5 MMOs In "Maintenance Mode" That You Should Play At Least Once In Your Life

Welcome to 2025! If you missed our last few lists, make sure to check out the MMORPGs we're anticipating the most this year! While we wait for those, though, I wanted to take a look back at some MMOs that are currently still live but are in "Maintenance Mode." Some of them have certain features or stories that I think make them "must plays" for MMO fans. Of course, there's plenty of games you should try at least once if you're more of the historian type and just want to examine the genre's history, but these are games you should play even if history isn't your bag.

To clarify, when I say "Maintenance Mode" I mean exactly that. To make my list, you have to have official servers still active (no rogue server only games) and you can't be receiving real updates. Most of these games still technically get "updates" occasionally, but they are very small in nature, are usually improvements on existing systems, or maybe add very small bits of content...usually things like a more difficult version of something that already exists. Hell, some of them don't even get that much, though.

Older MMOs like LOTRO or EverQuest may be old and worth checking out, but given that they still get full blown expansions, these games certainly wouldn't be considered "Maintenance Mode" despite what some other sites may claim.

In no particular order let's hit up the list and explain why each game finds itself here and what you should check out when you boot up.

Secret World Legends

Secret World Legends isn't the only Funcom game on this list as the company seems to have had a habit in the past of releasing very interesting games that maybe could have used just a tad more work and then abandoning them when the company's leadership changed. While I'd personally recommend that you play the original The Secret World (TSW) MMO, you'll have to jump through a few hoops if you want to try that, the first of which being finding a copy you can buy. They appear on sites like Amazon from time to time so it isn't TOO hard, but you need to find old copies to play as it isn't available for digital purchase now that Secret World Legends (SWL) is out. Legends has the benefit of being free-to-play, too.

Anyway, whichever version you manage to jump into, you'll likely find clunky as all hell combat either way. While you can equip whatever weapon combinations and skills that you wish (which is neat), combat is not why we're here. The reason you're in TSW or SWL is the story and the atmosphere. Period. Taking place in a world dominated by conspiracy theories and mysteries, solving puzzles, and digging through all the lore of this Lovecraftian title is the main draw. The more modern-day setting also sticks out in a genre crowded by high fantasy. There's simply nothing like Secret World out there.

Oh...I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the community. While small, the community still in game is the ONLY reason this damn game is even online anymore. They can be extremely welcoming and helpful and they often hold their own events since Funcom basically just leaves the lights on at this point.

Guild Wars

While Guild Wars 2 may get all the ArenaNet news these days, Guild Wars (GW) is still one you have to log into at least once. You'll need to make at least a base-box purchase for this adventure, but it's normally a trivial amount to get started. (Currently the trilogy set on Steam is only $30).

Now, don't expect the OG GW to be anything like the sequel. For starters, it really isn't an MMORPG as you may think of them. Sure, there's some areas in the game where you'll see many players, but GW is really all about small group adventures. Similar in style to something like Dungeons & Dragons Online, you'll be headed out of the hubs into instanced zones with just you and your party.

Don't let that fool you, though, some of the storytelling, skill systems (yes, get an online guide to help you start your first character build), and some surprising visuals make GW one to try out. I have quite a few friends that had never played GW before and when going back literally found their new "main game."

While you won't be getting updates, there's hundreds of hours to be had here, serious PvP if you're looking for that, and you don't have to worry about the servers going anywhere soon since ArenaNet has said they'll leave the servers on as long as there's a player base that wants it. A two-person team basically runs the show and the game is so efficient that it costs very little to keep online. Enjoy!

Final Fantasy XI

Square Enix's original MMORPG, Final Fantasy XI (FFXI), is an amazing old school MMO experience. Approaching its 23rd year of operation, FFXI can now only be played on PC and is likely the game on this list that will require the most hoops to jump through to get started. You'll have to buy the game, pay the still active required subscription, and you'll probably want to hit up a guide or two to make the game look HD and perform better than it does upon initial download.

Yes, it is a LOT to ask of potential "new" players. However, if you wade through all of that and manage to get acquainted with a menu-based MMO that provides very little direction, you've got an amazing world to explore. With multiple expansions telling some amazing stories, a robust job system that almost guarantees you can play as your favorite class in the franchise, and more content than you'll likely ever finish if you're just starting, FFXI is truly massive.

FFXI used to be HEAVILY party-based. While parties are still very important at end game, a party used to be required from about level 12 on. While you can still play that more "Classic" version thanks to private servers, the retail version has implemented quite a few systems that make the game a LOT more solo friendly while you're leveling, experiencing fantastic stories, and messing with the job system.

Yes, it takes some getting used to, but this is one that's absolutely worth it. Pop some Advil, get things running, and bring a friend with you and you're sure to have an incredible experience.

Dark Age of Camelot

Since FFXI is for all you PvE players out there, I wanted to get an MMO known for its PvP on the list too. What better title than Dark Age of Camelot (DAoC)? If you've been around MMOs for a few years now, you've likely heard players clamoring in forums or on reddit for three-faction PvP the way "DAoC did it." It's a common catchphrase and one that is fully earned.

Yes, there is story and adventure to be had in DAoC, don't get me wrong. However, if you just love the thrill of beating up on other players, DAoC is one to pay a visit at least once. Forget PvP leaderboards, balanced numbers on each team, and instanced-based PvP matches. Three factions vie for control of the realm and it is true PvP for the sake of PvP.

Combat and movement is a bit on the clunky side when compared to today's standards, so you will have to get used to things a bit here. Also, given the open world PvP nature of the game, yes, ganking is certainly a thing.

There are some private servers that attempt to improve certain aspects of the game, but hit up the official version to try it out first, then move to the private servers. New DAoC players will also benefit from finding a few new friends via DAoC groups online to hit up for guidance (and protection) before logging in.

Anarchy Online

Let's finish off with another Funcom title. While there are now a few sci-fi MMORPGs out there, back in 2001, Anarchy Online (AO) stood as one of the only sci-fi MMOs available at the time. Hell, it would be another 2 years before we got EVE Online in 2023, and even that is more focused on ship-to-ship combat, so it's a bit of a different beast.

We're here for two things: the setting and the character progression.

Admittedly, this is another game that totally new players will have to do a bit of work to get into. The UI is a bit overwhelming at first and there's, of course, the "clunky" that comes with being an MMO that's as old as AO is now. Once you forge your way through that, though, we're now 30,000 years in the future with multiple factions to choose from and a LOT of advanced tech to master.

New players will want to hit up reddit to find some groups to join for a little guidance along the way, but damn is this setting great. Sadly, AO is another example of Funcom not QUITE being done with a game before it launched and then it being abandoned before the game really found its stride. AO is one of those "man, if they just took a little more time" type games. Pay it a visit. Here's a cool 13-years-old trailer!

Depending on how flexible you want to get with the term "Maintenance Mode," there's quite a few other games you could add to this list. Games like Age of Conan (yet another Funcom title!) have an interesting battle system you should certainly check out and the game isn't getting full expansions anymore, but it does receive somewhat substantive updates a few times each year, so it probably isn't a "true" maintenance mode title.

Other games like Ultima Online are worth checking out if you're just looking to dive into the history of MMORPGs, but for many, the game may skew too far to the "old school, hardcore" style to keep you playing for long. I'd certainly recommend trying it, but you may not stick there long enough to find the bits that make it so nostalgic for older gamers.

What MMO that you count as being in "Maintenance Mode" makes your list of "must play once"?