Multiplayer RPG

Although massively multiplayer games have received a lot of attention in recent years, there are still popular multiplayer RPG games that focus exclusively on adventure, for relatively small groups of players. They don't always provide persistent worlds and they often focus on Singleplayer.

A recent trend has been to create 3D online portals that serve as meeting places, from which groups of roughly 2-12 players run quests. In the tradition of Diablo, Neverwinter Nights and Guild Wars, these multiplayer RPGs typically do not charge monthly fees for online access.

1st Recommended Multiplayer RPG: Guild Wars Trilogy

Guild Wars gives you an epic adventure akin to those of Singleplayer classics and highly competitive team PvP battles right out of the box, with no monthly fees. The graphics are terrific and the skill system is quite unique. The Trilogy set contains the original Guild Wars Prophecies, Guild Wars Factions, and Guild Wars Nightfall, each of which is a stand-alone game with a complete campaign. If you want quick action in an immersive world without the huge time commitment, this multiplayer RPG may be the game you've been looking for.

2nd Recommended Multiplayer RPG: Diablo Battlechest

A true hack-n-slash multiplayer RPG, Diablo is one of the classic titles in the RPG genre. Diablo 2 carries on the tradition, adding character depth and multiplayer support. Although frantic mouse clicking is still required, dedicated Diablo fans wouldn't have it any other way.

Hooking up over Battle.NET is a breeze and the community is still going strong, even though the game was released years ago. The Battlechest is a huge compilation of all things Diablo, including all expansions of these multiplayer RPG games.

3rd Recommended Multiplayer RPG: Dungeons & Dragons Online

Based on D&D rules, Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach offers a virtual recreation of Eberron. Players meet in the city of Stormreach to run instanced quests for groups of up to 12 people. DDO has integrated voice chat and they've added considerable content to the game since release. Sometimes classified as a MMORPG, the multiplayer RPG Dungeons & Dragons Online has no Singleplayer whatsoever and there's a monthly fee for access.

4th Recommended Multiplayer RPG: Dragonshard

Dragonshard combines concepts from the real-time strategy genre with a Dungeons & Dragons form of role playing. On the surface, you're constructing buildings and recruiting new units, while underground you're completing quests, gathering loot and leveling up. This multiplayer RPG game is set in D&D's Eberron campaign, and skirmish-like matches can be held online for up to 8 players.

5th Recommended Multiplayer RPG: Dungeon Siege 2

Our final recommendation for multiplayer RPG games. Nice 3D graphics and an extremely well designed interface are two of this game's strongest qualities. The central feature is the Singleplayer campaign. Up to 4 people can play on a LAN or using an Internet connection.