Perhaps the only thing better than gaming by yourself is playing with a friend (or group of friends). Luckily for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, the service has hundreds of great multiplayer titles.
The best multiplayer games on Game Pass are both cooperative and competitive – and span the genres from first-person shooters to racing titles and action-adventure titles. Suffice it to say, there is really something for every friend group on the platform. Whether you're looking for couch co-op experiences or online adventures, Game Pass' best multiplayer games have it all (on both console and PC).
Please note that this list will only include one game from a given franchise, but we will add any relevant entries (i.e. prequels, sequels, etc.) too, so make sure to look out for the “Other Great Games In The Franchise” section under select titles.
The 25 Best Multiplayer Games On Xbox Game Pass:
1. Halo Infinite
- Available On: Console, PC, & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: 87
- Genre:First-Person Shooter
- Players: 1-24 / Co-Op & Versus
Description: When all hope is lost and humanity’s fate hangs in the balance, the Master Chief is ready to confront the most ruthless foe he’s ever faced. Begin anew and step inside the armor of humanity’s greatest hero to experience an epic adventure and finally explore the scale of the Halo ring itself.
What The Critics Say: “Halo Infinite is a phenomenal game that completely exceeded my expectations. By seamlessly blending exciting new elements with Halo's traditional formula, 343 Industries has crafted its magnum opus.” – Windows Central
Other Great Multiplayer Games In The Franchise: Halo 5 Guardians, Halo: The Master Chief Collection
2. Monster Hunter Rise
- Available On: Console, PC, & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: 86
- Genre:Action RPG
- Players: 1-4 / Co-Op
Description: Set in the ninja-inspired land of Kamura Village, explore lush ecosystems and battle fearsome monsters to become the ultimate hunter. It’s been half a century since the last calamity struck, but a terrifying new monster has reared its head and threatens to plunge the land into chaos once again.
What The Critics Say: “The PC port forMonster Hunter Riseis the definitive way to experience this game. I am excited to see where the franchise goes from here, although I will find it hard to slide back into anyMonster Huntergame without the new traversal and streamlined elements. Whether you want to hunt alone or play with your friends, play ‘Fashion Hunter’ or experience the main quests, there is something for everyone in Monster Hunter Rise.” – Gaming Age
3. Forza Horizon 5
- Available On: Console, PC, & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: 92
- Genre:Racing
- Players: Up to 50 / Co-Op & Versus
Description: Your Ultimate Horizon Adventure awaits! Explore the vibrant and ever-evolving open-world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars.
What The Critics Say: “Forza Horizon 5 is the best Forza yet and, not only that, but it also makes a strong case for being the best racing game period. A joyous combo of arcade racing and simulation-level depth, all wrapped up in a beautiful bow thanks to its diverse, expansive Mexico setting, this is an unmissable iteration in what is arguably gaming’s most consistently fantastic series.” – Game Revolution
Other Great Multiplayer Games In The Franchise: Forza Horizon 4
4. It Takes Two
- Available On: Console, PC, & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: 89
- Genre:Action-Adventure
- Players: 2 / Co-Op
Description: From Hazelight comes It Takes Two, an innovative co-op adventure where uniquely varied gameplay and emotional storytelling intertwine in a fantastical journey. Founded to push the creative boundaries of what's possible in games, Hazelight is the award-winning studio behind the critically acclaimed A Way Out and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons.
What The Critics Say: “It's impressive stuff. It Takes Two is the best 3D platformer I've played since Super Mario Odyssey, and like that game, it has a flair for variety. You may ride a frog or fly a plane with wings made from Cody's boxers or hack-and-slash through a Diablo-style castle. Despite the downright wild amount of things to do, It Takes Two manages to handle every mechanic well.” – GameSpot
5. Gears 5
- Available On: Console, PC, & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: 84
- Genre:Third-Person Shooter
- Players: 1-10 / Co-Op & Versus
Description: Sera is crumbling, your enemies uniting. Humanity’s reliance on technology has become their downfall and enemies are uniting to wipe out all survivors. As Kait, journey back to uncover the origins of the Locust, and fight with your squad to protect what’s left.
What The Critics Say: “What was unexpected is just how effectively it doubles down on story with a character-focused, consequence-filled tale that plays to one of the franchise’s most underappreciated strengths and backs it up with fun, welcome additions to both its gameplay formula and flow. And that’s just the campaign: add in a heavy-hitting multiplayer lineup of Versus, Versus Arcade, Horde, and Escape and it makes Gears 5 one of the best and most versatile action-game packages in recent memory.” – IGN
Other Great Multiplayer Games In The Franchise: Gears Of War: Ultimate Edition, Gears Of War 2, Gears Of War 3, Gears Of War: Judgement, Gears Of War 4
6. Tetris Effect: Connected
- Available On: Console & PC
- Metacritic Score: 88
- Genre:Puzzle
- Players: 1-4 / Co-Op & Versus
Description: Tetris Effect: Connected adds an all-new robust multiplayer expansion to the huge variety of addictive and innovative single-player modes that Tetris Effect is known for with all-new co-op and competitive online and local multiplayer modes. Tetris Effect is Tetris like you've never seen it, or heard it, or felt it before – an incredibly addictive, unique, and breathtakingly gorgeous reinvention of one of the most popular puzzle games of all time, from the people who brought you the award-winning Rez Infinite and legendary puzzle game Lumines.
What The Critics Say: “An already spectacular game breaks free of its solo constraints to become the definitive Tetris experience.” – VGC
7. A Way Out
- Available On: Console & PC
- Metacritic Score: 79
- Genre:Action-Adventure
- Players: 2 / Co-Op
Description: The story of A Way Out begins in prison with two separate inmates, Leo and Vincent, who don’t know each other. While their individual stories progress, players have to build a relationship based on trust as they break both men out of prison into the world beyond. This co-op only experience is meant to be played together with a friend on a couch or online.
A Way Out is a game uniquely tailored for two players to work together no matter the situation. Through a compelling narrative, Leo and Vincent will embark on an emotional adventure, where they live some memorable action moments that they face together including car chases, stealth passages, melee fights, shootouts, and many more.
What The Critics Say: “I implore you to find a friend who owns it or to buy it yourself and share the experience with someone else. Honestly, don’t miss A Way Out, for it’s the purest form of co-op out there and a truly innovative game.” – TheXboxHub
8. Overcooked! 2
- Available On: Console, PC, & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: 83
- Genre:Simulation / Strategy
- Players: 1-4 / Co-Op & Versus
Description: Overcooked returns with a brand-new helping of chaotic cooking action! Journey back to the Onion Kingdom and assemble your team of chefs in classic couch co-op or online play for up to four players. Hold onto your aprons… it's time to save the world (again)!
What The Critics Say: “Overcooked! 2 is simply brilliant. It comes with a massive story mode that is full of various recipe types to keep you busy, an arcade option for those wanting to hone their skills, and a versus mode which sees the very best chefs pitting themselves up against one another in a cook off to the death. All that combined means that it is a must purchase game… especially for those looking for some multiplayer madness.” – TheXboxHub
9. Sea Of Thieves
- Available On: Console, PC, & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: 69
- Genre:Action-Adventure
- Players: Up to 24
Description: With musket loaded and grog in hand, the freedom of the pirate life awaits. What will your legend be? An epic multiplayer adventure. Crew up and set sail on memorable voyages. Make and break your pirates' code on the Sea of Thieves. A treacherous shared world. Plot your course and set sail for hidden riches. Navigate the perils of a fantastical world and the danger of rival crews.
What The Critics Say: “If you allow yourself to be diverted to the gameplay options besides the voyages, you and your friends will have a lot of fun playing Sea of Thieves. At its core, Sea of Thieves is a fun, innocent experience that rewards spontaneity and imagination, but becomes rather dull and repetitive if you want a linear experience. As part of Xbox Game Pass, Rare’s Sea of Thieves is more than worth the time you will put into it.” – TheXboxHub
10. Mortal Kombat 11
- Available On: Console, PC, & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: 86
- Genre:Fighting
- Players: 1-8 / Versus
Description: Mortal Kombat is back and better than ever in the next evolution of the iconic franchise. The all-new Custom Character Variations give you unprecedented control to customize the fighters and make them your own. The new graphics engine showcasing every skull-shattering, eye-popping moment, brings you so close to the fight you can feel it. And featuring a roster of new and returning Klassic Fighters, Mortal Kombat‘s best-in-class cinematic story mode continues the epic saga over 25 years in the making.
What The Critics Say: “It’s a rare fighting game that hits just about every note as strongly as Mortal Kombat 11 does. Everything from its methodical and deep combat to its fantastically absurd story mode and its rock-solid netcode, right down to its extraordinarily comprehensive tutorial is absolutely exceptional.” – IGN
11. Plants vs. Zombies: Battle For Neighborville
- Available On: Console, PC, & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: 76
- Genre:Third-Person Shooter
- Players: Up to 24 / Co-Op & Versus
Description: Welcome to Neighborville, where all is well. Except that a crazy new coniferous conflict between brain-less and botanicals is brewing! What are you gonna do – call the crops? Soil your plants? It’s time to kick some grass in the wackiest shooter experience between plants and zombies yet: Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville.
What The Critics Say: “Whether you play on your own, in co-op with friends or against strangers in competitive multiplayer, you’ll be impressed withPlants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville‘s glorious visuals that are bright and full of character. It’s hard not to adore both the Plants and Zombies as they’re both brought to life so wonderfully. But more crucially, the game performs and plays perfectly.” – GameSpew
Other Great Multiplayer Games In The Franchise: Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare, Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2
12. The Elder Scrolls Online
- Available On: Console & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: 77
- Genre:MMORPG
- Players: N/A
Description: Experience this epic adventure on your own or together with your friends, guild mates, and thousands of alliance members. Explore dangerous caves and dungeons, embark upon adventurous quests across Tamriel, and engage in massive player-versus-player battles, where the victors reap the spoils of war.
What The Critics Say: “The Elder Scrolls Online: TU‘s combat handles well on a gamepad, making it a great way to experience all this content.” – IGN
13. Grounded
- Available On: Console, PC, & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: N/A
- Genre:Sandbox / Action-Adventure
- Players: 1-4 / Co-Op
Description: The world is a vast, beautiful, and dangerous place especially when you have been shrunk to the size of an ant. Explore, build, and survive together in this first-person, multiplayer, survival-adventure. Can you thrive alongside the hordes of giant insects, fighting to survive the perils of the backyard?
What The Critics Say: “Even at this early stage, Grounded is an incredibly fun adventure with exciting combat and creative survival gameplay.” – Windows Central
14. Among Us
- Available On: Console, PC, & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: 85
- Genre:Party / Survival
- Players: 4-15 / Co-Op & Versus
Description: An online and local party game of teamwork and betrayal for 4-15 players… in space!
What The Critics Say: “Among Us is the perfect party game to play in short bursts or in a live streaming environment. With an addictively entertaining premise, simple controls, and a brilliant execution, if you haven’t played the game yet, you need to right now.” – Gaming Trend
15. Back 4 Blood
- Available On: Console, PC, & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: 77
- Genre:First-Person Shooter / Survival
- Players: 1-8 / Co-Op & Versus
Description: From the creators and development team behind the critically acclaimed, co-op phenomenon Left 4 Dead. Back 4 Blood is designed from the ground up as an original, premium title and marries the best of what made the co-op zombie shooter so successful with new features and state-of-the-art technology.
What The Critics Say: “Back 4 Blood is an exceptional FPS that sets a new standard for co-op zombie murderfests.” – PC Gamer
16. Outriders
- Available On: Console, PC, & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: 73
- Genre:Third-Person Shooter / RPG
- Players: 1-3 / Co-Op
Description: “Outriders is a 1-3 player co-op RPG shooter set in an original, dark, and desperate sci-fi universe. As mankind bleeds out in the trenches of Enoch, you'll create your own Outrider and embark on a journey across the hostile planet. With rich storytelling spanning a diverse world, you'll leave behind the slums and shanty towns of the First City and traverse forests, mountains, and desert in the pursuit of a mysterious signal.”
What The Critics Say: “Outriders is a well-thought-out shooter with expertly tailored RPG twists. It's an enjoyable ride that is made infinitely better by playing with friends but not inherently hurt by running solo either. This game takes the best parts from other looter-shooters and the best aspects of sci-fi RPGs and blends these elements into an experience that is worth diving into because of its high replayability, customizable play style, and fun story.” – Game Informer
17. MLB The Show 23
- Available On: Console & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: 82 (Reviewed on PS5)
- Genre:Sports (Baseball)
- Players: 1-8 / Co-Op & Versus
Description: MLB® The Show™ 23 gets you closer than ever to living your baseball dreams on the diamond. Shock The Game and Own The Show™ with your favorite players, your favorite rivalries, and all your favorite MLB® moments.
What The Critics Say: “MLB The Show 23 will have you practice your best home run calls because the latest installment in the iconic franchise knocks it out of the park. The game’s new storylines mode, improved animations, and latest gameplay changes are worth the price of entry to your favorite ballpark this year.” – Attack of the Fanboy
18. Unravel Two
- Available On: Console & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: 81
- Genre:Action-Adventure / Platforming
- Players: 1-2 / Co-Op
Description: In Unravel 2, you play as two Yarnys (tiny magical creatures made of yarn and joined by a thread) in a puzzle-platforming adventure. Run, jump, swing, and solve your way through a world of natural beauty and shadowy dangers, either on your own or with a friend in local co-op.
What The Critics Say: “With thoughtful gameplay, seamless co-op, a breezy campaign, and challenges geared towards gameplay masters, Unravel Two delivers a strong platforming experience for players of all skill levels. Whether you want a unique side-scroller to play alone or a teamwork-emphasizing experience to play with a friend, this is worth a look.” – Game Informer
19. For Honor: Marching Fire Edition
- Available On: Console, PC, & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: 78 (reviewed on PS4)
- Genre:Fighting / Action-Adventure
- Players: 1-8 / Co-Op & Versus
Description: Join the fight as a Knight, Viking, Samurai, or Wu Lin Warrior, and fight for the survival of your people. Play in a variety of modes including PvP, story campaign, PvE, and co-op.
What The Critics Say: “For Honor’s Marching Fire release is the best thing to happen to the history-remixing melee brawl ever since it [first released].” – Variety
20. Minecraft
- Available On:Console
- Metacritic Score:88
- Genre:Sandbox / Action-Adventure
- Players: 1-8 / Co-Op
Description: Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles. Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs.
What The Critics Say: “[The game's] goals don’t change when you bring friends in, but whether you’re cooperating or trying to outdo each other with larger, grander creations, having other people there makes Minecraft more rewarding. The PS4 and Xbox One versions of Minecraft allow two- to four-player split-screen play, and there’s an online mode that accommodates up to eight. Joining other people’s worlds is easy, too, thanks to a simple, easy-to-use lobby.” – IGN
21. Rocket Arena
- Available On: Console & PC
- Metacritic Score: 73
- Genre:First-Person Shooter / Action
- Players: 1-6 / Co-Op & Versus
Description: “Welcome to a world where the rules are written in rocket fuel. Rockets control everything in Rocket Arena, an explosive 3v3 shooter where you’re never out of the action. Master your hero’s unique rockets and abilities to rule the arena and become a champion.”
What The Critics Say: “Rocket Arena might seem like a game you already know… but it isn’t. It’s actually something different within the shooter genre, and if you’re tired of playing games that just feel the same, we think you should give it a try.” – Vandal
22. Fallout 76
- Available On: Console, PC, & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: 52
- Genre:MMORPG
- Players: N/A
Description: Fallout 76 is the online prequel where every surviving human is a real person. Work together – or not – to survive. Under the threat of nuclear annihilation, you’ll experience the largest, most dynamic world ever created in the legendary Fallout universe.
What The Critics Say: “Regardless of how Fallout 76 transforms and mutates in the months to come, the present version is a brave, imaginative, and rewarding exploration, but its true glory is revealed among friends.”
23. Dead By Daylight
- Available On: Console, PC, & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: 71
- Genre:Survival
- Players: 1-5 / Co-Op & Versus
Description: Dead by Daylight is a multiplayer (4vs1) horror game where one player takes on the role of the savage Killer, and the other four players play as Survivors, trying to escape the Killer and avoid being caught.
What The Critics Say: “The slasher genre fits great in a multiplayer game, and Dead by Deadlight is [proof] of it.” – IGN Spain
24. Gang Beasts
- Available On: Console, PC, & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: 67
- Genre:Beat ‘Em Up / Party
- Players: 1-8 / Co-Op & Versus
Description: Gang Beasts is a silly local multiplayer party game with doughy ragdoll physics and horrific environmental hazards
What The Critics Say: “If you appreciate multiplayer brawlers and are after something comical to enjoy with the family, Gang Beasts is without a doubt a game you need to play.” – TheXboxHub
25. Star Wars Battlefront II
- Available On: Console, PC, & Cloud
- Metacritic Score: 66
- Genre:First-Person Shooter
- Players: Up to 40 / Co-Op & Versus
Description: Star Wars Battlefront II allows players to experience the untold story of an Imperial elite special forces soldier in an all-new single player campaign. In epic multiplayer battles, players pilot a First Order TIE fighter through intense dogfights in space, and play as ground troopers or iconic heroes and villains, such as Yoda and Darth Maul, across all three Star Wars eras
What The Critics Say: “Star Wars Battlefront II offers a sizable improvement over the first game in almost every way.” – Twinfinite
Honorable Mentions
Honestly, this list was pretty difficult to condense into only 25 entries as there are still plenty of great multiplayer options on the service that we haven't discussed. So, if you're still looking for a few more titles to check out, here are a handful of additional recommendations:
- Battlefield 2042
- Deathloop
- Sniper Elite 5
- Titanfall II
Bobby Anhalt
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