PPG Game Of The Year 2024 - 58 - Be Nice To Each Other
I'm not typically big on multiplayer games, but there's a more positive vibe to (most) of the ones collected here. Those that are more "regular" multiplayer experiences are really cool riffs on existing structures, all of which do not ask you to pay extra to keep up with everyone else, and barely even offer skins or other cosmetics.
Duelists of Eden
Deck N Grid Based Action Combat
A multiplayer combat spinoff from One Step From Eden as pleaded for by fans of that combat experience. Deck and Grid focused action game.
Palia
Cozy Collaborative MMO
An attempt to make an MMO that isn't about combat and power, but more about coziness and collaboration. You've got your typical farming, fishing, cooking etc in a kind of chill, alt-life environment, but with friends!
Rabit and Steel
Co-op Roguelike Bite Sized MMO Raiding
A 2D action game that is "a co-op action roguelike that recreates the essence of high-level MMO raiding in a randomized, simplified, bunny-sized package". Really unique and fun to play with a friend.
Baladins
Whimsical Board Game RPG
A role playing adventure where you craft your own story, preferably with a few friends. Great papercraft art style and playful aesthetic.
Drag Her
Unfinished Fighting Game
Despite the full project sadly unable to find funding, the devs graciously released what they had already onto Steam for free. There's only a couple of characters and clearly had a lot more polis to implement, but what's included is iconic.
Flock
Serene Co-op Exploration
Experience the joy of flight around a lovely landscape, collecting creatures for your flock, either focusing on solo play or with friends. A nice, chill, relaxing experience.
Smack Studio
Customizable Smash Bros
2D platform fighter with an incredibly deep level of customizability. Make your own characters and stages with in built tools. Like if Smash Bros was open source.
WEBFISHING
Multiplayer Chill Fishing
An online game where you can chill on the island fishing with friends. Lofi aesthetics for a lofi time, just hangin.
Yugo: the non-game
Chill With Strangers
Emulates the idea of sitting in a car on a long road trip with not that much to do but chat with the people around you. Obviously can go off the rails pretty easy with assholes, but having an interesting chat with a stranger can be one of the internets greatest joys. Reminds me of the good times of Omegle.
Brighter Shores (EA)
Runescape 2
From the original creator of the classic Runescape comes a new MMO with different ideas that, while causing some friction due to how different it approaches leveling, is a nice breath of fresh air in the MMO space.
ATLYSS (EA)
N64 Furry 3D Action Online
A PS1/N64 era 3D adventure game in the vein if Spyro or Ocarina of Time, that can be played solo, but has a built in multiplayer twist where you can fight with or against others online.
Void Crew
Co-Op Space Roguelike
A high fidelity space roguelike that while is possible to play solo, only really works with a friend or three. Pick your role of the crew, get in your spaceship and get out into some hectic great space battles.
And The Best Multiplayer Game Of 2024 Is…
Kind Words 2 (lofi city pop)
Chill And Be Kind
An experiment in positive human connection. Following up from the excellent original about sending encouraging words to strangers, this is a game full of optimism for the future of humanity. A treatise on game design that encourages connection and empathy over combativeness and conflict.