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Wurm Online

Wurm Online is one of the most innovative MMOs around, but damn, will it make you work to appreciate that fact.
Wurm Online Game Cover
63%Game Brain Score
gameplay, story
graphics, grinding
62% User Score Based on 1,730 reviews
Critic Score 68%Based on 1 reviews

Platforms

LinuxPCMac OSWindows
Wurm Online Game Cover

About

Wurm Online is a multiplayer role playing game with a historical theme. It was developed by Code Club AB and was released on July 24, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from both critics and players.

Wurm Online is a totally unique, highly accessible online wilderness MMORPG that will drag you in, shake you up and down, bite you, annoy you, drive you completely mad and leave you wondering why you didn’t find it a million years ago! Both PvP and PvE server clusters are available. On the Freedom PvE cluster, you can enjoy a peaceful life being eaten by bears in the woods. One of those servers…

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62%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,730 reviews
gameplay30 positive mentions
graphics50 negative mentions

  • Extremely immersive crafting setup that allows for deep customization and creativity.
  • Strong community support with helpful players willing to assist newcomers.
  • Unique sandbox experience where players can shape the world and build their own settlements.
  • Steep learning curve with a confusing tutorial and lack of clear guidance for new players.
  • Slow progression and grindy gameplay that can feel tedious and time-consuming.
  • Paywall for premium features that restricts free players from fully enjoying the game.
  • graphics
    209 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game are widely criticized for being outdated, often likened to early 2000s or even 90s visuals, which can be off-putting for many players. Despite this, some users appreciate the game's unique aesthetic and charm, noting that the graphics do not significantly detract from the overall gameplay experience. While there have been some updates to improve visuals, the consensus is that the game is more about depth and mechanics than cutting-edge graphics.

    • “The graphics may be dated, and the UI and menus may be clunky, but considering this game is 20+ years old, it is weathering well. They are making changes to improve the 'flow' of the game, and it is making a difference.”
    • “The game has its own graphic style, which is very clear and doesn't look bad even in this day and age.”
    • “Even with older graphics, the world is often stunningly beautiful.”
    • “The graphics are terrible: like early 2000s bad, think EverQuest.”
    • “Wow played it for like 2 mins and instantly deleted - what a piece of crap dated ancient graphics, game, inventory, movement etc. Everything about this was horrific; I couldn't stand to look at it any further.”
    • “The outdated graphics and interface are bad enough, but the buggy gameplay and complete lack of developer support make this game an absolute nightmare to play.”
  • grinding
    198 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is a central theme, with players noting its extensive and often tedious nature, reminiscent of old-school RPGs like RuneScape. While many find the grind rewarding and satisfying, especially in crafting and skill development, others feel it can be overwhelming and time-consuming, requiring significant patience and dedication. Overall, the game appeals to those who enjoy deep, grind-heavy experiences, but may deter casual players seeking quicker gratification.

    • “I'm one of those players who loves the tediousness of this game, despite the fact that others don't.”
    • “You have not experienced grinding like this before; Ark is not grinding, Scum is not grinding, smithing in Skyrim is not grinding... Wurm Online is true hardcore grinding.”
    • “You have not experienced grinding like this before; Ark is not grinding, Scum is not grinding, smithing in Skyrim is not grinding... Wurm Online is true hardcore grinding.”
    • “The game suffers the fatal design flaw of being grindy and repetitious to an extreme degree.”
    • “If you value your time and money, you won't bother with this game, as it is very grindy.”
    • “The high price of the game with the tediousness of doing anything (crafting and actions are just clicking on one thing and waiting 20 seconds to 3 minutes) combined with the lackluster combat makes the game pretty much a monthly paid version of Microsoft Paint.”
  • gameplay
    180 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Wurm Online is characterized by its slow pace and complex mechanics, appealing primarily to players who enjoy deep crafting systems and sandbox features reminiscent of older MMORPGs like RuneScape. While the game offers a rich variety of skills and activities, many players find the mechanics frustratingly outdated and poorly documented, leading to a steep learning curve that can detract from the overall experience. Despite its flaws, the game fosters a strong community and provides a unique, immersive environment for those willing to invest the time to understand its intricacies.

    • “If you're looking for deep and sophisticated crafting mechanics, grindy gameplay similar to RuneScape, and sandbox features that allow you to do basically anything - this is for you.”
    • “The gameplay isn't groundbreaking, but there's something special about being a part of a world with such a tightly knit community, knowing your actions all have an effect on the world around you.”
    • “Wurm online offers more than any other MMO I have ever played; the pure sandbox gameplay alone makes it so unique.”
    • “Unfortunately, it is also really old and has inconsistent and frustrating mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay itself is really boring; you don't actually do anything.”
    • “The gameplay is clunky and unresponsive, and the controls are a nightmare to navigate.”
  • story
    64 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of structured quests and narrative, leaving players to create their own experiences in a sandbox environment. While some appreciate the freedom to shape their own journey and build their plots, many find the absence of guidance and engaging storylines frustrating, especially for new players. Overall, the game offers a unique but challenging experience that may not appeal to those seeking a traditional narrative-driven gameplay.

    • “The gods walk the maps and offer missions for non-priests who just want to become sorcerers to use 'spell tomes' fueled by karma doled out by completing the missions of the gods.”
    • “Wurm is a game about hard work and having a plan; it is a survival game where you are your story. You either survive and settle, or you die in the wilderness to starvation, dehydration, or to the wild animals and beasts you meet.”
    • “You get to write your own story, carve your own path, plot your own course, and forge your own destiny.”
    • “The NPCs were unhelpful, and there were no quest givers to guide new players or provide direction.”
    • “Pretty unoriginal concept and almost non-existent storyline; it's like they gave up on the game after dabbling with it for about a week.”
    • “There's nothing engaging; the NPCs don't have any conversation, there's no pointers or landmarks to show your next objective, there's no quests or NPCs with tips and guidance.”
  • music
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's music is a mixed bag, with sporadic tracks that can unexpectedly enhance gameplay, such as a rock song during mining or while dragging a cow, creating a unique atmosphere. While some players appreciate the variety and find it enjoyable, others criticize the lack of coherence and lore-friendly choices, suggesting that the music could be improved. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a highlight for many, providing a pleasant backdrop despite its inconsistencies.

    • “It's worth mentioning that the game contains a variety of musical genres and sometimes it's hard to understand what situation what is supposed to fit into, but somehow it works and gives off a pleasant impression.”
    • “So... recommended for the soundtrack, I guess?”
    • “I really enjoy this game; it's pretty peaceful if you play in the PvE servers, nice relaxing music until it goes to the random rock and roll song.”
    • “Often there is no music at all in the game, until suddenly you randomly hear a song or two.”
    • “Music could be improved as some of them are not lore friendly; I don't want to listen to a blues song when I'm hunting my game in the woods.”
    • “The soundtrack inspires no excitement or emotion.”
  • monetization
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy of the game has received significant criticism, with players labeling it as excessively expensive and reminiscent of mobile app store microtransactions. Many feel that the free-to-play aspect is more of a demo, and the overall model appears to prioritize profit over player experience, leading to perceptions of it being a cash grab. Despite these concerns, some players acknowledge the game's unique freedom and potential, suggesting that it still offers value despite its monetization flaws.

    • “It's monetization strategy could be better, but no other game offers the freedom this one does while making your actions feel important to your little piece of the world.”
    • “Premium model with (some) microtransactions.”
    • “You will see a common complaint here that you have to use an in-game item obtained with microtransactions to make settlements, but you can still build less protected settlements without some of the benefits of one without making it official.”
    • “This isn't really free as the game is infested with mobile app store-like microtransactions.”
    • “They had a plethora of time to consider carefully their choices and decisions for the Steam release and the future of their game, but are short-sighted because of greed and quick cash grabbing.”
    • “The monetization is meh overall and the free-to-play part feels like a demo.”
  • stability
    16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is severely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and technical issues that hinder gameplay and make it nearly unplayable at times. Players have noted outdated graphics and a confusing interface, alongside a lack of developer support for fixing persistent problems. While some users have experienced brief periods of improved performance, the overall consensus is that the game suffers from significant stability issues that detract from the experience.

    • “Within a couple of days, most of the issues I experienced (primarily skill and stamina lag) seemed to work themselves out, and it's been a mostly bug-free experience since.”
    • “The game runs smoothly without any major crashes or glitches, making for a stable and enjoyable experience.”
    • “I appreciate how the developers have prioritized stability, as I've encountered very few bugs during my playtime.”
    • “The game is a buggy mess, riddled with glitches and technical issues that make it almost unplayable at times.”
    • “The outdated graphics and interface are bad enough, but the buggy gameplay and complete lack of developer support make this game an absolute nightmare to play.”
    • “The developers of the game are narrow-minded; they don't listen to what their players tell them, therefore there are a lot of bugs and glitches which haven't been fixed for years.”
  • optimization
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received largely negative feedback, with users reporting poor performance, slow character movement, and significant server connection issues. While some players noted improvements after recent updates, many still experience lag and graphical problems that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game's optimization appears to be a major concern, impacting gameplay and user satisfaction.

    • “This is a game of micro-optimizations over the long run and building projects that take time but are really cool once finished.”
    • “I had a few problems getting in, but once I was in, performance was great with next to no lag.”
    • “After fixes with the login issues, and with improvements to server performance, the game is really enjoyable now.”
    • “This game is so old, it nearly destroyed my 2017 Alienware laptop as optimization is absolutely atrocious.”
    • “Optimization is pretty bad, tested on a few PCs.”
    • “Update: I'd like to add the devs have neglected to optimize their servers for performance and server connection issues.”
  • atmosphere
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and calming qualities, enhanced by fitting audio elements that complement the natural settings. Players appreciate the laid-back vibe, which draws them in and fosters a sense of community, even amidst the game's slower pace. Overall, the combination of serene environments and engaging soundscapes creates a captivating experience.

    • “As I dodged wolves in the woods and came upon my first roe deer, I heard a beautiful song that perfectly fit the atmosphere of the nature on display.”
    • “I love the relaxing and calm atmosphere this game provides.”
    • “Despite its snail-paced gameplay, Wurm Online has managed to enthrall me with its atmosphere of developing cities and expanses of wilderness.”
    • “Despite its snail-speed pace, Wurm Online has managed to enthrall me in its atmosphere of developing cities and expanses of wilderness.”
  • emotional
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting moments of empowerment and camaraderie, particularly through shared experiences and community support. However, some also note that the game's demanding nature can lead to feelings of exhaustion and emotional strain, creating a complex relationship with the immersive world. Overall, the emotional experience is characterized by both uplifting moments and challenging demands.

    • “I remember mining iron in a tunnel, loading it onto a cart and going to the surface in the middle of the night, when suddenly I heard a rock song with vocals that made me feel like a bad-ass miner.”
    • “There was never a game which made me feel like home, but Wurm.”
    • “But Wurm is the sort of world that if it suits you, you will get lost in, physically and mentally and emotionally.”
  • humor
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is largely absent, with players describing it as "not a funny game" and noting a general lack of levity among the community. However, some negative reviews provide comedic relief, showcasing the immaturity and toxicity of certain players, which can be entertaining. A few light-hearted moments, such as amusing loading screen messages, offer a glimpse of humor amidst the overall serious tone.

    • “To the guy who left a hilarious review for this game... thank you :') me & a friend of mine played this game for an hour thinking it would be fun.”
    • “If you want to do nothing but dig up balls and give them funny names, play the game, if you can see past the UI.”
    • “Edit: got this hilarious loading screen message - 'Tip: Is your client running slow, or has graphical issues?'”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Wurm offers exceptional long-term character development and a supportive community that actively assists both new and experienced players. However, it features dated graphics, a somewhat clunky user interface, and lacks guidance for character progression, appealing primarily to fans of open-ended, skill-based systems reminiscent of classic RPGs.

    • “Wurm is the best MMO you have never heard of, and it has some of the best long-term character development and community involvement of any similar game. The player community of Wurm is excellent when it comes to developing new and continuing players alike; it always feels like a helping hand is right around the corner when you most need it.”
    • “Do you enjoy the open-ended skill-based character development of classic RPGs like Elder Scrolls or Ultima Online?”
    • “Dated graphics, kind of a clunky UI, and no guidance for character development.”
    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful choices.”
    • “I was disappointed by the lack of depth in character progression and customization options.”
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36h Median play time
1219h Average play time
6-1700h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 24 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Wurm Online is a role playing game with historical theme.

Wurm Online is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows and Linux.

On average players spend around 1219 hours playing Wurm Online.

Wurm Online was released on July 24, 2020.

Wurm Online was developed by Code Club AB.

Wurm Online has received mostly positive reviews from both players and critics. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its graphics.

Wurm Online is a multiplayer game with local co-op support.

Similar games include Wurm Unlimited, Life is Feudal: MMO, Life is Feudal: Your Own, Xsyon: Prelude, Mortal Online 2 and others.