The Best Multiplayer Games of 2025

2025 was a huge year for gaming, with a flood of popular multiplayer games released. Both big companies and smaller independent developers created exciting new ways to play together, whether it was surviving in vast open worlds or battling it out in fast-paced arenas. This list showcases the most important multiplayer games of the year, each one offering something unique and shaping the social gaming scene over the last twelve months.

‘Donkey Kong Country Returns HD’ (2025)

Retro Studios remastered this game in high definition, and Nintendo released it on the Switch on January 16, 2025. It still has the beloved two-player cooperative mode where players control Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong at the same time. This updated version boasts improved graphics and runs smoothly on current systems. It’s a great choice for families who enjoy a fun, but challenging, platforming game.

‘Dynasty Warriors: Origins’ (2025)

Developed by Omega Force and published by Koei Tecmo on January 17, 2025, this game brings the series back to its origins with huge battles and a focus on conquering territory. Players can team up to defeat enormous enemy forces in ancient China. A revamped game engine now lets more units appear on screen than ever before, creating incredibly intense multiplayer battles.

‘Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap’ (2025)

Robot Entertainment released the fourth game in the well-known tower defense series on January 28, 2025. It lets up to four players team up online to protect their bases from waves of monsters. Each player chooses a hero with special powers and builds traps to create strong defenses. The game also includes roguelite features, meaning each online match is different with new upgrades and challenges.

‘Sniper Elite: Resistance’ (2025)

This tactical shooter was created and released by Rebellion on January 30, 2025. The game features a new character fighting in France during World War II. Players can experience the story together online with a friend, or compete against others. The popular ‘Invasion’ mode is back, letting players hunt each other on large maps.

‘Sid Meier’s Civilization VII’ (2025)

Okay, so Firaxis made this amazing new strategy game, and 2K published it on February 11, 2025. What really sets it apart is this new ‘age’ system – it totally changes how you build your civilization and interact with others as you move through the eras. And the best part? You can play with friends no matter what platform they’re on – PC or console – whether it’s just a small group or a huge multiplayer session. Honestly, it’s still the game to beat when it comes to turn-based strategy, with seriously deep options for diplomacy and warfare.

‘Monster Hunter Wilds’ (2025)

Capcom released this large-scale action role-playing game on February 28, 2025. Players explore a vast, connected world where they hunt monsters affected by changing weather and the natural environment. The game now allows up to four players to team up and interact with as many as one hundred others in online lobbies. New features, including the Seikret mount and more weapon moves, make hunting with friends even better.

‘FragPunk’ (2025)

Bad Guitar created a quick-action hero shooter that NetEase released on March 6, 2025. It’s a 5v5 competitive game with a special card system letting players instantly alter how the match plays out. Cards can do things like make enemy heads huge or turn the ground into lava, adding a lot of unexpected twists to the typical tactical shooter experience.

‘Split Fiction’ (2025)

Hazelight Studios created this unique cooperative game, which Electronic Arts will release on March 6, 2025. It’s designed for two players who must team up to solve puzzles using a split screen. Players can interact with each other from different areas of the screen to overcome obstacles. Similar to other games from Hazelight, it requires a friend to play, and includes a free pass for playing online with a friend.

‘Bokura: Planet’ (2025)

Kodansha Games will release this visually stunning puzzle adventure, created by Tokoronyori, on March 20, 2025. As a follow-up to the popular original game, it’s designed for two players who must constantly communicate with each other. The unique twist? Each player experiences a different version of the same world – one might see a world of machines, while the other sees a natural landscape. This game is strictly a two-player experience and can’t be played solo.

‘Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves’ (2025)

SNK released the highly anticipated sequel to their fighting game on April 24, 2025. The game launches with a diverse roster of seventeen characters, including both fan favorites and newcomers. Smooth online matches are made possible through rollback netcode, connecting players from different areas. A new feature called the REV system lets players temporarily boost their skills for more powerful attacks.

‘Revenge of the Savage Planet’ (2025)

Raccoon Logic released a funny follow-up game on April 24, 2025. It’s designed for two players to team up, either online or locally using split-screen. Players will journey across unusual alien planets, encounter bizarre creatures, and use cool gadgets to get around. The game’s playful humor and vibrant graphics create a fun and cheerful experience for players working together.

‘Dune: Awakening’ (2025)

Funcom released this large-scale, online survival game on June 10, 2025. The game takes place on the desert planet Arrakis, challenging players to survive intense heat and giant sandworms. Players can align with powerful factions and fight in large-scale battles to control valuable spice sources. To succeed in this ever-evolving online world, players must build bases and create flying machines called ornithopters.

‘Mario Kart World’ (2025)

Nintendo released this large-scale racing game as a launch title for its new console on June 5, 2025. It builds upon the classic gameplay by introducing open-world social areas where players can personalize their karts and interact with each other. The game features competitive online races for up to sixteen players, with both new and classic tracks. It also takes full advantage of the console’s advanced capabilities to deliver the most visually stunning game in the series yet.

‘Dying Light: The Beast’ (2025)

Techland released this new, standalone adventure in the zombie series in the summer of 2025. Players once again control Kyle Crane, this time exploring a large forested area comparable in size to the game’s previous city maps. Up to four players can team up to complete objectives and fight off hordes of zombies. The main character also gains powerful new abilities, granting them enhanced strength and speed in battle.

‘Mecha BREAK’ (2025)

Seasun Games released their fast-paced mech combat game on July 1, 2025. It offers several ways to play, including team-based battles with objectives and a large-scale extraction mode for up to 48 players. Players can personalize their mechs, called ‘strikers,’ with different weapons and armor to match how they like to play. Combat focuses on both skillful flying and smart positioning on the ground.

‘NBA 2K26’ (2025)

Visual Concepts created the latest version of this popular sports game, which 2K released on September 5, 2025. A key improvement is the new ProPLAY system, which more accurately recreates real-player movements in the game. The game continues to emphasize multiplayer experiences, with the City serving as a central hub for both street basketball and professional league modes. Finding matches and tracking team progress is now easier thanks to improved matchmaking and social features.

‘Borderlands 4’ (2025)

Gearbox Software created the latest installment in this popular looter shooter series, which 2K released on September 12, 2025. The game introduces a new planet to explore and features a more dramatic story, though it still keeps the series’ trademark sense of humor. Players can team up with up to three friends, and the game has improved systems for sharing loot and adjusting to different player levels. With thousands of new weapons and an updated rarity system, players have extensive options to customize their characters and build the perfect squad.

‘Little Nightmares III’ (2025)

Supermassive Games created this chilling sequel, which Bandai Namco released on October 10, 2025. A first for the series, players can now experience the story with a friend online. You play as Low and Alone, each with special tools – like a bow and a wrench – to overcome obstacles. This cooperative gameplay adds to the suspense, as you and your friend must work together to escape the terrifying Spiral.

‘ARC Raiders’ (2025)

Embark Studios released this action-packed shooter on October 30, 2025. Players team up to find valuable resources while fighting off dangerous robots and other players. The game looks stunning, but be warned: if you lose, you lose all the gear you’ve collected. Working together is key to defeating the giant machines that roam the world.

‘Sunderfolk’ (2025)

Secret Door created a tactical RPG for tabletop fans, and Dreamhaven released it in 2025. It’s designed for up to four players to enjoy together on their phones, using them as controllers for a comfortable, shared experience. Each player takes on the role of a different animal hero and uses a custom deck of cards to battle and help their teammates. The game is easy to pick up and play, but still offers plenty of strategic depth for groups of friends.

‘FBC: Firebreak’ (2025)

In 2025, Remedy Entertainment released a cooperative shooter for three players, set in the universe of their game Control. Players work together to protect the Federal Bureau of Control from supernatural dangers within the Oldest House. They use special tools and weapons in fast-paced, action-packed missions, all wrapped in Remedy’s signature mysterious style.

‘InZOI’ (2025)

Released in 2025 by Krafton, this game lets players live detailed virtual lives in a constantly evolving world. You can create a highly unique character and interact with other players through social activities, shared neighborhoods, and events that shape the game’s world. It’s known for its incredibly realistic graphics and extensive character customization options.

‘Killing Floor 3’ (2025)

As a huge fan, I was so excited when Tripwire Interactive released this game in 2025! It’s a really intense co-op shooter where you and five friends team up to fight off waves of these crazy, genetically engineered creatures called Zeds. What’s cool is everyone can customize their character with different perks, giving the team access to unique weapons and ways to defend ourselves. This third installment is seriously next-level with the gore – it’s super realistic – and the Zeds are way more challenging, so you really need to work together to take them down.

‘Anno 117: Pax Romana’ (2025)

Developed by Ubisoft Blue Byte and published by Ubisoft in 2025, this game lets you build and manage Roman provinces at the peak of their power. It features detailed economic and social systems, and you can play with others either by working together to manage provinces or competing in trade. A key feature of this game is its focus on the Roman Empire’s diverse cultures, offering players different starting locations, each with its own unique resources.

‘Windblown’ (2025)

Released in 2025, this fast-paced action game, created by Motion Twin, lets up to three players team up to race through floating islands and battle robotic enemies. It focuses on quick reflexes and accurate fighting, with weapons you can improve as you play. When playing with others, players can combine their special skills to overcome tough challenges and powerful foes.

‘The First Berserker: Khazan’ (2025)

This action RPG, created by Neople and published by Nexon in 2025, tells the story of a banished general driven by revenge. It’s known for its unique cartoon-like graphics and tough gameplay. While designed as a challenging solo adventure, the game also lets players team up to battle enormous, powerful monsters. Success depends on skillfully blocking and countering attacks in intense combat.

‘Cuffbust’ (2025)

Two Star Games created and released this fast-paced, multiplayer game about escaping from prison in 2025. Up to twenty players work together to break out of a highly secure facility, using anything they can find and taking advantage of environments they can destroy. The game’s realistic physics create unpredictable and funny moments. Escaping successfully requires players to be both sneaky and use powerful force as a team.

Please share your thoughts on these multiplayer titles in the comments.

2026-01-06 22:47