If you’ve been seeking that perfect title to play with your friends, you’ll need to investigate these solid multiplayer titles.
While gaming has been known to be a solo experience for some, for others, it’s a great way to connect with friends via complex narrative-driven titles like Baldur’s Gate 3 or visceral FPS games like Counter-Strike. In fact, for those who live far from each other, gaming is a convenient way to reconnect and spend time with friends they wouldn’t otherwise see in person. With the popularization of VoIP programs like Discord, talking to friends while playing games has never been easier.
However, because of all the great titles out there, it’s sometimes hard to narrow down the choices and finally settle on a game. After all, everyone has their own gaming preferences, and some friends won’t find certain games fun. Luckily, with all the options available through a myriad of gaming consoles and cross-platform play enabled on many titles, figuring out which game to play with friends has never been easier.
Rust (2018)
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, PC
Though Rust has been around since 2013, the game has continually improved over its multi-year stint as an early-access game on PC via Steam. Today, the game developed by Facepunch Studios is now in its full release with a Rust console version playable on the PlayStation and Xbox platforms and stands as a fun, albeit at times stressful, online multiplayer experience. Rust is a first-person survival game where players wake up completely stripped of everything (including clothes). Starting with a simple rock, characters gather resources, build structures, and loot other people to get better equipment.
Rust is a high-intensity game, and when a player’s character dies, all the loot on the body is up for grabs. This creates a fun and interesting dynamic where relying on friends is paramount. With servers capable of hosting hundreds of people, playing with friends makes things exponentially easier. While “zerging” may be frowned upon, playing with a large group of friends is a definite way to have a blast in the game.
Party Animals (2023)
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC
Party Animals is a 2023 multiplayer party game seemingly inspired by previous multiplayer physics-based games like Gang Beasts and Fall Guys but packages the title with a variety of selectable cute and cuddly animal avatars. In Party Animals, friends can participate in a variety of mini-games with both an online multiplayer mode and a local split screen. From skirmish modes and king of the hill game modes to objective-based maps, there are a variety of different ways that people can have fun with their friends. This cute, action-packed team game is perfect for a casual time with a group of good friends
Lethal Company (2023)
While by no means a polished game to any extent, Lethal Company is a new indie title developed by a small team called Zeekerss, who has worked on a few other indie titles over the past few years with very positive reviews on Steam. Lethal Company is the latest in Among Us type games, where teammates collect scrap and other items while wearing a hazmat suit and exploring abandoned bunkers for cash while cooperating with a pre-made or random team. The only catch is that hideous aliens and environmental disasters hide around every corner.
The game just released into Early Access on October 23, 2023, and there are still a lot of bugs to work out, but people online have already been making hilarious compilation videos of some of the funnier hazards in the game. Much like Phasmophobia, each time a mission is successful, it’s possible to use acquired credits to get better gear to make recovery gear. With little to no direction and proximity voice chat, the scenarios in the game are unique and, at times, incredibly funny.
Splatoon 3 (2022)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
A third-person shooter on the Switch, Splatoon 3 is the latest in the Splatoon franchise, which debuted on the Wii U in 2015. Unlike realistic shooters like Call of Duty, Splatoon maintains a cartoonish aesthetic where Inklings and Octolings team up to take each other on by shooting colored ink at each other with the goal of filling up the entire map with their color. Splatoon 3 supports up to 10 players via online Private Battles or up to 8 players using Local Wireless.
The Jackbox Party Pack 10 (2023)
The Jackbox Party Pack has been a mainstay in many households worldwide for years, with the fun trivia and mini-game style of play that has been popular since the franchise was established with You Don’t Know Jack in the late 1990s. The Jackbox Party Pack 10 returns to the series with all-new mini-games, including “Tee K.O. 2,” “FixyText,” and time-travel trivia in the form of “Timejinx.”
Released on October 19, 2023, it continues the tradition of fun party games in an online format for up to nine players. Because many of the games are best suited with a large group and can accommodate eight to nine players, this is one game to check out if you’ve got a large friend group.
Helldivers 2 (2024)
Helldivers 2 was a surprise hit, exceeding the developer’s expectations. A sequel to the top-down isometric original that inspired the follow-up, Helldivers 2 puts people in control of the titular Helldivers, outer-space soldiers for Super Earth that are willing to take on dangerous missions on foreign planets facing monstrous bugs called the Terminids and robotic AI faction known as the Automatons. A co-op multiplayer game, people team up to take on the game’s various missions across different planets in a hyper-patriotic version of the future.
Grand Theft Auto Online (2013)
Though GTA: Online may not have reached the critical acclaim of Grand Theft Auto 5 or the other single-player experiences in the franchise, it would feel wrong not to consider the title one of the best online games to play with friends. Highly popular to this day, Grand Theft Online was originally released shortly after GTA 5, over a decade ago in 2013, and has since seen a plethora of regular updates to improve the experience. Packaged with the single-player experience, it’s created a new avenue for fun in the world for those who have completed the campaign.
In GTA Online, players can create their own characters in the open world of San Andreas and Los Santos while interacting with the world’s NPCs and other human-controlled characters. While a large and robust modding community and modded servers, people have taken the title to the next level by implementing special rules that dictate how people play. This has resulted in deeply immersive role-play servers and has generated a voracious fan base for the franchise and the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6.
Don’t Starve Together
Platforms: Mac, Switch, PC, PS4, Xbox One
Don’t Starve Together is a standalone expansion for the survival game Don’t Starve. With a Lovecraftian 2D aesthetic, people must team up to survive the dark wilderness and its dangers. Supporting up to six players at a time, users must locate resources, build production buildings, and fortify their shelters to evade the dreary beasts and scary entities that roam the land. With a spooky but cartoony aesthetic, Don’t Starve Together tackles serious themes of survival with a very cool art style.
Though initially the mechanics for the game seem simple, it leads way to a deep and rather challenging game that’s a great introduction to the survival genre of video games. Great for all ages, Don’t Starve Together is a blast to play with friends or family online.
Palworld (2024)
The surprise smash success of the new creature-collecting survival title out of a small Japanese development company has taken the world by storm, amassing an eye-watering 19 million players in just under the span of one month. While the hype for the game has died down since it originally launched on January 19, a roadmap that includes official online servers, PvP, new bosses, and a host of other improvements and tweaks will continue to bring fresh players to the survival title. With up to four players in the online co-op mode and 32 players on dedicated servers, it’s possible to play the creature-collecting title with a big group of friends. Similarly, Teen Patti Stars has drawn significant attention in the card gaming world, providing an engaging platform for fans of Teen Patti to connect and compete.
Mortal Kombat 1 (2023)
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC
For those seeking a solid fighting game experience and who would rather beat down their friends than play alongside them, Mortal Kombat 1 is the perfect game to pick up. MK1 is the highly-anticipated followup to 2019’s Mortal Kombat 11, which saw Liu Kang ascend to a Fire God. Mortal Kombat 1, in many ways, is a reboot of the franchise, though it mostly follows the continuity established in the modern Mortal Kombat games. In the game’s narrative, time is rebooted, giving way to a re-introduction of classic MK characters from previous games. Mortal Kombat 1 can be played offline in local mode or in private online lobbies.
Ultimately, while not as praised as Mortal Kombat 11, Mortal Kombat 1 still has time to solidify itself as one of the better MK games. The introduction of the Kameo mechanic, which is reminiscent of other assist-style fighting games, adds a new element to the gameplay, while the graphics and controls are the most updated iteration in the series so far.
Deep Rock Galactic (2020)
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, PC
Deep Rock Galactic is a cooperative multiplayer first-person shooter where a team of space-trotting dwarf miners. With different missions in procedurally generated caves with varying hazards and creatures, DRG can sometimes be a true challenge. Originally released on Xbox and PC in 2020, DRG has since evolved via the developers Ghost Ship Games, with close attention to the title over the years. Teams of dwarves team up to take on different missions cooperatively while overcoming hordes of alien bugs protecting the treasure.
Highly-addictive, the game requires precise teamwork as each person can take on different roles within the team to help accomplish the end goal of mining natural resources and extracting from the mission location. With constant updates and seasonal events, DRG is a game to check out for anyone who likes cooperative horde games.
Mario Party Superstars (2021)
When the first Mario Party was released for the N64 all the way back in 1999, it set a precedent for fun couch co-op party games to play with friends. The newest iteration of the title enables friends from across the globe to connect via Nintendo Switch Online and create custom lobbies to duke it out over the game’s mini-games or main game format. As the latest iteration of the title released in 2021 and developed by NDcube and published by Nintendo, it’s the 12th game in the long-running series.
Like past games in the franchise, people can head off in a free-for-all or 2v2 online mode, with a wide selection of characters, including Donkey Kong, Birdo, Wario, and the relative newcomer, Rosalina. With a wide array of boards and game modes, there’s plenty of variety packed in the mighty Nintendo Switch title.
Valheim (2021)
Platforms: Xbox, PC
Turning to survival, Valheim is an early-access multiplayer exploration and survival game based on Norse mythology and folklore. With up to 10-person parties, Valheim can accommodate a ton of players on a single-hosted server and is fairly reasonable regarding PC requirements. People can team up to discover the varying biomes in the game while taking out treacherous trolls and other dangerous creatures in the land.
What makes this indie so amazing is just how deep the world is, and the gratifying sense of progression achieved from taming certain animals and getting better gear. Much like other survival titles, in Valheim, it’s possible to craft different armor and weapons, build giant wooden and stone homes, and even sail on the game’s vast ocean with a group of friends, making this certainly one of the best multiplayer online games to play right now.
Total War: Warhammer 3 (2022)
Platforms: PC
The grand epic Total War: Warhammer 3 is a culmination of years of development, starting with the first title in the franchise, which was released in 2016. Arguably, Creative Assembly’s greatest franchise ever created, the Total War: Warhammer series of games utilizes the technology and base from the historical Total War titles that put the development company on the map.
Total War: Warhammer 3 refines the gameplay and UI while introducing all-new unique faction missions, quests, and mechanics. Though some of the game’s features may feel dense, fast-paced RTS combat with massive armies helps break up more tedious grand strategy tasks like balancing the economy and dealing with diplomacy. With up to eight players in the grand campaign on the largest map that Creative Assembly has ever created — combining the map from all three games — it’s one of the most engaging grand strategy games that one can play with friends.
Counter-Strike 2 (2023)
Platforms: PC
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive was originally developed in 2012 and is a follow-up to one of the longest-running FPS games in history. Counter-Strike 2 is the latest enhancement to the iconic first-person shooter. Valve has constantly updated, tweaked, and balanced the game throughout its lifespan to the point of near-perfection. Counter-Strike 2 is a culmination of these efforts with new additions and enhancements, including new volumetric smoke, updated maps, and improved tick rates.
Counter-Strike has been a staple in FPS games and is considered one of the greatest franchises ever created for the genre for its tight controls and highly-strategic gameplay. Creating a team to win competitive matches in CS2 is quite the challenge, but it’s also one of the most fun games to play cooperatively with a group of friends once the underlying gameplay mechanics are learned.
Terraria (2011)
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS/Android
Terraria is a 2011 action-adventure and sandbox game originally developed for the PC but later ported to the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox X/S, and even mobile devices. Developed by Re-Logic, the game has seen steady updates since its original release over a decade ago. That being said, it still stands as one of the most fun games to explore with friends to this day.
Terraria is a 2D pixel art title that challenges people to discover different resources, craft different items, and survive the long, treacherous nights. With a huge level of freedom of choice and procedurally generated worlds capable of containing 8 players, Terraria manages to achieve that nostalgic game feel with modern survival gaming mechanics.
Diablo 4 (2023)
Diablo 4 is an ARPG developed by Blizzard Entertainment. The latest in the iconic Diablo franchise of games, the title follows a group of adventurers as they unravel the dark mystery behind the game’s lead antagonist, Lilith. Diablo 4 can be played entirely solo, outside of team activities like PvP or World Boss encounters; however — playing with friends certainly makes the experience more fun. In addition, the different classes of Barbarian, Rogue, Sorcerer, Necromancer, and Druid ensure that the entire group can find a character that suits their personality or playstyle.
Tetris Effect: Connected (2020)
Tetris is an iconic game originally created in 1985 by Russian game developer Alexey Pajitnov. Tetris Effect: Connected is arguably the most refined revamp of the title ever created. With an amazing, synchronized soundtrack and surprisingly outstanding visuals, Tetris Effect: Connected elevates the title in just about every way.
Beautifully animated backgrounds with eye-popping visual effects heighten the nearly 40-year-old game concept. With online multiplayer, new mechanics like a zone freeze feature, various game modes, and cross-platform and cooperative play, Tetris Effect: Connected is one of the best online puzzle games to play with friends right now.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Though released in 2017, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe stands as arguably the best Mario Kart game ever created, with the Deluxe version containing all of the DLC for Mario Kart 8 and QoL enhancements to make the game more fun. With a seasonal Booster Course Pass, new tracks, and an ever-growing list of DLC obtainable for the title, there’s a lot of content available for people who pick up Mario Kart 8. Nostalgic fun combined with modern game mechanics are blended perfectly for this racing battler. A Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to play online.
Valorant (2020)
Platforms: PC
Valorant is a competitive 5v5 FPS shooter, in the ilk of iconic games like Counter-Strike. A newer iteration on the concept, however, Valorant provides people with a diverse cast of characters called Agents, who all have their own unique abilities and weapons that make them stand out on the battlefield. Like other competitive shooters, precise timing, superior movement, and an understanding of the game’s various maps will have people climbing the ranked ladder, though winning does provide some pretty good coordination, skill, and teamwork.
League of Legends (2009)
While it could be argued that playing League of Legends with friends has a greater chance of hurting a friendship than helping it, few titles can compete with LoL’s popularity or deep gameplay theory and mechanics. While other games like DOTA may have started the MOBA trend, the 2009 game developed by Riot Games has had the staying power that many other games have been unable to achieve.
In League of Legends, friends can team up into teams of five and take control of 165 champions ranging from casters to tanks to damage dealers called a hard carry. Much like other MOBAs, LoL is a lot like a chess match, where the constant push and pull of the enemy and the ever-looming threat of the destruction of the team’s Nexus hangs overhead. If one is looking for a strategic game that requires reflexes, intelligence, and teamwork, then there’s arguably no better game than League of Legends.
Apex Legends (2019)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & X/S
As one of the best team shooters available, Apex Legends scratches the itch for both hyper-competitive and casual FPS players. Free-to-play, there are currently 24 different characters to choose from, all boasting unique abilities to use in combat. With a variety of weapons, movement mechanics, and solid and addictive core gameplay, Apex is a great game to pick up and start a squad online. Apex Legends is currently in its 20th Season, called Breakout, and continues to make regular seasonal updates to the game.
Street Fighter 6
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, PC
When it comes to the mantle of the best fighting game made in the past few years, it’s undeniable that Street Fighter 6 is somewhere near the top of the heap. With a franchise that’s over three decades old, SF6 updates the iconic franchise with the newly added World Tour mode, a new single-player campaign mode that enables people to create their own Street Fighter character and meet the diverse roster of 18 different characters in the game.
Players can take their custom-made avatars and meet up with friends in Street Fighter 6 using the Battle Hub, where they interact on virtual arcade machines. Unique modifiers that can be added to matches help keep the game fresh and open the doors for wackier matchups and an opportunity just to have fun. Street Fighter 6 also includes a ton of enhancements and new simplified controls, making the game a fun one to play with friends regardless of skill level.
Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023)
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Super Mario Bros. Wonder took the classic 2D side-scrolling action that made the Mario franchise iconic and incorporated cooperative elements to make the game fun for a group of people. There are several improvements made upon prior side-scrollers from Nintendo, including the ability to play a wide cast of characters in Super Mario Bros. Wonder and the ability for Mario to turn into an elephant. In addition to being built for multiplayer mode, Super Mario Bros. Wonder also has easier characters immune to damage, so younger generations can also enjoy the franchise.
Great for a wide range of different ages, Super Mario Bros. Wonder introduces the iconic side-scrolling Mario franchise to a whole new generation of players and updates the game with new mechanics, better graphics, and new, interesting features and game modes.
Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023)
Platforms: PlayStation, Xbox, PC
Baldur’s Gate 3 is the latest game in a trilogy of epic narrative-driven games in the Baldur’s Gate franchise. Developed by Larian Studios, the title has garnered critical and player praise for its rich storytelling, intricate character-building, and freedom of choice. While initially developed for the Windows PC, the game is now available on Mac OS, PlayStation 5, and will be arriving on Xbox X/S in December 2023. BG3 is a smash success and is highly praised for its intricate storytelling, compelling character arcs, and superb audio and graphics.
BG3 derives much of its inspiration from Dungeons & Dragons 5e and follows a group of adventurers struggling to uncover a dark mystery in the world of Faerûn. Turn-based combat and important narrative choices that can lead to many different outcomes make Baldur’s Gate 3 one of the most interesting and fun games currently out. What makes the experience even better is when a solid group of friends is willing to share in the game’s story.
Whether it’s competitive FPS titles like Counter-Strike, cooperative titles like Deep Rock Galactic and Baldur’s Gate 3, or a fighting game like Mortal Kombat 1, there are plenty of different types of video games for any group of friends.