Indie games have a special charm, crafted by small teams with endless creativity, offering unique and memorable experiences. If you’re like me and love discovering gems to play with friends, the fun gets even better when multiplayer is involved! Whether you’re teaming up or facing off, it’s an exciting test of your skills and maybe even your friendships amidst the delightful chaos of the game.
I’ve discovered some indie games on Steam that are perfect for playing with friends. From exciting co-op adventures to fast paced challenges, there’s a game for every kind of player. Here are my top 10 picks for the best multiplayer indie games on Steam.
How I Chose These Games
When picking these games, I wanted to focus on games that are fun to play with friends and easy to get into. I looked for games that have cool mechanics, exciting multiplayer modes, and enough variety to keep things interesting for hours. Some of these games are casual and fun, while others are intense and competitive perfect for different types of players.
I also made sure to choose games that have positive reviews and are popular in the indie game community. These games are all available on Steam, so they’re easy to get if you want to try them out. Now, let’s see which games made the list!
1. Among Us
Among Us is a popular multiplayer game where players work together to complete tasks on a spaceship, but there’s a twist. Some players are secretly “Impostors” whose goal is to sabotage the mission and eliminate everyone else. The other players, called “Crewmates,” must try to figure out who the Impostors are before it’s too late. The game is full of mystery, teamwork, and betrayal, as players must discuss and vote who they think the Impostor is after each round. It’s an intense game that keeps everyone on their toes!
What makes Among Us so fun is the way it mixes cooperation and deception. Crewmates must work together to finish tasks and stay safe, while Impostors must pretend to help while secretly planning their next move. The best part is the discussions, where players try to convince others that they’re innocent or trick them into voting out the wrong person. Whether you’re playing with friends or strangers, every game is different, and you never know who you can trust. Among Us is a game that makes you think, laugh, and have a lot of fun!
2. Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is a super fun multiplayer game where you and your friends can build your own farm, grow crops, raise animals, and explore the world of Pelican Town together. In this game, you get to work with your friends to fix up a run-down farm and turn it into something amazing. You can plant crops, make recipes, go fishing, and even mine for resources in caves. What makes the multiplayer mode so exciting is that you and your friends can all work on the farm at the same time, helping each other out with tasks or even just hanging out together and having fun.
One of the coolest parts of Stardew Valley is that you can all have different roles and focus on what you like most. For example, one person might focus on raising animals, while another could focus on fishing or exploring the mines. You can even team up for special events like festivals or go on adventures together. The game is relaxing and full of charm, and playing with friends makes it even more enjoyable. Whether you’re growing crops or chatting by the campfire, Stardew Valley’s multiplayer mode is a great way to have fun with your friends and enjoy a peaceful, yet exciting, farming adventure!
One cool feature is that you can buy additional cabins for your friends at the Carpenter’s Shop. Each cabin lets another player join your farm, and it costs 100 gold to buy them. However, if you choose multiplayer at the start of a new game, the cabins are free! This makes it easier to start your farm with friends without having to worry about the cost. Whether you’re playing online or locally, adding cabins and having friends join your farm makes the experience even more fun and exciting!
3. Don’t Starve Together
Don’t Starve Together is a multiplayer survival game that’s all about working together to stay alive in a dangerous world. You and your friends are thrown into a strange, dark land filled with weird creatures and scary nights. The game’s main goal is simple: survive as long as you can. You have to gather food, build shelter, and fight off terrifying monsters, all while managing your hunger, sanity, and health. The world is randomly generated, so every time you play, the game feels different. You’ll never know what’s lurking around the corner, making every decision important.
What makes Don’t Starve Together really fun is how it challenges players to communicate and plan together. Each player can choose a unique character with special skills, so you’ll need to work as a team to survive. Some characters are great at farming, while others can build strong defenses or fight monsters better. It’s all about using your strengths to help the group. The game can be tough, but it’s also super fun when you finally find a way to survive another night. Whether you’re exploring the wilderness or fighting off creepy creatures, Don’t Starve Together is a wild, exciting adventure that’s even better with friends!
4. Deep Rock Galactic
Deep Rock Galactic is an exciting multiplayer game that takes you and your friends on epic adventures in space. You and your team of dwarves work together to explore dangerous caves on distant planets, mining precious resources while fighting off alien creatures. The game is full of action and teamwork, where every player has a unique role, like being a gunner, engineer, driller, or scout. Each role is important for the team’s success, and communication is key to surviving the tough challenges. Whether you’re digging through rock, setting traps, or battling swarms of enemies, every mission feels like a thrilling ride.
The best part of Deep Rock Galactic is the way it brings players together. The game encourages teamwork, as you’ll need to rely on your friends to complete difficult objectives and get back to safety. The randomly generated caves are always different, so no two missions are ever the same. The graphics are fun and cartoonish, with vibrant environments that make the game easy to enjoy. If you’re into fast-paced action, exploring new worlds, and working with a team, Deep Rock Galactic is a great choice for some awesome multiplayer fun!
5. Phasmophobia
Phasmophobia is a must-try if you love spooky games and playing with friends. This multiplayer horror game puts you in the shoes of a ghost hunter investigating haunted locations. You can team up with up to three other players to gather evidence and figure out what kind of ghost is lurking in the building. Armed with cool tools like EMF readers, spirit boxes, and ghostwriting books, you and your friends will explore creepy houses, schools, and even asylums. But beware every ghost has its own tricks, and some are downright terrifying!
What makes Phasmophobia special is the teamwork and strategy it takes to win. You’ll need to communicate with your friends through in-game voice chat, which the ghosts can actually hear! This adds a whole new level of suspense because saying the wrong thing might make the ghost angry. There’s nothing scarier than hearing a ghost’s footsteps behind you while your flashlight flickers. Whether you’re the brave one leading the way or the scaredy-cat hiding in the van, Phasmophobia guarantees a fun, heart-pounding experience for everyone. So grab your friends, turn off the lights, and get ready for some ghost-hunting action!
6. Cuphead
If you love challenging games and retro-style animation, Cuphead is a game worth trying. This action-packed game is even more fun when you play it with a friend in multiplayer mode. Cuphead and his brother Mugman team up to take on quirky and tough bosses in a colorful world that looks like a 1930s cartoon. Each level tests your reflexes and teamwork as you dodge attacks and unleash powerful shots. The best part? You can strategize together to decide who takes on which enemies or tasks, making the experience more exciting. The thrill of finally beating a boss after countless tries is so satisfying when you do it as a team.
I’ve already written a blog about my love for Cuphead, so make sure to check it out for more tips and stories! In that post, I dive deeper into the game’s stunning hand-drawn art, jazzy soundtrack, and what makes it so unique. Multiplayer mode adds a whole new layer of fun, and you don’t want to miss out. So grab a friend, a controller, and get ready for a wild ride through the Inkwell Isles. Remember, Cuphead is all about perseverance, so don’t give up, victory always feels sweeter when you’ve earned it together!
7. Overcooked! 2
Overcooked! 2 is the perfect game if you’ve ever dreamed of being a chef but don’t want to deal with the pressure of a real kitchen. This multiplayer cooking game throws you and your friends into wild and wacky kitchens where you must work together to prepare and serve food. But it’s not as easy as it sounds! You’ll find yourself dodging moving floors, dealing with fiery ovens, and trying to keep up with the constant stream of orders. Each level gets crazier, challenging you to communicate, cooperate, and occasionally laugh as everything catches fire. It’s one of those games where teamwork makes or breaks your success, and that’s what makes it so fun and sometimes frustrating.
One of the coolest things about Overcooked! 2 is the variety of kitchens and recipes. From sushi restaurants in the sky to magical wizard kitchens, the game is full of surprises. You can even throw ingredients across the room, which adds a whole new layer of chaos and strategy. Whether you play with friends online or together on the couch, this game is perfect for group laughs and memories. Just be ready for some friendly arguments over who’s chopping onions or washing dishes! If you love fast-paced games with a dose of silliness.
8. Unrailed!
Unrailed! is a wacky multiplayer game where teamwork is the only way to survive. In this game, you and up to three friends work together to build a train track through different types of landscapes like forests, deserts, and snowy tundras. The catch? The train is constantly moving, and if it runs out of track, it’s game over! Each player has to take on different jobs, like cutting down trees, mining rocks, or laying the tracks, all while the train keeps chugging along. It sounds simple, but with obstacles like rivers, animals, and even fires breaking out on the train, things can get hectic fast. Communication and cooperation are the keys to keeping the train on track.
What makes Unrailed! so fun is how every game feels different. The maps are randomly generated, so you never know what challenges you’ll face next. Plus, there’s a lot of strategy involved. Do you spend time upgrading your train to carry more resources or focus on moving as fast as possible? The game also offers different modes, like Endless for those who want to see how far they can go, and Versus if you’re feeling competitive. The simple blocky art style and upbeat music keep things lighthearted, even when the pressure is on.
9. Human Fall Flat
Have you ever dreamed of solving puzzles in a game where your character moves like a floppy spaghetti noodle? Human: Fall Flat is a multiplayer game that lets you and your friends explore creative, physics-based challenges while controlling hilariously clumsy avatars. In this game, you play as customizable characters called “Bobs” who stumble, wobble, and flail their way through colorful worlds filled with tricky puzzles. Whether you’re climbing walls, swinging on ropes, or trying to push a lever, the game’s unpredictable physics make every moment an adventure or a comedy of errors. It’s not just about solving puzzles; it’s about how ridiculously you and your friends get there.
What makes Human: Fall Flat stand out is the teamwork or chaos it inspires. Up to eight players can join together online, which often turns a simple task, like opening a door, into a hilarious group effort. You’ll laugh at your friends struggling to carry a plank or accidentally falling off a ledge while trying to help. The game’s open-ended design means there’s no single way to solve puzzles, so creativity is rewarded. Even better, new levels are regularly added, keeping the game fresh and exciting.
10. Project Zomboid
Project Zomboid is the perfect game for anyone who loves a good survival challenge with friends. This multiplayer survival game throws you into a massive, open world filled with danger, from shambling zombies to hunger, thirst, and even the weather. The goal is simple: stay alive as long as you can. But trust me, that’s easier said than done. You’ll need to scavenge for food, weapons, and medical supplies while working together with other players to build a safe base. The game is brutally realistic, which means if you make mistakes like leaving a door open or forgetting to bandage a wound you’re in big trouble.
What makes Project Zomboid so fun in multiplayer is how every player can contribute in their own way. Maybe one friend is great at farming, while another knows how to barricade windows and repair gear. Teamwork is the key to surviving longer, especially when the zombie hordes get larger and resources grow scarce. The tension and excitement of creeping through abandoned houses or fighting off a zombie mob with your crew are unmatched. Whether you’re playing with a tight-knit group or jumping into public servers, every game feels like its own unique story of survival.
My Take
Playing indie multiplayer games with friends has always been one of my favorite ways to have fun. There’s something special about these games that bring a unique blend of creativity, challenge, and excitement that makes every session memorable. What I love most is how these games cater to everyone, no matter what type of gaming experience you’re looking for. Whether you prefer working together as a team, competing for the top spot, or just enjoying some unique, light-hearted fun, there’s always something to suit my group’s preferences.
I’ve spent countless hours laughing, strategizing, and sometimes even getting a little frustrated with friends. These games are perfect for strengthening bonds, making new connections, or testing how well you work under pressure. It’s the shared moments the teamwork, the victories, and the silly mishaps that make playing together so enjoyable.
In the end, these indie multiplayer games are more than just about gameplay they’re about creating memories with the people you care about. Whether you’re overcoming tough challenges together or competing for the highest score, the real magic lies in how these games can strengthen or test friendships. So if you’re looking for fun, grab your friends, and dive into these indie gems because the fun is always better when it’s shared!
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