Earlier this week, our highly anticipated list of the top 100 games of 2025 was unveiled, revealing an unexpected absence: not a single MMO made the cut. A thorough review of all 100 entries confirmed this peculiar oversight—no World of Warcraft, no Final Fantasy 14, no Guild Wars 2, and no Elder Scrolls Online. While the list is populated with a variety of RPGs, the glaring omission of massively multiplayer online games raises some intriguing questions.
Despite this curious phenomenon, it’s important to note that the MMO genre is currently thriving, albeit with a touch of age. Titles like World of Warcraft are experiencing a resurgence, with exciting updates such as player housing on the horizon. Final Fantasy 14 appears to be on a path of rejuvenation, while Guild Wars 2 and The Elder Scrolls Online continue to offer engaging adventures. Even lesser-known titles are finding their footing, with City of Heroes making a triumphant return, arguably in its best state yet.
Among our team, there is a palpable enthusiasm for MMOs. Our online editor, Fraser Brown, is particularly fond of the genre, and several colleagues share a similar passion. Yet, the reality remains that MMOs demand a significant time investment, often requiring dozens of hours each month just to stay current, not to mention the initial commitment needed to form a well-rounded opinion. This makes them a challenging sell, especially to those already engrossed in other gaming experiences.
During the nomination process for our list, I found myself advocating for Nine Sols, a title I believed deserved recognition. However, I hesitated to approach my colleagues with the daunting proposition of investing 500 hours to fully appreciate its intricate storytelling. This scenario is all too familiar for many who have attempted to persuade friends to dive into an MMO; the time commitment can be a formidable barrier.
As we reflect on the current landscape, it’s evident that many popular MMOs are well into their second decade, and the industry has seen a noticeable decline in new entries. While the overall volume of games continues to rise, the number of MMOs that earn our recommendation remains stagnant. This shift may partially explain why Final Fantasy 14 fell from #34 last year to an unlisted position this year. While it would be inaccurate to label MMOs as a dying breed, they are certainly an aging demographic, and this trend is worth considering.
Theory 3: A shock from the system
This year, we implemented changes to our scoring system to keep our rankings fresh and relevant. Our goal is to reflect the top games to play right now, aligning with evolving player preferences. In 2024, our scoring criteria included Quality, Importance, Hotness, and Playability, with Hotness and Playability being particularly influential. Hotness accounted for 15% of a game’s score, focusing on community engagement and excitement, while Playability measured accessibility and ease of use on modern systems.
However, many MMOs struggled to excel in these areas. While they maintained decent Hotness scores—Final Fantasy 14 scored 8.30 and World of Warcraft 7.36—their Playability ratings often fell short due to outdated systems and a steep learning curve. This year, we replaced Hotness and Playability with a Freshness score, which evaluates a game’s uniqueness and ability to stand out from the crowd, comprising 20% of the overall score.
As anticipated, this shift posed challenges for MMOs. Many of them, while beloved, adhere to a formula that has remained largely unchanged for decades. This lack of innovation reflected in their Freshness scores, with most MMOs struggling to surpass a six. World of Warcraft, despite its legacy, received a disappointing five in this category.
In summary, the absence of MMOs in our top 100 this year can be attributed to a combination of factors: the time constraints of busy gamers, a desire to highlight new and unique titles, and a scoring system that favors innovation over tradition. Unfortunately for MMOs, this year simply wasn’t their moment to shine.
