Best multiplayer is an award that encompasses many different aspects of play. Competitive and cooperative. Team based or free for all. It is somewhat unique this year in that the two best games were the unanimous choices and they represent the best of multiplayer gaming. They showcase what is possible over an internet connect. They give you moments to share with your friends, both scripted and off the cuff. Above all else, they show why gaming can mean so many different things. With that in mind, here are the recipients of this year’s Golden Lance Award for Best Multiplayer.
Winner: Halo Infinite
Halo Infinite released their multiplayer before the main campaign. The smartest thing 343 did was allow the players to join in on this beta. As a player of many online games, this has been the smoothest launch concerning gameplay in the last few years. The fast-paced online gameplay makes this the best multiplayer of the year. Call of Duty: Vanguard and Battlefield 2042 just can’t touch the polished gameplay of Halo Infinite‘s multiplayer. Even with the issues of unlocking levels in the battle pass, everything else has been perfect.
Runner Up: It Takes Two
Josef Fares and the team at Hazelight are a leading example on how to design co-operative multiplayer games. It Takes Two provides a variety of stunning locales and constantly introduces new mechanics as you journey through its story. Perhaps the biggest accomplishment of It Takes Two though is the finely balanced difficulty it provides. Allowing anyone from a novice player to a more experienced gamer to pair up, play together, and overcome the challenges set before them. It Takes Two shows that co-operative multiplayer games can still provide some of the best experiences within video games.
