A fast 2D shooter with a friendly look
Teeworlds is a free online multiplayer game that runs on all major operating systems. Matches support up to 16 players, and the built-in modes are Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, and Capture The Flag. Alongside those, the community has made a large number of modifications, so the list of ways to play goes well beyond the standard three. The game is open-source, which means anyone can help develop it, build new game types, make skins, or create maps with the built-in map editor.
Movement and shooting are the core of every match, and the game is built to be easy to pick up while still leaving room to keep learning new tricks. Your character, called a tee, can be customized with hundreds of possible combinations, so you can make yours stand out in a crowded arena.
Playing with your group
Teeworlds is built around multiplayer, so your group can jump into a match together and pick from the available modes. Team Deathmatch and Capture The Flag put you on the same side against other players, while Deathmatch is a straightforward free-for-all. With up to 16 players per match, there is room for the whole group plus whoever else is on the server. Community-made modifications add more variety when you want something different from the standard modes.
Before you start
The game is free and has been since launch, and it is open-source, so the content you see comes largely from its community: servers, maps, skins, and new game types. If you want to make your own level, the built-in map editor is there for that. Expect a game that rewards practice, since the mechanics keep revealing new tricks the longer you play, but one that also lets new players get into a match and start having fun right away.