Video games are often considered a solitary activity, but the truth is that the majority of modern-day games have features that encourage teamwork, cooperation, and competition. Whether you want to strengthen bonds with your friends, colleagues, or family, gaming can be the perfect platform for building and maintaining relationships.

From cooperative games for gamer couples to multiplayer arenas with hundreds of players, here are nine highly rated video games that can help improve team building and trust, provide healthy competition for everyone involved, and enough fun to keep players entertained for hours at a time.

1. Overwatch 2

Overwatch 2, Activision Blizzard’s latest team-based first-person shooter, is a highly competitive game that requires players to work together to complete objectives and defeat enemy teams.

With a diverse cast of characters to choose from, each with unique abilities, Overwatch 2 encourages players to communicate and strategize to win. Players must stick together if they want to stay alive, using the healing, support, and tank classes in unison to win matches.

2. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes

In this nail-biting game of tense moments and satisfying relief, one player takes on the role of a bomb defuser while the others act as their support team. Failure to communicate clearly leads to disaster, so it’s critical that players cooperate while under pressure.

The catch is that only the defuser can see the bomb, while the support team has access to a manual that provides instructions on how to defuse it. Players have to defuse the bomb before time runs out, which often leads to hilarious mistakes and misunderstandings.

3. Minecraft

Minecraft is one of the most popular sandbox games available. It’s a cooperative game with survival elements, enabling players to build and explore together in order to thrive in a dynamic and dangerous environment.

With the ability to create structures, gather resources, and fight off monsters, Minecraft requires players to work together to build a thriving community. It’s possible to play the game alone, but the gameplay and challenges are far easier to enjoy with a group of players.

4. Portal 2

Portal 2 is a witty puzzle game where two players must navigate through a series of increasingly difficult levels. Each player uses a special gun that creates portals between two points, which adds a layer of complexity that most other puzzle games lack.

Working together to solve puzzles and progress through the game requires communication, trust, and cooperation. The narrative is also highly engaging, drawing in players with a well-written script and compelling characters.

5. Rocket League

With multiplayer modes that let players team up, Rocket League requires players to coordinate their movements and communicate effectively to score goals. This fast-paced game combines soccer with rocket-powered cars, resulting in a unique and exciting take on a classic sport.

Mastering the controls takes time and practice, but it’s worth it when you start scoring goals regularly. With somersaulting cars and physics-based gameplay, this is one sports gaming experience you don’t want to miss.

6. Fortnite

Currently one of the world’s most popular games alongside Minecraft, Fortnite is a battle royale game that pits players against each other in a last-player-standing competition. With the option to play in teams, Fortnite encourages players to work together to survive and come out on top.

Teams are dropped onto a map without weapons or equipment. They have to scavenge, collect resources, and build defensive structures to beat other teams. Graphically, the game is more cartoonish than other battle royales, but the strong gameplay elements make Fortnite a joy to play for all age groups.

7. Sea of Thieves

This multiplayer adventure game gives players the ability to explore a vast open world as pirates on the high seas. Players can form crews, sail ships, and engage in naval battles as they seek out treasure and the hidden mysteries of the expertly crafted world.

Sea of Thieves encourages teamwork and communication. In fact, it’s a critical component of the gameplay, and solo players will find it nearly impossible to complete the game’s many quests, side missions, and secret activities.

8. Divinity: Original Sin 2

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a role-playing game (RPG) that lets players create their own characters and embark on an epic quest together. The game features a branching storyline with multiple endings, offering endless replay value for RPG lovers.

With a variety of skills and abilities to choose from, players work together to overcome challenges and complete quests. Combat is turn-based, and each encounter turns into a puzzle, complete with environmental hazards, elemental combos, spells, and medieval weapons.

9. The Jackbox Party Pack

This collection of party games includes a variety of multiplayer games that encourage players to work together and have fun. The diverse selection of games is the major drawback here, with five highly entertaining games to choose from.

Ranging from trivia to drawing challenges, the games in The Jackbox Party Pack are great for bringing people together, having fun as a group, and building trust through shared experiences.