The Best Multiplayer Games To Play Right Now

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Gaming doesn’t have to be a solitary activity, and that’s why we love a good multiplayer game. The best multiplayer games can help you make new friends, or break existing ones depending on your preference. With so many multiplayer games on the market on PC and consoles, it can be tough to decide which one to sink your time into. That’s why we’ve crafted this list, to help you decide which online game is worth your time and investment.

Here are the best multiplayer games to play in 2024.

Counter-Strike 2

Counter-Strike 2 doesn’t reinvent the wheel but it polishes it to a new sheen. The classic tactical shooter uses an updated Source 2 engine with improved physics to make every bomb blast, smoke, and flash grenade more believable to interact with. CS2 also adds new game modes, with seasonal events splicing the map pool so you’re not just stuck playing Dust 2 or Mirage. Making friends in CS2 can be tough in the beginning, so polish your aim and map awareness to rise through the ranks and meet some talented players.

Final Fantasy XIV

MMOs can be hard to get into, but Final Fantasy XIV is special. Nearly 14 years after a rough launch, FFXIV is still going strong with regular updates. With incredibly dense gameplay and a great story to follow through its expansions, FFXIV is a unique Final Fantasy experience. Making new friends won’t be that tough though, as the game finally released on Xbox consoles recently, and with the influx of new players, you’re sure to find new gaming buddies in this medieval fantasy world.

Helldivers 2

Helldivers 2 is one of this year's most surprising hits. Arrowhead Game Studio's massively multiplayer shooter can be played solo, but you'll struggle once you start fighting the automatons in your quest to deliver democracy across the galaxy. The game's so good that even PlayStation fans want it on Xbox so there are more players in the mix. It proves that launching on PC alongside consoles can be beneficial, and may change PlayStation's strategy regarding multi-platform releases. Helldivers 2 continues to dominate player charts, and for good reason. Do not miss out on one of this year's best shooters.

Destiny 2

Destiny 2 may be reaching the end of its Light and Darkness saga, but thanks to its passionate player base and developers, it still has a lot left to give. Made by the same geniuses who perfected console shooters with Halo, Destiny 2 features very satisfying gunplay and has rich lore. Given Bungie’s tendency to shelve former campaigns, it can be hard to get into the story today, but fear not as the company frequently puts its starter bundles on sale. You may have even picked them up in the past, so why not jump in? The base game is completely free, but you’ll have to pay up to experience its story content.

Minecraft

Minecraft cannot be summed up in a few words. The massive sandbox can feature many different types of experiences. Easily one of the most versatile games on the market, how much fun you can have in Minecraft is only limited by your imagination. The sky is the limit, and even that can be broken with mods. Minecraft is also a very relaxing game if you know your way around it, and by grabbing a few friends, you can chill out, craft, and survive the night together.

The Finals

The Finals will leave you sweating in your gaming chair with its high-octane action and destructible environments. It’s easier to make enemies than friends in The Finals, as you play in teams of three to blow up walls, ceilings, and just about anything you can see to steal the enemy’s vault. It requires a lot of quick thinking and encourages creativity, letting you dictate the flow of the match by creating new pathways through its destruction mechanics. The Finals is a great game to play with friends since it requires good teamwork to pull off insane moves, and thanks to cross-play, you’ll be able to play it with friends on other platforms.

Fortnite Battle Royale

Fortnite Battle Royale is the epitope of live service games and does it best. With regular in-game events and a frequently changing meta, Fortnite Battle Royale is best played in quick bursts. Epic Games has changed the game completely with its recent push to turn it into a social hub, and it’s the first video game to deliver on the promises of the “metaverse” without unnecessary jank.

Lego Fortnite

Lego Fortnite is a very different experience from regular Fortnite. It’s basically Minecraft but in higher fidelity. Lego Fortnite focuses on long-term survival, crafting, and online cooperation with friends. Each map is procedurally generated, and your friends can visit your map even when you’re offline. There are no direct objectives for players, so you can make your own fun. With over one million players logging in at its launch, Lego Fortnite is already a smashing success.

Sea of Thieves

The pirate game to rule them all, Sea of Thieves has been continuously delivering fun adventures with its constant updates for years. You only need to grab a few friends to set sail on your adventure across an endless sea and live out your pirate fantasy. It’s a wholesome game that is also coming to PlayStation consoles soon, so making new friends will be even easier. What’s better is that the entire game is available on Xbox Game Pass, so you have nothing to lose to try it out.

Rocket League

Football meets cars. It’s a simple pitch, but an effective one. It may look easy enough, but Rocket League has a pretty high skill ceiling. Including a ton of game modes, Rocket League is one of the most accessible multiplayer games to get into but be prepared to put in the work because failed goals can lead to breaking up your friendships fast. After going free to play, Rocket League has featured many crossovers with Epic Games’ other franchises. Each new update brings stylish cars to the game, making it one of the more addictive games on the list.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

The fighting game to end all fighting games, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate features the largest character roster in the franchise’s history. Nintendo has continued to support the game by adding new stages and characters from not just its own IPs, but from third-party games also. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate includes a unique collectible mechanic that can turn the tide in battles quickly, so you always need to be on your toes. The game supports both local and online multiplayer, although it is best experienced when played on the TV with a friend by your side. Be careful though, as Smash Bros. has led many gamers to break their Joy-cons.