Life can be lonely sometimes. But even if you are totally alone wherever you are, there are always plenty of online games you can play to hang out with your friends virtually or even make new ones. All you need to do is jump onto your platform of choice, even if that’s a free game.
Related:Best Free Multiplayer Games On Switch
As long as you have an open heart, you can meet people in the most unlikely places. Whether you are meeting new people in online matchups or online communities, these games are perfect for anyone looking to connect with others that have like-minded interests.
Updated on Jul 27, 2025, by Gabrielle Huston: Gaming is mostly an indoor, at-home kind of hobby these days. It used to be that gamers had to go to arcades, or still could, to get their fix, and they were bound to meet other like-minded people there. Now, you might find that you’re the only gamer you know. If you want to find other people who enjoy playing video games, we recommend these titles.
13Among Us
Among Usis an extremely popular game withvery short rounds.It’s pretty uncommon for a match to go for longer than five minutes. So if you were playing Among Us all night, you could potentially meet hundreds of other gamers.
One of thekey featuresof Among Usis communication.If you don’t talk to your teammates, how will you ever find out who the imposter is? This really gets you talking with the people you are playing with, and death is always a good icebreaker. If you find you are connecting with someone in a game of Among Us, you may add them as a friend to keep playing together and building your friendship in the future.
12Guild Wars 2
Guild Wars 2isa fantasy MMORPGset in the world of Tyria, where five major species dominate the land. Some are familiar, like humans and norn, but the sylvari are literally just walking plants. Fans affectionately call them “salads.”
While Guild Wars 2 isn’t the most active RPG of all time, it hasa dedicated fanbase of playerswho you can rely on to be around several times a week (if not almost every day). It’seasy to be recruited into a guild,where you’ll find more experienced players who are willing to show you the ropes.
Plus, there’sa free version!You can buy the expansions if you find yourself enjoying it, which add mounts, gliding, and new regions to Tyria.
11Elden Ring
Elden Ringis an experience, to say the least. It isknown for its brutal difficulty.But thankfully, Elden Ring has a couple of online features, so you can help others out on their adventures. If you play Elden Ring online, you canleave little noteson the ground to warn other players of upcoming danger or maybe tip them off about a secret that’s nearby.
Related:The Best Free Multiplayer Games For RPG Fans, Ranked
You can alsosummon other players to help youout if you are taking on a particularly difficult boss. Two people taking on a hideous and deadly beast is definitely better than one. And once you slay an Elden Ring boss with someone, you are bonded for life.
10Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizonsis a cult classicat this point.It has an incrediblymassive and dedicated communitythat you may interact with in online forums or within the game itself. Animal Crossing allows you to interact with others in several ways.
you’re able to share things like clothing or path designs with people to spice up each other’s islands. You can also invite people to your island by opening your gates to anyone you would like. You can evenvisit other people’s islandsin a dreamto take a tour and gather new ideas for your own decor.
9Final Fantasy 14
An MMORPG is possibly one of the best ways to make friends online,andFinal Fantasy 14is a perfect example. It allows you to go about your adventure however you would like. you’re able to choose to go it alone, or if you would like to make friends — which is definitely recommended — it is extremely easy to do so.
You can simply go to a bar or tavern, sit down, andstart talking with a stranger at any point.The game itself can be quite difficult, but finding help isn’t. Final Fantasy 14 has an incredibly kind and helpful community, and its structure makes it one of the easiest games to make friends.
8The Sims 4
If you’ve ever met a fan ofThe Sims, you know how intense they are.Players of first-person shooters or MMOs sometimes make fun of those who buy an expensive gaming computer just to playThe Sims 4, but they should try running a game of such immense size, with all the various worlds and characters they’ve created, plus the custom mods, on some rinky-dink laptop!
At its core, The Sims games are simulation games (hence the name). You manage your characters' jobs, home lives, hobbies, styles, decorations, and so much more!
The Sims 4 became free to play not long ago, since it’s been around for a while and they can make enough income off of DLC purchases to support it. This gives you the perfect excuse to try it out! Though there’s no multiplayer functionality, you’ll quickly find that - like other games on this list -the online community for the game is expansive, readily available, and welcoming!
7Sky: Children Of The Light
Sky: Children of the Lightis theperfect game to make friends if you’re shy.And it’s also free, which is another bonus. Your friendships are entirely anonymous, as there is no way to add someone as a friend or even talk to them.
Related:Best Games To Play On iPad
Your friendships in Sky: Children of the Light are entirely in-the-moment. You cansimply run around and experience things togetherfor as much or as little time as you want. There is something about these happenstance friendships that make those connections very special.
6Overwatch 2
If you are looking for a little more action,Overwatch 2provides yet another way to make friends.Overwatch 2 selects a team of players from all over the worldto create teams that you will then ride the waves of victory with, hopefully anyway.
Overwatch 2 alsohas voice chat.Voice chat can bring a whole new element to building friendships in video games. Talking directly with someone is much more personal than seeing their name appear on a screen and watching their avatar run around, for better or for worse. If you enjoy playing with someone, you can choose to continue on to the next round together and even add them as a friend if you really start to feel a connection.
5Valorant
If Overwatch 2 isn’t really your style,Valorantis another similar option you could try. It hasall the hallmarks of a great online gamethat you can use to forge friendships. Quick matches allow you to meet a huge variety of people from all over the world, voice chat lets you get to know each other on a more personal level, and you also have the ability to add those friends to hang out with them later.
Valorant isextremely popular,so you won’t have a problem finding an online match-up. It’s also great fun, so even if you don’t meet that special someone you may make a long-lasting friendship with, you will still have a good time regardless.
4Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive(colloquially known as CS:GO) came out all the way back in 2012. As of this writing,Steam Chartsplaces it as the #1 game (meaning, it’s being played by the most people right now of all the games on Steam). In July 2023, it averaged 881,691 players, and its peak was 1,222,913 players.
So, needless to say, thisonline tactical first-person shooteris still a great place to meet like-minded gamers. You’ll be paired up in teams to play, and communication is key to winning here. The emphasis is really on thetacticalpart of tactical first-person shooter. A good trigger finger will only get you so far if you don’t have a plan and/or can’t execute it effectively in a team.
