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Free for All: MMORPGs for your new console

PS4 and Xbox One picture

Consoles and MMOs do not have the stand-offish relationship that they used to have. In fact, there are so many different MMOs to choose from on consoles that it's seriously tempting to pick up one of the new ones -- the Xbox One or PlayStation 4 -- even though I wasn't planning on it for a long, long time. I enjoy using a controller with MMOs so much that I plan on covering the subject more in the future.

So let's get to the list of MMOs that are currently on consoles or that will be coming out on consoles in the near(ish) future. Massively's own Mike Foster put together a fantastic list last summer, but I thought I would update and pass it on. After all, the new consoles are officially here... so be sure to reference the list when you need a new MMO to play on your shiny new console!


DC Universe Online screenshot

DC Universe Online
Platform: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PC
Release: Log in now!
Cross-platform: I could only wish.

DC Universe Online has proved to be a very successful action-based superhero MMO that not only allows for a good amount of character customization but also lets players to hang out with iconic characters from the DC universe. It works perfectly on the controller, as well, leading many PC players (like yours truly) to use one.

Final Fantasy XIV
Platform: PS3, PS4, PC
Release: Out in 2014 for PS4, released on others.
Cross-Platform: Uh, yeah!

Even though Xbox One players will not be able to play on their favorite console thanks to Microsoft's unwillingness to support cross-platform play, there are still a lot of choices for players who love this ancient IP. After it relaunched in August of 2013, players eagerly grabbed copies to check out what had changed.

Defiance
Platform: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360/One, PC
Release: Xbox One and PS4 still in development; play it on all the others now.
Cross-Platform: Negative.

Currently playable on the PC and PS3, this game has shown that it can stand on its own legs independent of the television show. There is some crossover between the two, but expect to spend most of your time shooting the heck out of aliens and less time conversing with characters from the series.

DUST 514
Platform: PS3 only
Release: Playable now.
Cross-Platform: Nu-uh.

This is more of a pseudo-MMO, but gets a lot of MMO points for its interaction with its older MMO sibling, EVE Online. At its core, this is a small-scale shooter, but when you zoom out far enough, you'll see just how massive that scale can become.

PlanetSide 2
Platform: PC, PS4
Release: Out for PC now, PS4 coming soon (tm).
Cross-Platform: No way, man. Mouse and keyboard versus a controller in a shooter? Pssh!

If epic battles between hundreds of players is your thing, then check this one out. Of course, pretty much the only thing you do is fight other players, but it's good to know that the team has been hard at work fixing up the PS4 version and continually updating the other versions.

Free Realms
Platform: PS3, PS4, and PC
Release: You can play now on the PC and PS3. PS4: Not yet.
Cross-Platform: Nope.

This is a great MMO for younger players but does provide a light sandbox experience for older players as well. Unfortunately, your PC account does not connect to the console versions.


Home screenshot

Home
Platform: PS3 and PS4
Release: Play it on the PS3 now. The PS4 is still up in the air.

This is PlayStation's version of Second Life, albeit more limited. You can decorate your avatar and house, visit different themed areas, and play games-within-the-game like shooters. You can also visit the world of Harry Potter!

World of Tanks
Platform: PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Release: Playable on the PC now. The Xbox 360 version recently hosted a beta. The Xbox One doesn't have it... yet.
Cross-Platform: That's a negatory.

This massively successful tank-battle game has surprised me at how successful it has become. We're talking millions of players, all hoping to kill each other in intense tank battles. It's realistic in more ways than one, meaning that controlling a tank and being effective in combat is not that easy.

Warhammer 40k Eternal Crusade
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release: Not 'til 2015. Or something.
Cross-Platform: I wish I knew!

We'll just have to see what happens to this hotly anticipated title. One can only hope that titans will somehow be involved!

War Thunder
Platform: PS4, PC
Release: Out on PC, soon for PS4.
Cross-Platform: But of course!

While many Massively staffers seem to love this title, it's still in development for PS4. Could this be the title to give Wargaming a run for its money? We'll see.


Elder Scrolls Online screenshot

Elder Scrolls Online
Platform: PC, PS4, Xbox One
Release: Spring 2014?
Cross-Platform: That would be a no.

If it were possible to power cities on hype alone, this game could single-handedly get us off of fossil fuels. Unfortunately we won't see cross-platform play, but I have a feeling that the news won't hurt the game's success.

Destiny
Platform: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360 and One
Release: 2014
Cross-Platform: We don't know, man. We don't know.

Since this game's coming from Bungie, you should expect a quality experience. Open-world shooting and MMO elements? Sign us up. No, really... where do we sign up?

The Division
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, mobile app
Release: Late 2014
Cross-Platform: Between the app and the game, yes, but not between consoles.

Imagine playing in a state-of-the-art futuristic co-op sci-fi adventure alongside your buddy who is watching the whole thing from a bird's-eye-view on her tablet. Pretty cool, huh?

The Crew
Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Release: Early part of 2014, February.
Cross-Platform: Who knows, man?

Think of an online, realistic racer that offers social elements. It has a persistent world and a single-player mode as well!

Diablo III
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, PS4, PC
Release: Out now, adventurer! PS4 coming soon.
Cross-Platform: No.

Even though it met with a lot of success, this always-online Not-So-Massively game has met with quite a few controversies. Recently the developers decided to shut off the real-money auction house in the PC version, although sales were obviously never hurt by its inclusion.


EverQuest Next screenshot

EverQuest Next
Platform: PS4 (mebbe) and PC
Release: I'd kill to know this.
Cross-Platform: Again, I would kill for this information.

It's possible that this title is almost as anticipated as Elder Scrolls Online. It promises to be a massive sandbox and will launch free-to-play. Nuts, huh?

Phantasy Star Online 2
Platform: PS Vita, PC
Release: You got me, kid.
Cross-Platform: See above.

Even though an official blog claimed the game was coming to North America in 2013, here we are with but a month to go and no game. So does this mean we will ever be able to get our nerdy hands on it?

Warframe
Platform: PS4, PC
Release: Go kill stuff, silly. Now.
Cross-Platform: You betcha.

Will the cross-platform play of this game really do away with the need to balance between keyboard-and-mouse and controller? Who cares because it looks sick.

Each week, Free for All brings you ideas, news, and reviews from the world of free-to-play, indie, and import games -- a world that is often overlooked by gamers. Leave it to Beau Hindman to talk about the games you didn't know you wanted! Have an idea for a subject or a killer new game that no one has heard of? Send it to beau@massively.com!