Single-player games continue to give players a chance to fully immerse themselves into a multitude of worlds. Games such as The Last of Us 2, Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and Ghost of Tsushima, are just a few examples of immersive games. Single-player games release every year, however, some do not remain strictly solo for long.
Multiplayer games continue to rise in popularity. It is common for developers to release a multiplayer mode at some point, as DLC, for most single-player games. Franchises such as Call of Duty, have even gone so far as to remove solo campaign options, only to return them later. There are plenty of single-player games, however, that have very underrated multiplayer modes.
10 The Last of Us
Many fans of narrative games have experienced The Last of Us at least once. The game has won countless awards and even received a sequel and a potential TV series. However, The Last of Us does not end after players complete Joel and Ellie's adventure. The Last of Us Factions is a multiplayer mode that is criminally underrated, and just as entertaining as the main campaign.
The multiplayer mode features two factions players can choose between, with plenty of weapons, load-outs, objectives, and even features social media connectivity. Players' camps experience various terrible events, that they must work together to overcome in the post-apocalyptic world. Factions is still supported despite releasing in 2014 and the active player base shows that it is worth taking a look at.
9 Mass Effect 3
Developed by Bioware, the third and final installment in the original Mass Effect trilogy is a fan favorite to this day. Mass Effect 3 also features a very underrated multiplayer mode, that offers endless hours of enjoyment and single-player campaign tie-ins.
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In Mass Effect 3's multiplayer mode, players take part in the "Galaxy at War" activity. The 1-4 player cooperative mode, has tie-ins with the actual story campaign. Players can have a direct impact on Commander Shepard's assets, the galactic readiness, and even potential player endings in the campaign. Mass Effect 3's multiplayer mode offers six mission types, four degrees of difficulty, four enemy types, and vast amounts of upgrades and equipment. It's important to note that the multiplayer mode allows players to play as several of the games iconic races with each race having a unique ability.
8 Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
The Uncharted series is full of action and adventure. The main story revolves around the adventures of Nathan Drake, a treasure hunter in search of various historical mysteries.
Uncharted 4: A Thief's End was a very popular addition to the franchise, however, the multiplayer mode is still highly underrated. With nine multiplayer game modes available, fluid combat mechanics, and plenty of ways players could engage with each other. Though updates slowed during the production of The Last of Us 2, the multiplayer mode still has an active player base.
7 Metal Gear Solid 5
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is still receiving praise for its interconnected gameplay mechanics and plenty of player freedom. Though like many games it was not without its own controversies. Despite concerns, the game received high review scores and is still a fan favorite to this day.
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Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain offers two multiplayer modes. Metal Gear Online was the first mode introduced. The second mode was an extension of the Mother Base base-building feature. This allowed players to generate income and resources they could use in the single-player campaign. The two features were entirely separate and gave players plenty of options to explore with friends.
6 Far Cry 2
Far Cry 2 is a first-person shooter and the second installment in the Far Cry franchise. Critics and players still praise Far Cry 2 for its settings, open-ended gameplay, visuals, and use of AI. Though the game still receives much praise, the multiplayer mode is often forgotten.
A key feature that sets Far Cry 2's multiplayer mode apart from others is accessibility. Accessibility was a huge priority in the mode's development. Gameplay was made as accessible as possible, so players of all levels could enjoy it. The multiplayer mode includes elements from the campaign such as fire propagation. With 4 gameplay modes, matches can support up to 16 players at a time.
5 Red Dead Redemption
Red Dead Redemption is a great open-world experience, that takes players into the old west. Though the sequel had an equally gripping story, the multiplayer mode had plenty of controversial moments among players. The original Red Dead Online though a fan favorite, was very overlooked in comparison.
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The multiplayer mode accomplishes a lot when it originally launched. Several game modes from team deathmatch to zombie wave defense. Alone with open-world events gave players plenty of options when traveling in the west. The multiplayer mode also features several dozen avatars, mounts, weapons, and outfits. Players can buy houses, engage in minigames, or even gamble amongst one another in a game of poker or liars dice.
4 Grand Theft Auto IV
Grand Theft Auto is a staple in the gaming community. Grand Theft Auto Online (Grand Theft Auto V) is one of the most popular multiplayer modes to this day. However, what players know as GTA Online today, had a slightly different look.
Rockstar had attempted other limited versions of multiplayer in previous games, but Grand Theft Auto IV expanded on the feature immensely. The mode supported up to 16 (console) to 32 (pc) players in a lobby. Cops 'n' Crooks, Team Deathmatch, Racing, and plenty of other cooperative missions gave players dozens of options. Party mode was even the invite-only variant of free mode, giving players the ability to create private lobbies.
3 Bioshock 2
The Bioshock franchise is known for its narratives and social commentary. Bioshock 2 was no different, however many people are unaware of the multiplayer mode. The Fall of Rapture is a standalone multiplayer experience for Bioshock 2. When it was announced that the game would feature a multiplayer mode many felt it was unnecessary. However, they were far from being right.
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Players take on the role of splicer field testing plasmids for Sinclair Solutions during the Rapture Civil War. Players have access to various audio diaries, newspaper quotes, and dialogue that unlocks as they gain experience. The Fall of Rapture is a fantastic experience equipped with a prologue and epilogue sequence.
2 Doom 2016
Filled with demon-slaying mayhem, and an amazing soundtrack, Doom's single-player campaign blew everyone away. However, the multiplayer mode that was released prior to the campaign raised concern. The debut of the multiplayer mode left such a bad taste in player's mouths, that the multiplayer community was almost nonexistent for a long time.
Players who stuck around were rewarded with several updates that made the deathmatch mode a great experience.
1 Dying Light
Dying Light is a survival horror game that follows an undercover agent sent to infiltrate a quarantine zone. The open-world games' dynamic day and night cycle, directly impact the movement of zombies and how players choose to complete missions. The multiplayer mode gives players just as much freedom.
In Dying Light's multiplayer mode, 1-4 players can adventure through an open-world environment. Other players have the option to take on the role of zombies and invade these sessions. The invading player has the ability to propel themselves around the arena and instantly kill unsuspecting survivors. This feature made matches exceptionally intense and is one of the best examples of survival horror in multiplayer settings.
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