The best multiplayer games on PC | Digital Trends (2024)

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Counter-Strike 2

It may have started as a premium pay-to-play title in Counter Strike: GO before going free to play, but Counter-Strike: 2 has fully replaced that original with new tech. The latest installment in the storied franchise continues to dominate the Steam charts, and Valve is adamant about constantly pumping fresh content into the game. Multiple game modes have been added over time, but the core five-versus-five competitive experience remains the primary attraction. One team is charged with either rescuing hostages or planting a bomb, and the other must do everything in their power to prevent it. There’s nothing else quite like it on the market, and it’s easily one of the most competitive games you’ll ever play.

Team Fortress 2

Team Fortress 2 was a hero shooter before the term hero shooter even existed. Where other games in the genre have come in and taken the spotlight, TF2 has been quietly ranking in the list of top-played games for almost two decades now. Part of that success is due to how Valve never messed too deeply with the finely crafted balance between the characters. They’ve gotten new weapons and equipment, but there’s never been a new character added to completely throw off the meta. It’s rock solid to this day and will probably hold up for many more years.

Hearthstone

There is no shortage of amazing deck-building and collectible card games on PC, including digital versions of physical games like Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Pokémon. However, Hearthstone managed to break in and disrupt those juggernauts thanks to a streamlined and simplified ruleset. Things can get more complicated if you want to go deep into crafting the perfect meta deck, but you can easily grab one of the premade ones and understand how everything works as you play. It can be as casual or competitive as you want it to be. The Warcraft setting and characters framing everything is just a bit of icing on the cake for fans of that universe.

Lethal Company

Coming out of nowhere, Lethal Company took the PC world by storm. This low-fi game is the perfect formula of horror, rogue-like, and emergent gameplay elements. You and a group of friends head out to a randomly generated moon to try and collect scrap to meet a quota. However, monsters lurk around every corner. You are nearly defenseless, can only speak when close to one another, and always under pressure from the clock. It brings out an amazing chaotic energy in groups and is the perfect way to spend a night with some buddies.

Rocket League

Customize your own rocket-powered car before hitting the pitch and attempting to guide a massive ball into the opponent’s goal. Casual players will easily pick up the core mechanics, but it’ll take an expert to pull off aerial stunts and give their team an advantage. It revolves around a ridiculous concept, but somehow Rocket League was a cultural phenomenon when it launched in 2015. Even today, it remains as popular as ever and — like Counter-Strike before it — is shifting gears later this summer and transitioning to a free-to-play title.

Dota 2

Although it may not have the friendliest community, it’s impossible to deny the popularity of Dota 2. The original game was a simple community mod of Warcraft III, but Dota 2 takes everything that made the first one so popular and turns it up to 11. Two teams of five compete to destroy each other’s Ancient while simultaneously protecting their own. Players can choose between more than 100 heroes to play as, each with their own skills and abilities that can help turn the tide of battle. It’s not for the faint of heart, but anyone looking for a deep strategic experience will love everything Dota 2 has to offer.

World of Warcraft

It’s the most popular MMORPG for a reason — great gameplay, a lengthy narrative, and consistent content patches that keep players coming back for more. Dozens of raids, dungeons, and quests are just the tip of the iceberg, and it’s easy to sink thousands of hours into fleshing out your character. If you’re intimidated by everything World of Warcraft has to offer, you can instead opt for World of Warcraft Classic. When it launched in 2019, Classic sought to recreate the game in its initial form before any expansions were released. It has since added new content to closely replicate the original experience, and its servers are always bustling with players.

Fortnite

Fortnite wasn’t the first battle royale game on the market, but it’s definitely become the most popular. Quirky graphics, catchy dance moves, and a wonderfully clunky building mechanic helped propel this game into the mainstream’s consciousness. Whether you love it or hate it, there’s no denying that Fortnite is a cultural phenomenon. Epic Games certainly found the secret formula for hooking players and keeping them engaged, and there’s no telling where the game will go next. The company is currently embroiled in a legal battle with Apple over distribution rights on the App Store, yet somehow, we think it’s only going to help the game’s popularity.

Apex Legends

Think of Apex Legends as Fortnite‘s big brother. It’s grittier, it’s a bit more mature, and its first-person action is much more ruthless than Fortnite‘s cartoonish skirmishes. Players will join forces with up to two other combatants as they battle to be the last squad standing across one of two maps, both of which are incredibly well designed. Games are offered in both Ranked and Casual, but no matter which you pick, you’ll slowly be progressing your Battle Pass. Rewards vary by season; however, they’re always a great incentive to keep diving back into Kings Canyon.

Destiny 2

The world of Destiny has seen some incredible changes over the years, the best of which turned the game into a free title. Now, anyone can pick up Bungie’s polished MMOFPS and start banishing the Darkness. While it’s possible to play most of the game on your own, it’s best to experience the world with a few companions by your side. Raids are virtually impossible to complete without some great teammates, and much of the most exciting content requires you to join a party.

Warframe

Its competitive scene might be lacking, but the cooperative experience in Warframe is unlike any other. Players can interact with one other in massive hub worlds before setting off on missions that accommodate up to four players. The action is akin to the famous Dynasty Warriors franchise, pitting players against hundreds of enemies, and it’s not unusual for higher levels to see players working together to defeat more than 1,000 foes. It’s fast, it’s visceral, and it’s a multiplayer experience that you don’t want to miss.

Minecraft

At this point, nearly everyone on the planet has probably played — or at least heard of — Minecraft. It’s the blocky adventure game that is a virtual Lego set come to life, letting you build and explore to your heart’s content. This game has been out for more than 10 years, yet the manufacturers are still pushing out updates to keep players hooked. You’ll be able to revitalize your base game with various mods that make it look like an entirely different version of the game. If you’re out of practice with Minecraft, now is as good a time as ever to get back into the game. The Nether Update, recently released by Minecraft, provides more opportunities for player interaction as players explore the expanded Nether region.

Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0

Take Call of Duty‘s frantic, fast-paced gunplay, throw in dozens of vehicles, merge it with the popular battle royale format, and you’ve got Warzone 2.0. From incredibly deep gun customization options to killstreaks, Warzone 2.0 is no doubt a Call of Duty game at heart — but the gigantic maps and hundreds of enemies offer a unique twist to its aging formula. Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 has seen constant updates since launching years ago and has only become more popular in recent months. New weapons, operators, and map adjustments ensure the action never gets stale, and its thriving community ensures you always have competitive matches to jump into.

Grand Theft Auto V: Premium Online Edition

While we wait for news about GTA VI, thousands of players continue to dive into GTA Online — and for good reason. Rockstar has not only crafted one of the best open worlds in gaming with Los Santos, but its robust multiplayer offerings include competitive PvP, cooperative heists, and the ability to roam around with a few buddies causing mayhem. Whether you’re duking it out in tense, cover-based firefights, or schlepping around the desert in tanks blowing up everything in sight, GTA Online is some of the most fun you’ll have with a multiplayer game. If you’ve played the single-player story of GTA V, you’ll already know the basics of GTA Online. We may not see GTA VI any time soon, but at least there’s plenty of fun to be had with GTA V‘s robust online multiplayer.

PUBG: BATTLEGROUNDS

Arguably the game that kicked off the battle royale frenzy, PUBG Battlegrounds continues to be one of the most popular multiplayer games on the market. Gather supplies, trek across an expansive map, and pick off opponents one by one as you try to be the last soldier standing. Although it doesn’t get the fanfare of Fortnite or Apex Legends, PUBG Battlegrounds still has a dedicated community — and one that benefits from constant updates and gameplay reworks. The game also has a popular mobile spin-off, which lets you get your PUBG fix while away from your computer.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege

It’s not the easiest game on the list, but if you’re looking for a challenge you can’t do much better than Rainbow Six Siege. The latest entry in the storied franchise pits a team of Attackers against a team of Defenders, as they try to defuse bombs or rescue hostages. Each side can choose from a variety of unique characters that bring a special skill to the battlefield — and its roster continues to grow with each new season. Teamwork and careful planning are the keys to success in Siege, and running off on your own is a recipe for disaster. Since you’re only given one life per round, you need to be incredibly careful with your movements. If you can get over the steep learning curve, Rainbow Six Siege is one of the best FPS games on PC.

The Elder Scrolls Online

The Elder Scrolls Online is several years old now, and it’s better than ever thanks to the One Tamriel Update. This gave players instant access to all areas of the game by removing level gates and scaling enemies to their current rank. That means anyone who jumps into ESO today has more than five years of dungeons, quests, and PvP content to enjoy without the need for endless grinding. Featuring fully voiced characters, thousands of quests, dozens of PvE dungeons, and a surprisingly active PvP community, ESO offers everything you’d want in an MMORPG. ZeniMax continues to update the title regularly, and there’s always a newreason to dive into the action.

Lost Ark

Lost Ark first arrived in select regions before getting a global release. That means players who dive into the MMO today are treated to a wealth of competitive and cooperative action. Things play out from a top-down perspective, and combat is reminiscent of ARPGs such as Diablo or Torchlight. However, the ability to group up with others to tackle challenging bosses makes Lost Ark a rather unique experience. There’s also a robust crafting system and player-driven marketplace, giving you lots to discover when you’re not on the battlefield.

Monster Hunter Rise

First launched on Switch before making its way to PC, Monster Hunter Rise adds plenty of new systems to the iconic series. Most noticeable is the Wirebug — a nifty gadget that lets you tie down towering monsters or quickly climb to safety. It’s a bit like a grappling hook, and it’s surprisingly useful while out on a hunt. Then there’s the mountable Palamute, which gives you the ability to cruise around each map at a breakneck pace. The core cycle of looting, crafting, and hunting, however, is entirely intact. And the ability to party up with a few friends makes Rise all the more exciting.

Among Us

The Among Us frenzy has died down considerably, but the quirky game remains an excellent option for those seeking a unique multiplayer experience. You and a large group of players will set out to accomplish a rather mundane list of tasks (such as throwing switches or cleaning filters), but one player is secretly out to sabotage your mission. It’ll be up to the group to root out the imposter before they take down the rest of your crew.

Elden Ring

While you can experience the majority of Elden Ring as a solo player, the Lands Between are much less daunting with a friend by your side. Your cooperative buddy can help you tackle challenging bosses, exploring unforgiving sections of the map, or just help keep enemy eyes off you while you plunder a treasure chest. Jumping into cooperative play also opens you up to invasions — which sees another player sneak into your world for some competitive action.

Total War: Warhammer III

Total War: Warhammer 3 gives you multiple ways to jump into a multiplayer session. Whether you’re looking to run through a campaign with seven other players or enjoy a sandbox-like experience, there are plenty of scenarios to keep you busy. There’s also a new Domination Mode, which sees you and a few other players vying for control of specific sections of the battlefield. There are plenty of tactical multiplayer games to sink your teeth into on PC, but Total War: Warhammer 3 is among the best.

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