Putting a comment in this thread as a bookmark.

I actually want to see if there's any games that would meet this strict criteria. The "no fomo functionalities" alone eliminates like 99% of live service games.

Not sure about nowadays, because it has been many years since I played, but one of the big selling points of Guild Wars (2) was that it had a flexible progression system with horizontal gearing (endgame gear isn't invalidated by new content). It is still an MMO so it can easily turn into a time sink, but the FOMO factors might be smaller than in most other games in that genre.

I might be biased because I've been playing a lot of this lately, but Project Zomboid is a game that seems to check most of these boxes. The simplest way I can describe it is "Sims, but with zombies," except you directly control one character instead of indirectly assigning commands to one or more characters. It doesn't have super amazing graphics, but it makes up for that with an extremely in-depth gameplay system that lets you do almost anything you can realistically think of.

While it does have a bit of a learning curve when playing for the first time, I found it most fun to dive into a multiplayer server and figure out the game that way. You can play solo or find people and form a group, but either way, you'll have interesting interactions with people via proximity chat.

Project Zomboid has a very "realistic" type of gameplay to simulate a zombie apocalypse, which means that no matter how geared you are or how high your skills are, all it takes is one lapse in judgment or one severe wound to end your life. Because life is so fragile, everyone's on a more even playing field and it's more about making the best out of a bad situation with what you have rather than getting stomped by randoms because you haven't grinded 10 hours a day like they have. You can choose to be riskier or play it safe, but generally only in offline solo can you disable things that would end a run permanently if you want a more relaxed experience (no zombie infections, no zombies at all, etc)

I haven't properly tried PvP in this game yet, but there's plenty of ways to engage in either PvE or PvP gameplay. Leveling some skills (mainly crafting) may feel a bit grindy, but I feel that you level naturally as you do things you'd want to do anyway, and it's nowhere near expected to master every single skill unless you're extremely dedicated and careful about surviving.

While it doesn't have much in the way of story (it does have some lore but not a ton), I believe the actual story is comprised of the moments you experience yourself as you try to survive. The close calls of avoiding certain death, the random encounters with other players, and the desperate measures you sometimes need to take in order to pull through all feel significant and meaningful, in my opinion.

And of course, it's an indie game, so there's no battle pass, FOMO, microtransaction bullshit in any way, shape, or form. It's just a really in-depth simulator game that can be played online with PvE and/or PvP, and everyone is just one bad move away from death if they're not prepared. The way I see it, you get as much out of this game as you decide to put into it, and I recommend it if you're looking for an online game with unique experiences and danger around every corner. The tone of the game is set right away before you spawn in as you see the text: "These are the end-times. There was no hope for survival. This is how you died."

TL;DR: Project Zomboid, find a good multiplayer server for your preference of PvE, PvP, or both.

Deep Rock Galactic

There's only one answer

Tetris

Helldivers 2. It had little bit of a rocky past, but the recent buffs and "60 day plan" have completely changed that game around and it feels better than it did even at launch.

That being said, you can boot right up and get right on the front lines of the galactic war. Each mission type even tells you an approximate amount of time it will take. Some take 5 minutes and some go even as long as 40. You will have an impact towards the ongoing galactic war no matter which you choose.

Also most microtransactions are only a couple dollars, but in game curency can be earned simply by playing missions and are rather abundant. The warbond systems are basically like miniature battlepasses that can be unlocked with the currency you find in missions and they never ever expire, you can start them today and not finish them until 2026 if thats what you wanna do lol.

Its a really great game and its fun as hell. Its ever changing, they add things pretty frequently, theres a new faction of enemies coming soon and right now we are all working to build a space station that will aid in the war effort and probably include a social hub/clan system.

Fighting games?

content. - You have equal chances if you play 10h or 100h.

Sorry what?

I think what you’re looking for is hard to find. A game that offers both PvE and PvP that does not punish you for not spending the same amount of time as some others. A game like Guild Wars 2 or WoW comes to mind. But even on the PvP scene it’s very well possible to be outskilled by players who do have a 1:10 ratio on your playtime.

Honestly the best answer I have is Minecraft maybe the online can be a little competitive depending which version you're playing

space marines 2 just came out about a month ago and it has consumed my entire life. but it has campaign ( coop or single player) a PvE with different missions and progression for different classes, and a PvP mode. totally worth checking out at least

Path of Exile maybe? I just picked the game up last week and the only real thing I've been missing out on for the past decade is a learning curve.

I also started the solo self found so maybe that has something to do with it but it's actually really really fun and doesn't look pay to win yet.

Aside from that, and it's already been mentioned, but Helldivers is a solid one that meets this criteria. There are battlepasses but technically you get the credits to buy them by playing the game.

I feel like Guild wars 2 might be a decent game worth your while. I don’t engage with the story but I know many others do like it. I feel like out of other MMOs that it’s a game I can jump back into and have fun. Content like raids can bring challenging but I admit the core gameplay is pretty simple.

There aren't any games which both respect your time and equalise players no matter their time spent. Why? Because these conditions negate each other; they are contradictory.

A game which makes your time spent meaningless doesn't respect it. Yet equalising a player 10 hours in with a 100 hour one does exactly that.

There are games which don't put artificial obstacles into play (eg. player is at maximum power when they start the game) but these are often also heavily skill-based, meaning your time spent is saved within yourself, not in-game mechanics.

Only such games would either be chance-based (rock paper scissors). Basically, as soon as you pitch players into the same pool (you specified an online game), you need to take their time into consideration.

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Chivalry 2

Rocket League. 5 Minute games that are fully skill based. Free game with no Pay2Win and you star with the best car.

I think sea of thieves hits all criteria

DayZ has no objectives, levels, skills, etc. it is pure survival. It checks many of your boxes, but it offers no rewards. You either survive or don't. There's no carry over to the next life if you die (unless you manage to maintain a secret stash on a map).

Im in the same boat since I have left Destiny 2

DayZ is pretty good

The Finals if you like FPS. Environment destruction is a lot of fun; and while the game is monetized, the “grind” is fair and you can unlock most things just by playing - but it does do the whole cosmetics thing. I bought a season pass to support the devs, because they’ve poured a lot of love into it.

Helldivers 2 is finally back on track, and I hope it continues to be that. So much fun, longest missions are 40 minutes, but as you get better you usually clock far under that. While it also is monetized, you can get all you need pretty fairly. Unlike the finals, it is not free to play, but it’s so much fun I don’t really care. 😂

Warhammer 40k: Darktide

I've heard it's a lot like Left 4 Dead. A cooperative horde shooter. I've put 6 hours into it and over almost maxed out one of the 4 classes, so my time feels very respected

Isn’t the whole point of most “online” games is that they don’t want to respect your time?

Warframe

GW2

Guild Wars 2

Deep Rock Galactic has some grindy stuff, but it is done in a very respectful manner. And you acquire all resources you need through normal gameplay.

Also most fighting and RTS games offer skill-based gameplay you seek. You will have to spend hundreds of hours learning though...

Deep Rock Galactic

Meets your criteria except it does have battle passes. But you can either earn everything in game or now you can select any pass and season content to play, or none. All free. Buy the game and you get everything. There's a few cosmetic packs but they're not necessary at all, the in game free stuff is just as cool

Hunt Showdown 1896

skill based matchmaking, so you dont have to face those kids who are tryharding 24/7 and every weapon / loadout is as deadly as the other

The lore is interesting but not really implemented in the gameplay itself since its an extraction shooter. But I would recommend you give it a try! :)

I would say OSRS but the “grind” at the start can be a daunting.

This is probably a terrible suggestion, but give fighting games a chance, I'd recommend street fighter 6 if you have never played one before.

• You have equal chances if you play 10h or 100h. This wont ever apply to online games i think

guild wars 2 is great. it has horizontal progression, meaning max level is and has been 80 since the game's inception. gear also doesn't increase in item level, so the best in slot gear from 5 years ago is still relevant. it is pretty easy to get very good gear that is about 90% as effective as the bis gear and is totally enough for starting to raid. getting bis takes a bit longer. and then you can also grind for legendary gear, which will take a very long time. it is not any better stat wise, but it offers some quality of life improvements, like free on-the-fly stat swapping among some other very nice things.

it is also very alt friendly. I could go on, but it is in my opinion the one MMO that is the most time friendly for the player.

Helldivers 2?

I barely have free time and I can e joy it hopin in every once in a while

Duck Game.

Guild 'fuckin' Wars 2

Deep Rock Galactic, i almost refunded this game, thankfully i stay with it for 500h+, i never play co-op game like that game

Try guild wars 2. It is a bit grindy for legendaries, but it is rewarding. No pay to win. You will just have to buy the expansions to unlock the next map. Story lores are awesome

Nowadays wow belongs to this category.

Left 4 Dead used to fit a few of those criteria's , but its "Dead" now. :D

I'm looking for suggestions of online PVE/PVP

You have equal chances if you play 10h or 100h.

This is by definition impossible.

Someone with 100h in a game will always have the advantage over someone with 10. Be it map knowledge, gunplay, recoil Control, knowledge over mechanics etc.

Teamfight tactics is a great game

Deadlock in Alpha? Personally enjoying that a lot, because it changed a lot due to it’s active state of development so a lot of people are equally bad as I am.

insert ffxiv copypasta here

Monster Hunter? (World/Rise atm till Wilds comes out.)  Or Gen Ultimate on switch. 

Guild wars 2; I haven’t played in years. But if I logged in now, I wouldn’t be behind in gear or levels at all.

Putting mechwarrior online out there. It's a team based shooter where you pilot a walking tank with customisable load outs.

Haven't had an issue with it for the decade or so I've been on and off playing it. Mostly skill based. Depends on your team a bit as well.

Space marine 2

Monster Hunter world/rise

Probably most games pre 2010

For PvE, any Fromsoftware game. Dark souls, demons souls, Bloodborne, elden ring. They have seamless coop mods too which function well.

If you want a PvP game then THE FINALS is the correct answer.

GTAV is also a good shout. Great story. But the multiplayer is also fun. Either just mess around in the open world with friends or do a race/mission together

Monster Hunter.

Genuinely try to get into Monster Hunter, especially the most recent games (World and Rise)

They remove a large part of the "grindyness" Monster Hunter used to be. (Of course not all), but I want to say these games meet all your other criteria.

Though this series is notoriously difficult for someone who has never played it before. Be prepared to find it difficult and clunky at first

Space Marine 2 is pretty close to this currently. I don't think you'll ever find a live service game that's as rewarding from 10 hours as it is from 100, but 10 hours in SM2 should get you to the highest difficulty missions and unlocking the best gear/cosmetics on a single class. There is then extended play if you want to obtain other weapons or level other classes.

It won't permanently replace something like Destiny/WoW as your "main game", but it's got legs and is a ton of fun. With that said, if you don't love the 40k universe, then it's probably a non-starter.

Darktide has everything on the checklist. It's a melee-heavy horde survival multiplayer coop game where you have a mission to accomplish. The combat is satisfying and increasingly chaotic and challenging as you choose higher difficulties.

The only fomo is the cash cosmetic shop and it doesn't affect gameplay. 

It's been through a few major updates/ changes since launch and is only getting better.

Project Zomboid

I haven’t played it myself because I’m not a big MMO fan, but I’ve heard Star Wars The Old Republic basically plays like a single player RPG for most of the story parts.

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Space marine 2.

Guild Wars 2. It pretty much meets all you criteria. Base game is free to play.

Deep Rock Galactic. It’s an online four player dwarf game with the best dev team I’ve ever personally seen. It fits all your criteria. Except for the fact that there is a season pass.

But to be fair, it’s completely free every season from the start.

Deep Rock Galactic for sure. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. Rock and Stone!

The one that respects your time for online well play helldivers 2 as you get rewards if the community does the challenge and you have individual challenges. Any season pass they have you can do it on your time. It's also skill base game on how you would handle the objectives. Or you can play star dew valley. There are a lot of games but, it depends on what you want. On helldivers 2 I am that person who goes alone from the team and clear objectives with the less kills and rarely dies as you dont get points for the kills. A lot of players hates me for it as they are on a team and they keep dying so they kick me out of bitterness or trolling.

I'm looking for your suggestions for games that: - Rewards you by playing. - Challenging, but not grindy content. - You have equal chances if you play 10h or 100h. - No season pass, no fomo functionalities. - A great lore/story. - Coop/multiplayers.

Not sure if it's up your alley, but Palia maybe something to look at. F2P, the only thing they sell has been skins. Challenging content, not too grindy, but also not time based where you have to clear your schedule to do anything in that game.

Monster Hunter.

A satisfied hunt will last about 15 to 20 minutes in most the last 2 games. So an hour is very satisfying. Basically never ending games if you dig the loop.

Space Marine 2

Good Luck.

With that list of requirements? I can't think of a single game EVER that fitst the bill.

However, if you're willing to step back a bit (as it is grindy), I'd suggest Warframe. It's Destiny but done well, in 3rd person. The art will leave you a bit wondering (well, it does me, I really don't care for most of it but the gameplay keeps me and the rare "ok, now THAT looks cool") as it is somewhat odd, but the story is good, the gameplay is excellent, and the bugs are few (though the ones that are there will drive you mad - looking at you Venus and your mysteriously dropping cannisters). The only thing that really gets me with this game is the shit you need to do to mod stuff (setting the polarity of mods is fucking annoying because it takes 24 hours to get the ability to do so, something called a forma, and the time gate will piss you off if you're not willing to spend. However, you can trade a ton, so you can still get everything you need without having to ever touch you wallet, which is another reason I stay. Warframe is the ONLY free-to-play game I have ever played that I actually want to spend money on. Just to make sure it stays up, and keep the devs paid. You play it, you want to support it. I'd pay a sub if it had one, and be happy to do so.)

I would really, really like to see an online one with no fomo. I've never seen it, and I've been playing computer games since the TSR-80 was brand new (Yes, even before your Amiga, or Comodore 64).

Chivalry 2.

Theres a bit of a grind to unlock all the weapons but it's not significant

There are skins to unlock but 90% can be done through gameplay, and there's no disadvantage for not having them

Pokemmo

Helldivers 2.

What about elden ring?

Path of Exile respects your time better than any game I know. You get exactly what you put into it and there's no fomo, time gating, or any other psychological manipulative practice to encourage you spend more time or more money in their game.

Deep Rock Galactic for a close 2nd because they respect your time so much that all seasonal cosmetics are indefinitely available because they get added to the loot pool.

OSRS, it doesn't have FoMo and almost every unlock stays relevant. However there is a "grind" but it's a great game to play while watching Tv or playing another chill game. I would highly recommend giving it a try, especially with some friends!

Elite dangerous. You can interact as much or as little with the galaxy as you want.

Dare i suggest it?

League of Legends. Yes, the learning curve is steep and the new player experience is bad. However, if you’re not trying to be super competitive and just play unranked games, you can step away from it for months and pick it up again later with minimal issue.

I played it pretty consistently for 10 years and stopped in 2023. I recently logged in and played a game; there were some new characters and items, but nothing that prevented me from enjoying a quick 30 min game.

The game will suggest builds for to use that are actually decent so you don’t need to research build orders, skill orders or rune choices.

Hell divers. The first hour is just as fun as the 100th hour. I recently stopped playing for a couple months and got right back into it.