Curated list
With mods
Games that are solo or limited by default, but become strong group picks through community mods or server setups.
Just Cause 2
90% offA single-player open-world chaos sandbox with a historic multiplayer mod built for huge servers.
1 player, Hundreds+ with mod
Modded setup
£0.99
30+ min sessions
Solo by default. The multiplayer mod is famous but much quieter now, so check server activity first.
The Steam page describes extending Just Cause 2 to dozens, hundreds, or thousands of players; current population may be low.
Source: Just Cause 2 Multiplayer Mod
Just Cause 3
85% offA solo open-world destruction sandbox with community multiplayer modes for freeroam, racing, and roleplay.
1 player, Server-based with mod
Modded setup
£1.79
30+ min sessions
Solo by default. JC3 multiplayer exists, but server health varies and may be quiet.
JC3MP opens the game to community servers and custom game modes such as racing, deathmatch, roleplay, and freeroam.
Source: JC3MP
Slay the Spire
75% offA solo deckbuilder that can become a lightweight shared run through co-op or race mods.
1 player, Up to 10 friends with mods
Modded setup
£4.99
30+ min sessions
Solo by default. Multiplayer depends on community mods, so everyone needs the same setup.
Together in Spire advertises Steam or port-forwarded lobbies for up to 10 friends. Good for mod-tolerant roguelike nights.
Source: Together in Spire
Kerbal Space Program
75% offA single-player space-program sandbox that can become a shared universe through Luna Multiplayer or DarkMultiPlayer.
1 player, 2+ with server mods
Modded setup
£8.24
60+ min sessions
Solo by default. Multiplayer depends on a server and agreement around time warp.
Luna Multiplayer and DarkMultiPlayer provide shared-universe server play, including time-sync/warp handling.
Source: Luna Multiplayer
R.E.P.O.
35% offScrappy physics horror extraction for groups who enjoy panic, betrayal, and bad decisions.
Up to 6 players, 6+ with mods
Modded setup
£5.19
30+ min sessions
Native lobbies are capped at 6. Larger rooms depend on community mods and can be less stable.
Community lobby-size mods can push past the native cap; treat this as best-effort rather than guaranteed support.
Source: community lobby-size mods
Subnautica
10% offSurvival exploration that turns into a shared expedition through co-op mod setups.
1 player, Up to 100 with Nitrox
Modded setup
£20.05
60+ min sessions
Solo by default. Co-op requires mod setup and can have progression or sync rough edges.
Nitrox advertises large-event support up to 100 slots, but normal friend groups should expect a smoother experience at much smaller counts.
Source: Nitrox
BeamNG.drive
A physics driving sandbox that becomes a casual group driving or racing server through BeamMP.
1 player, Large servers with BeamMP
Modded setup
£19.20
30+ min sessions
Single-player by default. BeamMP requires its launcher and server browsing outside the base game.
BeamMP is an active multiplayer mod with public servers and a large installed server ecosystem.
Source: BeamMP