Microsoft's Xbox Game Pass is arguably gaming's definitive subscription service. Part of that reputation stems from the company's willingness to allow major exclusives to debut directly on Game Pass, along with a fairly impressive range of third-party Day One arrivals. However, something that cannot be underappreciated is the platform's variety, offering something for just about every preference or situation. Along with fantastic single-player options, many of the best Xbox co-op games are also on Game Pass.

While local co-op goes back decades and will, hopefully, forever be part of the gaming landscape, the online variant is undoubtedly the most common and popular in this day and age. Naturally, Microsoft acknowledges that, but what are the best co-op games on Game Pass?

The selection will be (mostly) limited to games that support only online co-op since local co-op is covered in another article. That said, a few major exceptions that everyone should play will be included, and they will be listed at the end of the article.

Updated August 26, 2025, by Mark Sammut: Gears of War: Reloaded is debuting on Game Pass today, and it supports 2-player local and online co-op. While it has not been added to this article at this point, the game should be a pretty safe bet and an easy recommendation for any groups looking for a roughly 10-hour campaign. If you want something longer, check out two online co-op Game Pass games that launched in July 2025.

Abiotic Factor

An Awesome Co-Op Survival Game

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Abiotic Factor
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Released
July 22, 2025
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Developer(s)
Deep Field Games
Genre(s)
Survival, RPG
Pros & Cons
  • 6-Player Online Co-Op

After a solid run in early access, Abiotic Factor wisely made its full launch in conjunction with its Game Pass and PS Plus Extra debuts. This ensured Deep Field's game had access to a big player base right out of the gate, allowing it to take advantage of the early positive attention it received.

While playable solo or on public servers with random players, Abiotic Factor is at its best when experienced with friends, especially since campaigns last dozens upon dozens of hours. Incorporating a few nods to Valve's Half-Life, the game is set in an underground facility called GATE that has become home to creatures from another dimension. You and your friends are scientists trapped in this surprisingly large world, and you not only have to try and escape but also make the most of your current situation.

At its core, Abiotic Factor is an exploration survival game with base management. Your team will spend their time taking care of their basic requirements, maintaining and improving their home, and heading out into the unknown to complete missions and discover items. Combat is part of the equation, but it is a fairly minor element in the grand scheme of things. Abiotic Factor does a fantastic job of emphasizing and promoting teamwork and coordination.

Grounded 2 (Early Access)

Bigger & More Of The Same (Which Is Not A Criticism)

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Grounded 2
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Action
Adventure
RPG
Sandbox
Exploration
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Released
July 29, 2025
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Developer(s)
Obsidian Entertainment
Early Access Release
July 29, 2025
Genre(s)
Action, Adventure, RPG, Sandbox, Exploration
Pros & Cons
  • 4-Player Online Co-Op

Grounded has been one of the best online co-op games on Game Pass for years, and it is still available for anyone who wants to focus on that. However, in July 2025, Obsidian released its sequel into early access/Game Preview. In its current state, the game still has a long way to go before reaching completion, which does not seem likely to happen this year.

However, even in its current state, Grounded 2 is already a pretty fantastic survival co-op game, one that mostly expands on its predecessor's strengths by introducing a larger sandbox (set in a park this time) and more RPG elements. As with the first game, players get to build bases, fight bugs, engage with pretty deep ecosystems, and just mess around in a fun setting that holds quite a few surprises. If you are looking for a complete experience, I recommend just going with Grounded, as it is still brilliant; if you are mostly done with that game and want something similar but (potentially) better, the sequel is worth trying right now.

33 Immortals (Early Access)

A Co-Op Battle Through Hell, Purgatory, And Heaven

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33 Immortals
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Roguelike
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T For Teen // Blood, Violence
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Developer(s)
Thunder Lotus Games
Multiplayer
Online Co-Op
Early Access Release
March 18, 2025
Genre(s)
Action, Roguelike
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Pros & Cons
  • 33-Player Online Co-Op

Entering Game Preview, 33 Immortals delivers exactly what its title promises: Co-op with 33 players. Now, "can" is the operative word, as Thunder Lotus' game drops players on a map with 32 other warriors for a 25-minute playthrough, with the goal being to defeat enemies, clear out mini-dungeons, collect currency, survive, and perhaps complete Ascension Battles. While 33 players are in the general area (Inferno, Purgatorio, or Paradiso), mini-dungeons are limited to 6 fighters, although smaller groups can enter. As a session progresses, players gradually lose out and die, all leading to a final stretch where the remaining few are divided into teams to take on the final challenge.

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Gameplay-wise, 33 Immortals is a fast-paced isometric roguelite that delivers flashy combat with eye-catching animation and fun visuals. Players can pick from four weapons that effectively act as classes, and they will also unlock perks and relics as they progress. While each weapon/class has its solo strengths, they are at their best when harmonized with other players, allowing them to shine as a group. 33 Immortals is just a blast and an example of a cool concept that is executed well. Hopefully, the future is bright for this Game Pass online co-op game.

Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6

Zombies Co-Op Is Back

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
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9 /10
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Released
October 25, 2024
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Pros & Cons
  • 4-Players Zombies Mode

While not the first Call of Duty game to launch on Game Pass, Black Ops 6 is the first Day One release, an absolutely huge deal. Sure, Activision's shooter was always going to be among 2024's best-selling projects and did not need the subscription service rub to find a community, but that does not reduce the appeal of this arrival. Putting aside the core audience that buys every entry, Black Ops 6's Game Pass availability means that lapsed players who had grown tired of the series now have an easy excuse to jump back in, something that Treyarch has tried to take advantage of by incorporating a more traditional story campaign compared to some underwhelming recent entries.

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Although that mode is solely single-player, Black Ops 6 is naturally designed around multiplayer, be it PvP or co-op. The classic multiplayer modes include options like Deathmatch, Kill Order, and Domination, and they largely revolve around 6v6 matches. Cooperation might not always be prioritized, but teams that work together generally win together. However, Black Ops 6's main co-op offering is Zombies, which is back and as good as ever. While Modern Warfare 3 tried to shake up the core loop, its successor wisely opted to return to the formula that had proven successful for roughly a decade, playing mostly similar to Black Ops Cold War's Zombies. After picking one of the two available maps, four players have to survive waves of zombies while gradually unlocking new areas, weapons, and abilities. A few changes aside, Black Ops 6's Zombies mode seems set to go down as one of the franchise's better iterations, and hopefully, it will continue to improve over the coming months.

Sea Of Thieves

A Pirate Adventure That Is Meant To Be Taken With Friends

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Sea of Thieves
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March 20, 2018
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Developer(s)
Rare
Genre(s)
Adventure
Pros & Cons
  • 4-Player Support
  • Crossplay

Considering it had a fairly tepid launch, Sea of Thieves has blossomed into a fantastic multiplayer-driven project. Four players can team up to form a pirate crew and head out into the unknown in search of treasure, adventure, and maybe a Kraken. While solo explorers do exist, they will be at a disadvantage since Sea of Thieves is intended with co-op and PvP in mind.

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Sea Of Thieves: The Best Outfits, Ranked

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Even though more than five years have passed since the game's debut, Rare is still regularly producing updates that introduce fresh events and loot. There is almost always something new for a crew to discover in Sea of Thieves​​​​​​.

Hunt: Showdown 1896

Hunt Together, Loot Together

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Hunt: Showdown 1896
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Released
February 22, 2018
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Developer(s)
Crytek
Genre(s)
First-Person Shooter, Extraction
Pros & Cons
  • 2/3 Players Per Team

Originally known as Hunt: Showdown before going through a substantial makeover, the 1986 variant is an addictive extraction shooter that challenges players to take part in hunts, all in the hope of gaining some mouthwatering loot. While the main goal is to take out a Bounty Hunt's main boss, hunters can also decide to just pick up smaller loot and get out of dodge, which is a valid option as permadeath is a thing, and losing a strong hunter can be painful.

Now, Hunt: Showdown 1896 can technically be played solo, with players just looking out for number one; however, the game generally prioritizes teams of two or three members. As a PvPvE game, Hunt: Showdown 1896's greatest challenge is often the other players who are trying to score big, and hunting solo can be a sure-fire recipe for a spectacular loss.

Core Keeper

Fight, Build, And Survive (Alone Or With Friends)

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August 27, 2024
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Developer(s)
Pugstorm
Genre(s)
Survival, Sandbox
Pros & Cons
  • 8-Player Online Co-Op

Core Keeper is a survival-building game with procedural generation, deep crafting, solid combat, and 8-player co-op. The latter was a staple part of the game during its early access run, all the way to its full release in August 2024, and co-op brings a new dimension to a title that has a lot of them. Putting multiplayer to the side for a second, Core Keeper is primarily marketed as a single-player experience, and most people will likely jump into a solo campaign long before they consider inviting somebody to come and take a look.

Dropped into a dark and expansive world, players are told to "figure it out," a process that involves a lot of digging, resource gathering, and stumbling. Initially, Core Keeper can feel rather aimless, which would be an issue if the core mechanics were not strong from the start. Fortunately, crafting, combat, and building are immediately fun and, more importantly, improve as time goes by and players unlock more options or grow more confident.

Core Keeper is addictive in the way that only certain indie survival-crafting games seem to be, and it is currently among that genre's best versions. The co-op is the icing on the cake that enhances the overall package, and it gives the game a more relaxing and cozy tone.

Far Cry 5 And New Dawn

Rampage Through Hope Country With A Friend

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    Far Cry 5
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    9 /10
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    Released
    March 27, 2018
    ESRB
    M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
    Developer(s)
    Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Toronto
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    Platform(s)
    PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia, Xbox One
    Genre(s)
    FPS, Open-World
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    Far Cry New Dawn
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    First-Person Shooter
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    8 /10
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    Released
    February 15, 2019
    ESRB
    M For Mature 17+ Due To Blood, Intense Violence, Mild Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Alcohol
    Developer(s)
    Ubisoft, Ubisoft Montreal, Ubisoft Kyiv
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    Platform(s)
    PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
    Genre(s)
    First-Person Shooter

While not part of the series initially, Far Cry did start to implement co-op from the third entry. Far Cry 4 was the first to allow two players to experience (most of) the campaign together, a formula that was improved, fine-tuned, and perfected by Far Cry 5. Although arguably more polarizing than its two immediate predecessors, the Montana-based entry is arguably the best co-op game in the franchise, along with just being of the better open-world options. Except for a handful of opening missions, players will be able to join forces for the entire campaign, although only the host's story progression will be saved. As long as the guest does not mind that fact, they should try out this title.

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A rare direct sequel, Far Cry New Dawn is not generally hailed as one of the best entries in Ubisoft's franchise, and the game is especially difficult to recommend to people who have not played Far Cry 5. While fun to see Hope County in a post-nuclear war climate, the map is very similar to the original game, and the setting is one of the most repetitive in the series. The story does not hit the same highs as its predecessor either, although the sibling villains are entertaining enough.

For all its flaws, Far Cry New Dawn is still a great co-op experience, and its focus on shorter missions complements multiplayer well. While not recommended as a standalone release, New Dawn is certainly worth playing as an extension of Far Cry 5.

Dead Island 2

Just Uncomplicated Zombie Destroying Fun

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Dead Island 2
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7 /10
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Released
April 21, 2023
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Developer(s)
Dambuster Studios
Genre(s)
Action RPG
Pros & Cons
  • 3-player Online Co-Op
  • Co-Op Campaign

Although garnering largely positive reviews at launch, Dead Island 2 got a second lease on life when it debuted on Xbox Game Pass. The long-overdue sequel does not sound that impressive on paper, and if someone was not a big fan of the original, they might struggle to justify dropping cash to just have another opportunity to kill a few zombies in a good but seemingly not great game. However, Dead Island 2 just feels incredible to play, which is something that might not come across via gameplay footage or screenshots. Featuring a visceral gore system that makes dissecting the undead a deeply satisfying experience, Dead Island 2 focuses on getting the basics right, and it nails them.

Primarily known for its single-player, the 2023 release is a fantastic solo option, and an argument could be made that new players should start with this mode before trying co-op. That said, Dambuster implemented the latter feature well, ensuring that both hosts and guests are on an even footing. Co-op becomes available early in the campaign, too, so players won't have to wait long before they can play together. That said, players need to be on the same missions to join forces, otherwise, the person who is further along in the campaign will need to join as a guest and help their friends in their earlier quests.

Warhammer 40000: Darktide

Challenging Co-Op Campaign For Warhammer 40K Fans

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Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
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7 /10
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Released
November 30, 2022
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Developer(s)
Fatshark
Pros & Cons
  • 4-Player Online Co-Op
  • Co-Op Campaign

There are roughly a billion Warhammer 40K games, and they not only cover a wide spectrum of genres but also quality. Darktide is among the franchise's better releases in recent years, and its action-heavy gameplay should also satisfy non-fans who are just looking to shoot and dice their way through hordes of zombie-esque creatures. The game offers four playable classes, each of which feels wildly different to control. They all have their positives, and most players will likely find themselves gravitating to one or two of the characters.

Darktide's 4-class setup obviously lends itself to co-op play, to the point that the game not launching with a solo mode. The campaign can get quite punishing at times, so party members will need to work together if they want to survive against the game's various bosses.

Palworld

Ambitious Blend Of Genres

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Palworld
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January 19, 2024
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Developer(s)
Pocket Pair, Inc.
Div
Genre(s)
Open-World, Shooter, Survival
Pros & Cons
  • 4-Player Online Co-Op
  • Co-Op Campaign

On paper, an open-world survival game where players catch Pokemon-esque creatures and engage in third-person shooter action sounds like a recipe for both success and disaster. Surely, such an ambitious title cannot conceivably come together to create a cohesive whole; yet, Palworld kind of clicks. Now, it is important to remember that Pocket Pair is still working on this project, and the current version is not only subject to change but also has plenty of room to grow. Technical issues are also normal, although Palworld is not a broken mess either.

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Set on the Palpagos Islands, Palworld challenges players to survive and thrive. The former involves stocking up on necessities and building a base, while the latter requires exploring the impressive world in search of resources and Pals to catch. Monster-taming goes beyond battles as well, as Pals come with special abilities that allow them to be useful at bases or when traveling the map. While not the most complex survival project ever, Palworld's success lies in its clever incorporation of various genres and mechanics that are typically not associated with each other.

Although suitable for solo adventurers, Palworld is also designed with online co-op in mind, with players having the option to jump into 32-user servers or to team up with three of their friends. While its implementation comes with a few wrinkles that can be frustrating, this feature brings a whole new dimension to the experience that can help keep the gameplay loop engaging once players start to feel like they have seen almost everything currently in the game.

Payday 2

Classic Heist Game That Is Still Better Than Payday 3

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Payday 2
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August 13, 2013
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Pros & Cons
  • 4-Player Online Co-Op

Despite its age, Payday 2 is firmly established as a cornerstone of the online co-op scene, and that does not seem likely to change anytime soon. At this point, Overkill's game does not need an introduction since it has been easily accessible for a very long time; still, if a group of friends is looking for an FPS game they can play together, they cannot do much better than this 2015 release.

Basically, the gameplay loop revolves entirely around planning and executing heists. As part of a crew, players accept contracts and jump onto a map where they have a few avenues they can follow if they want to escape with their loot. Payday 2 does a great job of shaking things up just enough so that each heist feels unique and emergent, a factor that is also enhanced by a skill tree system.

World War Z: Aftermath

Blast Through Hordes Of Zombies

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World War Z: Aftermath
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Shooter
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September 21, 2021
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Developer(s)
Saber Interactive
Genre(s)
Shooter
Pros & Cons
  • 4-Player Support
  • Co-Op Campaign

Saber Interactive's World War Z was decent when it launched in 2019 as a zombie-fueled third-person shooter with a heavy emphasis on co-op gameplay. Sticking somewhat close to Left 4 Dead's blueprint while still innovating in a few key ways, the game offered a fun albeit uneven time, and it did lack longevity. Nowadays, the original title is difficult to recommend since it has been rendered moot by Aftermath, a definition version that comes with an expansion. Along with a plethora of fresh content like new stages and an eighth class, World War Z has also morphed into a more complete and satisfying overall package, one that can stand toe-to-toe with most modern online co-op shooters.

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Campaign-wise, WWZ does not hold too many surprises since it follows a fairly straightforward formula. Players pick from a few character classes and have to plow their way through a handful of episodes set in different locations. While the story is forgettable, a shame considering it is set in the same universe as a great novel, the action is consistently entertaining thanks to WWZ's impressively large and aggressive zombie hordes. The classes are well-defined and cover a wide range of gameplay styles, allowing players to pick their favorites and craft balanced teams.

Deep Rock Galactic

Group Up, Get In, Grab Resources, Get Old, Make Bank

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Deep Rock Galactic
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May 13, 2020
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Developer(s)
Ghost Ship Games
Genre(s)
FPS
Pros & Cons
  • 4-Player Support
  • Co-Op Campaign

Hoxxes IV holds many riches and even more hazards. Working for the eponymous corporation, players are charged with diving into the alien planet's underground caverns to dig for resources, a process that tends to attract the attention of the aggressive and buggy locales. Thankfully, the playable dwarves are more than capable of defending themselves through an array of weapons and even a few skills. Deep Rock Galactic is a co-op treat that can be played almost endlessly thanks to its procedurally generated levels, and the game offers one of the best demonstrations of that technology's potential.

Before heading out into the depths, players can pick from Deep Rock Galactic's four classes, all of whom serve specific roles that set them apart from their companions. As each dwarf can be leveled up independently, the game encourages users to swap them around as needed until they find a class they unquestionably prefer. While enjoyable in single-player, Deep Rock Galactic improves immensely when experienced alongside a few friends. This goes beyond the idea that "multiplayer makes everything better" since the gameplay is obviously intended to be played in co-op. The classes work well in solo runs, but their full potential can only be unlocked by linking up with their fellow dwarves.

Halo Infinite

Not Perfect, But It Is Still Halo

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Halo Infinite
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9 /10
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December 8, 2021
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Developer(s)
343 Industries
Genre(s)
First-Person Shooter
Pros & Cons
  • 4-Player Support
  • Co-Op Campaign
  • Crossplay

Halo and co-op are synonymous, which made the fact that Halo Infinite launched without the feature inexcusable. Eventually, 343 added online co-op support to the campaign, although the developer also made the controversial decision to nix local co-op. Due to everything that has happened since its launch, Halo Infinite cannot be described as an unbridled success for Xbox, but the game's triumphs should not be dismissed either.

The campaign is ambitious, expansive, and a blast to play through. Sure, it has some pacing issues and a rather rough ending, but the positives outweigh the negatives. The same can also be said for Halo Infinite's online co-op, which has a few frustrating moments but is largely fantastic. Co-op works better during the campaign's linear missions than its open-world, but the latter is still enjoyable provided players stick relatively close to each other.

A Way Out & It Takes Two

Local Or Online, Hazelight's Masterpieces Need To Be Played

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    A Way Out
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    Released
    March 23, 2018
    ESRB
    M for Mature: Nudity, Blood, Intense Violence, Sexual Content, Strong Language
    Developer(s)
    Hazelight Studios
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    PC, PS4, Xbox One
    Genre(s)
    Action, Adventure
    Pros & Cons
    • 2-Player Support
    • Co-Op Campaign
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    It Takes Two
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    March 26, 2021
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    Pros & Cons
    • 2-Player Support
    • Co-Op Campaign

Hazelight's A Way Out and It Takes Two support local co-op, but they are such seminal cooperative experiences that they still need to be highlighted. And, their online support is implemented well, so players who cannot play locally will not be missing out on much. Both titles must be played in co-op and tell stories specifically driven by two playable characters and their relationships. A Way Out follows two convicts as they try to escape from a maximum security prison, with the story not only covering their plan but also the aftermath. Vincent and Leo are fully-formed characters with well-defined backstories and personalities, and they play off each other brilliantly. The gameplay is entirely driven by co-op, requiring players to coordinate their actions to complete missions. A Way Out is not very hard or mechanically complex, but everything comes together to tell a captivating story.

It Takes Two contains many of the same hallmarks as A Way Out, albeit with a wildly different tone. This time, players step into the shoes of parents who are on the verge of calling it quits; however, a supernatural intervention sees them confined to their daughters' dolls. If that is not strange enough, they end up going on a very bizarre and fantastical adventure, all the while trying to mend their relationship. With strong writing, adaptive gameplay, great visuals, and just plain old fun, It Takes Two might be the best online co-op game on Game Pass.

Moving Out 2

Run A Wacky Business Together

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Moving Out 2
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Simulation
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Systems
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Released
August 15, 2023
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL
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Developer(s)
SMG Studio, Devm Games
Genre(s)
Simulation
Pros & Cons
  • 4-Player Support

Another project that supports local and online co-op, Moving Out 2 is a great option for people who want to laugh, argue, and have fun. As the title suggests, the gameplay revolves around moving furniture, with players taking charge of a relocation company willing to cross dimensions to complete jobs. While the original game can get pretty silly, the sequel amps up the absurdity, offering a bizarre setting that embraces multiverse concepts. Excessive as that might sound for what is ultimately a pretty casual experience, it complements the story's comedic tone well.

The core loop involves overcoming physics to ensure that many items arrive at their destination in one piece, which is easier said than done. Like all the best co-op releases, Moving Out 2 is equally likely to ruin or strengthen friendships, and that potential frustration is part of the appeal. Also, this game needs to be played with a partner, as solo runs are just nowhere near as entertaining.

Diablo 4

Good Solo, Great Co-Op

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Diablo 4
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9 /10
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Released
June 5, 2023
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
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Developer(s)
Blizzard
Genre(s)
Action RPG, Hack and Slash
Pros & Cons
  • 4-Player Support
  • Co-Op Campaign

Diablo 4 has led a controversial life, but Blizzard's action RPG has come fairly far since its launch. That said, as a multiplayer option, the game has always been worthwhile. Couch co-op is arguably ideal, but the online version has its benefits, including allowing parties of four players rather than two. Friends can play through the campaign as a unit, progressing together along the way as long as they are at the same point in their respective runs (the host determines the quest point).

Diablo 4's Lilith and a Spartan from Titan Quest.jpg
Best Games To Play If You Like Diablo 4

For those who've grown tired of Sanctuary and are looking for a new challenge, there are plenty of great games like Diablo 4 that deserve a look.

Despite its polarizing aspects, Diablo 4 is nevertheless built on an addictive combat-loot loop that can be hard to find in other games. Co-op allows and encourages parties to craft complementary characters, an element that is not part of single-player runs.

Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls is also on Xbox Game Pass.

1000xResist and Routine game covers behind Xbox Game Pass logo
Best Games On Xbox Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass is unquestionably worth the subscription fee, but which of the available games are the best use of your hard drive space?

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