Despite the huge number of role-playing games that are released each and every year, there aren't too many options for those who are looking for a true RPG experience that can be shared with friends. Granted, players could go down the MMORPG route, though this is a path that not everybody is eager to tread.

As well as the inherent costs and the sheer volume of people involved, MMORPGs can be a massive time sink. Thankfully, there do exist a handful of fantastic RPGs that cater to co-op enthusiasts without forcing them to stray too deeply into addictive MMO territory. That said, the best multiplayer RPGs of all time can be just as moreish.

1 Baldur's Gate II: Shadows Of Amn

Metacritic Rating: 95 (PC)

While the latest Baldur's Gate game may have taken the leap into the world of MMORPGs, earlier titles in the series were a lot more single-player-oriented. In fact, several reviewers were incredibly critical of Baldur's Gate II's limited and poorly implemented online functionality; although that didn't stop the game from achieving a 95% average rating on Metacritic.

The game allows up to six players to team up and explore the Forgotten Realms together, although only one of them is considered to be the protagonist. Everything functions more or less the same as it does while playing solo, but stability and poor communication options could often make playing the original release incredibly frustrating. Thankfully, the enhanced edition of Baldur's Gate II is much better in these areas.

2 Baldur's Gate 3

Metacritic Rating: 96 (PC)

Games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Starfield were always expected to make a pretty big splash, but the success of Baldur's Gate 3 took a lot of people by surprise. Larian Studios did a fantastic job of bringing the series back into the limelight, with the end result being one of the very best games of 2023.

Although the game can be enjoyed solo, it's one of those titles that is at its best when experienced with friends. There are plenty of customization options when it comes to both appearance and builds and a ridiculous amount of content to keep players busy, with some people sinking almost 100 hours into the first act alone.

3 Borderlands 2

Metacritic Rating: 91 (PS3)

Although not considered a traditional RPG, Borderlands 2 lets players assume the role of a fictional character class of their choosing in a fictional setting, It may be a looter-shooter at its core, but it certainly fits the bill when it comes to a lot of the mechanics found throughout the game.

There is a significant multiplayer component in Borderlands 2. Set on the planet of Pandora, players must work together to finish quests. The writing, unique visuals, and online multiplayer rank Borderlands 2 among the greatest co-op games of all time.

4 Dark Souls

Metacritic Rating: 89 (Xbox 360)

When it comes to influential RPGs, Dark Souls is a knockout title. It has revolutionized the gaming industry because of its unforgiving gameplay and masterclass RPG elements. Players create a character and choose to specialize in several template classes or do something completely different.

Dark Souls gives players the option of customizing their characters to fit their playstyle. The co-op element is a bit stilted, given that players must depend on the White Sign Soapstone and summoning signs to take part, but they can rest assured that helping their friends battle through the game's immense boss fights makes this well worth the effort.

5 Darksiders Genesis

Metacritic Rating: 77 (PC)

Initially, some Darksiders fans were a little disappointed when Darksiders Genesis was announced rather than a fourth mainline game. However, this disappointment quickly faded once they got their hands on the finished product, with the game not only exceeding the expectations of players but also those of the publisher, THQ Nordic.

The game does things a little differently than other Darksiders titles, choosing to place much more of an emphasis on combat than ever before. This works to the game's advantage though, with the hack-and-slash combat system being incredibly satisfying for the most part, more so when playing the game with a friend.

6 Dead Island 2

Metacritic Rating: 76 (Xbox Series X)

After spending more than a decade stuck in development hell, Dead Island 2 was finally released in April of 2023. Within three days, it had already sold more than one million units worldwide, suggesting that it was well worth the wait for many gamers. For those who enjoy a good multiplayer RPG, it's easy to see why.

Like its predecessor, Dead Island 2 places a lot of emphasis on the fun side of zombie slaying rather than on realism, which definitely works in the game's favor. Its role-playing elements are nowhere near as deep as the ones found in some of the other great co-op RPGs that are out there, but there should still be enough substance to please most fans of the genre.

7 Diablo II: Lord of Destruction

Metacritic Rating: 87 (PC)

Although the game is starting to show its age (leaving room for a remaster or remake), Diablo II is still an enjoyable action role-playing game. It's a title that places a large focus on hack-and-slash combat, yet it has a robust multiplayer component too with active servers.

The experience of playing Diablo II: Lord of Destruction is vastly different now than it was at launch. Players can still play with their friends quite easily though and will quickly become invested in the story and relish the procedurally generated levels. Playing distinctly different Diable classes like the Barbarian, Paladin, Amazon, and Druid gives the game immense replayability.

8 Diablo III

Metacritic Rating: 88 (PC)

Multiplayer RPGs are great when working together is conducive. Diablo III is a prime example of a game that incorporates multiplayer well, giving players both an incentive and a need to team up. Although Diablo II had a more substantial social component, Diablo III doesn't fall far from the tree.

Trading is a part of the game and it is most fun when players are helping others. Diablo III is considered to be one of the most influential RPGs ever made because of the numerous other games that tried to copy its successful formula. Though many have followed, it remains the one that truly put hack-and-slash RPGs on the map.

9 Diablo 4

Metacritic Rating: 91 (Xbox Series X)

Some questioned whether the decision to release Diablo 4 around the same time as other heavy hitters like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Final Fantasy 16 was a misstep on Blizzard's part. However, the resounding success of the game both commercially and critically would seem to suggest otherwise, as too would the game's sizable player base.

Diablo 4 is one of the best Diablo games of all time and brings more of what made its predecessors so enjoyable to play. There can be no doubting its status as one of the best co-op RPGs on the market but it also offers up a fairly decent PvP experience as well. For those who enjoy dungeon crawlers and working hard to improve their characters, Diablo 4 is a game that's well worth checking out.

10 Divinity: Original Sin 2

Metacritic Rating: 93 (PC)

The turn-based combat of Divinity: Original Sin 2 is masterful. This game earned widespread acclaim and praise from critics who cited it as one of the greatest turned-based RPGs of all time. It has seamlessly integrated single-player and multiplayer modes, the latter of which can be played online or via couch co-op.

Players will need to make important choices as they progress through the game's arduous acts. Divinity: Original Sin 2 offers flexibility in regard to player customization too. If players only play one turn-based game this year, they should let it be Divinity: Original Sin 2.

11 Dragon Age: Inquisition

Metacritic Rating: 89 (PS4)

In a lot of co-op multiplayer RPGs, the co-op multiplayer part can often feel like a bit of an afterthought. That definitely wasn't the case with Dragon Age: Inquisition though, with the game boasting plenty of great four-player quests that are completely separate from the main single-player campaign.

Having quests that were specifically designed for multiple players rather than simply allowing others to tag along on what would otherwise have been a single-player experience makes the world of difference. Of course, the fact that Dragon Age: Inquisition was already a fantastic game even without the multiplayer component certainly helps too.

12 Dying Light

Metacritic Rating: 75 (PC)

There are plenty of multiplayer zombie games that are better than Dying Light, but those looking for one that also includes RPG elements could certainly do a lot worse. It features multiple skill trees and adaptive difficulty, while also allowing for up to four players. There's a lot more to it than just that though.

One of the things that make the game so enjoyable is the freedom that it allows its players when it comes to exploration and dealing with the infected. Sharing this experience with three friends is an absolute joy and one of the reasons why so many people were left hungry for a second game.

13 Elden Ring

Metacritic Rating: 96 (PS5)

Like some of the other great games from FromSoftware, Elden Ring handles multiplayer co-op in a fairly non-traditional way. However, while there is perhaps some room for debate as to whether the game can truly be classed as a proper multiplayer experience, only a fool would attempt to argue that it is not one of the best RPGs ever made.

With near-universal praise, countless awards to its name, and more than 20 million units sold within its first year on the market, to say that Elden Ring is one of FromSoftware's most successful games to date would perhaps be a bit of an understatement. For RPG fans, this really is a must-play title, especially if one happens to enjoy challenging video games.

14 For the King

Metacritic Rating: 84 (Xbox One)

For the King is an open-world RPG with turn-based combat and allows players to team up with up to two other people via online multiplayer. The visuals may be a little simple when compared to some of the genre's heavy hitters, but there's a certain charm to them that makes playing the game an incredibly enjoyable experience.

The dice-roll combat system will likely appeal to fans of D&D, while the game's procedurally generated elements provide a degree of replayability that's absent in a lot of other RPGs. Sadly, the Lost Civilization Adventure Pack DLC is a tad underwhelming, but the base version of the game is a lot of fun when played with a friend or two.

15 Gauntlet

Metacritic Rating: 71 (PS4)

The very first Gauntlet game first hit arcades all the way back in 1985 and would go on to spawn a string of successful sequels in the decades that followed. It was not until the franchise was rebooted in 2014, however, that light RPG elements really began to make their presence felt.

At its heart, Gauntlet remains a twin-stick dungeon crawler and is a very good one at that. Much like the Gauntlet games of yesteryear though, where it really comes into its own is through its chaotic multiplayer experience, which is infinitely more enjoyable than playing solo. It would be nice if the game featured more pronounced character progression, but the lack thereof is hardly a deal-breaker.

16 Genshin Impact

Metacritic Rating: 86 (PS5)

Genshin Impact took the world by storm when it was released back in late 2020 and remains incredibly popular to this day. It's easy to see why as well, with the free-to-play title still receiving updates on a regular basis as well as near-constant special events for both new and returning players.

Though the game's monetization is a little aggressive, the gameplay experience can be incredibly enjoyable; more so when shared with a friend. Players will need to reach a certain point in the story before they can play with others, but, for most players, it shouldn't take too long to reach adventure rank 16.

17 Grim Dawn

Metacritic Rating: 83 (PC)

Inspired by the Victorian era, Grim Dawn takes players on a dark fantasy adventure. The themes are along the lines of a game like Bloodborne, but the gameplay is closer to Diablo III. Diablo III is undoubtedly a juggernaut in the action role-playing game genre, but Grim Dawn brings enough to the table to be considered relevant.

The dark tones of the game make it a little ghastly at times, making this ideal for fans of horror games. It could perhaps have been a little bit more cheery, but Grim Dawn truly distinguishes itself with its immensely enjoyable and expertly executed hack-and-slash gameplay mechanics.

18 Magicka

Metacritic Rating: 74 (PC)

It may be more than a decade old at this point, but there's still a lot of fun to be had with Magicka. The game was developed by a team of eight university students and allows up to four players to team up to take on an evil sorcerer in a magical world that was heavily inspired by Norse mythology.

With numerous DLC packs and a fully-fledged sequel available, there's more than enough content to keep players entertained for hours on end and enough challenge to keep them from ever growing tired. Fans of Diablo should love the environment, while the gameplay itself is a little reminiscent of games like Bastion.

19 Minecraft

Metacritic Rating: 93 (PC)

Minecraft may not seem like a role-playing game at first glance, but it has all of the elements that define one. Players are able to change the playable character's appearance, can earn XP, and have access to a wide variety of weapons and armor; all of which can be modified to provide additional boons and buffs. It also has a story; albeit an incredibly disjointed one with very little signposting.

Playing Minecraft locally with more than one person can be a little cumbersome at first, but once players get used to it, they'll find that it can be just as enjoyable as playing single-player; if not more so. Fighting the Wither and the Ender Dragon is a lot more enjoyable with a friend, as too is building one's dream home or exploring fortresses in the Nether.

20 Monster Hunter: World

Metacritic Rating: 90 (PS4)

The fifth game in the mainline Monster Hunter series marked a huge step forward in many ways. For one thing, it offers a more full-fledged co-op multiplayer experience, allowing players to quest and defeat monsters with their friends. The game also has a more robust loot system that allows players to upgrade their Hunter.

While past Monster Hunter games were certainly iconic, the world and lore of Monster Hunter World is far more immersive than series fans could've ever asked for. The game should appeal to newcomers and experienced Hunters alike and is one of the best multiplayer RPGs in recent memory.