Although we’re soon to be out of lockdown, games will always be here to keep us connected. It’s true that those of us who have been game lovers for a long time will have been playing multiplayer games before the pandemic began, however the new enthusiasm from our nearest and dearest to join in with us is something that we hope will be a positive to take away from this pandemic!
What has become clear though, is that the games we’re playing with our best mates are not always the same games that we want to play with our grandparents or younger cousins! So to get a fresh take on this, two of the newest members of our games team here at Skillsearch: Jasmin and Andy, have put together a list of their favourite multiplayer games, and who they love playing them with the most!
So, whether you’re looking to play with your partner, teenage family members, gamer friends, non-gamer friends, bigger groups or you want a game that Granny would love as much as you, we hope our list of favourites will help you pick your next game to stay connected with your loved ones!
Play with a partner
These games are best enjoyed with someone you’re close to and trust. Whether that be a romantic partner or your best friend, they require teamwork and strong communication – perfect to play with someone you know inside out!
We Were Here
We Were Here is a series of cooperative first-person adventure games, created by Total Mayhem Games. You play as 2 Antarctic explorers who need to work together through a series of puzzles, often only able to communicate through a walkie-talkie and unable to see each other. These games rely heavily on communication skills and don’t be surprised if you need to start frantically scrambling for a pen and paper to work out some of the puzzles.
Jasmin loves it because:“ I really enjoy the story-line that goes along with each game! It’s also nice how proud you feel of each other when you finally work out how to get through a puzzle you’ve been stuck on. “
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PS4
Players: 2
Multiplayer type: Online
A Way Out
Grab a buddy for this co-operative interactive version of Prison Break by Hazelight Studios. As well as a compelling narrative, Hazelight has packed this action-adventure with fun co-op mini-games and clever twists to make this a memorable shared experience.
Andy loves it because: “what other game lets you play a round of Connect Four in between missions?”
Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC
Players: 2
Multiplayer type: Couch co-op or online
Left 4 Dead 2
This game from Valve Corporation is over 10 years old and still packs a punch! Left 4 Dead 2 is the perfect co-op zombie game to play locally or online. Work together to survive against waves of zombies in a variety of locations and, -oh, don’t wake the Witch.
Andy loves it because: “there’s nothing quite like the feeling of relief when you spot the safehouse door at the end of a level”
Platforms: Xbox One (Xbox 360 Version), PC
Players: 1-8
Multiplayer type: Couch/online co-op
Resident Evil 6
RE6 plays like a B-movie, and that’s certainly not a bad thing! This title sees the series at its most action-packed which is perfect for the co-op experience. With 4 campaigns (all fully co-op) and a range of characters to choose from this has plenty of mileage and replay value.
Andy loves it because: “playing the campaign again with the alternate character will give you a completely different gameplay experience”
Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch
Players: 1-6
Multiplayer type: Couch co-op, online
Play with younger/teen family members
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The next few games are perfect for playing with younger members of the family, so are straight forward, fun, and even a bit silly – the best way to bring a smile to everyone’s faces!
Among Us
Among Us is an online multiplayer social deduction game from developer InnerSloth, similar to Mafia or Werewolf. You must work together as a team to complete tasks on a spaceship while an imposter sabotages your efforts and kills of members of the team. This game is well-known and loved by people of all ages and there are still many fun ways to change it up and give a new spin on gameplay even if you have been playing it for a while now!
Jasmin loves it because: “I am a terrible liar, so when I finally manage to trick someone as the imposter I feel very sneaky...”
Platforms: PC, Mobile, Tablet, Xbox, Nintendo Switch (compatible across platforms)
Players: 4-10
Multiplayer type: Online
PEGI Rating: suitable for ages 7+
Never Alone
Never Alone is an atmospheric puzzle platformer that features a co-op mode where one of you controls the main character, and the other her fox companion. This Bafta-award winning game is based on a traditional tale of the Iñupiaq (Alaskan native people) and is full of cultural references and beautiful imagery from the Alaskan Native cultures.
Andy loves it because: “as you progress, you unlock short video clips that give a fascinating insight into the Iñupiaq people”
Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC, Mobile
Players: 1-2
Multiplayer type: Couch co-op, online
PEGI Rating: suitable for ages 12+
Streets of Rage 4
Take to the streets with your friends in this side-scrawling beat’ em up. SOR4 is the latest in a series that dates back to the glory days of the Sega Mega Drive. Choose from a range of playstyles as you take on enemies using unique combos, teamwork, and the game’s interactive environment.
Andy loves it because: “there are plenty of throwbacks to the original games, including hidden retro levels and unlockable pixel versions of the classic characters”
Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC
Players: 1-4
Multiplayer type: Couch co-op, online
PEGI Rating: suitable for ages 12+
Play with the whole family
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Nothing beats sitting down with the whole family from kids to grandparents and having a good laugh over some fun games! These games are ideal to play with all generations either in the same room or online with a zoom call in the background!
Overcooked!
Overcooked! is a co-op chaotic cooking game developed by Ghost Town Games and published by Team17. In this game you and your friends will work together as a team of chefs, preparing meals, cooking, serving, and cleaning up within the time limit. Each level gets increasingly difficult as the layouts of the kitchen change and become harder to navigate. The frantic scramble to get as many meals completed as possible can cause some stressful yet hilarious moments.
Jasmin loves it because: “Screaming at your loved ones to chop up a tomato faster while you frantically wash the dishes is always a fun time to be had”
Platforms: PC, Xbox, PS4, Nintendo Switch
Players: 1-4
Multiplayer type: Couch co-op, online (remote play)
Jackbox Party Packs
Jackbox Party Packs are a collection of party games developed by Jackbox Games which are incredibly fun to play with both family and friends. The games are displayed on a TV or computer screen using a console or smart TV, players then tune in using a phone or tablet to write or draw their answers. My personal favourite game is Fibbage, a game where you are given a fact prompt with a blank space that you have to fill out with your own lie to fool your friends “The mayor of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky is a ______.” you then need to work out which of the answers is actually the truth. The answers are usually more ridiculous than you think so even if you’re not the best at lying, you might still be in with a chance of winning! The whole pack is rated T for teens only, but it does have family friendly game mode (recommended age 9+)
Jasmin loves it because: “There hasn’t been a single time I've played this game without it creating some sort of long lasting inside joke based on peoples answers, it’s always a great laugh.”
Platforms: PC, Mobile, Tablet, PS4, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Apple TV (compatible across platforms)
Players: 2-8
Multiplayer type: Online
Play with gamer friends
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Some games are more appropriate to play with the game geeks in your life than your non-gamer friends, and that’s these! Strategy and teamwork, get your gamer friends involved in these for some intense, but fun, gameplay.
Phasmophobia
Phasmophobia is an online co-op horror game created by Kinetic Games where you team up with friends to hunt down ghosts. The game is still in early-access but that doesn’t stop it being incredibly fun and also terrifying. Gameplay consists of players using a variety of ghost hunting equipment to determine which of the 12 ghost types the building is haunted with. My favourite gameplay mechanic is how ghosts in the game will actually listen to what players are saying which can lead to a lot of fun antics playing with friends online.
Jasmin loves it because:“I love how the game reacts to you while playing. My friends love to freak me out by screaming the ghosts name as many times as possible to make it start hunting us, which usually ends up with them being killed.”
Platforms: PC, VR
Players: 1-4
Multiplayer type: Online
Valheim
Valheim is a new upcoming survival game developed by Iron Gate Studio where you play as Vikings trying to explore and survive the afterlife. This game is still in early development but is already insanely fun to play and is already one of the top 5 games played on Steam of all time. Everyone in your friend group will be able to find something they enjoy doing within this game be it building shelters, exploring new land, fighting enemies, sailing ships, summoning primordial bosses to defeat - the list is endless.
Jasmin loves it because:“The game has a lot to explore, my personal favourite thing to do at the moment is taming as many boars as possible while my friends go out and hunt gods.”
Platforms: PC
Players: 1-10
Multiplayer type: Online
Mortal Kombat 11
Had enough of playing games where you need to work together to win? Well, Mortal Kombat is a classic 1v1 fighting game where you can challenge your friends and dish out some brutal finishing moves in the process.
Andy loves it because: “you can play as iconic movie characters such as Rambo or the Terminator!”
Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Stadia & PC
Players: 1-2
Multiplayer type: Couch co-op, online
COD Warzone
The world’s best-selling video game franchise gets the battle royale treatment in Warzone. As battle royales go, this is more down the casual end, so grab your buddies (whatever platform) and jump in!
Andy loves it because: “it’s not easy being the last team standing, but that just makes a victory feel so much better!”
Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, PC
Players: 1-4
Multiplayer type: Online co-op
Rogue Company
Rogue Company is an online third-person shooter where you engage in PvP combat across various maps. With an arsenal of mercenaries (Rogues), guns, abilities, and modes to choose from, Rogue Company has something for everyone and is free-to-play and fully cross-platform!
Andy loves it because: “each of the 16 Rogues has unique abilities allowing for a range of dynamic playstyles”
Platforms: Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC
Players: 1-4
Multiplayer type: Online co-op
Play with non-gamer friends
These games are perfect to play with friends who are new to the gaming scene or those who just aren’t game-obsessed. Fun and collaborative, they’ll keep everyone entertained for hours!
Untitled Goose Game
Untitled Goose Game is a hilarious stealth puzzle game developed by House House. At the end of 2020 they released a 2 player mode which gives a great excuse to revisit the game’s sweet countryside village to terrorise it as a couple of geese. Having an extra player offers new opportunities to complete the games puzzles or, if you’re me, spend most of the time using the games designated “honk” button to annoy your friend.
Jasmin loves it because: “What’s not to love about playing an annoying goose? HONK!”
Platforms: PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch
Players: 2
Multiplayer type: Couch co-op, online (remote play)
For The King
For The King, developed by IronOakGames and published by CurveDigital, is a strategic RPG that blends tabletop and roguelike elements into a fun tabletop inspired game. You must take it in turns to traverse across the map, completing quests and defeating enemies in brutal turn-based combat along the way. There are currently 7 different campaigns you can play through all which face their own unique challenges. It’s fun to replay the same campaigns with different party configurations, don’t expect to complete the campaign on your first try!
Jasmin loves it because:“I really missed playing tabletop games with my friends over lockdown, so this game was a great find! I have played it countless times and it’s always a new experience”
Platforms: PC
Players: Varies depending on game
Multiplayer type: Online
Ibb & Obb
Ibb & Obb is a puzzle platform game developed by Sparpweed games. The game revolves around it’s double gravity mechanics where players have to work their way through 15 beautifully illustrated levels by working together. The puzzles are challenging without being frustrating as long as you have good communication skills with whoever you’re choosing to play with!
Jasmin loves it because: “This is such a sweet puzzle platformer, I adore the characters! I especially love when you complete a level and get to have a little dance with your friend.”
Platforms: PC, PS3, Nintendo Switch
Players: 2
Multiplayer type: Couch co-op, online
Erica
Erica only has a solo mode, but that doesn’t mean you should experience this interactive film thriller alone. In fact, deciding which choice to make is part of the fun as your actions dictate how the (sometimes frightening) narrative plays out onscreen.
Andy loves it because: “there aren’t enough live-action interactive video games out there!”
Platforms: PS4
Multiplayer type: Single-player mode only
Play with bigger groups
For those times when you want something other than a quiz over Zoom, the following games are perfect to get everyone involved and have a good laugh over! Some healthy competition mixed with fun concepts; these games are loved by all!
Fall Guys
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout is a platform battle royale game developed by Mediatonic and published by Devolver Digital. Up to 60 players will battle it out across a range of mini-games where the winners are taken on to the next stage until 1 player is crowned champion. With Season 4 just released there are many new features and mini-games to get stuck into!
Jasmin loves it because: “I think everyone knows that this game is a lot of fun! My personal favourite stages are the ones where you are split into teams and have to work together to win. ”
Platforms: PC, PS4
Players: up to 60
Multiplayer type: Online
Until Dawn - Supermassive Games
Are you a fan of teen-slasher movies with cheesy dialogue and plot-twists around every corner? If so, then this one is definitely for you and your friends! Every choice you make ultimately determines which characters, if any, will survive the game’s thrilling narrative - so pay attention to those quick-time events! Best played as a party game with a group of friends, especially for newcomers!
Andy loves it because: “when you finish, you’ll instantly want to start again and try to save everyone”
Also great to play with: non-gamer friends
Platforms: PS4
Multiplayer type: Single-player mode only
So that sums up our favourite multiplayer games of the moment, and our favourite people to play them with! Hopefully that’s given you some inspiration for what you’ll be playing next with all those dear to you.
Let us know what you think of our picks and fill us in if we’ve missed out any of your fave multiplayer games by getting in touch with us on Twitter: @ADSkillsearch and @JSkillsearch
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