What are the best multiplayer games? Intricate gameplay and glistening visuals only go so far; humans often provide the biggest surprises with schemes that transform even the most average game into an unforgettable experience you’ll be talking about until the end of time.
Fast and frantic or tense and calculated, the best multiplayer games come in all shapes and sizes. Whether it’s vying for control of the payload in an FPS game or fighting for survival in a co-op game with your friends, these experiences wouldn’t be the same without a bunch of real people. We’ve curated a list of the best PC games with multiplayer functionality so you can go around killing, maiming, or, occasionally, helping random people on the internet.
The best multiplayer games are:
World of Tanks
Even though World of Tanks was released over ten years ago, this free-to-play PvP vehicular combat game keeps growing and evolving into one of the best multiplayer PC games. With its bustling servers and international player base, you’ll never struggle to find a team whenever you get that urge to hop into a tank and blow stuff up.
Whether you favor brute force battling or a more strategic approach, the easy-to-grasp game mechanics lend themselves well to different playstyles. Destroy all enemy tanks with powerful artillery fire right off the bat, or, if you’d instead take the subtle approach, you can triumph by finding a way into your opponent’s base and capturing it from within.
The more you play, the more vehicles you unlock, with over 600 of the best tanks from around the world to discover and exclusive rewards for those who want to participate in clan battles. It’s a very moreish game, which may seem straightforward at first, but the more you play, the better you’ll get and the more you’ll discover. With handheld play available via the World of Tanks: Blitz mobile version, there’s much fun to have here. Trust us – you’ll be in a world of thanks once you’re hooked.
War Thunder
War Thunder is a free-to-play multiplayer game all about military vehicles knocking seven bells out of one another, whether in aerial dog fights, sprawling tank battles, or naval skirmishes. That pitch might sound familiar, but no free MMO has achieved what War Thunder has regarding quality, balancing, and the sheer scope of vehicles waiting to be unlocked. While the multiplayer game started with a humble suite of aircraft and ground vehicles you’ll recognize from WW2 games, its myriad tech trees now encompass the military histories – past and present – of several nations, from global superpowers to smaller nations famed for punching above their weight.
Its incredibly detailed ballistics modeling and simulation game modes separate this war game from its competitors. A 1v1 between two tanks can be affected by countless factors, such as armor thickness, armor angle, material, shell size and type, and distance from the target can be the difference between a shot ricocheting and dealing no damage or piercing and wiping out the entire enemy crew. The more you play, the more you learn to spot different types of vehicles so you can exploit their weak points and win the fight with a single well-placed shot. It’s an endlessly satisfying loop, and with hundreds of vehicles to earn, it will be a long time before you run out of new content.
War Robots
Tanks and planes are one thing, but what about a giant mech with multiple rocket launchers strapped onto its chassis? War Robots might be the game for you, especially if you’re looking for 6v6 multiplayer battles with a tremendous amount of customization options., especially if they’re fans of mech-on-mech 6v6 skirmishes.
With over 50 robots to pick from and many different gun options, from ballistic rounds to explosive rockets, you can customize them for many different play styles, from tank-like brutes to nimble scouts picking away at the competition. With 14 maps to fight on, no match is indeed the same.
Naraka Bladepoint
Fancy slashing your way through the competition in an intense, free-to-play battle royale game? In Naraka Bladepoint, you can choose from one of many characters, using their increased mobility and mighty skills to overcome any challenges your competition throws at you with the hope of becoming the champion.
You can choose to be a solo warrior or head into battle with a handful of teammates, but just be careful when wandering outside of the safe zone.
Play Naraka Bladepoint for free.
Mech Arena
Fancy hopping in a mech suit so you can blow people up? Well, give Mech Arena a try. From Plarium, the developer behind Raid: Shadow Legends, this is by no means a high-concept game, but it’s one of those simple games that are ideal to unwind with. You’ll no doubt plan to fill a few minutes with a quick game, but then end up saying “just one more match” so many times that before you know it, a whole hour has gone by.
If you’re worried it won’t have enough substance for you, don’t be. There’s actually quite a lot of nuance when you get down into it, with so many different mechs to unlock and so many customization options as well. Eventually, you’ll get to the point where you’ve honed your mech to perfectly suit your preferred battle strategy – and with every other player doing the same thing, you’ll find a great diversity in battle.
Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred
Diablo 4 is an exceptional action RPG in its own right, but there’s a special magic to exploring Sanctuary with a blood-spattered friend in tow. Diablo 4 multiplayer includes power scaling to ensure players at radically different levels can still play together. It also opens up a new approach to Diablo 4 builds, since you’ll be looking to synergize with your allies rather than stick to the best Diablo 4 skills to survive solo.
The multiplayer experience just got even better with the Vessel of Hatred DLC, which offers dramatic story developments, open-air dungeons, and a new class to master. Our 9/10 Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred review calls the latest update a “Diablo 2 throwback” that’s “better than the base game.” If you’ve ever been tempted by the grimdark world of Blizzard’s hellish ARPG, there’s no better time to dive in. Check out our Diablo 4 crossplay guide if you plan to recruit your pals from other platforms on your quest to save Sanctuary.
Destiny 2
Whether you want to squad up for gargantuan PvE raids, duke it out against others in PvP, or even combine elements of both in PvPvE, Destiny 2 ticks all the boxes for the best multiplayer games. It’s been a few years since its launch, but Destiny 2 is better than ever, with the Forsaken expansion addressing plenty of quirks and a free-to-play launch on Steam bringing the game to new audiences.
Loot ties all multiplayer arms together, so no matter how you play Destiny 2, your goal is always to acquire powerful new weapons and armor like Destiny 2 Exotics. For every mission completed, mini boss slain, and PvP match won contributes by rewarding you with mightier gear, creating an ongoing, near-endless power fantasy.
Destiny 2 The Final Shape is, from what we can tell, the last major expansion of the game’s main story. There’s plenty to do, as you can see in our Destiny 2 The Final Shape guide. We recommend that you read about how it’s a breathtaking conclusion in our Destiny 2 The Final Shape review, then look at our Destiny 2 The Final Shape checklist for everything you need to do before beginning the expansion. We’ve got you covered with our best Destiny 2 builds guide to get you ready for the Destiny 2 new episode release date.
Grand Theft Auto Online
Rockstar’s open-world game is over a decade old — shocking, we know — but Los Santos is still a popular destination for online multiplayer. In Grand Theft Auto Online, players create their budding criminal before connecting to a multiplayer server and teaming up with other players to complete jobs and heists.
A wealth of player-created content is available, too, including races and death matches for you to compete in. On the unofficial side of things, GTA Online roleplay servers are especially popular among content creators on Twitch and YouTube, as players use Los Santos’ bustling metropolis to create wild, improvised stories.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Black Ops 6 is a return to form for the series, with Treyarch taking the reins this year after two straight years of Modern Warfare. There are two very different multiplayer experiences in Black Ops 6: Multiplayer and Zombies. The multiplayer should be familiar to anyone who has played a Call of Duty game, featuring fast-paced combat, helped in part by the omnimovement system, a host of great Black Ops 6 maps to play on, and the best Black Ops 6 loadouts to make each player feel unstoppable on the battlefield.
It’s the Zombies mode where Treyarch’s brilliance truly shines, going back to the round-based formula that players grew to love with early Black Ops games. Powered up with Zombie Augments to customize Perk-A-Colas, ammo mods, and field upgrades, this mode is more difficult than in years past, but there are plenty of ways to become stronger. There are waves of zombies to contend with, alongside easter eggs like the Liberty Falls vault to discover, in addition to wonder weapons that let you delete targets instantly.
EA FC 25
Love it or hate it, EA’s eternal football game is here to stay, and it receives constant updates every week to keep the gameplay fresh. Now that the PC version of EA FC features cross-platform play with current generation consoles, you won’t have the same problems players had over the years when it was near impossible to find a match at times. With the latest season of football well under way, you should give our EA FC 25 review a read to find out more about the soccer game.
If you get caught into the cycle that is FC Ultimate Team, it’s easy to get addicted to finding out what the weekly objectives are, and who the latest players are in the new Team of the Week squad. Speaking of Ultimate Team, we have the EA FC 25 Icons list and Heroes list to find out which returning players could end up in your squad this season. We also have a custom tactics code guide if you’re searching for a way to break down your opponent.
NBA 2K25
We know there’s a lot of controversy surrounding the NBA 2K series, specifically for its practices surrounding microtransactions in certain modes. Luckily, there are NBA 2K25 codes for players looking for an advantage without having to spend any cash. Ignoring that for a minute, there’s a lot to be excited about with NBA 2K25, especially as a multiplayer game where the gameplay has never been stronger.
Unlike some sports games which only focus on the modern era, the 2K series is known for its impressive scope and roster, featuring legendary players of bygone eras like Michael Jordan and Larry Bird. You can tell the difference between players from different eras just by the way they handle the ball. For example, Bird can’t go for three-pointers in the same way that someone like Steph Curry does. Despite both players being incredible, there’s enough nuance in the stats system to create clear differences between the game’s highest-ranked stars.
NBA 2K25 is the best basketball game out there, and with robust multiplayer features to keep fans coming back for more, there’s never been a better time to get on the court.
Warhammer 40000: Space Marine 2
There are plenty of times when we all want to hop into our massive space suit, grab our favorite weapons and start blasting every enemy we can spot within a 200m range. Warhammer 40000: Space Marine 2 lets you fulfill the power fantasy of becoming a full-blown Space Marine, complete with all the uppity speech that comes with being in a squad of like-minded fellows.
Space Marine 2 is all about teamwork, featuring a three-player co-op campaign, and both a PvP and PvE multiplayer mode with unique class builds and loaoduts to experiment with. If you find yourself craving the heavy, gruesome, and violent combat of the Gears of War series, give our Space Marine 2 review a read to find out more about this third person shooter.
Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 exploded onto the scene, killing and screaming about ‘managed democracy’ in February, and we’re struggling to come up with reasons not to love it. Sure, there’s the whole PlayStation Network account debacle, but that plan was scrapped soon after.
Beyond that, it’s a third-person co-op game where players team up to wipe out threats to humanity, including gargantuan bugs that can spit acid and robots that have gone berserk. You have the entire arsenal of humanity behind you, eventually gaining Helldivers 2 stratagems that summon airstrikes, among many other deadly devices.
The intense level of popularity has introduced several problems with the Helldivers 2 server status. Unfortunately, the game has been unplayable for some people during peak hours. However, if you make it in, you’ll find a brilliant example of a game that’s fun on your own but designed to be played in small fire teams. When starting, make sure you brush up on the best Helldivers 2 weapons to blast away the alien scum.
Tekken 8
Fighting games can be difficult to learn, but Tekken 8 has several helpful modes in its revamped training mode to make things easier for beginners. That said, if you want to take your skills to the next level, you need to find a strong rival. Fortunately, Tekken 8’s netcode has been improved to make playing across different regions far more stable than before, so you can play against a range of fighters no matter where you live.
The ranked ladder is the best place to prove yourself outside of playing at your local tournaments. The very best players utilize things like our Tekken 8 tier list to pick the right character for them on the roster, equipping them with everything they need to crush the competition. Read our Tekken 8 review to see what we thought of Bandai Namco’s latest entry in the series, including our take on the new Heat mechanic.
Palworld
Palworld’s multiplayer mode brings together up to 32 people in one server to experience the same game world. This means you can play with your mates as you explore the world, searching for all the Pals in the Paldeck. You can always trade Pals with other players to fill up your Paldeck faster, and if you’re feeling competitive, you can challenge other players to a duel.
For all the things Palworld lifts from other games, the multiplayer mode truly enhances the game by introducing a social element that really benefits a catch-em-all game. Give our Palworld early access review a read to hear what we had to say about the game in its current state. If you are already playing, then check our guide to the Palworld bosses, the Palworld map, and the best Palworld settings.
The Finals
Embark Studios, a studio based in Stockholm with several ex-Dice developers, has successfully launched The Finals after numerous beta periods in 2023. The Finals mixes the excitement of an extraction-based shooter with the mayhem of a team-based FPS to create a wacky game show where the winner comes away with loads of cash.
Not only is The Finals free to play, but it also features crossplay and cross-progression functionality, allowing you to play the game from your console or PC easily. The gameplay is strong enough to get you and your squad mates hooked, and there’s even a battle pass that you can work through to earn loads of in-game cosmetics and rewards. if you’re already playing, then check our guides to the best The Finals settings and The Finals classes.
Lethal Company
Even if you’ve not played it, you’ve probably already heard of Lethal Company. This small indie game has taken the internet by storm thanks to its terrifying multiplayer gameplay and hilarious proximity voice chat functionality. Your job, which you’re forced to accept, is to head to distant, deserted planets looking for valuable loot. Sell this loot for a profit, making sure to meet your company’s profit goal within three days. Sounds simple, right? Sure… before the creepy Lethal Company monsters and jump scares get you.
As you and your teammates negotiate the labyrinthine passageways of each moon’s industrial building, you might be stalked by a giant bug or spot a pair of glowing eyes in the distance. This is your sign to get the hell out of there. If you don’t, well, it’s chaos. Run back to the ship as fast as you can, dodging the additional monsters or weather phenomena that can get you outside, all while hearing your friends’ screams, please, and untimely demise. And if that doesn’t do it for you, check out the crowd control mod that introduces new horrors to the game.
Street Fighter 6
The legendary fighting game has returned, introducing a new wave of players to the series with the most welcoming game in the series so far. What makes Street Fighter 6 so appealing is that it’s so easy to get into matches with random players, allowing you to play without worrying about potential downtime. Street Fighter 6’s incredible momentum hasn’t slowed down since it launched, achieving its second-highest player count on Steam with the release of Akuma in May 2024.
Capcom debuted modern controls in Street Fighter 6, making it easy for new players to grab a controller and immediately get into the action. You don’t need to spend hours learning combos or special moves; instead, you can use modern controls to jump into the action with one-button combos and special moves. Give our Street Fighter 6 review to see why we gave Capcom’s latest fighting game an excellent score of 9/10. We also have a Street Fighter 6 tier list and a guide to the Street Fighter 6 roster if you’re sick of being a character loyalist, and you want to switch to a top-tier main.
Party Animals
This physics-based brawler gained a lot of traction when it previewed with a Steam demo in 2020, and now it’s finally available. If you imagine Gang Beasts but with cute, fluffy animals and the party spirit of Fall Guys, that’s precisely what Party Animals is.
You can use environmental tools to whack and attack opponents, either pushing them off ledges or dropping them down traps, all to stay in the arena for as long as possible. With 20 maps and plenty of Party Animals codes, you can customize your animals and play split-screen with pals.
Counter-Strike 2
Whether you want it or not, Counter-Strike 2 is finally here. There’s a portion of the Counter-Strike community that never asked for a new game, but Valve has made the execution decision to close the doors on CS:GO forever, fully embracing Counter-Strike 2 with its shiny new Source Engine. As you’ll discover if you read our CS2 review, the gameplay remains largely unchanged in the sequel; however, there are a few key differences that separate this game from its predecessor.
If you’re after flawless 5v5 gameplay that won’t cost you anything to play, Counter-Strike 2 is here, and it’s ready to go. You might find that the game has higher system requirements compared to CS:GO, but that is a 14-year-old game. Read our CS2 system requirements guide to see if you have everything you need before playing. Make sure you check out our guide to the Counter-Strike 2 crosshairs that the pros are using, and read our CS2 skins guide to learn more about the in-game economy.
Overwatch 2
The more things change, the more they stay the same – but as far as Overwatch 2 is concerned, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Overwatch is a cultural phenomenon, and its colorful cast of characters has captured the hearts of many, from the most casual to the most hardcore players. The class-based hero shooter owes much to Team Fortress 2 and League of Legends, fostering essential team play across payload maps featuring asymmetrical combat. It’s an irresistible mixture of popular styles, ripe with possibilities, which has captured the imaginations and evenings of the masses.
As our Overwatch 2 review points out, the sequel is more a continuation than a rebirth. Blizzard introduces several quality-of-life improvements to extend the legacy of the game’s predecessor, including a 5v5 format adjustment, minor hero changes, and replacing the game’s controversial loot box system with a seasonal battle pass. It’s also free-to-play, making jumping into quick play with your pals easier. Overwatch 2 introduces new maps and gameplay modes and expands the impressively diverse and colorful roster. If you want to get good at the game, you’re going to want to check out our Overwatch 2 tier list.
Elden Ring
The invasion mechanic in Elden Ring is extremely daunting as a new player. The idea that someone from a different world wants to invade yours for the sole purpose of murdering you is terrifying, but if you welcome a challenge, it can be incredibly invigorating to take down the glowing red players. Elden Ring may not be as technical as a fighting game, but the PvP system is bustling with players, and there’s always room for a fight if you’re ready to get your hands dirty. After an agonizing wait for the Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree release date, returning players can finally jump into the expansion with their high-level characters.
When it comes to multiplayer, you can choose to invade or help people via co-op. The stock version of Elden Ring features multiplayer, but like all From Software games, playing with your friends can be a tricky experience. Fortunately, our Elden Ring best mods guide highlights the Seamless Co-Op mod, making it dead simple to play with up to three of your friends.
It’s worth keeping in mind that this is a community-made mod, so it’s not completely bug-free, but the mechanic works incredibly well. We’d argue it’s just as stable as the official multiplayer in Elden Ring, and it offers the co-op experience you wish Souls games would implement. The best part is that it doesn’t touch your original game files, so you don’t need to worry about getting banned. It also works for the Shadow of the Erdtree expansion, so you can go through the entire game in co-op.
Valheim
Dropped into Viking purgatory in nothing but a loincloth, it’s up to you and nine other friends to survive the Norse wilderness by crafting the best armor or building vital structures with the help of an upgraded workbench, all while surviving the surrounding danger. You and your Viking pals start in the meadow, but must slowly progress through different biomes by defeating enemies and discovering crafting materials to build your armor and weapons.
Valheim’s world grows increasingly sinister as skeletons from the swamp attack your base, wolves tail you across mountains, and aggressive Greydwarves fling rocks at you in the dark forest. Valheim is a glorious multiplayer, and you’ll find something for all the party by scavenging for materials, epic battles with Valheim bosses, or building a sturdy base that can withstand the swing of a troll club.
Valorant
Riot’s ultra-slick tactical team-based shooter is coming for CS2’s crown and has many shiny new features to set it apart. The gameplay will be familiar to Counter-Strike players: teams of five begin the match either attacking or defending, and swap halfway through. Players must also purchase weapons at the beginning of each round, earning currency based on their performance in the previous round.
Crucially, in Valorant, players choose from a roster of agents with unique abilities, which they can purchase each round (and one they get for free). Each Valorant character has strategic strengths and weaknesses; some are experts at defending sites, while others set up pushes or secure kills.
Although skills play an essential role, Valorant still heavily emphasizes gun play and balance to ensure it stands up as an excellent game for high-level play — as evidenced by its thriving esports scene. To catch up with the best players, you can check out the best Valorant crosshairs codes via the link.
Warzone
Call of Duty’s battle royale game instantly made an impact in the free-to-play space when it originally launched years ago. Though its popularity has ebbed and flowed over the past four years, its current variation set in the Warzone Urzikstan map has proven to be popular with the Call of Duty community.
Warzone is blisteringly fast-paced and aggressive compared to other games in the genre, with players respawning if they win the now-changed Warzone Gulag. You can also set up the best Warzone loadout before buying them from shops during a match, allowing you to customize the best Warzone guns with assorted unlockable attachments, unlocked by exploring the redesigned Warzone battle pass. It feels like a necessary upgrade that gives plenty of reasons to return to the island after a brief hiatus.
Fall Guys
If you have ever watched game shows such as Takeshi’s Castle or Total Wipeout and felt that you could do it, you should try this party game. Your goal is not to get wiped out by the obstacles or occasionally by other bean people. You will work alone or cooperate with other players in several events, leading up to a winner-takes-all finale, where the remaining bean people attempt to grab the victory crown.
Since becoming a free game, Fall Guys has taken a more seasonal approach to its updates, including challenges and battle passes, similar to Fortnite. Switching its events constantly always feels fresh, and if you join with friends, you can compete to see which of you is the ultimate survivor. See our Fall Guys review to read more about this silly battle royale.
Apex Legends
From hypermobile gameplay that lends itself to flanking maneuvers to respawn beacons that bring your mates back into the fight after death, Respawn’s nimble shooter boasts all the usual trimmings of the best multiplayer games.
However, it truly excels in its ability to bring everyone into the fold with its ping system. Suppose you feel uncomfortable talking to strangers with your microphone or don’t want to. In that case, you can still contribute by pinging enemies, locations of interest, and even the best Apex Legends weapons you want or think others may find helpful.
The post-apocalyptic shooter has been out for a while, but this is still an excellent time to jump in and try our Apex Legends tips. There will also be a steady stream of Apex Legends new Legends for players to sink their teeth into, which promises to freshen up the current Apex Legends characters list every few months.
Dead by Daylight
This 4v1 horror game, where one player takes on the role of the killer and stalks and hunts down the other four players, is an absolute hoot to play despite being terrifying. New seasons and updates keep it feeling fresh, too, adding famous faces like Nicolas Cage and Ellen Ripley. The killer aims to stop the other four characters from successfully fleeing the killing ground, which is made fiendishly difficult by the changing map every time you boot up a new game. Survivors, meanwhile, need to do everything possible to survive and escape.
If you’re just getting started in Dead by Daylight, here’s how DBD ranks work, what you can expect from DBD’s next update, and plenty of DBD codes for free charms and blood points.
Rainbow Six Siege
Despite surface-level similarities to FPS darling CS:GO, Ubisoft has made reinforcing a wall or laying barbed wire as heroic as no-scoping an enemy from two rooftops away. Perhaps more than even the best multiplayer games, Rainbow Six Siege is about planning, communicating, and executing a team-based strategy.
Rainbow Six made its name by taking a quieter, more considered approach than the bombastic shooters against which it debuted in the late nineties. It simulates perfectly the feeling of being a highly trained, goggle-wearing, silenced MP5-toting specialist. Despite the meta changes presented by a barrage of Rainbow Six Siege operators, the latest game in the series has an entire cast of new operators, many of which appear in regular post-launch updates.
Although, of course, there is destruction. Great big chunks of it that can kick up fine concrete dust every round. Just ensure you don’t get it all over your posh new cosmetics. Part of being ‘good’ at Siege is knowing each map intimately and coordinating your team accordingly. The depth, nail-biting tension, and tactical potential of Rainbow Six Siege make for a memorable cat-and-mouse multiplayer experience.
Rocket League
When someone at Psyonix said, “How about football… but with cars?” one of the best multiplayer games on PC was born; despite its failed first attempt, Rocket League’s success is down to its streamlined design: you push a ball across a pitch with a car. It is hardly something only hardcore petrol heads can understand.
Do not mistake simplicity for a lack of depth, however. As we point out in our Rocket League PC review, mastering all the essential Rocket League tips and successfully passing, shooting, and scoring is a thrilling learning curve. It leads to a career – not just for new musical talent – of a thousand near-misses and ‘almost!’ moments, your body inching forward in your seat as the tension builds. Headshots in shooters are ten-a-penny, but getting a goal in Rocket League is special.
Rocket League’s exceptionally moreish online games are even better in local split-screen multiplayer. Everyone in the room will be oohing as the ball zooms from one end of the pitch to the other.
Don’t Starve Together
Don’t Starve Together slightly differs from the other games in our best multiplayer games list. It doesn’t involve taking on an opposing team, but it does require a lot of teamwork, crafting, building, and not dying.
In this survival game, you and up to four other players are dropped into a sketchy Tim Burton-esque world filled with violent horrors and terrifying nightmarish creatures. These monsters are the least of your problems as you scramble to survive, keeping fed, warm, dry, and sane. If that wasn’t tricky enough, monstrous creatures emerge from the shadows each night, ready to snuff out your campfire.
In Don’t Starve Together, you’ll need to research new equipment to survive the changing seasons and progress through the world, all while collecting resources and trying desperately to, well, not starve.
Left 4 Dead 2
Let’s face it: while there have been many pretenders trying to copy the spirit of Left 4 Dead 2, including efforts from the original team, such as Back 4 Blood, no game entirely captures the heart of the first-person co-op zombie game. It’s still seeing updates (bug fixes) as late as May 2024, you and your team of survivors must blast through a bayou, a creepy circus-themed amusement park, and the suburbs of New Orleans, all while zombie hordes try to stop you.
Left 4 Dead 2 has stood the test of time because it doesn’t try to over-complicate the formula with randomized perks or other bizarre mechanical alterations that bog down the gameplay. If you want the absolute peak experience, get numerous friends together and play the campaign with half the group becoming the Special Infected, all with well-balanced abilities that reward skillful play. Left 4 Dead 2 is always heavily discounted during Steam Sales, so there’s no excuse for not at least giving this one a shot.
League of Legends or Dota 2
Now, before you balk at the aggregation of these two rival beasts of the MOBA genre into a single entry, we intend to recommend one or the other, not both – and let’s face it: while the mechanics, items, and lanes offer different gameplay experiences, the multiplayer aspect of both these games is essentially the same, no matter if you play with the League of Legends champions or the Dota 2 heroes. Gather four friends and discover how you each cope with blame and failure, or be assigned a team of four strangers who all somehow manage to be much worse than you at the game, even though statistically, they are likely to be very close to you in rank.
We recommend you try a couple of matches in both games before you decide on the best MOBA. Still, if you’re looking for a game that is a different experience, every match depends on your draft versus the opponents’ draft, meaning you and your team can enjoy a new challenge night after night – we advise getting into LoL or Dota 2.
XDefiant
Ubisoft has been trying hard over the course of the past few years to get people interested in its FPS game, but it wasn’t until the XDefiant release date that many people started to sit up and pay attention. Is it because XDefiant SMBB doesn’t take effect until you reach a certain rank? Probably not. Is it because the XDefiant factors are all based on existing Ubisoft IP? Maybe. What we think is attracting so many players is the gameplay, combining elements of hero shooters like Overwatch with the gun play from Call of Duty to create something new.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Who would’ve guessed that our Game of the Year 2023 would feature one of the best campaigns of all time? That’s right, you can play through the entirety of Baldur’s Gate 3 with a friend, both locally and online. Working together with your mates, you should be able to speed through the story in no time, but there will be moments where your interests don’t necessarily align, leading to dramatic moments that will likely end in bloodshed. Though you have the option to play this campaign cooperatively, nothing is stopping you from treating your mate as a rival that you happen to share the same world with.
When players are free to do what they want, NPCs that one person relies on might suddenly disappear due to conflicting quest lines. What makes Baldur’s Gate 3 stand out from other RPGs is that the game always has a way to create solutions to problems that seem impossible to fix. For example, if you kill a crucial person, the game will find a way to make their quest lines tick over. Don’t forget to read our Baldur’s Gate 3 review to see what makes this game special, both in and outside the co-op mode.
Forza Horizon 5
Arguably the best racing game out there (at least, in the world of arcade racers), Forza Horizon 5’s menagerie of motors is one of the most comprehensive you can get behind the wheel of – whether you’re playing solo or with your pals. Set in a gorgeous recreation of Mexico, Forza Horizon 5 boasts more than its fair share of breathtaking vistas for you to take in as you go head-to-head with your nearest and dearest in various multiplayer races.
Once again, developer Playground Games has worked its magic, producing a driving experience you’d be remiss to miss out on. In our 9/10 Forza Horizon 5 review we call it “familiar, excellent, and polished to a degree that hardly seems possible” – incredibly high praise.
Sea of Thieves
If you’re in the y’arrket for a top-tier pirate adventure, then look no further than Sea of Thieves. Rare’s seafaring smash-hit is the definitive way to launch your friends out of cannons – whether it’s as a human harpoon, to feed them to the local kraken, or just for the fun of it. Sporting more treasure than you can shake a cutlass at, boatloads of adventures to go on, and plenty of rival crews to fight on the high seas, Sea of Thieves is a wonderful multiplayer experience.
What’s more, Rare recently collaborated with Disney to bring the Pirates of the Caribbean to its own cursed shores. Now, you can team up with Jack Sparrow himself to fight ol’ squiddy, Davey Jones, bringing some extra y’arrr factor to your adventure.
Jackbox Party Pack
If you’re playing with a group of four or more people, it’s difficult to find something that everyone can play together. The Jackbox Party Pack games are the perfect solution to these situations, providing you with several games that are playable with up to eight players. To go a step further, some Jackbox games can be played with up to 10,000 players online, taking your sessions to a global level.
There are ten party packs out already, so if you’re new to the series, we recommend Jackbox Party Pack 3. This pack includes Quiplash 2 and Tee K.O., two standout games that can be played for hours on end. With the Jackbox Megapicker, you now have a launcher that allows you to pick from any of your Party Pack games. If you want something a little more grown up, the Jackbox Naughty Pack was released this year, introducing some spicy questions for the first time.
Minecraft
Few multiplayer games have been able to retain a staggeringly large player base in the way Minecraft has. Mojang’s blocky base-building survival experience has captivated players the world over for over 15 years, and for good reason. Craft, hunt, and build, all while fighting off terrifying monsters like the explosive Creeper or the malefic Ender Dragon.
You can even host vast private realms that up to ten other friends can join you in. If you’re playing on PC, you can go a step beyond this with our best Minecraft servers list, unlocking a wealth of possibilities to ensure you’ll never get bored on your adventures. Be sure to consult our best Minecraft castles guide for all the fort-building inspiration you’ll ever need. If you want to see how the best of the best do it, then our Minecraft YouTuber list will point you in the right direction.
So there you have it, the best multiplayer games on PC. Many of the best upcoming PC games also have exciting new multiplayer modes, so there’s never been a better time to tap into your competitive side. If you’d rather not pay too much for your gaming fix, our list of the best free PC games has suggestions for great experiences before investing too much money.
