Halloween might be the spooky season, but multiplayer horror games are in fashion all year round. If you think about it, this genre and co-op should not go together, as nothing kills fear like the company of others. Yet, Steam is packed with 4-player horror games that challenge a group of friends to collect items or complete a ritual before a ghost or cult catches them. Even popular franchises like Resident Evil have produced co-op horror games, to mixed results.
While you might not struggle that much to find something to play with your friends, there are precious few cross-platform horror games out there. For the most part, you will need to stick to the same system. Still, exceptions exist, and they are among the biggest names in the genre.
Click "Expand" on a game's description box to see which platforms support crossplay.
The Outlast Trials
The Most Intense Group Therapy Sessions Ever
The Outlast Trials
- Released
- May 18, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Red Barrels
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series
- Number of Players
- 4
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
After producing two of the scariest single-player games, Red Barrels took Outlast in a live service multiplayer direction, a huge departure for the franchise. While a very different experience from its predecessors, The Outlast Trials still succeeds in delivering a terrifying experience packed with gruesome moments, smart storytelling, and challenging puzzles. Up to four players can take the trials on together, and they will have their work cut out for them if they want to survive.
Most Chaotic Horror Games
Chaotic horror games can be both hilarious and horrifying at the same time. For fans of this mix, here are some great titles to check out.
Like the other Outlast games, Trials retains the modern survival horror game formula, which means players should hide from enemies as they are not meant to defend themselves. The gameplay is simple but effective, and replayability comes through trying different trials while also leveling up your character. You also unlock temporary abilities during runs, which adds variety to the trials.
If you want a genuinely scary crossplay co-op horror game, The Outlast Trials is your best option.
7 Days to Die
Survive With Friends In A Zombie Hellscape
7 Days to Die
- Released
- June 28, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- The Fun Pimps
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series
- Number of Players
- 8 (PC), 4 (Consoles)
- Platform(s)
- Linux, macOS, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One
Launching to almost universal critical disdain roughly a decade ago, 7 Days to Die not only persevered but also blossomed into a cornerstone of the horror multiplayer scene. The genre's online multiplayer efforts tend to be relatively small experiences, at least in terms of playthroughs; however, 7 Days to Die drops players into a relatively big open-world and challenges them to survive for as long as possible, while building bases, fighting zombies, and collecting resources.
In recent years, The Fun Pimps somewhat simplified the game's structure and sandbox elements, so players are generally encouraged to play a certain way. That said, 7 Days to Die is still a lot of fun and pretty addictive, especially when played alongside a few friends. Console players are usually restricted to four people per server, but crossplay hosted on PC raises the limit to eight.
Dead By Daylight
The Definitive Multiplayer Crossplay Horror Game
Dead by Daylight
- Released
- June 14, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Behaviour Interactive
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One & Xbox Series X|S
- Number of Players
- 5
- Genre(s)
- Horror, Survival
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Stadia, Switch, Mobile
At this point, Dead by Daylight needs no introduction. If you are remotely interested in multiplayer horror, you likely own this game on various platforms and have dropped cash on DLC packages containing some of the genre's most famous icons. In 2020, Behaviour Interactive added crossplay to DBD, further ensuring its future as matches are nearly instantaneous on most systems.
Best Co-Op Games On Steam To Play Right Now
From online multiplayer titles to local masterpieces, Steam has plenty of fantastic co-op games that cover a wide spectrum of genres.
As far as 4v1 asymmetric horror is concerned, DBD is the standard-bearer by a margin, and nothing really has come close to replicating its success. Quality-wise, the gameplay loop is relatively straightforward; four survivors need to repair generators to escape, while killers must hook all of them. Depth arrives from the characters, all of whom have different playstyles and builds. You can simply stick to the meta favorites, but you can also just pick your favorite killer (or survivor) and have fun.
Phasmophobia
Phasmophobia
- Released
- October 29, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Kinetic Games
- Cross-Platform Play
- PC, PS5, PSVR2, Xbox Series
- Number of Players
- 4
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror, Puzzle
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Games like Phasmophobia are a dime a dozen on Steam, but most of them never leave PC. Consequently, Kinetic Games' project stands out due to its console availability, along with the simple fact that it is among the best investigation horror games. Centering around contracts, players are dropped into an area that is currently being haunted by a ghost, and their job is to discover the type of spirit. They have access to a range of equipment, a few of which are guaranteed, while others must be bought and can be lost.
With more than 10 maps and 20 ghosts, Phasmophobia has more than enough variety to keep players engaged for a long time, and hunts are perfectly designed to spark both screams of fear and laughter during group sessions. Crossplay is supported on all platforms, with even PSVR2 players being able to share a game with standard console users.
World War Z: Aftermath
A Worldwide Trip With Friends And Zombies
World War Z: Aftermath
- Released
- September 21, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Saber Interactive
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Genre(s)
- Shooter
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
There are quite a few 4-player zombie shooters that support crossplay, although not every game has the feature. Back 4 Blood supports it and is decent, while Killing Floor 3 is a more recent but divisive option. Since Black Ops Cold War, Call of Duty has generally supported crossplay zombies, and these modes are frequently the best part of each game. Zombie Army 4: Dead War also has limited crossplay.
World War Z mostly serves as a representative of this horror subgenre, and it is a particularly good pick for people who prefer third-person shooters. More importantly, the Aftermath version is also one of the most enjoyable PvE games of this ilk, although you will need to play with friends. Players get a fairly long campaign that takes them across the world and features some of the biggest zombie hordes in gaming. The gameplay is rock-solid, and the campaign blends action set pieces and scares better than most of its contemporaries.
World War Z: Aftermath's public servers are largely dead from what I've seen, so please do not rely on random match-ups.
Horror Games That Feature Co-Op Without Sacrificing Tension
Horror games are often most effective when they isolate their players, but these games prove that the scares don't need to let up in co-op play.