The multiplayer games lists are always different since they necessarily intermingle with other genres. Looking at what's coming from the releases scheduled for the calendar year 2025, we have a mix of action, RPG, Soulslike, shooter, and more. Here's the five titles that stand out the most before their respective releases.
Previously on Wccftech's Most Anticipated Games of 2025: Fighting, Action, Indie, RPG, Horror, Sports and Racing, Strategy and Simulation, Shooter
Monster Hunter Wilds (February 28 - PC, PS5, Xbox Series S|X)
Most of the early multiplayer games action this year will likely kick off with CAPCOM's Monster Hunter Wilds. Like Borderlands 4, it's a game that you can absolutely complete solo, but it's just that much more fun when played with friends. Like in the massively successful Monster Hunter World, players may launch a flare to ask for help from other players in the middle of a monster hunt. The much larger zones and dynamically shifting weather should make multiplayer sessions even more exciting in the new title. Lobbies will also get a significant increase in the maximum player count, supporting up to 100 players at once.
Dune Awakening (Q1 2025 PC, Consoles Later)
Long before the two Dune movies were released in theaters, Funcom secured the license to develop games based on the franchise. They have since published the real-time strategy game Dune: Spice Wars (developed by Shiro Games), but the project they've really focused on is Dune Awakening. The studio is trying to funnel all its prior expertise in the MMORPG (Anarchy Online, Age of Conan, The Secret World) and survival (Conan Exiles) genres into a hybrid game that brings out the best of both in the context of Arrakis.
Yes, players will have to survive the hazards of the desert planet, but there's also plenty of social play, where clans can be created and then affiliated with one of the major houses (Atreides or Harkonnen, to begin with). The key to everything will, of course, be the spice. Harvesting it will bring great rewards, as it can be traded or even consumed to gain powers (at the risk of addiction), but players will have to contend with other clans to secure the harvest - all the while trying not to rouse the dreaded sandworm. Dune Awakening is undoubtedly one of the most promising multiplayer games on this list, and it's also the closest to release. Funcom plans to launch it in the first quarter on PC, with console versions to follow. For more info, check out our Gamescom Q&A with the developers, and stay tuned for further coverage in the coming weeks.
Borderlands 4 (TBA 2025 PC, PS5, Xbox Series S|X)
Let's face it - Borderlands fans may have fun with the single player, but the reason the franchise became popular in the first place was the chaotic cooperative multiplayer action. After all, any loot-based game gets instantly more addictive when you're playing with friends with whom to boast about the latest legendary drop you got after a crazy boss fight.
Gearbox hasn't shared specific multiplayer info for this new installment, but the confirmed presence of new tools like the grappling hook and the seamless zones will certainly bolster the cooperative portion of the game even further.
Elden Ring Nightreign (TBA 2025 PC, PS5, Xbox Series S|X)
FromSoftware caught everyone by surprise with the announcement of Elden Ring Nightreign at The Game Awards 2024. Most people were betting on an immediate sequel to the massively successful Elden Ring, but the Japanese studio is first working on this intriguing spin-off. Based on what they've shared, it seems like they will be mixing elements from various genres, including survival and even Battle Royale (the shrinking map, specifically), to create an entirely new multiplayer experience. Players will have to survive for three in-game days before facing a final boss to end the session.
PIONER (TBA 2025 on PC, Consoles Later)
The upcoming MMOFPS by GFA Games was already featured in last year's most anticipated multiplayer games list. Now, though, it seems we are closer than ever to the release of PIONER, following the studio's promise to launch via Steam at some point in 2025.
The premise of a STALKER-like online shared world where players can cooperate to create clans, fight in PvE raids, and even compete in PvP areas, remains incredibly enticing. We'll have to evaluate the quality of the execution, of course. Hopefully, it won't be long until we get to play it.
Community Poll
- Dune Awakening 26%, 38 votes38 votes 26%38 votes - 26% of all votes
- Elden Ring Nightreign 22%, 32 votes32 votes 22%32 votes - 22% of all votes
- Borderlands 4 20%, 30 votes30 votes 20%30 votes - 20% of all votes
- Monster Hunter Wilds 20%, 29 votes29 votes 20%29 votes - 20% of all votes
- PIONER 12%, 18 votes18 votes 12%18 votes - 12% of all votes
