The best online multiplayer games you can play in 2023 — for free

The best online multiplayer games understand the thrill of coordination, strategy, and teamwork. This combination makes you smarter, increases your brain’s grey matter, and teaches you to become a better problem solver.

A study published in the journal Frontiers in Human Neuroscience proves that this is true. Researchers from the University of Electronic Science and Technology picked 38 healthy young males from the school.

Half were experts in playing strategy games, while the other half were beginners with barely six months of experience in one game: the massively popular “League Of Legends.” 

All study volunteers had to do a “blink test,” where they had to recognise a visual cue that appeared very quickly. The result? Expert gamers outperformed the beginner by miles as they could detect their targets with immense speed and accuracy. 

If you’re looking for a fun, engaging and (as the research above found) useful way to spend your winter break, take a look at some of the best online multiplayer games below:

Best online multiplayer games to play in 2022

 

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Among Us

“Who’s the imposter?”

Does this phrase ring a bell? This free online multiplayer game is a fast-paced game where you and your friends play as crewmates repairing a spaceship.

Here’s the catch: there’s an imposter among you. Vote out the possible imposter among your crew before they start picking off others.

There’s no better way to unwind than getting four to ten of your friends — who may even be countries apart — to join you on this space adventure.

Marvel Snap

If you want a simple game where you interact with some of your favourite Marvel characters, try Marvel Snap. It’s a card game that’s free to play on Android and IoS.

Join battles and use cards with different effects to get the highest score in six rounds. The best part is since you can’t buy new cards, all players are on an equal playing field.

As you level up, you can get new cards and craft a powerful deck.

 

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Apex Legends

Fans of the battle royale genre would have heard of Apex Legends. In these games, you go to war to be the last one standing, or you can alternatively team up with friends or random strangers.

Apex Legends — a free-to-play battle royale — combines unbelievably fluid movement with impeccable gunplay.

Respawn Entertainment (who developed the game) has also modified the ping system in a way that leaves a mark on the formula of battle royale online multiplayer games.

The game is constantly updated, so do expect to see new content rolled out regularly.

PSG.LGD egaming fans react during the Dota 2 grand final match between PSG.LGD and OG on Day 6 of The International 2018 at Rogers Arena on August 25, 2018 in Vancouver, Canada. Source: Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images/AFP

Dota 2

Dota 2 has taken the world by storm since its release in 2013. It is the golden standard for online multiplayer games that are battle-related.

Each team consists of five players. Both teams have one goal: to destroy the core of the other team’s base. Every player controls a hero with various skills to attack enemies, empower allies, or increase their strength. 

This game is the perfect blend of real-time strategy and team sports. Do I avoid battling my enemy during the early phases of the game? Should I play aggressively in the later stage?

It’s little wonder why DOTA players like Matheus “KJ” Santos Jungles Diniz trains every day and only take one day off per week. 

 

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Call of Duty Mobile

If you are an avid gamer, you would have heard of this popular first-person shooter game.

It’s one of the best online multiplayer games around — and is now available on mobile.

It has a monumental collection of 38 maps, offering you a wide range of modes and locations from the franchise’s biggest names, such as Modern Warfare, Vanguard, Warzone, and Black Ops.

Along with classic themes, Call of Duty Mobile introduces new locations, weapons, and costumes.

Whether you are a fan of the franchise or looking to get started, try hands on this first-person shooter on IOS or Andriod — for free.