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10 Single-Player Games With Underrated Multiplayer Modes
The Best Asymmetrical Multiplayer Games
PS Plus Extra Confirms Another Game Leaving on June 18
There was a time not too long ago when choosing between the latest PlayStation and Xbox consoles came down to a lot more than just price and personal preference. Not only did players need to consider what worked best for them, but also, which console their friends would be playing on. It caused many fierce arguments over the years, with some friendship groups torn asunder by their inability to settle on a single system. Thankfully, though, times have now changed thanks to cross platform games.
Related
10 Single-Player Games With Underrated Multiplayer Modes
Gameplay doesn't always have to end once the campaign is complete. Many single-player games expand with fantastic multiplayer modes.
Most of the big new multi-platform games released these days support crossplay, allowing people to team up with or square off against their friends regardless of which system they're playing on. Better still, developers have added this functionality to quite a few older titles as well, so those looking for high-quality multiplayer games to enjoy with their friends really are spoiled for choice nowadays.
1 After the Fall
Metacritic Rating: 78 (PS5)
There are plenty of great co-op first-person shooter games, but not too many that also provide an immersive VR experience. After the Fall is one of the better examples, with Vertigo Games' post-apocalyptic FPS title offering up a solid and at times quite scary multiplayer experience in virtual reality.
One of the biggest issues with multiplayer VR games is that the install base for the technology is still relatively small. With this in mind, the fact that After the Fall supports crossplay is incredibly important, as it ensures that players never have to wait too long to find a lobby and can easily team up with their friends.
After the Fall
- Developer(s)
- Vertigo Games
- Publisher(s)
- Vertigo Games
- Released
- December 6, 2021
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS4 & PS5
See at Amazon
2 Aliens: Fireteam Elite
Metacritic Rating: 70 (Xbox Series X)
It's always nice when a game that didn't launch with crossplay support gets it in a future update. For those who are keeping score, that's exactly what happened with Cold Iron Studios' Aliens: Fireteam Elite, with the functionality being added into the game almost a full year on from its official release. Granted, this may be a case of too little too late for some, but those still having fun with the game will no doubt see it as a case of better late than never.
One suspects that there are plenty of people who fall into the latter category, as there's still an awful lot of fun to be had with Aliens: Fireteam Elite. Sure, players may come for the Xenomorphs, but they'll stay for the out-of-this-world gun fights and the wonderful job that the game does of creating tension and suspense when the battlefield falls silent. Of course, that's not to say that the game doesn't have its issues, but for fans of the series and high-quality third-person shooters, they should be fairly easy to overlook.
Aliens: Fireteam Elite
- Developer(s)
- Cold Iron Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Cold Iron Studios
- Released
- August 24, 2021
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
See at Amazon
3 Among Us
Metacritic Rating: 85 (PC)
Although its popularity may have dropped off quite a bit since the beginning of 2021, Among Us remains one of the most popular multiplayer games on Steam. With new maps arriving on a somewhat regular basis and streamers continuing to support the title, that doesn't seem likely to change anytime soon.
Following the game's release on next-gen consoles, Among Us now supports crossplay functionality across all major platforms, including next-gen consoles. What's more, for those wondering, the VR version of the game also supports crossplay, with players on Steam, Rift, and Meta Quest all able to play together.
Among Us
- Developer(s)
- InnerSloth
- Publisher(s)
- InnerSloth
- Released
- June 5, 2018
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- Mobile Devices, PC, PS4,PS5, Switch, Xbox One &Xbox Series X|S
4 Apex Legends
Metacritic Rating: 89 (PS4)
Respawn's battle royale took the overcrowded sub-genre by storm in 2019, delivering a polished experience that also added an element of strategy through its team-based gameplay. Since then, the game has barely lost a shred of popularity with more than 100,000 concurrent players on Steam. However, that's just a drop in the ocean compared to the game's total user base.
Apex Legends is a cross-platform game, and EA's site goes into great detail on how to set everything up. Apex Legends also supports cross-progression across Steam and Origin accounts, but that's as far as this feature goes. This means that if someone is playing on the Xbox One, for example, their progress will not carry over to the Nintendo Switch.
Apex Legends
- Developer(s)
- Respawn Entertainment
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Released
- February 4, 2019
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC,PS4, Switch & Xbox One
5 Back 4 Blood
Metacritic Rating: 77 (PS5)
Granted, Back 4 Blood may not have been the true Left 4 Dead spiritual successor that many had been hoping for, but it's far from a bad cross platform game. In fact, the game's post-release support was actually pretty decent while it lasted, leading to some solid DLC content as well as plenty of patches and updates which helped to iron out most if not all of the initial wrinkles.
Like its spiritual predecessor, Back 4 Blood is a game that was developed with co-op multiplayer in mind. With the right players, the experience can be an awful lot of fun, so it bodes well that the game offers full crossplay support. It's also spent time on both Xbox Game Pass and PS Plus, ensuring that there is a fairly constant stream of new players even today.
Back 4 Blood
- Developer(s)
- Turtle Rock Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Warner Bros. Interactive
- Released
- October 12, 2021
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC,PS5 & Xbox Series X|S andPS4 & Xbox One
See at Amazon
6 Battlefield 2042
Metacritic Rating: 68 (PC)
There's still quite a bit of work to be done to bring Battlefield 2042 up to the high standards set by some of the series' previous installments, but the game is already far more playable than it was at launch and continues to improve with each new patch and update. Sadly, however, crossplay support is a little disappointing due to the way that it has been implemented by DICE.
While next-gen and PC versions of the game launched with support for up to 128 players at a time, those playing on PS4 or Xbox One faced maximum lobby sizes of 64. As a result, players were split into two different crossplay pools, with anybody playing on last-gen consoles in one pool and PS5, Xbox Series, and PC players in another. Somewhat frustratingly, this remains the case today, despite the fact that support for 128 players in Breakthrough mode has since been scrapped.
Battlefield 2042
- Developer(s)
- DICE , Criterion Games , Ripple Effect
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Released
- November 19, 2021
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS5 &Xbox Series X|S and PS4 & Xbox One
See at Amazon
7 Borderlands 3
Metacritic Rating: 91 (PS5)
Multiplayer has always been one of the biggest selling points for the Borderlands franchise, and that's once again the case with Borderlands 3. Vault Hunters hoping to team up with their friends can do so via split-screen or through the internet, with the game's online multiplayer mode offering full crossplay support.
The game itself is a bit of a mixed bag, offering up the same looter shooter combat that made the previous games so enjoyable with very little innovation. One of the most notable differences is the corny writing, but fans of the franchise should be able to look past this. If not, there's always the mute button.
Borderlands 3
- Developer(s)
- Gearbox Software
- Publisher(s)
- 2K Games
- Released
- September 13, 2019
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS4,PS5, Xbox One &Xbox Series X|S
See at Amazon
8 Brawlhalla
Metacritic Rating: 70 (PC)
Those searching for a more lighthearted fighting game with crossplay support need look no further than Blue Mammoth Games' co-op fighter, Brawlhalla. Despite what its art style might suggest though, it's still packing a surprising amount of depth under the hood, which is part of the reason why more than 50 million people have played the game since its release in late 2017.
There's plenty of variety on offer when it comes to character selection too, with classic Ubisoft character Rayman even available as a guest fighter. Like Fortnite before it, the game features a battle pass system and there are plenty of crossover skins available in Brawlhalla too, including Lara Croft, Shovel Knight, and Ryu from Street Fighter.
Brawlhalla
- Developer(s)
- Blue Mammoth Games
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Released
- October 17, 2017
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- Mobile, PC,PS4, Switch & Xbox One
9 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Metacritic Rating: 60 (Xbox Series X)
Love them or loathe them, most now view the Call of Duty games as being the best that the FPS genre has to offer. Surprisingly, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 actually falls a little short when it comes to the single-player experience, but the game's multiplayer mode is every bit as enjoyable as fans have come to expect from the long-running franchise.
This is made all the better by the fact that like many of its predecessors, Modern Warfare 3 boasts full crossplay support. Granted, this is now pretty much a given for a modern Call of Duty title, yet, with so many other big-budget franchises like FIFA making a mess of their crossplay support, this is something that definitely should not be taken for granted.
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023)
- Developer(s)
- Sledgehammer Games
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
- Released
- November 10, 2023
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
See at Amazon
10 Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0
Metacritic Rating: 80 (PC)
While the annual Call of Duty titles also support cross-platform play, Warzone 2.0 just about has the beating of them thanks to its larger player base and its better selection of weapons. In fact, the latter actually incorporates many of the best weapons and maps from other Call of Duty games; both past and present.
Crossplay works across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox systems, and playing with friends on other platforms is as simple as signing up for an Activision account and sharing the ID. When it comes to realistic FPS titles with crossplay support, there really aren't too many better options out there.
Call of Duty: Warzone
- Developer(s)
- Infinity Ward , Raven Software
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
- Released
- March 10, 2020
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One &Xbox Series X|S
11 Chivalry 2
Metacritic Rating: 85 (PS5)
Almost a full decade on from the release of Chivalry: Medieval Warfare on Windows, Chivalry 2 was released on current and last-gen consoles in June of 2021. Like its predecessor, it's a hack-and-slash action game with a heavy emphasis placed on multiplayer gameplay.
The game looks fantastic and combat has never felt more fluid, with improvements found right across the board. Those hoping to play it on PC may be a little disappointed to learn that it's an Epic exclusive, but for those who don't care or will be playing the game on console, it really is a great multiplayer title with an awful lot to offer.
Chivalry 2
- Developer(s)
- Torn Banner Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Tripwire Interactive
- Released
- June 8, 2021
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS4,PS5, Xbox One &Xbox Series X|S
$81 at Amazon
12 Crash Team Rumble
Metacritic Rating: 71 (Xbox Series X)
The Crash Bandicoot franchise has seen its fair share of ups and downs over the years, with most of the latter coming after Naughty Dog handed over control of the IP. Crash Team Rumble falls somewhere in the middle of this rollercoaster ride; failing to recapture the magic of the first few Crash games yet avoiding most of the pitfalls that hampered the Traveller's Tales and Vicarious Visions-developed installments throughout the naughties and twenty-tens.
Crash Team Rumble is a game that nobody was really asking for, but that doesn't mean that there's not still fun to be had here. The multiplayer mayhem is actually incredibly enjoyable in short bursts, offering up an age-appropriate competitive team-based experience that rewards strategic gameplay much better than many of its peers. The monetization is a little heavy-handed, but this probably shouldn't come as too much of a surprise given that the game is published by Activision.
Crash Team Rumble
- Developer(s)
- Toys for Bob
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
- Released
- June 20, 2023
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PS4,PS5, Xbox One &Xbox Series X|S
Buy on Amazon
13 Dauntless
Metacritic Rating: 82 (Xbox Series X)
First released in 2019, the hype surrounding Dauntless has died down quite a bit in recent years, but that's not to say that it isn't still a thoroughly enjoyable game. It's an action RPG set in a fantasy world and supports both solo and co-op gameplay. Most would agree, however, that the latter is a lot more fun.
It's a little like a cross between Borderlands and Monster Hunter, with players given access to a huge arsenal of weapons and then sent out to slay ferocious beasts. Some may not like its cartoony art style, but those who are able to look past it will find an excellent co-op adventure that's definitely worth playing.
Dauntless
- Developer(s)
- Phoenix Labs
- Publisher(s)
- Phoenix Labs
- Released
- September 26, 2019
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS4,PS5, Switch, Xbox One &Xbox Series X|S
14 Dead by Daylight
Metacritic Rating: 71 (PC)
Asymmetrical multiplayer games continue to grow in popularity at an impressive rate, with Dead by Daylight doing more than its fair share of the heavy lifting. Despite its age, the game continues to receive regular updates and even has next-gen patches for both PS5 and Xbox series consoles.
Related
The Best Asymmetrical Multiplayer Games
Asymmetrical multiplayer games have become quite popular in recent years, and here are the best of them.
As well as the two new machines, players can play with friends who are on PC, PS4, Xbox One, or Switch; making it one of the most accessible games on the market. It's not the most family-friendly of games out there, mind, but those looking for a solid horror game to play with their friends could definitely do a lot worse.
Dead by Daylight
- Developer(s)
- Behaviour Interactive
- Publisher(s)
- Behaviour Interactive
- Released
- June 14, 2016
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One &Xbox Series X|S
See at Amazon
15 Deathloop
Metacritic Rating: 89 (Xbox Series X)
Despite having started life as a PlayStation 5-exclusive, Deathloop was later ported to the Xbox Series consoles as well as being added to the Xbox Game Pass in September of 2022. To mark the occasion, the game's developers rolled out the Goldenloop update, which, among other things, brought full crossplay support to the title.
Arkane's innovative FPS title was one of the most highly-rated games of 2021 and still remains popular to this day. Though it doesn't feature multiplayer gameplay in the traditional sense, the game does allow players to invade the gameplay sessions of others as Julianna, which is a great way to keep others on their toes.
Deathloop
- Developer(s)
- Arkane Studios
- Publisher(s)
- Bethesda
- Released
- September 14, 2021
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC,PS5 & Xbox Series X|S
Buy on Amazon
16 Deep Rock Galactic
Metacritic Rating: 85 (PS5)
Deep Rock Galactic is a co-op first-person shooter in which players get to control space dwarves. It features an excellent combat system and destructible environments, but these are just a small part of what makes the game so enjoyable. It also boasts partial crossplay support, allowing those playing on PC or Xbox to team up with one another.
It may not stack up to the competition when it comes to graphics, but what it lacks in visual fidelity, it more than makes up for in the gameplay department. Besides, though it may be simple, the game's art style still manages to be charming. Everything about this game is fun, with its procedurally generated elements also making it highly replayable.
Deep Rock Galactic
- Developer(s)
- Ghost Ship Games
- Publisher(s)
- Coffee Stain Publishing
- Released
- May 13, 2020
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC,Xbox One &Xbox Series X|S
17 Destiny 2
Metacritic Rating: 87 (Xbox One)
When it comes to live service games, they don't come much better than Destiny 2. Since releasing in late 2017, Bungie has provided players with exemplary support, not just in the form of regular expansions and updates, but also when it comes to bug fixes and glitches. It's the perfect example of how a live service game should work and likely a big part of what led to Sony acquiring Bungie in early 2022.
Despite the game now being more than five years old, the developer still has plans for the future, with the The Final Shape expansion expected in the coming year or so. This forward-thinking approach has resulted in excellent player retention, ensuring that there are always plenty of people around to play with. The fact that the game also supports crossplay makes finding a good party all the easier.
Destiny 2
- Developer(s)
- Bungie
- Publisher(s)
- Bungie
- Released
- August 28, 2017
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS4,PS5, Xbox One &Xbox Series X|S
See at Amazon
18 Diablo 4
Metacritic Rating: 91 (Xbox Series X)
The Diablo franchise played a vital role in the popularisation of the dungeon crawler genre and continues to innovate to this day. Diablo 4 represents another huge stride forward for both the series and the genre itself, providing an excellent assortment of well-balanced classes and a gameplay loop that manages to remain exciting despite the heavy emphasis that's placed on grinding.
Given that Diablo 4 is an online-only title, it should come as no surprise to learn that it offers full crossplay support. Even so, the implementation is solid and deserves recognition, with players able to party up with other players with very little trouble. If the game ends up being supported anywhere near as well as its predecessors were, players are in for a wild ride and would do well to get in early while the player base is still at its peak.
Diablo 4
- Developer(s)
- Blizzard
- Publisher(s)
- Blizzard
- Released
- June 6, 2023
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC, PS4,PS5, Xbox One &Xbox Series X|S
Buy on Amazon
19 EA Sports FC 24
Metacritic Rating: 77 (Xbox Series X)
Given the huge popularity of the franchise, it's a little surprising that it took so long for EA to add crossplay to its FIFA series. Worse still, crossplay support in FIFA 23 was pretty poor, with several co-op game modes left out and players unable to play together with their cross-gen friends. Thankfully, EA Sports FC 24 at least addresses one of these two major complaints.
Crossplay now works across every multiplayer game mode, though, sadly, not for those playing on consoles from different generations, nor for anybody playing the much-maligned Legacy Edition version of the game on Switch. It's still a huge step forward when compared to last year's edition though and the lack of cross-gen crossplay will presumably become less of an issue as more people upgrade to current-gen consoles.
EA Sports FC 24
- Developer(s)
- EA Vancouver , EA Romania
- Publisher(s)
- EA Sports
- Released
- September 29, 2023
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PC,PS5 & Xbox Series X|S and PS4 & Xbox One
See at Amazon
20 Elden Ring
Metacritic Rating: 96 (PS5)
The multiplayer elements found throughout Elden Ring are fairly limited when compared to a lot of other modern games, but that's not to say that they're not still important. Being able to summon a friendly Phantom to help deal with a particularly difficult boss fight can be an absolute godsend, as too can some of the messages left by other players.
Unfortunately, however, Elden Ring only has very basic Crossplay support. PlayStation owners can team up with others regardless of whether they're on the fourth or the fifth iteration of the console line. Likewise, Series S and X players can play with a friend on an Xbox One and vice-versa. This is far from ideal, but it's an awful lot better than nothing.
Elden Ring
$48 $60 Save $12
- Developer(s)
- From Software
- Publisher(s)
- Bandai Namco Entertainment , From Software
- Released
- February 25, 2022
- Platforms That Support Crossplay
- PS4 &PS5 and Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
$48 at Amazon
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