The Best Indie Multiplayer Games You Need to Play in 2024
If you're tired of grinding through the same big studio titles, maybe it’s time to dip into something a little weirder, rougher around the edges — y'know, the kind of multiplayer games that feel alive, unpredictable, even a bit cursed sometimes. Yeah, we’re talkin’ indie. These aren’t your polished AAA titles; they’re scrappy, chaotic, and often way more fun than they’ve got any right to be.
Why Indie Games Rule for Couch & Online Chaos
Let’s keep it real: big budget games? Cool. But you know who’s out here innovating? Tiny dev teams running on instant noodles and pure caffeine. That’s where indie games shine — they take risks. While major studios play it safe, indies slap you with wild mechanics, absurd humor, and co-op that actually matters. Like, why respawn in a shooter when you can just… possess your friend’s corpse?
These games also tend to have a soul. Even if the graphics look like they were rendered on a toaster, there's something about them that feels human. They're not made to squeeze you into microtransactions. You feel it when you're building a base with mates in a frostbitten valley or screaming as someone accidentally yeets the objective off a cliff.
- Most are under $20 (some even free)
- Tend to have smaller but dedicated communities
- Often more creative with mechanics
- Some even crossover into being top best story games on Game Pass PC
Hidden Gems in the Indie Co-Op Wild West
The cool thing about 2024 is that some of these indie titles are quietly sneaking onto Game Pass. Like, you didn’t expect that bizarre farming/looter-shooter hybrid to be there, did ya? But it is. And it’s amazing with three friends arguing about who gets the golden carrot launcher.
If you’re into co-op with actual weight — I mean emotional and mechanical — give these a go:
- Lumino City Rumble – Puzzle platformer turned co-op battlefield. Solving riddles with someone is 200% harder when they’re actively sabotaging your circuits. (Seriously, don’t play with siblings.)
- Mire: Chapter 2 – This one's dark. Like, folk horror meets survival crafting. Two-player only, voice comms mandatory. You’ll trust no one by the end. Not even your dog. (You’ll name the dog. Bad idea.)
- Chatterlings: Online – Looks like a kids' show, plays like a psychological endurance test. Communicate only via squeaks. One mistake and the hive turns on you. Honestly kind of a metaphor for office work.
| Game | Player Count | Game Pass? | Xbox or PC? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dead Rails | 4 | Yes | Both |
| Split Force: Neon Drift | 2 | No | PC |
| Mire: Chapter 2 | 2 | Yes | PC |
| Koi and Dagger | 1-4 | Yes | Both |
Niche But Worthy: Cross-Pollination with Action & RPG Vibes
Okay, real talk — are any of these proper xbox action rpg games? Not really. But some blur the line. Think character progression, loot, skill trees, and oh yeah — someone stabbing you in the back over a rare drop.
Iron Harvest: Co-Op Siege is one weird hybrid. Turns out, steampunk dieselpunk mech combat pairs beautifully with class-based roles. Medic bot, artillery nut, close-range brawler — it’s surprisingly tactical. Not on Game Pass yet, but pops up in the Xbox indies showcase.
Then there's ShadePath: Revenant War, a roguelike dungeon crawler with actual narrative branching — yes, it’s one of the rare best story games on Game Pass PC that’s also co-op. Don’t expect The Last of Us levels of script, but it’s way deeper than “kill demon boss." You can debate morality while backstabb’n ghouls. Fun times.
Final Thoughts: Indie Isn’t Just Indie Anymore
Key Takeaways:
- Small teams are serving up huge co-op thrills in 2024
- Indie games often experiment where big studios won’t
- More of these are landing on Game Pass — check it weekly
- Even without being full-on xbox action rpg games, several include progression & story depth
- The best picks mix chaos, charm, and unexpected feels
Look, not every game needs a billion dollar budget. Sometimes all you need is three mates, sketchy Wi-Fi, and a cursed carnival game where you control chickens with jetpacks. That’s the spirit of indie multiplayer games — messy, unpredictable, and way more memorable than another polished cover shooter.
2024’s lineup proves indie co-op isn’t just surviving — it’s carving out a whole damn genre of its own. If you haven’t tried one yet, what’re you waiting for? Go grab a buddy. Maybe don’t trust ‘em too much though.
Conclusion: From heartwarming craft-fests to emotionally brutal 2-player nightmares, the world of indie multiplayer in 2024 is wild, underappreciated, and full of surprises. Many fly under the radar, but those in the know are already teaming up, dying gloriously, and laughing through it all. And hey — some are even on Game Pass. That’s like, free money fun. Just don’t blame us when you lose hours to a co-op fishing game that suddenly turns into a hostage situation.