Multiplayer Games That Feel Better Solo

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A major turning point for video games happened with the arrival of high-definition consoles. Services like Xbox Live and PlayStation Network made playing online with friends simpler than ever, and that connection continues to improve. Plus, we’re seeing more and more excellent multiplayer games being released all the time.

Surprisingly, some multiplayer games are actually more enjoyable when played by yourself. While it can be challenging going it alone, there are definite advantages to experiencing these games without the involvement of others. Here are five popular multiplayer games and why tackling them solo can be a great approach.

Borderlands 4

Explore At Your Leisure

Borderlands 4 is the newest installment in the Borderlands series, and it feels more enjoyable as a solo experience than previous games. While you can team up with up to three other players – and even play split-screen co-op in some cases – it’s a great game to play on your own. As always, Borderlands 4 focuses on collecting loot, with enemies constantly dropping guns, shields, and other gear. This means players will likely spend a lot of time managing their inventory, equipping new items, and testing them out – a process that can be a bit tedious, but is a core part of the fun for fans of loot-based games.

Playing with others in a game can sometimes cause stress, as players might feel pressured to not hold up their teammates while managing their equipment. Conversely, others can get frustrated waiting for players who spend a lot of time in menus or disconnect frequently. Beyond the loot system, Borderlands 4 introduces a completely open world. This design lets players explore at their own pace, without needing to coordinate with others. Generally, the open world is more enjoyable when played solo, and the frequent appearance of loot is less stressful when you don’t have to worry about keeping a group entertained while browsing menus.

Elden Ring

The Challenge Is You

Like many open-world games, Elden Ring lets you explore a vast landscape, but it’s quite different from something like Borderlands 4. It’s the first time FromSoftware, the creators of challenging ‘Souls-like’ games, have made an open-world title. You begin by creating and customizing your character, choosing a class, and then are free to roam with little direction – a familiar start for fans of games like Demon’s Souls and Bloodborne. The world is full of characters to interact with, enemy bases to clear for loot, and challenging bosses. You can even call upon two friends online to assist with these bosses, though they’ll disappear once the battle is won.

Players have the option to team up with friends and explore the game world together. While open-world games like Borderlands 4 can be enjoyed solo for a more immersive experience, Elden Ring is particularly difficult. Having friends join can definitely make things easier. However, completing Elden Ring on your own offers a greater sense of accomplishment. Beyond being an open-world game, Elden Ring is designed to be frightening, and that impact is lessened when playing with others. The atmosphere and horror elements simply aren’t as strong when you’re not experiencing them alone.

Diablo 4

Focus On Skills

Diablo 4 introduces an open world to the series for the first time, but it’s viewed from above rather than in a fully 3D environment. While the game features many towns, side areas, and enemy camps to discover, the world doesn’t feel as immersive as some other open-world games. Playing online with others is a better experience, as facing the large groups of enemies alone can be very difficult. Surprisingly, Diablo 4 is often more fun when playing solo due to its complicated menus. The Diablo series is famous for pioneering loot-based RPGs, and it remains the best at it.

In Diablo 4, players can collect items not just for their current character, but also stash them for future characters they might create. The game offers extensive and flexible skill trees, allowing for diverse character builds – a Rogue, for instance, can specialize in traps, poison, or ranged combat. This makes Diablo 4 particularly enjoyable for solo players, who can experiment with builds and progress at their own speed without being held back or influenced by others. Players can also customize the difficulty to match their playstyle and preference.

Monster Hunter Wilds

Forget Friends, Choose AI

Before games like Dark Souls became popular for their difficulty, the Monster Hunter series was already famous for being a tough challenge. Originally designed for cooperative play with up to four players online – starting on consoles like the PS2, PSP, and 3DS – Monster Hunter games remained incredibly difficult to play solo even after updates like those in Monster Hunter: World and Monster Hunter Rise. That changed with the newest game, Monster Hunter Wilds, which is the first in the series to feature a truly open world. Wilds focuses more on specific missions, meaning the open world doesn’t affect whether you need friends to succeed. Players can also create a Palico companion during character creation, who will automatically join them on missions when they play alone or with only one other person.

Playing solo in this game has a big advantage: you get to bring along Palicos, adorable AI companions that level up as you hunt. The game also offers AI-controlled human characters from your camp who can join you on missions, and they’re surprisingly effective. While a full team of AI might take a little longer to defeat monsters compared to playing with other people, they offer a consistently reliable skill level. Any Monster Hunter player knows the frustration of having a teammate constantly fail during missions. AI partners eliminate that stress, which is a real benefit when your time is limited.

Destiny 2

Go Full Halo

Destiny 2, similar to the first game, often feels like a single-player experience even though it includes multiplayer. Created by Bungie, the studio famous for the Halo series and its compelling story and polished gameplay, Destiny 2 shares a similar design philosophy. While Halo allowed for co-op play, the single-player campaigns were particularly strong, letting players fully embody the role of Master Chief. Although Destiny 2 doesn’t offer a character as iconic as Master Chief, it does allow for extensive character customization so players can create a powerful and impressive Guardian.

Playing through the main story of Destiny 2 often feels like a single-player adventure. The cutscenes speak directly to you, which can feel strange if you run into other players while exploring. Many of the missions are clearly designed for solo play. However, activities like Strikes and Raids are built for teamwork and are much more enjoyable with friends. Aside from the immersive story, it’s also great to be able to explore new weapons and check on your progress without relying on others. Ultimately, Destiny 2 offers the best of both worlds: a strong, personal story and the option to jump into cooperative multiplayer whenever you want.

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2025-12-21 06:06