World of Warcraft, released in 2004, revolutionized the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) genre and continues to attract millions of players even two decades later. While WoW offers endless content, players who've invested countless hours might seek alternative challenges. This list provides compelling options for those seeking a similar experience, though not necessarily identical.

Updated January 10, 2025 by Mark Sammut: Late 2024 saw several major game releases, but none directly comparable to WoW's scale and style. While Infinity Nikki deserves a mention for its captivating open world and time-consuming gameplay, it differs significantly from Blizzard's MMO. Path of Exile 2's early access release also provides a strong alternative for action RPG enthusiasts.

A single-player Final Fantasy title has been added to the recommendations.

20. Throne and Liberty

A Lineage-Inspired Modern MMORPG