Online gaming has grown so rapidly over the past decade that playing from one’s phone has become the norm. With a special thanks to online mobile gaming, playing video games on the couch today has a whole new meaning compared to 20 years ago.
It’s the social aspect of these games that threads past iterations of gaming with today’s utopian future. Solo gaming is a wonderful reprieve from the ins and outs of daily life, but playing with your friends has an increased element of fun, camaraderie, and competition. To help sift through the myriad of gaming apps coming out every week, we’ve put together a simple list of the top games to play with friends near and far in 2024.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
It’s tough to think of a more timeless classic to kick off our list. Long gone is the need to rustle up at least three friends to gather in one place for a Smash session. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate allows you to choose from 89 of your favorite characters. Those who have a Nintendo Switch online subscription can even play against three other random players at any hour of the day.
Borderlands 3
You know the Borderlands series has reached monumental heights when Kevin Hart is set to star in an upcoming movie based on the game. This shooting and looting game allows players to explore multiple planets, all filled with mercenaries and outlaws, making them rife with nonstop action. The loot and other collectible items are unique to each player, but trading is allowed when you play in co-op mode. Don’t miss the slot machines for a chance to quickly win valuable items such as live grenades or ammo. This aspect of the game became so popular that a number of sweepstakes apps added Borderland-themed slots to their gaming menu!
Final Fantasy XIV
Next, let’s visit an old favorite with a new look. As with most editions of the Final Fantasy series, the stunning visuals and in-depth stories inside Final Fantasy XIV will keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s not just the seemingly endless landscapes either. The detail and audio effects inside the game’s array of castles and dungeons bring the environment to life. You will need to spend a good amount of time traveling around as you seek to achieve various endeavors, so we suggest playing this game with a partner. Companionship will certainly make these parts of the game move faster. Having teammates also allows you to quest at a reasonable pace, rather than combing through every passageway to make sure you don’t miss anything.
Fallout 76
Another game so good was turned into a television series, Fallout was a massive recent success on Amazon. If you loved the show, Fallout 76 is the perfect way to maintain your fix. Like fine wine, this series has only gotten better over time. The newest version looks incredible on all consoles and holds some incredibly interesting NPCs (non-playable characters). It’s still as fun as it’s ever been to run around an ominous wasteland filled with goofy monsters that actually bring levity and humor. That is, before you blow them up and move on of course.
Helldivers 2
It can be difficult to stand out as a third-person shooter game these days. Helldivers 2, however, uses incredible ingenuity and a deprecating sense of humor to do just that. There’s an element to the fun of this game that comes from nothing other than the risk of sending down a monumental attack that might actually kill you and your teammates. While it’s always a risk, Helldivers 2 affords players the ability to revive or utilize various tools to save yourselves from seemingly imminent death. Considering these tools are so crucial to the game, major fans will want to spring for the extra costs to unlock additional loot. The game itself is competitively affordable at about $40 for the base edition and $50 for the premium. There are plenty of moments for ecstatic laughter and silly fun, which are both always better spent with a friend.
