A pair of new multiplayer games, Lethal Company and The Finals, are displacing longtime chart-toppers like Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto 5.
Lethal Company launched on October 23, 2023, and quickly became a fan favorite, especially among players who value co-op adventures. The game also became Steam’s top-rated new release, beating AAA juggernauts such as Resident Evil 4 Remake and Baldur’s Gate 3. The game consistently hits 100,000 players daily according to Steam Charts despite being released only in October, making it a true success story.
It’s not alone, though. Embark Studios’ The Finals has become a smash hit since it launched on December 7. The game gained traction throughout 2023 with multiple beta periods, and it hasn’t slowed down since being made available to the masses.
Why is Lethal Company so popular?
Lethal Company has the perfect blend of teamwork in a horror setting that, combined with its lower price, makes it a strong value.
The game is priced lower than big releases like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Baldur’s Gate 3. It’s priced even lower in many regions thanks to Steam’s regional pricing, which only helps get the game into more players’ hands.
The co-op gameplay loop is rewarding and addicting. Some players liken it to runs done in other roguelikes like Hades, where each level strengthens the character.
It’s also an authentic cooperative experience. Communication and coordination are keys to success. Planning extraction routes and methods, executing those plans, and gaining rewards with friends is a strong experience. While The Finals and other FPS games are built on PvP experiences, co-op PvE is a niche that hasn’t been exhaustively attempted.
What is Lethal Company’s gameplay like?
Lethal Company is a co-op horror game that takes players to abandoned planets for resource extraction gig work.
The game is about digging inside procedurally generated and monster-filled moons to get scrap. A party of up to four players is required to play the game to its fullest, as plenty of things can go wrong. Players need to figure out how to get the scrap, get it back to the ship, and sell it to “The Company” for profit. It’s a simple premise that works in the game’s favor, and it’s a formula that has seen the game surge in popularity on Twitch.
The random nature of the levels and the lure of getting better gear after selling scrap makes each round fun. Players that go in with their friends can expect to get more out of the experience.
Is The Finals any good?
The FPS space is a crowded one. Valorant, Rainbow Six Siege, and Counter-Strike 2 have a death grip on the tactical shooter space. Apex Legends dominates as the top FPS battle royale. There are countless single-player games ranging from retro-style boomer shooters to AAA titles like Resident Evil Village and Metroid Prime Remastered.
Unless games are bringing something new to the table, it’s a tough market to break into. That makes The Finals’ rise even more impressive.
The game essentially a combines the battle royale and capture the flag game modes for a looter shooter experience. Teams need to complete objectives while wiping out enemy teams for currency. That currency determines the winner, and can also be used to purchase in-game items after.
The Finals is free-to-play and available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. It has become one of the most-played games on Steam since its release and might be set to become a top-five staple alongside the likes of Dota 2 and PUBG: Battlegrounds.