As much as we enjoy single-player games, there’s something so exciting and unpredictable about facing off against other humans in multiplayer games.
This applies to a wide swath of genres like fighters, shooters, and racing games that seem tailor-made for PvP gameplay but also some more obscure picks.
So if you’re in the mood to play something completely new, we’ve got you covered with the best PvP games on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
Now that we’ve set the stage, let’s get into our suggestions for entertaining and free online PvP games!
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V Rising
Platform: Windows
First on our list is V Rising, an isometric survival game that casts you as a ravenous vampire on a mission to rebuild their dark kingdom in a treacherous world.
As a single-player experience, this means navigating a Gothic-inspired open world, building up a base, and preying on humans any chance you get.
However, on PvP servers, everything is dialed up to 11 as hostile vampires are thrown into the mix, compelling you to be more cautious as you explore the world.
Marvel Snap
Platforms: Windows, iOS, Android
One of this year’s finest new card game releases, Marvel Snap sees you constructing formidable decks with iconic Marvel heroes and villains to battle against other players.
Games are fast-paced and typically take about 5 minutes to complete, allowing you to earn rewards quickly while completing challenges and upgrading cards.
This is further emphasized by the “Snap” mechanic, which can be triggered to double the number of rewards at the risk of losing just as much.
Chivalry 2
Platforms: Windows, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
Switching over to more action-driven PvP games, Chivalry 2 is a daring and gory first-person sword combat game that has you taking part in gruesome medieval battles.
After arming yourself with one of several deadly weapons at your disposal, you’ll take to the battlefield to slay opponents and lead your team to victory.
The sequel introduces a host of novel features such as the ability to ride horses, more fluid combat animations, and up to 64-player matchmaking with crossplay support.
MultiVersus
Platforms: Windows, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
Reminiscent of games like Super Smash Bros., MultiVersus is a free-to-play platformer fighter with an expanding PvP community and roster of characters.
In it, you and your opponents assume control of recognizable fighters under the Warner Bros. umbrella, including characters like Batman, Shaggy Rogers, Buggs Bunny, and more.
Each one has a unique playstyle that’s further complemented by the ability to team up with another player to coordinate attacks and destroy the competition.
Hellfire Tactics
Platforms: Windows, Mac
Fans of tactical auto-battlers will certainly want to check out Hellfire Tactics, a unique free-to-play competitive multiplayer game by JWaffle Games.
Still in Steam Early Access, it presently supports up to 8-player matches with over 90 selectable units that carry unique effects into each battle.
To take things even further, the game allows you to equip rare artifacts and perform sacred rituals to buff units and trigger powerful combinations.
Warhammer 40,000: Shootas, Blood u0026amp; Teef
Platforms: Windows, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch
Set in the enormous Warhammer 40K universe, Shootas, Blood & Teef is a fresh run n’ gun platformer by Guns, Gore, and Cannoli developer Rogueside.
In it, you’re tasked with spearheading an Ork invasion into the hive city to defeat a formidable warboss and his army of minions across 2D side-scrolling stages.
The game supports both online and local co-op as well as PvP arena battles where up to 4 players can duke it out as separate characters with distinctive toolkits.
Omega Strikers
Platform: Windows
Omega Strikers is another free-to-play game that boasts competitive multiplayer and intense PvP battling with a MOBA twist.
Each round sees you selecting from one of several category-based characters with volatile abilities that can swiftly alter the tide of battles.
Gameplay is structured around 3v3 matchups where the objective is to score points in the opponent’s goal while knocking out the rival players.
Marauders
Platform: Windows
Moving along, Marauders is a PvP strategic shooter that casts you as a space pirate either working alone or as part of a squad to traverse unfriendly war zones.
As you raid enemy vessels and explore deserted stations for resources, you’ll have to defend yourself from other players looking to do the same.
There’s a level of tension and uncertainty that comes with each run, even when you have a coordinated team working like a well-oiled machine.
Forza Horizon 5
Platforms: Windows, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
If you’re in the market for a PvP racing game, Forza Horizon 5 is going to be one of your greatest choices that also supports crossplay between PC and Xbox consoles.
Following in the footsteps, or rather tire marks of previous Forza games, it offers a supercharged racing experience that strikes the perfect balance between sim and arcade racers.
While making your way around stunning recreations of Mexican deserts, towns, beaches, and forests, you’ll compete with other drivers in an assortment of racing challenges.
SpiderHeck
Platforms: Windows, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch
SpiderHeck is another platform fighter like Super Smash Bros. that puts a physics-based twist on brawling with other players online and locally.
In it, you control a lightsaber-wielding spider waging battle with other arachnids to be the final one standing after all’s finished and done.
To survive, you’ll have to be attentive of your surroundings while dodging attacks before firing back your own with an arsenal of potent melee weapons.
Hunt: Showdown
Platforms: Windows, PS4, Xbox One
One of the more inventive PvP shooters to come out in recent years, Hunt: Showdown sees you stepping into the shoes of a bounty hunter tasked with killing lucrative targets.
The twist here is you’re not the sole one aiming for your mark, as other players will spawn into the map and try to beat you to the punch.
To ensure you get the kill, you’ll have to keep an eye out for these rival hunters and shoot anything that gets too close to your target’s location.
Sea of Thieves
Platforms: Windows, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
Combining both co-op and PvP gameplay, Sea of Thieves is an exciting pirate game about traveling across the immense seas searching for treasure.
Together, you and your crew of buccaneers will find yourselves face to face with a host of threats ranging from colossal sea monsters to skeletons and hostile pirates.
Coordination is the name of the game as divvying up tasks among your team will give you an edge on solo players and less cohesive squads.
Valorant
Platform: Windows
Valorant consistently ranks among the top PvP shooters on PC and deservedly so, as it distills the best parts of popular shooters while introducing its own roster of diverse heroes dubbed “Agents.”
Best described as a 5v5 strategic shooter, the game assigns you to either Defending or Attacking sides before letting you loose on the battlefield.
Relying on your squad, you’ll compete in objective-based rounds to secure parts of the map and eliminate opponents using an arsenal of weapons and distinctive abilities.
Destiny 2
Platforms: Windows, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
Another free-to-play PvP shooter with ongoing seasonal content, Destiny 2 has seen its share of highs and lows throughout the years.
These days, the game is generally in a much better place as the recent Witch Queen was well-received and next year’s Lightfall expansion looks just as encouraging.
While most of Destiny’s content is PvE-focused, players looking for a dose of vigorous competition can focus their efforts on the Crucible’s vast PvP playlist.
Apex Legends
Platforms: Windows, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, iOS, Android
Respawn’s dedicated efforts to supporting Apex Legends have led to it becoming one of the finest free-to-play shooters on the market.
Standing toe-to-toe with big names like Fortnite and PUBG, the game manages to hold its own thanks to the variety of its roster and game modes.
This coupled with a host of quality-of-life improvements ranging from crossplay to solo matchmaking, the ability to respawn teammates, among more, make it worth picking up.
Fortnite
Platforms: Windows, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch, Android
Speaking of Fortnite, Epic’s popular battle royale continues to flourish across its many chapters and seasons adding new story content, player customization, and imaginative modes.
While you’re more than welcome to drop down with friends and get to work looting, shooting, and building your way to victory, these days you have a lot more to explore.
This includes an endless quantity of user-generated modes that incorporate entertaining new mechanics along with seasonal crossover content from popular movies, shows, and games.
Overwatch 2
Platforms: Windows, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Switch
Regarded by many as one of the finest competitive shooters, Overwatch received a substantial update with its numbered sequel, Overwatch 2.
This standalone sequel carries with it a novel battle pass-style progression system to level up using both existing and fresh heroes like Sojourn, Junker Queen, and Kiriko.
Each one adds a different taste to Overwatch’s robust class system while allowing for new strategies, show-stopping plays, and PvP mayhem.
Hell Let Loose
Platform: Windows
Focusing on large-scale PvP battles, Hell Let Loose is a tactical military shooter that requires teamwork from its players.
It injects a profound sense of realism wherein each unit is assigned a specific role to fulfill throughout the course of a battle to aid their team and win the war.
The game boasts over 9 sprawling maps with large capture points to secure using tanks and ground units controlled by human players.
Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0
Platforms: Windows, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
Coinciding with the release of Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty: Warzone received a substantial 2.0 version update that breathed fresh life into the free battle royale game.
This entails a fresh map, prison, automobiles, third-person list, and DMZ mode where you and your squad accomplish tasks before hurrying to extract.
Whether you’ve stepped away for a period or it’s your first time diving into the Warzone, now is the ideal time to see what this shooter has to offer.
Rocket League
Platforms: Windows, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Mac, Linux
Another longstanding free-to-play game that offers crossplay support and competitive PvP multiplayer, Rocket League is a valuable addition to any gaming library.
Blending car combat and competitive soccer to perfection, the game sees two teams facing off across a range of modes where the objective is to outdo your opponent before time runs out.
While this seems straightforward enough on the surface, the skill ceiling is practically limitless for players willing to put in the hours and practice necessary to pull off insane high-flying shots.
Rust
Platforms: Windows, PS4, Xbox One, Mac
If you’re the kind of player who doesn’t shy away from a challenge, Rust‘s hardcore PvP multiplayer sandbox just might be yours for the taking.
In this merciless survival game, you’ll spawn completely naked on a beach and have to scavenge for supplies to stay alive while avoiding a host of threats.
From feral animals to hostile players, death is around every corner so you’ll need to be wary with who you trust, where you store your gear, and how you engage with other players.
Rainbow Six Siege
Platforms: Windows, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One
To wrap up this list, we’re including another PvP shooter that’s been around for quite some time but seems to only get superior with age.
Now seven years removed from its launch, Rainbow Six Siege continues to expand and evolve across its yearly updates adding new Operators, cosmetics, and modes.
However, the core gameplay experience remains largely unchanged: two 5v5 teams clash in strategic skirmishes to secure an objective over multiple rounds.