Top 10 Most Memorable Multiplayer Maps!

“Unreal Tournament” (1999) When “Unreal Tournament” came on to the scene in 1999, FPS online multiplayer was very much in its infancy. The maps were nothing great, and the gameplay was relatively simplistic. That is, until we all feasted our eyes on Facing Worlds, a massive map (for the time) with a unique and gorgeous setting. Two towers face each other with a neutral area in the middle, and while that sounds basic, it was the sense of fun, scope, and beauty of the map which elevated it far above its peers. While it may not be much today, Facing Worlds was out-of-this-world in 1999.

#9: Final Destination

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“Super Smash Bros.” series (1999-) While the original Final Destination wasn’t available as a versus map, but rather a stage to face the final boss, it has since become both a series staple and a fan favourite. The level consists of nothing more but a floating platform in space, so it’s not much to look at, although the changing backgrounds certainly provide some breathtaking scenery. Due to its simplicity, it has become a tournament staple, as it is without hazards, making for a fair and balanced fight without the interruption of external forces. In fact it was so popular that by the time Smash for the 3DS and Wii U came around, every stage in the game had it’s own simplistic Final Destination layout.

“Quake II” (1997) Any “Quake” fan will immediately recognize The Edge, as it is a landmark map for the franchise and first-person shooters in general. The Edge is known for its variety, complete with an outdoor courtyard and an underwater section, making for fun and interesting outcomes during a match. It has remained incredibly popular since its inception and has been remade for succeeding games due to its incredible demand. For anyone who grew up with online shooters in the 90s, The Edge is sure to bring back a flood of memories.

“League of Legends” (2009) “League of Legends” is one of the most popular games today, and Summoner’s Rift is by far the most popular Field of Justice in it. We think it’s fair that the most popular map in one of the most popular games deserves a spot on this list. The map consists of three different lanes that are defended by turrets with a simple objective: destroy the enemy’s Nexus before they destroy yours. It’s not only a beautiful map, situated in an isolated forest, but it requires large amounts of strategy and teamwork as well. Put simply, it encapsulates what makes “League of Legends” so great.

#6: Wake Island

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“Battlefield” series (2002-) When you think of “Battlefield,” one particular map should immediately spring to mind: Wake Island. This map has been captivating fans from its original iteration in “Battlefield 1942,” and has been remade and revamped numerous times since due to popular demand and fan interest. Wake Island has everything which makes Battlefield maps so interesting: it’s massive, which favours both short and long-ranged combat, it’s beautiful to look at, and the vehicles are versatile, complete with boats, jeeps, tanks, helicopters, and fighter jets. No two games on Wake Island are the same, and its variety throughout the series has kept it fresh and interesting.

“Team Fortress 2” (2007) “Team Fortress 2” has remained incredibly popular throughout the last decade, and many of its maps are now classics. However, perhaps none are more well-known and beloved than 2Fort, the default CTF map. 2Fort is nothing special – it’s just two buildings facing each other with a bridge in the middle. While this provides some classic and simple base on base action, what makes 2Fort so much fun is that you don’t even need to play towards the objective. Most people will simply run rampant, resulting in some outrageous action and a whole lot of fun. While the more serious players may not enjoy it, it’s a total blast for the rest of us.

“GoldenEye 007” (1997) While companies were beginning to experiment with online gaming in the late 90s, perhaps no other first-person shooter captured the multiplayer market quite like “GoldenEye 007” on the N64. It is an absolute classic (despite not aging particularly well), and Facility was arguably its most popular map, which, believe us, is saying a lot. This map had it all – tight shootouts in the bathroom or the boiler room, or sneaky attacks through the ventilation shafts and tight corridors. While it may seem archaic today, there was nothing like chasing your buddies around Facility back in the day.

“Call of Duty: Black Ops” series (2010-15) Nuketown did something a little differently from the usual COD maps, and we’re certainly glad they did. Nuketown started as an unofficial project before the team at Treyarch took a liking to it, and we can see why. The 1950s American aesthetic provided something new and inventive for the series, which usually featured run-down, war-torn locations, and the close-quarters combat made shootouts both exciting and frantic. The map quickly became a fan favourite, and it has been remade twice in each succeeding “Black Ops” title. “Call of Duty” should really experiment more, because Nuketown was an explosive good time.

“Halo: Combat Evolved” (2001) When you think of the most iconic first-person shooter stages, Blood Gulch is undoubtedly one of the first maps to pop into your head. Blood Gulch has captivated gamers since “Halo’s” inception due to its unique setting and wide-open space, which provides countless strategies and approaches. It was easily the most popular map in the original, and it has been remade as Coagulation in “Halo 2” and Valhalla in “Halo 3” (well, it inspired it, anyway). Despite the Halo franchise’s ever-growing roster of maps over the years, Blood Gulch, a nearly two decade-old map, has remained a fan favourite since the beginning.

#1: Dust II

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“Counter-Strike” series (2000-) No matter how great Blood Gulch may be, it will never reach the status that “Counter-Strike’s” Dust II has achieved. The “Counter-Strike” games are arguably the most popular Multiplayer FPSs on the market, and Dust II is easily its most popular map. Its signature colour scheme makes it immediately recognizable, and the map is incredibly balanced, making it accessible for new fans and a favourite amongst professional players. Even though shooters have greatly evolved over the years, Dust II has remained the same, proving just how iconic and beloved it is in the eyes of gamers everywhere.