Which MMO should you play in 2025?

[@sawmanUK]

Thanks for watching, be sure to leave a like if you want more content like this and maybe comment some MMOs I should check out in the future. Link to Private Server guides here: dogwatergaming.com/guides/

[@BL00DYBUTTC0UGH]

mmo scene is so dry that most of "the top 10 whatever "can be reuploaded after 10yrs and still be true

[@sawmanUK]

Sad but true 😹

[@SCHMKTV]

Ashes of Creation enters the room

[@allgoodnamesrgone6029]

​@@SCHMKTV and it will stay at the door because it isnt out and will not be for years.

[@SCHMKTV]

@@allgoodnamesrgone6029 What? It will be out within the next year.

[@SCHMKTV]

@allgoodnamesrgone6029 I'm playing it right now and it is a million time better than any other MMO and it's only in alpha lol

[@SaintInix]

The fact that you played and enjoyed aspects of both Wurm Online, AND Haven and Hearth, you've got a sub for life buddy. Godspeed toward that 100k subs and Merry Christmas, good sir.

[@sawmanUK]

Two great games 🥲 and merry Christmas to you too

[@daledelatte9607]

Probably won't play any of these games again, but I'm here to support one of my favorite content creators with the algorithm!! ❤

[@Krunkeridleios]

Giving LOTRO a C tier is a damn shame

[@mercster]

Yeah, for all its age and issues, it's gotta be S tier for sheer beauty.

[@OfDeath]

LOTRO is my main game atm. Sitting at 500.5 hours played, I can say it is worth questing in. I find myself taking way more screenshots than any other game because the world is so beautiful. Slow paced game but worth it if you like exploring.

[@Jamz43]

I have a few months of play time and keep coming back because they keep making vast open world beauty. Granted I also love LOTR but I’ve tried so many MMOs and nothing really relaxes me and kidnaps me away from the real world like LOTRO

[@OfDeath]

@Jamz43 agreed. Very immersive mmo.

[@OfDeath]

@@Jamz43 I am really enjoying lotro atm. Until Turtle WoW 2 is released.

[@skuzbuxet997]

As much as I enjoyed most of these, I still just go back to playing Phantasy Star Online, more of an OARPG than an MMO, but literally 25 years later damn near and it’s still just as enjoyable, still comfy, Pioneer 2 is still home.

[@RalseiSmokinAFatBlunt]

Yea surprised i didn't see PSO2

[@Vedgy]

Hearing you rating DAoC without doing PvP is like rating the dentist when no one looked at your teeth

[@sawmanUK]

Im British, thats how our dentists work?

[@Caladir]

None. That's the true and hardest answer. As someone who spend years playing MMO's, my best advice to people, is to not play them. You will only suffer.

[@appalachiangaming]

With the recent Fresh servers for WoW Classic I'd honestly recommend it right now, but I would also absolutely recommend SW Galaxies, SWTOR, and maybe Entropia Universe if that's your jam. I want to recommend LOTRO but I just can never get it to work for more than 15-20 minutes EDIT: For reference, I do have a few thousand hours in SWTOR. I absolutely recommend it but it has gone downhill in the last 2 years. Since it got moved to a different developer, I'm not actually convinced we'll ever get more true "expansions" like KOTFE, Shadow of Revan, etc

[@aresisis5427]

the one i've been playing for the past 20 years. everquest

[@sawmanUK]

I feel like I should play that at some point but then I should also play Asherons call …

[@renatoruiz8534]

​@sawmanUK currently playing AC with my 12yr old son. I played it back when I was his age. Referencing the wiki is mandatory. Lol.

[@lejeffe1663]

STARWARS GALAXIES!!!!

[@xrenzo98x]

Personally I had plans to try out Classic WOW next year, but after seeing this video I had to add to the list Mortal Online 2 and Haven & Hearth. Probably will keep playing OSRS as well, and maaaaaybe try out New World again, unless I have to throw in more money, I had a fun 200 hours on release, who knows what the new update might bring. Also, will keep an eye out for new vids here, you always manage to dig out of their graves decent games I never heard about in my life

[@FatherKofo]

19:29 you can buy expansions in GW2 in game with in game currency

[@waterdrinker90]

I just got into OSRS. I never played it back in the day, and I never played any other version of the game. I started completely fresh. And I can say, it is as good as people say it is, *if* you're into oldschool slower paced MMOs. Which I am.

[@dl0l.l0lb]

Try wurm online

[@garyblubaugh2517]

Asherons Call always being not even a mention as even an OG MMO

[@sawmanUK]

I use footage from Asherons call, so I'm aware of it and I know theres private servers you can still play on. But until I play it and form my own opinion of the game, I'm just going to not offend and not list it lol

[@Z-MACx]

did you and josh strife hayes coordinate your videos to drop on the exact same day? lol unlucky...

[@sawmanUK]

Nah sadly not , there goes my algorithm

[@aev6075]

Lotro would have to take the cake. If you have even one friend you can form a mini fellowship and have your own adventure through middle earth. It's absolutely fantastic. But even going solo can be fun even if quite hard since, you know, no population. I would personally probably push lotro to B tier. It's absolutely fantastic, extremely good value for your money even if abit on the quiet end and you can buy more content with very little investment. By no means is it A or S tier, but still solid and something everyone should take a look at.

[@Zappieroth]

There are multiple servers for Dragon's Dogma Online, I recommend trying them all to see which one you like best as they are highly configurable.

[@miserablecuss3744]

Disasterously underrated channel. Keep it up, partner!

[@sawmanUK]

Glad you think so! 🥹🥹🥹

[@SLCLN]

Hell yah Mo2 !! free access jan 3rd-6th? see you there.

[@binarysurfer5066]

I am also an 'ex ESO' player and original DAoC player; Eden Private server is fantastic, has great pop (season 2 is ending, season 3 early next year), great RvR action and caters to solo, duo, small group, large group and zerg playstyles plus keep takes etc. They have also made some fantastic QoL adjustments to bring the game up towards 'modern' standards. Give it a try when season 3 launches in early 2025.

[@BLUEPELICAN234]

Can you play RuneScape 3 aka RuneScape ?? I love it and I think you would, even though it’s no where near as popular as OSRS

[@sawmanUK]

I have played it for a whole 10mins already… it seems ok 😹👍

[@BLUEPELICAN234]

@ it’s a tough intro but it DOES get very good

[@digestiveissue7710]

People hate Tab-Targeting, yet it's the only type of combat that works in a good MMO, that's why the genre is dead.

[@SpaceNick__]

I'm a directional combat kinda guy myself the worst of the worst 😂

[@mikesomeone4055]

I like tab targeting.

[@mysteryblankdspace4342]

I like it to :>

[@FatherKofo]

18:03 sc has server meshing, 4.0 is amazing and again, its an alpha and still runs laps around all these others you have higher. Just a thought

[@alexc2518]

How can you put fallen earth above swtor??

[@sawmanUK]

@@alexc2518 swtor is good , but I don’t think it has better mechanics then fallen earth. I think the IP carries swtor

[@alexc2518]

@sawmanUK thanks for the reply! I pretty much agree with your list besides this point. I definitely have played both and enjoy swtor more, but to each their own.

[@sawmanUK]

@@alexc2518 honestly give fallen earth a go , it’s a hidden gem. Nothing against swtor though, maybe when I see more of the end game I’ll change my mind

[@PipsterSays]

FFXI hype!!!!!! lol Great video!

[@sawmanUK]

@@PipsterSays 🥹👍

[@Guildm4ster]

Shouldve made this a top 20, 2 months ago and forced Hayes to include the best MMO ever made Haven and Hearth into his chart

[@rb7619]

You deserve 43 million subscribers my man I hope you channel blows tf up in 2025 ❤❤❤

[@ZombroESOGod]

I actually DO love Retail WoW, way more than Classic. But, that said, it isn't for everyone. Secondly do you by chance stream on Twitch?

[@sawmanUK]

Nah not anymore , I do monthly streams on KZbin though , can’t find time at the minute though as life has been hectic

[@ZombroESOGod]

@sawmanUK alright, I've been a longtime subscriber since you actually halfway enjoyed ESO, so next time you're live I'm sure I'll get the notification! Love your content brother!

[@samkibbey6321]

1:39 oddly enough, that video is what sent me here

[@sawmanUK]

The circle of content 🥹

[@Tzar230]

New World is honestly peak. I started playing it again like a month ago, and it's actually pretty good right now

[@soneca798]

@@Tzar230 same, i was very surprised

[@Tzar230]

@soneca798 I think it's a game that hit such a low point, people didn't even know they fixed a lot of issues. Like for me, it was performance. I left because the game was a laggy mess and came back to a pretty clean performance. If I miss my shots now, I'm pretty sure it's just because I suck, and not lag. There's also enough of a "BIS chase" now to keep me busy outside of pvp

[@wiiagent]

nice list

[@sawmanUK]

Glad you enjoyed it🥲

[@NickAndWolf]

Played almost 500 of Mortal Online 2. Can’t go back. It was a violent fling, an abusive cycle of chaos and thrills and tracking a dude down out of town just to murder him for being a fuck in chat. Been playing throne and liberty. Got about 280 hours in that. Slowed down now and am happy to say a number always dings when I play. So I never feel like time is wasted. Finally I recommend Dark Fall Online (Darkfall Online?). And the HorizonXI FF11 private server for a vanilla+ experience

[@binarysurfer5066]

Tip if you decide to do Warhammer Online over DAoC Eden server...WAR is almost entirely PvP centric, and tanks actually have a strong role in PvP with guard (damage split between you and another person) and detaunts (reducing damage done by the taunted player(s) to anyone except you). My advice as a starting player is roll a ranged DPS like bright wizard or sorc; you'll be familiar with the burst-kite playstyle from ESO Sorc.

[@grynszpan]

3:45 Dark Age of Camelot (eden!) - yes!

[@sawmanUK]

I had countless people shout at me last time , not making that mistake twice

[@mysteryblankdspace4342]

Josh is cool but your a funny dog man, soo...here i am

[@soneca798]

Have you ever tried Albion? With how you speak of hardcore with pvp mmos I think you'd really enjoy it. Don't let the phone game aesthetic fool you. Go in, try to join a guild, do some avalon roads, it's honestly the best pvp mmo I've ever played

[@sawmanUK]

I’ve got about 8 or 10 hours , nothing special . I should really try it out some more next year

[@soneca798]

@sawmanUK I hate to be the guy to tell you that "it gets good after x hours", but with only 10 hours you wouldn't really be able to do much on it. Try joining a guild, and try roaming the roads of avalon, or the mists. Those are the highlights for group and solo play respectively imo

[@danielstiff7314]

amazing video from an amazing guy

[@sawmanUK]

Awww thanks , you’re not getting my stuff when I die tho 😹

[@delcien9697]

veery interesting vid

[@pipz420]

Would love to see you come back to final fantasy 11 private server or retail.

[@kny2563]

What about albion online? Pretty hot nowadays

[@Zandonus]

Amazing. I sure want to play the solid C tier MMO for a year.

[@sawmanUK]

No one specified the timeframe 😹👍

[@Jef_Vermassen]

Really solid list (the ones you played and ranked), I had 0 comments on where they landed. And since I'm old, played most of them when they were a thing. The ones I didn't play: Mortal Online and Haven & Hearth. It's interesting to see that the industry keeps spending as much time and money on their live services as it would take to make an MMO. I remember them arguing: MMO's were just too risky, took a lot of time and money and may flop... How the turns have tabled. :>

[@Jef_Vermassen]

Oh, where are my manners. Have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year Plobb!

[@pozisus7712]

good old daoc days man best days of mmo life

[@-anonymous-7192]

ive just started with wow after over 6 years playing eso active..... best decision ever

[@squish-d2k]

dragons dogma online is korean, and the translation is complete yet, but even stacked up against games like new world, it has far more to it than most MMO's. the only thing it doesnt have is pvp, and if you are out in the open world you cant see other players. Not sure if that is just because the current playable version is technically just a mod, but its still very fun. If you enjoyed Dark Arisen, It's got everything DDDA had and more.

[@dalekinium]

Salem mentioned let's go

[@WasabiiNA]

I see Mordhau slotted in there. I bought the game on release and played it like a full time job for a few weeks. Frequently went back and played it on and off. If you need some info about what the game was like when it released let me know!

[@Seth69691]

@sawmanuk Have you ever thought about doing an episode of the Warhammer age of reckoning its still going after the servers went down

[@sawmanUK]

Yea , I included it in the video under my plans for next year , I hear good things 🙂👍

[@Blade12113]

My favorite part of this video? Mentioning tge JSH vide that dropped coincidentially, I assume, on the same day

[@sawmanUK]

100% not planned sadly

[@sula2315]

honestly speaking PoE2 isnt probably a real mmo, but it seems one of the games worth playing atm, which isnt plagued by korean lifestyle choices and looks good graphically.

[@detroitarrow794]

FFXIV is S tier to me, because it's the first MMO I had to quit because I don't have the time anymore to do everything in the game, and I do mean EVERYTHING. FFXIV is the only MMO that made me want to level every job, do all the quests, the raids, the old content, get all the mounts, spend all the time in the golden saucer, etc. I just can't make good money off of playing an MMO all day everyday.

[@SirSquash]

us: wouldnt it be cool if Bethesda did a TESIII: Morrowind remake? Bethesda: the players want morrowind. lets reboot oblivion.

[@Maka魂]

who tf is "us"? you Bethesda drones are hyucking goofy as hell. 🤡

[@ricky6608]

Star citizen just added a new system focused on PvP/piracy so I’d definitely jump in

[@SirPadron]

Yea good video mate

[@MBBOWOLVERINE]

I miss singing with sawman in dungeons 😢 ❤

[@colehartson5171]

Bro is just chasing his ESO glory days

[@sawmanUK]

There was never any glory just disappointment

[@dl0l.l0lb]

Honestly if you like RuneScape I recommend trying and learning to play wurm online it’s actually crazy fun with so much to do

[@sawmanUK]

Wurm online ? Never heard of it 👀

[@dankeykang4219]

Sawman playing asherons call is gonna be an S Tier video. Play on Levistras server no bots. Active and helpful community

[@renatoruiz8534]

I'm on Coldeve. Bots galore.

[@renedamasio]

still waiting for you to make a video about istaria

[@barfbot]

putting daoc in A tier despite not trying the pvp is very funny

[@sawmanUK]

I have seen people play PvP and heard the stories … I know though it’s criminal

[@traviscue2099]

While I can't stand retail WoW, the private servers (3 of the bigger ones coming out early next year) are great for custom content.. I'd love something fresh and new, but seems so far inbetween these days sadly. But the private server community of all mmos seems to be a massive chunk of the population now.. Warhammer Online is another great one!

[@sawmanUK]

I have thought about the private servers for wow but I’m just not sure how different they will be tbh

[@FeedinGG666]

Classic WoW > Gw2 > Retail WoW > FF14 > NWA > EsO > Rest

[@MrDwightSchrute]

22 hours and LOTRO? Come on man, that’s like barely even touching the surface.

[@sawmanUK]

I agree , but I’ve watched countless videos , spoken to many members of the community and researched as much as I can. I will go back to it at some point I promise

[@fedeph665]

No mention of Throne and Liberty? mass pvp there is pretty fun.

[@isth3reno1else]

This dog has legs

[@braddollahite]

Star wars galaxies and FFXIV online, hell yeah S tier

[@rudged]

Check out Dofus they had an engine upgrade from flash to unity very recently, it's top tier turn based combat with good PvE/PvP and very chill.

[@robs6404]

All I want is a decent MMO that isn't auto target. RIP New World.

[@renatoruiz8534]

Asheron's Call when?

[@alexxxisrose]

FFXI is the love of my life in game form

[@VikoReEkore]

Forgot the best part of Lord of the Rings Online. The classic private server Echoes of Angmar - superb

[@SinathorProductions]

Age of Conan always ignored ;_;

[@sawmanUK]

It’s on my list 🙂

[@andipajeroking]

Hero Online, yea baby, best mmo ever, the goat, the goat. There is no other grind slog as hero, 300 levels, took me 20 years to reach level 100 😂

[@whovegas]

Ffxiv for me. I just be spending my time modding in outfits and fighting styles. I love it

[@tagnar8962]

H&H getting an A made my day!

[@andipajeroking]

Still checking Guild Wars 1 from time to time 😂

[@bminturn]

Warhammer Online was a good game. Same with Rift. I couldn't really tell you why they tanked as I sit here today. I just know that my group of friends all kind of decided "well I've seen enough" after about 9 months with both games.

[@sawmanUK]

Guess Ill find out soon enough!

[@sk8legendz]

Runescapes the move You can support poor venezuelans by buying gold actively contributing to the better of society You can afk, you can chill an chat, or lock in for sweaty pvp and pve Its a grind but unlike other MMOs it respects the grind. It wont ever make you feel like 99 str was pointless because they dont nerf hammer player achievements like ZOS and other companies Fishing while drinking and watching a tv show is S Tier

[@mercster]

LOTRO is S tier, for sheer beauty and its implementation of Middle Earth alone. Even with low population, even with dated combat and other systems...

[@sawmanUK]

It is a good game , I’m just not sure how long it has left sadly 🥹

[@mercster]

@@sawmanUK Agreed, it can't go on forever... it should be enjoyed while it still can be.

[@SetariM]

A huge game that's gonna blow up is WORS, under the Ascension WoW umbrella of servers. It's OSRS but in WoW.

[@sawmanUK]

I’ll check it out , thanks 👍

[@chrish813]

That P2W PVEvP one - LIFE

[@Tawagoto434]

His intro is on time

[@Cynndora]

DDO's on my list, will prob convince a friend to play with me when i get around to it.

[@sawmanUK]

S Tier, I’m telling ya

[@hugo9927]

Why can’t someone just make a mmorpg as good as shangrai la frontier

[@MasterSwisher]

None of them because its not about world building anymore. All any of these MMO's care about is your time and money.

[@neugassh3570]

silkroad online when

[@sawmanUK]

I have it on my top secret list 👀

[@DEtoxica3607]

I and my whole family played it 24/7, never loved a game that much again...❤ But now l don't even know how to find it, even on a private server...😢 I'd be thankful for an hint!

[@sawmanUK]

@@DEtoxica3607 I'm not even sure if you can, I havent looked too much into it yet. I think I've only found one game I couldnt play so far, but I found the source code for the game... so theres always a way, usually it means finding someone super smart lol

[@THE_REAL_MISFIT]

2 of my favorite MMO's that I never see on any list is Star Trek Online and Elite Dangerous. STO is a lot like SWTOR meets EvE Online to me. Much more sandboxy goodness. Elite is just way better than Star Citizen in almost every aspect, whilst also being much more mature and serious than NMS.

[@sawmanUK]

I’ve played both and even dedicated a video to sto. Elite dangerous I would say has the most potential though

[@NobushigeAzai]

I'm here for the chicken.

[@Kaff_Kesk]

Sawman>JSP Because he's self aware. He knows how shit he is, and asks you to care anyway.

[@Jimmy-qc5lb]

Albion on line !

[@sawmanUK]

I’ve got 8 hours in it, but I always get distracted by other games

[@Jimmy-qc5lb]

@sawmanUK it's a great game I love it my wife and four adult sons play it.

[@blktauna]

SWTOR FTW! S Tier Man! S tier!! No Star Trek Online? If you think ESO lies to the consumers, New World is worse. Try the imperial agent story in swtor

[@aev6075]

The fatalorian should be name "Manatilorian"

[@sawmanUK]

If you check out my swtor video there’s like 100 suggestions in the comments , worth a read 😹👍

[@aev6075]

@@sawmanUK One of them might be manatilorian by me :D

[@NobushigeAzai]

MAYBE YOU DO DESERVE A SUB! NOW WHAT!? HUH?

[@sawmanUK]

Sub and unsub and sub again. ?

[@NobushigeAzai]

@@sawmanUK I could never unsub for even a millisecond.

[@zuzzuhimosan2597]

You forgot about throne and liberty

[@sawmanUK]

Nah I didn’t , check the thumbnail 😹👍

[@zuzzuhimosan2597]

@ iam, its not there check your self

[@thanganbabp5570]

sawman just play dragons dogma. then it doesnt matter if its dead because its singleplayer.

[@bobbymustache666]

No mention of UO means no sub for you LoL. *yells at cloud*

[@realdhop]

How is star citizen still in alpha 😂😂😂😂😂

[@sawmanUK]

No comment 😹

[@mikeg5039]

No eso? Weird

[@Maka魂]

because no one cares about it.