Believe it or not, we used to host popular LAN parties quite frequently back in the day, so I guess you could say I'm somewhat of a LAN expert. From my experience, the best LAN games are those that are quick to get into and don't require massive downloads. This ensures that everyone can stay hyped for the games and keep the LAN party going deep into the night. The last thing you want is someone struggling to run a game and being left out at an event like this.
All the LAN games in this list are:
As we dive into 2024, we've compiled a list of the best PC LAN party games that you should consider for your next gaming get-together.
Act of War: Direct Action is a real-time strategy game that offers a thrilling mix of action and strategy. The game is set in a not-so-distant future where economic crisis and political tension have given rise to a global conflict. With its engaging storyline, impressive graphics, and intense gameplay, Act of War: Direct Action offers a ton of fun for LAN parties. The game also features a cooperative mode, allowing players to team up and take on the AI together.
Age of Empires is a classic in the world of LAN games. This real-time strategy game allows players to guide a civilization from the Stone Age to the Iron Age. The game offers a variety of maps and civilizations to choose from, ensuring that no two games are the same. Age of Empires is not just about warfare; players must also focus on resource management and strategic planning, making it a challenging and engaging game for LAN parties.
The sequel to the popular Age of Empires, Age of Empires 2 takes everything that was great about the original and improves upon it. The game offers more civilizations, better graphics, and a more complex gameplay. Whether you're playing a competitive match or a cooperative campaign, Age of Empires 2 is sure to provide hours of entertainment at your next LAN party.
The Battlefield series is renowned for its large-scale, multiplayer battles. These first-person shooter games offer a variety of maps and game modes, ensuring that there's something for everyone. Whether you're storming the beaches of Normandy in Battlefield 1942, fighting in the jungles of Vietnam, or engaging in modern warfare in Battlefield 2, these games offer a thrilling and immersive LAN gaming experience.
The Call of Duty series needs no introduction. Known for its fast-paced, action-packed gameplay, the series offers some of the best LAN games on the market. Whether you're fighting in the trenches of World War II in Call of Duty 2 or engaging in modern warfare in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, these games offer a thrilling multiplayer experience that's perfect for LAN parties.
The Command and Conquer series is a staple in the world of real-time strategy games. These games offer a mix of base-building, resource management, and tactical combat. Whether you're fighting for the Allies in Red Alert 2, commanding high-tech armies in Generals, or leading the Brotherhood of Nod in Kane's Wrath, the Command and Conquer series offers a variety of engaging and challenging LAN games.
Company of Heroes is a real-time strategy game set in World War II. The game offers a mix of tactical combat and resource management, challenging players to lead their troops to victory. With its realistic graphics, immersive gameplay, and intense multiplayer battles, Company of Heroes is a great choice for LAN parties.
The Counter Strike series is one of the most popular LAN games of all time. These first-person shooter games pit teams of terrorists and counter-terrorists against each other in a variety of game modes. Whether you're playing the classic Counter Strike 1.6 or the updated Counter Strike: Source, these games offer a thrilling multiplayer experience that's perfect for LAN parties. The competitive nature of the game, combined with the need for teamwork and strategy, makes it an engaging choice for players.
Factorio is a unique game that blends real-time strategy with survival and simulation elements. In this game, players are tasked with building and managing factories on an alien planet. The goal is to automate production and fight off alien creatures, all while dealing with the challenges of resource management and logistics. Factorio's cooperative mode makes it a great choice for LAN parties, as players can work together to build complex industrial networks.
Freelancer is a space trading and combat simulation game that offers a vast, open-world experience. Players can explore the galaxy, trade commodities, take on missions, and engage in epic space battles. The game's multiplayer mode allows players to join forces and form their own corporations, making it a great choice for LAN parties. With its immersive gameplay and endless possibilities, Freelancer offers a unique LAN gaming experience.
Garry's Mod is a sandbox game that allows players to manipulate objects and experiment with physics. The game doesn't have any set objectives, giving players the freedom to create and explore at their own pace. Whether you're building complex machines, creating hilarious scenarios, or just messing around with the game's physics, Garry's Mod offers a ton of fun for LAN parties.
Ground Control II: Operation Exodus is a real-time tactics game that offers a unique blend of strategy and action. The game is set in a futuristic world where players must lead their forces to victory in intense, tactical battles. With its engaging storyline, impressive graphics, and innovative gameplay, Ground Control II: Operation Exodus offers a thrilling LAN gaming experience.
Halo Combat Evolved is a first-person shooter game that set the standard for the genre. The game offers a thrilling single-player campaign, but it's the multiplayer mode that makes it a great choice for LAN parties. Whether you're battling it out in deathmatch mode or working together in cooperative mode, Halo Combat Evolved offers a thrilling and immersive LAN gaming experience.
Half Life is a first-person shooter game that revolutionized the genre with its immersive storytelling and innovative gameplay. The game offers a thrilling single-player campaign, but it's the game's mods that make it a great choice for LAN parties. Whether you're battling it out in Counter-Strike, teaming up in cooperative mode in Sven Co-op, or experiencing the horror of They Hunger, Half Life offers a variety of engaging LAN gaming experiences.
Homeworld 2 is a real-time strategy game that takes the genre to the stars. In this game, players must build and command a fleet of spaceships in epic space battles. The game's multiplayer mode allows players to battle it out in the vastness of space, making it a great choice for LAN parties. With its innovative gameplay, impressive graphics, and thrilling space battles, Homeworld 2 offers a unique LAN gaming experience.
Live For Speed is a realistic racing simulator that offers a thrilling and immersive driving experience. The game offers a variety of cars and tracks, as well as a realistic physics engine that makes each race a unique challenge. The game's multiplayer mode allows players to race against each other, making it a great choice for LAN parties. Whether you're a fan of racing games or just looking for a fun and competitive game to play at your next LAN party, Live For Speed is a game you should definitely check out.
Minecraft is a game that needs no introduction. This open-world game allows players to explore, build, and create in a world made entirely of blocks. The game's multiplayer mode allows players to work together to build and explore, making it a great choice for LAN parties. Whether you're building a castle, exploring the Nether, or just trying to survive, Minecraft offers endless possibilities and hours of fun.
Quake 3 Arena is a first-person shooter game that offers fast-paced and competitive multiplayer action. The game is known for its intense gameplay, impressive graphics, and variety of game modes. Whether you're battling it out in deathmatch mode, teaming up in cooperative mode, or competing in tournament mode, Quake 3 Arena offers a thrilling and immersive LAN gaming experience.
Re-Volt is a racing game that offers a unique and fun twist on the genre. In this game, players control radio-controlled cars and race through a variety of tracks. The game's multiplayer mode allows players to race against each other, making it a great choice for LAN parties. Whether you're a fan of racing games or just looking for a fun and competitive game to play at your next LAN party, Re-Volt is a game you should definitely check out.
Rise of Nations is a real-time strategy game that allows players to guide a civilization from the ancient age to the modern age. The game offers a variety of maps and civilizations to choose from, ensuring that no two games are the same. Rise of Nations is not just about warfare; players must also focus on resource management and strategic planning, making it a challenging and engaging game for LAN parties.
Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is a first-person shooter game that offers a unique and immersive Star Wars experience. The game allows players to create their own Jedi, learn the ways of the Force, and battle against a variety of enemies in the Star Wars universe. The game's multiplayer mode allows players to battle against each other, making it a great choice for LAN parties. Whether you're a fan of Star Wars or just looking for a fun and competitive game to play at your next LAN party, Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy is a game you should definitely check out.
StarCraft is a real-time strategy game that offers a thrilling mix of action and strategy. The game is set in a futuristic world where three unique races battle for control of the galaxy. With its engaging storyline, impressive graphics, and intense gameplay, StarCraft offers a ton of fun for LAN parties. The game also features a cooperative mode, allowing players to team up and take on the AI together.
Supreme Commander is a real-time strategy game that offers a unique and immersive gaming experience. The game allows players to command one of three unique factions and battle for control of the galaxy. The game's multiplayer mode allows players to battle against each other, making it a great choice for LAN parties. Whether you're a fan of strategy games or just looking for a fun and competitive game to play at your next LAN party, Supreme Commander is a game you should definitely check out.
The Unreal Tournament series is a collection of first-person shooter games that offer fast-paced and competitive multiplayer action. These games are known for their intense gameplay, impressive graphics, and variety of game modes. Whether you're battling it out in deathmatch mode, teaming up in cooperative mode, or competing in tournament mode, the Unreal Tournament series offers a thrilling and immersive LAN gaming experience.
Warcraft III: Frozen Throne is a real-time strategy game that offers a thrilling mix of action and strategy. The game is set in a fantasy world where four unique races battle for control of the land. With its engaging storyline, impressive graphics, and intense gameplay, Warcraft III: Frozen Throne offers a ton of fun for LAN parties. The game also features a cooperative mode, allowing players to team up and take on the AI together.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War is a real-time strategy game that offers a unique and immersive gaming experience. The game allows players to command one of four unique factions and battle for control of the galaxy. The game's multiplayer mode allows players to battle against each other, making it a great choice for LAN parties. Whether you're a fan of strategy games or just looking for a fun and competitive game to play at your next LAN party, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War is a game you should definitely check out.
Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory is a first-person shooter game that offers a unique and immersive World War II experience. We suggest using the ET Legacy version, as it's more modern and contains lots of fixes. The game allows players to take on the role of soldiers in the Allied or Axis powers and battle it out in a variety of game modes. The game's multiplayer mode allows players to battle against each other, making it a great choice for LAN parties. Whether you're a fan of World War II games or just looking for a fun and competitive game to play at your next LAN party, Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory is a game you should definitely check out.
In conclusion, the world of LAN gaming offers a wide variety of experiences, from fast-paced shooters to complex strategy games. Whether you're looking for a game to play at your next LAN party or just want to explore the world of multiplayer gaming, this list of the best LAN games of 2024 has something for everyone. So gather your friends, set up your PCs, and get ready for hours of fun and competition. Happy gaming!
EVER WANTED TO START YOUR OWN GAME SERVER?
