The Netflix of video games, Xbox Game Pass has hundreds of titles (including many Xbox One exclusives) on its service to download and play for subscribers. That is an overwhelming number of choices that could easily paralyze those bad at making decisions.

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And if you're looking for multiplayer games in particular, whether co-op or competitive, the selection doesn't become much less daunting. Xbox Game Pass has a wide range of games covering nearly every potential taste or style — but if you're looking for the absolute gems among its multiplayer selection, you're in luck. Today, we're curating the best multiplayer offerings that the service has to offer.

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Minecraft Legends

Of course the latest offering from Mojang Studios would include a multiplayer option. Where vanilla Minecraft invites you and your friends to explore and build your own world and Minecraft Dungeons invites you and your friends to follow Diablo-esque questlines, Minecraft Legends provides a cooperative RTS experience for you and your buddies. Though split-screen isn’t an option, online multiplayer is baked into Legends.

You and up to three other players can take on the Piglin invasion together, gathering resources and supplying units to defend your villages. However, if co-op isn’t your style and you’d rather face off against your friends in a more competitive fashion, you can challenge each other or strangers to an RTS battle of the units as you fortify your positions and attack your opponents’.

Valheim

The heavily populated survival sandbox genre has another jewel to add to its collection. Valheim is a Viking-themed game that shouldn’t be as good as it is given how fatigued you might be with yet another survival sandbox game, but it surprises you. Its mist-shrouded world invites you to explore every hill and valley and uncover the monstrous bosses that lurk within. Building fortresses and fenced encampments is an engrossing process that can keep you occupied for hours.

And the ability to experience all that Valheim has on offer with friends more than triples the entertainment. You can gather resources for your friend’s next ingenious base idea. You can hunt down animals for armor and equip yourselves for taking on a gargantuan boss. You can attempt to build a raft and sail the sea even though you know in your gut you’re nowhere near leveled up enough for it. Even though it’s still in early access, Valheim is not a title to miss, and it’s one of the best multiplayer games on Xbox Game Pass right now.

Guilty Gear Strive

Even though Dragon Ball FighterZ departed from our Game Pass library, a new fighting game has come to take its place. The visual style of Guilty Gear Strive alone is enough to recommend it to new players, but it’s honestly one of the most enjoyable fighting titles around. As with most games in the genre, there is a bit of a learning curve as you figure out what combos to use and which characters best suit your style.

But after gaining a firmer understanding of what works (and what doesn’t), Guilty Gear Strive is the gift that keeps on giving. The story is basically just a movie, but you can create rooms for you and your friends to go toe-to-toe with each other. And let’s not forget the Tower, the hub for starting matches with online strangers. We’d recommend getting used to controls first before heading there though. As said earlier, there’s a bit of a sharp learning curve, but it’s one that easily lends itself to mastery with practice.

Hot Wheels Unleashed

It might surprise you to discover that Hot Wheels Unleashed is a hilariously good arcade racer. The realism of the Forza series is completely absent from this more kid-friendly title, but nothing beats the thrills of zooming through toy-inspired race tracks at breakneck speeds. It presents more of a challenge than you would expect, but maintains the straightforward nature of a one-way race car track.

You can hop onto tracks in both online and offline multiplayer, and to tie an even niftier bow on top of the package, local split-screen is offered across all platforms. So now two of you can race around, shuttling past other toy cars and hurtling off into the abyss after you fail to execute an impossibly tight turn.

Terraria

Terraria brings with it the joys of Minecraft in a 2D setting. With a larger emphasis on building and upgrading your character so you can take on the game’s various bosses, Terraria still comes with a delightful multiplayer component. Not only can you play it splitscreen with a friend by your side, the game also supports online multiplayer. You and your buddies can team up to build fortresses, delve deeper into the underground, and duke it out with the monsters that populate the great outdoors.

There's a definite challenge to be found in Terraria, so playing it with friends is one of the ways you can seek to ease the difficulty. Or it can be the way you spend hours arguing over how to design your base.

Monster Hunter Rise

You know what’s better than hunting down giant monsters and engaging in absolutely dynamite battles with them once you’ve found them? Doing it with friends. Monster Hunter Rise is a more streamlined version of the Monster Hunter formula, so while you might not find the same level of depth that you would in World, it’s a lower bar for entry.

It’s way easier to invite a crew of friends to play with you and help you track down and kill a behemoth like a Crimson Glow Valstrax. Just make sure everyone has prepared for the fight. Otherwise, you could end up doing a lot of heavy lifting.

Golf With Your Friends

Nothing says good multiplayer fun like a game of golf. And by golf, we of course mean the sort found in Golf with Your Friends. You and several of your buddies can tee up for a delightful version of golf that has been converted into an almost cartoonish proceeding. The course set-up is out of this world rather than the staid meadows you usually see the sport played in.

Players can customize their little balls to be different colors and have them don hats or even outfits. And once you’ve dolled up your golf ball, you’re ready to participate in the most infuriating game of golf of your life. Courses seem to strive to be tough as you progress, but that only means it is as tough for your friends as it is for you.

Grounded

Taking on the terrors of your backyard is a gazillion times better with friends. Grounded lets you and up to three other people assume the role of kids who have been mysteriously shrunk to ant-size and need to figure out a way to unshrink themselves. This is a survival sandbox game at its best.

You can craft weapons, build bases, and tackle varying mission objectives all while operating under one of the most creative premises a survival game has ever adopted. You’ll laugh in delight at the hums of ladybugs and cower in fear at the undeniably horrific visages of orb weavers and wolf spiders. Grounded is a fantastic multiplayer experience, and you’d be missing out if you didn’t try it at least once.

Chivalry 2

Nothing says multiplayer fun and shenanigans quite like Chivalry 2. Two opposing medieval armies square off in large battlefields, swinging gigantic swords, chucking rocks, or firing arrows from afar (like a coward/strategic thinker). Though you can definitely approach Chivalry 2 from a tactical perspective and work out the precise timing for parrying and dodging, the major draw of the game comes from the sheer hilarity and joy of screaming your way into a fight alongside dozens of other shouting compatriots.

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Whether you’re storming a castle with an invading army or defending a garrison from a swarm of foes, Chivalry 2 blends competition with camaraderie, into a one hilarious multiplayer mix.

The Ascent

One of the great things about The Ascent is that it can be played both locally and online. You and up to three other friends can hop into the game and journey through the neon-lit streets of Veles. But even without this multiplayer functionality, The Ascent is a phenomenal game. It’s a better cyberpunk-themed game than Cyberpunk 2077. It takes the engrossing gameplay loop of Diablo and sticks it into a gritty urban environment where rival gangs and corporate entities seek to take control of the real estate, with little to no care for lives lost in the process. You and your friends can spend hours leveling up your Indents, all so you can go to the next cluster of cityscape and do it again.

Gears Of War: Ultimate Edition

Nothing says multiplayer fun like a Gears of War game, and while Gears 5 is out and available on Xbox Game Pass, the one that started it all is another option for fans looking to chainsaw their way to nostalgia. Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is the supreme method for reliving Marcus Fenix’s original adventure against the Locust threat. You and a buddy can play as Marcus and Dom as they make their way through the desolated ruins of war-torn towns and the terrifying caverns the Locust call home. Classic cover-based shooter mechanics any Gears fan is familiar with are here in full force. While the game shows a bit of its age, it’s worth it to experience this premier co-op shooter title.

As Dusk Falls

If a competitive multiplayer game is not exactly up your alley, we’ve got an alternative that is just as entertaining. As Dusk Falls is a narrative game in the vein of those we’ve seen from TellTale. However, the intricacies of its plot land ten times better than anything we’ve seen before, and it comes complete with a multiplayer component. Up to eight players can join together to decide the fates of characters stuck in a hostage situation.

From using majority rules to determine what a person says to quick-time events that need to be completed jointly in order for an action to succeed, As Dusk Falls does an admirable job incorporating a multiplayer component into a genre most would consider to be better suited to a single-player experience. If you and your friends are looking for a superb example of an “interactive movie,” you can’t go wrong with As Dusk Falls.

PowerWash Simulator

Sometimes, rather than hopping onto an MMORPG to grind some loot or rolling into some fast-paced online shooter, you just need to unwind with your buddies by cleaning a dirty bungalow. The surprisingly satisfying PowerWash Simulator is by far the most relaxing game you and a team of up to six friends can play together. Combat dirt, grime, and rust using your handy pressure washer and the various extensions and nozzles that come with it.

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There are various locations and vehicles you can clean, and once one is unlocked in Free Play, you can invite your buddies to scour the entire location with you until it is pristine. While the gameplay is bare in terms of mechanics, the ability to just sit with your friends and idly clean while you talk is not to be denied. Don’t listen to the naysayers. PowerWash Simulator is fantastic.

Human Fall Flat

If you’re looking for a more cooperative spin to your multiplayer game, look no further than Human Fall Flat. Hilarity will ensue between you and your friends as you stumble from map to map solving physics-based puzzles that require you to inexpertly flop your way to a solution. Light platforming mixed with these puzzle elements result in a simultaneously low-key experience with tense, controller-clenching moments. Either way, whether you’re trying to balance on a twig-thin pole to get to a new area or figuring out how to use conveyor belts to get an out-of-reach box, Human Fall Flat is a lot of multiplayer fun waiting for Xbox Game Pass owners.

7 Days To Die

A multiplayer zombie survival game on Xbox Game Pass is like having vanilla at an ice cream store. You can never have too much; it’s a classic. And thanks to the inclusion of 7 Days To Die in the Game Pass library, we have another gem of a multiplayer game to dive into. As with most survival games, 7 Days To Die has players rely on building a small base, crafting weapons, and maintaining a health and stamina meter in order to survive. However, shambling zombies are a constant presence threatening your well-being. In the daytime, they’re not much of a threat as sprinting past them is all you really have to do to deal with them. The night is an entirely different story. Nighttime means hordes of zombies that dash toward your location without mercy. Hastily constructed bases can see their doom in seconds from the pounding fists of berserk undead. You’ll need your wits and your friends to make it through a week alive.

Research and Destroy

Research and Destroy is one of the most stylized multiplayer experiences you can find in the Xbox Game Pass library. It combines cooperative turn-based action with this Goat-Simulator-esque zaniness. You take control of three scientists as they work together to defeat the supernatural forces that plague our world. Calling these three characters scientists is a bit of an overstatement, but regardless of that fact, they do have it out for the ghosts, ghouls, and monstrosities roaming around. While the gameplay is delightful on its own, Research and Destroy’s main attraction is the style with which it executes its odd plot. Comic-book panels border the action of the game, and they lend themselves well to the atmosphere Implausible Industries crafted.

Shredders

Shredders is the multiplayer game all snowboarders should play. The straightforward nature of just cutting through snow-laden slopes is as beautiful as it is simple. There are no frills to worry about. Just you, your character, and a snowboarding course. Well, you, your character, and your friends. It feels like Shredders was made with multiplayer functionality in mind, as it encourages you to tackle tricks and runs with your buddies alongside you. There is a rather therapeutic nature to the game as you hurtle down hills with fellow snowboarders right next to you.

Mortal Kombat 11

Since gamers could first walk into arcades, fighting games have been practically synonymous with multiplayer fun. Typically, up to two players test their skills against each other as they duke it out with well-timed button presses and an innate understanding of their fighter’s strengths and weaknesses. No developer does this as well as NetherRealm Studios, with its illustrious history of continuing the Mortal Kombat series’ legacy. Fans of outrageously tense battles and the fighting game genre should be immensely pleased that Mortal Kombat 11 is in the Xbox Game Pass library.

Among Us

The indie game that took the world by storm is available on Xbox Game Pass! With the implementation of controls for controllers, the move to consoles is complete. Take part in the chaotic and hilarious deduction game that is Among Us. If you’re a crewmate, your job is to stay alive, complete tasks, and figure out who the impostors are. If you’re an impostor, you have to eliminate all crewmates, murdering them anonymously in hallways or sowing dissension among their ranks in order to have them kill innocents themselves. Among Us is a fantastic indie title that is a gem in the Game Pass library. If you haven’t already played it, you owe it to yourself to grab a few friends and suss out the traitor among you.

Halo Infinite

Halo is back to capture its multiplayer crown with the rise of Halo Infinite. Though map and game type offerings are slim since the title is still technically in beta, the appeal of Halo’s Big Team Battles and Ranked matches is undeniable. Halo Infinite perfectly balances the wants and needs of casual and competitive players at the same time. Mechanically, the game plays as smoothly as the FPS genre’s essential modern pillar needs to play — the weapon sandbox is outstanding, ranging from classic standbys such as the Plasma Pistol and Battle Rifle to tantalizing newcomers like the Skewer (essentially a sniper rifle that launches terrifyingly oversized steel toothpicks). The movement mechanics are simplified and somehow streamlined, utilizing modern nuances such as simple clambering while avoiding some of Halo 5’s more controversial additions.

It Takes Two

Hazelight’s penchant for weaving together unique cooperative experiences with imaginative mechanics stays well intact with It Takes Two, a vibrant action-platformer that… well, takes two players to enjoy. The game casts each player as one half of a broken marriage with a child stuck in the middle — in a nutshell, the child cries magical tears that turn her parents into bite-sized dolls rendered from wood and clay. The two must then figure out how to return to normal by participating in some delightful platforming sections of gameplay. It Takes Two truly shines when it leans into the cooperative nature of its premise. The game showcases genuine brilliance when it comes to providing players with co-op moments, and the entirety of the game can be played online or on the couch. Put simply, if you’re a fan of cooperative buddy titles looking for a fix, It Takes Two is certainly an experience that fits the bill.

Back 4 Blood

Back 4 Blood is essentially Left 4 Dead’s spiritual successor. It’s a deliciously familiar setup — you and three other friends (with bots as filler, if necessary) need to survive a trip from point A to point B. But said trip is teeming with a terrifying troupe of zombies ready to rend you limb from limb. Special zombies and the occasional objective keep things fresh, so diehard Left 4 Dead fans should feel right at home. A card system that lets you accrue perks and upgrades over each run makes sure that no two runs will be the same. And honestly, even if every run played out the same, Back 4 Blood’s robust gameplay and difficulty options would continually offer a challenging outing for fans of zombie-horde games.

Surgeon Simulator 2

Fun multiplayer experiences should not be limited to competitive FPS matches, and Surgeon Simulator 2 is a prime example of this. Instead of racking up kills, players have to work together to try to save a life. However, dubious physics and hilariously bad controls ensure surgery is both no joke and a laughing matter. If you wish to successfully complete a surgery, you have to work with your fellow surgeons as you all fumble for tools and accidentally knock off limbs. Players will be confronted with increasingly complex surgical scenarios as they progress, with the seemingly simple single-limb switcheroo evolving into heart transplants coupled with other tasks. It’s a friendship-testing bout of raucously entertaining surgical shenanigans that’s fit for any party, but remember not to leave a rubber duck lodged in your patient’s ribcage.

Aragami 2

Stealth-action isn’t often the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of solid multiplayer experience, but Aragami 2 absolutely delivers on that front. Cast as an elite undead warrior-assassin, players are tasked with fending off an invasion of fire-wielding adversaries bent on putting their homeland to the torch (quite literally) and enslaving its people. Gameplay is divided into either stealthy takedowns and patient ambushes or measured sword combat with alerted guards, depending on how players wish to play. In between these missions, your character has the opportunity to upgrade their “shadow abilities” and buy items at a safe haven called Kakurega Village, which is a sort of nexus wherein Undead souls suffering from an inescapable curse congregate and commiserate (Firelink Shrine, anyone?).

Quake

Quake is a quintessential milestone when it comes to the first-person shooter genre, so Bethesda releasing a newly polished version of it for consoles and PCs alike is a true delight for arena shooter devotees (or boomer shooters, to channel the modern parlance). The high-octane multiplayer deathmatches of yore are still very much as they were — fast-paced, frenetic, and absurdly fun. Whether you’re a seasoned Quake veteran or someone that very recently found themselves completely in love with the recent reboot of the Doom franchise, you owe it to yourself to check in for a bit of nostalgia-laden carnage. You’ll feel right at home with the pacing, iconic weapon sandbox, and good old-fashioned gib-fests.

For Honor

For Honor is essentially a hack-and-slash brawler with a heavy emphasis on intricate combo and blocking mechanics, playing out like a “thinking man’s fighting game” with a variety of game modes. Players are presented with an extensive variety of characters spread out across multiple factions — from the straightforward, beginner-friendly Warden (a knight wielding a two-handed sword) to the wild stylings of the Shinobi. It’s unlikely one will find themselves wanting for a new playstyle to master. Actual multiplayer gameplay runs the gah-moot between high-tension, one-on-one duels and hectic team multiplayer battles, so there’s likely a mode to fit whatever mood or time constraints you find yourself in.

Minecraft

While the procedurally-generated voxel worlds of Minecraft are perfectly pleasant when explored solo, adding a few friends to the mix dials up the fun factor exponentially. Brainstorming new buildings and contraptions is half the charm, and having a whole other brain to pick ideas from simply doubles the creative potential in play. Whether you’re partnering up for a laidback romp in Creative Mode or watching one another’s backs during the Creeper-laden evenings of Survival Mode, Minecraft truly shines when enjoyed with a few friends.

Deep Rock Galactic

One of the highlights of any multiplayer game is when it encourages cooperative play. Deep Rock Galactic accomplishes this in style. Up to four players step into the heavy boots of the Dwarven employees of Deep Rock Galactic. Together they must mine for precious rocks and stones as per company orders. The mission types are varied, and the character progression is rewarding. However, the major draw of Deep Rock Galactic is how reliant it is on cooperation. Players need to work together to make it through the dangerous mines of Hoxxes IV alive. The challenge can be steep, but the straightforward gameplay is incredibly inviting.

Titanfall 2

They may not have lived up to the early expectations, but the Titanfall games still have plenty to offer. While both are currently available through Xbox Game Pass though, it's the second of the pair that players should be adding to their download queues.

It improves upon its predecessor in almost every way while also addressing many of the complaints levied against it. Unfortunately, Titanfall 2 has not been optimized for Microsoft's newest machines, although it should still run at native 4K with dynamic resolution thanks to its Xbox One X enhancements.

No Man's Sky

Multiplayer gaming was one of the more noticeable omissions when No Man's Sky launched back in 2016. Thanks to the tireless work of Hello Games, however, that's no longer the case. In fact, the current version of the game is almost unrecognizable when compared to the one that crash-landed almost half a decade ago.

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For as improved as No Man's Sky may be though, its online functionality still feels a little light when compared with some other games on the service. That's not to say that it isn't enjoyable, but the eight player limit, in particular, does hold it back quite a bit. Thankfully, this player cap is increased to 32 when playing on the new Series machines.

Sea Of Thieves

Anybody who has ever dreamed of taking to the high seas and engaging in a spot of piracy would do well to check out Sea of Thieves. This swashbuckling open-world action-adventure game sailed onto the service at launch and currently has around a quarter of a million active players. With this in mind, finding people to play with shouldn't be too much of an issue.

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Although it's possible to play the game solo, Sea of Thieves is at its best when played with others as four players are needed to effectively man a ship. The game does support cross-play though, so they won't all need to be Xbox owners. As with many of the other games on the service, Sea of Thieves has also been optimized for Series S and X consoles, meaning that early adopters should see a noticeable improvement over the Xbox One version.

ARK: Survival Evolved

Thanks to the success of games like Rust, the growing market for survival games has led to some wonderful titles over the past few years. ARK: Survival Evolved is one of the better examples and continues to expand and improve with every new update. This makes for a highly enjoyable game, and the inclusion of tamable dinosaurs is every bit as fun as it sounds.

The Explorer's Edition found on Xbox Game Pass includes the season pass and all the game's DLC, so subscribers have access to just about everything that the game has to offer. It's also been optimized for the latest consoles, allowing owners of the Series S or X to enjoy ARK in stunning 4K resolution.

Overcooked! 2

The cartoonish art style on display in Overcooked! 2 might suggest to some that it's a carefree game designed for kids. This couldn't be further from the truth though. The game can be incredibly stressful and requires plenty of organization and planning in order to overcome its many challenges. Trying to do so with friends only makes for a more hectic and chaotic experience.

Team 17 has always excelled when it comes to multiplayer games and the Overcooked titles are yet another example of this. Unlike in the Worms series, in Overcooked, players must work together in order to ensure that orders are fulfilled on time rather than blowing each other up with an assortment of bizarre weapons. For those who prefer the sound of the latter, Worms W.M.D is also available on the service.

Dead By Daylight

The asymmetrical horror game, Dead By Daylight, features four survivors trying to escape a horrible nightmare while a villainous Killer tries to, well, kill them. The game itself is relatively simple at face value, with tons of perks and customization for both parties, allowing you to get really into the weeds if you want to.

The game also allows for you to pick matchmaking specifically for being the Killer or being a survivor, so if you prefer one over the other the game caters to that.

Forza Horizon 4

On top of being an incredible racing game, Forza Horizon 4 features a wide variety of multiplayer events from competitive and cooperative racing to Forzathon events, where racers work together to complete tasks. The racing in the game feels phenomenal and the car customization is incredibly deep.

The open-world itself features other people driving around in it and all races in the game can be opened up for multiplayer so other people can join you. The majority of the game can be played with other people if you so choose.

Gears 5

The fifth main release in the Gears of War series is one of the best releases this year and came to Xbox Game Pass day one. The multiplayer in this version is excellent, extremely well refined, and provides options for every type of player.

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Gears 5 still features the staple selection of ranked playlists for the Gnasher lovers out there but also features an arcade playlist that is a more casual and faster-paced TDM style mode. Horde makes a return with an improved skill system over Gears of War 4 and Escape makes more an interesting enough break from the other modes.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection

After having time to get fixed, Halo: The Master Chief Collection is the best Halo multiplayer experience available and it's on Xbox Game Pass the game has co-op for all five campaigns currently in it and has multiplayer from three very excellent Halo titles and also Halo 4 is there.

The game also is getting Halo Reach added, albeit whenever they decide that is ready to go in. The multiplayer matchmaking has been updated so now there are very customizable options for types of matches you get into and the matchmaking works extremely well now.

Star Wars: Squadrons

If you’re looking for a fairly in-depth flight sim to mix into your competitive multiplayer cravings, then Star Wars: Squadrons is definitely the way to go. The actual flight mechanics and controls are complex enough to provide a challenging curve, but rarely ever seem unapproachable or insurmountable. Whether siding with the Rebel Alliance or the Empire, a selection of iconic Star Wars vessels will be placed at your disposal, each one fitting into a particular tactical role for their faction. Multiplayer ranges between one-off team-based dogfights (essentially a team deathmatch) to the longer, more involved objective-based “Fleet Battles,” in which both teams aim to overwhelm and destroy the other’s capital ship.

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