10 LAN Games Perfect for Playing with Friends

The best part about playing LAN games is that everyone knows each other. There are no random teammates, nor do people just chat for a bit and then leave; instead, everyone plays while chatting via voice chat. The original plan was to play for only one hour, but by midnight, we hadn't stopped yet. Such an experience is far more memorable than simply winning or losing.

In the past, whenever the term "LAN" was mentioned, images of dormitories, internet cafes, and clusters of computers would immediately come to mind. However, this is no longer necessary – players don't have to be physically in the same room. As long as a game offers a private online multiplayer portal, players located in different locations can still play together using Virtual LAN or remote LAN tools.

The following 10 games may not be the newest, but they are all perfect for small in-game teams. Whether you want to build houses, enjoy fighting bosses, or simply want to cause some trouble via voice chat, there's sure to be a game that suits your needs.

1. Minecraft

If you can't find a game to play, Minecraft is definitely a safe bet. When you first open the New World, you'll start with nothing. After just a few hours, you might already have a base at the foot of a mountain, and your mine may have been dug deep enough that you can't see its bottom. By this point, the "unified planning" plan everyone had agreed on has long since been forgotten.

What makes this game so great is that everyone can find something to do: those who enjoy building can spend a long time decorating their base, while those who love adventure can venture out to explore new areas. The original survival mode isn't enough—you can even add mods to transform the world into an industrial, magical, or RPG server.

Minecraft: Java Edition supports an open LAN world and also allows online multiplayer via servers. If you want to build a long-term game with friends, starting with this version is generally a safe bet.

2. Terraria

Terraria resembles Minecraft but offers a completely different gameplay experience. While it features building and mining mechanics, it places greater emphasis on equipment progression and boss battles. Players won't spend too much time wandering aimlessly through the world—after all, the next boss, a new area, or a better weapon is always just around the corner.

In multiplayer mode, the preparation process itself is quite engaging: some players are busy building combat platforms, while others head out to gather potions or materials. Once everyone has finally finished preparing, someone often calls the Boss out prematurely.

If your friends prefer clear goals but still want to retain the freedom of sandbox games, Terraria is an excellent choice.

3. Stardew Valley

Group gaming doesn't necessarily require shouting until your voice hurts; sometimes, everyone just wants to find a place to chat and, along with that, farm some crops.

The multiplayer farming system in Stardew Valley is perfect for this kind of scenario. In the morning, some people go to water the crops while others head straight to the mine. At night, everyone returns to the farm with their day's harvest and discusses whether they should expand the chicken coop tomorrow.

It hardly ever compromises the gaming experience due to technical disparities. Even if some members of the team rarely play games in their spare time, they can gradually find their own preferred rhythm. The only issue is that once the farm has started operating, "playing for another day" usually doesn't mean playing for just one full day.

4. Valheim

In Valheim, what is most memorable is often not the boss encounter, but rather a failed voyage. A few players excitedly build their first boat and set off with plenty of food; however, as soon as they approach an unfamiliar coastline, the group is chased by monsters and scattered in all directions. When everyone returns home in disarray, this very journey becomes the most entertaining story of the entire night.

This game is ideal for small, fixed teams of three to five players. Building, hunting, gathering, and exploration tasks will naturally be distributed among different players, yet all serve the same base. It also features a dedicated server tool that makes it easy for teams to maintain a long-term world.

Pay close attention to the host's network. World synchronization, combat, and building all rely on a stable connection; if the host's connection fails, other players will quickly notice it.

5. Project Zomboid

Don't be fooled by the phrase "Project Zomboid" —what this game really tests is whether a group of people can get through their daily lives.

Food will run out, water supplies will dry up, and injuries or noise could trigger new problems. While everyone is separately searching for supplies, someone might forget to check the home's security alarm. In the blink of an eye, what was once a quiet neighborhood could turn into a chaotic escape route.

Private servers allow you to customize the number of zombies, item spawn rates, and death penalties. Whether you want to play with serious survival goals or simply dive into a role-playing experience, you can set your own rules. While this game can be quite challenging, it's especially well-suited for creating stories that belong exclusively to your team.

6. Factorio

Factorio is a game that quietly eats away at your time.
At first, we only wanted to set up a simple production line. Soon, conveyor belts, power grids, refineries, and railways covered the entire map. Everyone was handling their own section, and the factory appeared perfectly organized—until someone asked: "Where are the iron plates again?"

Collaborative efforts can make complex systems easier to manage, but they can also give rise to more new problems. Some focus on train scheduling, others specialize in optimizing circuits; as everyone works to fix bottlenecks, the factory continues to grow larger and larger.

If you're into automation and problem-solving, it's hard to resist. However, before starting, it's best to agree on a deadline—though there's a good chance that won't actually matter.

7. Left 4 Dead 2

Some nights aren't ideal for a slow-paced approach. If everyone joins online and just wants to fire immediately, then choose Left 4 Dead 2.

Four survivors traverse a battle zone, clearing out infected enemies, rescuing one another, and ultimately reaching the safe house. The rules can be explained in just a few minutes, but the pacing of each game varies; when the enemies will appear, whether resources are sufficient, or if teammates will suddenly charge out—none of these can be predicted with certainty.

Playing with friends is especially lively; it's great when everything goes smoothly, and even funnier when the whole group makes a mistake together. Shooting and rescue scenarios are particularly sensitive to latency, so a stable local machine and network connection directly impact your gameplay experience.

8. Garry's Mod

Rather than saying Garry's Mod is a game, it's more accurate to describe it as a massive box of toys crafted by players themselves.

You can launch the Physics Sandbox, or play Prop Hunt or Trouble in Terrorist Town – there are countless community maps and add-ons available. This game doesn't prioritize strict balance; the more casually friends play together, the more likely strange and hilarious moments will arise.

However, it's advisable to finalize all content in advance before launching the server. Missing maps or add-ons can cause excited players to wait a long time on the download screen. In group games, the biggest pitfall is when everyone has arrived, yet some players still can't join.

9. Borderlands 2

If you want a squad to have guns, gear, and progression, but don't want to deal with the pressure of competitive gaming, Borderlands 2 is still well worth playing.

It features complete campaigns, as well as class-specific skills, bosses, and a vast array of random weapons. When several players team up to complete a mission, different classes can support one another, but there's no need to develop highly sophisticated tactics. More often than not, everyone is simply clearing mobs, grinding for gear, and then debating who should get a particularly unattractive gun.

This isn't a game that can be completed in just one night. The fixed team can gradually level up before tackling higher difficulty settings. As long as everyone's progress isn't too far apart, the online experience will be very smooth.

10. Civilization VI

Civilization VI doesn't place much emphasis on reaction time, but it does have some requirements regarding friendship.

The game has its roots in ancient times. Players develop cities, pursue technological advancement, and negotiate boundaries and alliances. In the first half of the round, they may pledge peace to one another; by the second half, they might turn against each other over a single key city. This is likely where the charm of turn-based strategy lies.

Completing a full game takes quite some time, so it's best to find a regular companion. Saving your progress midway and continuing next time is a more practical approach than forcing yourself to play until dawn. Players who enjoy board games, diplomacy, and long-term planning will particularly enjoy this process.

Which one is more suitable for you?

Don't rush to pick the most famous one yet; think about what these friends usually do once they join the voice chat.

If you prefer a slow-paced build, you can start with Minecraft or Valheim. If you just want a place to chat, the farm in Stardew Valley would be more comfortable.

If you're more interested in growth and combat, Terraria and Borderlands 2 might be a better fit for you. If you want to quickly liven up your evening, simply launch Left 4 Dead 2 or Garry's Mod.

As for Factorio, Project Zomboid, and Civilization VI, it's best to find a few players who are willing to play together long-term. At first, things might start off a bit slowly, but once you get going, it becomes easy to create a shared save file that can be enjoyed for a long time.

Whether a game is the most popular isn't actually that important; what truly matters for playing online with friends is whether people can start chatting about it and whether they're willing to play together again next time—these are the most practical criteria.

Before starting, first resolve the connection issue.

Many LAN gaming sessions get stuck at the version or network stage before even starting. Some players can't find a room, others have the wrong Mod version installed, and still others have their firewall blocking access to their host machine.

Before formally scheduling a game session, first confirm that the version and mods are consistent, then ask two or three people to try joining. This approach may be somewhat disappointing, but it's still better than having to conduct a full team-wide check after the scheduled time has passed.

When friends are not at the same location, you can use Virtual LAN or the Remote LAN Play tool. GearUP LAN Play can establish a private network and also allow you to send invitations to friends. The corresponding game guide will continue to explain how to create a game room and join one, eliminating the need for players to research IP addresses and firewalls individually. The game itself must still support LAN, Direct IP, or a self-hosted server.

Q&A

Do you need to connect to the same Wi-Fi network to play LAN games?

Traditional LANs typically require all devices to be located within the same local network. Using Virtual LAN or Remote LAN Play tools, players in different locations can also establish a similar connection environment for supported games.

Can all multiplayer games use LAN Play?

No. The game must at least support LAN, Direct IP, a custom server, or private rooms. If it can only run via official matchmaking, LAN Play is generally not useful.

Which model is best for a beginner to start with?

If you're looking for something more relaxing, you could opt for Stardew Valley or Minecraft.

If you usually enjoy shooting games, Left 4 Dead 2 is easy to pick up and doesn't require you to first learn its complex progression system.

Why can't my friends always connect to the room?

First, check your game version, mods, firewall settings, and IP address. An unstable host network can also cause connection failures. Finally, double-check whether the game actually supports the online mode you are trying to use.

Conclusion

The truly fun LAN games allow a group of friends to spend enough time together in the same virtual world—building things together, causing mischief together; when it comes time to talk about it again, there will naturally be stories to share.