There are few better things in gaming than jumping into a world with your friends and sharing an experience. That could be dominating a lobby in Call of Duty, or it could be exploring the galaxy in No Man's Sky - whatever you and yours are into, gaming is better together. There are so many options out there, though, that choosing a multiplayer game can be an effort in and of itself, so we here at PCGN have compiled a list of our favorites, in the hope your group finds your new go-to.
Enjoying a game on your own is all well and good, but nothing compares to getting one over on your friends and hearing the reaction in real time, or pulling together to overcome insurmountable odds. Our list of the best multiplayer games on PC runs the gamut from scary to silly, from co-operative to competitive, and we're sure you'll find something here that'll get its hooks in you.
The best multiplayer games on PC are:
1. Battlefield 6
After a middling-to-maybe-a-bit-disappointing outing with 2042, Battlefield is back. BF6 redoubled its efforts on the gritty, often-ridiculous, and overwhelmingly cinematic multiplayer it's always been known for, and has given us an entry that has the entire team willing away the hours so they can get back into the fight.
Battlefield 6, for those who have never dipped a toe into the series before, is a first-person shooter with scale. 32 players a side, you fight over control points, attempt to plant bombs, pilot helicopters into the side of mountains - it's a sandbox with direction, and it feels amazing to play.
PK's Battlefield 6 review talks about this being "the smoothest, most bombastically entertaining entry in the series to date", going into how the tweaks to destruction create an evolving landscape that shows the scars of each battle. A return to form, indeed.
2. Elden Ring Nightreign
Elden Ring is widely-regarded as the apex of soulslike experiences, with razor-sharp combat being paired with one of the most delicious open worlds we've ever explored. Elden Ring Nightreign takes all of that and injects a multiplayer mode that has MOBA elements, a battle royale slant, and a task that requires teamwork if you hope to stand a chance at surviving.
You and your team are sent on expeditions that last around 45 minutes, where you must gain level-ups, track down bosses, and attempt to defeat the Night Lord. From's games usually let you take your time to explore the world at your leisure, but Nightreign flips that familiarity on its head with the Night's Tide, a storm that forces you to run to a specific area on the map.
Nat's Nightreign review talks of the need for teamwork: "direct communication has never been more important for a FromSoftware RPG than it is in Nightreign", with decisiveness and confidence being key components of a successful run as you try to defeat powerful bosses, all the while avoiding the ever-closing circle.
3. Sid Meier's Civilization 6
It's been five minutes, and your opponent still hasn't taken their turn. If this were any other game, you might start grumbling - but this is Civilization 6 in the Information Era, and you've just unlocked nukes. The average match in any other multiplayer game on this list takes around half an hour, but Civilization's multiplayer is a commitment that can span days, even weeks.
There's nothing quite like going head-to-head in the grandfather of 4X games, and it's an investment that demands the best in the series. Robert Zak summed it up best in our Civilization 6 review: "If someone asked you to capture the spirit of Civilization, then this is definitely it." Civ 6's strategic depth eclipses what came before and after it, with variable mechanics to aid replayability.
If there's one truism we know about Civilization, it's that each version doesn't reach its full potential until it's got a few good expansion packs under its belt. With a whopping 18 DLC packs to download, plus mods, there are enough leaders, modes, and maps to keep you locked in night after night. Perhaps Civ 7 will one day be forgiven for its divisive changes with a few more updates, but for now, Civilization 6 rules supreme.
4. Rainbow Six Siege X
Despite surface-level similarities to FPS darling CS2, Ubisoft has created a tactical shooter that values teamwork and planning as much as it does pinpoint accuracy. Rainbow Six Siege X is a 5v5, attack vs defense, first-person shooter that has an unbelievably high skill ceiling while still being simple to pick up and understand.
Rainbow Six originally made its name by taking a quieter, more considered approach than the bombastic shooters against which it debuted in the late nineties. It does a great job of simulating the feeling of being a highly trained, goggle-wearing, silenced MP5-toting specialist, with Siege X not losing an ounce of that feeling in its multiplayer transformation.
"I'm jealous of those whose first Siege experience is with X. The FPS game is more polished than ever, with a distinct focus on onboarding fresh-faced players." Damien's Rainbow Six Siege X review talks about Siege being in the best place it's been for years, and the perfect time for people to get involved.
Download Rainbow Six Siege X for free
5. Diablo 4
Diablo 4 is an exceptional action RPG in its own right, but there's a special magic to exploring Sanctuary with a blood-spattered friend in tow. Diablo 4 multiplayer includes power scaling to ensure players at radically different levels can still play together. It also opens up a new approach to builds, since you'll be looking to synergize with your allies rather than sticking to the tried-and-true methods of surviving solo.
The multiplayer experience just got even better with the Vessel of Hatred DLC, too, which offers dramatic story developments, open-air dungeons, and a new class to master. Lauren's Diablo 4 Vessel of Hatred review calls the latest update a "Diablo 2 throwback" that's "better than the base game." If you've ever been tempted by the grimdark world of Blizzard's hellish ARPG, there's no better time to dive in.
Check out our best Diablo 4 classes guide if you're planning on jumping in - although you can use anything to take Lilith down, some classes are just that bit better than others.
6. Destiny 2
Whether you want to squad up for gargantuan PvE raids or duke it out against others in PvP, Destiny 2 ticks all the boxes if you're looking for a multiplayer FPS. It's been a few years since its launch, but Destiny 2 is better than ever, with The Final Shape DLC giving the Light and Dark saga the explosive finish it deserved.
Our Destiny 2 review heaped on the praise, claiming that The Final Shape DLC "achieves FPS perfection" and that it "ties up a decade's worth of story, conflict, and relationships in the most engaging and emotionally satisfying way." When you consider that the entire thing can be experienced with friends, it feels like a no-brainer for those who enjoy sci-fi shooters.
No matter how you play Destiny 2, your goal is always to acquire powerful new weapons and armor, constantly striving for that next tier of power. For every mission completed, mini boss slain, and PvP match won, you're rewarded with a chance at mightier gear, creating an ongoing, near-endless power fantasy. Our guide on Destiny 2 Exotics should give you all the information you need to become a dominant force.
7. Grand Theft Auto Online
Rockstar's open-world game is over a decade old - shocking, we know - but Los Santos is still a popular destination for online multiplayer. In Grand Theft Auto Online, players are given the freedom to be who they want to be and do what they want to do. Admittedly, most of the time this involves criminal activities of some kind, but it's fun to be bad, right?
Matt's GTA 5 review perfectly sums up the chaos of the multiplayer mode: "It's GTA Online's missions where the true joy lies. Multiplayer variants of distinctly campaign-feeling set-pieces, this is where you'll be engaging in absurd car chases, epic shoot-outs, and cat-and-mouse antics." Jumping into GTA Online with your friends offers an experience like no other, and you'll no doubt be talking about your close-calls and daring heists for years to come.
A wealth of player-created content is available, too, including races and death matches for you to compete in. On the unofficial side of things, GTA Online roleplay servers are especially popular among content creators on Twitch and YouTube, as players use Los Santos' bustling metropolis to create wild, improvised stories - a performance of Hamlet was produced entirely within the walls of GTA 5, which is well worth a look if you ask us.
8. Valheim
Dropped into Viking purgatory in nothing but a loincloth, it's up to you and nine other friends to survive the Norse wilderness by crafting the tools you need to survive, all while trying to avoid the surrounding danger. You and your Viking pals start in a meadow, but must slowly progress through different biomes by defeating enemies and discovering crafting materials to build your armor and weapons.
Valheim's world grows increasingly sinister as skeletons from the swamp attack your base, wolves tail you across mountains, and aggressive Greydwarves fling rocks at you in the dark forest. Valheim is a glorious multiplayer game, and you'll have to pull together as a team if you want to survive. Scavenging for materials, epic battles with bosses, and building a sturdy base make up a regular day in the life of a Viking.
While the base game should keep you and yours busy for a while, there are also a ton of Valheim mods to shake things up once you've mastered your surroundings.
9. Marvel Rivals
What happens when you mix Marvel's illustrious roster of superheroes with Overwatch? The answer: Marvel Rivals. While it's reductive to suggest Marvel Rivals is a reskinned version of Overwatch, it's clear that the shooter's success has influenced Netease. Just like its competition, Marvel Rivals is free-to-play, and it features crossplay and cross-progression, but there's one big distinguishing feature: it's a third-person shooter.
In this 6v6 multiplayer game, players pick from a character roster that consists of iconic heroes and villains to battle for supremacy. Unlike a lot of free-to-play games, the battle passes don't expire at the end of each season, and every hero will be released entirely for free. Marvel Rivals not only pulls on the strings of our nostalgia but manages to deliver a fast-paced, satisfying hero shooter at the same time.
For those who want to jump in but are unsure about who to play as, our Marvel Rivals tier list will give you the lowdown on who is strong right now and who you should potentially avoid.
Download Marvel Rivals for free
10. Helldivers 2
Managed democracy, they call it. Roughly translated, it means sending a bunch of troops to a far-off planet and shooting anything that moves. That's the gist of Helldivers: a shooter that facilitates amazing set-pieces and farcical comedy at the same time, as you attempt to rid the galaxy of anything that would even remotely threaten humanity.
We could go on and on about Helldivers 2 (and do, on occasion), but the best way to understand the shooter is to hear the stories that emerge from it. Daring escapes thwarted by a fumbled grenade, a friendly mortar that only has eyes for your teammates, and dropping a napalm strike by accident, decimating friend and foe alike. If it sounds like there's a lot of friendly fire, that's because there is - at least when we play.
If you've ever watched Starship Troopers and thought it looked like great fun, then you're in for a treat with Helldivers 2. For those getting started, check out our guide on Helldivers 2 stratagems, so you know what ordinance to call down, and most importantly, when.
11. Counter-Strike 2
If you're after a flawless 5v5 FPS that won't cost you a dime to play, Counter-Strike 2 is here, and it's ready to go. There's a portion of the Counter-Strike community that never asked for a new game, but Valve has made the executive decision to close the doors on CS:GO forever, fully embracing Counter-Strike 2 with its shiny new Source Engine.
As you'll discover if you read Christian's CS2 review, the gameplay remains largely unchanged in the sequel; however, there are a few key differences that separate this game from its predecessor, with the review being confident that "Valve has improved the Counter-Strike formula with the release of CS2."
Counter-Strike 2 is a finely tuned beast, more comparable to a sport than an action game. Each side has the same tools at its disposal, making player skill the number one deciding factor in determining a winner. Once thing you can customize, though, and something that the pros swear by, are CS2 crosshair codes - creating a reticle that works for you could mean the difference between life and death.
Download Counter-Strike 2 for free
12. Overwatch 2
The more things change, the more they stay the same - but as far as Overwatch 2 is concerned, that's not necessarily a bad thing. Overwatch was a cultural phenomenon, and its colorful cast of characters captured the hearts of many, from casual players to the most hardcore. The class-based hero shooter owes much to Team Fortress 2 and League of Legends, fostering essential team play across payload maps featuring asymmetrical combat.
As Lauren's Overwatch 2 review points out, the sequel is more a continuation than a rebirth. Blizzard introduces several quality-of-life improvements to extend the legacy of the game's predecessor, including a 5v5 format adjustment, minor hero changes, and replacing the game's controversial loot box system with a seasonal battle pass. It's also free-to-play, making jumping into quick play with your pals easier.
Overwatch 2 introduces new maps and gameplay modes and expands the impressively diverse and colorful roster. If you want to get good at the game, you're going to want to check out our Overwatch 2 tier list. Similarly, the new Stadium mode is a surprisingly deep addition late into the game's cycle, with a MOBA-like system of skills and power-ups that can completely transform a character's playstyle.
13. Valorant
Riot's ultra-slick tactical team-based shooter came for Counter-Strike 2's crown, armed with many shiny new features to set it apart. Valorant will be familiar to Counter-Strike players, but for the uninitiated, teams of five begin the match either attacking or defending, and swap halfway through. Players must also purchase weapons at the beginning of each round, earning currency based on their performance in the previous round.
Crucially, in Valorant, players choose from a roster of agents with unique abilities. Each Valorant character has strategic strengths and weaknesses; some are experts at defending sites, while others set up pushes or secure kills. Couple this with what Imogen's Valorant review calls "impeccable gameplay [and] well-designed maps" and Riot is on to a winner.
Although skills play an essential role, Valorant still heavily emphasizes gunplay and balance to ensure it stands up as an excellent game for high-level play, as evidenced by its thriving esports scene. To catch up with the best players, you can check out our Valorant crosshairs codes guide here.
14. Warzone
Warzone came along at the perfect time. It was released at a time when people had a lot of time on their hands, and the polished, beginner-friendly approach to battle royale - as well as being free-to-play - meant that anyone and everyone found themselves dropping into Verdansk on day one.
It took that best-in-class Call of Duty gunplay and brought it to a huge playground, filled with cars, trucks, and even helicopters. The pacing of those early days was deliberate, and if you and your team managed to squeeze out a win, it was exhilarating in a way that many non-BR aficionados hadn't experienced before. It was a smash hit, and years later, it's still going strong.
Warzone recently went back to its roots, bringing back the original map and some classic weapons. The battle royale is in the best place it's been arguably since launch, so if you've never tried it, now's the time. If you want a head start, we have a guide on the best Warzone weapons right here.
15. Fall Guys
If you have ever watched game shows such as Takeshi's Castle or Total Wipeout and thought it looked easy, then we have the game for you. Fall Guys is all about survival - you're put through several rounds of mini-games, ranging from obstacle courses to logic games and everything in between. Think Mario Party with physics, Fall Guys enables slapstick humor in a way that most games don't.
Jen's Fall Guys review says it best: "Fall Guys' ingenious game show royale formula is a recipe for success, and its gameplay is full-fat unadulterated fun." You have to embrace the chaos and the silly nature of tens of multicolored beans trying to run in a straight line, and it's even better when you team up with a group of friends.
Since going free-to-play, Fall Guys has taken a more seasonal approach to its updates, including challenges and battle passes, similar to Fortnite. Events come and go, and always offer something fresh, so grab your most bean-like friends and get competing for the crown.
16. Dead by Daylight
Horror movie aficionados amongst you may have found yourself, from time to time, lamenting the efforts of those you see on the screen. Survivors being too easy to catch, the killer just not being killer-y enough - sometimes it might seem like you could do a better job yourself. Well, now's your chance.
Dead by Daylight is a 4v1 horror game where one player takes on the role of the killer, and the others must escape their grasp. It's slow-paced, but intense, with the survivors completing missions around the map to open their escape route, and the killer doing everything in their power to stop that. Part hero-shooter in terms of character abilities, part the most deadly game of hide and seek you've ever seen.
Each killer has a unique set of skills, and must be played differently if you want to stop the survivors from high-tailing it out of there. Seasonal content updates bring waves of fresh new faces to the fore, with horror royalty like Freddy Krueger and Pyramid Head being strong choices in the current meta. Check out our DBD codes guide if you want some freebies to get you started.
17. Rocket League
When someone at Psyonix said, "How about football… but with cars?" one of the best multiplayer games on PC was born; despite its failed first attempt, Rocket League's success is down to its streamlined design: you push a ball across a pitch with a car. It is hardly something only hardcore petrol heads can understand.
Do not mistake simplicity for a lack of depth, however. As Fraser pointed out in their Rocket League review, mastering the Rocket League essentials, like passing, shooting, and scoring, is a thrilling learning curve. Headshots in shooters are ten-a-penny, but getting a goal in Rocket League is special.
Rocket League's exceptionally moreish online games are even better in local split-screen multiplayer. Everyone in the room will be oohing as the ball zooms from one end of the pitch to the other - just stay out of arm's reach of the person you scored on, there might be a controller flying your way.
Download Rocket League for free
18. Left 4 Dead 2
While there have been many pretenders trying to copy the spirit of Left 4 Dead 2, no game entirely captures the heart of the first-person co-op game. It's you and your three teammates against an impossible horde of zombies, trying to get out of Dodge while you still can. It's a simple premise, executed perfectly.
There aren't many better multiplayer experiences than getting a few friends together and blasting through the Left 4 Dead 2 campaign. Then, when that's done, you can play the asymmetrical competitive multiplayer mode, where some of the special infected zombies are controlled by other players. It adds an extra dimension to an already stellar experience.
Often heavily discounted, you can pick Left 4 Dead 2 up for pennies if you time it right, giving you a lot of multiplayer bang for your buck.
19. League of Legends
Talking to a long-term League of Legends player is a peculiar thing - we know because we are the long-term League of Legends players. There's a faux lament of their experience with the MOBA, a wink and a nod at the alleged time wasted. One thing gives them away, though, and that's the fact that they're still playing League of Legends.
Arguably the most popular MOBA on the planet, League of Legends is, for the uninitiated, a 5v5 multiplayer game where the objective is to destroy the opposing team's base. It's played from an isometric perspective, and is both simpler and more complicated than we can explain. There is a huge roster of characters to choose from, each with their own set of skills and abilities, and items bought throughout a match means there are thousands of ways to approach the base-destroying objective in question.
Don't let that overwhelm you, though. Riot, the LoL dev, is constantly adding new, more streamlined ways to onboard new players. The question of 'Is League of Legends a good game?' is easy to answer. The real question here is, how deep do you want to go?
Download League of Legends for free
20. Forza Horizon 5
Arguably the best racing game out there (at least, in the world of arcade racers), Forza Horizon 5's menagerie of motors is one of the most comprehensive you can get behind the wheel of - whether you're playing solo or with your pals. Set in a gorgeous recreation of Mexico, Forza Horizon 5 boasts more than its fair share of breathtaking vistas for you to take in as you go head-to-head with your nearest and dearest in various multiplayer races.
Once again, developer Playground Games has worked its magic, producing a driving experience you'd be remiss to miss out on. In Phil's 9/10 Forza Horizon 5 review, he calls it "familiar, excellent, and polished to a degree that hardly seems possible" - incredibly high praise.
You can change it up from hurtling across the Mexico skyline to battling it out with a group of friends and strangers alike in an instant, which is what makes Forza Horizon 5 the perfect racing game if you want to get others involved.
21. Sea of Thieves
Sea of Thieves is the ultimate pirate sandbox adventure. That's it. That's the entry. If you aren't sold on being able to sail high seas with your friends, searching for buried treasure, getting into scrapes with other crews, and maybe even fighting a kraken, then we don't know what to tell you.
Dustin's Sea of Thieves review says, "When you see another ship out there, you have no idea how that crew will receive you. So you approach each player encounter with caution, whispering with your crew about what you think is going to happen. Are they flying the Jolly Roger because they want to kill or because it looks cool? Do you think those pockmarked sails mean they've been through a big battle and are low on resources? Most importantly, how many of them are on board, and do you reckon we could take them if things turn violent?"
The pirate game has had plenty of support since its release, too, with notable expansions including content from Pirates of the Caribbean and the Monkey Island series, and cosmetics from games such as Halo and Ori and the Will of the Wisps.
22. Jackbox Party Pack
The Jackbox Party Pack is more of a traditional party game than any of the other titles in this list, but that doesn't mean it isn't a mainstay in any of our PCGN parties. It comprises a series of mini games that are played through your phone, all connecting and showing answers on a single TV.
If you're playing with a group of four or more people, it can be difficult to find something that everyone can play together. The Jackbox Party Pack games are the perfect solution to these situations, providing you with several games that are playable with up to eight players. To go a step further, some Jackbox games can be played with up to 10,000 players online, taking your sessions to a global level.
There are ten party packs out already, so if you're new to the series, we recommend Jackbox Party Pack 3. This pack includes Quiplash 2 and Tee K.O., two standout games that can be played for hours on end. With the Jackbox Megapicker, you now have a launcher that allows you to pick from any of your Party Pack games. If you want something a little more grown-up, the Jackbox Naughty Pack puts some spicy questions into the mix.
23. Minecraft
Few multiplayer games have been able to retain a staggeringly large player base in the way Minecraft has. Mojang's blocky base-building survival experience has captivated players the world over for over 15 years, and for good reason. Craft, hunt, and build, all while fighting off terrifying monsters like the explosive Creeper or the malefic Ender Dragon.
It's a game that promotes true freedom in a way that many cannot. Your world is yours, and you can do what you like with it. The first thing we do is dig a big hole, as is our wont. The wealth of content out there is plain to see, with players constructing cathedrals and starbases and working calculators, just because they can.
You can even host vast private realms where up to ten other friends can join you. If you're playing on PC, you can go a step beyond this with our best Minecraft seeds list, unlocking a wealth of possibilities to ensure you'll never get bored on your adventures.
24. Peak
A game about climbing to the top of a mountain might not sound like the most thrilling multiplayer adventure, but when we tell you that Peak is absolutely the most fun we've had as a group in ages, you better believe it. Stranded on a beach, you and yours must get to higher ground to be rescued.
It might be faster to go alone, sure, but then where's the fun in that? Give your friends a helping hand, or do what one of us does (PK) and subtly sabotage your climb for giggles. Drop banana peels, fire poisonous darts, jump on rope bridges so they snap - do anything you can, just for the sake of it.
The mountains you climb in Peak change every day, so there's always a new challenge for your crew to complete. With Peak being a surprise smash hit, we would imagine the content will be coming thick and fast, like the post-release cannibalism update, for instance. Lovely stuff.
25. Street Fighter 6
The legendary fighting game has returned, introducing a new wave of players to the series with the most welcoming game in the series so far. You don't need to spend hours learning combos or special moves; instead, you can use modern controls to jump into the action with one-button combos and special moves.
Capcom debuted modern controls in Street Fighter 6, making it easy for new players to grab a controller and immediately get into the action. Here's what Christian had to say in his Street Fighter 6 review: "Street Fighter 6 has built on the lessons learned from past games in the series to create the perfect package for every type of fighting game player."
If you're looking to get into the fight, we have a Street Fighter 6 tier list and a guide to the Street Fighter 6 roster if you're sick of being a character loyalist and want to switch to a top-tier main.
New multiplayer games
We have an upcoming PC games list that tracks every notable, upcoming title, which includes a fair few games that might just make it onto this list. There is plenty of excitement coming our way, and we just hope we have time to play it all.
If you think we missed anything, or if you want to let us know about your multiplayer adventures, head over to our community Discord. We want to know about your various betrayals, whether that be in Peak or Sea of Thieves, who your favorite killer is in Dead by Daylight, and the funniest answer you've ever submitted in a game of Jackbox. If you're looking for something a little different, check out our best PC games list, which will have a bit of everything for any taste, or see our free PC games guide if you don't want to spend a cent.