Best Multiplayer Games for Friends Who Live Far Apart

Fast internet has made it easy to stay in touch across distances, and multiplayer games are one of the best ways for friends who live far apart to keep their bond strong. Many developers design games with exactly that kind of friendship in mind.

There are multiplayer games of every kind, and some are especially good for groups spread across different cities or countries. Some are about action and missions; others are about building something together. Here are five standout picks that keep the fun going without unnecessary complexity, across PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC and mobile.

What makes a multiplayer game great for long-distance friends?

The ideal game has enjoyable things to do and makes it easy to spend time together. Friends should be able to connect, talk and have fun without needing specialist knowledge. A good choice ticks most of these boxes:

• Cross-platform play. Friends should be able to join from whatever device they own, so one person on PC can play with others on PlayStation or Xbox. Cross-play makes it far easier to get a group together.
• Communication. Built-in voice chat makes sessions more social. If a game does not have it, it should work easily with a voice chat app.
• Easy to learn. Controls should be simple, especially if your group includes people who do not play often.
• Group size. The game's player limit needs to fit your whole group.
• Cost. Good free-to-play games are a bonus. Either way, pick something everyone can afford.

Few games tick every box perfectly. If a game connects your group smoothly and is fun to play, it is good enough.

Five great multiplayer games for friends

Fortnite: best for groups on different platforms

Epic Games' Fortnite is the easiest way to play with friends across different devices, with cross-play on PC, consoles and mobile. In Battle Royale, you and your squad drop onto an island and fight to be the last team standing.

There are plenty of co-operative and creative options too. Your group can build islands together or play community-made modes built around shared interests. Battle Royale takes practice and quick reflexes, but the other modes are much friendlier for beginners, so your group can start there before jumping into the main action.

Minecraft: best for building a shared world

Minecraft is perfect for friends who want to build a world together. You can set up a community where you live, trade and build something lasting. Everyone can take a role: one person mines for diamonds, another designs the town, another farms. For something more competitive, you can switch to player-versus-player combat, obstacle courses or minigames such as Spleef.

The best part is that not everyone has to be online at the same time. If your group uses a shared server, each person can keep adding to the world whenever they have time.

Minecraft comes in two editions:

• Java Edition for Windows, macOS and Linux PCs.
• Bedrock Edition for consoles, mobile devices and Windows, with cross-play between those platforms.

Java and Bedrock players cannot play together directly without extra server software, so check which edition everyone has. Minecraft is also open-ended and never really finishes, which is ideal if the goal is simply spending time together.

Among Us: best for social, chatty sessions

Among Us is a favourite for its funny, suspicious atmosphere. Most of the group are crewmates completing tasks around a spaceship, but one or more players are secretly impostors trying to sabotage the crew while pretending to be innocent.

The host chooses how many impostors there are, and the game assigns the roles at random, so anyone could be the traitor. The fun comes from the discussions and votes, as accusations fly and an impostor talks their way out of trouble.

Among Us supports cross-play across PC, consoles and mobile, and it is easy to understand straight away, which makes it great for mixed groups.

Jackbox Party Packs: best for party vibes

The Jackbox Party Packs are collections of party games. One person runs the game on a computer or console and shares their screen, and everyone else joins using a web browser on their phone, tablet or computer. You answer silly questions, tell stories, invent fake explanations, compete in word games and hold drawing contests.

Each game is different, so check the player limit for the one you choose. Best of all, there are no complicated controls: the instructions make sense immediately.

Stardew Valley: best for relaxed co-op

Stardew Valley is a farming and life game about building a simple, satisfying life. Together, you can farm, grow crops, raise animals, fish, craft items and explore the mines for treasure, while building friendships with the townsfolk. Every season brings new goals that make progress feel earned.

There is no cross-play between PC, consoles and mobile, so everyone needs to play on the same kind of platform; PC players on Windows, macOS and Linux can play together. It is a slow, relaxing game with no fast action, perfect for a laid-back weekend evening.

How to choose the right game for your group

Before you decide, run through this checklist:

1. Compare devices and editions. Make sure everyone can play together.
2. Set a budget that works for everyone in the group.
3. Pick a session length that fits around everyone's schedules.
4. Test voice chat and connection quality before your first proper session.

Conclusion

The best multiplayer game is the one that lets you have a great time with your friends and forget about everything else for a few hours.

It is fine to have more than one go-to game and pick according to the mood. Fortnite is the choice for competitive thrills. Minecraft and Stardew Valley are ideal for relaxed evenings of simply hanging out. Among Us and Jackbox Party Packs are made for laughs and conversation.

Before you settle on your favourites, check cross-play, device requirements, cost and any limitations. If your friends live on different continents, think about time zones too. A little planning makes it much easier to keep playing together.