Highlights

• PvE games promote teamwork against AI, contrasting PvP's one-on-one battles.
• Historical PvE titles like Pong Doubles set the foundation for modern multiplayer games.
• 2024 sees a surge in PvE popularity with hits like Palworld and Helldivers 2, offering cooperative gameplay.

PvE stands for Player vs. Environment. As a video game genre, PvE games pit players against artificial intelligence, promoting teamwork over competition. PvE represents one side of the coin in multiplayer games, the other being PvP or Player vs. Player games. In PvP, players aim to defeat a real-life opponent in a one-versus-one or team-versus-team match. In PvE, gamers team up with others to achieve a shared goal, often defeating stronger enemies.

Historically, Pong Doubles (1973) is believed to be the first PvE title, with gameplay centered around competing against CPU in co-op-style tennis matches. Since then, the video game industry has revolutionized the Player vs. Environment genre, with hundreds of AAA titles competing for the top spot. To help clarify the winners, this list introduces 12 of the best multiplayer PvE games that capture the genre’s essence and are worth the player's time and money.

Updated on April 2, 2024, by Mohsen Baqery: 2024 has proved to be a monumental year for PvE games, with titles like Palworld and Helldivers 2 shattering worldwide records. After a couple of intense years dominated by PvP titles, PvE experiences are now offering a refreshing break from toxic online competitions. Instead of relentless wars, players are showing more interest in cooperative experiences and team-based battles. There's never been a better time in modern gaming history to rally gamers together against common enemies, especially as Player vs. Player multiplayer becomes increasingly demanding. With that in mind, and due to the unforeseen popularity of two PvE games, Palworld and Helldivers 2, in 2024, this list was revised with fresh details and highlights of the newest successes in the genre.

23 Storm Edge: Winds Of Change

Pixel PvE At Its Peak

Storm Edge: Winds of Change is an exciting chapter in a fast-paced action game. Players can charge into enemies using different characters and attacks to destroy monsters that are residing in the forest. Move freely across the map to dodge enemy attacks and deal deadly amounts of damage to creatures.

Lily, the central character of Storm Edge: Winds of Change, can unleash a fury of attacks to counter dangerous entities. Players can collect gold coins that can used to unlock upgrades to increase their damage, range, and learn new attacks.

22 GrandChase

Scroll To Slay

GrandChase is a side-scrolling action RPG. The online game is free on Steam, allowing people to mitigate humongous enemies in deep, dark dungeons. Boss fights can be invigorating in GrandChase, prompting players to slide from one corner to another to prevent getting hit.

The design of the game is inspired by anime, providing beautiful characters to face in GrandChase. There are a total of 21 characters to play with, offering plenty of variety to defeat monsters. Active skills and passive skills let players customize their experience to make levels more fun.

21 Caliber

Tactical Combat With Computers

Caliber is a third-person shooter that lets people play as specialized armed forces. The action game is free and allows its players to play as Assault, Medic, Marksman, and Support. The tactical shooter has several game modes that make Caliber a blast to play with a squad.

People can complete combat missions with their teammates in a few PvE options. Players can get plenty of kills in Point Sweep and Special Operation to become international sharpshooters in Caliber. The game has aggressive AI units that scour the map for any remaining players to hunt in every match. Along with PvE and PvP, Caliber also supports PvPvE.

20 The Great War: Western Front

History Revised

The Great War: Western Front is a turn-based strategy game based on the events of World War 1. Take control of military units to win wars between 1914 - 1919 to rewrite history. People can develop innovative technologies to wage war against their enemies in exciting PvE combat scenarios.

Players can use weapons like poison gas to weaken soldiers in The Great War: Western Front. This strategy game lets its players destroy enemy factions in tanks and other armed vehicles to gain an advantage in war-torn countries.

19 Bullet Casters

Co-Op Against Colorful Creatures

Bullet Casters is a 2D shoot ‘em up. People can venture across the land of Silveris in an attempt to solve a mystery that has terrified its inhabitants. The colorful creatures of Bullet Casters can be shot down using projectiles. While largely single-player, the Early Access game also offers co-op.

Dodge attacks on the fly from different types of monsters that dwell in Silveris to complete over 3 Acts in Bullet Casters. It has 4 adorable characters that can be unlocked within the game by finishing quests. Bullet Casters has a fun PvP mode that pits players against each other to kill their opponents before they can conquer the castle.

18 Ghosts Of Tabor

Survival, Stealth, Sniping

Ghosts of Tabor is an exclusive VR game. People can use a number of unique strategies to maintain their hunger, thirst, and health in Ghosts of Tabor. The multiplayer PvE game has large maps that are suited for team play. Players can team up with their friends to protect each other in thrilling combat that involves snipers and carbine weapons.

Players can earn money on their missions to craft new weapons and upgrade their equipment in Ghosts of Tabor. Players have died over 2 million times in Ghost of Tabor since its launch.

17 Dark Prospect

Capturing Alien Souls

Dark Prospect is an FPS game that pits players against dozens of horrifying creatures. Genre veterans will have a blast using the Plasma Cannon to close magical portals to prevent demons from attacking humanity. Players can gather various materials from their environment to strengthen their survival skills in Dark Prospect.

The real-time strategy game lets people play as the Overlord, a malicious entity that can use its abilities to subdue soldiers. Players can capture souls from fallen enemies to increase their army of monsters and make them stronger in battles. Dark Prospect is fairly rough around the edges, but its core concept is intriguing.

16 Sea Of Thieves

A Pirate Lifestyle

Sail the seas in search of adventure as a pirate with no rules and restrictions in Sea of Thieves. Choose the path of piracy and lead an extravagant life that will keep players on the tips of their toes. Form a pirate crew and fight rival crews on the decks of magnificent ships and undiscovered islands.

The original story of Sea of Thieves features Disney’s Captain Jack Sparrow on an astounding journey. Players can become legendary pirates by fighting fearsome bandits and unearthing mystical treasures on sunken ships.

15 Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters

Intergalactic Domination

Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters is a turn-based RPG in which players take charge of the Grey Knights and fight the forces of Chaos in an intergalactic adventure. The futuristic gameplay of the RPG allows players to build facilities in space, conduct research into ancient mysteries, and develop bases on a host of planets.

Players can plan their every move and execute their strategy for defeating the Bloom: a cosmic plague that is capable of devouring entire worlds into oblivion. Players can level up their champions to unlock psychic abilities and equipment.

14 Age Of Empires IV

Start, Civilize, And Thrive

Age of Empires IV is the latest strategy game in the classic franchise. Players can command their armies on land and sea to conquer kingdoms and build their empires. They'll fight historical wars as one of the Rus, Holy Roman Empire, Chinese, English, Delhi Sultanate, Mongols, Abbasid Dynasty, and French civilizations. Each civilization has unique units that can present interesting ways to attack enemies and defend bases.

Play through four rigorous campaigns that include the Hundred Years War, the Norman campaign, The Rise of Moscow, and The Mongol Empire. Age of Empires IV won the Best Strategy Game award at Gamescon.

13 King Arthur: Knight’s Tale

A Familiar Tale's Unfamiliar Twist

King Arthur: Knight’s Tale is a tactical RPG that lets players explore tales of Arthurian mythology and fight grueling battles to conquer Camelot and restore its glory. Players can choose from more than 30 heroes that belong to five different classes. Players can maim their enemies with hundreds of units, find cover against archers, and set traps to kill their opponents.

Assemble Knights of the Round Table and complete quests in an epic adventure. King Arthur: Knight’s Tale has a whole host of fascinating characters that include Merlin, Sir Lancelot, Sir Gawain, and Morgan Le Fay.

12 Monster Hunter Rise

Slaying Monsters In 4K

Monster Hunter Rise is an action RPG. Become a hunter and complete quests from the serene Kamura Village to gain a wealth of experience. Players can encounter dozens of ferocious monsters, such as Teostra, Chameleos, Apex Diablos, Tigrex, and Mizutsune.

Hunters can wield 14 powerful melee and ranged weapons to kill monsters in the game. Tear down monsters with the Great Sword, slice creatures with Dual Blades, or pierce wild beasts with the Light Bowgun. Monster Hunter Rise has high-quality textures with stunning visuals and supports 4k resolution.

11 Warframe

The Rise Of Militarized Clones

Warframe is a free-to-play sci-fi shooter game. Set in a distant future, the world of Warframe is divided between an empire race of militarized clones called the Grineer, a mega-corporation armed with advanced robotics called the Corpus, and a life-consuming disease called the Infested.

The third-person shooter game provides a variety of Warframe, bio-metal suits with unique abilities that let players ravage enemies in satisfying ways. People can develop skills as they play through over 30 massive quests in the game.

10 RuneScape

A Tale Of Friends, Foes, And Fairies

RuneScape is an open-world adventure game. The free-to-play MMORPG has been downloaded more than 270 million times. The game takes place in Gielinor, a mystical realm with a roster of lovable companions, friendly rogues, threatening villains, and vengeful gods.

Players can chop wood from the forest, make delicious meals, craft valuable items, and learn magical spells in the game. People can fight enemies such as Bandits, Goblins, Apeps, Herus, Crours, and Glacors in RuneScape. Gamers can also earn experience and items by playing minigames that include The Great Orb Project, Castle Wars, Pest Control, and Barbarian Assault.

9 Albion Online

PvP And PvE; The Best Of Both Worlds

Albion Online is a free-to-play massively multiplayer RPG. The game provides dynamic terrains for PvP and PvE combat. These terrains include dungeons, castles, and war camps. Condemned Harvester, Rock Giant, Undead Paragon, and Heretic Weaponsmaster are a few of the bosses that can be fought in the game.

Apart from fighting, there are a number of gathering professions that can be pursued in Albion Online. Players can catch fish, mine ores, collect wood, skin animals, and harvest fiber. The fantasy game encourages people to build meaningful relationships with their allies to progress in Albion Online.

8 Bless Unleashed

A D&D-inspired Hunt

Bless Unleashed is an action-adventure game. People can choose to play as a Berserker, a fearless class of warriors that wield melee weapons, a Crusader, champions armed with swords and shields, a Mage, arcane spellcasters that use magic to slay enemies, a Priest, protectors of the land, and a Ranger, elves that use bows and arrows to hunt their enemies.

Players can unlock plenty of combos to increase the number of chain attacks and amplify the damage dealt to enemies. The game also has skills such as Daring Assault, Burning Blade, and Counterattack that can be unlocked to improve combat.

7 Aliens: Fireteam Elite

The Formidable Xenomorph Returns

Aliens: Fireteam Elite is a third-person shooter game. Set in the iconic Alien universe, people can play as marines in a fight for survival against the evolving Xenomorph threat. Gunner, Demolisher, Technician, Doc, and Recon are the 5 unique classes that are available in the game. Each class has its own special abilities and perks to strengthen combat skills against the Xenomorph.

Players can customize their fireteam with an arsenal of 30 weapons. Take out enemies such as Facehuggers and Praetorians in exciting Co-op mode. The game also has a Challenge Card system that alters gameplay offering fresh experiences during campaign missions.

6 Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel

The Best TCG With PvE

Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel is a free-to-play trading card game. Based on the popular manga series Yu-Gi-Oh!, the trading card game lets people collect digital cards, build decks, and challenge duelists to advance through the story. It has more than 10,000 cards from the latest decks that include Brothers of Legend, Dawn of Majesty, Burst of Destiny, and Legendary Duelists: Synchro Storm.

Become a master duelist by progressing through the story in Solo mode and competing against international duelists in Multiplayer mode.

5 Destiny 2

Destined To Be Epic

Destiny 2 is an action and adventure game. The FPS game lets people play as a Guardian, protector of the City, the only home for humanity in a solar system under siege by the Red Legion. Explore a futuristic universe to unite members of the Vanguard to save humanity from its plight.

Fusion rifles, sniper rifles, rocket launchers, shotguns, and grenades are a few of the weapons that can be used in the game. Destiny 2 offers hundreds of destinations to conquer and loot in a rich PvE setting.

4 Deep Rock Galactic

Space Mining, Shooting, And Hunting

Deep Rock Galactic is a FPS game. It features fully destructible environments, dangerous caves, and endless waves of alien monsters to fight. Play as the Gunner and mow down enemies with powerful weapons, lead the way as the Scout, mine through solid rocks as the Driller, or set up turrets and defensive structures as the Engineer.

Discover and collect rare minerals and ores on the planet of Hoxxes IV. These minerals include Bismor, Croppa, Magnite, and Jadiz. The caves in the game are swarming with hostile creatures such as Glyphid Dreadnought, Korlok Sprout, Naedocyte Breeder, and Spitball Infector.