TNW’s favorite games to play with friends online
Loot, frag, and score like you’re in the same room with your mates
Online multiplayer games
As always, video games bring people together. Depending on your tastes, there are any number of online-based multiplayer games that you can enjoy with your buddies. If you’re feeling some battle royale fever,Fortnite(PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox, Switch, Android) is around as always.
I’ve been quite enjoyingCall of Duty: Warzone(PS, Xbox, PC) as well — and considering the game accrued more than30 million players in 10 dayslast year, I’m apparently not the only one.
While I wasn’t in love with itwhen it launched,Sea of Thieveshas become a fun first-person pirate game.
There’s no time like now to get into a massively multiplayer online game. Some of the best at the moment includeFinal Fantasy XIV Online(PS, PC, Mac) andGrand Theft Auto Online(PS4, Xbox, PC; coming to PS5 and Xbox Series S/X in March 2022), and my dark horse candidate is probablyRed Dead Online. Depending on whether you want fantasy, chaos, or cowboy, there’s an MMO for you.
Heck,World of Warcraft Classic(PC, Mac) is still pretty fresh, and that’s something a lot of MMO newcomers can cut their teeth on.
Cooperative games
There are games out there that don’t require you to throw yourself into a massive online multiplayer environment. For example, the delightfulStardew Valley(PC, Xbox One, PS4, Switch, iOS, Android) has a multiplayer component in which your friends can essentially become itinerant workers on your farm.
Similarly, the relaxingAnimal Crossing: New Horizonscame out last year for the Nintendo Switch, and it’s positively delightful.
Minecraftis, as always, a staple for friendly multiplayer. Oh, and it’s available on just about every platform you can think of, including Linux.
If you’re feeling a little humorous, you can play your friends atJackbox Party Pack, which you can get on just about every console and PC gaming store out there. You can partake of some pretty absurd party games with up to 10 participants. If you’ve ever playedYou Don’t Know Jack, you’ll get the gist of it. Jackbox Gamespublished a tutorialexplaining how to play its games over Zoom, Google Hangouts, and Discord.
Board and card games
If you’re feeling old school, there are several online board and card games that can be played with friends — not everything has to be a “video game” in the modern sense. You can play games likeMonopolyon Pogo, though you have to create an account in order to start a game. I wouldn’t recommend playing it if you want to keep your friends, however — Pogo also has more placid, less rage-inducing games likeYahtzee PartyandScrabble. You can also finda Chess game online, thanks to Tabletopia.
As for card games, bothUnoisavailable online if you’re looking for a family-friendly option.PlayingCardshas a few other card games you can play for free, such asGo Fish.
If it’s a tabletop RPG you want,Roll20offers a virtual setup for everything fromDungeons & DragonstoCall of Cthulhu. RPGs are a bit of a time investment, but I can’t think of any other resource we have in abundance at the moment.
Hopefully one of the above games on our list will help keep you and your friends occupied. Good luck!
Story byRachel Kaser
Rachel is a writer and former game critic from Central Texas. She enjoys gaming, writing mystery stories, streaming on Twitch, and horseback(show all)Rachel is a writer and former game critic from Central Texas. She enjoys gaming, writing mystery stories, streaming on Twitch, and horseback riding. Check her Twitter for curmudgeonly criticisms.
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