The best online multiplayer games on Xbox Game Pass
Are you wondering what online multiplayer games are available as part of Xbox Game Pass? We’ve rounded up the best of them right here.
If you’re the social sort, you probably enjoy nothing better than playing a game online with your friends. Or, if you’re happy to chat with just about anyone, maybe you quite like jumping into a game with a bunch of strangers. The good news is online multiplayer games are as popular as ever – and Xbox Game Pass is home to some of the best.
Whether you enjoy running from zombies, shooting your way through enemies or trying to avoid the clutches of a cold-blooded killer, there’s a game for you and your friends. Read on as we round up the best online multiplayer games on Xbox Game Pass.
1. Diablo IV
Ah, Diablo IV. If you’re a fan of loot, you probably need no introduction to Diablo IV. The latest addition in Blizzard’s long-running action RPG series is undoubtedly the best yet — and with Blizzard supporting the game with regular seasons, frequent updates and constant tinkering, it’s only going to get better.
When it comes to online multiplayer, though, that’s where Diablo IV shines. Sure, wandering around the vast open world of Sanctuary is fun by yourself, but slaying never-ending hordes of demons becomes much more enjoyable when you have a friend (or three) by your side. It’s easy to create a party with friends, allowing you to tackle dungeons, bosses and even campaign missions together. Unfortunately there’s no easy way to matchmake with strangers, but it’s something Blizzard will be adding to the game soon.
2. Core Keeper
If you’re the sandbox adventuring sort, then we think Core Keeper is one of the best online multiplayer games you can jump into on Xbox Game Pass. Sure, play by yourself if you want: there’s so much to love about this open-ended adventure that has you exploring a vast underground world. But when you team up with others, Core Keeper takes on a whole new life of its own.
You see, in Core Keeper you can explore, looking for secrets, bosses to take down, and materials that allow you to craft new equipment. You can also build a home, grow plants and shape the world around you. Team up with others and you can all work together to build your own community, or you can all split off, exploring different parts of the world at your own pace.
Read our review of Core Keeper
3. Headbangers: Rhythm Royale
Ever wanted to be a musical pigeon? No, we don’t suppose you have. But on the off-chance, Headbangers: Rhythm Royale is the game for you. It turns out being a musical pigeon actually is quite good fun as Headbangers proves. This multiplayer game has you grooving your way through multiple minigames, with the goal of being the most rhythmic pigeon of the group.
You’ll be playing against 29 other players, making your way through a random selection of minigames. They’re all rather different: sometimes you’ll need to identify what instrument is playing, other times you’ll need to press a button in time with music. But at the end of every round, a number of players will be kicked out until only two remain for a tense head-to-head. Headbangers: Rhythm Royale is all about having fun, and it nails the brief perfectly. And did we mention that you can also dress your pigeon up in cool outfits?
Read our review of Headbangers: Rhythm Royale
4. Turbo Golf Racing
‘Golf’ really does Turbo Golf Racing no real favours, as there’s nothing slow and boring about this game. Sure, your overall goal is to get a ball into a hole. But this is a giant ball. And rather than hitting it with a club, you’re hitting it with a rocket-powered car. PGA eat your heart out. The best part of Turbo Golf Racing is that it’s been designed with multiplayer in mind, earning it a well-deserved place amongst this list of the best online multiplayer games on Xbox Game Pass.
Jumping into matches with other players, you’ll all be racing down the same course, each with your own ball to control. Opt for Race mode, and there’s no ‘par’ here, but you do want to try and putt your ball as quickly as possible: those who get there first will be rewarded. In Golf mode, you will need to consider each shot a little more, putting a bit of strategy into proceedings. But you’re still in a rocket-powered car, and it’s still a far cry from an actual game of golf — and it’s all the better for it.
Read our review of Turbo Golf Racing
5. Flock
Flock is perhaps the most unique of all the games on our list of best multiplayer games on Xbox Game Pass. There’s no fighting or combat here: rather, you’re flying around a rather mystical land, looking for birds to identify and collect. It sounds strange, and it is strange — but wonderfully so. It’s the type of game that’s utterly relaxing to play, allowing you to go at your own pace.
Teaming up with others, then, seems a bit odd, but Flock has been designed with co-operative play in mind. Join up with a friend online and you’ll both be tasked with identifying birds around the land. You can combine the information you learn, working together. Or perhaps you can choose to keep something to yourself, making your co-op partner work that bit harder to try and find a particular bird for themselves. However you decide to play, though, we can assure you that you’ll be having a lovely, cosy time.
6. Among Us
We’d be foolish not to include Among Us in our round-up of the best online multiplayer games on Xbox Game Pass. After all, this game of subterfuge and impostors has taken the internet by storm in recent years, and it shows no sign of slowing down. If you’re unfamiliar with the plot, Among Us tasks you and a group of up to 15 others to prepare a spaceship for departure. Except… you’re not all who you say you are. Amongst the crew are impostors whose goal it is to murder the rest of you.
And so, along with preparing the spaceship, you need to, er, try not to die and also work out who the impostors might be. No pressure then. It’s great fun, but if you lose friends over accusing the wrong suspect, don’t blame us.
7. Dead By Daylight
An asymmetric horror multiplayer, Dead By Daylight pits three survivors against one killer. If you’re the killer, lucky you: you get to hunt down those survivors and try to ensure they don’t escape. But if you’re in the shoes of a survivor, you need to do whatever you can to make sure you don’t get caught and, even better, try to thwart the killer if you can. It’s no easy task though. We’ve all seen slasher movies. And in Dead by Daylight, you get to star in one.
This isn’t a game for the faint of heart: it’s scary and tense. But with the right company, it can be a hell of a lot of fun. Playing with friends, whether you’re working together as the survivors, or pitting against each other as killer and survivor, makes Dead by Daylight all the more entertaining. And the huge range of characters on offer via DLC — including famous faces like Ash from Evil Dead, Pyramid Head from Silent Hill and more — means you’ll not get bored of this one quickly.
8. Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5 is a game that certainly doesn’t need you to play with friends online to have a good time. Heck, driving around the massive map of Mexico is awesome regardless. But having some buddies driving around alongside you with the option of competing in the same events and challenges makes the game altogether more thrilling.
Let’s face it, AI opponents do get a little boring after a while. It’s nice to have some fresh competition, so facing off against a couple of mates in a street race or off-road challenge gives you real inspiration to show them who’s boss. With literally hundreds of events to choose from, there’s plenty to keep you occupied, too. If you enjoy arcade racing, then Forza Horizon 5 is definitely one of the best online multiplayer games on Xbox Game Pass.
Read our review of Forza Horizon 5
9. Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Why have one game when you can have a whole series? Halo: The Master Chief Collection wasn’t perfect when it launched years ago. It’s been heavily improved since, though, and now it’s a must-have, especially if you enjoy playing online multiplayer games.
Every game in Halo: The Master Chief Collection – that’s Halo, Halo 2, Halo 3, Halo 4, Halo ODST and Halo Reach – allows you to play its entire campaign with multiple players by your side. It undeniably makes each game more hectic, and therefore more fun. Then, when an argument develops, you can just jump into a deathmatch to settle the score. Sorted.
If you have an Xbox console and love playing games online with your friends, you need to download Halo: The Master Chief Collection. You just do. It’s easily one of the best online multiplayer games on Xbox Game Pass.
