Rocket League
When Rocket League released on the PlayStation 4 and PC earlier this year, it took the multiplayer world by storm. The aim is simple; Use your rocket-powered cars to win what is essentially a game of soccer. While it may not have deep gameplay mechanics, Rocket League is the ultimate multiplayer game in the sense that it is easy to pick up, but difficult to master.
Yes, you can nudge the ball into the goal with your little rocket-powered car, but flying through the air across your goal to save an incoming shot before it’s tucked away into the top right-hand corner, that takes some serious skill. If you haven’t already picked it up, we highly recommend you do and waste hours, days, and probably weeks perfecting your driving and soccer skills.
Halo 5: Guardians
Halo 5’s release in October was warmly welcomed by fans excited to delve into the next chapter of Master Chief’s story, and to explore the newly refined online multiplayer. While fan favorites returned in the form of Slayer, Team Slayer, and more, most fans eyes were focused on the new addition to the multiplayer family: Warzone. Halo 5’s Warzone brings huge 24 player matches featuring two teams of 12 players each, AI- controlled opponents, and maps up to four times larger than in any previous Halo multiplayer map.
The game mode is similar to that of Capture the Flag in the sense that it requires players to capture control points and hold them in order to reach 1000 points before the other team. However, the previously mentioned AI-controlled opponents mix things up a little. Some of these will have a points bounty on their head and then add a completely new tactical element to proceedings. Do you opt to hold down the capture points, or take down the AI enemy for a huge points bonus? This addition can see a game get turned on its head within minutes. Throw in weapons and vehicles and you’ve got the perfect cocktail of Halo multiplayer. Just one more round… we promise!
Splatoon
Splatoon is a serious unsung hero of multiplayer games this year. Though its vibrant colors and childish looks may suggest otherwise, Splatoon offers a serious challenge, and anyone who’s gone hands-on with the game will find a truly rewarding and compelling game on Nintendo’s home console. Splatoon offers a unique game mechanic in the form of the characters themselves.
The playable characters known as Inklings have the ability to transform between human and squid, meaning that those large puddles of ink that are covering the map during the game can be used as a means of stealthy and tactical traversal of the map. The Turf War style of gameplay is the standout mode in Splatoon, too, challenging both teams with covering the map with their color of ink the most before time runs out. If you’re looking for a tactical and downright enjoyable multiplayer game, Splatoon is definitely worth picking up.
Star Wars Battlefront
For years, Star Wars fans have wanted a resurgence from the franchise. Then came 2015 and we got the Battlefront series making a return and also Episode VII hitting cinemas next month. Star Wars Battlefront brings that ‘galaxy far far away’ to your living room and DICE hasn’t held back, ensuring that the game is as true to the franchise as possible.
Blasters, AT-AT’s, and lightsabers sound true to their movie counterparts and the worlds of Endor and Hoth have been perfectly reimagined that you really do feel immersed in a sci-fi battlefield. The fact that a large amount of content is locked behind a $50 paywall may suck, but this is definitely the multiplayer game for any Star Wars fans this year if only to pilot an X-Wing over the chaotic battlefield below.
Destiny: The Taken King
Destiny’s The Taken King expansion brought many gameplay additions and changes that fans had expected the base game to be. Essentially Destiny 2.0, The Taken King brought a new lengthy campaign, raids, and strikes for guardians to form a fireteam and challenge themselves with. It’s only when you start truly exploring Destiny’s latest expansion that everything just really starts to click in its world. Grinding through strikes and raids to get special gear with your friends become more of a task of teamwork than individual skill.
Taking part in the Halloween events that Bungie created for the week of the spooky festive day was great fun, too, and a promising sign of things to come for the future of Destiny. The Taken King brought Destiny to new and exciting levels for long-time fans, while also making it more accessible for newcomers. With an ever-expanding player base and lots of reasons to load the game back up, The Taken King is the MMO that console fans have been waiting for.
Did your favorite multiplayer game of 2015 make it onto our list? Let us know your favorite multiplayer experiences of 2015 in the comments below.
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