The Best Multiplayer Games of 2025

The year 2025 was a landmark period for the gaming industry with dozens of high profile multiplayer titles hitting the market. Major publishers and independent studios alike delivered innovative experiences that pushed the boundaries of cooperative and competitive play. From massive open world survival epics to tight arena shooters, the following list highlights the most significant multiplayer releases of the year. Each entry represents a unique contribution to the social gaming landscape that defined the past twelve months.

‘Donkey Kong Country Returns HD’ (2025)

Retro Studios developed this high definition remaster and Nintendo published it for the Switch on January 16, 2025. The game features the classic two player local cooperative mode where participants control both Donkey Kong and Diddy Kong simultaneously. This version includes updated visuals and performance improvements tailored for modern hardware. It remains a staple for families looking for a challenging yet accessible platforming experience.

‘Dynasty Warriors: Origins’ (2025)

Omega Force developed this tactical action game and Koei Tecmo released it on January 17, 2025. The title returns to the roots of the franchise by focusing on large scale battles and strategic territory control. Players can participate in cooperative missions to dismantle massive enemy armies across ancient China. The updated engine allows for a record number of units on screen during intense multiplayer encounters.

‘Orcs Must Die! Deathtrap’ (2025)

Robot Entertainment developed and published this fourth installment in the popular tower defense series on January 28, 2025. The game features four player online cooperative play where teams must defend their rifts from waves of invading monsters. Each player selects a hero with unique abilities and traps to create complex defensive corridors. The introduction of roguelite elements ensures that every multiplayer match offers different upgrades and challenges.

‘Sniper Elite: Resistance’ (2025)

Rebellion developed and published this tactical shooter on January 30, 2025. The story follows a new protagonist in occupied France during the events of the Second World War. Players can tackle the entire campaign in two player online cooperation or engage in competitive modes. The fan favorite invasion mode also returns and allows players to stalk each other across expansive maps.

‘Sid Meier’s Civilization VII’ (2025)

Firaxis Games developed this legendary strategy sequel while 2K released it on February 11, 2025. The title introduces a new age system that fundamentally changes how civilizations progress and interact through history. Multiplayer support includes cross platform play for groups of various sizes across PC and consoles. It remains the gold standard for turn based strategy and offers deep diplomatic and military layers.

‘Monster Hunter Wilds’ (2025)

Capcom developed and published this massive action role playing game on February 28, 2025. The game features a seamless open world where hunters can track prey through shifting weather conditions and ecological cycles. Up to four players can join forces in online lobbies that now support up to one hundred participants for social interaction. New mechanics like the Seikret mount and expanded weapon moves enhance the collaborative hunting experience.

‘FragPunk’ (2025)

Bad Guitar developed this fast paced hero shooter and NetEase published it on March 6, 2025. The 5v5 competitive game uses a unique card system that allows players to change the rules of the match in real time. Effects can include doubling the size of enemy heads or turning the floor into lethal lava. This mechanic adds a significant layer of unpredictability to the standard tactical shooter formula.

‘Split Fiction’ (2025)

Hazelight Studios developed this innovative cooperative adventure and Electronic Arts published it on March 6, 2025. The game requires two players to work together through puzzles that utilize a dynamic split screen mechanic. Characters can interact with each other across different parts of the screen to solve complex environmental challenges. Like previous titles from this studio it requires a partner to play and includes a free friend pass for online sessions.

‘Bokura: Planet’ (2025)

Kodansha Games published this artistic puzzle adventure developed by Tokoronyori on March 20, 2025. This sequel to the original cult hit requires two players to communicate constantly while seeing different versions of the same world. One player might see a mechanical landscape while the other sees a natural one. The game is designed specifically for two people and cannot be played alone.

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

SNK developed and published this long awaited fighting game sequel on April 24, 2025. The roster features seventeen playable characters at launch with a mix of returning legends and brand new challengers. Online play utilizes rollback netcode to ensure smooth competitive matches across various regions. A new REV system adds offensive depth by allowing players to supercharge their abilities during battle.

‘Revenge of the Savage Planet’ (2025)

Raccoon Logic developed and published this humorous exploration sequel on April 24, 2025. The game supports two player cooperative play both online and locally via split screen. Players explore alien worlds filled with strange wildlife and utilize various gadgets to navigate the terrain. The satirical tone and bright visuals provide a lighthearted atmosphere for collaborative discovery.

‘Dune: Awakening’ (2025)

Funcom developed and published this ambitious open world survival MMO on June 10, 2025. Set on the desert planet of Arrakis it tasks thousands of players with surviving extreme heat and colossal sandworms. Players can join Great Houses and participate in massive battles for control of valuable spice blows. Building bases and crafting ornithopters are essential activities for thriving in this persistent online universe.

‘Mario Kart World’ (2025)

Nintendo developed and published this massive racing title as a launch game for their new hardware on June 5, 2025. The game expands on the traditional formula by adding open world social hubs where players can customize their karts and meet others. Competitive races support up to sixteen players online with brand new tracks and returning favorites. It utilizes advanced features of the new console to deliver the most visualy impressive entry in the series history.

‘Dying Light: The Beast’ (2025)

Techland developed and published this standalone adventure in the popular zombie franchise during the summer of 2025. The game features Kyle Crane in a new forested region that is roughly the size of previous urban maps. Up to four players can cooperate to complete missions and survive the night against aggressive infected. New beast powers allow the protagonist to utilize supernatural strength and speed during combat.

‘Mecha BREAK’ (2025)

Amazing Seasun Games developed and published this high speed mech combat title on July 1, 2025. The game features various modes including 6v6 objective based battles and a massive 48 player extraction mode. Players can customize their strikers with different weapons and armor plates to suit their preferred playstyle. The combat emphasizes both aerial maneuvers and ground based tactical positioning.

‘NBA 2K26’ (2025)

Visual Concepts developed this annual sports simulation while 2K released it on September 5, 2025. The title features a revamped ProPLAY system that translates real world movements into the game with higher accuracy. Multiplayer remains a core focus with the City hub allowing players to compete in various street ball and professional modes. Improved matchmaking and social features make it easier for squads to find games and track their progress.

‘Borderlands 4’ (2025)

Gearbox Software developed this looter shooter sequel and 2K published it on September 12, 2025. The game takes players to a brand new planet with a focus on a more serious narrative tone while maintaining its signature humor. Cooperative play supports up to four players with refined loot sharing systems and level scaling. Thousands of new weapons and a reworked rarity system provide deep character customization options for every squad.

‘Little Nightmares III’ (2025)

Supermassive Games developed this atmospheric horror sequel and Bandai Namco released it on October 10, 2025. For the first time in the series players can experience the entire story in two player online cooperation. The protagonists Low and Alone each carry unique items like a bow and a wrench to solve environmental puzzles. The transition to cooperative play adds a new layer of tension as friends must rely on each other to escape the Spiral.

‘ARC Raiders’ (2025)

Embark Studios developed and published this extraction shooter on October 30, 2025. Teams of players must scavenge for resources while avoiding both lethal robotic threats and rival human squads. The game features a striking visual style and high stakes gameplay where losing a match means losing collected gear. Cooperative tactics are vital for taking down the massive machines that patrol the landscape.

‘Sunderfolk’ (2025)

Secret Door developed this tabletop inspired tactical RPG and Dreamhaven published it in 2025. Up to four players can play together using their mobile devices as controllers for a couch co op experience. Each player controls a unique animal hero with a specialized deck of cards for combat and support. The game focus on accessibility while providing deep tactical choices for groups of friends.

‘FBC: Firebreak’ (2025)

Remedy Entertainment developed and published this three player cooperative shooter in 2025. Set within the world of Control it tasks players with defending the Federal Bureau of Control from supernatural threats. Teams use a variety of parautilitarian tools and weapons to clear the Oldest House of hostile entities. The game emphasizes quick missions and high intensity action within Remedy’s signature mysterious atmosphere.

‘InZOI’ (2025)

Krafton developed and published this highly detailed social simulation game in 2025. Players can inhabit a persistent world where they manage lives and interact with other human participants in various social activities. The game features ultra realistic graphics and a deep character creator that allows for unique self expression. Multiplayer elements include shared neighborhoods and community events that impact the entire game world.

‘Killing Floor 3’ (2025)

Tripwire Interactive developed and published this intense cooperative shooter in 2025. Teams of six players must survive waves of genetically engineered bio threats known as Zeds. Each player can specialize in different perks that provide unique weapons and defensive bonuses for the group. The third entry features significantly improved gore systems and more complex enemy types that require coordinated team fire.

‘Anno 117: Pax Romana’ (2025)

Ubisoft Blue Byte developed this historical city builder while Ubisoft published it in 2025. The game allows players to manage Roman provinces during the height of the empire with deep economic and social simulations. Multiplayer modes allow for both cooperative province management and competitive trade wars. This entry focuses on the cultural diversity of the empire by offering different starting locations with unique resources.

‘Windblown’ (2025)

Motion Twin developed and published this fast paced action roguelike in 2025. Up to three players can cooperate to dash through shifting sky islands and defeat mechanical guardians. The gameplay emphasizes extreme speed and precision combat with various weapons that can be upgraded during a run. Cooperative play allows for strategic combinations of abilities to take down challenging elite enemies.

‘The First Berserker: Khazan’ (2025)

Neople developed this hardcore action RPG and Nexon published it in 2025. The game features a distinct cel shaded art style and focuses on the journey of an exiled general seeking revenge. While the core experience is a challenging single player journey it includes cooperative raid modes against massive legendary creatures. Players must master a complex parry and counter system to survive the brutal combat encounters.

‘Cuffbust’ (2025)

Two Star Games developed and published this chaotic prison escape multiplayer game in 2025. Up to twenty players can attempt to break out of a maximum security facility using various destructible environments and improvised tools. The game features physics based interactions that lead to emergent and often humorous situations. Successful escapes require a mix of stealth and explosive brute force from the entire group.

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