Top 8 Slow Burn Multiplayer Games You Must Try

There’s nothing worse than becoming fully immersed in a game, only to be abruptly met with the credits or a sense of aimlessness. This feeling can be particularly acute in multiplayer settings, where the sense of camaraderie often leaves players longing for more meaningful engagement.

To alleviate this frustration, we present a curated list of the top slow-burn multiplayer games. With these choices, you can enjoy countless hours of fun without the looming specter of completion.

There’s no defined formula for what makes a multiplayer game slow-burning. Some invite you to explore expansive worlds with friends, while others allow you to simply relax and take in the sights from a leisurely autopilot perspective.

Variety abounds in this genre; some games shine when played with close buddies, while others thrive in a setting filled with randomly matched players. It’s all about finding the right experience that suits your mood.

8 Terraria

The Pinnacle of Crafting

When Minecraft doesn’t quite meet your creative thirst, Terraria is the ideal solution. This 2D adventure game features a unique blend of exploration and consequence, providing a richer multiplayer experience than many games in the sandbox genre.

Players are rewarded for their thirst for adventure while engaging with challenging combat and progression systems, making it accessible for novices and veterans alike.

7 EVE Online

A Fun Job Outside Your Job

If you’re looking for a game that mimics the rhythm of a 9-to-5 routine, EVE Online fits the bill perfectly. The game uniquely combines an economic simulator with interstellar adventure, even producing detailed monthly economic reports that rival real-world financial analyses.

The slow pace of space travel keeps the gameplay consistently engaging, offering a broad spectrum of career paths, from mining to bounty hunting, all with varying risk and reward dynamics.

6 Fallout 76

Rebuilding America, One Side Quest At A Time

A barn and mountain range from Fallout 76

Despite its rocky launch, Fallout 76 has evolved into a relaxed open-world multiplayer experience. While the main storyline may be completed in under 100 hours, players find themselves drawn to the endless side quests and exploration opportunities.

Distinctively, it allows players to engage with the story solo or in a multiplayer setting, creating a flexible gameplay experience that often feels reminiscent of the earlier Fallout titles.

5 Microsoft Flight Simulator

From Airlines to Bush Flying

Microsoft Flight Simulator in-game screenshot

In Microsoft Flight Simulator, the entire globe is your sandbox. This title excels by combining realistic depictions of Earth with a thriving multiplayer environment and an extensive fleet of aircraft.

With limitless choices, players can enjoy everything from bush flying in the rugged Alaskan wilderness to engaging in realistic air traffic control experiences through VATSIM, making it a rich and dynamic flight simulation.

4 Sea of Thieves

Whoa, Death!

Sea of Thieves Standard Edition Release Date And Time

Sea of Thieves stands as the quintessential pirate adventure, demanding over 1000 hours to complete all achievements, yet players often return for more. Despite competitors attempting to dethrone it, this game remains the ultimate pirate experience.

The allure lies in its limitless fun—it thrives on unpredictability and offers thrilling chaos, especially when shared with friends. Even during quiet moments, the adventure of sailing the seas keeps players engaged.

3 Foxhole

Because War Is Fun With Friends

Foxhole transforms the horrors of war into a collaborative experience, where players engage in a live action-strategy format across a massive world map. Participants unite towards common objectives, making teamwork essential.

In this dynamic combat environment, the game sets players—Wardens and Colonials—against one another in a conflict inspired by early 20th-century warfare. It’s a relentless struggle marked by extensive tank warfare and supply runs, forging connections that deepen with each ongoing battle.

2 Final Fantasy XIV

Endless Magical Fun

Estinien, Alphinaud, Ysayle, and the Warrior of Light in a battle in Final Fantasy XIV

As the first fully online Title in the Final Fantasy series, Final Fantasy XIV has remained vibrant and captivating for over a decade, largely owing to Square Enix’s dedication to regular updates and player engagement.

While many long-time fans were initially skeptical about how a solo story-driven series could successfully transition into an MMO, the integration has proven beneficial. The extensive content offered frequently keeps players engaged, with many surpassing 1,000 hours and some even exceeding the 10,000-hour mark as they dive into new DLCs and in-game events.

1 Old School RuneScape

Timeless Perfection

In our list’s grand finale, Old School RuneScape stands as the quintessential example of a slow-burn multiplayer game. It captures the nostalgic essence of its origins while seamlessly integrating modern updates to maintain relevance.

Since its inception in 2001, it has continued to flourish as one of the most beloved MMORPGs globally. However, today’s players may struggle to find the hours to devote to the game like they could in their school days.

The beauty of RuneScape lies in its straightforward yet incredibly rewarding gameplay, where the grind feels worthwhile—a truly unparalleled experience.

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