Best Crossplay Games On Xbox Game Pass

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?

Updated on November 11, 2024 by Mark Sammut: October 2024 saw the debut of one of the biggest games of the year, and it is also among the best crossplay Game Pass games.

Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6

PvP Multiplayer And PvE Co-Op Both Support Crossplay

With new releases being a yearly tradition, Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 should not have felt like a big deal. Activision’s game was always going to be a huge commercial success because the IP has become so inescapable that financial failure seems impossible; however, the previous entry, Modern Warfare 3​​​​​​, garnered pretty universal criticism, especially its single-player campaign. Even the usually reliable Zombies mode struggled to receive a global nod of approval, largely thanks to MW3 taking an open-world approach that lacked the intensity of waved-based missions. Therefore, Black Ops 6 was a sure-fire blockbuster, but it was hardly a guaranteed critical darling.

More importantly, the game debuted directly on Game Pass, a first for the franchise. This presented a rare opportunity for COD to bring back lapsed players who had grown tired of the formula and had no desire to drop cash on a new project. To cater to these returnees (or even newcomers), BO6 wisely incorporated a lengthy and enjoyable single-player campaign that hearkens back to the franchise’s glory days.

As good as the story is, BO6‘s legacy will be defined by its multiplayer, both the PvP modes and Zombies. Wisely, crossplay is thoroughly supported, allowing players from all ecosystems to play together. This is a particularly big deal for Zombies, which mostly reverted to Black Ops Cold War‘s formula. That is not a bad thing. The PvP also plays things safe, delivering reliable maps and staple game modes. BO6 is among the best Call of Duty games in a long while, and it serves as a great reintroduction to the franchise.

Riders Republic

An Open-World Extreme Sports Epic

Ubisoft’s modern releases tend to get passionate responses, both positive and negative. The publisher has a well-defined formula for open-worlds that has worn thin with certain players over the last decade; conversely, these games can be engaging and comforting escapes from reality that offer (usually) decent gameplay, stories, and visuals. While somewhat different from Assassin’s Creed or Far Cry, Riders Republic nevertheless has the heart of a traditional Ubisoft release, a loaded statement that might provide enough context for somebody to determine whether this game will suit their interests or not. That said, when it comes to extreme sports projects, the 2021 release does not have much competition, particularly on this scale.

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Smashing together a few different real-life mountains and locations, Riders Republic drops players on a huge and gorgeous map that is packed with challenges, races, and stunts. From there, they have access to an array of disciplines (skiing, biking, snowboarding, wingsuit), all of which control differently and take a while to master. Now, riders can opt to focus on their preferred specialty, but they should consider dipping their toes in each area to help unlock the whole map.

While playable solo, Riders Republic is very much designed to be a social game, with 64 players sharing the server. All the events are designed to be played with other people, and crossplay has helped keep the online scene healthy for longer.

Diablo 4

An Action RPG That Is Far Better When Played With Friends

Following a stellar debut, Diablo 4‘s post-launch life has been slightly messy. Blizzard’s action RPG has developed a mixed reputation, with every new update seemingly muddying the water more. Even if not universally loved, Diablo 4 is nevertheless a big deal with plenty of positives in its favor, including a reasonably fun single-player campaign that should be able to keep someone entertained for a couple of hours. However, this franchise has never prioritized storytelling, and that remains true with the 2023 entry. As such, players will be spending most of their time grinding for loot in the endgame, which is the section that has arguably garnered the most criticism.

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Unsurprisingly, Diablo 4 shines the brightest when played in co-op, a feature complemented by widespread cross-platform support. The multiplayer element has some issues, like launching with a lack of a global chat, but co-op can be an absolute blast as it allows players to take advantage of the different classes’ complementary capabilities. More importantly, Diablo 4 has come quite far since its launch, steadily developing into a more robust and complete experience. While the Vessel of Hatred expansion requires additional investment, Blizzard regularly releases free updates that improve (or just change) the base game.

MLB The Show 24

Baseball Sim With A Strong Online Component

MLB The Show is firmly cemented as the definitive baseball franchise, with each entry offering a realistic but accessible sim that honors the sport’s history while reflecting on its current status. Although perhaps not the most highly regarded entry in the series, MLB The Show 24 still features top-notch gameplay, high production value, and modes that can keep players engaged for months on end.

People who want to play alone can focus on Road to the Show, Franchise, or Storylines, all of which are huge time sinks that provide fairly different experiences from each other. The game supports cross-progression fully too. Nowadays, a modern sports game cannot exist without an online component, and MLB The Show 24 has that covered with Diamond Dynasty. Utilizing cards and seasons, this mode can be addictive and polarizing.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Modern Warfare 3 might feel like old news with the pending arrival of Black Ops 6, but Activision’s 2023 first-person shooter is very much alive. The game garnered quite a bit of criticism at launch for its uneven single-player campaign, which was considerably weaker than its subseries predecessors. While that is still very much the case, Modern Warfare 3‘s multiplayer is generally fine, as long as somebody goes in with realistic expectations. This is a fairly standard CoD experience, and it delivers on that level.

Along with the PvP element, Modern Warfare 3 also has a large-scale zombies mode that drops players into something akin to an open-world. This structure results in a rather different experience than the classic iterations of this mode, but it is still a lot of fun.

Mortal Kombat 11

A Great Fighting Game That Is Still Relatively Popular Despite MK1’s Existence

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.

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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.

Sea Of Thieves

The Ultimate Swashbuckling Co-Op (Or PvP) Fun

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.

Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2

Fun & Accessible Fighting Game For Kids & Adults Alike

Super Smash Bros. casts such a dense shadow over the platform fighting genre that any project that enters the space will automatically be compared to Nintendo’s juggernaut crossover franchise, and they are always in an uphill battle to stand out in a positive light. Even though SSB is exclusive to one ecosystem and not direct competition for multi-platform releases, an IP has yet to come that succeeds in defining itself as the definitive option on Xbox or PlayStation consoles. Although not an exception, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl is among the better alternatives available to modern players, especially the sequel.

While the first game kind of fell flat, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 managed to improve significantly on its predecessor’s rocky foundation, providing a far more complete and well-rounded experience. Featuring an impressive roster of characters that should delight both old-school and new fans of the channel’s cartoons, the game offers a decent range of modes, including a must-welcome single-player option that incorporates roguelike elements. Filled with Easter Eggs and consistently charming, the latter serves as a decent introduction to the game’s mechanics while delivering enough entertainment to keep somebody busy for a few hours. If nothing else, the campaign is perfect for kids who are maybe too young to jump online.

Still, Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2‘s replayvalue is entirely based on its multiplayer options, which allow up to four players to engage in all-out war or 1v1 and 2v2 battles. Nothing too special for the genre, but the chaotic gameplay, fun character movesets, and slime mechanic keep things interesting and silly.

Dead By Daylight

A Frequently Updated Asymmetrical Horror Game With A Dedicated Fanbase

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

A Sandbox Survival Game Designed To Be Played With Friends

After a lengthy spell in early access, Obsidian’s Grounded 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.

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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

Silly Party Fun

Systems

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Cross-Platform Play

PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S

Released

September 20, 2023

Developer(s)

Recreate Games

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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

Survive Or Kill

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.

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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

Large-Scale Medieval Warfare

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/

Deathloop

Fun Twist On PvP

Although its reputation has arguably diminished since its 2021 launch, Deathloop is still a fun title with a unique take on multiplayer. Arkane Lyon’s time-loop game casts players as Colt, an assassin who must take out eight targets in a single day. Failure restarts everything, with Colt remembering his experiences. Functioning somewhat like a roguelite, each run is largely the same, and players are expected to learn from their past attempts as they plot out better strategies for taking out Colt’s targets.

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Besides dealing with the many enemies that populate the island of Blackreef, Colt also has to keep an eye out for Julianna, an agent who is specifically there to ensure the time loop remains intact. Basically, she needs to kill Colt. While this character can be controlled by AI, Julianna can also be handed over to another player, creating a unique take on multiplayer. This aspect is arguably the best part of Deathloop since it adds an element of unpredictability that tends to be otherwise missing, especially since the game’s AI is not fantastic. The game supports crossplay in an attempt to prolong PvP, which is not an easy thing to do in what is otherwise a single-player experience.

Remnant: From The Ashes

A Third-Person Shooter Soulslike That Is All About 3-Player Co-Op

Xbox Game Pass has both Remnant projects, although the 2023 sequel does not support crossplay. If someone will be playing solo or only with Xbox users, they should go with Remnant 2 since it does improve on many of its predecessor’s ideas, and it has a class that makes single-player runs easier to manage. However, anyone requiring cross-platform play between PC and Xbox has no choice but to pick Remnant: From the Ashes. Although it does feel like old news by this point, the 2019 release is still a very good time in its own right, and it still stands as one of the better Souls-like shooters on the market.

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Remnant drops players in a version of Earth that has been corrupted, sending them on missions that utilize random generation to add an element of unpredictability. A single playthrough will not contain all the game’s content, so players will need to go for multiple runs if they want to experience everything the title has to offer. Remnant: From the Ashes is 100% designed with co-op in mind, with the game allowing three players to jump into a campaign. They will be allowed to pick from three archetypes, which are fairly flexible since they do not block players from using certain weapon types. Like most Souls-likes, Remnant is challenging, although it is still one of the theme’s more accessible options.

Space Engineers

Share A Space Sandbox & Get Building

Added in 2021, Space Engineers supports crossplay between Xbox and PC, although the process is a bit different since it requires the use of EOS servers. People interested in trying the feature should check out Keen’s crossplay guide. Space Engineers is an ambitious sandbox project set in space, granting players the freedom to mine and craft to their hearts’ content. The game can be quite overwhelming at first since it does not provide much direction or hand-holding, but once someone learns the basics, they can lose a lot of time in this universe.

While newcomers should start with solo servers until they come to grips with the controls, they will eventually move over to the online options, which allow them to play with other people. Space Engineers has a fairly active and passionate community too, so it is a good game to jump into if someone is looking to craft, build, and communicate.

For Honor

Epic Warfare Between Epic Classes

For Honor has managed to survive longer than most people might have predicted when it launched in 2017. While always somewhat niche compared to other popular multiplayer games, Ubisoft’s game has established a dedicated and passionate fan base who just want to see if a Samurai can beat a Knight or a Viking.

Unique presentation aside, For Honor is essentially part of the fighting genre, and it comes with a steep learning curve that will likely push newcomers away during their first hours. Fortunately, For Honor has a tutorial and AI enemy options to help beginners come to grips with the difficult core mechanics. Obviously, the game’s selling point is its online modes, but jumping in without knowing the basics will result in a frustrating and demoralizing experience. Although varying depending on the mode chosen, battles are largely group affairs, with the game emphasizing teamwork quite a bit. The combat system is tactical, deliberately paced, and reactionary; while far from easy to master, it has quite a lot of depth.

Deep Rock Galactic

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.

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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.

Overwatch 2

Xbox Game Pass Subscribers Get A Few Bonuses

OK, this one feels like a cheat as Overwatch 2 just about counts as an Xbox Game Pass game. Blizzard’s sequel opted to go free to play when it launched in 2023, a decision that was polarizing (among a plethora of other moves made by the developer). While still arguably the most well-known and prominent hero shooter on the market, Overwatch 2 has been trying to steady the ship since its debut, with seemingly every new update garnering a polarizing reception. Still, for all the negativity surrounding it, the game is nevertheless in a relatively healthy place.

Now, players do not need a Game Pass subscription to play Overwatch 2 on Xbox; however, if they link their Battle.net account, they can receive items and loot. For example, 30 Mythic prisms and 6 epic hero skins are being given away until November 11. While not a lot, this provides some incentive to play the game via Microsoft’s service.

Valorant

Another Freebie On Game Pass

Console players had to wait a long while, but Valorant finally landed on the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S at the beginning of August 2024. As a free-to-play shooter, Riot’s game might seem like an odd pick for Game Pass since the subscription is not required to access the game; however, players who are also subscribers receive a few benefits, so it is not pointless.

As far as competitive FPS games are concerned, Valorant is polished, fairly well-balanced, and emphasizes tactics and teamwork above everything else. While boasting a healthy community on any platform, cross-platform support for the consoles should help ensure Valorant‘s future, all the while making it easier for friends to play together.

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