Top Multiplayer Games 2024: Fun with Friends

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

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.

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

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.

Left 4 Dead 2

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

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.