MMOs you should be playing in 2026

The MMO scene is on fire with tons of upcoming titles coming soon, and players will have the chance to dive into some of the most anticipated online games, including RPGs, action-adventure, and martial arts RPGs. Some of them have already launched their Early-Access and others will give access to a select number of testers, although all are expected to arrive sometime around this year.

If you're an MMO fan looking for something to play in 2026, then you can't miss this list. It includes some of the most anticipated titles coming soon, with information on approximate release dates, mechanics, early access titles, and alpha tests.

8

Throne and Freedom

More content will be available in 2026

2026 will be a great year Throne and Freedom as this MMO will add a few things to its already packed repertoire. Starting Q1 2026 with Tower of Temptation (another PvE Dungeon) with lots of interesting rewards and challenges. Plus balance changes for builds, weapons and PvP.

Plus, Server vs. PvP server war events are coming in early 2026 (according to the roadmap provided by the developers) that will turn the designated server into PvP on a scale never before seen in an MMO (which will probably be great). The game will also release another new Raid later this year, so fingers crossed there will be Throne and Freedom long.

7

Ashes of creation

Where old school RPGs and new MMO tricks come together brilliantly

Ashes of creation is one of the most anticipated titles in the MMO world, and even though it's still in Early Access, it's quickly rising in popularity and player base. With a community-driven in-game economy and a progression system that combines classic RPG elements with modern MMO PvEvP tricks, this title shows real potential even in its immature stage.

Plus with 8 classes to choose from and multi-class system allowing players to combine and create them 64 unique subclassesthis game is among the best of the best in terms of buildcraft. Ashes of Creation may have a steep learning curve and a hardcore crafting system, but that's what makes it even more rewarding when players start learning how to play.

6

Where the winds meet

Breathtaking Wuxia Adventure MMO

Global release for Where the winds meet (WWM) was massive, not only because of its stability, but also because of its breathtaking next-gen graphics and connection a spectacular wuxia fight, incredible animationsand challenge enemies. WWM is a huge game with lots of incredible adventures and a classic story of love, loss and revenge.

With plenty of martial arts and weapons to try out, it continues to attract players despite its gacha-like in-game economy. But most of the microtransactions are dedicated to cosmetics and some fast-paying items. The rest can be easily polished with the many PvE activities in the game.

5

Chrono Odyssey

One of this year's Heavy Hitters

Created by Cocoa gamesthis fusion of Dark Fantasy and classic Eastern MMO sets the bar high for everything that launches later this year. It is expected to launch during the second half of 2026, so players will have to wait a little longer to test it.

The playtest took place in the second half of 2025 and left a lot of positive feedback from those who could afford to participate. With realistic combat and incredible graphics, Chrono Odyssey is must be on every MMO fan's wishlist.

4

Cinder City

If The Division And Ghost In The Shell Had A Love Child

Developed by BigFire Games and published by NCSoft, Cinder City is a strange game that looks like a merger Tom Clancy's: Division, Resident Eviland Ghost in the Shell: A standalone complex. Featuring next-gen graphics, the game's trailer shows off plenty of explosions that would make Michael Bay blush.

But above all it looks like an interesting proposition, a cyberpunk MMO set in a dystopian future with a zombie outbreak in the mix could work really well. It is expected to be released sometime during 2026, at an unconfirmed date.

3

Chronicle of ArcheAge

Extreme graphics and lots of action

Chronicles of ArcheAge is a Fantasy MMO developed by XLGAMES and published by Kakao Games. It looks like impressive in terms of graphicsand the settings are similar to games New world and Elden Ring: Nightreign.

Fans of the MMO genre will get a chance to test it out really soon, as it's a game that's been confirmed for release sometime in late summer 2026.

2

Fractured Online

Had a Stepback but is ready to go for the next one

• Developer: Happy Cauldron Games

• Type: ARPG MMO – Community Driven Economy/ Seamless Open-World

• Platforms: PC (standalone launcher)

• Release window: late February/early March 2026 (relaunch)

Fractured Online is an indie project born out of a love for classic MMOs like Ultima and ARPGs like the Diablo series, so their influence is notorious in its gameplay. It had the first Alpha Access phase, during which the community-driven world really flourished.

But the merger player-driven economy with PvPvE it's not easy in a seamless open world, so the developers had to take a step back and think a little before its relaunch, which is planned soon (between February and March 2026). All in all, it's a great game with an interesting economy and settlement system and clan-administered kingdoms and citiesso heavy on PvP content.

1

Soulframe

One of the most anticipated titles of the year

Soulframe is a highly anticipated Fantasy MMO developed by the creators of the game War frame with a level of detail and mysterious gameplay that combines sword, sorcery and shooting. With its Preludes closed-alpha still ongoing (as of July 2025) and invitations rolling in, the game is slowly but steadily growing.

So it's no surprise that rumors of an early 2026 release are spreading like wildfire. But since Digital Extremes has neither confirmed nor denied a potential launch for this year, those eager to try out this amazing-looking game should cross their fingers and wait.