# MMO Outlook 2025: The Most Anticipated Releases for the Upcoming Year
For enthusiasts of online role-playing games, 2025 is set to deliver an exhilarating year brimming with new realms to explore, inventive mechanics to master, and captivating adventures to undertake. The MMO genre is continually progressing, bringing forth a roster of eagerly awaited titles that cater to a diverse array of playstyles and tastes. Whether you’re into dark fantasy realms or sci-fi survival scenarios, there’s something suited for every player. Let’s delve into the most thrilling MMO releases and advancements to monitor in 2025.
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## **Ashes of Creation**
– **Platform:** PC
– **Developer:** Intrepid Studios
– **Release:** Potentially 2025 (currently available in Alpha)
Among the most ambitious MMOs in the works, *Ashes of Creation* is a distinct fusion of sandbox and theme park elements. Players can select from nine races and eight classes, which can be combined into 64 unique subclasses. The game’s standout aspect is its *Node System*, allowing players to nurture settlements from minor hamlets to vast cities through teamwork and quests.
Currently in alpha testing, *Ashes of Creation* provides early access keys for $120, enabling participants to join all future test phases. If you’re searching for an MMO that prioritizes player-driven advancement and an evolving world, this title deserves your attention.
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## **Aion 2**
– **Platform:** PC
– **Developer:** NCsoft
– **Release:** Late 2025
Devotees of the original *Aion* will be thrilled to experience its sequel, which places a strong emphasis on PvE content while incorporating optional PvP elements. Staying true to its predecessor, *Aion 2* focuses on aerial exploration, with wings playing an even more crucial role in gameplay.
By delivering immersive questing and monumental boss encounters, *Aion 2* seeks to recapture the enchantment of the original while adding new mechanics and features to maintain player engagement.
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## **Chrono: Odyssey**
– **Platform:** PC, PS5, Xbox Series X & S
– **Developer:** Chrono Studio
– **Release:** Targeting 2025
Set within a dark fantasy realm, *Chrono: Odyssey* infuses elements of *Dark Souls* into the MMO landscape with its action-focused combat system. Players can choose from six classes—Paladin, Swordsman, Berserker, Assassin, Ranger, and Sorceress—and partake in battles that necessitate precise timing for dodging, parrying, and striking.
The game’s distinctive *Chronotector* mechanic enables players to execute brief time jumps, introducing a strategic dimension to both combat and narrative. If you appreciate demanding gameplay and rich storytelling, this title is one to watch out for.
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## **Corepunk**
– **Platform:** PC
– **Developer:** Artificial Core
– **Release:** Aimed for 2025 (Early Access begins November 26, 2024)
*Corepunk* distinguishes itself with its isometric viewpoint, offering a fresh approach to the MMO genre. Players can select from six classes, each with 18 specializations, while delving into a world rich with dungeons, raids, and world bosses for PvE fans. PvP enthusiasts can confront one another in arenas and battlegrounds.
The game’s crafting system and top-down perspective yield a unique experience, with early access keys starting at €33. If you’re seeking a combination of traditional MMO features with a contemporary twist, *Corepunk* may be just the game for you.
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## **Dune: Awakening**
– **Platform:** PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X & S
– **Developer:** Funcom
– **Release:** Q1 2025
Situated on the famed desert planet of Arrakis, *Dune: Awakening* merges MMO gameplay with survival elements. Players face the brutal environment, contending with dehydration and the constant threat of sandworms. Base-building is vital, and vehicles outfitted with customizable modules enhance exploration and combat.
With its one-of-a-kind setting and survival mechanics, *Dune: Awakening* provides a refreshing perspective on the MMO genre. Beta registration is already open on the official website.
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## **Soulframe**
– **Platform:** PC
– **Developer:** Digital Extremes
– **Release:** Targeted for 2025
From the minds behind *Warframe* comes *Soulframe*, a fantasy MMO that swaps firearms for swords. Combat prioritizes skillful timing, evasion, and melee combat, with players able to utilize bows and throwable shields for ranged attacks.
The game is expected to adopt a Free-to-Play structure, with beta sign-ups currently available. If you’re a follower of *Warframe* and are curious about how Digital Extremes approaches a fantasy setting, this title is one to keep an eye on.