MMORPG and RPG games for Mac 2018. MMOs, RPGs, and Everything Between - Mac Compatible Games.
We pick our favorite MMORPGS, including worthy free alternatives.By Steven Marx & Ric Molina | Updated April 18, 2019
Finding the right MMOs is a tricky business, especially on Mac.
With the changes in pricing models, new Expansions, and the suddenly discontinued classics, it’s nearly impossible to keep up. But the good news is there are a number of excellent Mac options available.
And we’re here to help you find them.
Following our tradition of finding the top MacOS games for you, today we tackle the best MMORPG for Mac.
The Mac MMORPG market is pretty strong right now. With a good variety of sub-genres and pricing models, going from extremely generous free-to-play games to premium experiences with monthly subscriptions, there’s something on this list for everyone.
Are you looking for something offline? We also have a list with the 100 Best Mac games including all the top genres.
| Game | ★ Best Overall | Best for MacBook | Best Value |
| Genre | Subscription-based | Pay once | Free-to-play |
| Release date | 2004 | 2014 | 2012 |
| Metascore | |||
| Our rating | ★★★★★ Full Review | ★★★★☆ Full Review | ★★★★★ Full Review |
| Requirements | Medium | Medium | Low |
| Check Price |
The Rest of the Best:
Guild Wars 2 | Final Fantasy Online | EVE Online| Spiral Knights | Trove | Albion Online | War Thunder| Star Conflict| Realm of the Mad God| Runescape| Dungeons & Dragons Online| World of Tanks Blitz
Last updated: April 18, 2019
There is no genre that sees as many significant changes as MMOs. Since the last time a year ago, we- Removed Savage 2 as it’s no longer available.
- Replaced it with Star Conflict.
- Re-tested ESO to confirm the game is no longer broken!
- Updated World of Warcraft as all past Expansions are now free (finally)
- Updated Final Fantasy 14 and ESO to reflect their latest Expansions.
- Updated Albion Online as it recently became free-to-play
- Added a new Pricing table to help you understand the real costs behind these games.
- Added a new Mac Performance table
Bottom line, this guide has been updated to fully reflect the current state of our favorites MMOs.
How We Decide
Finding the best games is a good start but what good are they if their Mac versions suck?
Sometimes a great game on Windows can suffer from extremely poor MacOS performance, or even worse, a broken Mac version. That’s why testing these games on Mac hardware is critical for us.
In this list, you’ll only find games that are great and have good MacOS support. You can read all about how we test MacOS performance below.
World of Warcraft
Mac Release date: 2004
Last Updated: 2018 (Battle for Azeroth)
MacOS developer: Blizzard
Metascore: 93
The most successful MMO ever created, World of Warcraft (WoW) had at one point over 12 Million subscribers, more than all its competitors combined! To be fair, WoW’s subscribers may have decreased, but it’s still the most popular MMO out there, by far.
That success comes from the amazing support Blizzard continuously delivers. Every Expansion significantly improves the game and sometimes even dares to reinvent it. Legion was particularly great, especially for Mac gamers, as it moved the game from OpenGL to Metal, delivering a 61% performance improvement in the process.
Overall, everything in WoW just works. The missions are fun, the dungeons are rewarding (yet, accessible) and the raids are hardcore as ever. The Player versus Player (PvP) is equally good, and there are professions, crafting, and countless other things to do. Leveling up and getting better gear will become your obsession.
Finally, with the decision to make all prior Expansions free (finally), WoW is set to become the best Mac MMORPG of 2019.
Real Pricing: WoW offers a free trial that goes to level 20 but if you want to play this seriously, the game requires $14.99 per month.
Benchmark results (in FPS):
2013 MacBook Pro
2016 MacBook Pro
2014 27-inch iMac
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Testing conditions:
We tested the game using Graphics Quality level 5, MSAA disabled, FXAA Low, 100% Render scale and 1280×800 resolution.
Results:
Demand Level: Low
System Requirements: OS 10.12.5, 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 Processor, 8 GB RAM, 1GB AMD 5750, Nvidia 650M, 1.5GB Intel Iris Pro 5200, 78 GB hard drive space.
Guild Wars 2
Mac Release date: 2012
Latest Update: 2017 (Path of Fire)
MacOS developer: ArenaNet
Metascore: 90
For a long time, Guild of Wars 2 was the only MMO that could compete with World of Warcraft. The Elder Scrolls and Final Fantasy 14 changed that, but Guild Wars 2 is still one of the top choices.
What I love the most about Guild Wars 2 is that it works hard to limit the “grinding” (you’ll hear a lot about grinding in this article). You know, killing 500 Level 1 rats to level up. Instead, Guild Wars 2 focuses on group events and Living World stories, the latest being a killer open-world jungle.
The other thing that sets Guild Wars 2 apart is the fact that it doesn’t require a monthly subscription. This was already a good deal, but then ArenaNet did even better when it made the base game free-to-play. Path of Fire, the game’s latest Expansion, isn’t free but does include a rogue god war to kill and mounts for the first time!
An MMO that can go up against WoW but is free? That makes Guild Wars 2 our runner-up.
Real Pricing: The base game is completely free; there are two paid expansions available which you can get for $49.99 but you won’t ever have to pay a monthly subscription.
Benchmark results (in FPS):
2013 MacBook Pro
2016 MacBook Pro
2014 27-inch iMac
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Testing conditions:
We tested the game using Medium settings, with Antialiasing, Reflections, Postprocessing and V-sync off, and 1280×800 resolution.
Results:
Demand Level: Low
System Requirements: OS 10.9, Intel Core i5 Processor, 4 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 320M, ATI Radeon HD 6630M, Intel HD 3000 or better, 50 GB hard drive space.
The Elder Scrolls Online
Mac Release date: 2014
Latest Update: 2018 (Summerset)
MacOS developer: ZeniMax Media
Metascore: 83
A cross-platform MMORPG, The Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) is the only way Mac gamers can experience the Elder Scrolls universe. And while there were various criticisms leveled at the game when it was first released, updates and fixes have firmly established it as one of the best MMORPG games for Mac around.
Featuring the fantasy RPG gameplay that made Skyrim and Oblivion famous, ESO features a wide open world that you can explore and play in as you like, alone or with your friends. The game features a rich story, plenty of side quests, crafting, battles and more. And Summerset, the game’s latest Expansion, adds a new region to an already huge world.
While there are still technical issues with the game on MacOS, our experience with the game was positive. It is so well optimized for Macs, it was even playable on our 2012 MacBook Pro.
A great-looking AAA title with a reasonable price playable on a 6-year-old MacBook Pro? That’s enough to make it our MacBook pick.
Real Pricing: The base game costs $19.99 and does not require a monthly subscription. There is also an optional $14.99 monthly subscription available including all paid DLC, faster XP, and more.
Benchmark results (in FPS):
2013 MacBook Pro
2016 MacBook Pro
2014 27-inch iMac
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Testing conditions:
We tested the game using Medium Graphics quality, Anti-aliasing and V-sync off, and 1280×800 resolution.
Results:
Demand Level: Medium
System Requirements: OS 10.9, Intel Core 2 Duo Processor, 4 GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce 460 or AMD Radeon 6850 with 1GB of VRAM, 85 GB hard drive space.
Lord of the Rings Online
Mac Release date: 2007
Latest Update: 2013 (Riders of Rohan)
MacOS developer: Turbine
Metascore: 88
Developed by Turbine, Lord of the Rings Online (LotRO) follows the story from the movies and gives you full access to almost everything it has to offer for free.
LotRO was always a good game, and now that it’s free-to-play, the player base is finally big enough to make it great. The game features everything that you’d want from an MMORPG set in Middle Earth. Explore the places you’ve read about like the Shire and the Mines of Moria, meet Gandalf and battle the forces of Sauron. Or play as one of his minions in Player vs. Monster mode.
However you make your way through Middle Earth, LotRO is gorgeous to look at, fun to explore and includes all your favorite MMORPG elements such as crafting, quests and of course battles.
Free-to-play MMOs are a dime a dozen, but Lord of the Rings Online truly stands out. This is without hesitation the best free MMORPG for Mac, as the only differences with the paid version are quite superficial.
Real Pricing: The base game is free, but there are several paid expansions offering more quests to play. There’s also a $14.99 monthly “VIP” subscription that unlocks every expansion, gives you access to the monster class, free LoTR points and more.
Benchmark results (in FPS):
2013 MacBook Pro
2016 MacBook Pro
2014 27-inch iMac
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Usually $19.99, you can get this excellent adventure game for free:
Final Fantasy 14 Online
Mac Release date: 2010
Latest Update: 2017 (Stormblood)
MacOS developer: Square Enix
Metascore: 88
With the release of the Heavensward Expansion, Final Fantasy 14 Online became an excellent game. The problem was the MacOS version, which was a buggy mess when released. The performance was so terrible, Square Enix had to publicly apologize and offered refunds.
But things have changed for the better. The Mac version runs infinity times better now, a new PvP MOBA-style mode was launched, and Stormblood, the game’s latest Expansion introduced a plethora of new quests, features and gameplay mechanics.
FF14 offers everything a fan could ask for, including switching between classes and jobs, challenging dungeons, and huge PvP battles (with up to 72 players). Plus, the game now offers a free trial up to level 35 and cross-platform multiplayer between Mac, Windows and PlayStation 4.
Needless to say, FF14 is also the best anime MMORPG on Mac.
Real Pricing: A $19.99 Starter Edition lets you play up to level 50 while a $59.99 Complete edition eliminates all limits and includes all available expansions. Both include a 30-days free play period. Subscriptions are $29.99 for a 60-day card.
2013 MacBook Pro
2016 MacBook Pro
2014 27-inch iMac
Expand to see if your Mac run it
Testing conditions:
We tested the game using Middle Graphics settings, Anti-aliasing and Real-time reflections off, and 1280×800 resolution.
Results:
Notice that all machines scored 30 FPS because the game is locked to 30 FPS maximum.
Demand Level: High
System Requirements: OS 10.12.4, AMD Radeon Pro 450, AMD Radeon R9 M290, NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M, Intel Iris Pro or better, 60 GB hard drive space.
EVE Online
Mac Release date: 2003
Latest Update: 2016 (Citadel)
MacOS developer: CCP Games
EVE Online is a fascinating space adventure game that lets you do whatever you want. You can choose from a variety of professions, including mining, manufacturing, trading, piracy, exploration, and more. Everything happens in real-time, even when you’re not logged in, which is tedious for some but provides added realism for others. EVE Online truly feels like a parallel universe that will go on with or without you.
But the best part of EVE are the impressive space battles. These battles can involve ships as big as entire cities and can cost literally thousands of dollars. In fact, in 2014 a huge war broke out, costing gamers over $300,000 in damages!
Developer CCP Games recently made EVE Online a significantly better MMO with two key decisions: it made it free-to-play and vastly improved the game’s introduction to make it easier to get into.
Bottom line: EVE is a rewarding space sim (and a must for space combat fans) that you can try for free.
Real Pricing: Free-to-play but with limits on skill levels and ships you can acquire. A $14.95/month subscription eliminates those limits and opens the whole game universe.
Spiral Knights
Mac Release date: 2011
Latest Major Update: 2013 (Energy System Update)
MacOS developer: Grey Havens
Featuring cartoon graphics, Spiral Knights has a slightly different take on the MMORPG. In this free-to-play cooperative MMORPG, you and your fellow space-faring knights crash on an alien world and must explore the underground Clockworks to find a mysterious energy source and fix your ship. What this really means is you go underground to explore an ever-changing dungeon, battle enemies, and solve fairly simple puzzles.Played from a top-down third-person perspective, Spiral Knight focuses on the real-time battles, which are fought cooperatively with other knights against hordes of enemies. In between battles you train, rest, chat and more in the town of Haven on the surface. There’s also a PvP mode for when you’re tired of getting along with your other knights.
Real Pricing: The game is free-to-play, with downloadable content and in-game purchases available but not required. There are some complaints of excessive grinding if you don’t pay for Orbs to help you advance.
Trove
Mac Release date: 2017
MacOS developer: Trion Worlds
Looking for a Minecraft-y online MMORPG on Mac? Trove’s got you covered. With a focus on cooperative multiplayer and action, Trove gives you all your classic RPG elements inside a Minecraft lookalike universe.In addition to going off on adventures on land and underground, alone or with friends in cooperative multiplayer, Trove allows you to craft anything you want and use it in the game. You also get your own house in which to craft and relax. And if you don’t like the worlds that already exist in the game, you can even craft your own, again alone or with friends.
Trove is praised for its community and gameplay, but it can suffer from server issues and some claim the grinding becomes excessive later in the game. But for those looking for a Minecraft-style experience, Trove is definitely your ticket.
Real Pricing: Free-to-play with paid DLC and in-app purchases going from $2.99 to $49.99 for the biggest bundles, some complain it can become pay-to-win to get the materials you need to craft higher-end items.
Albion Online
Mac Release date: 2017
MacOS developer: Sandbox Interactive
Now free-to-play, Albion Online is an open world sandbox MMO set in a medieval fantasy world where player choice dominates gameplay. Using a classless system, you can develop your skills in different areas and switch between roles at will.
Another nice twist is the economy, which is completely player driven. Everything available to buy and sell has been gathered or crafted by other players. You get to decide how you want to fit into that economy.
Need a break from the exploring and fighting? Albion Online provides you with a private island where you can farm and build your own dream house. Along with Guilds, PvP battles and cross-platform multiplayer with Windows, Linux and even mobile (Android, iOS in beta), Albion Online has it all for those who want to create their own adventure.
Real Pricing: Previously $29.95, the base game is now free-to-play with upgrades and DLC available but not required.
War Thunder
Mac Release date: 2013
Latest Major Update: 2013 (Energy System Update)
MacOS developer: Gaijin Entertainment
Metascore: 81
A newer entry in the WWII genre formerly dominated by World War II Online, War Thunder also includes the Korean War era in its air and land combat options.With a huge number of available planes, tanks, and even navy vessels, War Thunder offers anything your heart could desire for mid-20th-century combat.
War Thunder features full-scale PvP battles, historical campaigns in PvE, a large number of solo missions, and cooperative multiplayer. Plus it’s cross-platform on MacOS, Windows, Linux, and PS4.
What else could you want in a military MMO? Well, we’ll throw in modest system requirements allowing even more of you to try it out.
Real Pricing: Free-to-play with lots of paid DLC and in-app purchases available. There are also premium accounts available starting at $7.49 for 20 days that offer extra bonuses and experience points.
Star Conflict
Mac Release date: 2013
MacOS developer: Gaijin Entertainment
Metascore: 75
Star Conflict is a gorgeous space simulation MMO that focuses on PVP combat above anything else.
As an elite pilot, you’ll spend most of your time engaging in action-packed dogfights in outer space. This means ships are at the heart of the game, and you’ll be able to chose from fast and scrappy fighters to powerful and bulky destroyers. On top of that, Star Conflict also offers a stellar customization system, with 200+ ships and 40+ mods to play with. As one long-time player puts it:
You can go 1000 matches with one build before deciding to change one single mod on the ship, which leads to a completely different experience for the next 1000 matches.
You’ll also be able to join a faction and engage in missions to gain influence and loot. Finally, the game also offers quests, exploration and crafting to round things up.
Real Pricing: Free-to-play with optional Packs available.
System Requirements: 2.0 GHz Intel Processor, 4 GB RAM, 512 MB Video RAM (Intel HD 3000 or better) and 6GB of Hard Drive space.
Realm of the Mad God
Mac Release date: 2012
MacOS developer: DECA Games
Metascore: 82
An action-shooter MMORPG featuring classic 8-bit graphics, Realm of the Mad God is all about the fighting. Sure you’ll have looting and exploring to do, but that’s just to get you to the monster killing.As a character transported to the Realm of the Mad God to serve as food for his minions, your job, along with your fellow players, is to kill everything. As you battle through each realm, you’ll level up, earn Fame, and improve your arsenal. However, the game features permadeath, where you lose (almost) all your equipment and stats when you die. Fame you have earned allows you to buy in-game items.
With a focus on cooperative multiplayer fighting, Realm of the Mad God is classic 8-bit RPG fun.
Real Pricing: Free-to-play with just one optional $9.99 Adventure pack including several items for your character.
Runescape
Mac Release date: 2001
Latest Major Update: 2016
MacOS developer: Jagex
An open world, choose-your-own-adventure style MMO, Runescape began life as a browser-based game but long ago graduated to its own client software. Runescape claims fame as the world’s largest and most-updated free MMORPG according to Guinness.Runescape is known for its classless system and non-linear gameplay. You improve skills by using them, and choose how you want to play the game. With plenty of skills, quests, monsters and more, Runescape gives you everything you need to explore the world of Gielinor.
Real Pricing: Free-to-play but unlocking many elements requires a $9.49 monthly subscription.
Dungeons and Dragons Online
Mac Release date: 2006
Latest Major Update: 2017 (Mists of Ravenloft)
MacOS developer: Standing Stone Games
Metascore: 74
Dungeons & Dragons Online was the first free MMO I ever played.What I like the most about DDO is the narrator or “dungeon master” that describes the paths and options available to you. This makes DDO feel a lot like a tabletop game and not just a video game. By the way, DDO is based on the Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 ruleset, which is the foundation of most RPG elements within the game.
When it comes to the graphics, DDO looks a lot like the Lord of the Rings Online, but that’s about the only similarity they share. The storytelling and mechanics are completely different, clearly catering to different audiences. Speaking of audience, DDO’s player base is much more forgiving than the average.
DDO is a favorite among our team here and if you like tabletop RPGs, I’m confident you will love it too.
Real Pricing: Free-to-play with paid Expansions and DLC packs required to unlock some classes.
World of Tanks Blitz
Mac Release date: 2016
MacOS developer: Wargaming
Metascore: 80
Looking for an MMO with tanks instead of dungeons? World of Tanks Blitz (WoTB), the MMO version of the popular World of Tanks, is for you. Featuring 7-vs-7 tank battles with cross-platform multiplayer (including cooperative multiplayer), WoTB is what you need when in you’re in the mood for some heavy metal.
With over 200 different real-life vehicles and 18 different battle arenas, there’s plenty of variety to keep things fresh. Despite some complaints about matchmaking, the community and what some see as a pay-to-win formula at higher levels, WoTB is still a fun, free-to-play tank fest for you and your friends.
Real Pricing: Free-to-play with in-app purchases.
Normally, we test our Top 10 games on different Mac models and share the results with you. This time, with so many free-to-play options, we decided to focus on the premium games only.
We performed all of our tests on these machines:
iMac (5K, 27-inch, Late 2014)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2013)
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2016):
2.0 GHz Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, Intel Iris Graphics 540 (1.5GB)
| Game | Requirements | 2013 MBP FPS | 2016 MBP FPS | 2014 iMac FPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World of Warcraft | Low | 35.5 FPS Playable | 78.4 FPS Smooth | 78.4 FPS Smooth |
| Elder Scrolls Online | Medium | 38 FPS Playable | 50.9 FPS Smooth | 50.9 FPS Smooth |
| Lord of the Rings Online | Low | 48 FPS Smooth | 80.8 FPS Smooth | 80.8 FPS Smooth |
| Guild Wars 2 | Low | 42.9 FPS Playable | 52.8 FPS Smooth | 52.8 FPS Smooth |
| Final Fantasy 14 Online | Medium | 20.5 FPS Borderline | 40.8 FPS Playable | 40.8 FPS Playable |
Expand to see how to interpret these results
For your reference, this is how we describe the different levels of performance (in frames per second):
| Below 20 FPS | Unplayable | Laggy gameplay, full of stutters and slowdowns. |
| 20-30 FPS | Borderline | Can be Ok in slow paced games. Still, not optimal. |
| 30-45 FPS | Playable | Acceptable for most (most gaming consoles do this). |
| 45-60 FPS | Smooth | Fluid gameplay, with no perceivable stutters. |
| 60+ FPS | Very Smooth | For hardcore and professional players, a luxury for most. |
We usually aim for 30 FPS, because 30 FPS is enough to guarantee a smooth and fluid experience. This YouTube video does a great job at showing the differences between 30 FPS VS 60 FPS.
In a nutshell:
The best MMORPG for MacBook owners is The Lord of the Rings Online whereas the most demanding MMORPG on Mac is Final Fantasy Online.
While you might regret that games such as Star Wars: The Old Republic aren’t available for Mac, there are still plenty of good MMOs available for Mac.
The following games, even though they didn’t make theTop 15, are still worthy of your attention when you’re looking for a new MMO to play:
| Games | Games | Our take | Demand Level | Free games only? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Wild Terra Online Free-to-Play | RPG MO | A retro style MMORPG, RPG MO is for fans of RuneScape and Ultima Online. Another open-world sandbox MMO, RPG MO is known for its player-made economy and being truly free-to-play. You’ll have the usual grind, but you also get a house and pets for relaxing. And with modest system requirements, RPG MO is great for throwback fans with older and mid-range machines. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes |
WAKFU Free-to-Play | Planetshift | Planeshift is a completely free 3D MMORPG set, inside a giant stalactite attached to the roof of an even more giant cave. Containing all the classic RPG elements, Planeshift, like several others in this list, allows you to chart your own path as you explore the world of Yliakum. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes |
Ryzom Free-to-Play | Puzzle Pirates | Looking for something a little more casual and less focused on RPG elements? Puzzle Pirates may be what you’re looking for. You’ll be a pirate progressing through the game by solving various puzzles and mini-games. Don’t be deceived by a cartoony look and some casual-looking puzzles, this isn’t a kids or mobile game. With single & multiplayer, including cooperative multiplayer, Puzzle Pirates is a different take on the MMO. Metascore | Not demanding | Yes |
Champions of Regnum Game | ★ Best Overall | Runner-up | Best Value | |
| Genre | Action RPG | Party-based RPG | Sci-Fi RPG | |
| Release date | 2019 | 2018 | 2015 | |
| Metascore | ||||
| Our rating | ★★★★★ Full Review | ★★★★☆ Full Review | ★★★★★ Full Review | |
| Requirements | Medium | Medium | Low | |
| Check Price |
Last updated: July 21, 2018
We have tested over 10 new games released since this guide was first created in September 2015 and decided to crown a new all-around champion. We also added a brand-new section with all the games that almost made it.
How We Decide
We purchase all of the games we review with our own funds. We do receive review copies, but they are largely ignored. Sorry!
This is how we proceed: First, we identify the games we believe are the greatest, then we purchase them, and finally we test MacOS performance levels using our three test machines:
The follow-up to our previous winner had a lot to live up to, and by and large Pillars of Eternity 2: Deadfire delivers.
Picking up after the events of the original, one of the most crowdfunded games of all time, Deadfire takes what’s great about the original and puts it to sea. Literally. In Pillars of Eternity 2, you’re pursuing a rogue god over land and sea through the Deadfire Archipelago, using your ship to travel from place to place. With the same focus on exploration, story, and character as the original, Deadfire is just as engaging and fun to explore. Setting it at sea and adding naval battles (or piracy, if you will) is the icing on the cake.
Upgraded graphics, game mechanics and already announced DLC round out the experience. Pillars of Eternity was designed as a modern take on the classic RPG and it delivered beautifully. The original is a hard act to follow, but PoE 2: Deadfire lives up to it and is our pick for Best RPG for Mac.
Another game going for the classic style with a modern look and play, Divinity: Original Sin, is an open-world RPG that can be best experienced in cooperative multiplayer with friends.
The game features turn-based combat and the ability to interact with and manipulate the world as you desire. A multiple award winner and one of the top reviewed computer games of 2015, Divinity: Original Sin also wins points for its voiceovers, controller support (if you’re into that sort of thing), and, it bears repeating, the ability to do just about anything you can think of in the game, things that maybe even the developers didn’t anticipate. While the game can be challenging at first, it rewards those who stick with it and are willing to explore, experiment and take control of the world they have been given.
A multiplayer alternative to our winner, Divinity: Original Sin is our runner-up for best role-playing games for Mac. At this point, the only question is, when do we get Divinity: Original Sin 2?
Update: Divinity: Original Sin 2 for Mac is coming Early 2019.
Undertale is our first example of RPGs using throwback 8/16 bit graphics. And while the look is classic, the tone is modern.
Undertale takes place in a world where monsters were locked Underground long ago after losing a war with humans. Your character stumbles through the magic barrier that leads to the monster-filled Underground and must find her way back up top. And while you can fight your way to victory, you can also win this game by being kind and sparing your enemies, and the way you play will affect how the game unfolds. Undertale quickly became a fan favorite for its old-fashioned look and unique story and gameplay. And with your interactions having a major effect on how the game plays out, Undertale has excellent replay value.
This all explains why Undertale was a multiple award winner, including Best Game Ever in a GameFAQs poll. Able to run on just about any Mac thanks to its old-school graphics, Undertale is AAA gameplay at a budget. So, if you enjoy retro looking RPGs but with a modern sensibility, Undertale is for you.
If you like your RPGs set a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, boy have we got you covered. The sequel to what many consider one of the top computer games of all time, Knights of the Old Republic 2 (KOTOR 2) takes place 4,000 years before the events of Episode I in the movie series.
Also like the original, the sequel was very late coming to the Mac, following the Windows release by a cool ten years. That said, the game was remastered and brought to modern times by Aspyr in 2015. You can now enjoy it with better graphics, sounds and an increased resolution. And despite all those years, it remains, like the original, one of the best sci-fi RPG games you can find.
Featuring a great story, interesting characters and pausable real-time combat, KOTOR 2 allows you to join the dark or the light side as you work to rebuild your connection to the Force and find the remaining Jedi after they have been mostly wiped out by the Sith. Possibly the finest Star Wars experience that can be had on MacOS, KOTOR 2’s age means it’s playable on a wide variety of MacBooks, easily making it our Macbook Pick.
A sci-fi action RPG from Supergiant Games, the makers of Bastion, Transistor is an award-winning blend of action and story. You play as Red, a lounge singer who has had her voice stolen. But you do have a mysterious talking sword that can be outfitted, and re-outfitted, with various abilities as you battle your way through a futuristic city in search of answers.
Featuring the same gorgeous hand-drawn style as Bastion and a superior soundtrack that adjusts to the action, Transistor is as much fun to look at and listen to as it is to play. But play you will, and here again, Transistor offers a unique blend of turn-based tactics and strategy (planning) and fast-paced action (execution). Figuring out the best ways to use and combine your combat skills is one of the keys to Transistor, and while it can be difficult it’s also very rewarding when you get it right.
Beautiful graphics, fantastic soundtrack, complex and rewarding gameplay and a great story, what else do you need? How about system requirements modest enough so that just about anyone with a Mac can play it? With all that, Transistor was a cinch to make this list.
Darkest Dungeon is a roguelike (think permadeath) game with turn-based combat. But Darkest Dungeon is unique thanks to its Affliction System, where the characters in your party, in addition to suffering damage from enemies, will also suffer increasing levels of stress, paranoia and more as your quest continues, which will impact their ability to assist you in combat.
This leads to another fun and different feature, the need to rest and relax in between your battles; go into town, relax and level back up, then head back underground for more battles. Featuring a unique 2D hand-drawn style and a gothic atmosphere, Darkest Dungeon is one of the most unique games on this list. It’s also one of the more difficult games, so if you don’t like having your characters die and need replacing (remember, I did say permadeath) you might want to look elsewhere.
But if you can take it, you’ll be rewarded with hours of gameplay and the satisfaction of defeating a truly difficult game. And thanks to the 2D graphics, you can put yourself through this almost literal torture on just about any machine from the past several years.
Diablo practically defined the classic combat RPG genre. Around since the last millennium (1996 specifically), there still are no more fun ways to hack and slash your way to victory.
Continuing the story told in the first two installments, Diablo 3 is a classic hack n’ slash RPG with all the elements you expect: dungeons, monsters, fierce bosses and a richer story than found in many RPGs. And it’s from Blizzard, which means you can get your RPG fix the same day as Windows users. And though we waited 12 years for the third installment, when it came out there was a unanimous agreement that the wait was worth it.
Last year’s Rise of the Necromancer expansion is keeping the game fresh, and the franchise shows no signs of slowing down. Plus, thanks to Blizzard’s “Starter Game” concept, it’s one of the few RPGs for Mac that you can try before you buy. If you’re looking to dip your toes into the waters, Diablo 3 is as good a place to start as any.
Perhaps you’re a fan of sci-fi RPG games but not of the Star Wars universe. If that’s the case, Wasteland 2 may just be for you.
Yet another Kickstarter-funded RPG, it followed the original Wasteland by a mere 26 years. An isometric game featuring turn-based combat and set in a post-apocalyptic western United States, Wasteland 2’s strong points include customizability, large parties, decisions that really make a difference, good dialog and obviously improved graphics over the original. Set 15 years after the events of the original game, you again lead a party of Rangers in a post-nuclear world, attempting to provide some law and order to a world gone monster crazy.
Now available as a “Director’s Cut” featuring improved graphics, more dialog and gameplay improvements including more character customizability and precision strikes, Wasteland 2 is post-apocalyptic RPG heaven. Wasteland 2 also features plenty of violence, a Mature rating, and requires a moderately powerful Mac to run.
If you prefer your RPGs futuristic instead of fantasy, Wasteland 2 is, without doubt, one of the best Mac RPG games you can find (and Wasteland 3 is coming to MacOS too).
A unique take on either the dungeon crawler and the rhythm game, Crypt of the NecroDancer somehow manages to meld those two genres into a game that is hard but fair, and undeniably fun.
Think Dance Dance Revolution, but instead of just matching your moves to a beat, you have to match your moves to the beat to attack enemies, explore dungeons, and otherwise make your way through each level. Featuring procedurally generated dungeons, permadeath, and hordes of dancing skeletons, zombies, and dragons (that’s right, your enemies have to follow the beat too), Crypt of the NecroDancer has all your classic RPG elements.
But it’s Crypt of the NecroDancer’s soundtrack that steals the show. With several remixes and the ability to add your own MP3s, the music doesn’t get old. Which is good because you’re going to die, a lot, as you progress deeper into the crypt. If you’re up for a game that’s challenging but fair and ultimately rewarding, Crypt of the NecroDancer is for you. And it should run, or dance, on just about any machine.
A modern update to the classic 1999 game, Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition remains one of the best RPGs of all time. While modern technology can’t cover up all the signs of age, the game’s characters, setting, and story remain top notch.
Set roughly in the Dungeons & Dragons universe (2nd edition), you play as the Nameless One, who has lived several lifetimes but can’t remember any of them, until now. You are sent on a mission where you’ll explore not just the city of Sigil but the other Planes, in search of answers to your existence. And while Planescape often looks, sounds and even plays like a combat RPG, success also comes from what you’ve done up to the point of combat in solving mysteries, making good decisions and interacting with the people around you.
To be clear, there will be combat and you’ll have a party with bizarre powers to help you out. Great story and locations, interesting characters and updated graphics land Planescape Torment: Enhanced Edition firmly on our list.
As a bonus, just about anybody with a Mac can enjoy the game with its extremely modest system requirements.
There are so many great Mac RPG games, we couldn’t list just ten. To avoid leaving off too many great choices, we give you the following entries, which didn’t quite make the list but still deserve to be mentioned. These should help you forget abandoned Mac ports, such as Dark Souls’.
Normally, we also include all the good free alternatives, but after much research, we couldn’t find a single free RPG for Mac that’s worth it… That said, there are several excellent MMORPGs for Mac that are free and can be enjoyed solo. Lord of the Rings Online is a good example.
Now onto more awesome RPGs for MacOS, and if we miss any, we hope you’ll let us know in the comments.
| Games | Games | About | Demand Level |
|---|---|---|---|
Pyre ✅ Not demanding | Pyre | From the creative geniuses behind Bastion and Transistor, Pyre is a party-based RPG which has you leading a band of exiles in their quest to win their freedom. To do this you participate in a series of battles, or Rites, 3v3 style; that ressemble more a sporting match than a battle. In fact, some call it the succesor NBA Jam needed. Supergiant is known for gorgeous artwork, excellent stories and top notch audio and voice acting, and Pyre doesn’t disappoint. With a unique battle system and beautiful new world to explore, Pyre is also lightweight enough to run on just about any recent Mac. Metascore | Not demanding |
Banner Saga 2 ✅ Not demanding | Banner Saga 2 | The second installment in the Banner Saga series, The Banner Saga is a classic RPG, with some unique features. The Banner Saga takes place in a Viking-inspired setting. It uses beautiful, hand-drawn 2D graphics and animations and, as with many of the games on this list, focuses as much on story and character as on combat. And while we’re showcasing Banner Saga 2 here, you should know that your choices and their effects carry over from one game to the next, so it’s probably worth starting at the beginning. The Banner Saga 2 is one of the most satisfying turn-based RPGs to be found on the Mac and can run on just about any Mac. Metascore | Not demanding |
Torchlight 2 ✅ Not demanding | Torchlight 2 | Another classic-style action RPG Mac gamers can enjoy, Torchlight 2 was a near miss on our last list and has stood the test of time well enough to make it this time. Featuring cooperative multiplayer and a large developer community filling the Steam Workshop with mods, Torchlight 2 also makes a contender for best value at $20. With a focus on exploration and combat, Torchlight 2 builds on the original with new classes, more and better loot and the return of randomly generated levels for maximum replayability. A sequel to the original story, Torchlight 2 isn’t the most original game on this list but it is one of the most fun to play. Metascore | Not demanding |
Pillars of Eternity ⚠️ Fairly Demanding | Pillars of Eternity | Our winner in the traditional RPG category in the previous version of this article, the original Pillars of Eternity is still a great RPG. While a little late to release after its successful Kickstarter, PoE delivered on its promise of a return to old-fashioned RPG gaming. Pillars features extreme character customization, a large world to explore, an engaging story, and a real-time with pause combat system, all executed beautifully. You’ll have multiple options for companions in your party, a deep main quest and eventually your own home/manor/castle to build and furnish. That said, this modern classic still requires a moderately powerful Mac. Metascore | Fairly Demanding |
Tyranny ⚠️ Fairly Demanding | Tyranny | Between Pillars of Eternity 1 & 2, Obsidian Entertainment brought us Tyranny. Seriously, where do they find the time? The twist in Tyranny is that you start off in a world already conquered by evil; you’re an arbiter of justice in this world, and will literally help shape this world and the story. While keeping a familiar look and style from PoE, Tyranny’s story leaves some players daunted while others find the combat system clunky. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for a classic RPG with a unique twist, Tyranny is for you. Metascore | Fairly Demanding |
Torment: Tides of Numenera ⚠️ Fairly Demanding | Torment: Tides of Numenera | Set in the Torment universe, Tides of Numenera is a “spiritual successor” to the original while maintaining that game’s story-driven focus in a world affected by your words and action. In fact this game is so story-driven you can actually avoid much of the combat through your words and actions. Much like Tyranny, complaints center around the amount of reading involved, with people comparing it to a book or choose-your-own-adventure game. But if you’re looking to return to the Planescape universe, this provides another chapter in that story. Metascore | Fairly Demanding |
Shadowrun: Dragonfall Director’s Cut ✅ Not demanding | Shadowrun: Dragonfall Director’s Cut | Shadowrun: Dragonfall was originally released as an expansion campaign for Shadowrun Returns but was so darned good the developers decided it deserved its own game release as Shadowrun: Dragonfall Director’s Cut. With loads of new content, new music and a revamped interface and combat system, Dragonfall certainly feels like its own game. The combination of magic and technology has always been a hallmark of the Shadowrun series, and this entry is no exception. You’ll lead your small team, each with their own unique abilities, on a mission to try and prevent chaos and devastation from destroying your world. Metascore | Not demanding |
Battle Chasers: Nightwar ✅ Not demanding | Battle Chasers: Nightwar | Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a classic-style JRPG featuring turn-based combat, lots of dungeon crawling, and a beautiful comic-book art style based on the original Battle Chasers comic book series. Clearly, this is an homage to classic 1990s JRPGs. Known for its character customization options and complex but learnable battle system, Nightwar also features a lot of grind at certain parts of the game. Randomized dungeons, the excellent battle system and the beautiful surroundings do help alleviate some of the tedium. Able to run on most any Mac, Battle Chasers: Nightwar is perfect for some single-player, retro-RPG fun. Metascore | Not demanding |
Bastion ✅ Not demanding | Bastion | An action RPG that features hand-painted graphics and a narrator who reacts to everything you do, Bastion has you attempting to discover the secrets of the Calamity, which shattered the world to pieces. Unique in that ground only appears as you move around, making movement tricky, Bastion also feels less like an RPG than many on this list. With excellent combat weapons and controls, Bastion flips from many of the games on this list in being known for its combat more than its story; so if that’s what you’re looking for, it could be your ticket. Metascore | Not demanding |
The Witcher 2 ⚠️ Fairly Demanding | The Witcher 2 | While we’d rather be telling how fantastic Witcher 3 is, unfortunately, that title hasn’t made it to the Mac (yet?). But the Witcher 2 is still considered one of the best RPGs of modern times and so maintains a place on this list if a bit lower than before. While earning its Mature rating for various reasons including nudity, The Witcher 2 also manages to play like a classic fantasy RPG. The game features a solid story continuing from the events of the original, interesting characters, and notably good voice acting and graphics. Plus, it features combat mechanics far better than the original. The Witcher 2 will keep you as gripped as the original, and might even make you forget that the third entry is still not on the Mac. Metascore | Fairly Demanding |
West of Loathing ✅ Not demanding | West of Loathing | Described by its developers as “a slapstick comedy stick-figure wild west adventure role-playing game,” West of Loathing is definitely a different take on the adventure RPG. While you’ll find the traditional RPG elements, they’re presented in a comedic western setting. Looking like an RPG out of the 80s, West of Loathing is worth it for the dialog and comedy alone, but there’s a fun game in there waiting to be explored as well. With a focus on story and dialog, the combat can pale in comparison, but West of Loathing is worth it as a breath of fresh RPG air. Metascore | Not demanding |
Legend of Grimrock 2 ✅ Not demanding | Legend of Grimrock 2 | A class dungeon crawler RPG, Legend of Grimrock 2 focuses as much on exploration and puzzle solving as combat. Shipwrecked on the Isle of Nex, your party of four will explore the island and the dungeons beneath it as you attempt to survive and escape. Along the way you will uncover magical statues, secret chambers and buried treasure to help you in your battles against a wide variety of monsters. Known for challenging puzzles and great replay value thanks to the Dungeon Editor and Steam Workshop, Legend of Grimrock 2 is just the thing for puzzle-solving, dungeon-crawling fun. Metascore | Not demanding |
Hyper Light Drifter ✅ Not demanding | Hyper Light Drifter | Hyper Light Drifter pays homage to the 16-bit graphic RPG days with beautiful, hand-drawn graphics and animation. Another Kickstarter-funded RPG, you play as a Drifter with access to long-forgotten technology but you're also suffering from an unspecified disease for which you are seeking a cure. Another twist in the game is that instead of going around finding ammo to resupply your weapons, you gain ammo by hitting opponents with your energy sword. With beautiful graphics and sound, and a focus on tactical combat against the increasingly more powerful monsters, Hyper Light Drifter has quickly become a favorite RPG game for those looking for a good looking, retro, combat-focused 2D RPG. Metascore | Not demanding |
Native
These are Mac games. No Wine, Parallels or Bootcamp will ever be needed. They all install natively on your Mac without the need of Windows or other.
Performance
One of the main things we aim to provide that no one else does is a look at how these games perform on Macs. If you want to see how the run on consoles or Windows, go ahead, but we’re pretty sure that’s not why you’re here. Our games are all tested on a variety of different Macs under the exact same conditions, to make sure we can provide a decent idea of how well your Mac may run them.
We’ve had a lot of questions about this, but we test our games on Medium settings because we know Mac users hang onto their computers for a long time, because we can. And for your reference, this is how we interpret the results:
| Below 20 FPS | Unplayable | Laggy gameplay, full of stutters and slowdowns. |
| 20-30 FPS | Borderline | Can be Ok in slow paced games. Still, not optimal. |
| 30-45 FPS | Playable | Acceptable for most (most gaming consoles do this). |
| 45-60 FPS | Smooth | Fluid gameplay, with no perceivable stutters. |
| 60+ FPS | Very Smooth | For hardcore and professional players, a luxury for most. |
We usually aim for 30 FPS, because 30 FPS is enough to guarantee a smooth and fluid experience.
Critical acclaim
We all know how subjective reviews can be, and how games can be review-bombed by the public for reasons sometimes having nothing to do with the game itself. But we make sure we pick only games that have been positively received by both professional reviewers and average gamers.
Pricing
We all want quality, but just like we hold onto our Macs as long as we can, we don’t have unlimited budgets for games. We always keep in mind price tags and production levels to give indies and AAA games equal chances. After all, we’re after games that are fun to play. Looks are important, but fun gameplay is even more so.
If you’re an RPG fan and a Mac user, you’ve always been able to play the latest and greatest. While we might not get every single AAA RPG, we get more than our share compared to other genres. And as this list shows, RPGs are more than just sword and sorcery.
Best Mmorpg Free Games For Mac 2016
There’s something on this list for everyone, even if you don’t like dragons. Modern to fantasy, hi-res graphics to stick figures, whatever type of RPG is your style, we’ve got you covered here. And we had to leave lots of good ones off.
So, which one is your favorite? Did we miss any you think belong on this list? Let us know in the comments section.