PC Games Like World of Warcraft

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Are you looking for games similar to World of Warcraft on PC? Here is our new selection of the best alternatives to the most famous MMORPG of all time. Discover how these PC games are similar to WOW with a list of their common features, and easily find the one that will offer you a comparable gaming experience.

The best PC games similar to World of Warcraft:

How are these games similar to WoW?

1. Final Fantasy XIV

Similarities with WoW:

• MMORPG in a persistent open world: Final Fantasy XIV takes place in a vast, persistent world where players embody characters from different races and classes.
• Customization and progression system: Players can enhance their skills and customize their characters.
• Real-time combat: The combat system occurs in real-time, with PVE (quests and raids) and PVP options.
• Subscription required: Like WoW, Final Fantasy XIV requires a subscription to play.

2. The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO)

Resemblances to WoW:

• MMORPG in an open world: ESO is set in an open, persistent world where players explore lore-rich territories.
• Customization and progression: ESO offers great freedom in character creation and progression through various skills and classes.
• Real-time combat and PVE/PVP modes: Real-time combat with both PVE (quests, dungeons) and PVP (faction battles).
• Regular expansions and optional subscription: Though optional, there is a premium subscription model that offers additional benefits.

3. Guild Wars 2

Common features with World of Warcraft:

• MMORPG in an open world: Guild Wars 2 features a persistent open world with dynamic events that enhance the gaming experience.
• Customization and progression: Offers a progression system and character customization, with a variety of classes.
• Real-time combat, PVE, and PVP: Real-time combat with PVE modes (quests, dungeons, raids) and PVP.
• No subscription required: Unlike WoW, Guild Wars 2 doesn’t require a subscription, although paid expansions are available.

4. Star Wars: The Old Republic (SWTOR)

Comparable aspects to WoW:

• MMORPG in a persistent universe: SWTOR is set in a vast persistent world where players embody characters from different classes and factions.
• Customization and progression: The game offers customization and progression with narrative arcs influenced by player choices.
• Real-time combat, PVE/PVP: Combat occurs in real-time, with PVE quests, raids, and PVP battles.
• Optional subscription: A premium subscription offers benefits, though the base game is free-to-play.

5. Black Desert Online (BDO)

Analogies with World of Warcraft:

• MMORPG in a persistent open world: BDO features a persistent world where players explore a rich, immersive environment.
• Customization and progression: BDO stands out for its detailed customization system, allowing players to create unique characters and progress through various activities.
• Real-time combat, PVE, and PVP: Dynamic, real-time combat with PVE content (quests, bosses) and large-scale PVP battles.
• No subscription required: Unlike WoW, BDO doesn’t require a subscription but offers in-game purchases to enhance the experience.

6. Rift

Similar traits to WoW:

• MMORPG in an open world: Rift is set in a persistent world where players fight off dimensional invasions.
• Customization and progression: Offers a flexible progression system with multiple souls, allowing various character specializations.
• Real-time combat, PVE, and PVP: Real-time combat with PVE dungeons, raids, and PVP battles.
• Optional subscription model: Free-to-play with an optional subscription for additional benefits, similar to WoW.

7. ArcheAge

Similarities with World of Warcraft:

• MMORPG in a persistent open world: ArcheAge features a rich, persistent world with sandbox elements where players can explore, trade, and build.
• Customization and progression: Wide range of skills and classes, allowing players to customize and advance their characters.
• Real-time combat, PVE, and PVP: Real-time combat includes naval battles, PVE dungeons, world bosses, and large-scale PVP.
• Free-to-play with optional subscription: ArcheAge offers free-to-play access with an optional subscription for extra benefits, similar to WoW.

8. Blade & Soul

Affinities with WoW:

• MMORPG in an open world: Blade & Soul is set in a persistent world inspired by Asian mythology, with players controlling characters from different classes.
• Customization and progression: Deep character customization with unique classes and a progression system focused on combat skills.
• Real-time combat, PVE, and PVP: Known for its dynamic combat system, with real-time battles in PVE modes (quests, dungeons) and PVP (arenas, open world).
• Free-to-play model: Unlike WoW, Blade & Soul is free-to-play with in-game purchases for cosmetic items or boosts.

9. Neverwinter

Shared elements with World of Warcraft:

• MMORPG in a persistent universe: Neverwinter is based on the Dungeons & Dragons universe, with a persistent world where players explore lore-rich areas and complete quests.
• Customization and progression: Players create characters by choosing from races and classes inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, with a progression system to improve skills.
• Real-time combat, PVE, and PVP: Dynamic combat with PVE quests, raids, and PVP arenas.
• Free-to-play model: Like many games on this list, Neverwinter is free-to-play with in-game purchases for additional items or advantages.

10. RuneScape

Connections to WoW:

• MMORPG in a persistent open world: RuneScape features a vast open world where players can explore freely, complete quests, and interact with others.
• Customization and progression: Flexible progression system with numerous skills to develop and customizable characters.
• Real-time combat, PVE, and PVP: Real-time combat with PVE (quests, dungeons) and PVP zones for player-vs-player battles.
• Optional subscription: RuneScape is free-to-play but offers a subscription for access to premium content and additional quests, similar to WoW.

11. New World

Resemblances to WoW:

• MMORPG in a persistent open world: New World offers a vast persistent world where players can explore wild territories, complete quests, and participate in large-scale events.
• Customization and progression: Players can customize their characters and choose from various weapons and skills, a system reminiscent of class development in World of Warcraft. Progression is achieved through quests and crafting, with a strong emphasis on strategic choices.
• Real-time combat, PVE, and PVP: Combat takes place in real-time, with a strong focus on PVP and fortress battles, similar to faction conflicts in WoW. It also features PVE expeditions (dungeons) and open-world quests.
• No subscription model: Unlike WoW, New World operates with a one-time purchase, without a mandatory subscription, but offers microtransactions for cosmetic items.

12. Albion Online

Similarities with WoW:

• MMORPG sandbox in an open world: Albion Online offers a persistent, sandbox world where players can explore, trade, and engage in massive battles.
• Customization and progression: Unlike WoW, Albion does not have fixed classes. Players progress based on the equipment they choose, allowing for unique customization.
• Real-time combat, PVE, and PVP: The game focuses on both PVE (dungeons, world bosses) and large-scale PVP battles in an open world.
• Free-to-play model: Albion Online is free-to-play with in-game purchases and subscription options for additional benefits, which differs from WoW‘s mandatory subscription.

13. Warframe

Similar traits to World of Warcraft (though very different in theme and style):

• Cooperative multiplayer in an open world: Although more focused on sci-fi and action, Warframe takes place in vast, cooperative environments where players complete missions together.
• Customization and progression: Players can customize their Warframes (armor with unique abilities) and upgrade their equipment, similar to character progression in WoW.
• Real-time combat, PVE, and PVP: Warframe focuses on PVE missions with dynamic and fast-paced real-time combat, but also offers PVP modes.
• Free-to-play: Unlike WoW, Warframe is free-to-play, with in-game purchases for cosmetic items and upgrades.

14. Path of Exile

Common features with WoW (mainly in terms of progression and community):

• Multiplayer online action RPG: Path of Exile is a massively multiplayer action RPG set in a dark, persistent world where players complete quests and progress through increasingly difficult levels.
• Customization and progression: The game offers deep customization with a massive skill tree, allowing players to create unique characters.
• Real-time combat, PVE, and PVP: The game mainly focuses on intense PVE combat but also offers PVP options for players seeking competitive battles.
• Free-to-play: Path of Exile is completely free-to-play, with microtransactions for cosmetic items, which sets it apart from WoW‘s subscription model.

15. Lost Ark

Shared elements with WoW:

• MMORPG in a persistent open world: Lost Ark is an action MMORPG with an isometric view, set in a vast, persistent world where players can explore, complete quests, and participate in world events.
• Customization and progression: Like WoW, Lost Ark allows for extensive character customization with varied classes and skills, as well as progression through PVE and PVP content.
• Real-time combat, PVE, and PVP: The combat system is fast and dynamic, featuring PVE dungeons, raids, and PVP battles, much like WoW.
• Free-to-play with optional subscription: Lost Ark is free-to-play but offers in-game purchases and premium subscription options, unlike WoW‘s mandatory subscription model.

16. Star Trek Online

Analogies with World of Warcraft:

• MMORPG in a persistent open world: Star Trek Online is an MMORPG set in the Star Trek universe, featuring a persistent world where players can explore planets, complete missions, and interact with other players.
• Customization and progression: The game offers customization options for characters and starships, with quests and missions that progress as the game unfolds.
• Real-time combat, PVE, and PVP: The game combines real-time ground combat and space battles, with both PVE (missions, exploration) and PVP (space battles) modes.
• Free-to-play with optional subscription: Like many other games on this list, Star Trek Online is free-to-play, with an optional subscription offering additional benefits, unlike WoW.

17. Summoners War: Chronicles

Correspondences to WoW:

• MMORPG in an open world: Summoners War: Chronicles takes place in a persistent world where players can explore areas, summon monsters, and participate in group combat.
• Customization and progression: Players can summon and customize a team of creatures to assist them in battle, similar to character customization in WoW.
• Real-time combat, PVE, and PVP: The game offers real-time combat where players can fight enemies in PVE dungeons and participate in PVP battles.
• Free-to-play: Unlike WoW, Summoners War: Chronicles is free-to-play, with in-game purchases to enhance the experience.

18. Throne and Liberty

Similarities with World of Warcraft:

• MMORPG in a persistent open world: Throne and Liberty is a massive open-world MMORPG similar to WoW, featuring dynamic world events and great freedom of exploration.
• Customization and progression: The game offers detailed customization, with numerous classes and progression options that allow players to develop their characters in their own way.
• Real-time combat, PVE, and PVP: Like WoW, Throne and Liberty features real-time combat with PVE dungeons, raids, and PVP zones where players can compete.
• Business model yet to be defined: The game is not yet released, but it is expected to include a free-to-play model with microtransactions or a subscription, similar to many modern MMORPGs.

19. Fractured Online

Comparable aspects to WoW:

• Sandbox MMORPG in an open world: Fractured Online is a sandbox MMORPG where players can explore a persistent world and interact dynamically with the environment, similar to WoW.
• Customization and progression: The game offers great freedom in progression and customization, allowing players to choose their role and participate in the game’s economy and trade.
• Real-time combat, PVE, and PVP: The game features real-time combat, with a strong emphasis on cooperation in PVE and PVP battles, similar to group activities in WoW.
• Buy-to-play model: Unlike WoW, Fractured Online uses a buy-to-play model, where players pay once to access the game, but it may include subscription options or microtransactions.

20. Broken Ranks

Resemblances to WoW:

• MMORPG in a persistent open world: Broken Ranks is an MMORPG where players can explore a vast, persistent world, complete quests, and interact with other players, much like WoW.
• Customization and progression: Players can choose from several classes (e.g., warrior, mage) and customize their characters through skill trees, with progression based on experience, similar to WoW.
• PVE and PVP systems: Like WoW, Broken Ranks features PVE content (quests, boss battles, dungeon exploration) and PVP modes where players can compete.
• Community and cooperation: The game places a strong emphasis on player cooperation for completing quests and tougher challenges, similar to group activities and raids in WoW.

Key differences:

• Turn-based combat: Unlike WoW, which features real-time combat, Broken Ranks uses a turn-based combat system, making it unique among MMORPGs.
• Free-to-play: Broken Ranks is entirely free-to-play, with microtransactions for cosmetic items and other perks, whereas WoW requires a subscription for full content access.