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The 11 best asymmetrical multiplayer games of 2022

Asymmetrical multiplayer games have come into their own over the past few years, with titles like Among Us, Dead by Daylight, and Back 4 Blood pulling in legions of players. Instead of giving two teams a similar set of abilities, asymmetrical games are purposefully lopsided — one team might be larger but have less firepower, while the other team might be comprised of a single, powerful player.

It’s a unique concept and one that’s seen plenty of variation as new developers make their mark on the genre. There are plenty of titles to choose from nowadays, but not all of them are winners. If you need some help deciding what to install next, here are 11 of the best asymmetrical multiplayer games to play in 2022.

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Further reading

Back 4 Blood
Back 4 Blood
79 %
4/5
M
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre Shooter
Developer Turtle Rock Studios
Publisher Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Release October 12, 2021
Back 4 Blood takes a page out of the Left 4 Dead handbook, offering asymmetrical competitive multiplayer. One team will be playing as survivors, fending off waves of undead for as long as possible. The other will play as special Ridden, using their unique abilities to take down the survivors. The chance to play as both makes for a surprisingly fun experience, as the survivors and Ridden offer remarkably different gameplay experiences. So, if you ever get tired of wielding a gun and mowing down hordes of zombies, jumping into the shoes of the Ridden makes for a nice change of pace.
Read our full Back 4 Blood review
Back 4 Blood - Reveal Trailer
Among Us
Among Us
73 %
E10
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre Strategy, Indie
Developer InnerSloth
Publisher InnerSloth
Release June 15, 2018
Although the frenzy has started to die down, Among Us is still a great multiplayer game. It sees a crew of players setting out to accomplish a list of mundane tasks, such as cleaning oxygen filters or stabilizing steering controls for their spaceship. However, one player among the crew is an Imposter — and their goal is to sabotage the mission. Players will have to figure out which one of their fellow crewmates is the Imposter and vote them out before it’s too late.
Among Us Steam Release Trailer
Dead by Daylight
Dead by Daylight
72 %
M
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Google Stadia
Genre Simulator, Strategy, Adventure
Developer Behaviour Interactive
Publisher Behaviour Interactive
Release June 14, 2016
Arguably the most iconic asymmetrical multiplayer game on the market, Dead by Daylight tasks one killer with hunting down four survivors. The survivors don’t have any powerful attacks in their repertoire, meaning they’ll need to rely on stealth tactics and careful communication to make it through each level unscathed. The Killer, however, comes to the fight armed to the teeth. Exact abilities vary from one Killer to the next, but with characters such as Freddy Krueger and Pyramid Head up for grabs, there’s no shortage of ways for you to hunt your prey.
Dead by Daylight - Dev Diary #1 (Official)
Secret Neighbor
Secret Neighbor
67 %
T
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia
Genre Adventure, Indie
Developer DYNAMIC PIXELS
Publisher tinyBuild
Release October 24, 2019
Hello Neighbor is a creepy game on its own, but the addition of competitive multiplayer made it even more nightmarish. It’s a bit like Among Us, as you’ll be working with a group of friends to free one of your neighbors — only one of your “friends” is actually your evil neighbor in disguise. They’ll be able to set up traps to delay your efforts, and it’ll be up to you to see past their tricks and free the captive before it’s too late.
Secret Neighbor E3 Announcement Trailer - Hello Neighbor Multiplayer
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
87 %
E10
Platforms Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, Android, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows Mixed Reality, SteamVR, Daydream, PlayStation VR, Meta Quest, Meta Rift, Gear VR
Genre Puzzle, Simulator, Indie, Card & Board Game
Developer Steel Crate Games
Publisher Steel Crate Games
Release July 16, 2015
You’re trapped in a room with a bomb, and the only way to make it out alive is by listening to instructions from your teammate. They’ve gained access to the manual and can talk you through defusing it. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is playable in VR — which adds another layer of excitement to the game — and is without a doubt the best way to experience the quirky action.
Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes PC/Mac Launch Trailer
Friday the 13th: The Game
Friday the 13th: The Game
66 %
M
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Developer Illfonic
Publisher Gun Media
Release May 26, 2017
Step into the shoes of Jason Voorhees to torment the counselors of Camp Crystal Lake. The third-person action game has one player controlling Jason as they try to eliminate every counselor on the map — and he only grows stronger as the night goes on. The counselors, meanwhile, will need to band together to figure out if they want to confront Jason or simply hide in the shadows and sneak to safety.
XIII PAX West Trailer 2016 -- Friday the 13th: The Game
Predator: Hunting Grounds
Predator: Hunting Grounds
M
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4
Genre Shooter
Developer Illfonic
Release April 24, 2020
Stalk your prey as Predator, using thermal vision, deadly alien firearms, and incredible agility that lets you zip around your environment with ease. If you’re not playing as Predator, you’ll be on the Fireteam and given an arsenal of deadly weapons to keep the threat at bay and slowly make your way to the escape helicopter. It’s a fun game on its own, but fans of the long-running Predator franchise will find plenty of Easter eggs to make the adrenaline-pumping action even more exciting.
Predator: Hunting Grounds - Reveal Trailer | PS4
It Takes Two
It Takes Two
90 %
4.5/5
T
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Genre Platform, Adventure
Developer Hazelight Studios
Publisher Electronic Arts
Release March 25, 2021
Unlike most of the entries on this list, It Takes Two isn’t a competitive survival game. Instead, you and a partner will team up to tackle a variety of platforming challenges. Each character is given a specific set of abilities for each level, meaning you’ll have a different experience whether you’re playing as Cody or May. For example, one player might have access to a nail gun that can open new access points, while another can use a hammer to turn wheels or activate heavy levers. This unique, asymmetrical gameplay means you’ll need careful communication with your teammate to complete each level.
Read our full It Takes Two review
The Return of a Visionary – Josef Fares and Hazelight
SpyParty
SpyParty
80 %
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows)
Genre Simulator, Strategy, Tactical, Indie
Developer Chris Hecker, John Cimino
Publisher Chris Hecker
Release April 12, 2018
Spy Party is a tense 1v1 competitive multiplayer game. One player will be attending a formal get-together as a spy, blending in with their fellow guests as they try to accomplish a variety of tasks. The other player steps into the shoes of a sniper observing the party. They’re tasked with identifying the spy and taking them out before they complete their mission. It’s a unique concept and one that’s absolutely exhilarating regardless of which side you’re playing.
This is SpyParty, old v2
Identity V
Identity V
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), Android, iOS
Developer NetEase
Publisher NetEase
Release April 02, 2018
Identity V takes heavy inspiration from Dead by Daylight. This mobile multiplayer game has four players trying to outlast one Hunter that’s out to eliminate them before they decode five Cipher Machines and escape from the level. Each character brings their own skill to the playing field, although Hunters are always overpowered compared to the group of survivors. Hunters will need to keep their eyes peeled to determine where the survivors are lurking, while survivors must do everything they can to remain undetected and make it out alive.
Identity V - Official Trailer
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory
85 %
M
Platforms PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 2, Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo 3DS, N-Gage, Legacy Cellphone
Genre Shooter, Tactical
Developer Ubisoft Montreal
Release March 21, 2005
Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory is one of the best stealth games of all time, offering a deep single-player mode that sees you trekking across the world to stop a global threat. Its multiplayer mode is just as exciting, as a small band of spies will go up against a small team of mercenaries. The spies team plays out in typical Splinter Cell fashion, with third-person action coupled with a fast movement speed and the ability to climb just about anything in your environment. Mercenaries, meanwhile, are played from a first-person perspective and are given an arsenal of overpowered weapons. Finding a group of players to join your match isn’t as easy as it used to be, but no doubt it’s worth a bit of effort.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory Trailer

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