Top 10 Best Open World Multiplayer Games

Top 10 Open World Multiplayer Games

It’s like going out on the town with friends… just in an online world filled with monsters, gangsters, dinosaurs and… OK, it’s nothing like going out with friends. Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Open World Multiplayer Games.

For this list, we’re looking at open world games with great multiplayer modes and multiplayer games with a great open world. But, we won’t be including MMORPGS because there are just too many good ones to choose from. On with the list!

#10: “Red Dead Online” (2018)

Considering that the online component to “Red Dead Redemption 2” is working well in Beta and that it had a smoother launch than “GTA Online”, we’re including it on our list regardless of the fact that it’s still in its infancy. Sure, the in-game economy has been the topic of much contention, but we survived the exact same issue with “GTA Online” and we’ll survive it with “Red Dead” as well. In fact, pricing changes are already on their way from Rockstar. The ability to hop into co-op multiplayer with a few buddies and roam the huge open world – including new missions – is well worth the price of a few growing pains.

#9: “Destiny 2” (2017)

Things looked dicey for a while in early 2018 with the online community waning. But the release of the “Forsaken” expansion pack finally made up for all the game’s initial shortcomings and gave players the version of “Destiny 2” they were clamoring for all along. The beefed-up story, decreased restrictions in the weapon system, and improved raiding and gun chases felt like Bungie finally listened to their fans. In doing so, they saved the game much like they did with “The Taken King” for the first “Destiny.” All things considered, “Destiny 2” should now have a nice, long run for years to come.

#8: “Rust” (2018)

Who knew starting off a video game with just a torch and a rock could be this much fun and this tense?! Yes, the progression system is a bit of a grind, blueprints for useful tools are hard to find, and you need a ton of materials to build anything of use, but with hundreds of players on the same server, “Rust” thrives in creating pure, griefing mayhem. Co-op is possible, but, hey!, let’s get real here: why loot and grind when you can just steal rare and valuable materials from other players? Playing this game honorably would be a full time job and half the fun.

#7: “Borderlands 2” (2012)

While there isn’t nearly as many players online as during its heyday back in 2012, the re-release of “Borderlands 2” in 2015’s “Borderlands: The Handsome Collection” for PS4 and Xbox One extended its online play into the current generation. Luckily, the game uses peer-to-peer matchmaking and doesn’t run on dedicated servers that would require upkeep, so you can still logon and experience the game’s story in co-op mode to this day/ It’s basically the same as single-player, but the difficulty increases the more players there are. So, if you’re going into battle with three other friends, expect a serious challenge!

#6: “No Man’s Sky” (2016)

Yes, we’ve dunked on this game in the past (and for good reason!) but with steady updates over the years and the release of a major expansion in “Next,” this game can finally be played in true multiplayer fashion in parties of two to four players with up to 16 players allowed in the same star system. And, you know what? It makes for a solid experience! Sure, all these updates didn’t really address how arduous the grind and resource system can be, but we’re just happy to FINALLY explore the vast solar system of “No Man’s Sky” with a few friends like we initially wanted back in 2016.

#5: “ARK: Survival Evolved” (2017)

Another survival game makes the list and, yes, this one requires just as much grinding as the others. At least in “Ark: Survival Evolved” however, there are up to another 99 players in the game’s huge open worlds to mix it up with. The progression system also really does feel meaningful, affecting gameplay in more ways than merely just an increase in stats. It’s best to team up with some buddies to help gather resources, but like most open world survival games, don’t be TOO trusting of random strangers as the name of the game is “survival” and it’s far easier to grief than to grind. Be sure to hide your base securely!

#4: “Don’t Starve Together” (2016)

This standalone multiplayer expansion to the single-player survival game “Don’t Starve” is even more fun than the original: it feels more refined, adds new features, and provides you with far more freedom in terms of how you attempt to, ahem, NOT STARVE. On top of this, it still looks amazing with its Tim Burton-esque art style and creepy atmosphere; the operatic soundtrack will keep you immersed in the open world for hours on end. Literally, you might want to set an alarm when playing this one… time is guaranteed to fly by!

#3: “Monster Hunter: World” (2018)

While it can be overly complicated and frustrating to actually get INTO an online game with friends, roaming around the vast open world and slaying prehistoric baddies with a few pals is one of the best features of Capcom’s latest “Monster Hunter” game – oh, and arm wrestling other players in the Gathering Hub of course! Instead of being divided into strictly single player or multiplayer campaigns like previous games, “World” allows a seamless flow between the two and you can even get help from other players online while going at it solo, giving it that “Dark Souls” feel we all know and love.

#2: “Grand Theft Auto Online” (2013)

In hindsight, it’s funny to think that in the early days of “GTA Online” it wasn’t the critically acclaimed, multi-million dollar juggernaut that it is today. Server errors and connectivity issues almost made the game unplayable and Rockstar had to apologize profusely while quickly addressing the problems. These issues were fixed of course and the game quickly took on a life of its own outside the single player campaign, growing into an all-out, day-in-the-life of a gangster simulator. The fact that it is still one of the best selling games of 2018, five years after its launch, is a true indicator of just how good this open world multiplayer game really is.

#1: “Minecraft” (2009)

Here’s another “Oldie But A Goodie” that started out on last generation tech and is still going strong – with its release on the Switch being perhaps its best port yet. The lack of instruction or direction can be a turn off to some, but the freedom – and creativity that comes with it – is the main reason this game still lives on a decade after its release. It’s an enduring favorite of children and adults alike. All these years later, the simplistic, old school visuals are just a part of the game’s charm… Who would have thought? It’s an extraordinary achievement in not only open world games but multiplayer ones as well.