I’m searching for an MMO on PC or mobile that doesn’t have much grind and isn’t pay-to-win. I’m totally fine with monthly subscriptions or battlepasses. I used to enjoy games like Monster Hunter World and Elden Ring, but I miss having large lobbies or big party sizes along with the social aspects that MMOs offer. Any recommendations that fit these criteria?
3 Answers
Guild Wars 2 is pretty chill when it comes to grind. You can’t avoid all grinding in MMOs, but in GW2 it’s manageable. If you just wander the world and follow storyline quests, the grind kinda happens naturally without feeling forced. Crafting can get grindy if you dive deep, but it’s optional since exotic gear is almost as strong as crafted endgame stuff. Plus, the world and social experience are really enjoyable. Elder Scrolls Online is another option with a large world and flexibility, though it has a few quirks like clunky jumping and some odd quests. The cash shop and premium options are mostly cosmetic, so no pay-to-win, but some of the nicer houses do cost real money.
Final Fantasy XIV is definitely worth considering. The main grind kicks in mostly at endgame, so you have plenty of time to enjoy the story and world before that. It’s a very social MMO with lots of side activities like fishing, fashion contests, and gambling, so the grind doesn’t feel like the only thing to do. Also, it’s not pay-to-win at all. There’s even a free trial up to level 70 with some limitations, so you can test it out before committing.
Honestly, pay-to-win in MMOs is kinda tricky since there are always tons of players ahead of you progression-wise, so it doesn’t always matter much. What really makes an MMO enjoyable is finding the right guild or group where the combat and talent systems click with you, along with the non-combat activities. If you want some suggestions to check out, there’s WoW, Final Fantasy XIV, Guild Wars 2, New World, and Black Desert.
Thanks for the insight! Can you tell me more about the endgame grind though? I really want the best gear but I’m not a fan of having to spend hundreds of hours farming for it.