Discover 20 exceptional multiplayer games on PC Game Pass with strategic tips and optimization guides
Introduction to PC Game Pass Multiplayer Excellence
During PC Gaming Week celebrations, we’ve meticulously curated the definitive ranking of premium multiplayer experiences available through PC Game Pass, featuring both free-to-play titles and games offering exclusive subscriber rewards.
Compiling this comprehensive list demanded extensive expertise across the gaming landscape, requiring our team to evaluate hundreds of multiplayer titles to identify the absolute best options for cooperative and competitive gameplay.
Our selection process involved rigorous debate among Dexerto’s senior gaming specialists, who analyzed each game based on gameplay quality, community engagement, update frequency, and overall multiplayer satisfaction. After extensive deliberation, we’ve assembled the ultimate collection of 20 must-play multiplayer games.
This diverse compilation spans multiple genres including real-time strategy, first-person shooters, role-playing games, and social deduction experiences. The common thread connecting all these titles? They deliver exceptional fun when shared with friends, and each is accessible through your PC Game Pass subscription.
20. Sea of Thieves (2018)
Genre: Action-adventure
What it’s about: Embark on a pirate’s life sailing treacherous seas in pursuit of legendary treasures, building your reputation, uncovering hidden mysteries, and accumulating vast fortunes across a shared world adventure.
Why we like it: Sea of Thieves delivers an ever-evolving multiplayer sandbox that consistently introduces fresh content through seasonal updates, ensuring new islands to discover and adventures to undertake. The game excels at accommodating diverse playstyles—whether you prefer intense ship combat, elaborate treasure hunts, or peaceful fishing expeditions. Strategic tip: Always assign crew members specific roles (helm, repairs, cannons) during naval battles for optimal efficiency. Common mistake: New players often underestimate the importance of stocking supplies before voyages—always gather ample planks, bananas, and cannonballs at outposts.
Advanced players should master the art of combining different weapon types for versatile combat effectiveness and learn to read cloud formations to locate world events quickly.
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Words by Jessica Filby
19. Age of Mythology: Retold (2024)
What it’s about: This comprehensive remaster revitalizes the legendary real-time strategy classic, blending historical civilizations with mythological elements into an electrifying and wonderfully chaotic gaming experience.
Why we like it: Age of Mythology: Retold masterfully preserves the original’s charm while implementing modern quality-of-life improvements that elevate the multiplayer experience. While Age of Empires II remains iconic, the mythological integration in Retold creates more dynamic and unpredictable battles. Strategic tip: Prioritize researching god powers early as they can completely shift battle momentum. Common mistake: Beginners often overextend their armies without securing economic stability—balance military production with villager creation.
The enhanced edition maintains the core gameplay while refining visuals and expanding unit diversity and divine abilities across civilization pantheons. Streamlined mechanics replace outdated systems from the original, creating a polished and accessible RTS experience. The sheer spectacle of summoning colossal dog-headed Titans to devastate enemy bases provides unparalleled satisfaction that makes this an essential Game Pass addition.
18. Chivalry 2 (2021)
Genre: Hack and slash
What it’s about: Engage in massive medieval warfare with 64-player chaotic battles featuring authentic period weaponry including broadswords, shields, battle axes, and surprisingly effective poultry projectiles.
Why we like it: Chivalry 2 embraces absurdity and revels in its chaotic nature, setting it apart from more serious medieval combat games. While titles like Mordhau emphasize technical mastery, Chivalry 2 prioritizes accessible, arcade-style enjoyment. Strategic tip: Master the counter system by matching your opponent’s attack direction for automatic parries. Common mistake: New players often spam attacks without managing stamina—watch your stamina bar to avoid becoming vulnerable.
The beauty of Chivalry 2 lies in its approachability—when facing superior opponents, you can still contribute through sheer chaotic energy, swinging wildly with massive weapons or employing unconventional tactics like hurling severed limbs or live chickens. Unlike games requiring extensive meta knowledge, Chivalry 2’s intuitive design makes it perfect for spontaneous Game Pass sessions with friends.
17. Fallout 76 (2018)
What it’s about: An expansive MMORPG set within Bethesda’s nuclear-devastated Appalachian wasteland, where survivors collaborate to rebuild civilization amid radioactive threats and mutated horrors.
Why we like it: While Fallout established its legacy through solitary adventures, Bethesda’s multiplayer adaptation has evolved into a deeply engaging shared-world experience far surpassing its controversial launch. Strategic tip: Specialize your build early—focus on specific weapon types and corresponding perk cards for maximum effectiveness. Common mistake: Players often neglect camp building—a well-placed camp with resource collectors provides significant long-term advantages.
The current iteration offers abundant content including expeditions to iconic locations like The Pitt, particularly rewarding for series veterans. Enhanced combat mechanics and sophisticated weapon crafting surpass Fallout 4’s systems, while multiplayer integration with dynamic NPCs creates a genuinely living world. Though earlier games explored post-apocalyptic survival concepts, Fallout 76 now fully realizes the vision of community rebuilding in a nuclear wasteland.
16. Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (2017)
Genre: Action-shooter
What’s it about: Experience the Galactic Civil War’s concluding chapters through Imperial defector Iden Versio’s perspective, bridging the narrative gap between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens.
Why we like it: Arguably the definitive Star Wars multiplayer experience, this polished shooter combines exhilarating gameplay with authentic recreations of cinema’s most iconic sci-fi battles. Strategic tip: Play the objective—capturing command posts and completing match goals earns significantly more battle points than pure eliminations. Common mistake: New players waste battle points on mediocre reinforcements—save for hero characters who can single-handedly shift match outcomes.
The thrill of controlling legendary characters like Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader remains unmatched in gaming, delivering genuine childhood fantasy fulfillment within spectacular large-scale conflicts.
Words by Tom Percival
15. Core Keeper (2021)
What it’s about: Guided by mysterious ancient artifacts, adventurers find themselves confined within subterranean caverns overflowing with enigmatic relics, valuable resources, and unexpectedly dangerous creatures.
Why we like it: Core Keeper brilliantly synthesizes the finest elements of Minecraft, Terraria, and Stardew Valley—specifically crafting systems, agricultural mechanics, and charming pixel-art aesthetics—into an enthralling underground exploration adventure. Strategic tip: Establish organized farming plots early—food provides essential buffs for boss fights and exploration. Common mistake: Beginners often venture too deep without proper gear—upgrade tools and armor progressively as you explore new biomes.
The cooperative aspect shines brightest when confronting terrifying bosses like Omoroth the Sea Titan, where coordinated teamwork becomes essential for survival. If you appreciate sandbox creativity or relaxing farming simulations, Core Keeper delivers an essential multiplayer experience.
Words by Jessica Filby
14. Among Us (2018)
Genre: Social deduction
What it’s about: Spacefaring crewmembers must identify the shapeshifting impostor secretly eliminating personnel while maintaining vessel operations, creating intense psychological warfare in confined quarters.
Why we like it: Among Us masterfully blends accessible visuals with deeply engaging social manipulation mechanics, delivering both intellectual satisfaction and genuine suspense. Strategic tip: As crewmate, complete visual tasks in front of others to prove your innocence conclusively. Common mistake: Impostors often sabotage too obviously—time disruptions strategically during chaotic moments.
While matchmaking with strangers provides entertainment, the experience peaks when playing with friends—the frantic accusations, desperate escapes from known impostors, and challenging persuasion attempts create unforgettable gaming moments.
Words by Jessica Filby
13. Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege (2015)
What it’s about: Ubisoft’s tactical shooter revolves around attacking teams attempting bomb site infiltration while defenders establish fortified positions, with complex operator abilities and destructible environments creating limitless strategic possibilities.
Why we like it: Rainbow Six Siege stands as one of gaming’s most distinctive first-person shooters, where tactical intelligence outweighs raw reflexes. Strategic tip: Learn map layouts and common breach points—knowledge of vertical play separates average from exceptional players. Common mistake: Beginners reinforce every wall—leave rotation holes between bomb sites for flexible defense.
The depth of operator mastery required for competitive excellence makes this ideal for dedicated players seeking a skill-based shooter with tremendous learning potential and rewarding progression systems.
12. No Man’s Sky (2016)
Genre: Action-adventure
What it’s about: An infinitely procedurally generated cosmic sandbox emphasizing advanced crafting, interstellar exploration, and social interactions across a virtually limitless universe.
Why we like it: Despite its notorious launch, Hello Games has transformed No Man’s Sky into one of gaming’s most compelling shared-world experiences. Strategic tip: Upgrade your scanner first—better scanning rewards significantly more units for discoveries. Common mistake: New players exhaust resources too quickly—always keep backup fuel for launch thrusters and life support.
The procedurally generated cosmos teems with biodiversity and planetary variety, authentically replicating the explorer experience as players push galactic boundaries. The developer’s monumental effort has produced a game exceeding original promises, with cooperative space exploration, base construction, and world colonization providing the ultimate method for carving personal territories among the stars.
11. Gears 5 (2019)
What’s it about: Continuing from Gears of War 4’s events, protagonist Kait Diaz investigates Locust Horde origins while confronting her mysterious connection to alien matriarch Myrrah.
Why we like it: While maintaining series fundamentals, Gears 5 delivers refined mechanics and diverse multiplayer options including cooperative campaigns that define the quintessential Gears experience. Strategic tip: Master active reloads—perfect reloads provide damage boosts and faster firing rates. Common mistake: Players often neglect cover movement—use the cover system fluidly for positioning advantages.
The standout feature remains Arcade mode, offering an innovative interpretation of hero shooter mechanics popularized by titles like Overwatch, creating fresh combat dynamics within the established Gears framework.
Words by Tom Percival
10. It Takes Two (2021)
Genre: Action-adventure
What it’s about: Two struggling parents magically transformed into dolls must overcome relationship challenges through cooperative trials across fantastical realms to reunite with their daughter Rose.
Why we like it: It Takes Two presents beautifully flawed characters, vibrant explorable environments, and satisfying platforming puzzles within its cooperative framework. Strategic tip: Communicate constantly—many puzzles require precise timing and coordination between players. Common mistake: Players ignore character-specific abilities—understand both characters’ unique skills to solve puzzles efficiently.
The shared adventure guides players through emotional narratives and hilarious moments alongside Cody and May’s journey toward familial reconciliation, creating memorable experiences that resonate long after completion.
Words by Ava Thompson-Powell
9. Forza Horizon 5 (2021)
What it’s about: Establish your racing legacy within Mexico’s vibrant festival culture through stunt driving exhibitions, supercar competitions, offroad rallies, and improbable vehicle versus aircraft challenges.
Why we like it: Racing games inherently foster competition, and Forza Horizon 5 excels at delivering that victory-driven excitement alongside massive open-world exploration, cooperative events, and extensive collectibles. Strategic tip: Tune your cars for specific race types—different events require different vehicle setups for optimal performance. Common mistake: Beginners overlook car classes—entering S2 races with B-class cars guarantees failure.
The game’s whimsical elements shine through unconventional challenges like completing Goliath circuits with underpowered vehicles or organizing offroad sports car races with friends, enhanced through shared teamwork experiences.
Words by Jessica Filby
8. Dead by Daylight (2016)
What it’s about: Asymmetrical horror showdowns pitting four survivors against iconic slasher film killers across the entire horror genre spectrum in intense 4v1 encounters.
Why we like it: Dead by Daylight represents one of Game Pass’s premier multiplayer offerings, with enduring popularity since 2016 demonstrating its quality. Strategic tip: As survivor, practice looping—mastering tile navigation around structures extends chase times significantly. Common mistake: Killers often overcommit to chases—know when to abandon pursuit and pressure generators.
The expanded roster now includes cross-over characters like Lara Croft, Pyramid Head, Sadako from The Ring, and Nicolas Cage, while the accessible progression system allows perk experimentation to develop personalized playstyles. Limited-time modes like chaotic 2v8 matches inject freshness for veteran players.
Words by Ava Thompson-Powell
7. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (2024)
What it’s about: The inaugural Call of Duty installment set during the Gulf War era, tasking operatives with neutralizing rogue paramilitary organization Pantheon through global covert operations.
Why we like it: Black Ops 6 substantially elevates franchise standards through innovative omnimovement mechanics that accelerate gameplay while introducing fresh techniques for veterans to master. Strategic tip: Utilize omnimovement for unpredictable peeks and rapid position changes during firefights. Common mistake: Players ignore the new movement system—incorporate sliding, diving, and mantling into your combat flow.
Combined with one of recent memory’s most compelling campaigns and exceptional mission design, these elements create a recipe for 2024’s standout first-person shooter experiences.
6. Minecraft (2011)
What it’s about: The definitive sandbox adventure enabling construction, creation, survival, and exploration across procedurally generated worlds culminating in End dimension journeys to confront the Ender Dragon.
Why we like it: While enjoyable solo, Minecraft truly shines as collaborative experiences where friends specialize in different roles—mining operations, exploration missions, agricultural management, and base aesthetics. Strategic tip: Establish clear team roles early—dedicated miners, farmers, builders, and explorers maximize efficiency. Common mistake: Groups build bases too close to spawn—establish your main base several hundred blocks away for safer resource accumulation.
The game’s flexibility extends to competitive minigames across dedicated servers featuring survival games, Dropper challenges, Bed Wars, and crafting speed competitions, accommodating exploration, racing, combat, or reflex-based preferences.
Words by Jessica Filby
5. Halo: The Master Chief Collection (MCC) (2014)
What it’s about: The comprehensive Halo anthology featuring the series’ first six titles completely remastered and optimized for contemporary hardware with unified multiplayer progression.
Why we like it: While Halo’s competitive peak has passed, the Master Chief Collection successfully resurrects that era’s excitement through Halo 2 Anniversary’s multiplayer that balances modernization with nostalgic preservation. Strategic tip: Master the BR burst rhythm—the Battle Rifle’s three-round burst requires specific timing for optimal effectiveness. Common mistake: Players ignore power weapon spawns—control rocket launcher and sniper rifle locations for match dominance.
In an industry saturated with Call of Duty derivatives, Halo maintains distinctive mechanics where coordinated gunplay, vehicle combat, and melee systems create spectacular organized chaos within multiplayer matches, with resolved technical issues ensuring smooth classic shooter experiences.
Free-to-play so Game Pass not required, but get premium awards and exclusive rewards with PC Game Pass.
4. Overwatch 2 (2023)
What it’s about: 5v5 hero shooter combat across diverse objective-based modes utilizing 41 unique characters with specialized abilities requiring strategic coordination and individual skill.
Why we like it: Following a turbulent 2022 debut, Overwatch 2 has consistently improved throughout 2024, solidifying its position among elite hero shooters. Strategic tip: Track ultimate abilities—knowing enemy ultimates allows better positioning and counter-play. Common mistake: Teams often lack composition balance—ensure you have tanks, damage, and support roles covered.
The expanding hero roster accommodates all preferences through Sombra’s stealth hacking, Reinhardt’s brute force, or support characters’ strategic utility, with abilities offering accessible fundamentals and master-level depth. Regular events with generous rewards provide ongoing engagement incentives for new and returning players.
Words by Nathan Warby
Free-to-play so Game Pass not required, but get premium awards and exclusive rewards with PC Game Pass.
3. Diablo IV (2023)
Genre: Dungeon crawler
What it’s about: Decades after Diablo’s defeat, his niece Lilith returns to Sanctuary pretending to offer protection from Prime Evils while secretly orchestrating another demonic pact.
Why we like it: Diablo IV emphasizes multiplayer integration more than predecessors through warband formations for cooperative questing and intense PvP zone encounters. Strategic tip: Coordinate skill selections within your group—complementary abilities create powerful synergies. Common mistake: Solo players ignore group content—world events and dungeons are significantly easier with allies.
The Vessel of Hatred expansion introduces Dark Citadel raid-like activities, while the persistent online world facilitates spontaneous player encounters generating the series’ most dynamic combat situations.
Free-to-play so Game Pass not required, but get premium awards and exclusive rewards with PC Game Pass.
2. Valorant (2020)
What it’s about: Round-based tactical FPS where two agent teams employ unique abilities alongside precise shooting skills to execute or prevent spike detonations in objective-based matches.
Why we like it: Valorant innovates upon Counter-Strike’s foundation by integrating character-specific powers that introduce strategic depth while maintaining shooting mechanics as the core skill requirement. Strategic tip: Learn default agent setups for each map—established ability placements provide early round advantages. Common mistake: Players waste abilities early—save crucial skills for execute or retake situations.
This fusion of traditional FPS fundamentals with creative ability usage delivers balanced competitive diversity that appeals to CS veterans and newcomers seeking tactical depth.
Free-to-play so Game Pass not required, but get premium awards and exclusive rewards with PC Game Pass.
1. League of Legends (2009)
What it’s about: On Runeterra’s battlefields, powerful champions clash in strategic warfare aiming to destroy opposing nexuses through lane control, objective securing, and team coordination.
Why we like it: As the world’s premier MOBA, League of Legends hosts an incredibly competitive ecosystem where professional players demonstrate athletic-level precision, though the game remains accessible across all skill levels. Strategic tip: Master last-hitting—precise minion kills generate crucial gold advantages. Common mistake: Beginners chase kills excessively—focus on objectives and farm for consistent success.
With over 150 champions offering diverse playstyles and abilities suitable for any preference, each match presents unique strategic challenges that maintain long-term engagement through endless variety.
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