Summary
PvE stands forPlayer vs. Environment, a video game genre where players face off against artificial intelligence, emphasizing teamwork over competition. PvE is one side of multiplayer games, with the other being PvP, or Player vs. Player, where players compete against real-life opponents in one-on-one or team-based matches. In PvE, players cooperate to achieve a shared goal, often by defeating increasingly powerful enemies.
The first PvE title is believed to bePong Doubles(1973), where players competed against a CPU in co-op-style tennis matches. Since then, the video game industry has transformed the PvE genre, with hundreds of AAA titles vying for top spots. To highlight the best, this list introduces over 20 of the best multiplayer PvE games that truly capture the genre’s essence and are worth the player’s time and money.
Updated on May 20, 2025, by Mohsen Baqery: After the success of PvE-centered games like Helldivers 2, it seems more developers are focusing on this subgenre. Monster Hunter Wilds and Space Marine 2 are recent examples of AAA games that emphasize player vs. environment elements in their gameplay. As a result, this list has been updated to include these new releases alongside some older PvE titles that we believe deserve a spot.
V Risingputs players in the shoes of vampires who can form guilds and fight against hostile humans and beasts. As they kill the living and feed off their blood, they gain back their lost powers and become stronger, to the point where they evolve into the sole rulers of the game’s vast open-world map.V Rising’s gameplay featuressurvival and crafting elements, which complement the PvE action. Killing stronger enemies leads to better loot, and better loot accelerates leveling up and building bigger castles.
An interesting aspect ofV Rising’s PvE is how the game implements vampires’ weaknesses in the gameplay. For instance, sunlight is a deadly toxin that can kill them, forcing players to remain in the shadows during the day and await the nighttime to start the hunt.
Sail the seas in search of adventure as a pirate with no rules and restrictions inSea of Thieves. Choose the path of piracy and lead an extravagant life that will keep players on the tips of their toes. Form a pirate crew and fight rival crews on the decks of magnificent ships and undiscovered islands.
The original story ofSea of Thievesfeatures Disney’s Captain Jack Sparrow on an astounding journey. Players can become legendary pirates by fighting fearsome bandits and unearthing mystical treasures on sunken ships.
Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhuntersis a turn-based RPG in which players take charge of the Grey Knights and fight the forces of Chaos in an intergalactic adventure. The futuristic gameplay of the RPG allows players to build facilities in space, conduct research into ancient mysteries, and develop bases on a host of planets.
Players can plan their every move and execute their strategy for defeating the Bloom: a cosmic plague that is capable of devouring entire worlds into oblivion. Playerscan level up their champions to unlock psychic abilities and equipment.
Relic Entertainment and World’s Edge
Platform
Microsoft Windows, Xbox X|S, Xbox One
Age of Empires 4is the latest strategy game in the classic franchise. Players can command their armies on land and sea to conquer kingdoms and build their empires. They’ll fight historical wars as one of the Rus, Holy Roman Empire, Chinese, English, Delhi Sultanate, Mongols, Abbasid Dynasty, and French civilizations. Each civilization has unique units that can present interesting ways to attack enemies and defend bases.
Play through four rigorous campaigns that includethe Hundred Years War, the Norman campaign, The Rise of Moscow, and The Mongol Empire.Age of Empires 4won the Best Strategy Game award at Gamescom.
Compared to most PvE modes on the list,Pokemon GO’s Raidsmight not have the most complicated or intricate mechanics. However, despite their simplicity, Raids have brought immense joy to players by pitting them against super-strong Pokemon for many years.
For those unfamiliar,Raids are PvE battles held atPokemon GO’s gyms, allowing multiple players to team up against the same boss Pokemon in hopes of capturing it. This game mode remained popular even during the COVID-19 lockdowns, prompting The Pokemon Company to introduce Remote Passes, enabling players to participate in Raids from home without needing to venture outside.
WoW’s PvE modes might not be beginner-friendly, as they throw many items, mechanics, and difficulties at players right away. However, modes like Dungeons and Raids have kept veteran players engaged for thousands of hours. Even to this day, PvE remains the mostreliable method inWorld of Warcraftfor unlocking gearsand items, as well as for practicing and honing skills.
It’s important to note that PvP has been the primary focus ofWorld of Warcraftdevelopers for many years, with most players considering PvE to be less challenging. Nonetheless, PvE enthusiasts will be pleased to hear thatWorld of Warcraftplans to introduce several new features to this modefollowing the success of its new PvP mode, Plunderstorm.
Monster Hunter Riseis an action RPG.Become a hunter and complete questsfrom the serene Kamura Village to gain a wealth of experience. Players can encounter dozens of ferocious monsters, such as Teostra, Chameleos, Apex Diablos, Tigrex, and Mizutsune.
Hunters can wield 14 powerful melee and ranged weapons to kill monsters in the game. Tear down monsters with the Great Sword, slice creatures with Dual Blades, or pierce wild beasts with the Light Bowgun.Monster Hunter Risehashigh-quality textures with stunning visuals and supports 4k resolution.
Warframeis a free-to-play sci-fi shooter game. Set in a distant future, the world of Warframe is divided between an empire race of militarized clones called the Grineer, a mega-corporation armed with advanced robotics called the Corpus, and a life-consuming disease called the Infested.
The third-person shooter game providesa variety of Warframe, bio-metal suits with unique abilities that let players ravage enemies in satisfying ways. People can develop skills as they play throughover 30 massive questsin the game.
RuneScapeis an open-world adventure game. The free-to-play MMORPG has beendownloaded more than 270 million times. The game takes place in Gielinor, a mystical realm with a roster of lovable companions, friendly rogues, threatening villains, and vengeful gods.
Players can chop wood from the forest, make delicious meals,craft valuable items, and learn magical spells in the game. People can fight enemies such as Bandits, Goblins, Apeps, Herus, Crours, and Glacors inRuneScape. Gamers can also earn experience and items by playing minigames that include The Great Orb Project, Castle Wars, Pest Control, and Barbarian Assault.
Albion Onlineis a free-to-play massively multiplayer RPG.The game provides dynamic terrainsfor PvP and PvE combat. These terrains include dungeons, castles, and war camps. Condemned Harvester, Rock Giant, Undead Paragon, and Heretic Weaponsmaster are a few of the bosses that can be fought in the game.
Apart from fighting, there are a number of gathering professions that can be pursued inAlbion Online. Players cancatch fish, mine ores, collect wood, skin animals, and harvest fiber. The fantasy game encourages people to build meaningful relationships with their allies to progress inAlbion Online.
