Best Online Co-Op Games on Xbox Game Pass Now
James Whitfield
4 min read
Xbox Game Pass continues to deliver a robust selection of online co-op experiences, with new titles regularly joining the subscription service. The platform's varied lineup spans horror, shooters, action RPGs, and exploration games, many featuring crossplay support between Xbox and PC. Here are the standout online co-op games worth playing on Game Pass.
John Carpenter's Toxic Commando recently arrived on the service, offering a horde shooter with distinctive '80s B-movie charm. The legendary filmmaker contributed to both the game's premise and musical score, setting it apart from similar titles. Players defend, fuel, and repair their convoy vehicles while progressing through semi-open maps, with campaigns taking roughly 15 hours to complete. While the core mechanics follow familiar horde shooter patterns, the thematic execution and vehicle management elements provide enough variety to justify a playthrough.
Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School makes a strong case for co-op puzzle gaming. The sequel shifts from a level-based structure to a hub format centered around a campus, creating a more cohesive experience between puzzle-solving segments. The game excels with two players, as many puzzles benefit from collaborative problem-solving. Players aren't tethered together, allowing independent exploration and flexible approaches. The title supports online play, local split-screen, and crossplay, making it accessible regardless of platform.
Gears of War: E-Day brings the franchise's traditional co-op strength with significant new features. The prequel supports up to four players online for campaign progression, doubling the local co-op limit of two. A notable innovation allows each player to select their own difficulty level independently, accommodating varying skill preferences within the same session. The Horde Siege mode offers a fresh take on the series' wave-based gameplay, dropping three squads into maps with shared objectives and world bosses.
Minecraft Dungeons 2 provides a lightweight action RPG suitable for families and casual players. The sequel supports four-player co-op in both local and online formats, with the option to mix both simultaneously—two couch players can join forces with another online group. While the game lacks significant depth, it compensates with charm and accessibility. New mechanics like rifts encourage coordination between players, and improved build variety allows parties to adopt traditional RPG roles.
RuneScape: Dragonwilds stands out as September's major Game Pass addition, blending classic RuneScape elements with survival crafting mechanics. The game supports up to four players in a purely PvE experience, with crossplay enabling sessions between Xbox and PlayStation players. Rather than grinding traditional MMO mechanics, progression centers on skills like Woodcutting, Smithing, and Farming within an open-world survival framework. The 1.0 launch on Game Pass included the full feature set without compromises.
Palworld 1.0 expanded significantly with its full release, adding two major late-game regions—Sunreach and the World Tree—alongside 72 new creatures bringing the total to 287. The update raised the level cap to 80 and introduced mechanics like mutation and awakening. Four-player co-op benefits from improved server stability, making collaborative raids and boss encounters more reliable. While solo-friendly, the game offers substantial content designed for group play.
Abyssus combines multiplayer shooting with roguelike progression in an underwater setting. Runs typically span 45 to 60 minutes across procedurally sequenced hand-crafted levels, ensuring variety across playthroughs. The game emphasizes both luck-based loot acquisition and skill-based gunplay, with character builds shaped through weapons, mods, upgrades, and blessings. The fast-paced arena combat rewards team coordination and individual mastery equally.
Remnant 2 represents one of the finest co-op Souls-like experiences available. The three-player co-op design encourages build synergy between squad members, though solo viability improved compared to the original. Players traverse randomly ordered biomes using World Stones, each with distinct aesthetics and enemy types. The core loop revolves around aggressive combat, dodge mechanics, and weapon management. Friendly fire remains active, and only the host's world progression advances, though guests retain all earned gear and experience.
Forza Horizon 6 reimagines the racing franchise's multiplayer approach through Convoys, allowing up to 12 drivers to participate in campaign events together. One player leads while others join in, with progression and credits shared across all participants. The implementation transforms the game into a relaxed co-op experience, letting players explore Japan's landscapes without competitive pressure. Most campaign content supports this cooperative structure, making it ideal for casual group sessions.
Subnautica 2 entered early access through Xbox Game Preview, offering four-player online co-op in a survival exploration framework. Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers access the current version at no additional cost. The multiplayer focus complements the series' emphasis on player-driven discovery, with Unknown Worlds leveraging its multiplayer development experience from previous titles. While still in development, the foundation supports the core appeal of cooperative exploration and base building.
