Heading into 2024, we knew of a couple of heavy hitter MMOs coming out with their next expansions. From Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail this summer, to World of Warcraft launching two expansions, one for each Classic and Retail, the year was already looking pretty meaty for MMO fans.
Yet this month alone we've seen even more MMOs announce their roadmap for 2024, which include even more expansions to release. This isn't necessarily new, perse, but given the fact that so many have already announced the news so fans can start to speculate, it got me wondering which one I think I'm looking forward to the most.
As someone who really doesn't play World of Warcraft anymore (sorry, I just could not get through Shadowlands), The War Within is intriguing, but ultimately, it's not what I'm looking forward to most. While I'm definitely interested in checking it out when it launches later this year, especially since Blizzard has finally deigned to address the giant sword in the planet, I'm curious where Metzen and team are taking things.
Admittedly, if there is a WoW expansion I'm looking forward to more, it's arguably Cataclysm Classic. As someone who never experienced the original Cataclysm as it happened (I was too busy frolicking in Middle-earth), I'm definitely feeling a pull to be there when it happens again this year. I know for many the expansion is controversial, but hearing the stories from friends who witnessed it in person and took part in the story that changed the world (of Warcraft), I want to see what all the fuss was about.
Dawntrail looks exciting, but I'm so far behind in Final Fantasy XIV that I'm partly afraid I won't be done with Endwalker by the time Summer begins. While we don't have an exact date on Dawntrail, if it's anywhere towards the beginning of June or even July, there is a chance I'll still be tangling with the conclusion of the Hydaelyn and Zodiark saga by the time players make their way to Tural. But, out of the two major heavy-hitting MMOs, this is probably the one I'm looking forward to most, especially as my daughter and partner have expressed some interest in playing with me. Exploring Tural could become a family affair for me, which is exciting.
With EverQuest and EverQuest 2 aiming to launch an expansion each this year, while we know that The Lord of the Rings Online is also planning one that sounds like a continuation of Corsairs of Umbar, there is plenty to look forward to. Black Desert Online is releasing an expansion following up its acclaimed Land of the Morning Light with its Seoul addition this summer, while EVE Online is aiming to once again launch two whole expansions this year to follow up last year's Viridian and Havoc.
And we cannot forget about this year's Chapter in The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road, which takes players to Skingrad and the West Weald for the first time since The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.
I cannot wait to see what other MMOs decide to join the party - but even from here the plate already looks mighty full for MMO fans.
What are you most excited about this year? Which Expansion are you eager to try on day one? Let us know in the comments.
