So this is a weird one. Yes, I know an offline MMORPG is just an RPG, but I’m looking for a specific kind.
I loved FFXIV, but there was always something in the back of my mind that said “I don’t own any of this, it all goes away if I stop paying, and I could be banned tomorrow and lose everything”. I’d love to have a game that plays somewhat similar, but offline and for a single payment, please.
I know about the .hack series and those games seem pretty fun, but don’t scratch the same gathering resources/crafting items/using or selling items cycle. Also they’re apparently grindy as fuck.
Anyone have any suggestions please? Preferably PC please, but Switch and PS1/2/3 also valid suggestions. Thank you.
Came in to recommend CrossCode. I had an extremely similar itch to OP and this game scratched it. The plot literally revolves around being an MMO, but the entirely game is single player. They did a really good job of capturing the vibe.
I was honestly baffled at how well they captured the vibe of starting a new MMO, when i played through the first 10 or so hours. I kept having this urge to tell my friends to play it so they could come play and explore with me
I spent a lot of years playing EQ1, and I don’t think any game will ever really capture that magic again, but this sure looks like it’s a great attempt at doing so.
AzerothCore is maybe what you would like to check out. They got some builds with bots that fill the world and make you feel as if you are actually online with other players.
seconding this, i use a solo azerothcore build and it’s been great. mine is scaled rather than using playerbots but i experimented with a bot one and it was pretty neat to be able to group up with them.
Was also going to suggest this one. I tried the demo but unfortunately doesn’t play well on the deck and my sit time in front of the PC is limited as is.
Not exactly what you need but have you tried Neverwinter Nights? Its base game is pretty standard linear RPG from BioWare but it was released together with its development kit, and there is an endless sea of community content, some being MMO style worlds.
Unfortunately not on PC but the Xenoblade Chronicles games are very MMO-like, in particular Xenoblade Chronicles X which puts less emphasis on the overall story and more on exploration, sidequests, levelling, min-maxing and gameplay systems. You’ll find great worlds to explore and combat that is quite reminiscent of typical cool-down systems in MMOs. XBX does have some online components but you can play the whole game completely offline too.
V Rising has the option of setting up a local game.
I made the mistake of starting a game with default settings and i couldn’t play with the internet connection gone. Had to start anew with the correct selection.
In a similar vein are Conan Exiles and possibly Dune Awakening (haven’t it).
What they lack is more neutral or helpful npcs. There’s some merchants and the enslaved pawns, but progression is more automatic through menus rather than quest givers.
I played this game with my friend called Wayfinder that was going to be an mmo but I guess at some point in development changed course. The game scratches a kind of itch that I didn’t really need but maybe 10 years ago could have been fun. Might be worth a try.
I have high hopes that online/offlne models become the norm for exactly that reason. one just to be able to play when the internet goes out or you can’t reach it but yeah also later when the servers go away.
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I mean your looming for a specific kind or RPG you can’t have a massively multiplayer online role playing game be offline.
AzerothCore.
Astrox Imperium is an attempt at a “Single Player Eve Online” game. It’s still in development though.
CrossCode could scratch the itch a bit?
The best and worst part about CrossCode is the lack of sequel.
Came in to recommend CrossCode. I had an extremely similar itch to OP and this game scratched it. The plot literally revolves around being an MMO, but the entirely game is single player. They did a really good job of capturing the vibe.
I was honestly baffled at how well they captured the vibe of starting a new MMO, when i played through the first 10 or so hours. I kept having this urge to tell my friends to play it so they could come play and explore with me
CrossCode was great fun, and it really captures that MMORPG feel. Very much enjoyed my time playing it.
Funny enough, there’s Erenshor that is basically simulated single player Everquest
What! I love this conceptually.
Yea planning to pick this up eventually - reminds me of playing EQOA on the ps2
I spent a lot of years playing EQ1, and I don’t think any game will ever really capture that magic again, but this sure looks like it’s a great attempt at doing so.
I remember seeing something for an offline/single player “mmorpg” dungeon crawler, but I don’t remember the name
AzerothCore is maybe what you would like to check out. They got some builds with bots that fill the world and make you feel as if you are actually online with other players.
seconding this, i use a solo azerothcore build and it’s been great. mine is scaled rather than using playerbots but i experimented with a bot one and it was pretty neat to be able to group up with them.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2382520/Erenshor/ is a single player mmo with simulated other players.
You may also want to check Valheim and the like out.
Also, F2P games are definitely a thing. Warframe and Where Winds Meet are both not really cash grabby to play.
Was also going to suggest this one. I tried the demo but unfortunately doesn’t play well on the deck and my sit time in front of the PC is limited as is.
Not exactly what you need but have you tried Neverwinter Nights? Its base game is pretty standard linear RPG from BioWare but it was released together with its development kit, and there is an endless sea of community content, some being MMO style worlds.
Maybe not exactly MMO-like cause it’s like Diablo and Path of Exile: Grim Dawn.
Unfortunately not on PC but the Xenoblade Chronicles games are very MMO-like, in particular Xenoblade Chronicles X which puts less emphasis on the overall story and more on exploration, sidequests, levelling, min-maxing and gameplay systems. You’ll find great worlds to explore and combat that is quite reminiscent of typical cool-down systems in MMOs. XBX does have some online components but you can play the whole game completely offline too.
Most of these don’t fit “offline MMO” super closely, but are games I’ve played that share various aspects that I enjoyed in MMOs:
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning
Minecraft with mods
Hytale
Various Bethesda games with mods
Sword Art Online games
V Rising
V Rising has the option of setting up a local game. I made the mistake of starting a game with default settings and i couldn’t play with the internet connection gone. Had to start anew with the correct selection.
In a similar vein are Conan Exiles and possibly Dune Awakening (haven’t it).
What they lack is more neutral or helpful npcs. There’s some merchants and the enslaved pawns, but progression is more automatic through menus rather than quest givers.
I played this game with my friend called Wayfinder that was going to be an mmo but I guess at some point in development changed course. The game scratches a kind of itch that I didn’t really need but maybe 10 years ago could have been fun. Might be worth a try.
I have high hopes that online/offlne models become the norm for exactly that reason. one just to be able to play when the internet goes out or you can’t reach it but yeah also later when the servers go away.
Goat MMO Simulator, but just technically.