2021 has been a crazy year for everyone, and many players are finding themselves still home post-pandemic and in need of a game to play. This generation certainly has a lot to offer in terms of multiplayer/coop video games, so we decided to give our top 10 rankings for the community for anyone in need of a game to play.
10. Monster Hunter: Rise
Monster Hunter: Rise is the newest of the Monster Hunter Franchise, and is a great cooperative action-role playing game created by Capcom. For players who don’t mind some serious grinding, and love slaying monsters with friends in a more anime-like style this is the perfect game to play. It was also one of the better titles to release this year with some greatly refined gameplay, and new additions aside from the Palicos such as the Palamutes that turn into mounts and fighting companions. The game also organizes many features compared to the previous game MH World, such as separating different types of quests such as the Village and Hub Quests. The Japanese-like setting with the oh so adorable Dango song just adds to the many reasons why everyone should be playing this game if they have a Switch.
9. Borderlands 3
We absolutely could not forget one of the best ongoing action role-playing games of this generation and the last generation. Borderlands 3 is a great coop game for this that wants to blow everything up in the most psychotic ways. Gearbox provided players with not only a great story filled with deadly humor, but also proved that looter shooters still have much to offer for the community. As the fourth installment of the series, the game won several awards in 2019, including the Best Multiplayer Game for the Golden Joystick Awards. For gamers that want to slaughter enemies with a giant mech, or use beasts to maul the crazies down this is a great game to set up some series team comp with your friends.
8. Valheim
Valheim took the PC gaming community by storm and surprised many coming from a Swedish studio known as Iron Gate. Players create a character that is meant to be a skilled warrior, whose soul has been carried by Valkyries to the tenth Norse world known as Valheim. Players showed their creativity when utilizing various features this cooper survival sandbox game offers. Between creating villages and designing homes, or even slaying monsters, players have spent unexpected countless hours crafting tools, creating shelters, and farming enemies in this Norse world. While the game was meant to be just a survival game, it ended up being so much more.
7. Forza 5
Forza has always been one of the top racing simulation franchises for over a decade, which is why it is no surprise that Forza 5 had outstanding reviews and is one of the best multiplayer games this year. Turn 10 Studios and Playground Games did an outstanding job with this latest entry. They raised the bar a whole new level with this classic franchise by providing a visually stunning experience with top-notch new maps and refined gameplay. To top it all off the game of course features cross-play for Xbox and PC users. For Forza experts, the game of course features a ton of new custom parts and performance mods.
6. Apex Legends
Battle Royales have risen to popularity these past few years since Pub G came to life, and Apex Legends is one of the best and free-to-play. Developed by Respawn Entertainment, this hero shooter offers crisp gameplay and a variety of modes to test your skill or have fun with your squad. Each hero also comes with unique features that feel like Rogue Company in nature. The different maps are massive and uniquely designed with various chests randomly tossed about them. Some games players will luck out and find the best gear for their characters to cause some serious carnage, while others will have little to nothing and may have to avoid players altogether. Not to mention, this game takes place 30 years after the events of Titanfall 2.
5. Demon Souls Remake
We had to add Bluepoint’s beautiful remake of this classic game that we all know and have been tortured from. This game gave Demon Souls an extreme make-over with a huge graphical overhaul, smoothed out gameplay, and other small but significant changes including a new UI. With the same classic tale, players get to relive this adventure with their friends and slay the same demons as before in a more play-tested and balanced but brutal setting. For souls lovers or new gamers that want to dip their feet in, the world of Boletaria is as beautiful and dangerous as it has ever been. Sadly, the game is still only available on Playstation 5.
4. Final Fantasy 14
Final Fantasy 14 has become bigger than ever not only due to Blizzard’s law suites but since the gameplay and expansions keep getting continuously better. Square Enix and the players have been the most supportive of the community and new players. While the queues have been bombarded with new players, especially from WoW and the newest expansion, players have been given a free week of playtime due to server congestion issues. Brutal raids, intense dungeons, and pleasurable trials may overwhelm players but keep everyone busy with worthwhile content. This is the best time to join the top MMORPG in the world. If it did not pay to play this game would have been at the top of the list.
3. Mario Party Superstars
This 23-year-old franchise has produced a new glorious baby this past October. Mario Party Superstars celebrates this 2-decade old franchise in all of its glory with 100 minigames plucked from the previous entries and 5 new boards. This game was everything Mario Party players needed and goes on destroying friendships and bringing rage that we have all missed. For the die-hard players or new gamers with a switch, this game is a must-grab party game. Ncube did a fantastic job bringing a beloved series back to life.
2. Back 4 Blood
Back 4 Blood was an excellent successor for our beloved Left 4 Dead franchise. For those that want characters with unique abilities that want to shoot gun zombies in the face with their friends, this game is a must-play. Left 4 Dead players will love the familiarity, and new players will enjoy some seriously excellent and brutal gameplay. This game ranked high for use due to great level design and difficulty, and the smooth feel good combat. There is of course crossplay making the experience even better between PC and Xbox players.
1. Halo Infinite
Halo Infinite was the unanimous option for the best current generation in terms of multiplayer/coop. The game surprised us all with the free-to-play multiplayer and great gameplay. Halo has always been an iconic franchise, and we have all been waiting for Infinite for a long time. The game’s performance felt flawless and combat has never been better for the franchise. The maps are well designed and leave room for endless possibilities. Halo has honestly never been better despite the poor reveals and bad level progression. This well-balanced first-person shooter feels like it’s the game to beat.
Conclusion
This was our unanimous list for Vibe in terms of the best current-generation multiplayer games. While the list was pretty hard to make, these games stand as the best multiplayer games to play as of this time.
Veteran gamer, tech nerd, comic addict, anime lover, and just your average introverted weeb.
