The best MMOs for PS5
MMOs are meaty games that you could lose hundreds of hours in. Typically mammoth-sized in scope, these games can be played solo or with other players. You can explore a shared world, engage in combat, complete quests, and enjoy a rich, ever-expanding narrative.
Games in this genre don’t believe in the premise of providing all the content at once. Instead, developers drip-feed everything through regular updates, creating a long-term relationship with their community. For the most part, MMORPGs have always been exclusive to PCs, with games like World of Warcraft never being released on consoles. Thankfully, the power of the current-gen consoles we have today has prompted developers to expand their horizons. If you have a PlayStation and want to dip your toes in online gaming, we have a couple of MMOs you might want to try.
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Final Fantasy XIV
MMOs have a reputation for looking muddy. Paired with abysmal frame rates, it’s one reason players don’t consider consoles their first option when playing games in the genre. Final Fantasy XIV on the PS4 fared okay, but the game still felt rough around the edges since it didn’t look as crisp and vibrant as its PC counterpart. On the PlayStation 5, however, everything looks so sharp and clean. In other words, FF14 runs like a dream.
Granted, getting used to a controller while playing Final Fantasy XIV is tricky, but it’s not bad. You can also hook up a keyboard if you really want to chat with other players. The frame rates are buttery smooth at full HD resolution, making the MMO an absolute treat to play.
You usually have to pay a monthly subscription to play Final Fantasy 14, but Square recently created a free trial for players interested in trying the game. The free trial includes the A Realm Reborn, the Heavensward, and the Stormblood expansion. You can essentially play your character up to level 70 and get a taste of FF14’s main questline without paying a single cent. Then, once you’ve done those, you can choose whether or not to pay for the Shadowbringers and Endwalker expansion.
Genshin Impact
Genshin Impact is one of the best MMOs on the PlayStation 5 right now, and it’s hard not to see why. With its shockingly high production values, the action-adventure title seamlessly blends jaw-dropping visuals and anime-style graphics. You can quickly lose hours just exploring Teyvat—the primary setting of Genshin Impact.
Honestly, what’s there not to love about it? It has high-stakes battles, heartfelt scenes that hit right in the feels, and character-driven storylines. The cherry on top is that it offers a full MMO experience. You can team up with friends or other players from across the globe to defeat powerful bosses, tackle dungeons, or simply enjoy the vibes.
Genshin Impact is already available on the PS4, so what makes the PS5 version so special? Well, to put it simply, the game didn’t run well on the previous-gen console. The PS4 pro users had it a bit better, but the OG PS4 version of Genshin Impact had missed inputs, lag, constant stuttering, pop in, and unusually long loading times. The technical problems were too much not to notice. These problems have been fixed for the PS5 now that the game is better optimized for the system. Other than the minor pop in here and there, none of the problems we’ve presented can be found here. And that 4K resolution and 60 FPS? It’s a massive improvement over the original, to say the least.
Destiny 2
A first-person shooter action MMO, Destiny 2 shines with its thrilling cooperative strikes, epic sci-fi storytelling, and heart-pounding PvP combat. It’s available on multiple platforms, but the game’s roots are tied to the PlayStation console.
Destiny 2 is unique in that it blends MMO and first-person shooter mechanics. There’s a real sense of progression as you upgrade your gear, navigate the game’s lore, and master the new abilities you get. Another highlight of the game is its active community. You can find a Fireteam or join a clan to work together and conquer some of Destiny 2’s most formidable challenges. Most of the content can be played solo, but sometimes you’ll need that extra help.
Whether you’re just looking for a casual time to shoot aliens or into strategy team play, Destiny 2 delivers in spades. Moreover, you’ll be thrilled to hear that everything runs at 4k resolution and 120 FPS, so if you’re just planning to try one MMO on this list and want the best user experience, this game is one of the best choices.