Best Multiplayer & Co-Op Games to Play with Friends in 2025

Introduction

Gaming has always been a powerful way to connect people. In 2025, multiplayer and co-op games are more immersive, strategic, and social than ever before. Whether you want fast-paced competition, team-based strategy, or relaxed co-op adventures, there’s a game for every kind of friend group.

This article highlights the best multiplayer and co-op games to play with friends in 2025, across all major platforms. From AAA titles to indie gems, these games combine excellent gameplay mechanics, stunning visuals, and innovative multiplayer systems that make them stand out in a crowded market.

1. Helldivers 2

Platform: PC, PlayStation 5

Genre: Third-person co-op shooter

Developer: Arrowhead Game Studios

Helldivers 2 is a massive upgrade from its predecessor, delivering a polished, explosive third-person shooter experience. You and your friends are elite soldiers deployed to alien planets on a mission to protect “Super Earth.” Coordination is crucial, as friendly fire is always on, and the missions can escalate into chaotic battles quickly.

Why it’s great for co-op:

Tactical gameplay that demands communication

Large-scale missions with real consequences

Procedural generation makes every session unique

2. The Finals

Platform: PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5

Genre: Competitive FPS

Developer: Embark Studios

The Finals is a fast-paced team shooter set in a game-show-inspired world. Teams compete in destructible environments where strategy, speed, and teamwork are vital. Each match is dynamic, with real-time destruction and changing objectives.

What makes it special:

Real-time environment destruction

Customizable loadouts and characters

Emphasis on creativity and teamwork

3. Palworld

Platform: PC, Xbox Series X/S

Genre: Open-world survival, multiplayer

Developer: Pocketpair

Palworld is often called “Pokémon with guns,” but it offers a lot more depth. It blends creature collection with base building, combat, farming, and cooperative exploration. Friends can team up to battle bosses, craft giant factories, or just explore the open world together.

Why friends love it:

Shared world with meaningful progress

Tons of quirky creatures (Pals) to collect

Mix of peaceful and action-packed gameplay

4. Sea of Thieves

Platform: PC, Xbox

Genre: Pirate adventure, open-world

Developer: Rare

Sea of Thieves has grown tremendously since launch. In 2025, it’s one of the best co-op sandbox experiences available. You and your crew sail the seas, fight skeletons, loot treasure, and take on sea monsters. With cross-play support, it's easy to jump into a shared adventure.

Top co-op features:

Full four-player ship crew experience

Dynamic PvP and PvE elements

Constantly updated with new content

5. Sons of the Forest

Platform: PC

Genre: Survival horror, co-op

Developer: Endnight Games

Sons of the Forest is a terrifying, yet engaging survival game that takes co-op to another level. You and your friends are stranded on a mysterious island filled with cannibals and secrets. Building shelter, finding food, and surviving the horrors together makes this a standout co-op experience.

Standout elements:

Deep crafting and building system

AI companions and enemy evolution

Story-driven exploration in a dynamic world

6. Deep Rock Galactic

Platform: PC, Xbox, PlayStation

Genre: Co-op FPS

Developer: Ghost Ship Games

This sleeper hit has remained a favorite for co-op fans. You play as a group of space dwarves mining on dangerous alien planets. Each mission requires teamwork, resource gathering, and fighting off alien creatures. With class-based gameplay and procedurally generated caves, no mission is the same.

What players enjoy:

Four unique classes with complementary skills

Easy to learn, hard to master

Excellent voice chat and ping system for teamwork

7. Baldur’s Gate 3

Platform: PC, Xbox, PlayStation

Genre: Tactical RPG, online co-op

Developer: Larian Studios

Although it’s a deep RPG, Baldur’s Gate 3 allows for up to four-player co-op, letting friends experience a true Dungeons & Dragons-style campaign together. Every player can control their own character, make decisions, and engage in turn-based battles, with consequences that impact the entire world.

Reasons to play with friends:

Shared storytelling with roleplay freedom

Complex moral choices and branching paths

Strategic, turn-based combat that rewards teamwork

8. Fortnite (Creative 2.0 & UEFN Maps)

Platform: All major platforms

Genre: Battle Royale, sandbox, creative

Developer: Epic Games

Fortnite has evolved beyond battle royale. With Creative 2.0 and Unreal Editor for Fortnite (UEFN), players can design and play custom games with friends, ranging from survival maps to horror experiences and parkour challenges.

Why it’s multiplayer heaven:

Endless variety of player-created modes

Battle Royale remains a fun group challenge

Frequent events and crossover content

9. Lethal Company

Platform: PC

Genre: Co-op horror

Developer: Zeekerss

Lethal Company is a dark-humored, chaotic multiplayer horror game where players must scavenge materials on abandoned planets. The twist: terrifying monsters and environmental hazards are always nearby. It combines jump scares with genuine laughter due to its unpredictable co-op moments.

Key multiplayer features:

Tense atmosphere mixed with hilarious player moments

Voice-based communication adds to immersion

Randomized objectives keep sessions fresh

10. Diablo IV

Platform: PC, Xbox, PlayStation

Genre: Action RPG

Developer: Blizzard Entertainment

Diablo IV is the best way to hack and slash through demons with friends. Its shared open world, class diversity, and endless loot system make it ideal for co-op players. Whether you’re completing quests, world bosses, or PvP, it’s always better with a team.

Highlights for co-op players:

Seamless drop-in multiplayer

Dynamic events and dungeons

Deep progression and replay value

Honorable Mentions

Among Us VR: Reinvents the classic game with immersive multiplayer chaos.

Overcooked! All You Can Eat: Perfect for casual, couch co-op with family or friends.

Phasmophobia: Ghost hunting with friends has never been scarier.

Rocket League: Still one of the best pick-up-and-play multiplayer games.

Valorant: Competitive, team-based shooter with high skill expression.

What Makes a Great Co-Op Game in 2025?

The best multiplayer and co-op games in 2025 share a few key characteristics:

Accessibility: Easy onboarding for new players without sacrificing depth

Cross-platform play: Friends on different systems can still connect

Regular updates: New content keeps the game fresh and replayable

Social interaction: Built-in voice or text chat, emotes, and shared tasks

Creative freedom: Letting players solve problems, build, or strategize together

Final Thoughts

Whether you're into shooters, horror, strategy, or sandbox adventures, 2025 is full of incredible multiplayer and co-op games that let you connect and create lasting memories with friends. The growing role of player creativity, AI enhancements, and cross-platform systems is ensuring that gaming with friends is more dynamic and inclusive than ever before.

So grab your headset, gather your team, and jump into one of these top-tier multiplayer games—you won't be disappointed.