We were a little closer this year between gaming conventions, but most importantly, the couch space while we played games together this year. Even if you weren’t in a comfortable space together, every game on this list can be played online, too. This is great because there’s something from a terrible moving simulator, competitive shooters, and D&D-inspired adventures here.

Here are our picks for the Top 5 Multiplayer Games of 2023.

5. Overwatch 2 (Blizzard Entertainment)

In 2016 Overwatch captured the Game of the Year, since then it has been an uphill struggle to recapture that glory. 2023 was still far away from achieving this but the team at Blizzard are certainly on the right path. With the addition of consistent new characters, regular patching and new game modes Overwatch 2 has become an evolving live service game that shows its potential for players to jump back in with their friends without the content droughts of previous years.

– Ciaran

4. Moving Out 2 (SMG Studio, Team17)

Once again, you can become a special F.A.R.T (Furniture Arrangement & Relocation Technician) and join your F.A.R.T friends as you do removing and moving in a way you’d never like anyone to treat your belongings. What’s worse is not only do they throw couches through windows in this game, but there are also times you throw cows. And those poor cows don’t look like they’re happy at all. But it makes for a great multiplayer game that you can play on the couch with family or online with friends.

– Dylan

3. Fortnite (Epic Games)

Fortnite continues to be one of the best shooters you can play with friends, and the game is entirely free. If you have casual friends, it’s the perfect game because you can play as Darth Vader, and they can play as someone from, like, Family Guy or some anime. I don’t know; the game is wild now. It looks increasingly like Ready Player One comes to life, and undeniably, it is a lot of fun with friends.

– Dylan

2. Apex Legends (Respawn Entertainment, Electronic Games)

If the multiplayer action of Fortnite leads to too many silly antics for you, then Apex Legends is going to be the game for your more serious or competitive friends to play together. With the addition of classes to the champions in the game this year, there are even more reasons to think about your team comp and take the time to think about where you’ll be dropping first.

– Dylan

1. Baldur’s Gate 3 (Larian Studios)

Co-op RPGs have forever been stunted by the restrictions of the systems that often led to players either being tied together or being treated as if both players were the same person. Baldur’s Gate 3 gives players freedom akin to playing Dungeons & Dragons around your friend’s table. At any time players are free to go off on their own adventures, having personal stories away from their companions creating some interesting opportunities between not only the NPCs but also fellow players.

– Ciaran