This article is part of a directory: A Complete Guide to the PlayStation 5 (July 2024)
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Although there are a lot of great single-player games on the PlayStation 5, multiplayer games make up the lion's share of the console's offerings and continue to grow in popularity with every year that passes. In fact, with so many to choose from these days, finding the best online multiplayer PS5 games can be a lot more challenging than it has any right to be.

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Borderlands 3, It Takes Two and Dirt 5
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The good news is that this huge variety means that there is something for pretty much everyone, from sports sims to high-octane shooters. The best PS5 multiplayer games offer unique experiences that just can't be found elsewhere, edging out their competitors with their slick gameplay, sharp visuals, and innovative gameplay mechanics. In some cases, though, they're just an awful lot of fun.

20 Fallout 76

Metacritic Rating: 53 (PS4)

Fallout 76 Player Confused Emote

Fallout 76 was a game that nobody really wanted. Over time though, the fandom has gradually come to accept it for what it is: a solid, albeit unspectacular online RPG that somehow managed to survive its catastrophic launch and carve out a foothold in the hugely competitive world of live-service games.

There's plenty for players to see and do when they first get started and a large player base that has been further bolstered by the success of Amazon's Fallout show. New content continues to arrive at a steady pace, making this one of the best multiplayer PS5 games for those looking for something long-term.

19 Genshin Impact

Metacritic Rating: 86 (PS5)

genshin impact version 4.5 banners albedo chiori geo sword

Although many consider Genshin Impact to be a mobile title at heart, there are still plenty of people who opt to play the game on a PC or console. Doing so not only provides players with much better visuals and audio and more options when it comes to controlling their characters, but also improves performance dramatically.

It's important to note that Genshin Impact is a single-player game with co-op support rather than a game that was developed with multiplayer in mind. Even so, playing with others is arguably a whole lot better than playing solo, so to describe Genshin Impact as one of the best online multiplayer games for the PS5 seems fair with this in mind.

18 Warframe

Metacritic Rating: 85 (PS5)

A Warframe preparing to fight

Given how competitive the free-to-play market is these days and the sheer volume of third-person shooters competing within it, to survive for more than a decade is an incredibly impressive achievement. Warframe has done exactly that, with its high octane mech on mech combat having delighted more than sixty million players since its initial release back in early 2013.

Even today, there are still tens of thousands of active players, helping to keep waiting times to an absolute minimum. This is largely due to the fact that the game continues to receive regular updates and new content, while also boasting full crossplay support. Some may not appreciate the grind but the game's stylish combat system does a pretty good job of distracting from it.

17 Chivalry 2

Metacritic Rating: 85 (PS5)

A footman squaring off against an enemy

It may not have fared all that well with critics, but Chivalry: Medieval Warfare went on to attract a fairly sizable player base in the years following its release, not to mention tens of thousands of positive reviews on Steam. As a result, expectations were pretty high for its 2021 sequel, and, for the most part, Chivalry 2 was able to deliver.

Most critics adored the hack-and-slash combat this time around, as too did new and returning players. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, the game's strong reviews led to a notable increase in sales, with more than a million copies sold in its first month or so on the market. There are definitely better hack-and-slash games out there, but when it comes to medieval warfare, Chivalry 2 is in a league of its own and one of the best online multiplayer games on the PS5.

16 Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout

Metacritic Rating: 81 (PS4)

fall-guys

Fall Guys took the world by storm when it was released in August of 2020. It was one of that month's free PS Plus games, which, together with the pandemic lockdowns, undoubtedly played a huge role in its sudden and meteoric rise to stardom. Interest did gradually cool off in the weeks and months that followed, but regular updates and collaborations have helped to ensure that it never died off entirely.

As a result, Fall Guys still has a pretty active player base these days and boasts full crossplay support across all available platforms. Each new season typically introduces new rounds, cosmetics, and game modes, providing players with plenty of reasons to keep coming back. It's surprisingly accessible too, with both adults and children able to enjoy and excel at this charming battle royale game.

15 Monster Hunter Rise

Metacritic Rating: 87 (PS5)

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Few series have benefited from the popularization of online multiplayer quite as much as Monster Hunter has, with more recent installments of the long-running Capcom franchise encouraging players to team up with their friends rather than go it alone. Monster Hunter Rise may have taken a little longer to make its way to the PS5 than some would have liked, but now that's here, there are very few complaints from players.

Trying to capture a Royal Ludroth or take down a Zinogre requires real strategy and usually requires Monster Hunter Rise players to work together to get the job done. Granted, like a lot of other online multiplayer games on the PlayStation 5, players can complete these hunts solo, but things usually tend to go a lot more smoothly with multiple people and are thus a lot more enjoyable as a result.

14 EA Sports FC 24

Metacritic Rating: 76 (PS5)

ea-sports-fc-24-kick-off

As well as being the first installment in EA's brand-new football game franchise, EA Sports FC 24 also happens to be one of the very best football games of all time. The graphics are incredible and the HyperMotion V technology amps up the realism of the game's animations to never-before-seen levels. At this point, the only way to get a more authentic football experience would be to pick up a ball and head outside.

Much like its predecessors, EA Sports FC 24 boasts a wide range of game modes, most of which support both local and online multiplayer. This year's edition builds upon the crossplay support introduced in FIFA 23, allowing players to team up with friends on other consoles for every single multiplayer match type. This includes all of the co-op ones as well, which wasn't the case in FIFA 23.

13 Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0

Metacritic Rating: 79 (PS5)

Call of Duty Warzone 2 New Gulag and Features

Call of Duty fans are spoiled for choice these days, with Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 and this year's annual release both providing fantastic options for anyone on the lookout for a great online multiplayer game. The latter certainly has its strengths, but most will probably prefer playing Warzone due to it having better game modes and a much longer lifespan.

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The Best Crossplay Games to Play Right Now
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Deciding which console to buy is a whole lot simpler these days thanks to these fantastic crossplay games and the many others like them.

Building upon the solid foundations laid by its predecessor, Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0 is an excellent choice for fans of battle royale matches and high-octane gunplay. It looks fantastic on consoles and the gameplay is every bit as good as one might expect from a franchise of this caliber. In its current form, it's one of the most enjoyable Call of Duty games in recent memory and one of the best online multiplayer games on the PlayStation 5.

12 Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2

Metacritic Rating: 90 (PS5)

A skater doing tricks on the street

Video game lovers who grew up in the nineties and early two-thousands likely spent at least some time playing Tony Hawk's games. With their epic soundtracks and in-your-face antics, the Pro Skater titles ranked among the era's very best sports sim games and were made all the more popular by shows and movies like Jackass and CKY.

Eventually, the formula began to grow a little stale, and interest largely moved on, with EA's Skate and other series like it taking its place at the top of the pile. That all changed in 2020 though, when Vicarious Visions remade the first two games for modern consoles. Though times have most definitely changed, Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is still incredibly enjoyable today; even more so when played locally or online with a friend.

11 Fortnite

Metacritic Rating: 78 (PS4)

fortnite-3

Fortnite may not be the most innovative online multiplayer game for the PlayStation 5, but it is one of the most popular. Tens of thousands of people all over the world continue to play the battle royale title on a daily basis, with more new features and game modes being added with each subsequent season.

In late 2023, LEGO Fortnite and Fortnite Rocket Racing were added to the mix, making the game accessible to an even broader range of players. With Epic promising to support these two new game modes for the foreseeable future and more presumably on the horizon, it seems unlikely that Fortnite will be going away anytime soon.

10 Gran Turismo 7​​​​​​

Metacritic Rating: 87 (PS5)

Sophy in Gran Turismo 7

There are a lot of great racing games available on the PS5, but none quite like Gran Turismo 7. The latest installment in this long-running franchise places a heavy emphasis on realism, both in terms of the way that the cars drive and the way that everything looks. Speaking of cars, there are more than 400 of them available, ensuring that there really is something for everyone.

Gran Turismo 7's single-player campaign can be a lot of fun, but it's through its multiplayer mode that the game really shines. There are regular events and competitions for players to take part in and an excellent selection of real-world tracks on which to race. Annoyingly, Gran Turismo 7 makes players unlock multiplayer mode by playing solo for a little while first. In most cases though, this should only take an hour or so.

9 Destiny 2

Metacritic Rating: 85 (PS4)

Destiny-2-PvP-Combat-Diorama-Old

When Destiny 2 went free-to-play, some were a little worried that the wheels might start to fall off. That hasn't happened though, with the game going from strength to strength over the past few years. Of course, it certainly helps that Bungie continues to release regular updates to the game, with at least one more expansion planned before the Light and Darkness Saga comes to an end.

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At a time when so many other live service games are failing, the game serves as a shining example of how the model should work. Each season offers something slightly different, ensuring that players never get bored with what's on offer. Bungie does a pretty good job of balancing power creep too, which is somewhat impressive given how much emphasis is sometimes placed on grinding for rare loot.

8 Diablo 4

Metacritic Rating: 88 (PS5)

diablo 4 promo art

Although it is possible to play Diablo 4 solo, it's definitely one of those experiences that is better enjoyed with friends. Having somebody to share the grind with makes exploring a dungeon for the thousandth time that little bit more manageable, while the incentive to create powerful PvP builds to test out in the Fields of Hatred offers up yet another solid reason to continue farming.

Whether or not the game quite lives up to the excellence of the first two Diablo titles is perhaps a matter for debate, but most series fans will probably agree that it's a huge improvement over Diablo 3 and the much-maligned Diablo Immortal. It will be interesting to see how exactly the game evolves in the months and years following its release, but all of the early signs are looking positive.

7 Tetris Effect: Connected

Metacritic Rating: 93 (PS5)

Tetris Effect Connected

Whoever had the idea to turn Tetris into a multiplayer game deserves an awful lot of credit. Were it not for them, puzzle game fans would never have gotten to know the great satisfaction that can be derived from flexing one's cognitive might while playing Tetris Effect: Connected against either friends or randos online.

The rules of the game are remarkably simple, which, in turn, makes it incredibly accessible, while the visuals and music can bring a real sense of grandeur to the overall experience. For those with a PSVR 2 headset, the game can even be played in virtual reality, helping to cement its place as one of the best online multiplayer games on the PS5.

6 Helldivers 2

Metacritic Rating: 82 (PS5)

Helldivers 2 Poster

Released in early 2024, Helldivers 2 flips the franchise formula on its head, with the change from a top-down to a third-person perspective being the most notable by far. The resulting game has proven to be incredibly popular with players, thanks in large to its regular updates and the huge emphasis that it places on cooperative play.

Sony's live service push has been met with a fair amount of resistance up until now, but this is one of the few examples of how the model can genuinely work well. Granted, players will still end up losing interest after a while, but the steady influx of new content should help to ensure that servers remain active for a long time to come.

5 Final Fantasy 14

Metacritic Rating: 90 (PS5)

The Smileton dungeon from Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker. A party of adventurers looks out at a jumbled mess of stairs and walkways.

For the longest time, the MMORPG genre was seen as a PC-only thing. Sure, there were pioneering titles like Phantasy Star Online for the Sega Dreamcast, but there's a strong argument to be made for Final Fantasy 14 being the first MMORPG to really feel at home on a home console. Of course, a big part of that is down to how excellent the game really is.

Set predominantly in the region of Eorzea, Final Fantasy 14 features a wealth of content and a surprisingly coherent story with which to tie everything together. In terms of graphics, it is starting to show its age a little, but the gameplay itself remains every bit as enjoyable as it was when the game first debuted back in 2013.

4 Street Fighter 6

Metacritic Rating: 92 (PS5)

Street-Fighter-6-Ryu

Being the first of the fighting game genre's big three franchises to release its first post-PS4 installment was a gutsy move on Capcom's part, but it's one that has definitely paid off. Street Fighter 6 carries the series confidently into the current generation of home consoles, feeling far more polished at launch than its 2016 predecessor ever did.

Though none of the tweaks and changes are all that noticeable on their own, they all come together to form a game that is accessible to new and casual players yet still feels familiar to series veterans. If it receives even half as much post-release care and attention as Street Fighter 5 did, the new Tekken and Mortal Kombat games are really going to have their work cut out for them.

3 Elden Ring

Metacritic Rating: 96 (PS5)

elden ring multiplayer

Not content with offering one of the console's most engrossing single-player experiences, Elden Ring also leads the way when it comes to online multiplayer. The way that FromSoftware integrates multiplayer support into its Soulsborne titles has always worked remarkably well, and this is once again the case for those venturing out into the Lands Between.

Playing with others can completely transform the experience, shifting the focus away from isolation and helping to make some of the boss fights a lot more manageable. Of course, invaders could just as easily turn their weapons on the player, giving Tarnished a chance to put their PvP skills to the test. Depending on who they find themselves up against, this could end up proving to be more challenging than any of Elden Ring's toughest bosses.

2 It Takes Two

Metacritic Rating: 88 (PS5)

Cody and May running through their garden with pots stacked in the background in It Takes Two

Given that It Takes Two was designed with nothing but multiplayer co-op in mind, it should perhaps come as no surprise that the 2021 Game of the Year winner is one of the best online multiplayer games for the PlayStation 5. Its story is a touching one and its gameplay is a lot of fun, with plenty of great puzzles helping to enrich the co-op experience.

Unlike most other games with multiplayer support, It Takes Two can only be played with two players. Luckily, the game lets people download a special pass, which will allow one person to play for free providing the person that they are playing with owns the game. This way, two friends can share the experience together online with only one of them needing to splash out for a copy.

1 Baldur's Gate 3

Metacritic Rating: 96 (PS5)

Astarion at the epilogue party

In addition to being one of the best role-playing games on the PlayStation 5, Baldur's Gate 3 is also one of the console's most enjoyable online multiplayer offerings. The game allows players to team up with up to three other people online to experience one of the most memorable co-op campaigns of all time.

The depth of Baldur's Gate 3 really can be quite astounding at times, with a ridiculous amount of care and attention having gone into crafting the game's expansive narrative. Being able to experience all this with friends or even just strangers only adds to the experience and is a big part of the reason why Baldur's Gate 3 was many people's 2023 Game of the Year.