Gaming is one of the best sources of entertainment out there and that’s one of the reasons why the gaming industry has witnessed a quantum leap in the number of new users joining the gaming community each year. Below is the compiled list of the best multiplayer games to play.
Last Updated Date: 24/05/2023
With the passage of time, many new game developers have joined the industry and independent gamers have been busy creating mods of popular games for others to enjoy. The gaming community is bigger than movie buffs and music aficionados put together.
Out of all the multiplayer games out there, the listed online multiplayer games have become sought-after among tech-obsessed gamers.
Online multiplayer games make the gamer's experience a lot more fun and interesting. It allows gamers to socialize with friends, relatives, and others worldwide. Glance over some of the best-known multiplayer games online.
Genre: First-person Shooter
Cost: Halo Infinite multiplayer is a free-to-play game
Platform Availability: Xbox Series X and Series S, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Cloud Gaming
Developer: 343 Industries
Halo Infinite is a first-person shooter video game developed by 343 Industries and published by Xbox Game Studios. It is the sixth main entry in the Halo series and a direct sequel to Halo 5: Guardians. The game was released for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Microsoft Windows platforms.
Since Halo Infinite is also a multiplayer game, players assume the role of the series' protagonist, Master Chief Petty Officer John-117, a super-soldier known as a Spartan. The game's story takes place on the Halo ringworld Installation 07, which has been damaged and is now controlled by the Banished, a faction led by a Brute named Atriox who has rebelled against the Covenant.
Gameplay :The game features both single-player and multiplayer modes. The single-player campaign follows Master Chief as he battles the Banished, uncovers the secrets of Installation 07, and reunites with his AI companion, Cortana. The multiplayer mode allows players to engage in various competitive and cooperative game types, with an emphasis on teamwork and strategy.
One of the key features of Halo Infinite is its open-world environment, allowing players to explore the vast landscapes of Installation 07. The game introduces a grappling hook, which enables new traversal options and combat opportunities. Furthermore, the game's engine, the Slipstream Engine, has been specifically designed to deliver a visually stunning and dynamic experience.
Genre: Massively multiplayer online game & First-person shooter
Cost: It is free-to-play game
Platform Availability: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Google Stadia, Microsoft Windows
Developer: Bungie
Destiny 2 is a first-person shooter video game developed by Bungie and published by Activision initially, with Bungie later assuming full publishing rights. Released in September 2017, the game is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, and later on Google Stadia and next-gen consoles, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Destiny 2 is the sequel to 2014's Destiny and features a shared-world multiplayer environment with role-playing and MMO (Massively Multiplayer Online) elements.
Gameplay: The game is set in a mythic science-fiction world and casts players as Guardians, protectors of the last safe city on Earth. Destiny 2's story revolves around Dominus Ghaul, the leader of the Cabal's Red Legion, who attacks the Last City and strips the Guardians of their Light. Players are tasked with regaining their powers and uniting the scattered Guardian forces to defeat Ghaul and his Red Legion.
Destiny 2 is part of the best multiplayer games online that features various game modes, including a cinematic story campaign, cooperative strikes (three-player missions with a specific objective), and six-player raids (end-game activities with complex mechanics and challenging enemies). The game also offers a competitive multiplayer mode called the Crucible, where Guardians can test their skills against other players in various game types.
Genre: MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena)
Cost: The game is available to download for free.
Platform Availability: Windows, OS X and Linux
Developer: Valve Corporation
Dota 2 was created by Valve Corporation in 2013 and it became the most-played game on Steam. This free-to-play MOBA game is played by two teams of five players each. You have to play as a team to occupy and protect your base camp on the game map. You will get to control a character called a hero, who possesses certain unique powers and abilities.
Dota 2 is one of the most competitive multiplayer games available online. But the game requires players to practice to become successful.
Gameplay: Dota 2 is an extremely simple game. There are two participating teams of 5 players each. Players have to destroy things to collect gold and experience. They battle against each other to destroy a large structure called ‘Ancient,’ which is protected by the opponent’s team. The players get to control one of the 119 characters called heroes. Each hero has certain abilities, powers, strengths and weaknesses. Heroes are divided into two primary roles: core and support.
Players will be a part of one of the two teams: Radiant or Dire. Both teams are settled in the base camps located at opposite corners of the map. The fortified bases are connected by three paths called lanes. These lanes are shielded by defensive towers that block the opposing team’s units and help to ambush them. Also, there are creeps, a small group of AI creatures, who travel along the lanes and try to attack the opposing team’s heroes, buildings, and creeps on their way. The creeps emerge time and again throughout the game from barracks, two buildings located at the teams’ bases. Players may also encounter ‘neutral creeps,’ who can harm either team and reside in camps in particular locations on the map.
The map in Dota 2 is covered by fog that prevents a team from directly seeing the opposing team’s heroes and creeps. Since there is a day-night cycle, some of the game mechanics and heroes’ abilities may be altered.
Genre: MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena)
Cost: There are no costs involved in downloading the game. However, you need to sign up on their official website to download the game.
Platform Availability: Windows and macOS
Developer: Riot Games
League of Legends is one of the most popular multiplayer games for PCs. The game was released back in 2009 and there hasn’t been a game that was able to achieve the level of the popularity of LoL. The game has a vibrant community of players loyal to it even after 11 years of its release. A game of League of Legends usually lasts for 35-45 minutes or for a maximum of one hour.
A mobile version of the game called League of Legends: Wild Rift was released in 2020.
Gameplay: The game premise is similar to that of Wildcraft 3 mod Defense of Ancients (DotA). Two teams of five players each play against each other. They have to destroy the opposing team’s structure, a nexus, located at its base. Both the nexuses are located on the opposite sides of the map. Also, some unique creatures called minions come out of the nexus and attack the other team’s base. On killing a minion, the player earns a gold item.
Each player gets to control a character called the Champion. There are over 120 champions, and new characters get added with every new season. Each champion starts at Level 1 and rises to Level 8. They gain experience and new abilities at every new level. LoL also offers its players three game modes, Summoner’s Rift, ARAM and Teamfight Tactics to explore.
Genre: First-person shooter
Cost: The game can be downloaded for free from the Steam Store.
Platform Availability: Windows, OS X, Linux, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3
Developer: Hidden Path Entertainment
The fourth game in the CS series, Counter Strike: Global Offensive, is a multiplayer first-person shooter game that was released back in 2012. It is a skill-based game where players are required to plan and strategize throughout the game. The game is trickier than its prequel and promises an outstanding gaming experience.
Counter Strike: Global Offensive is a breath of fresh air for all CS lovers. The game has many new additions like new maps and modes.
Gameplay: Just like previous games, Counter Strike: GO puts two teams against each other: terrorists and counter-terrorists. Whichever team eliminates the opposition team wins the game. The terrorists must either plant a bomb or protect the captives. On the other hand, the counter-terrorists must prevent the terrorists from planting the bomb, deactivate it if planted or rescue the captives. After every round, you will get rewarded with in-game currency on the basis of your performance. You can utilize the in-game currency to buy new weapons like rifles, SMGs (sub-machine guns), pistols, and grenades.
Genre: Card Game
Cost: You can download the game for free onto your mobile phone. Play cash games starting from Rs. 10.
Platform Availability: Android, iOS and the official website
Developer: Junglee Rummy is the flagship product of Junglee Games Private Limited.
Are you a rummy fan? If so, you should definitely try your hands on a rummy game on the Junglee Rummy app. It is one of the most popular multiplayer games in India. You can bring your friends and play rummy with them anywhere and anytime. In fact, every time you bring a new friend, you get a bonus. Isn’t that exciting?
Junglee Rummy offers the most realistic and authentic gaming experience to over 50 million users. You can download the rummy game for free and sign up to get started. You can choose from various rummy game variations and win real money by joining daily, weekly and monthly tournaments. There are exciting offers, bonuses and cashback for everyone!
Gameplay: Playing rummy on Junglee Rummy is as simple as ABC. But you need to have a clear understanding of the game before joining a cash game. Basically two to six players participate in a game. One or two card decks including Jokers are used. The number of cards distributed to each player is 13. The goal is to arrange these cards in sequences and sets and make a valid declaration.
Sequence: It is a group of three or more successive cards of the same suit. A minimum of two sequences are required to make a valid declaration, at least one of which must be pure. There are two types of sequences:
Pure: A pure sequence does not contain a Joker. Examples: 2♣-3♣-4♣-5♣; 7♥-8♥-9♥.
Set: It is a group of three or more cards of the same rank but different suits. Jokers can also be used in a set. A valid declaration cannot have more than two sets in it.
Example: 1. Without Joker: Q♦-Q♣-Q♥-Q♠ ; 3♥-3♣-3♠
2. With Joker: 6♣-6♦-PJ; 8♥-8♠ -4♦
Each player has to pick and discard cards from the closed and open decks. The discarded cards are accumulated in the open deck. The value of each card is as follows:
Cards | Points |
---|---|
Face cards (Ks, Qs, Js) and A’s | 10 points each |
Numbered cards (2s, 3s, 4s, 5s, 6s, 7s, 8s, 9s, 10s) | Same as the face value |
Jokers | Zero points each |
After arranging your cards, you have to discard the 14th card and click on the “Finish” button. If the declared cards are valid, you are the winner. The winner’s score is zero.
If the declared cards are invalid, there is a penalty of 80 points.
Also Read About - The 14 Best Card Games to Play in 2023
Genre: Sports
Cost: The game is available for free download. You have to sign up on the publisher’s official website to download the game.
Platform Availability: Windows, MacOS, Linux. PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch
Developer: Psyonix
Ever tried playing soccer with cars? Though it is impossible in the real world, you can play a game with a similar concept in the virtual world. Yes, you read that right! This concept was adopted by Psyonix, a game developer company, and it came up with a unique game called Rocket League. Released in 2015, Rocket League allows you to play soccer with rocket-powered cars. You will be playing against other players in a fantasy soccer arena. Since its launch in 2015, the game has improved a lot and added many new features like new modes and DLC options. If you are an arcade game fan, you will surely love this game.
Gameplay: Rocket League has similar gameplay as its predecessor: supersonic acrobatic rocket-powered battle-cars. Using a rocket-powered car, you have to hit the ball (which is larger than the cars) towards the goalpost and score goals. You will have full control of the cars. The game resembles the real-world soccer game where soccer players are replaced by rocket-powered cars. While playing the game, you can jump and hit the ball in the air. You can use a speed boost to cross the field quickly and use the force to hit the ball or destroy the opponent’s car. You can also use the boost to thrust yourself in the flight and hit the ball in the air.
In Rocket League, the match duration is usually 5 minutes. You can play 1v1 up to 4v4 matches and casual and ranked playlists. Also, there is a single-player mode where you can compete with robots.
Genre: Fighting Game
Cost: You can buy the game from the publisher’s official website for $45-$59.99.
Platform Availability: Windows, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch and Stadia
Developer: NetherRealm Studios and published by Warner Bros
If you are a Mortal Kombat fan, you will definitely love its latest version: Mortal Kombat 11. Released in 2019, this game is the sequel to Mortal Kombat X, which was released back in 2015. It is slightly different from its predecessor as the game focuses more on the storyline and less on violence and brutality which are the core elements of any MK game. It is by far the best fighting game in the series and features both single and multiplayer modes.
Mortal Kombat 11 also features game tutorials where players can learn and understand the basics of the game.
Gameplay: Mortal Kombat 11 is a 2.5D fighting game. The game has many returning features like Fatalities, Brutalities, Friendships, Stage Fatalities and Quitalities. Along with this, there are new features like Fatal Blows and Crushing Blows. Fatal Blows is similar to the X-ray move from the MK X game and causes a lot of damage to the player. It can make a player’s health drop below 30% and can be used only once during the match. On the other hand, Crushing Blows is similar to Brutalities from the previous versions. There is a Flawless Block feature that allows a player to come back after blocking an attack for a specific time. You will also find another returning feature called Mercy, where a winning player can use some amount of their life to bring back their opponent. In Mortal Kombat 11, you can use Custom Variation to customize your character’s weapons and moves.
Genre: Role-Playing Action Game
Cost: The game can be downloaded for free from the publisher’s official website.
Platform Availability: Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One and PlayStation 5
Developer: Digital Extremes
Warframe is a free-to-play action game that was released back in 2013. The game has exciting battles and sci-fi visuals that keep you coming back for more. Warframe features a huge, free-roaming world with a plethora of characters and environments to engage with. The game has been giving serious competition to other massive online multiplayer games. Its impressive storyline, coupled with clever gameplay mechanics, makes this a must-have for any gamer who’s worth their salt.
Gameplay: Warframe is a popular action game that combines all the elements of shooting, role-playing and outstanding visuals. You will be playing as Tenno, an ancient warrior who has woken up from years of sleep only to find himself entangled in a war. The character boasts incredible acrobatic features and strengths. You have to control a sci-fi ninja who shoots and slashes away any incoming threat to the galaxy. There are various tasks like visiting other planets to beat giant robots and other enemies who pose a threat in the story. Since Warframe is a mission-based game, you have to complete various missions like target assassinations, saving NPCs, fighting a boss character, collecting items, etc. After completing a mission, you will be rewarded with loot that can be used to improve your arsenal, warframes and even your look.
Genre: First-person Shooter
Cost: It is a free-to-play game available to download for free from Steam.
Platform Availability: Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
Developer: Valve Corporation
Even after 16 years of its release, the popularity of Team Fortress 2 hasn’t waned yet. The game is a sequel to Team Fortress mod Quake (1996) and Team Fortress Class (1999). It offers incredible visuals and maintains a retro charm. This is one of the reasons the game still has a loyal base of users who continue to play the game. Many first-person shooter games like CS: GO and Overwatch were developed on the Team Fortress 2 formula. Despite being an old game, it still receives updates and the company hosts numerous in-game events at the time of testing.
Gameplay: When you choose a game mode, you will see an introductory video that explains how to complete the objectives. You have to choose one out of nine character classes. Each character has certain unique abilities, strengths and weaknesses. You should maintain a balance between characters to achieve the objective of the game. Your character will have a primary weapon, a secondary weapon and a melee weapon. There are five game modes, Attach/Defend, Capture the Flag, Payload, King of the Hill and Control Points. Each game mode has its own set of adventures and unique features that provide the players with excitement and thrill.
Genre: First-person Shooter
Cost: You can buy the game from the publisher’s official website.
Platform Availability: Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
First released in 2016, Overwatch is a multiplayer first-person shooter game by Blizzard Entertainment. The game is played by two teams of six players each and each player gets to choose from 30 characters called heroes. Teammates have to work together to make and defend control points on the map. On securing the points, players win rewards that can be used to get character skins and poses.
As the game begins, you have to select a hero character from one the following three classes: Damage heroes: The characters who take most of the damage to assault and secure control points. Tank Heroes: These characters can absorb high damage and Support Heroes: These characters heal other injured players in the game.
Every hero has certain qualities and attributes like speed, health, and attack capability. They also possess an ultimate ability that can be used after dealing a lot of damage to enemies and healing allies. Players can change their heroes during a match.
Genre: Fighting Game
Cost: It is free-to-play game
Platform Availability: PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Arcade game
Developer: BNE Entertainment, BANDAI NAMCO Studios, Arika
Tekken 7 is a fighting video game developed and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It is the ninth installment in the Tekken series and was first released in arcades in Japan in March 2015, for multiple platforms, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows in June 2017. The game runs on Unreal Engine 4, which allows for more detailed graphics and smoother animations compared to previous entries in the series.
The game introduces several new gameplay elements, such as the Rage Art, Power Crush, and Screw Attack. Rage Art allows players to perform a powerful attack when their character's health is low, while Power Crush enables characters to continue attacking despite receiving damage. Screw Attack is a new combo mechanic that sends opponents spinning in the air, allowing for additional follow-up attacks.
The game's story also introduces a new character, Kazumi Mishima, who is Heihachi's wife and Kazuya's mother. The narrative is told through cinematic cutscenes and intense battles, providing players with a cinematic and engaging experience.
Tekken 7 offers various game modes such as Arcade, Versus, Practice, and Online. The online mode features ranked matches, player matches, and tournaments, allowing players to test their skills against other players worldwide.
What are some most popular multiplayer games right now?
Some of the most popular and best multiplayer online games, which can be downloaded and played anywhere, anytime, include League of Legends, DOTA 2, Junglee Rummy, Call of Duty, Rocket League, Warframe, Fortress, Overwatch, Mortal Kombat and Counter-Strike.
What is a local multiplayer game?
A local multiplayer game allows the player to play the game offline. You can play it either as a co-op game (that involves multiple players playing offline) or as your opponent. Some popular local multiplayer games include Renegade, Robotek, Sea Battle 2, Smash Hit and Spaceteam.
Which is the No 1 multiplayer game in the world?
Pub G and Grand Theft Auto V are probably the No. 1 multiplayer games in the world.
Are there games you can play online with friends?
Yes there are millions of free and fun multiplayer games that can be played online. Some of them are Minecraft, Fortnite, Mario Kart Tour and Rocket League.
Conclusion
So what are you waiting for? Pick a game from our list of best multiplayer games and start playing with your friends right away. Happy gaming!
So what are you waiting for? Pick a game from our list of best multiplayer games and start playing with your friends right away. Happy gaming!