If you’re looking for the best multiplayer games to play in 2024 then you’re in the right place. We’ve compiled our definitive top 10 list of genre-defining and unforgettable experiences spanning shooters, driving titles, platformers, and the top co-op games available.
Below you’ll find all manner of cool multiplayer games emerging from indie studios as well as big budget publishers, for console, PC, and mobile ensuring no one is left behind. Regardless of the kind of gamer you are, we’re confident you’ll find the perfect title to play with friends and family, whether that’s local co-op or online to last many hours to come.
Key Takeaways
- The best multiplayer games in 2024 include genres such as shooters, RPGs, open-world games, and platformers.
- Multiplayer games are available on not only PC and console but also iOS and Android devices with a similar level of fidelity.
- Games such as Death Stranding and Baldur’s Gate 3 add an unconventional spin on the traditional multiplayer experience
- Some of the most popular multiplayer games are free to play such as Call of Duty: Warzone, Fortnite, and Fall Guys
- Most multiplayer games are updated frequently, adding new content and features, which incentivizes player retention
10 Best Multiplayer Games To Play in September 2024
1. Sea of Thieves
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Developer: Rare Ltd
Availability & Cost: $39.99 on PlayStation, $39.99 on Steam, $39.99 on Xbox
Sea of Thieves has you embarking on your very own pirate adventures – sail, fight, explore, and loot – as a group or even solo. The massive open world is filled with treacherous waters, hidden islands, mythical creatures, and even other crews on their own adventures. Form alliances or sink ships in intense naval battles; search for buried treasure or battle skeleton crews; face off against the legendary Kraken, and so much more. It’s up to you how you want to take on the high seas, which makes this one of the top co-op games around.
2. Death Stranding
Publisher: 505 Games
Developer: Kojima Productions
Availability & Cost: $49.99 on PlayStation, $39.99 on Steam, $29.99 on Xbox
Death Stranding is a very particular type of online multiplayer game; the idea isn’t that you play directly with others but rather that you indirectly interact with them via items, messages, and structures. As you travel through the world, other players will have left constructions like bridges, signs, and ladders that help you on your journey. You can also do the same for other players that come after you. Show your appreciation for other players’ efforts by giving likes – and get your own likes by creating useful contributions. In this way, the lonely world feels inhabited, and you feel a sense of connection with other players, making the multiplayer experience of this game incredibly unique.
3. Diablo IV
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Availability & Cost: $69.99 on PlayStation, $69.99 on Xbox, $49.99 on Steam
Diablo IV’s cooperative play is all about raiding dungeons together in a team of up to four people. Create a balanced team with diverse abilities, thanks to the different classes available in the game, and embark on your adventure. Battle demons, collect loot, complete quests, and work together to achieve your goals. The best part of the multiplayer experience is that it has a drop-in, drop-out feature; players can join or leave your campaign without disrupting the game. It’s one of the best new multiplayer games, evolving the formula of its predecessors without losing what made the original trilogy so special.
4. It Takes Two
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Hazelight Studios
Availability & Cost: $39.99 on PlayStation, $39.99 on Steam, $39.99 on Nintendo
It Takes Two is entirely designed around having a friend to play with since it literally takes two to beat the game. Each player controls one of the main characters, Cody and May, a married couple struggling to connect and on the brink of divorce. After you have been transformed into tiny dolls thanks to your daughter’s wish, you need to navigate a series of puzzles and challenges that metaphorically represent issues in your marriage. You will only be able to return to your human forms once you beat the game. Play it with a significant other or a friend – online or in split-screen mode – to save their marriage. This is one of the best games to play with friends thanks to how it utilizes two player input in a way few other titles do.
5. Jackbox Party Pack
Publisher: Jackbox Games
Developer: Jackbox Games
Availability & Cost: $24.99 on PlayStation, $24.99 on Steam, $24.99 on Nintendo
The Jackbox Party Pack is a set of games to play with friends and family while hanging out together. Start the game on your chosen platform, have your friends or family members join the game by entering a code into the Jackbox website on their phones, tablets, or computers, and while away time with trivia challenges, drawing contests, and witty wordplay. Games are designed for eight players, but additional people can join in as members of the audience and influence the outcomes. There are also ten different packs of games you can buy, all developed and published by Jackbox Games – so there is endless fun to be had! Its versatility and ice-breaking potential make this one of the best multiplayer video games out there.
6. Minecraft
Publisher: Mojang Studios
Developer: Mojang Studios
Availability & Cost: $18.99 on PlayStation, $29.99 on Nintendo, $19.99 on Xbox
Minecraft is just one of those games that you keep coming back to over and over. It’s a fun survival game where you explore and build – alone or together. Join on a public server to make friends, or create your own private server so you can enjoy it with your friends and family. Flexible mechanics also let you complete different cooperative goals: big building projects, defeating the Ender Dragon, and even competitive minigames. You can even customize your game with mods and texture packs, making it truly your own. Ultimately, Minecraft is one of the most played multiplayer games right now, with over 182 million active players in July 2024.
7. Elden Ring
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Developer: FromSoftware
Availability & Cost: $59.99 on PlayStation, $59.99 on Steam, $59.99 on Xbox
Elden Ring takes you into a large, open world full of mystery and danger. As you explore this detailed landscape, you can summon other players to help you fight tough bosses or discover hidden secrets together. The game’s cooperative play adds a sense of teamwork, making every victory feel even more satisfying. But it’s not just about working together—Elden Ring also has intense PvP invasions, where you can challenge other players or be challenged yourself. The game has just picked up hype again thanks to the release of the Shadow of the Erdtree DLC – making it one of the top 10 multiplayer games right now.
8. Baldur’s Gate 3
Publisher: Larian Studios
Developer: Larian Studios
Availability & Cost: $69.99 on PlayStation, $59.99 on Steam, $69.99 on Xbox
Baldur’s Gate 3 brings you into a detailed fantasy world where your choices affect the story. As you play, you can join friends to complete quests and face challenges together. The cooperative multiplayer lets each player control their own character, which makes the game unique as your decisions influence both your story and your friends’. With deep storytelling, strategic combat, and a world full of surprises, Baldur’s Gate 3 swept up all the Game of the Year prizes for 2023 and 2024 at all five major video game award ceremonies: the Golden Joystick accolades, The Game Awards, the D.I.C.E. Awards, the Game Developers Choice Awards, and the British Academy Games Awards. In other words, it puts many fun multiplayer games to shame.
9. Fall Guys
Publisher: Epic Games
Developer: Mediatonic
Availability & Cost: Free on PlayStation, Free on Nintendo, Free on Xbox
Fall Guys is a fun and chaotic multiplayer game where up to 60 players compete in a series of crazy obstacle courses. The game is easy to learn, with simple controls and fast-paced action. In each round, you and your friends must navigate through colorful, challenging levels, avoiding traps and trying to outrun others to reach the finish line. The random elements and variety of mini-games make each match feel different and exciting – and thanks to its bright visuals and simple gameplay, it offers an experience that’s great for all ages, quickly making our list of good multiplayer games.
10. Overwatch 2
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Availability & Cost: Free on PlayStation, Free on Steam, Free on Xbox, Free on Nintendo
Overwatch 2 is a fast-paced, team-based multiplayer game where you can pick from a wide range of heroes, each with their own unique abilities and roles. The game focuses on teamwork and strategy as you work together with your teammates to capture points, escort payloads, or defend objectives. The gameplay is dynamic, with each hero adding something special to the team. It’s also easy to join a match or change heroes, making it simple to get started! The game sees around 20 million monthly active players, making it one of the most popular multiplayer games out there.
Other Popular Multiplayer Games in 2024
- Among Us: A co-op game where players work together to finish tasks on a spaceship while impostors try to sabotage them. What’s more, it’s free to play on iOS and Android making it one of the best multiplayer mobile games, too. Cost: $4.49 on Steam, $5.00 on Nintendo, $4.99 on Xbox, $3.99 on PlayStation
- Rocket League: A fast-paced soccer game with cars, where teams compete to score goals in exciting matches. Cost: Free on PlayStation, Free on Xbox, Free on Nintendo
- Apex Legends: A battle royale game with team-based gameplay that focuses on unique character abilities. Cost: Free on PlayStation, Free on Xbox, Free on Steam, Free on Nintendo
- Fortnite: A popular battle royale game with building mechanics, where players fight to be the last one standing. Cost: Free on PlayStation, Free on Xbox, Free on Nintendo
- Call of Duty: Warzone: A large battle royale game with up to 150 players, featuring intense gunfights and vehicle combat. Cost: Free on PlayStation, Free on Xbox, Free on Steam
- Stardew Valley: A relaxing farming game where you can build a farm, raise animals, and enjoy town life with friends. Cost: $13.99 on PlayStation, $13.99 on Steam, $14.99 on Xbox, $14.99 on Nintendo
- Terraria: A sandbox adventure game that lets players explore, build, and fight in a randomly generated 2D world. Cost: $18.99 on PlayStation, $13.99 on Steam, $19.99 on Xbox, $29.99 on Nintendo
The Bottom Line
The best multiplayer games truly offer something for everyone whether that’s in an intense and challenging title such as Diablo IV or something more lighthearted such as Fall Guys or Fortnite. With many of the titles mentioned above being free-to-play, they offer hundreds of hours of game time without needing to put any money down. After all, everything here is worth playing at least once.
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References
- Sea of Thieves (Store.playstation)
- Save 40% on Sea of Thieves: 2024 Edition on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Buy Sea of Thieves: 2024 Edition | Xbox (Xbox)
- DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT – PC – OUT NOW Launch Trailer [ESRB – M] (Youtube)
- DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT (Store.playstation)
- DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR’S CUT on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Buy DEATH STRANDING | Xbox (Xbox)
- Diablo IV – PS4 & PS5 Games | PlayStation (US) (Playstation)
- Diablo® IV: Available now on Console and Game Pass | Xbox (Xbox)
- Diablo® IV on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- It Takes Two PS4™ & PS5™ (Store.playstation)
- It Takes Two on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- It Takes Two for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)
- The Jackbox Party Pack (Store.playstation)
- The Jackbox Party Pack on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- The Jackbox Party Pack for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)
- Minecraft (Store.playstation)
- Minecraft for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)
- Buy Minecraft | Xbox (Xbox)
- Minecraft Live Player Count and Statistics (Activeplayer)
- ELDEN RING PS4 & PS5 (Store.playstation)
- ELDEN RING on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Buy ELDEN RING | Xbox (Xbox)
- Baldur’s Gate 3 (Store.playstation)
- Baldur’s Gate 3 on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Buy Baldur’s Gate 3 | Xbox (Xbox)
- Fall Guys – What is Fall Guys? (Youtube)
- Fall Guys (Store.playstation)
- Fall Guys for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)
- Get Fall Guys | Xbox (Xbox)
- Overwatch 2 – PS4 & PS5 Games | PlayStation (US) (Playstation)
- Overwatch® 2 on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Get Overwatch® 2 | Xbox (Xbox)
- Overwatch® 2 for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)
- Among Us on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Among Us for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)
- Buy Among Us | Xbox (Xbox)
- Among Us (Store.playstation)
- Rocket League® (Store.playstation)
- Get Rocket League® | Xbox (Xbox)
- Rocket League® for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)
- Apex Legends™ PS5 (Store.playstation)
- Get Apex Legends™ | Xbox (Xbox)
- Apex Legends™ on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Apex Legends™ for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)
- Fortnite – PS4 & PS5 Games | PlayStation (UK) (Playstation)
- Get Fortnite | Xbox (Xbox)
- Fortnite for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)
- Call of Duty Warzone – PS4 & PS5 Games | PlayStation (UK) (Playstation)
- Get Call of Duty®: Warzone™ | Xbox (Xbox)
- Call of Duty®: Warzone™ on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Stardew Valley (Store.playstation)
- Save 20% on Stardew Valley on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Buy Stardew Valley | Xbox (Xbox)
- Stardew Valley for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)
- Terraria – PlayStation®4 Edition (Store.playstation)
- Buy Terraria | Xbox (Xbox)
- Terraria for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)