Mobile gaming is not what it used to be. By that we mean it’s not all just card games, puzzles, match 3 mystery games, and whatever other casual games that we would simply be able to run on our devices. For a while now we’ve been able to play online shooters, large-scale RPGs like the ones from HoYoverse, shooters, and more.
That’s not to say that everything we find on our Android or iOS devices is worth looking at, much less worth playing. Since anyone can create apps for mobile devices these days, there’s a lot of questionable stuff. Some things are just sad rip-offs of something else by some developer we’ve never even heard of. Some things are definitely not what they show you it being in the ads. And some aren’t even labeled properly.
These things can make it really hard to find a good game to play. Honestly, I looked through the MMO listings on my phone before making this list, and there are so many games that I’m nowhere near sure are actually MMOs. I’m pretty convinced that for some devs “MMO” means “a lot of people downloaded this game”.
The good news is that there are some solid MMOs out there to be played on the go. Of course, some are mobile versions of established PC games. Here, we’ve provided a list of some of the better options for those looking.
Albion Online
This is another cross-platform game. Players can play on both Mobile and PC, which may explain why it’s one of the more popular mobile MMOs. Everything a player expects from Albion Online on their desktop or laptop is available on mobile – just with a control scheme appropriate to the input system of a mobile device. The game has a big community and players still focus on PvP combat while also engaging in crafting and gathering. The big community also helps with the player-driven economy.
Sky: Children of the Light
This one is for people who want something a bit more relaxing. Created by the same people responsible for Journey, Flower, and Flow, Sky is a cozy open-world game with puzzles and quests. It also features events like live concerts. Similar to Journey, players communicate using actions rather than words. Don’t worry, you can still get your point across. And yes, your characters are customizable.
MapleStory M
If any game MMO IP is going to lend itself to mobile devices, it’s MapleStory. So, it’s not surprising that the 2D-sidescrolling MMORPG has been turned into MapleStory M. The game doesn’t just take its name from the original MMO but all the same core parts, including combat.
Ragnarok Origin
Ragnarok Origin is another game that stays faithful to the look of the original. It does, however, feature modifications to fit the mobile platform. For example, the graphics have been updated to make the best use of mobile hardware. Players who enjoy the world of Ragnarok Online will be happy to know that Ragnarok Origin is still set in Rune Midgard.
Nova Empire
This is the first of two space games on this list. Space MMOs aren’t nearly as prolific as fantasy. So it’s always worth listing them when you see them. In Nova Empire, players work their way up to becoming a bigwig in the galaxy. Build your own space base with lots of facilities and command a space fleet. Join alliances with other players and work together – or fight against them. Perhaps you’ll end up in an enemies-to-friends scenario – or a friends-to-enemies. Who knows?
Perfect World Mobile
This is pretty much what it sounds like. If you enjoyed Perfect World in its more popular days, you might enjoy its mobile version. It’s not exactly the same. The devs created new mechanics and modified the game to look good on a small screen while keeping the better features of the original game.
Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds
This is another one for anime fans – particularly those who like Ghibli-style art. Players who enjoy a good story will likely enjoy this. As an added plus, Ni no Kuni Cross Worlds features cross-platform play allowing players to switch devices easily.
Eve: Echoes
I told you there were two space games on this list. It would only make sense that at least one of them would be set in New Eden. Like most things Eve-related, Eve: Echoes is not designed to be a chill game. It takes after its older sibling with players exploring, creating alliances, fighting in wars, and pulling shenanigans. Don’t be too trusting. But, if you’re a fan of Eve Online, you’ll be right at home here too.
Black Desert Mobile
Just like its PC counterpart, Black Desert Mobile is a pretty game. That might be a shallow assessment of any game, but it is a pretty big selling point for the popular MMORPG. That said, it boasts a lot of the features Black Desert Online does. There are 13 classes to choose from, fast-paced combat, fishing – and of course mounts and pets to collect.
SimpleMMO
Okay, so I had to go with an unusual choice for this one. There are no pretty graphics here to talk about, but that’s because SimpleMMO is a text-based game. The game is described as “an incremental RPG with MMO elements at its very core”. It features PvP with other players, quests, loot, a leveling system, and even character customization. With around half a million players, the game includes guilds and large-scale battles as well as world boss fights. It’s definitely worth looking into, particularly if your device might not like more graphics-heavy games.
And there you have it. If you’re tired of sitting at your desk, or maybe want to take your MMO gaming outside for a while, there are a few of the choices available. And you don’t have to dig through all the games that aren’t MMOs but say they are.
