Let’s face it. Games are better together. Whether it is squading up in first person shooter, or going for your first Victory Royale, friends just make games better. Games provide a reason to meet up with friends every week. They keep us connected and close. This has been especially necessary throughout these pandemic times. Games as a social endeavor make experiences more meaningful and last longer. Without the social aspect of games this website and our sister show simply would not exist. With that being said, here are the winners for Golden Lance Award for Best Multiplayer Game.
Winner: Modern Warfare II
It has been a rough few years for FPS-Multiplayer games, Call of Duty included. The genre needed a well-supported, fun to play game. Fortunately, Modern Warfare II delivered. This multiplayer was a return to form for the series. Classic game modes came back, but an entirely new big team battle mode is here. Players who wanted to see Battlefield sized game modes in Call of Duty got their wish.
Along with Modern Warfare II came the next installation in Call of Duty’s Battle Royale, Warzone 2.0. Where Warzone originally introduced the Gulag 1v1 matches to win another chance at victory, Warzone 2.0 doubles it. Doubles the players, introduces the Jailer, and gives a literal prisoners’ dilemma take on Activision’s biggest contribution to the Battle Royale genre. Modern Warfare II delivers and that is why it is our Golden Lance award winner for Best Multiplayer Game.
Runner Up: Warframe
Warframe, like every MMO in the market, has with it, a very unique multiplayer experience. With its 51 warframes, hundreds of unique weapons, and countless mods for everything. The combination of every player’s unique build creates a very fascinating play session in every activity. Whether you are a Titania zipping around striking down foes, or a Voruna pouncing on enemies from the shadows. Warframe feels different and fun, especially with new activities that are added in every update.
As Veilbreaker added in unique endgame activities. Such as its “Archon Hunts” and Angels of the Zariman adding in Void Angels as a special zone boss. But the best addition to Warframe this year that greatly enhanced the multiplayer experience was its crossplay. Being able to join my brother and play for hours on end was magical and something I did not think I would see in the game. However, that being said, the game still has a lot more on the horizon to look forward to, especially for those who do not like playing alone.
Runner Up: Gran Turismo
The last mainline Gran Turismo game released nine years ago, on the final year of the PlayStation 3. Fast forward to today and what we have is a technical marvel. GT7’s online component is the perfect mix of sports science, eSports, and competitive balance. The win may not always go to the best car but, the best tuner or driver as well.
Also Gran Turismo 7 falls into a category with a small handful of AAA games that maintain without technical issues. Unlike our other two candidates Warframe (released in 2013) and Modern Warfare 2. The latter of which had its new fancy anti-cheat tool broken within the first week. Not only is Gran Turismo 7 one of the best multiplayer games released in 2022, I would have to look at the indie, AA, or even the Nintendo space with Splatoon 3 to find the next best game.