Five Best Multiplayer Video Games of 2008

2008 was a massive year for online gaming, taking it to new heights and new audiences everywhere. This was largely due to the popularity of the Nintendo Wii, with new casual gamers having the ability to game online every day. Sony Playstation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 are undoubtedly the big boys when it comes to online gaming on consoles though, and that’s why all these games are from these systems.

Call of Duty: World at War

This was one of the most anticipated, if not the single most anticipated, games of the year. I picked this game up the day it was released, and was astounded to find that more than 100000 people were playing it on Playstation Network when I popped in the disc. That’s right, 100000 people playing simultaneously.

The game was an instant classic, particularly with online co-op and Nazi Zombies modes. It plays very like Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, but the perks system has been expanded and tanks have been added to the online battlefield.

Battlefield: Bad Company

The Battlefield series has a long and successful legacy on the PC, and this was the first time that a Battlefield game was designed specifically for the console. The developers at DICE have always been at the top of the ladder when it comes to online gaming, and Bad Company was no exception.

Not only did the game have excellent visuals, it also had a massive array of vehicles, such as choppers, boats, tanks and APCs, but most importantly it had destructible environments. Battlefield: Bad Company was definitely one of the biggest and best multiplayer games of 2008.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09

Many might be surprised to see this game here, but it was almost certainly one of the biggest success stories of the year. The Tiger Woods PGA Tour franchise is undoubtedly the biggest golf gaming series ever, but the 08 entry was a letdown. This can not be said of TWPT 09.

The online part of the game received one vital update to the roster in the 2009 edition. Simultaneous online play meant that you no longer had to wait for others to take their shots before you. Rounds went by much quicker, and the online population of golfers grew massively as a result. The online was also easy to pickup and play for a round, which attracted a massive number of new gamers to this TWPT entry.

Resistance 2

Resistance 2 has been hailed as a revolutionary new game when it comes to online gaming. This is because it has pushed the limits of what many thought possible before this. It features 60 player online deathmatches, and 8 player online co-op.

The game isn’t just revolutionary in terms of online gaming though. It is also a very solid game in its own right, meaning you’re buying a great game when you pick it up, not just buying a game for the sake of seeing innovation in the market. The game releases shortly in Europe and Japan, meaning the online population for this game should explode in the coming days and week.

Far Cry 2

Far Cry 2 was one of the most anticipated games of 2008, and with good reason. The game has an excellent storyline, top-class graphics and great gameplay. Combine those factors with a long campaign and great use of fire and you’re bound to have an extremely popular game among teens and young males.

Far Cry 2 also had something else in its favour. The online gaming benefits massively from large, open maps, but it also has the added bonus of a map editor, which allows players to create their own maps for online. This, naturally, ensures that you can always find a new way to play, and the game won’t become dull or repetitive. Definitely one of the best multiplayer games of the new generation of gaming consoles.