Every once in a while, a multiplayer game comes along that completely shakes up the gaming scene. Earlier this year, Fall Guys did just this, racking up around 35 million downloads within its first few months. This isn't the first time that a game has blown up like this though, nor will it be the last. If history has taught us anything, it's that there's always another 'next big thing'.
Sometimes though, games that were originally released without much fanfare suddenly become hugely popular. Among Us, for example, has gone from relative obscurity to one of the most downloaded games on Steam in just the last two months. It's stories like this that provide hope to developers. If Among Us can do it, then perhaps so too could some of their older and overlooked titles.
Updated April 14, 2022, by Tom Bowen: Some games explode onto the scene in a blaze of hype only to fizzle out in the months and years that follow. Others aren't quite able to build up a head of steam in the first place, despite their obvious quality. As a result, there's a long list of fantastic online multiplayer games that hardly anybody is playing, some of which deserve a lot more attention than they've so far been given. For those looking for a new online multiplayer game to enjoy with friends or loved ones, these underrated gems may be just what the doctor ordered and are definitely worth checking out.
12 Shipped
Shipped is a relatively simple game that allows for up to eight players. As the title might suggest, each one of them is placed in control of their own ship and will need to do all that they can to keep their vessels afloat and on the screen. Masses of land and other players can make that difficult, however, as players will soon discover. At least they would if they could find a lobby, anyway.
Despite the game having sold more than 20,000 copies and garnering very positive reviews on Steam, the number of people playing it has dwindled in the three years following its release. According to data from SteamSpy, the number of daily concurrent players typically hovers between one and four. As such, the chances of finding a full lobby can be incredibly difficult.
11 For The King
For the King blends together elements of multiple genres to create a really enjoyable multiplayer experience. At its heart, it's a tabletop game although the RPG mechanics help to provide an additional layer of depth. There are plenty of unique and interesting enemies and a compelling story binds everything together.
Visually, it might not be up to the standards that some have come to expect from modern RPGs, but that doesn't mean that For the King looks bad. Far from it, in fact. Its art style is incredibly endearing and nothing seems too out of place. There's a ridiculous amount of content available in the game and its numerous expansions too, so players should be kept busy for quite some time.
10 Ultimate Chicken Horse
The rise in popularity of party games over the past few years has been quite remarkable, but there are plenty of great titles that never got the attention they deserved. When it comes to overlooked party games, Ultimate Chicken Horse is probably the biggest one out there.
The game allows players to build levels as they play, which has the potential to be both enjoyable and infuriating. There are plenty of different obstacles allowing for some Super Meat Boy levels of difficulty for those who are in the mood for it. The four-player limit perhaps holds it back a little, but for those who prefer a more intimate gaming session, Ultimate Chicken Horse is a great shout.
9 Project Winter
At first glance, Project Winter may seem fairly similar to Among Us. While both games focus quite heavily on the imposter mechanic though, Project Winter provides an entirely different experience. Its charming art style and crafting mechanics really help to set it apart from some of the other social deception games.
Players must work together in order to survive in (and eventually escape from) an icy tundra. As well as the weather, the local wildlife also poses a huge threat to players. The biggest threat, however, comes in the form of traitors whose only goal is to prevent the others from escaping to safety. It really is a wonderful game and one that deserves more attention.
8 Screeps
Screeps is a fairly technical game that will require a basic understanding of JavaScript to get started. It might sound intimidating, but it's actually a great way for players to learn and improve their coding skills. More importantly, it's a lot of fun after coming to grips with the way that everything works.
It's an MMO real-time strategy game in which players must code the AI for their units. It's demanding, but allows for quite a bit of trial and error as there are often multiple ways to approach a stage. Although the game's visuals aren't great, the challenge it provides and the potential for personal growth makes it a really intriguing title.
7 We Were Here
We Were Here is a free-to-play game in which the player's hopes of survival are very much in the hands of others. Armed only with walkie-talkies, players much work together in order to escape from an abandoned castle. It eventually becomes a race against time with the completion of challenging puzzles and cryptic clues standing between players and success.
The game is inspired by real-life escape rooms and, much like escape rooms, it's better tackled with a friend. That said, the ability to play with strangers allows for some unique experiences and can really put players' faith in humanity to the test. Throughout the original game and its two sequels, there's a lot of fun (and frustration) to be had.
6 Secrets of Grindea
Released back in 2015, Secrets of Grindea is an action RPG with support for online co-op. With as many as half a million sales under its belt, it's one of the most successful indie RPGs of all time and has garnered thousands of positive reviews from satisfied players on Steam. Sadly, as time has passed, fewer and fewer people seem to be discovering this beautifully-presented and thoroughly enjoyable title, as evidenced by the dwindling number of daily concurrent players on Steam.
While multiplayer RPGs do still exist outside of the MMO world, few offer support for up to four players, nor are there many with as much promise. It's a little reminiscent of Earthbound in some ways, and should also feel familiar for fans of Square's hugely-successful Mana series. It's much more than just a well-packaged imitation though and continues to improve with each new update that the developers put out.
5 Unrailed!
Unrailed! is a fairly recent title that requires players to work together in order to prevent a train from derailing. They must clear obstacles and enemies in order to extend the tracks and do so at a faster pace than the train is moving. It's a fairly simple game in terms of its mechanics, but the developers got the execution spot on.
Things can get incredibly hectic if the team doesn't remain on top of everything and deciding who will handle each tool can sometimes lead to arguments. Individualism often breeds catastrophe, but strong cooperation and coordination usually lead to a successful journey. As with other co-op games, there's a strong feeling of satisfaction when everything just clicks together.
4 Transformice
Transformice has been around for a while now, but thanks to the simplicity of its gameplay, it's still just as enjoyable today as it was when it first released. It's a game where players must race to collect cheese whilst avoiding pitfalls and other obstacles. Despite the competitive nature of the game though, there are times when players must work together in order to progress. It's these moments that make the game so enjoyable.
The Shaman mechanic also helps to keep things fresh and provides an incentive to keep playing. Those selected for the role will be able to either help other players by creating platforms or hinder them by doing nothing. The fast pacing makes each stage incredibly exciting, as does the potential for chaos to break out at any moment.
3 SpyParty
SpyParty was released in the same year as Among Us and is arguably the better looking of the two games. It's perhaps been in Early Access for longer than it should have though and it can become a little repetitive after a while. Despite this, the experience it provides is one of the best available when it comes to social deception titles.
It's a 1v1 game with one player taking the role of a spy and the other controlling a sniper who is watching over the playable area. The spy must complete a series of objectives whilst blending in with the game's NPCs and the sniper must use their instincts to pick them out from the crowd. There isn't much more to it than that, but it works surprisingly well.
2 SpeedRunners
For those who enjoy the fluid map traversal found in games like Assassin's Creed and Mirror's Edge, SpeedRunners will likely tick all the right boxes. It's a lot more simplistic than the aforementioned series, but the speed at which players must navigate through the game's stages makes for some incredibly thrilling runs. The satisfaction of watching one's rivals fall only adds to that excitement.
The game centers around three main mechanics - running, jumping, and swinging. There are also a series of weapons that are fairly reminiscent of the Mario Kart Series and allow players to close the gap on those ahead or put the breaks on anyone who's catching up. There are better-looking games out there, but few that are anywhere near as exhilarating.
1 Obey
Compliance is something that's expected in many areas of life, but whether or not to obey serves as the core mechanic in this game. Rather than sending commands to teammates though, Obey completely flips the table. Players send and receive orders from and to their rivals, and must choose whether or not to disobey them.
A giant robot serves as the flag in a King of the Hill style tournament. Those in control of the robot are able to exert their will on the other players in order to make money or destroy them with the push of a button. Those who aren't must decide whether complying is in their best interests or whether death and a stealthier approach next time is a better option. It's these decisions that will determine the winner and also make for a fantastic experience.