Number 3: Ultima Online
For everyone, the top three on this list could probably switch spots. Heck, the whole top 10 could be a toss up for most. But there’s no denying that Ultima Online is one of two absolutely seminal games in the foundation of MMORPG as a genre. Perhaps most importantly, UO is the ideal of what a fantasy world could be - driven by players, built by players, with stories created by them as they played. The future of the MMO industry would have been a lot different if a certain Irvine-based studio had decided to make their game a little more open ended. Still, UO remains the epitome of what a remarkable sandbox MMORPG can be.
Number 2: EverQuest
If it weren’t for number one on this list, EverQuest would proudly sit atop the throne of Greatest MMO of all time. If it weren’t for EQ, none of what you’re reading on this site would be here. You wouldn’t have so many other games on this list. Nearly 20 years old, EQ is not the game it once was, but it still reminds us all why we love MMOs in the first place: adventure, camaraderie, and storytelling.
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Number 1: World of Warcraft
For better or worse, the entire industry of videogames changed after World of Warcraft launched. The genre chased its success, online gaming became more prevalent, and after November of 2004, every MMO was compared to WoW whether it liked it or not. Even after 13 years, it’s still the biggest MMORPG on the market. Its size alone would be enough to give it number 1 on this list, but its lasting influence on culture, society, and the entire gaming world is what makes World of Warcraft still wow us after all these years.
