers out there, but it’s also quite a deep MMO that has built a very strong and dedicated fanbase.

It’s set about 30 years after the events of Star Trek: Nemesis and follows players as they take command of their own fleets and become captains of a ship. Featuring space combat, light speed, and beaming, this game is all a Star Trek fan could ask for, and it pulls the premise off extremely well.

3 Neverwinter

A More Action-Packed D&D Experience

Neverwinter, the largest city in the Forgotten Realms of the Dungeons and Dragons universe, also happens to be the title of this incredible high fantasy MMORPG. There’s a lot to be explored and enjoyed in Neverwinter – it’s a massive game, and it’s been specifically curated for Dungeons and Dragons fans, based on a modified version of the 4th edition rules.

But even for players who have never taken part in a Dungeons and Dragons campaign, Neverwinter is a great fantasy MMORPG with a huge world to explore and lots of lore to digest. If players want to get lost in a long-running fantasy MMORPG, then this is the one to pick.

2 Black Desert Online

A Fast-Paced Martial Arts MMO

One of the most popular free-to-play MMORPGs out there at the moment, Black Desert Online is surprisingly great, and it’s one of the best available on the Xbox Series X/S. Featuring frequent updates and support from the developers, there is something new to do in Black Desert Online every single day.

Featuring some great combat and unique monster designs, Black Desert Online is just a fun experience, and it captures the feeling of a large open-world multiplayer game perfectly. There are lots of skills to master, and the combat is surprisingly deep and tricky to master, despite seeming simple at first. The visuals are stunning, and the animations are so, so fluid – it’s possibly the MMO that allows players to have the most fun.

Explore The Iconic Tamriel With Friends

Of course, the best MMO available for the Xbox Series X/S is also the largest. The Elder Scrolls Online has slowly improved itself over time to become a truly unmissable MMORPG. It wasn’t received well by fans or critics at first when it was initially released in 2014, but the updates and continued support have made it one of the best games out there.

It’s set in the world of Tamriel, the setting for all Elder Scrolls games, and allows players to engage in some fascinating and well-designed quests. The characters are great, the setting is awesome, and there is just so much to do. It’s a classic MMORPG experience, and it’s the best available for the Xbox Series X/S.