We all love a game we can sink our teeth into; a story to get to grips with, new characters to discover and enjoy. This may sometimes come in the shape of massive single-player epics like Assassin’s Creed, it can also be seen in multiplayer games that allow offline play. However, for a game to be enjoyable, it doesn’t need to be a sprawling epic. Often, the best experiences we have are the ones we share with our friends and loved ones in our favourite worlds. Whether we are smashing our way through a buildable world in Fortnite and chasing the “W” together, or we are careening at break-neck speeds through the beautiful backdrops of Gran Turismo, here are the the best offline multiplayer PS5 games…
1. Fortnite
Smashing its way into the public conscious in 2017, with over 650 million registered users and a revenue stream in the billions, Fortnite is one of the most successful gaming products ever made. Famous for its online multiplayer, it also features an often-forgotten split-screen mode. Two-players can take part In the split-screen mode, as they race to achieve the victory royale. They can also play the Save The World, Creative and Limited Time Modes that support the aforementioned.
Thanks to the innovative DualSense controller, every weapon feels different via the adaptive triggers and this happens in both controllers. We often see – when a game becomes split-screen – that details and clarity diminishes, luckily thanks to the 4K 60 FPS presentation, there are no such issues with Fortnite. Fortnite is one of the best games ever made for multiplayer, add the addition of the split-screen mode means that people who don’t – both – necessarily have a console, can enjoy the world and thrill of chasing the victory royale.
2. Overcooked! All You Can Eat
I’m guessing that when food experts say “have more fun with your food” they probably didn’t mean Overcooked! However, Overcooked! is indeed fun and it has food in it.
Overcooked! is a manic cooking game that sees players fulfilling increasingly-difficult kitchen orders in a number of different environments which challenge you with every new iteration. Fires break out, kitchen pieces fall apart and – sometimes – even the floor on which you stand will start to fall and float away.
Overcooked is an exceptionally irreverent cooking game with very little focus on simulation, and more focus on basic order fulfilment and presentation.
Recently featuring 4K visuals and new game modes, Overcooked: All You Can Eat! contains the first game and all the DLC previously available for both games. Combine this with the new ability to skip levels that may be too difficult, and an assist mode which allows you to slow the timer, and Overcooked: All You Can Eat is a feast for the whole family.
3. Goat Simulator 3
What’s better than taking part in Capra chaos? bringing a friend along for the ride. In GOAT simulator 3, you and 3 other players can lick and headbutt their way across a huge open-world filled with potential pandemonium. You adorn your goat in a variety of colourful outfits, or you can even choose to not be a goat at all. There myriad other options for customisation aside from just being a plain-old goat.
Goat Simulator 3 is one of the best goat simulator games, if not the best.
Adding in options for playing mini-games such as; Prop Hunt, King Of The Hill and The Floor Is Lava, Goat Simulator 3 has a whole range of options to keep things fresh for you and all your goat pals.
Everything can be interfered with, and the joy of Goat Simulator lies in the exploration of just how far you can go to make the residents lives hell, all while having the time of your life with your 3 great goat pals. Definitely one for the pizza nights and one that deserves to be on the list of Best Offline Multiplayer PS5 Games.
4. Diablo IV
Where would we be without Diablo? First seeing release in 1997 (can you believe?), it has since seen 10 subsequent instalments. Diablo IV is the latest in the long-running RPG dungeon-crawler. Each Diablo game is filled with deadly adversaries and legendary treasure and Diablo IV is no different.
In this instalment, the land of Sanctuary has been taken over by Lilith and plunged into Darkness, who is the daughter of legendary Lord of Hatred Mephisto. This challenge is no easy feat, but is made all the more doable, by adding a second player to help in your epic adventure.
You can encounter other duos online from the comfort of your own living room, and take on the many non-linear demon-filled dungeons as you fight to restore order to sanctuary. Combining this with the dualsense’s genius haptic feedback which responds to the magic and action on-screen, make this a demon-slaying epic worthy of any sleepover.
5. It Takes Two
Very rarely do we see a game which is intended to be played as a two-player. Often, when this mechanic is employed, it translates as clunky or mismatched, however in It Takes Two, none of this is true. It Takes Two is genre-smashing 3D platform game, where you will need to work together to solve puzzles and complete levels. The narrative that underlies this adventure is that of the broken relationship of Cody and May. Cody and May are a married-couple who, upon telling their daughter of their intentions to divorce, find themselves transformed into dolls and transported to another world.
It Takes Two is a surprisingly heart-felt game which has won many industry awards since its release, and it deserves every one of them. Every new stage presents new challenges, and works allegorically to represent the challenges which a married couple must face throughout their lives. This beautiful juvenile interpretation of complex relationship and life problems is one for the ages, and a perfect experience for this in, and not in relationships. Word to the wise though, keep the tissues handy.
6. Sonic Superstars
Ah, Sonic. It’s been a storied history for everyone’s favourite blue blur, hasn’t it? From the seminal breakout on the Sega Mega Drive, to the eventual rinse and repeat of 7th generation less-than-perfect iterations. But with Sonic Superstars, it is safe to say that Sonic is back. And this time, he wants you to bring friends.
Sonic Superstars finds Sonic far from his iconic Green Hill Zone, as he embarks to the mystical and enigmatic, Northstar Islands. The entire campaign is playable in co-op and up-to four-players can choose to play as Sonic, Tails, Knuckle, and Amy. Each one bringing their own unique Emerald powers to the table.
Along with the campaign, there are a selection of competitive mini-games to enjoy including a shoot ’em up, Zap Scrap and a last-player-standing survival.
While in recent times, Sonic may have struggled to capture the imagination like he did so many years ago, Sonic Superstars proves that this old hedgehog may have been down, but was certainly not out, and now returns with one of the most fun co-op and single-player incarnations of the Sonic world to-date. Order in the takeaways, grab some beers and get ready for a refreshed look at the the celeritous cobalt chap.
7. Sackboy: A Big Adventure
Seeing previous appearances in the LittleBigPlanet games, PlayStation mascot, Sackboy, finally gets his own centre-stage game in Sackboy: A Big Adventure. In this 3D platform adventure, you can play with up to three friends, either as Sackboy or his knitted knights as they race against time to save craft world as it is threatened by the villainous Vex, who wants to take Sackboy’s endearing world into a nightmarish eyesore.
Each level feels unique with the dualsense’s haptic feedback as the controller responds to you sliding over traversing the multiple on-screen environments. With every one feeling slightly different and thereby increasing immersion.
It’s about time that Sackboy got his own main-line instalment, and what an instalment it is. The hessian hero shine forth, and will be a welcome addition to anyone’s offline multiplayer catalogue.
8. Moto GP 24
Is there a more exhilarating feeling than careening around a corner at hundreds of miles-an-hour with only two-wheels and a thin riding suit standing between you and your imminent mortality reminder? MotoGP 2024 aims to answer this question with a resounding YES.
In Moto GP 24 you can engage in riveting rivalries in career mode and use the Riders Market to transfer between teams, which allows a certain level of unpredictability into the otherwise routine racing circuit.
In Moto GP 24 you and one other player can take your rivalry into the break-neck bike dimension and race against each other and challenge each of your abilities across Moto GP, Moto2, Moto3 and MotoE.
Moto GP 24 is the perfect equaliser in friends groups and beating each of your friends, one-after-the-other delivers a sense of completion and exhilaration rarely seen in competitive games – it’s probably something to do with the fact that your face is mere feet from the floor!
9. Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged
Hot Wheels 2: Unleashed applies a new spin on the iconic toys-to-life framework. With up-to three additional players, you can take well-known hot wheels vehicles and ride them across increasingly absurd and amazing tracks. Monster trucker, ATVs and Hot Wheels originals are all playable and have their own racing-style.
Experimentation is key, because your favourite vehicle may not necessarily be the best one available, as you play you upgrade your vehicle on a skill tree to become the unbeatable champion in the toy-vehicle world.
Golf courses, wild-west themed villages and a regular old back-yard are all available racing backdrops in this wonderful and weird Hot-Wheels adventure. If you don’t fancy any of the available tracks then you can always created your own, and share them and destroy up-to 3 of your friends in head-to-head Hot Wheels havoc.
10. Dirt 5
In this instalment, with the DualSense controller, you feel every aspect of every course in this often-forgotten rally racer.
Career mode can be played in its entirety with friends becoming in-game team-mates in simultaneous races. You earn rewards as you progresss as a team as you play in split-screen. over 70 tracks are available to be raced on in buggies, trucks and rallycross vehicles etc.
Whether you are taking on the illuminated streets of New York or underneath the alluring Aurora Borealis, every race can be felt through every bump and jump.
Dirt 5 is a stark reminder that there will always be a place in our hearts for Colin McRae-style games, in every generation.
11. Gran Turismo 7
Where there is Playstation, there will always be Gran Turismo and the realistic driving simulator is for every member of the family. You don’t have to be a F1 aficionada to enjoy Gran Turismo but to fully appreciate the nuances, it may help. GT7 includes a number of game modes like Arcade, GT Campaign, and Driving School.
You can collect and race over 400 hundred cars. Every car – is as always – captured in unprecedented detail ranging from classic-motors to iconic and beautifully presented supercars.
The simulation mode allows you to enjoy every aspect of the over 400 cars available by presenting the option to customise and tune every single detail of the car.
Anti-lock brakes, wheel spins and revs can all be felt translated into the controller and this happens in every controller connected to the game. So grab your nearest and dearest and educate them in the ways of Formula 1 and the unparalleled beauty of Grant Turismo 7.
12. WWE 2K25
Regardless of what you think about Mr Vince McMahon and the many accusations of misconduct within the company, it has to be agreed that WWE is – for most people – a recognisable property that underpins our modern society. McMahon took a small-scale and sporadically successful amateur sport and turned it into the seminal entertainment corporation it is today. Like all great sports and entertainment complexes, WWE has – of course – spawned many instalments. The latest instalment, WWE 2K25 makes perfect use of the Dualsense wireless controller in a way not done before, with every slam and smash felt through the controller.
There is nothing more fun than grabbing three friends and causing absolute chaos in the screen-accurate representations of the many arenas feautured throughout the show’s tenure. Team up with icons like Cody Rhodes or become enemies with the “Rattlesnake” himself, Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Along with one of the biggest rosters in the series’ existence, Casket, Ambulance and Backstage Brawl all make a spectacular return. And if that doesn’t appeal to you, you could always be the guest referee – the choice is yours. But ultimately, when faces hit the canvas, one thing is for sure, there can only be one winner and one person left with the bragging rights.
13. Street Fighter 6
Street Fighter needs no introduction. Being host to tournaments, friendly and professional alike, it has become a house-hold name even to non-gamers. This next evolution in the series provides enhanced visuals and three control types to suit skill levels that vary from person-to-person. You can choose from; Modern, Dynamic and classic controls, making this the most accessible Street Fighter to date – and possibly the most accessible fighting game available.
While there is a return to a single-player mode in the form of World Tour, we all know that Street Fighter really shines when the network is down and a second pad is connected.
Offering 18 playable characters – with others coming in DLC – all of your favourites are here to fight for glory in beautifully presented graphic detail.
Street Fighter is one of the most successful game series ever made, and the 6th instalment continues this trend.
From racing games, to platformers, there are a number of different experiences we can enjoy together without the need of an internet connection and, in recent times, couch co-op has taken a back seta but hopefully, all the games on this list, will reassure you that the future – while constantly online – will always have a place for same-room multiplayer.
