Finding a game that your entire friend group agrees on is harder than it should be. Here are the best multiplayer experiences right now sorted by group size.
2 players (co-op):
- It Takes Two — Still the gold standard for co-op. Every level has a different gameplay mechanic. Won Game of the Year 2021 for a reason. Source: The Game Awards.
- Baldur's Gate 3 (co-op campaign) — 100+ hours of D&D-style RPG with a friend. The choices you make together create stories you will talk about for years.
- Portal 2 (co-op campaign) — The best puzzle co-op ever made. 13 years old and still unmatched.
3-4 players:
- Helldivers 2 — Squad-based shooter where you fight alien bugs. The friendly fire creates chaos and laughter in equal measure. Best played with voice chat.
- Lethal Company — Horror exploration game. Your squad explores abandoned moons to collect scrap while avoiding monsters. The fear and comedy balance is perfect.
- Deep Rock Galactic — Space dwarves mining in procedurally generated caves. "Rock and Stone" is a lifestyle, not a catchphrase.
5+ players:
- Among Us — The social deduction game that refuses to die. Still excellent with a full lobby of friends.
- Fortnite (Zero Build) — Removing building made Fortnite accessible again. The no-build mode is genuinely fun.
- Jackbox Party Packs — Not a traditional game but the best party game for large groups. Quiplash alone justifies the purchase.
MMO/ongoing:
- Final Fantasy XIV — The best MMO on the market. The Dawntrail expansion continues the story. Free trial includes hundreds of hours of content.
- Destiny 2 — The gunplay is still the best in the FPS genre. The new player experience is confusing but the endgame raids are unmatched.
Sources: The Game Awards, Steam concurrent player data, personal play experience
Deep Rock Galactic deserves more love. The community is the most positive in gaming. Everyone yells "Rock and Stone" and helps each other. No toxicity. Just dwarves mining.