The 10 Best Metaverse Game Worlds

A roundup of the most interesting metaverse games for 2023

The best metaverse games aren’t only described by the beauty of their virtual worlds, but also by the way players can engage with it. Think about open systems, player-driven economies, user owned and crafted items, a free market to interact with. In this article we will round up some of the best upcoming metaverse game worlds coming to you in 2023 and beyond. 

Metaverse games can include a wide variety of genres and gameplay mechanics, and provide platforms where players can own and trade digital assets while going on missions and building their own curated environments.

NOTE – None of these games have been properly released yet. The idea of a player driven economy with real world value is something new. There’s no playbook for success, and while playing is free, investing doesn’t come without risks. Be aware of that. 

Contents

HELIX

HELIX is one of the newer metaverse gaming platforms on the scene and it made a huge impact when it launched its Founders Pass. The NFT sold out quickly during the minting process then nearly tripled in price during the three-week run-up to the launch of the full game.

Founders Passes gave holders the chance to build their own apartment and own their own sports car, all inside Parallel City, a near-perfect replica of New York. Holders could also mint special items to boost their progress when the full game launches.

The public land sale started on 15 December and an initial number of 10,000 land plots sold out immediately. In total, there are 25,000 land plots, represented by an entire building, and each one acts as a player’s residence and base of operations.

The game is an open-world game where users can roam, go on missions, and meet new people. Some people have called it the Web3 version of GTA and looking at the trailer, it looks like a fairly good description.

Mirandus

In the virtual world of Mirandus, players have complete freedom of choice as they explore the wilderness, serve in the courts of monarchs, or set up shop in one of the great citadels of the realm.

Only the most skilled warriors, crafters, and explorers are granted access to this place, where they take on the roles of Exemplars with special powers to help them uncover the secrets of this exclusive world.

Central to the gameplay in Mirandus is the ownership of in-game assets, including land deeds that allow players to claim parts of the wilderness and establish their own holdfasts, which can range from small farms to massive cities.

The dangers of exploring Mirandus are great, but so are the rewards. Users can earn the legendary substance Materium, a powerful magic that can be used to cast spells, craft rare items, and even bring a hero back from the dead.

Illuvium

Illuvium is a fantasy role-playing game developed on the Ethereum blockchain by a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) called the Illuvium DAO. The game was announced in January 2021 and was soon one of the most hotly-anticipated metaverse games.

Illuvium is a 3D open world game built on the Immutable X scaling protocol, where players can explore and shape the environment. The game’s main aim is to search for and capture unique creatures called Illuvials, which can then be used to battle against other players’ creatures. As players engage in combat, they have the opportunity to earn rewards for their success. 

The game is currently in its beta phase, called Overworld. Players can register on the Illuvium site now and start playing today. There’s also Illuvium Zero, which is a game about base-building, resource extraction, and blueprint creation.

Star Atlas

In Star Atlas, a virtual gaming metaverse set in the year 2620, three major factions are in an ongoing struggle for resources, territory, and political domination. These factions are the MUD Territory, governed by humankind; the ONI Region, a consortium of alien races; and the Ustur Sector, controlled by sentient androids.

As a citizen of one of these factions in Star Atlas, you will have the opportunity to influence the outcome of this intergalactic conflict and earn rewards for your contributions. This document outlines the adventure that awaits new recruits in this immersive and exciting virtual world. Buy and own land, mine in space for resources, earn in-game tokens and control the intergalactic ecosystem.

Ember Sword

Ember Sword is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by game studio So Couch Studios. It’s set in the fantasy world called Pangea, which is a “land of endless adventure and exploration” where players can “battle monsters, trade with merchants, craft items, and build communities.”

The game’s assets exist on Immutable X, and it will allow players to own and trade unique, digital items such as in-game assets, skins, swords and tokens. Alpha testing will start in the game’s capital city, Solarwood, in 2023. Pre-alpha testing has been running throughout 2022.

Phantom Galaxies

Phantom Galaxies is a third-person action role-playing game (ARPG) that combines traditional 3D gameplay with blockchain technology so players can own and control in-game assets. These can be anything from mechs, equipment and avatars, to in-game tokens.

Phantom Galaxies showcases genuine quality gameplay, player-driven governance and true in-game asset ownership. All of this is enabled with Web3 technology and the in-game governance token ASTRAFER.

Treeverse

Treeverse is a mobile MMO that lets players explore a vast, open world filled with cooperative gameplay and social features. You can create and customize your own weapons using primal energy, and challenge yourself by facing off against formidable bosses.

The Arboros continent is home to many treasures and resources, and you can claim them as your own through hard work and determination. Whether you’re working with friends or going it alone, there’s always something new and exciting to discover in Treeverse.

Go on quests and explore the world, build and forge your own items and houses, or fight against opponents. Or you can collect Nftrees, plots of land and anime characters called Timeless, which are CC0 NFT assets. The Treeverse Pre-Alpha was announced on 29 November 2022. Applications are now closed and the Alpha is underway.

Big Time

Big Time is a multiplayer action RPG that takes you on a journey through time and space as you battle enemies and collect rare digital collectibles. With fast-paced combat and endless environments and adventure instances to explore, there’s always something new to discover.

Plus, you can use in-game items and tokens to produce digital collectibles and hang out with friends. Best of all, Big Time is free-to-play, so you can jump right in and start your journey anytime.

The Big Time team regularly updates its gaming community with updates about game developments, giveaways and smashed milestones. For Christmas 2022, they had a “Big Time Holiday Mystery Box Sale” and on 25 November 2022, the team released details about their future in-game economy.

Life Beyond

Life Beyond is an online game set in the future that lets players create and shape their own societies. It’s one of the first games of its kind, using Web3 and blockchain technology to give players true ownership of digital assets and control over in-game economies and societies.

Life Beyond is a persistent game, meaning the gameplay is always evolving, even when a player isn’t logged in. Everyone will have the freedom to reflect both positive and negative aspects of real human society. It’s a unique blend of gameplay and earning opportunities, and it aims to define a new genre of MMO games.

The Agent Zero Jacket is a collectible fashion item, and a symbol of your early support for the game. The Zero Jacket is the first piece of the complete Agent Zero set. Players with the jacket will get unique rewards for being the first to volunteer for adventures on the planet Dolos.

Cradles: Origin of Species

Cradles is a revolutionary metaverse game that simulates the laws of time and physics to create a living, breathing virtual world that evolves and progresses just like the real world. It’s the first time-lapsing game of its kind, and it uses blockchain technology to allow players to trade modular NFTs whose attributes can be modified and combined. 

Cradles is a play-to-earn open-world game that offers a rich gaming experience and exciting earning opportunities for players. To enter the game, players need to purchase a monthly game card.

Time is a central theme in Cradles, and it is depicted as a powerful force that creates, tests, and destroys value. It’s the player’s mission to save the world from the ravages of ongoing entropy. Cradles isn’t live yet, but we expect more coming in 2023. The Dragontar NFTs on the BNB Chain make you part of the community as well, so those could be worth checking out.