14 Games Like Sword Art Online
Our assembled list of games like Sword Art Online (SAO) features other MMO like experiences that combine deep RPG mechanics with flashy action.
Based on the hit anime the video games in the Sword Art Online franchise combine the universe and elements of the storyline into an action packed role playing like experience. The games deliver combo orientated combat where knowledge of your enemy and precise execution are rewarded.
The video games aim to deliver an experience similar to the anime by letting you step into a MMO like world that you can enjoy even when playing alone thanks to the NPC characters that aim to mimic the elements of a real MMO. Customisable avatars, first person gameplay and hundreds of heroes for you to recruit are also core to the Sword Art Online experience.
The games like Sword Art Online here offer a mixture of MMO and single player adventures with action orientated combat that have an anime feel to the overall game design. Whether it was the anime, novels, magna or video games that made you fall in love with the franchise you'll find an appropriate alternative for your desired platform below.
ArcheAge
In terms of fleshed out MMO experiences ArcheAge is near the top of the list with an impressive game world filled with adventures, secrets and features around every corner of the fantasy world. While ArcheAge innovates in a few areas of MMO gameplay much of the focus is put towards delivering vast content, quality and player choice over attempting to reinvent the historical MMO mechanics. Set in a fantasy game world the focus of ArcheAge is on being able to change the game world around you while...[Read Review]
Drakensang Online
Drakensang Online started as a free to play browser based game that offers similar gameplay to the classic action role playing games of days long past. With the retirement of Flash and Java support within modern browsers though Drakensang Online is now entirely available through the small game client for Windows. Opting for 4 playable classes players can tackle the Drakensang Online game world as a Dragonknight, Spellweaver, Ranger or Steam Mechanicus with further customisation for gender, ethn...[Read Review]
Elsword Online
Elsword Online offers a skill based free to play action packed MMORPG experience with 2.5D side scrolling mechanics at the core of the experience and comic book undertones. Like many MMOs Elsword first launched in Korea in 2007 and eventually landing to North American shores in 2011. Gameplay in Elsword centres around beat ’em up style mechanic within a MMO framework that emphasises co-operative play. With this beat ’em focus you are guaranteed a fast paced adventure as you move acro...[Read Review]
Dragon Nest
Dragon Nest is a free to play MMO action game that utilises a no targeting based system for combat which encourages fast paced and skill based action. With greater control of your character and their movements compared to similarly themed titles Dragon Nest aims to be a game where a skilful lower levelled player has a chance to defeat a higher level opponent. Dragon Nest uses a fantasy setting for its game world with players taking on the role of saviour as they fight endless evils in search of ...[Read Review]
Skyforge
Blurring the lines between fantasy and science fiction is Skyforge, a third person MMORPG that focuses on action, customisation, class swapping, region based servers and the ability to reach a whole new league of hero, a god. Launched in 2015 for Windows Skyforge has since expanded to the console market that feature the same content and regular content cycle. Venturing around planet Aelion where both ancient secrets and cutting edge technology live side by side players will perform the usual arr...[Read Review]
Blade & Soul
The popular Korean MMO of Blade & Soul is finally available to the rest of the world with a 2016 release 4 years after it was initially developed for the Korean MMO market. Focusing on action combat, deep customisation, a beautiful game world and immersive story telling Blade & Soul has all the mechanics of a modern MMO. Orientated around martial arts the Asian origins of Blade and & Souls are fairly evident from the moment you load up to the game to your final battle across combat a...[Read Review]
Aura Kingdom
Aura Kingdom is a MMO title that uses an anime art style while combining action based and traditional MMO combat mechanics together to create a fluid hybrid approach to gameplay. With a world in need of a hero before players you’ll spend hundreds of hours adventuring, questing and helping various towns while role playing one of over a dozen classes that bring their own talents to the fantasy world. Starting its closed beta in December 2013 and transitioning into open beta a month later Aur...[Read Review]
S4 League
S4 League is a stylish fast paced shooter with sci-fi and MMO elements at the heart of the game experience. With a catchy techno soundtrack combining with small map designs it offers a less tactical approach to the genre where you can jump into a game and instantly be in the thick of action. This highly stylised and quick paced experience has made S4 league a popular casual option but also goes beyond the casual crowd at the higher levels of skill due to the high mechanic skill cap associated wi...[Read Review]
Mabinogi
Mabinogi allows you to create your own anime life in an experience that is simply overflowing with content, features and options while revolving around social elements. For those MMO players that crave customisation, anime styling and large scale friendship groups Mabinogi has proven to consistently deliver this experience since its original launch in 2008. Centred around the growth of character through the game world of Erinn the core Mabinogi experience revolves around questing, community enga...[Read Review]
Vindictus
Vindictus is a MMORPG is set in the same universe as the popular Korean MMO of Mabinogi although dramatically shifts the focus towards action combat. While the anime themes and associated character outfits are there players will find a deeper MMO adventure that drives engagement through combat, quests and community. Set hundreds of years prior to Mabinogi Vindictus explores a darker place with players focused on clearing the way through the world for the fun and free Mabinogi world to thrive in ...[Read Review]
Age of Conan: Unchained
Age of Conan: Unchained (originally Hyborian Adventures) seeks to stand out in the massively multiplayer online genre with a mature game in the same universe of Conan the Barbarian. Being thrown into a brutal and savage game world requires players to maintain their wits while engaging with the usual array of MMO mechanics. Originally a paid title Age of Conan: Unchained is now a free to play adventure for all players to enjoy with a freemium monetisation model. Loosely based on the Conan univers...[Read Review]
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn (also known as Final Fantasy XIV Online) is the relaunched version of the 2010 Final Fantasy MMORPG adventure that addresses the key issues of the original. With vast enhancements players are finally able to experience the MMO and Final Fantasy universe that you’ve always craved. Set on the continent of Eorzea players have a wealth of ancient lore and locations to explore with the map split into various city states that have their own biomes and specialiti...[Read Review]
Lucent Heart
Lucent Heart is a free to play anime inspired MMO that combines astrology and dating together to create an in-depth match making system within the game. Encouraging you to build relationships with other players and find that special one the game blends traditional MMO features with a sense of community into a single adventure for your PC. Combining these unique relationship focused features with the core MMO features of the genre like dungeons, monster slaying, professions, questing and PvP Luce...[Read Review]
Flyff
Flyff (Fly For Fun) is one of the longest running fantasy based MMOs on the market with an original launch date in 2005 which gives it over a decade of content waiting to be explored by new or returning players. As the name suggests a unique selling point of the game is the flying system that makes flying your key transportation method to make the large game world accessible for your exploration. Flyff is a charming experience and given the length of time that the game has been online there is a...[Read Review]