Best Crossplay Games On Xbox Game Pass (December 2023)

Although still not a default practice, crossplay has grown considerably in popularity. Nowadays, cross-platform games are not unheard of, which makes sense since these titles rely on having active communities. If it is possible to bring everyone together rather than divide the player base, that should extend the project’s lifespan.

One of the best deals in gaming, Xbox Game Pass has an impressively diverse library that caters to most genres and player requirements. Although not heavily promoted, Microsoft’s subscription service also has a few cross-platform titles. Therefore, that begs the question – which are the best crossplay games on Game Pass?

Back 4 Blood

Metascore: 74

Back 4 Blood launched with crossplay enabled as the game’s default setting; therefore, most players have likely already used the feature. Inspired by timeless classics like Left 4 Dead, Turtle Rock’s project is a first-person shooter that heavily favors co-op, although it is possible to play single-player.

In the main campaign, four players combine forces to take on The Ridden, zombie-esque monsters that are relatively typical for the genre. Back 4 Blood‘s defining feature is the inclusion of cards that allow for a degree of customization, both in terms of character builds and level layout. Turtle Rock has confirmed that Back 4 Blood‘s development has concluded, so the game’s current form should be its final one.

Overall, Back 4 Blood is not a masterpiece or an all-time great, and it does not have as much replay value as a few of the best entries in this small subgenre. However, the game is fun enough to warrant a single playthrough at the very least.

Mortal Kombat 11

Metascore: 86

Mortal Kombat 11 is extra special since it is one of the few Xbox Game Pass crossplay games also on PS Plus Extra; therefore, subscribers can face off in epic and bloody duels. That said, NetherRealm’s Krossplay comes with a few restrictions since players need to be on same-gen hardware. Furthermore, the feature is only available on PlayStation and Xbox systems; however, Xbox players can face off against PC users who are using the Microsoft store.

Released in 2019, Mortal Kombat 11 has generally enjoyed a good run, despite garnering early backlash due to its monetization practices. Combat-wise, MK11 focuses on methodical gameplay, demanding that players take a more strategic approach to battles. While no longer at its peak due to the arrival of Mortal Kombat 1, the game’s multiplayer is still reasonably active.

Quake 2

Metascore: 90

In 2021, id Software brought Quake to modern systems, and the release ended up being one of the year’s nicest surprises since it went way beyond just another port. Two years later, the developer did the same for the sequel, and the enhanced version is absolutely fantastic. Quake 2 is a classic run and gun shooter that amassed a dedicated following thanks to its multiplayer, although its single-player campaign is great too. The 2023 iteration includes all the DLC, updated resolution and performance, and a whole new expansion created by MachineGames.

In terms of co-op and PvP options, the game is robust and impressive. Quake 2 supports 8-player split-screen on PC and the Xbox Series X/S, while the other platforms can show up to 4 simultaneous users. The campaigns can all be played in co-op, and if someone prefers to shoot rather than assist their friends, they can jump into a range of quintessential competitive options. Id Software also placed no restrictions on crossplay by allowing everyone to play together regardless of their chosen ecosystem.

Sea Of Thieves

Metascore: 69

Rare’s Sea of Thieves celebrated its 5-year active anniversary in March 2023, a milestone that seemed borderline unattainable following its rough launch in 2018. Since then, the pirate game has amassed a dedicated fanbase who appreciate its free-roaming structure, stylish visuals, and Rare’s frequent updates. Although the waters are not bereft of solitary adventurers, Sea of Thieves is largely intended to be a co-op experience, with players being encouraged to create crews to get the most out of the pirate life.

Regardless of whether someone seeks companionship or not, they will meet other players at some point or another since Sea of Thieves is an always-online multiplayer game; consequently, it benefits from crossplay support. Considering the title will likely always be available on Game Pass, it makes sense to combine the community into one online space. That said, controller-only players might struggle in PvP scenarios against pirates controlled by keyboards and mice, leading to a few unbalanced encounters. As such, Sea of Thieves’ crossplay is mainly for when friends from different ecosystems want to join forces.

Xbox users can disable crossplay support if they wish.

Dead By Daylight

Metascore: 58

By this point, Dead by Daylight has more than proven its staying power. Every few months, Behaviour Interactive boosts the game’s relevance through expansions, most of which contain versions of popular horror icons. While hardly the only egg in the basket, Dead by Daylight is undoubtedly the most popular 4v1 survival horror project on the market.

In 2020, Behaviour added cross-platform support on consoles and PC, which undoubtedly extended Dead by Daylight‘s lifespan. For the uninitiated, the game pits four survivors against a single killer, challenging the former to fix generators and escape before they are wiped out by the latter. Each character, both good and evil, comes with unique abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Although matches can get formulaic after a while, Dead by Daylight‘s vast selection of killers and survivors should keep players busy, provided they are willing to try out different characters.

Grounded

Metascore: 82

After a lengthy spell in early access, Obsidian’s Grounded finally made its full debut in 2022. The survival game shrinks players down to (ant) size, before dropping them into a seemingly average backyard. However, due to their miniature dimensions, players quickly discover that this is a dangerous and cutthroat world.

Grounded is perfectly enjoyable as a solo experience; in fact, there is something to be said about facing the game’s challenges without any support. However, the Xbox title supports co-op and permits up to four (online) players to embark on this journey as a unit.

Party Animals

Metascore: 78

At a glance, Party Animals might conjure up images of Gang Beasts, but the game takes ideas from its popular brethren and shapes something new. Across its different modes, all of which come with their own maps, players will compete against each other in courses of survival, skill, and silliness.

Wonky physics is given for this type of multiplayer game, and Party Animals manages to feel relatively good to play while still coming with a small learning curve. The party game genre has thrown out a few staples in recent years, and Party Animals is worth adding to the bill whenever players want a change of pace.

Among Us

Metascore: 85 (PC)

Among Us still sits among the most popular multiplayer games on the market, and this status can be credited to a wide range of things: memes, accessibility, and also crossplay. A group of players are stranded on a spaceship, and while most of them are just honest Crewmates, a few folks are really Impostors.

As the former players try to accomplish a few tasks, the latter must stealthily massacre their way to victory while avoiding detection. Matches are fun, hilarious, and intense.

Chivalry 2

Metascore: 81

Torn Banner Studio’s Chivalry 2 brings medieval warfare to life, and it is gloriously bloody. Featuring three fractions and allowing for up to 64 players per match, the game drops players in grand battlefields and challenges them to complete an objective while slaughtering everything that moves. The result is a messy and addictive melee that comes with a fairly steep learning curve, although the bouts’ chaotic nature should be entertaining enough to keep newcomers hooked while they come to grips with the basics.

Chivalry 2 requires a sizable player base to function. Matches simply won’t be as fun if they were not fully packed, so it makes sense that the game would support crossplay. Xbox Game Pass players can take on or fight alongside PlayStation or PC owners/

Payday 3 & Payday 2

Metascore: 65 (Payday 3)

Payday 3 had a mixed launch. On the one hand, Overkill has significantly improved the core gameplay, which should have been a given considering Payday 2 originally launched in 2013. Still, the gunplay feels better than ever, and the emphasis on stealth mechanics adds an alternative method for approaching heists. Basically, Payday 3 has a very solid foundation to build on, but it launched with a fairly underwhelming and repetitive endgame that lacks a number of its predecessor’s features and updates. As such, the sequel can seem like a step back for those who have spent years playing Payday 2.

Still, Payday 3 is likely to be around for a long time, so it is worth highlighting for people searching for co-op Game Pass games that support crossplay. It should also be noted that Payday 2 is also on Microsoft’s subscription service and supports crossplay. While this entry might seem outdated in some places, the overall package currently has more to offer than its successor.

World War Z: Aftermath

Metascore: 76

World War Z follows in the footsteps of Left 4 Dead to an extent, albeit with a third-person shooter perspective and a diverse campaign that frequently shakes up its locations to try and keep things fresh. Although by no means bad, the 2019 release is nothing too amazing and might struggle to keep a group’s attention beyond a few hours. In 2021, Saber launched Aftermath, an iteration that includes the base game and an expansion. Presented as the definitive version of World War Z, this update delivers an improved experience that comes with quite a few tweaks and changes. For instance, Aftermath includes a first-person option, which is always nice to have. The gameplay is designed around a third-person angle, but the alternative works well enough to be usable.

Supporting 4-player co-op, WWZ Aftermath is naturally intended to be played with friends, even if solo runs are possible thanks to AI. The game includes a respectable range of classes that fit into specific roles, so people can focus on creating a balanced team rather than just a group of copycats. There is a multiplayer PvPvE option that has a few different modes. Aftermath is not extremely active in this day and age, although it is not completely dead either.

Gang Beasts

Metascore: 67

Gang Beasts has crossplay enabled, although not for every platform. Only Xbox and Microsoft Store users can play together, leaving Steam, PS4, and Switch players out in the cold. These limitations essentially mean that Game Pass subscribers are all pooled into one ecosystem, alongside people who purchased the title directly. With easy-to-grasp controls and a humorous presentation, Gang Beasts is a reliable local multiplayer option to bring out during parties, and the game is arguably at its best in this setting. However, as in-person meet-ups are not always possible, online multiplayer is also supported.

Along with creating a private lobby to play with friends, Gang Beasts also permits players to jump into bouts with random strangers. Provided no cheating is involved, the game’s loose controls allow for a relatively level playing field regardless of platform, although that is of little consolation when someone is flung from a blimp to their doom.

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide

Metascore: 74 (PC)

After spending roughly a year as a PC exclusive, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide finally made its way to the Xbox Series X/S in October 2023, a transfer that came with a significant boost in exposure. Designed around co-op, teamwork is the whole point of this first-person action romp that takes inspiration from the Warhammer: Vermintide games, and Darktide compares favorably to both of those titles. Compared to that series, this project emphasizes ranged gunplay, although melee action is still a core part of the overall package.

Darktide has four playable classes, each of which comes with its own progression tree and combat styles. As such, players will likely gravitate to one or two characters since the available options cover a fairly wide range of styles. There are more than enough things to love here to ensure that friends have a great time for a long time.

Deep Rock Galactic

Metascore: 83

An awesome co-op package, Deep Rock Galactic centers around cave-mining dwarves who will have to do a lot of insect-blasting if they want to make bank. Rather than a story, the game focuses on creating a strong gameplay loop that will keep players coming back for more as they try to progress their chosen dwarf. The latter come in a few classes too, so there is a decent amount of variety here.

Deep Rock Galactic is simply fantastic and comfortably among the best cross-platform games on Game Pass. While the core gameplay might not be especially deep, the whole package comes together to create a whole that is more than the sum of its parts.

MORE: Best Crossplay Games to Play Right Now

Source: Crossplaygames