Microsoft and Sony have been battling the online multiplayer battle for two generations now. Microsoft started it all with Xbox Live and Sony has been catching up ever since with the PlayStation Network. Many people only play multiplayer games, whether that be Call of Duty, Battlefield or FIFA, and it’s easy to see why. Multiplayer experiences continue to grow in both depth and what’s possible–and the amount of people playing them continues to increase and soar in population with each and every release.
Dark Souls III
I entered the Souls world late in game, but I’m thrilled that I entered the world. I started with Demon’s Souls and fought my way through 1, 2, and Bloodborne with a little help from my friends. Having a buddy drop into your game helps out immensely, especially if they have visited the area before. Plus they can drop rare gifts for you if you’re really good friends with them, that’s always a bonus. From Software even made multiplayer difficult though, by adding the Invasions to an already insanely difficult title. It’s nice to see new and inventive ways for gamers to play together rather than the constant Death Match scenario with other titles. I’m yet to complete this version and I hope to do it very soon, but we all know how Dark Souls goes. Death, death, more death, some pondering of life and what it means, crying, rage quitting, then trying all over again. That has been my experience with Dark Souls, but I wouldn’t ask for anything less, I’ve even decided to punish myself by finding the PS1 and PS2 From Software titles. I just decided I needed more open weeping in my life.
Runner Up: The Division
-Jerry Dobracki
Battleborn
Yeah, yeah, yeah, everyone loves Overwatch, I get it. But I really liked Battleborn and still play it with my friends to this day. I love the quirkiness, the vibe and collection of crazy characters in these insane situations. Its balls to the walls fun, filled with explosive action and some great comedy. Best of all I found Battleborn to be more focus on player progression rather than Overwatch trying to get players to spend money to advance. Battleborn is still a neat game and at heart does what it can to entertain, amuse and bring friends together for some good old fashion shooting and looting.
-Patrick Kennedy
Killing Floor 2
What do I want from a multiplayer game? Something tense, some progressive and something that creates unity in the team. While this doesn’t necessary eliminate competitive, it has a tendency to lean towards co-op as the competitive spirit breeds in-house fighting. So here’s to you Killing Floor 2 for ticking all those boxes. Sometimes a bit too well, as the tension wears me down, but even in failure I walk away all the richer with a tale to speak off and a mark on the perk level bar. Sometimes that’s all you want and it delivers in bloody gory riches.
-Kailan May
Titanfall 2
The first Titanfall was something I only played a small amount of so when its sequel was announced and that it was going to be on Playstation 4, I was really excited. The game definitely did not disappoint. Respawn did a great job with the campaign. It’s extremely fun and very engrossing. The characters are well written and some truly cool things were pulled off in the story. The campaign is a blast and an achievement in itself but this isn’t even where it shines the most–and that’s nothing against the campaign. It’s there to wow you but it’s also there to prepare you for its multiplayer and even then, I wasn’t fully prepared for how frantic and chaotic the multiplayer would truly get. I think it’s the most fun I’ve had playing multiplayer in a PvP environment, and I play a lot of Destiny. The controls for the pilots are responsive and already make you feel powerful but when the call in a titan, the feeling of power is increased ten fold. The game is fast. The game is fantastic. It’s Titanfall 2 and I can’t wait to jump in for a few more rounds of Attrition.
Runner Up: Battleborn
-Zac LaRocque-Walker