World of Warcraft has changed a lot since its launch in 2004. It has become one of the most popular MMORPGs, receiving major critical and commercial success. Even after two decades, it still has millions of active players.
But while there are countless things gamers can do in WoW, there are several other games they can try that promise the same open-world adventure.
Path of Exile
Path of Exile is known as a "free-to-play RPG," but some players consider it an MMORPG. It functions like a traditional isometric RPG but incorporates trading and multiplayer features.
Released for Windows in October 2013, Xbox One in August 2017, and PlayStation 4 in March 2019, the game received generally favorable reviews. It was praised for its innovations, diverging from the typical action role-playing systems in titles like Diablo.
Path of Exile is set in a dark fantasy world where the government of Oriath exiles its citizens to the ruined continent of Wraeclast, home to ancient gods. Players take on the role of one of these exiles, tasked with finding their way back to Oriath and defeating the ancient gods and other evils along the journey.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Dragon Age: Inquisition is the third game in BioWare's Dragon Age franchise, one of the biggest IPs in the Western RPG genre. While the three titles are lauded for being good in their own rights, WoW fans like Inquisition best.
Why? The 2014 game features a more action-oriented battle system than its predecessors, and its fights have an MMO feel.
Inquisition follows the story of the main character of the same name as he journeys to settle the civil unrest in the continent of Thedas and to close a mysterious tear in the sky called the "Breach," which unleashes dangerous demons.
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Sure, World of Warcraft is far different from Star Wars: The Old Republic due to its sci-fi theme, but WoW fans may like its space fantasy motif, which contrasts with another high fantasy game.
There's no denying that The Old Republic has an intriguing story. It takes place in the Star Wars universe after the establishment of the so-called peace between the re-emergent Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic.
The Old Republic is believed to be Electronic Arts' most expensive video game to develop, although the figures are not officially disclosed.
Fable Trilogy
The Fable trilogy is a series of action role-playing video games developed by Lionhead Studios until its closure in 2016. While WoW and Fable have several differences, both allow players the freedom to shape their characters' journeys and dispositions. Fable gives players the option to embrace evil if they choose.
The fictional world of Albion initially resembles Medieval Britain, infused with some European elements. Players assume the role of a boy who is forced to become a hero when bandits attack his village, kill his father, and kidnap his sister.
Time progresses with each game. In Fable II, Albion has evolved to resemble the Age of Enlightenment. By the time of Fable III, it is unified under a monarchy and enters an "Age of Industry," akin to the real-world Industrial Revolution of the 18th to 19th centuries.
The Elder Scrolls Online
The Elder Scrolls Online is one of the biggest MMOs of the last decade, alongside WoW and Final Fantasy XIV.
Despite receiving mixed reviews at launch, its reception significantly improved after its re-release and rebranding as The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited. The game transitioned to a buy-to-play model with microtransactions and an optional subscription.
ESO is set on the continent of Tamriel and features a story indirectly connected to other games in the franchise. While it retains the combat and quests that players love, it offers a more relaxed and stress-free pace than its predecessors.
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