The Crusader was added to the Diablo Immortal Closed Alpha, so we ride out to fight off evil in a hidden lair and try to solve some mysteries in the Dark Wood. In this play through we were playing on a Pixel 2. The abilities being used are Punish, Draw and Quarter, Consecration, Falling Sword, and Spinning Shield. Currently our character is level 26, but we hope to hit the new level cap of 55 and find some unique legendaries to play with as well.
Month: April 2021
Disney Made A Real-Life Groot
James Gunn, who recently finished The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special script, has also shared on social media another surprise gift–footage of a Disney Imagineering project that has made a lifelike robotic Groot, able to walk and charmingly strut along. On Twitter, the writer/director said simply the invention is “Groot IRL,” but as a report from TechCrunch indicates, it’s also a remarkable achievement in lifelike robotics.
Code named Project Kiwi, the initiative’s goal was to make a platform enabling bipedal ambulation in small robots, potentially capable of “acting.” In other words, the work showcased here is not necessarily indicative of some big announcement or project in the works centering on Groot from Disney; this video is more about the potential something like this enables. Check out the video below to see Groot in action–and while it’s tempting to just think it’s magic or CGI, know that this is a real walking animatronic figures like the ones you’ve seen in amusement parks, roving freely and getting its programming only from a thin cable. In related “Disney made it real” news, check out this recently unveiled working light saber.
In actual Guardians of the Galaxy news, Gunn recently revealed that filming will get underway “this year” for Volume 3. The writer/director shared that on Twitter earlier this month, which is pretty remarkable given how busy he is also working on Suicide Squad, developing a Peacemaker TV spinoff starring John Cena, and the aforementioned holiday special. Oh, and he’s also working on a Disney Parks ride at EPCOT at Disney World, which it’s entirely possible may turn out to involve Project Kiwi.
When he’s finished with these projects, Gunn said he hopes to take a “long nap.”
Nier (Original) vs Nier Replicant Ver.1.2247 Graphics Comparison
The original Nier released in 2010 on PS3 and Xbox 360, and while it’s story is timeless, it’s gameplay elements weren’t that great. Nier Replicant ver. 1.22, out now for PS4, Xbox One, and PC isn’t quite a remake and not quite a remaster, but rather something in between–and it’s an astonishing improvement over the original version. This comparison encompasses the PS3 version of the original Nier and the PS4 version of Nier Replicant.
This upgraded version of Nier Replicant uses a brand-new combat system that plays closer to Nier: Automata with features like new combo mechanics, a revamped magic system, lock-on enemy targeting, smoother player movement, higher resolution, better textures and assets, and a much smoother frame rate. And as you see in this comparison, it stars “brother Nier” instead of “father Nier.”
In the video above, you’ll see a fight against a floating dictionary in Emil’s mansion to obtain some vital information. This should help you get a taste of how these two versions differ. You’ll notice that the cutscenes have been recreated one-to-one and preserve the strong overall narrative Nier was always known for, but they look much better with the visual enhancements. If you listen close enough, you may also catch that the voiceovers have been re-recorded by the original cast to give a modern edge to what were already stellar performances.
Nier Replicant is out now, and if you’re thinking about jumping into this tragic and emotional action-RPG, be sure to check out our full Nier Replicant review and prepare to cry.
Konami Marks Konami Code’s 35th Anniversary With Lofi Gradius Tracks
To celebrate 35 years of the Konami Code, a cheat created by the late Japanese developer Kazuhisa Hashimoto, Konami has released some lofi remixes from Gradius, the side-scrolling shooter Hashimoto’s cheat was designed for.
For the remixes, Konami dropped a 33-minute long video of lofi tracks from the game’s soundtrack. It shows a pilot chilling in space, playing some Gradius. And of course, it’s got that signature title most lofi mixes have.
The cheat–up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, Start–was written by Hashimoto, who came up with it in 1986 to combat Gradius’ difficulty. It functioned like a god mode, giving the player access to the game’s full range of power-ups. Konami learned of the code after launch but choose not to patch it.
Though the Konami Code was created for Gradius, it also appears in other Konami games. This includes some Castlevania titles like the PS4 entry Requiem, various versions of Contra, a few Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games, and non-Konami titles such as Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night and Dead by Daylight. The Konami Code might even work while on GameSpot. Give it a try! Up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, B, A, Start.
Hashimoto worked at Konami for a number of years, first joining the company in 1981. Alongside Gradius, he worked on Gungage, ISS Pro Evolution, The Goonies, and The Legend of the Mystical Ninja. He died in February 2020 at the age of 61.
GameSpot may get a commission from retail offers.
Captain America 4 Is In The Works Starring Sam Wilson
With Falcon and The Winter Soldier wrapped up, Disney’s next move is Captain America 4, which will revolve around Sam Wilson under the Cap mantle, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The film will be spearheaded by Falcon and The Winter Soldier’s showrunner, Malcom Spellman.
Disney’s second streaming MCU TV show, Falcon and the Winter Soldier, wrapped up last night with a major reveal teased by the final moments of 2019’s Avengers: Endgame. Sam Wilson has officially taken up the shield and become the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s new Captain America–and naturally, that means he’ll be getting his own Captain America movie.
Currently known only as Captain America 4, Spellman will co-write the script alongside Dalan Musson, a staff writer on Falcon and Winter Soldier. According to THR, no cast list has been officially announced, but the finale of the show makes it very clear that Sam Wilson will be in the spotlight for this film–however, that doesn’t mean we won’t also see conflicts with various pretenders to the throne like John Walker (Wyatt Russel), or the return of other comic book Captains America like Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) or flashbacks to Steve Rogers (Chris Evans).
There is currently no director attached to the project, nor is there a release date on the schedule. This will make the Captain America franchise the second arm of the MCU to get a fourth installment, following the mainline Avengers movies, and the first Disney+ streaming TV show to be confirmed for a direct feature film follow-up. Previously, WandaVision had been confirmed to tie-in to the second Doctor Strange movie, The Multiverse of Madness, which had been announced prior to WandaVision’s premiere.
Falcon and the Winter Soldier premiered on March 19 and ran for six episodes. It will be followed by the next MCU Disney+ project, Loki, which debuts on June 11.
Mortal Kombat Movie Director Explains Reasoning For One Massive Change
The new Mortal Kombat movie is in theaters and out on HBO Max now, for all of your fatality needs. The movie introduces a number of iconic characters, is loaded with familiar special moves, and doesn’t skimp on the blood. However, there is one pretty significant departure from the fighting video game franchise’s history. There’s a reason for that, though, according to director Simon McQuoid.
Warning: The following contains spoilers from the new Mortal Kombat movie. If you’ve yet to watch it in theaters or on HBO Max, you should probably steer clear for now.
While we see a number of fights between a variety of characters–and several definitive winners–none of it takes place in the actual Mortal Kombat tournament. After all, that’s the original point of Mortal Kombat, these fighters are battling to the death to become the tournament’s grand champion. And while the tournament is mentioned quite a bit in the movie, we don’t actually see it. Unlike the original Mortal Kombat film, all of the fighting in this new movie takes place before it can even start.
“We didn’t want to just do the same the movies again,” McQuoid told GameSpot. Just as important, though, the movie’s creative team wanted to reflect how the game franchise has changed over the years. “If you look at the way the games evolved, and the storylines within, it’s kind of moved away from that as well,” the director explained.
McQuoid continued, “We weren’t just recreating [the] original film, we weren’t recreating the first five years of its existence. We had to consider its entire history, coupled with the fact that when you have a tournament structure for a film, it really informs your structure, it becomes a very specific structural element within the script itself. And that then informs a rhythm within a film that we didn’t really feel like we wanted to be locked into. So if you look at both of those things, we needed to talk about it because it’s an essential part of what Mortal Kombat is, but we didn’t want to be locked into it.”
Of course, shying away from showing the actual tournament doesn’t actually hurt the film. After all, it’s loaded with fights to the death–and those deaths are particularly bloody and vicious.
For more on Mortal Kombat, don’t forget to check out GameSpot’s review of the movie. Then take a look at the best Easter eggs in the new film, as well as an explanation of the ending with McQuoid.
GameSpot may get a commission from retail offers.
“Fast Fridays” Will Launch A Free, Nationwide Screening Series Of Each Fast & Furious Film
Universal Pictures has announced Fast Fridays, a free event that will allow you to “see every Fast & Furious film on the big screen to celebrate the arrival of F9,” which itself will be in theaters on June 25. The festivities kick off on April 30, when The Fast and the Furious will screen at over 500 theaters in the United States, followed each Friday by the next entry in the film series.
As the marathon gets further underway, the full total of theaters nationwide participating is expected to climb to 900 total theaters. To start making plans to safely venture out to your local cinema in the coming weeks, local listings can be found via the marathon’s official website, which largely functions as a portal to theater chains for further information.
Like many recent movies, F9: The Fast Saga endured more than its share of delays, but will finally be coming to theaters on June 25. As its new, second trailer recently showcased, it will be more than worth the wait, F9 has magnets flipping cars over and cars in freaking outer space. What better way to get pumped for the over-the-top action than spending the next several weeks seeing each Fast & Furious film outdo the previous one?
F9 is an upcoming action movie directed by Justin Lin (True Detective, Community). Lin, who directed previous entries in the franchise like Fast & Furious: Tokyo Drift and Fast & Furious 6, has returned as co-writer on F9 alongside Daniel Casey (10 Cloverfield Lane).
Monster Hunter Stories 2 Preorders Live Now, Collector’s Edition Revealed
We’re only a few months away from the release of Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin on Nintendo Switch and PC. A sequel to the 2016 3DS game, Monster Hunter Stories 2 is a spin-off featuring turn-based combat and a loop that can be compared to Pokemon in some ways. If you’re looking forward to Monster Hunter Stories 2, preorders are starting to pop up at multiple retailers. There are several editions to choose from as well as a cool preorder bonus and new Amiibo that interact with the game.
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin Preorder Bonus
If you preorder any edition of Monster Hunter Stories 2, you’ll receive the Kamura Maiden outfit for Ena.
$60
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin for Nintendo Switch is available to preorder now at Amazon for $60. Amazon is offering free release-day delivery. Digital copies for Switch are available on the eShop, and PC preorders are live on Steam. We imagine physical preorders will go live at other retailers soon.
$71.23
Monster Hunter Stories 2 Deluxe edition preorders are currently only available on PC via Steam. The Deluxe edition comes with an assortment of in-game goodies:
- Kuan Coat for Ena
- Layered Razewing Armor Alpha and Beta
- Spiky Nergal hairstyle
- Nergigante and Pukei-Pukei Costumes for Navirou
- Two sticker sets
Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin also has a Collector’s edition for Nintendo Switch that’s exclusive to GameStop. It’s not available to preorder just yet, and it’s unclear how much it will cost. The Collector’s edition comes with all of the Deluxe edition content as well as the Razewing Ratha Amiibo, an enamel pin, and a sticker pack. Once it’s available, you should be able to find it using the link below.
As a new Rider with a legendary namesake, you quickly find yourself in a precarious situation. Your character meets a Wyverian girl named Ena who possesses a Rathalos egg. You help Ena protect the egg while uncovering the mystery of why the Rathalos species is disappearing. Throughout your adventure, you tame monsters (dubbed Monsties) that you can then ride and lead into battle. The traditional turn-based battle system is a huge departure from the mainline series, but the original entry for 3DS was quite fun.
GameSpot may get a commission from retail offers.
Pokemon Sword And Shield: Free Weakness Policy Available Until April 26
Pokemon Sword and Shield players can claim another free item for a limited time. The Pokemon Company is distributing a free Weakness Policy via Mystery Gift until April 26. When a Pokemon holding this item is hit by a super-effective attack, its Attack and Special Attack stats are each raised by two stages.
To claim the free item, you’ll need to fire up your copy of Pokemon Sword or Shield and follow these steps:
- Open Mystery Gift from the menu screen
- Select Get with Code/Password
- Follow the prompts to connect online
- Input WPF1NALSPC3
The free code was revealed during the Players Cup III Global Finals, which run this weekend. The competition is being broadcasted on Twitch, with separate streams devoted to the video game finals, TCG finals, and Pokken Tournament DX finals. You can find the full schedule on the official Pokemon website.
That’s not all that’s happening this weekend. In honor of World Penguin Day, an Eiscue Max Raid event is underway in Sword and Shield until April 25. Eiscue is appearing in Max Raids more frequently than normal throughout the event, and you’ll have a chance to encounter a Shiny Eiscue in five-star Max Raids.
In other Pokemon news, New Pokemon Snap launches on Nintendo Switch on April 30. Pokemon Go is celebrating that game’s launch with a New Pokemon Snap-themed event from April 29 to May 2. As part of that event, Shiny Smeargle will make its debut in Pokemon Go, and you’ll encounter increased spawns of Lotad, Cacnea, Ducklett, and other monsters that appear in New Pokemon Snap.
GameSpot may get a commission from retail offers.
25 Best Xbox Co-Op Games: Multiplayer Games For Xbox One And Series X
Some of the most memorable gaming experiences involve working together to achieve a goal with friends and family, and if you primarily play on Xbox One or Series X|S, there are plenty of great co-op Xbox games you can play with others. To help you dig through them all and find the titles most worth your time, we’ve rounded up the 25 best Xbox co-op games. All of the games on this list are playable on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One, and some are even available on Xbox Game Pass.
Whether you’re looking for a game to play online with friends or something light and fun to enjoy on the couch with your partner, we think you’ll find something that stands out on this list. From live service games like Sea of Thieves and Destiny 2 to lovingly crafted platformers such as It Takes Two and Unravel 2, there’s no shortage of rewarding co-op games on Xbox, regardless of which genres you’re into. We’ve organized the list in alphabetical order and will continue to update it as more excellent co-op games are released for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.
If you’re looking for more games to play on Xbox, check out our lists covering the best Xbox Series X games, best Xbox One games, and best Xbox Game Pass games. We also have a bunch of roundups for other platforms, including the best Nintendo Switch games, best PS5 games, best PS4 games, and best PC games to play in 2021.
Supports: 2-player local and online multiplayer
Hazelight Studios is the rare developer that wholly embraces co-op when it comes to game design. Its debut title, A Way Out, can only be played cooperatively, either split-screen or online. A Way Out puts players in the roles of two convicts who plan and execute a prison escape. Though each player is often performing different tasks, the objectives you complete inevitably help your partner make progress, and vice versa. It’s a wonderful experience that truly emphasizes teamwork, and because the two roles are different, you can run through it a second time and swap characters. In addition to compelling puzzle, stealth, and shooting gameplay, A Way Out is bolstered by strong writing and performances that really attach you to the plight of these troubled men. A Way Out is an EA Play title, so Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can play it without buying. It also has a buddy pass that allows a friend to play with you online without needing to buy their own copy of the game.
See our A Way Out review.
Supports: 4-player local and online multiplayer
Borderlands: The Handsome Collection is one of the best picks for first-person shooter fans who want to play with friends or family. While many shooters don’t offer co-op campaigns (offline or online), the Borderlands franchise is ideal for co-op, and it even supports four-player split-screen. Borderlands: The Handsome Collection comes with Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, two awesome loot shooters filled with intense gunfights, a dizzying amount of loot, and off-the-wall humor that keeps things lighthearted. You could also opt for Borderlands 3, but we picked the Handsome Collection due to the sheer variety of content offered in the package.
Supports: 4-player local and online multiplayer
Castle Crashers is an Xbox Live Arcade classic and one of the first indie games that really took off on the service for Xbox 360. While it held up pretty well, the remastered version is even better thanks to better textures and frame rate. In Castle Crashers, you and up to three friends play as knights on a journey to save princesses from an evil wizard. The story isn’t what stands out (it’s rather generic); Castle Crashers has excellent hack-and-slash gameplay and a leveling system that improves your abilities the further you progress through the enemy-packed stages. It has great cartoon visuals, a lighthearted tone, and a wide variety of enemies and bosses to slay. If you like action games that feel like they belong in an arcade, Castle Crashers is a solid pick.
Supports: 2-player local multiplayer
StudioMDHR’s Cuphead is essentially a playable 1930s cartoon filled with authentic animations, colorful characters, and a jazzy soundtrack that sizzles and pops to transport you back in time. In addition to being absolutely gorgeous, Cuphead has tremendously designed boss battles, tight controls, and a varied assortment of weapons and perks that change the way you approach each fight. Cuphead and his brother Mugman need to procure soul contracts to give the devil after gambling away their lives. Playing Cuphead cooperatively can get chaotic, but tackling the bosses and run-and-gun levels with a friend can be extremely rewarding. The only downside with Cuphead is that two-player co-op is limited to local multiplayer.
See our Cuphead review.
Supports: 6-player online multiplayer
As a live service game with a vibrant community, it’s no surprise that Destiny 2 has found its way onto this list. Bungie’s much-improved sequel has a massive amount of content, almost all of which is tailored toward online co-op with friends and random Guardians roaming the universe. Teaming up with friends makes Destiny 2’s later game challenges much more doable and, most importantly, more fun. Although Destiny 2 is a few years old, it still receives consistent updates and new content. With numerous meaty expansions available already and multiple more on the way in the next couple of years, Destiny 2 will remain one of the best live service co-op games for a while. A significant portion of the game, including the base campaign, is free-to-play, and Xbox Game Pass subscribers have access to all of Destiny 2’s expansion content.
See our Destiny 2 Beyond Light review.
Supports: 4-player local and online multiplayer
One of the best modern action-RPGs, Diablo 3 has withstood the test of time. Though traditionally thought of as a PC game, Diablo 3 plays extraordinarily well with a controller, giving it a different, more active feel while mowing down and dodging demons with a suite of class-specific abilities. The class system makes Diablo 3 even better as a co-op game, as you and your trio of teammates can balance each other out with a range of unique abilities. The entirety of Diablo 3 including its wealth of endgame content can be played cooperatively. Everything from the expansive loot and class systems to the combat and lore makes Diablo 3 a must-play for action-RPG fans who are looking for something that is constantly engaging but not too mechanically intensive.
See our Diablo 3: Eternal Collection review.
Supports: 2-player local and 4-player online multiplayer
Divinity: Original Sin 2’s Definitive Edition has made its way onto practically every games best list we’ve published. It’s not all too surprising since we awarded it a rare 10/10 in our Divinity: Original Sin 2 review, but it’s a testament to just how breathtaking and original of a game it truly is. Divinity: Original Sin 2 is an old-school CRPG for a new age, complete with a spacious and detailed open world, a meticulously crafted turn-based combat system with near-endless layers, and colorful characters that draw you into its winding story. Online co-op supports up to four players, while local co-op is two-player only. Divinity: Original Sin 2 is brimming with dozens upon dozens of hours of awesome content, and it’s even more satisfying when you play with friends.
See our Divinity: Original Sin 2 review.
Supports: 2-player local and 6-player online multiplayer
Don’t Starve Together takes the well-designed action-survival foundation of the original game and adds the ability to play it cooperatively either online or split-screen. In Don’t Starve Together, your job is simply to survive. By day, you gather resources and fortify your base, but at night you have to defend yourself against waves of enemies. It’s a fulfilling loop, and thanks to randomly generated environments, each run feels unique. Outside of the main survival mode, Don’t Starve Together has two other modes that offer less demanding takes on the gameplay.
Supports: 2-player local and online multiplayer
Even though two mainline Gears of War games launched on Xbox One, we’re recommending Gears of War: Ultimate Edition. A beautiful remaster of the first entry in the series, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition’s campaign holds up remarkably well all these years later. It features the best, most grounded story in the series, and each of the lengthy levels has intricately designed setpieces that help show off the finely tuned third-person shooter gameplay. It’s also just pretty cool to return to the game that popularized the “cover” shooter. Gears of War: Ultimate Edition supports two-player local and online co-op and is available to play for free for Game Pass subscribers.
Supports: 8-player online multiplayer
Grand Theft Auto Online is one of the most popular online multiplayer games around. Grand Theft Auto Online lets you create a character and complete objectives and get into random shenanigans across San Andreas. While you can make your own fun, there are dedicated missions and a story that takes place before the events of Grand Theft Auto 5 that’s designed to be played cooperatively with friends. Whether you want to complete elaborate and tricky heists with friends or simply see what kind of trouble you can stir up, Grand Theft Auto Online is an expansive cooperative experience that can be your hangout spot to unwind at night. It comes free with Grand Theft Auto 5, which is available on Xbox Game Pass. A standalone version of Grand Theft Auto Online is in the works, too.
See our Grand Theft Auto Online review.
Supports: 2-player local and 4-player online multiplayer
Halo: The Master Chief Collection could be described as the ultimate cooperative first-person shooter for Xbox. The compilation comes with the first four mainline Halo games as well as Halo 3: ODST and Halo Reach. All six games feature campaigns that can be played cooperatively either online or split-screen. You really can’t go wrong here, as several of the best FPS games ever made are featured in this collection. In addition to the campaigns, you can join up with friends to try to survive in Firefight, a horde mode featured in ODST and Reach. Halo: The Master Chief Collection is available to play for free if you’re a Game Pass subscriber.
Supports: 2-player local and online multiplayer
Developed by the team behind A Way Out, It Takes Two is also exclusively a cooperative game. As you can probably guess by the title, you and a partner work together to solve puzzles and complete platforming sequences across an intricately designed world filled with creativity and wonder. When Rose learns her parents are splitting up, she consults her book about relationships while holding dolls resembling her parents. As her tears hit the dolls, her parents’ minds transplant into the toys. Playing as either Cody or May, you and your partner travel in and around the house–which now seems quite large–in search of Rose. It Takes Two has some seriously great platforming sequences, boss battles, and puzzles, and they often require teamwork to make progress. Though It Takes Two deals with a heavy subject matter, it has a lot of heart and humor baked into the narrative. You can play it split-screen either locally or online; if you’re playing online, you and your partner only need one copy of the game.
See our It Takes Two review.
Supports: 2-player local multiplayer
Lego Marvel Collection is a great pick for families looking for a lighthearted and breezy cooperative experience. It contains three Lego Marvel games: Lego Marvel’s Avengers, Lego Marvel Super Heroes, and Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2. Each game supports local co-op for two players and lets you take control of a huge variety of Marvel heroes. Traveller’s Tales’ Lego games have a great pick-up-and-play vibe to them, with simple mechanics that are great for young children learning the ropes.
Supports: 4-player local multiplayer
Along with having a really cool title and adorable bunnies, Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is a deftly crafted space shooter with a tactical bent. This frantic couch co-op adventure demands communication with your teammates to find success. Together, you pilot a uniquely designed neon spaceship in an attempt to save bunnies from the Anti-Love–terrible beings who hate love for some reason. The ship is equipped with turrets, lasers, shields, and more; the challenge here is that you have to be thinking about both offense and defense and make fast decisions. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime’s vivid, eye-catching visuals and abundance of charm help bolster its solid gameplay loop.
Supports: 4-player local and 8-player online multiplayer
Minecraft is ubiquitous at this point. If you’re reading this list, there’s probably a good chance you’ve already tried the sandbox sim at some point over the past decade. Regardless, it’s worth mentioning Minecraft here, as it supports split-screen local or online multiplayer for up to four players. Creating Minecraft worlds alone is fun, but putting the pieces together alongside friends and family can be an even more exciting experience. Minecraft is a great pick for families and has pretty solid educational value along with being enjoyable. It’s also available on Game Pass.
See our Minecraft review.
Supports: 4-player local and online multiplayer
Minecraft Dungeons could aptly be described as Diablo without the blood and demonic atmosphere. Although it features the look and familiar trappings of Minecraft, you don’t actually need to be a big Minecraft fan to dive deep into Minecraft Dungeons. It’s an action-RPG played from an isometric perspective and is filled with loot and hordes of baddies to chop down. The combat system is fairly straightforward but remains fresh throughout thanks to the wealth of customization features, cool levels, and wide variety of enemies. You can play Minecraft Dungeons with up to four players locally or online, and it’s available to play for free for Game Pass subscribers.
See our Minecraft Dungeons review.
Supports: 4-player online multiplayer
Monster Hunter World was a breakthrough game for Capcom. While the series has always been popular in Japan, it had a dedicated but relatively small fanbase in the US. Monster Hunter World changed that en route to becoming one of the most popular games in 2018. Monster Hunter World follows the same basic formula seen in all games in the series. You play as a hunter tasked with tracking and slaying (or capturing) challenging monsters. World ushers in more detailed graphics and monster animations along with seamless environments that are a joy to explore. Monster Hunter World’s combat system is uniquely rigorous and forces players to really get to know their abilities as well as their prey. The massive Iceborne expansion adds an additional lengthy campaign and heaps of awesome endgame content. It’s easy to sink hundreds of hours into Monster Hunter World. Though playable solo, Monster Hunter World is primarily an online co-op game for up to four hunters. Monster Hunter World is available on Game Pass, but you have to buy the Iceborne expansion separately.
See our Monster Hunter World and Iceborne review.
Supports: 4-player local and online multiplayer
Overcooked: All You Can Eat compiles two stellar cooking games (as well as a bunch of DLC) in one awesome package. Although it’s accurate to call them cooking games, neither game offers a leisurely experience where you get to stop and admire your dishes. Played from a top-down perspective, Overcooked is a frantic cooking sim that demands quick wits and the ability to stay calm in the kitchen. Each level asks you and up to three friends to prepare dishes for hungry patrons. Sounds simple enough, right? Not quite. You only have a short amount of time to make your meals, and the kitchens themselves are dynamically designed to produce mayhem. Anyone can jump into Overcooked’s fast-paced cooking action thanks to a simplistic control scheme, but gathering ingredients and preparing dishes requires teamwork and solid communication skills. The All You Can Eat bundle is chock-full of hilarious fun whether you’re playing online or on the same couch with friends.
See our Overcooked review and Overcooked 2 review.
Supports: 4-player local multiplayer
Rayman Legends is one of the best side-scrolling platformers on Xbox. Featuring more than 120 unique levels, a catchy soundtrack, and a gorgeous visual design, Rayman Legends offers a robust platforming experience that can be played alongside three friends. In addition to strong platforming sequences, Rayman Legends has a bevy of great puzzles and loads of secrets to uncover.
See our Rayman Legends review.
Supports: 4-player online multiplayer
Sea of Thieves lets you and your friends live out your pirate dreams. Sailing the high seas in search of treasure is an experience tailor-made for co-op. The shared universe of Sea of Thieves means that you and your friends are adventuring in murky waters; you never know when another group will attack and try to steal your loot. While Sea of Thieves has cartoonish visuals and a relatively humorous tone, it’s a deeply engrossing experience filled with a plethora of activities. Rare has made great strides with Sea of Thieves since it originally launched in 2018, and now it’s absolutely crammed with exciting missions and activities to complete. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers can play Sea of Thieves for free.
See our Sea of Thieves review.
Supports: 4-player local multiplayer
Spelunky actually originally released on Xbox 360, but backwards compatibility has kept this modern roguelike classic alive ever since. In Spelunky, you play as an adventurer navigating through hazardous tunnels in search of treasure. 16 mainline levels are split across four distinct worlds. While this doesn’t sound like a ton of content, Spelunky is brutally challenging. Each time you die, you have to start from the beginning. To keep things fresh, all of the levels are procedurally generated, so the layout of the tunnels as well as their perilous obstacles and enemies changes with each run. Spelunky is one of those games you really have to play to truly appreciate it. The platforming mechanics have a unique feel to them that takes some time to master. Spelunky’s loop is devilishly fun; before long, you’ll be scouring Spelunky’s mysterious levels to uncover its bounty of secrets. When you play cooperatively, you can bring your teammates back from the dead, which is quite handy in a game where you have to start over when everyone meets their bloody end.
See our Spelunky review.
Supports: 4-player local and online multiplayer
Stardew Valley’s recent 1.5 update added split-screen co-op for up to four players, so now you can play the incredible farming sim with friends on the same couch as well as online. If you have played Stardew Valley before, the multiplayer mode is almost identical. You and your friends can tend to your farm, build relationships with NPCs, explore the mines, and simply enjoy each other’s company. Though Stardew Valley started out as a Harvest Moon clone, it wound up becoming one of the best simulation games ever made. Oozing with charm and essentially endless replay value, Stardew Valley is an ideal co-op game for those looking for a more tranquil experience.
See our Stardew Valley review.
Supports: 4-player local and 2-player online multiplayer
Streets of Rage 4, the first entry in the classic beat-’em-up franchise in more than 25 years, feels both refreshing and nostalgic all at once. It plays almost exactly like its old-school predecessors, giving it an authentic feel that takes you back to the glory days of the genre. But games like Streets of Rage 4 aren’t all too common nowadays, so it’s a joy to return to such a fun, straightforward style of action game. Streets of Rage 4 does have modern visuals and more elaborate animations, which helps give it a decidedly new vibe. It doesn’t overstay its welcome either. With just 12 main levels and four secret retro levels, Streets of Rage 4 is the perfect game to play over the course of a weekend. Like other games in the series, it’s better played with friends on the couch. Streets of Rage 4 supports four-player local co-op and two-player online co-op, and Game Pass subscribers can check it out for free.
See our Streets of Rage 4 review.
Supports: 4-player online multiplayer
Much like Destiny 2, The Division 2 is an always-online shooter designed to be played alongside friends. A third-person cover shooter at heart, The Division 2 places you in the role of an agent attempting to quell civil unrest in Washington, DC. While the post-pandemic world is a tad disconcerting given recent events, The Division 2 has a really strong loop that focuses on loot and improving your agent’s build. The lengthy mainline story is filled with engaging missions and a ton of side content. When the credits roll, you still have plenty to do thanks to a serious amount of challenging endgame content. If you grab the Warlords of New York Edition, you’ll also get the excellent expansion set in New York City. The Division 2 features online co-op for up to four players for main missions, while some raids support up to eight players.
See our The Division 2 review.
Supports: 2-player local multiplayer
Unravel 2 is a charming platformer starring two yarn creatures who are tied together. The premise itself signals that Unravel 2’s platforming challenges require teamwork, and thankfully this mechanic works incredibly well as you try to cross dangerous gaps or solve puzzles. Unravel 2’s serene world is gorgeous to behold, and the pleasant nature and tone of your journey makes this a relaxing platforming experience. Unravel 2’s co-op is limited to local play, which makes this a great game to play with your partner or kids. As an EA Play title, you can play Unravel 2 for free if you’re a Game Pass Ultimate subscriber.
See our Unravel 2 review.