Video games come in all shapes and sizes, but they can all be divided into two very simple categories: single-player and multiplayer. The former offers players the opportunity to explore a world of their very own or complete solo missions with no extra help, while the latter invites more people to enjoy the fun, regardless of whether they’re battling against others or fighting AI-controlled enemies.
However, some games have a big crossover between the two categories, with both a great multiplayer and an equally good single-player mode, giving players the best of both worlds in a single package. Some are modern military shooters that transport players directly into warzones, and others look to the future, with fast-paced PvP battles and technologically fueled campaigns.
Titanfall 2
Fast, Fluid, And Pure Fun
Titanfall 2 took an already impressive multiplayer formula and went above and beyond to deliver an even more epic and rewarding shooter that could compete with the greats in the genre. Where other games would have focused solely on the PvP elements, in this case, the campaign actually rivaled the multiplayer in scope, polish, and overall enjoyment.
From start to finish, there is constant action, and players are always being shown new ways to play the game with wall-running segments and puzzles to test them in between the core shooting areas. The single-player also has some incredibly technically impressive missions, like the factory level, pushing the limits of what’s possible in a game that many consider to be solely about multiplayer.
Battlefield 4
Cinematic Battles That Nothing Can Compete With
Battlefield 4 is remembered as one of the best multiplayer games ever made, yet the game’s solo campaign stands just as tall as any PvP match. The word that comes to mind is scale. It doesn’t matter if players are launching an assault on an airbase or shooting at enemies from a chopper in Shanghai, every area feels realistic and awe-inspiring to play through.
The narrative itself is cohesive enough to keep players invested, but the real marvel comes from how well the multiplayer translates to a scripted single-player world. Structures collapse with jaw-dropping weight, bullets fly from all sides, and players feel as though they are truly part of a living warzone, even if they are the only real person in it.
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)
Modern Shooter Excellence
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is still an impressive multiplayer shooter that has all the satisfying gunplay that players have come to expect from a COD game, but with more polish and refinement than the series had seen before. The PvP excels in every way possible, yet many players remember the campaign even more fondly for its action sequences and gripping story that had many glued to their screens for hours.
The stakes couldn’t be any higher, with a third world war in full effect as a result of the actions of Vladimir Makarov. Modern Warfare 3 has so many memorable moments and characters, many of which have remained icons in the franchise a decade on, so despite being heavily marketed as a multiplayer game, the single-player mode has more than enough to offer as well.
Star Wars Battlefront 2
As Close To A Playable Star Wars Movie As You Can Get
Star Wars Battlefront 2 brought the iconic sci-fi franchise back to the forefront of the gaming world, sending players to chaotic worlds full of non-stop gunfire and clashing lightsabers. Yet despite having a world-class multiplayer mode, the campaign missions are also pretty great, with a whole new set of characters at the helm for players to follow.
Each area feels distinct from the others, and fans are treated to some iconic locations like Endor and Jakku to engage in all-new battles that rival the action in Star Wars’ live-action offerings. What elevates it is the number of different sequences that players get to play through, moving from grounded shooter combat to spaceship flight, covering all aspects of Star Wars in a single title.
Destiny 2
An MMO That Can Still Be Great Solo
Destiny 2 has cemented itself as the premier FPS MMO, with a loyal fanbase that continues to populate the PvP modes and the challenging raids that the game has to offer. Yet for players who want to go it alone, the single-player campaign is actually pretty impressive, taking players on a journey across several planets in some of the genre’s most cinematic gunfights.
The enemies are what really make the missions so great, as each type has its own strengths and weaknesses that players need to learn in order to be successful. Also, with each new expansion added comes even more stories to enjoy, giving solo players enough content to experience without ever needing another player along the way.
Remnant 2
Co-Op Shooter Action That Works Just As Well Solo
Remnant 2 puts a heavy focus on cooperative gunfights, with several abilities and skills benefiting more from multiple players at once. However, much like other Soulslike games, the solo experience is equally fun, pitting a single player against some tricky bosses that require ingenuity and creative thinking to get past alone.
The rchetype system allows players to build a character that perfectly suits their playstyle, while never feeling at a disadvantage in power despite not having extra players around. The story itself is even more engaging in solo playthroughs, as players can focus more on the character arcs across each area and less on the teammates around them.
Monster Hunter World
Group Hunts Turned Individual Triumphs
Monster Hunter World sends players into battle against giant beasts and towering monsters, each requiring their own gimmicks and techniques for taking them down. A large portion of the design revolves around teamwork with other players; however, the single-player story route can be even more enjoyable, as each hunt completed feels like a much larger success for a lone hunter than when defeated as a group.
In terms of difficulty, playing through the game alone is actually more than manageable. Fights are balanced around any number of hunters rather than being skewed towards multiplayer alone. Also, monumental fights like the Elder Dragons become huge skill checkpoints that allow individual players to track their progress and mastery of their chosen weapon in much greater detail and progress at a rate that suits them and not the whole party.
Borderlands 2
Leading The Charge For Looter-Shooters To Come
Borderlands 2 is built for and around co-op in lots of ways, encouraging teamwork in every mission and in encounters across the wasteland. However, the story of Handsome Jack and the push across Pandora holds together cleanly when played alone, as quests progress in a straightforward manner, and the characters can keep players invested without another player needing to speak at all.
A solo run works because the writing, bosses, and missions hold the player’s attention even without others filling the space. And the gameplay speaks for itself, providing a hugely satisfying loop of character progression and loot collection, ensuring that players always feel as though they are moving forward and never being restricted by other fellow vault hunters.
