Game | ★ Best Overall | Best for MacBook | Best Value |
Genre | Subscription-based | Pay once | Free-to-play |
Release date | 2004 | 2014 | 2012 |
Metascore | |||
Our rating | ★★★★★ Full Review | ★★★★☆ Full Review | ★★★★★ Full Review |
Requirements | Medium | Medium | Low |
Check Price |
Game | Requirements | 2013 MBP FPS | 2016 MBP FPS | 2014 iMac FPS |
---|---|---|---|---|
World of Warcraft | Low | 35.5 FPS Playable | 78.4 FPS Smooth | 78.4 FPS Smooth |
Elder Scrolls Online | Medium | 38 FPS Playable | 50.9 FPS Smooth | 50.9 FPS Smooth |
Lord of the Rings Online | Low | 48 FPS Smooth | 80.8 FPS Smooth | 80.8 FPS Smooth |
Guild Wars 2 | Low | 42.9 FPS Playable | 52.8 FPS Smooth | 52.8 FPS Smooth |
Final Fantasy 14 Online | Medium | 20.5 FPS Borderline | 40.8 FPS Playable | 40.8 FPS Playable |
Below 20 FPS | Unplayable | Laggy gameplay, full of stutters and slowdowns. |
20-30 FPS | Borderline | Can be Ok in slow paced games. Still, not optimal. |
30-45 FPS | Playable | Acceptable for most (most gaming consoles do this). |
45-60 FPS | Smooth | Fluid gameplay, with no perceivable stutters. |
60+ FPS | Very Smooth | For hardcore and professional players, a luxury for most. |
Games | Games | Our take | Demand Level | Free games only? |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wild Terra Online Free-to-Play | Wild Terra Online | A hardcore sandbox RPG, the world of Wild Terra Online is created completely by the players. As with some previous games on the list, you improve your skills by using them, learning to craft all the things you’ll need to survive. Difficult and grindy but rewarding, Wild Terra Online allows you to create the character you want and do what you will as long as you survive. Metascore | Not demanding | No |
RPG MO Free-to-Play | RPG MO | A retro style MMORPG, RPG MO is for fans of RuneScape and Ultima Online. Another open-world sandbox MMO, RPG MO is known for its player-made economy and being truly free-to-play. You’ll have the usual grind, but you also get a house and pets for relaxing. And with modest system requirements, RPG MO is great for throwback fans with older and mid-range machines. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes |
WAKFU Free-to-Play | WAKFU | Another game featuring a player-driven economy, WAKFU is also known for its beautiful anime style, its turn-based tactical combat, and its unique class system. You’ll also have the usual crafting, quests, dungeons and battles you’d expect in a MMORPG. A unique and fun anime MMO, WAKFU suffers as some others do from a small user base, making a player-built world difficult to maintain. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes |
Planetshift Free-to-Play | Planetshift | Planeshift is a completely free 3D MMORPG set, inside a giant stalactite attached to the roof of an even more giant cave. Containing all the classic RPG elements, Planeshift, like several others in this list, allows you to chart your own path as you explore the world of Yliakum. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes |
Ryzom Free-to-Play | Ryzom | Another free and open source MMORPG, though with subscriptions available, Ryzom is set in a science fiction/fantasy world and features a classless system and a world that responds to your actions. Another persistent 3D world MMO, the developers are also very open about seeking input from players to help in the game’s development. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes |
Puzzle Pirates Free-to-Play | Puzzle Pirates | Looking for something a little more casual and less focused on RPG elements? Puzzle Pirates may be what you’re looking for. You’ll be a pirate progressing through the game by solving various puzzles and mini-games. Don’t be deceived by a cartoony look and some casual-looking puzzles, this isn’t a kids or mobile game. With single & multiplayer, including cooperative multiplayer, Puzzle Pirates is a different take on the MMO. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes |
Champions of Regnum Free-to-Play | Champions of Regnum | This is the epitome of a Japanese grinding MMORPG. After starting out and getting to level 10 or so, the quests fade out and the only thing left to do is wait for special events like realm vs realm battles, or pay for boosts from the online store to help level-up and grab a mount for traveling speed. The beauty of Regnum is the singular focus on PvP combat. There is no crafting, no raiding, and almost no high-level content. Learning to battle at end game (level 60+warmaster) is the key to Regnum. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes |
Game | Base Price | Monthly Subscription | Latest Expansion | Optional Pass |
---|---|---|---|---|
World of Warcraft | Subscription needed | $14.99 | Battle for Azeroth | No |
Elder Scrolls Online | $19.99 | None | Elsweyr | Yes |
LOTRO | Free-to-Play | None | Mordor | Yes |
Guild Wars 2 | Free-to-Play | None | Path of Fire | No |
Final Fantasy 14 Online | Subscription needed | $14.99 | Stormblood | No |
EVE Online | Free-to-Play | None | Microtransactions | Yes $14.99 |
Spiral Knights | Free-to-Play | None | Microtransactions | No |
Trove | Free-to-Play | None | Microtransactions | Yes $9.99 |
War Thunder | Free-to-Play | None | Microtransactions | Yes $9.99 |
Star Conflict | Free-to-Play | None | Microtransactions | Yes $9.99 |
Realm of the Mad God | Free-to-Play | None | Microtransactions | No |
Runescape | Free-to-Play | None | Microtransactions | Yes $9.99 |
D&D Online | Free-to-Play | None | Masterminds of Sharn | Yes $9.99 |
World of Tanks Blitz | Free-to-Play | None | Microtransactions | Yes $9.99 |