We’re all for lists here at MyGaming. The key is not to take them too seriously.

You see, part of the beauty of video games, like any other form of entertainment, is that our enjoyment of them is largely subjective. When I was a teenager I remember how personally affronted I felt when I read that my favourite PC gaming rag, PC Format, had awarded Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines a measly seventy-something out of 100. Fortunately, I’ve learned since then not to take review scores too seriously.

Still, it’s fun to make lists, and it’s also fun to make lists based on review scores. Today, I present you with a list of the top ten rated MMORPGs, according to Metacritic score.

1.    World of Warcraft – 93/100

Launched in November 2004, not only is it the biggest, but according to Metacritic, it’s also the best MMORPG released to date.

WoW Cataclysm

2.    Guild Wars – 89/100

This subscription-free, once-off purchase MMO has been going strong since 2005. More importantly, Guild Wars 2 is out later this year and it’s looking good.

Guild Wars

3.    Dark Age of Camelot – 88/100

Who’d have thought Mythic’s 11 year old free-to-play MMORPG would be Metacritic’s third highest-rated MMORPG? Ten Ton Hammer also called Dark Age of Camelot the best PvP game of the decade.

Dark Age of Camelot

4.    DC Universe Online – 88/100

Sony’s 2011 super hero-themed MMORPG has the distinction of being the best available on console, according to Metacritic.

DC Universe Online

5.    Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar – 86/100

When it came out in 2007, many called it Lord of the Rings themed WoW. We’re totally fine with that.

Lord of the Rings Online

6.    City of Heroes – 85/100

Another super-hero themed MMO, Cryptic’s City of Heroes has an interesting business model. Launched in April 2004, the monthly subscriptions were done away with in June 2011, and a free gameplay model was introduced. Subscribers get access to all content in future updates whereas free player get only a portion of it.

City of Heroes

7.    Star Wars the Old republic – 85/100

EA, LucasArts and BioWare‘s budget-crushing 2012 MMORPG juggernaut comes in at a respectable 7th place.

Star Wars The Old Republic

8.    Final Fantasy XI – 85/100

First released in May 2002 for PlayStation 2, over the years it worked its way onto Windows PCs and PS2 across the regions of the world, and in April 2006 was introduced to Xbox 360 worldwide. It bears the distinction of being the first MMO on PS2, the first cross-platform MMORPG, and the first console game to ever to receive a downloadable patch. A PS Vita version is rumoured to be in the works.

Final Fantasy XI

9.   Rift – 84/100

Launched in March 2011, Rift is one of the most celebrated MMOs of recent times, praised for introducing some innovations to the MMO playing field.

Rift

10.    Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures – 80/100

Funcom’s now free-to-play MMORPG sneaks in with a respectable 80/100. At the time of its launch the game was plagued with bugs and a lack of end-game content. Funcom promises it’s better now, and you can play it for free.

Age of Conan