Top Steam Games for Unforgettable LAN PvP Multiplayer Experiences

by

Summary

  • PC gaming via LAN connection has a rich history.
  • Top multiplayer PvP games like Among Us offer social and dynamic play.
  • Games like Civilization 6 benefit from LAN connections for rich gaming experiences.

For decades, connecting computers within a local network has been a beloved hobby among PC enthusiasts, dating back from the era of transporting individual PCs and monitors into the same room, to more recent times when gaming laptops have been specifically engineered.

As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the timeless charm of arena shooters, both classic remakes and modern hits. The local play experience through a LAN connection feels as sociable and engaging as ever. It’s like stepping back into the golden age of gaming, yet with all the benefits of modern technology. And the best part? These fantastic Steam games cater to all your LAN requirements, ensuring a seamless, old-school gaming experience whenever you gather with friends.

8. Among Us

The Pop Culture Captaining Of The Social Deduction Genre

Ever since its debut in 2018, Innersloth’s game Among Us, reminiscent of The Thing, has earned accolades as a ” trailblazer” in multiplayer online games that involve social deduction. It has effectively come to symbolize the social deduction genre, making a significant impact on it overall.

Playing Among Us on multiple devices connected locally enhances the game’s social aspect by encouraging more vocal interactions among players, compared to the usual online multiplayer experience where communication can be less dynamic. This setup might even provoke a livelier gameplay than what one might expect in a regular online game scenario.

7. Civilization 6

Sid Meier’s Most Recent & Most Expansive Civilization Installment yet

In “Sid Meier’s Civilization 6,” you find yourself immersed in a world teeming with fifty distinct civilizations, each led by dynamic personalities boasting unique strengths and vulnerabilities. This isn’t just the latest 4X strategy game from Firaxis Games; it’s arguably their most richly-stocked release yet.

In contrast to its predecessors, Civilization 6 introduces fresh cultures and technological advancements, maintaining its status as one of Steam’s most acclaimed games due to its extensive single and multiplayer modes. Customizable map sizes enable gameplay on massive Civilization 6 worlds that can accommodate up to 20 players, and the reliability offered by a Local Area Network (LAN) connection expands the variety of societies and playstyles, creating an epic narrative that is a hallmark of the Civilization series.

6. Quake 3: Arena

A 25-Year-Old Masterclass In Arena Shooter Gameplay

1999’s “Quake 3: Arena” isn’t just an innovative standalone first-person shooter, but a crucial part of the groundbreaking FPS series. Abandoning a single-player narrative and emphasizing the series’ rapid arena battles, “Quake 3: Arena” is primarily a multiplayer game that remains remarkably fun to play, even over two decades later.

Quake 3: Arena offers an extensive collection of maps to explore and multiple game modes to select from, which makes it perfect for LAN party play. Over the years, numerous first-person shooter franchises have emerged and faded away, but Quake 3: Arena‘s emphasis on fast-paced action and innovative destruction has kept it a top pick since its debut. Despite other FPS series adapting the formula in different ways, Quake 3: Arena‘s dedication to providing enjoyable fragging experiences remains unmatched.

5. Command & Conquer: Remastered Collection

The Remastered Culmination Of Everything That Makes The Original RTS Titles Great

As a gamer, I must say that diving back into the original Command and Conquer real-time strategy series after 30 years feels like stepping into a piece of gaming history. The Remastered Collection is still an impressive sight to see in today’s world of RTS games.

By enhancing Westwood Studios’ initial work for 4K resolution, Petroglyph Games’ remaster successfully maintains the swift battles and thrilling action scenes that made the Command and Conquer series a fan favorite. This updated version offers an exceptionally engaging way to delve into one of gaming’s most iconic strategy series through intense tactical multiplayer sessions on LAN networks. By adding custom lobbies and incorporating both games’ original expansion pack content, it has become more accessible than ever for friends to join the Command and Conquer experience together.

4. Total War: Warhammer 3

A Chaotic Culmination One Of The RTS Genre’s Most Ambitious Crossovers

Blending the rich heritage of the approximately 50-year-old Warhammer and the relatively fresh 25-year-old Total War brands, Creative Assembly’s Total War: Warhammer spinoff series has a wide appeal spanning multiple genres. As we approach the 2022 launch of Total War: Warhammer 3, this “final chapter in the trilogy” promises intense multiplayer battles for up to eight players and a thrilling, satisfying climax to the dark fantasy-themed real-time strategy games.

For players, the range of factions from the Empire to Skaven, along with all those in between and beyond, offers a wealth of choices when deciding on what type of Games Workshop-inspired chaos they wish to inflict upon their peers during LAN gaming sessions. Although online and team play are viable alternatives, the camaraderie that arises from verbal sparring in real life while battling each other’s armies can be just as enjoyable – much like the interactive nature of Warhammer’s tabletop origins.

3. Counter-Strike 2

The Ambitious Sequel That Improves Where Necessary But Keeps Core Gameplay Solid

Approximately a decade following the debut of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, developer Valve embarked upon an unexpected mission—reimagining one of the video game industry’s most acclaimed first-person shooter titles. While maintaining the tried-and-true foundations of Global Offensive’s FPS combat, Valve presented Counter-Strike 2 to widespread praise that it continues to be “one of the top FPS games available.

Instead of just upgrading from Valve’s 20-year-old Source game engine to the fittingly named Source 2, Counter-Strike 2 also includes a strong private matchmaking feature, as well as sticking with the classic first-person shooter format of terrorists versus counter-terrorists. Even though the core mechanics of Counter-Strike 2 could be considered 25 years old at this stage, the intense and passionate reactions from online and LAN multiplayer matches suggest that Valve has a proven winning recipe.

2. The Halo Series

Microsoft’s Flagship Franchise That Has Been Championing LAN Play Since Its Launch

The highly successful science fiction first-person shooter series from Microsoft, popularly known as Halo, gained significant popularity due to its main character Master Chief’s intergalactic adventures. Nevertheless, it’s also important to note that the multiplayer features of the game, particularly in ‘Halo: Combat Evolved’, and the franchise’s ongoing innovation in the player-versus-player shooter genre significantly contributed to the series’ growth during the 2000s as well.

Despite the prevalence of online matchmaking, Halo has maintained a longstanding bond with LAN connectivity spanning almost 25 years. Notably, the combined efforts from 2014’s The Master Chief Collection have only recently found their way to Steam, four years after its initial launch. As such, 16-player matchmaking and LAN play are essential elements of Halo’s multiplayer experience and are prominently featured in Microsoft’s PC adaptation of the Master Chief’s adventures.

1. Age Of Empires 2: Definitive Edition

The Genre-Defining RTS Title With Improved Visuals & Expanded Content

Speaking about Microsoft’s long-standing “Age of Empires” strategy series, which is nearly three decades old, being frequently hailed as the best in its category is a significant compliment. So, when we talk about the 2019 launch of the “Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition,” which enhances graphics for 4K resolution and introduces four additional playable civilizations, it’s fair to say that arguably the greatest real-time strategy game ever made is now not only easily obtainable but also optimized for contemporary PCs.

Playing against opponents in the online version of Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition is a great experience, but the advantages of Local Area Network (LAN) play – such as the strategic depth and entertainment value – are hard to argue with. Being part of the Xbox console ecosystem, Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition benefits significantly from PC play and controls, but without it, using the game can be more frustrating.

Read More

2025-01-23 14:35