AAA Games That Deserve Multiplayer Mode
Several acclaimed AAA single-player games would be significantly enhanced by a well-designed multiplayer mode, offering players new ways to experience their rich worlds and mechanics. This article explores those titles, why they are prime candidates, and what a multiplayer addition could look like, while also addressing common questions and misconceptions about adding multiplayer to single-player games.
Why Some Games Cry Out for Multiplayer
The desire for multiplayer in a single-player game usually stems from a combination of factors: a world so detailed that players want to share it, mechanics that would create emergent fun with others, or a narrative that could support cooperative or competitive play without diluting its core message. Games that are often cited as deserving multiplayer share these traits:
- Expansive, interactive worlds that feel empty or underutilized in single-player.
- Deep combat or traversal systems that would become more dynamic with multiple players.
- Strong community interest in mods or fan-made multiplayer projects.
- Replayability potential that a social mode could unlock.
Top Candidates: Games That Would Shine With Multiplayer
While many games could benefit, a few stand out as particularly strong candidates based on their design and community reception.
- Red Dead Redemption 2: Rockstar’s sprawling Western already has Red Dead Online, but many players feel the single-player campaign’s immersive world and detailed systems (hunting, camping, random encounters) deserve a more structured co-op mode. Imagine hunting legendary animals with friends or running a posse through story missions together.
- Ghost of Tsushima: Sucker Punch added a co-op mode (Legends) post-launch, but the core open-world exploration and dueling mechanics could support a full co-op campaign. Traversing the island with a friend, coordinating stealth attacks on Mongol camps, and facing off against bosses together would be a natural extension.
- God of War (2018) and God of War Ragnarök: The intense, visceral combat and puzzle-solving could work as a two-player co-op experience, with one player controlling Kratos and the other Atreus. The dynamic between the two characters is already a central part of the story, making co-op a narrative fit.
- The Last of Us Part II: While the original had Factions, the sequel’s improved stealth and combat mechanics are begging for a multiplayer mode. The tense, resource-scarce encounters would translate perfectly to a survival-style PvP or co-op mode, and fans have long awaited a follow-up to Factions.
- Horizon Zero Dawn / Forbidden West: The machine-hunting combat is spectacular, but the world can feel lonely. A co-op mode where players can team up to take down massive machines, share resources, and explore the ruins together would be a natural fit.
- Elden Ring: While it has asynchronous multiplayer, many players wish for a more seamless co-op experience. The open world is vast, and exploring it with a friend without the current summoning restrictions would be a major improvement.
How Multiplayer Could Be Implemented
Adding multiplayer to a single-player game is not as simple as flipping a switch. It requires careful design to preserve the original experience while adding a new layer. Common approaches include:
- Full Co-op Campaign: The entire story can be played with friends, with enemy scaling and puzzles adjusted for multiple players. This works best when the narrative can accommodate multiple protagonists (e.g., Gears of War).
- Separate Multiplayer Mode: A distinct mode that uses the game’s mechanics but has its own maps, objectives, and progression. This is what Ghost of Tsushima Legends did, and it allows for more experimental gameplay.
- Asynchronous Multiplayer: Players interact with each other indirectly, such as leaving messages, sharing resources, or competing for high scores. Dark Souls and Death Stranding use this approach.
- Drop-in/Drop-out Co-op: Players can join and leave a host’s game at any time, with the world scaling dynamically. This is less disruptive and allows for casual play.
Common Problems and Misconceptions
One of the biggest misconceptions is that adding multiplayer will “ruin� the single-player experience. In reality, if done well, multiplayer can coexist without affecting the core story. However, there are legitimate concerns:
- Narrative Dissonance: A story written for a lone hero may not make sense with multiple players. Developers often solve this by making multiplayer a separate mode or by writing the story to accommodate multiple characters.
- Technical Challenges: Networking, server costs, and synchronization are complex. A game not built with multiplayer in mind may require significant rework.
- Balancing: Enemy difficulty and puzzle design need to be adjusted for different player counts, which can be time-consuming.
- Community Split: Some players may feel that resources spent on multiplayer should have gone to more single-player content. This is a valid concern, especially for story-driven games.
How to Choose What to Add
If a developer decides to add multiplayer, they need to consider what fits the game’s identity. The choice depends on the game’s core loop and player expectations.
- For narrative-driven games (e.g., The Last of Us), a separate competitive or co-op mode is often safer to avoid diluting the story.
- For open-world games (e.g., Horizon), co-op exploration and combat are a natural fit.
- For action games with deep combat (e.g., God of War), a horde-mode or co-op challenge mode can extend replayability without touching the campaign.
Costs and Development Realities
Adding multiplayer is expensive. It requires dedicated servers, anti-cheat systems, matchmaking, and ongoing support. For a AAA game, this can mean an additional 1-2 years of development and a significant increase in budget. Some games have successfully added multiplayer post-launch (e.g., Ghost of Tsushima Legends), but this is often only feasible if the base game is financially successful. Developers must weigh the potential player engagement against the cost and risk.
Alternatives to Full Multiplayer
For games where full multiplayer is not feasible, there are lighter alternatives that still provide social interaction:
- Photo Mode: While not multiplayer, it allows players to share their experiences.
- Ghosts/Replays: Seeing other players’ actions in the world (e.g., in Death Stranding) creates a sense of community.
- Mod Support: Letting the community create their own multiplayer mods, as seen with Skyrim and GTA V, can extend the game’s life without official support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will adding multiplayer make the game less story-focused?
A: Not necessarily. If the multiplayer is a separate mode, the single-player campaign remains untouched. Developers can also write the story to accommodate co-op, as seen in games like Gears of War and It Takes Two.
Q: Why don’t developers just add co-op to every game?
A: Because it’s costly and technically difficult. Games designed for one player often have mechanics that don’t translate well to multiple players, and the narrative may not support it. Developers have to prioritize.
Q: Are there any AAA games that successfully added multiplayer after launch?
A: Yes, Ghost of Tsushima added Legends, a co-op mode, and Red Dead Redemption 2 has Red Dead Online. Both were well received, though they required significant post-launch support.
Q: Could a multiplayer mode ruin the game’s single-player balance?
A: If the multiplayer is separate, it doesn’t affect single-player balance. However, if it’s integrated, it could. Developers usually keep them separate to avoid this issue.
Q: What about games like Elden Ring that already have multiplayer?
A: Elden Ring has asynchronous multiplayer and co-op, but many players find the restrictions (e.g., summoning only in certain areas) limiting. A more seamless co-op mode would be an improvement, but it would require rebalancing the entire game.
Q: Is it true that adding multiplayer can increase a game’s longevity?
A: Yes, multiplayer modes often keep players engaged long after the single-player campaign is finished, which can lead to a larger and more active community. This is why many games with multiplayer see higher player retention.
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