PC Gaming

The 20 Best Multiplayer PC Games for Hours of Entertainment

January 28, 2024 • Devin Partida

1. Baldur’s Gate 3

“Baldur’s Gate 3” is relatively new, but gamers agree it’s already one of the best multiplayer PC games of all time. It’s a turn-based role-playing game (RPG) set in the Dungeons and Dragons tabletop universe. You can bring up to three friends on this story-rich journey along the Sword Coast.

Many games claim every decision matters. In “Baldur’s Gate 3,” they actually do. If you stumble into a fight or a conversation, your friends aren’t pulled into a cutscene. While they can vote on dialogue or fight alongside you, they can also keep exploring. You’ll all enjoy hundreds of spells, dozens of subclasses and thousands of ways to play.

2. V Rising

In “V Rising,” you’re a newly awakened vampire with a craving for blood — and world domination. You and your clan can build your castle, make thralls, hunt bosses, and terrorize villages. In PvP, you can even wage a miniature war against other clans.

3. Halo: The Master Chief Collection

We couldn’t settle on our favorite installment in the Halo series, so we chose “Halo: The Master Chief Collection.” If you want to relive the good old days with “Halo: Combat Evolved,” “Halo: Reach” or “Halo 3: ODST,” this is your go-to PC game.

4. Stardew Valley

In “Stardew Valley,” you’ve just inherited a farm from your grandfather. You can befriend the locals, decorate your home, grow your farm and enjoy the changing seasons. It’s one of the best multiplayer PC games for a relaxing night in.

5. Deep Rock Galactic

In “Deep Rock Galactic,” you’re a dwarf on a mission to mine in space. This first-person shooter (FPS) is chaotic, action-packed and loads of fun. You work your way through procedurally generated cave systems while blasting aliens and destroying the environment.

6. Phasmophobia

If you enjoy horror movies and ghost-hunting shows, you’ll love “Phasmophobia.” Armed with three unique upgrade tiers of cameras, crosses, UV lights, spirit boxes and EMF readers, you and up to three friends can track and identify the things that go bump in the night.

7. Remnant 2

Even though “Remnant 2” is relatively new, we can easily say it’s one of the best multiplayer PC games you can play. Reviewers say it’s a phenomenal sequel to “Remnant: From the Ashes.” It has a selection of procedurally-generated maps with interlinking stories, actions and quests that offer hundreds of hours of replayability.

8. Elden Ring

The open-world action RPG “Elden Ring” is for gamers whose favorite parts of a game are the boss fights. In multiplayer mode, you can get appraisal health boosts, bloodstains and player invasions. If you need reinforcements, you can summon two friends.

9. Raft

For most people, being adrift at sea with nothing but the clothes on your back and a pitiful wooden raft sounds like a nightmare. In “Raft,” it’s exciting. This is a popular open-world sandbox where you slowly build your starting raft into a floating palace. Strand up to seven of your friends with you as you face environmental dangers and work together to survive.

10. Valheim

“Valheim” is a Viking-inspired PC game with a procedurally generated open world. You can explore, fight interesting bosses and build your base from the ground up. If you want to visit your friend’s world, you can do so with an existing character instead of building someone new.

Even in early access, “Valheim” boasts impressive world-building, solid game mechanics and an engaging story. While only five developers are behind it, it’s still outstanding. You and up to 10 friends can explore, fight, craft, sail and survive in this artistic interpretation of Norse mythology.

11. Sons of the Forest

Together, you and up to seven friends can survive, uncover chilling secrets and perfect your base in “Sons of the Forest.” This sequel to “The Forest” has vehicle support, helpful companions and terrifying cannibals.

12. Party Animals

“Party Animals” is one of the best multiplayer PC games to play if you like quick, clean fun. This physics-based game lets you play as an assortment of fuzzy creatures. Gather your friends or go alone to an eight-person brawl.

13. Lethal Company

“Lethal Company” is a survival horror where you search abandoned moons for scrap to give to “The Company.” With funny game mechanics, directional audio and monsters galore, you’ll constantly switch from laughing to screaming.

14. Left 4 Dead 2

Without a doubt, “Left 4 Dead 2” is one of the best multiplayer PC games of all time. You and up to three friends can work together to survive the zombie apocalypse with guns, melee weapons and Molotov cocktails. Settings like the carnival, the airport and the stadium are tons of fun.

15. Project Zomboid

“Project Zomboid” is unapologetically brutal. It even opens with the message: “This is how you die.” After customizing your character’s look and profession, your goal is to survive as long as possible. The game mechanics are eerily realistic — utilities eventually shut off, wearing too many layers causes you to overheat and you can only drive cars if you find the keys.

Naturally, your best chance of survival is with friends. So far, you can join 100 other people on a server with you as long as your hardware and network can handle it. However, public servers usually only have a few dozen.

16. Portal 2

“Portal 2” is one of the best multiplayer PC games ever made — ask anyone. It’s full of witty quips and mind-boggling challenges. Even if puzzles aren’t your thing, we’re sure you’d love completing the test chambers with a friend.

17. Overcooked 2

“Overcooked 2” may look adorable, but don’t be fooled — the pressure of being a line cook in a fast-paced environment will test friendships. All joking aside, this PC game offers hours of fun. Coordinating with friends to get orders prepped, cooked and plated in time leads to plenty of funny, intense moments.

18. Sea of Thieves

Sadly, the days of sailing the high seas in search of fame, treasure, sea monsters and ship battles are long over — or are they? In “Sea of Thieves,” you’re a pirate traveling an open world of islands and ocean. You can sail with friends and team up with other crews while you gather loot, fight off ancient creatures and play your favorite instrument.

19. Minecraft

Of course, “Minecraft” is one of the best multiplayer PC games. Although Minecraft Java Edition doesn’t support console crossplay, you can still mine, build and fight back mobs with friends on PC. It’s good, classic fun for any kind of gamer.

20. No Man’s Sky

Even though “No Man’s Sky” had an infamously rough launch, it received multiple massive updates that made it one of the best multiplayer PC games. Team up with up to three friends or travel the universe with up to 32 strangers as you explore planets, build bases, tame strange creatures and uncover mysteries.

Our Top Picks for the Best Multiplayer PC Games

Although this list could easily be twice as long, we think it does multiplayer PC gaming justice — we couldn’t include all of the best multiplayer PC games in existence. Whether you’re into survival horror, open-world RPGs or indie action games, you’ll surely find a new game to pick up from this list.

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