Asymmetric multiplayer games have started to come into a whole new wave of popularity thanks to the increased focus of free-to-play titles that adopted the format of pitting an odd number of players against one another, each with different objectives to accomplish in order to win the game. The latest of which, Resident Evil RE:Verse was given a new sneak preview at the Resident Evil showcase on October 20th, and from the brief look fans got, it promises to be an excellent addition to the genre.
Though these games have largely remained live-service and rarely see an offline mode with campaigns, the short-but-sweet approach to their game design has made them largely addictive, allowing a new spectrum of creativity within a genre that continues to grow with its potential.
10 Friday the 13th: The Game
Though Friday the 13th: The Game initially came out half-baked with tons of issues that plagued player experiences across the board, it remained a fun experience that was an absolute treat for fans and newcomers alike through consistent updates and until a legal battle, unfortunately, halted continued development.
Friday the 13th: The Game's differing perspective from horror icon, Jason Voorhees, and the counselors doing their best to survive, gives players on both sides a thrill ride of having to hunt and be hunted respectively, but what kept this asymmetrical title consistently fun was that every match felt new and kept gameplay fresh throughout.
9 Secret Neighbor
The surprise success of Hello Neighbor allowed the universe of the game to expand in ways fans didn't see coming, and Secret Neighbor was another surprise entry into the series that focused on a multiplayer aspect of pitting players against each other - one as the neighbor and others as delinquents.
Despite a rough launch, Secret Neighbor would eventually develop itself into a formidable asymmetric title that brought challenge and fun for all players trying to complete their own tasks in order to escape. The addition of special themes, events, and more in the live service format also works to keep the game consistently engaging.
8 Among Us
The cult hit that continues to take the world by storm and has since seen crossovers in Among Us.
Whether playing with random people or a group of friends over voice chat, Among Us has consistently remained an entertaining time sink where a group of players has to guess who the imposter is all while completing tasks in time before their demise. The gameplay loop and multitude of maps keep Among Us fresh, and the game is balanced so well that it can become borderline addictive.
7 Dead by Daylight
For Horror fans, Dead by Daylight has always been the premiere location for a crossover experience unlike any other. Since 2016, the game has seen collaborations with just about every horror icon in cinema and created new killers and survivors alike. The intense nature from both perspectives of having to slaughter survivors or, as a survivor, repair generators to regain electricity to escape a compound offers the best of asymmetrical gaming.
Though the game has largely remained the same since launch, it continues to attract new and old players alike that want to jump in and play a few rounds of unsettling escapism. It can become tedious and frustrating after repetition, but Dead by Daylight continues to be a household name for the genre.
6 Soul At Stake
Soul At Stake is a familiar yet refreshing take on the Dead by Daylight formula, giving a similar objective and premise but set in an atmosphere and timeline of traditional and mythological Asian history Fatal Frame and Siren, encoming it all in an eerie but equally thrilling showdown of spirits and gamblers.
One of its biggest draws compared to other games within the genre is that it holds large cultural value in both its plot and visuals, providing an experience that respects the mythology of each playable spirit and character all while providing a well-balanced foundation that continues to grow and evolve.
5 Evil Dead: The Game
Interestingly, licensed titles have become a runaway hit with the asymmetrical genre, giving new players and fans of the associated intellectual property alike a new experience and perspective on what can be done within its respective universe. Evil Dead: The Game does a great job at taking the history of Evil Dead that still holds up today and implementing it in a way that gets players into the shoes of longtime protagonist Ash while also tormenting through the eyes of the demons.
Though a large part of asymmetrical multiplayer games has little to do outside of live service gaming, Evil Dead: The Game also has small campaign-like challenges that are done solo. Despite their difficulty, players can reap huge rewards in the form of rare skins and perks that can enhance the multiplayer experience.
4 Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed
a game based off a decades-old film like Ghostbusters is long overdue, but well-timed nonetheless thanks to asymmetrical multiplayer games being at an all-time high.
Whether investing in the multiplayer Ghostbusting, solo Hauntings, or wreaking havoc as one of the many Ghosts available, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed is a treat for fans and newcomers looking for some ghost-hunting fun that don't want the full-on scares that comes with games like Phasmophobia.
3 Operation: Tango
Plenty of stealth and spy titles continue to release to critical acclaim such as perfect stealth game for beginners.
The two-player required approach to Operation: Tango may deter some, but with one being the agent on the field and the other being the hacker elsewhere, the different perspectives and tasks that require teamwork on both ends give a true sense of stealth espionage that is seldom found elsewhere.
2 Escape Academy
For as long as they've been around, escape rooms have always been popular and thrilling due to their combination of puzzles and problem-solving either solo or with a group of people as they work against the clock or other dangers. Escape Academy wonderfully gives off an authentic experience all while providing player freedom when working together to escape tough puzzles and graduate from the academy.
Escape Academy, much like other popular titles like Zero Escape or AI: The Somnium Files, takes advantage of creative freedom within the medium to create some of the most profound and immersive settings seen within the puzzle genre, allowing players to truly feel like they're in an escape room of their own while accomplishing set tasks for each towards a common goal.
1 It Takes Two
Though most asymmetrical multiplayer games have a group of four or more players going against a smaller group of rivaling players all while completing differing objectives, It Takes Two takes the concept of accomplishing different tasks and directs them towards the same goal, all while experiencing a fantastic, ineffable story that made It Takes Two go on to win the Game of the Year award at The Game Awards 2021.
The story of a couple falling out of love until they're forced to work together after being transformed into dolls is beautifully and poetically weaved as players solve puzzles and go through a series of intricately designed levels that emphasize teamwork and problem-solving in a way that's immensely rewarding for anyone, easily making it one of the best couch co-op games to play currently.