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There’s nothing worse than having no games to play with your friends. Especially when you all have different consoles (and maybe hasn't heard of crossplay games).
There’s an increasingly strong desire from gamers to be able to play with their friends regardless of what console they use. Heading into the future, it would be wise for developers to take heed of the fact that gaming is becoming more global every year. Online gaming doesn’t recognise boundaries.
The best crossplay capabilities are between Xbox and PC, for obvious reasons. So, if you can’t afford the latest and greatest rig, why not pick up a Series S for some bang-for-buck fantastic? Alternatively, there are plenty of great crossplay games on PlayStation.
What Is Crossplay?
Crossplay allows players to play with other players on different platforms. For example, a PS5 player being able to play an online game with a PC player.
For obvious reasons, there are some exceptions: PC players have an advantage in any game that requires the use of the mouse for aiming. This is mostly noticeable in first-person and third-person shooters.
Unfortunately, the PC platform is notorious for hackers. Some hackers reverse engineer games to find exploits, others use hacking software and some people even buy cheats. This can render online competitive gameplay useless, so most developers have opted against it for such games. Though increasingly, they’re giving players the option to choose whether or not they will face PC players. You can usually find this in the game’s settings.
What’s So Great About Crossplay & Why Do So Many People Want It?
Now, more than ever, developers realise the importance of crossplay games. They understand what it can do for their games in the long run, how it can increase their ‘hype’ and build bigger fanbases.
Having crossplay can help keep games going, when they might otherwise ‘die’ on a single platform. Instead of restricting a game to one platform, developers can access millions more people.
Stronger communities form when more people are playing a game. With crossplay functionality, the platform ceases to matter and the conversation turns to the game instead of toxic ‘console wars’. The usual tension associated with exclusivity is drastically reduced when games are crossplay.
If there’s more people playing, the playerbase is more diverse and thus the inclusivity of the game is improved. Because of this, social media input increases and content creators create even better content for fans.
It’s clear that the big players are listening. Xbox are far more open to the idea than Sony, but there’s been dialogue and all parties are aware of the benefits. Sony and Xbox will rarely lose their loyal players, so it seems there’s more to be gained than lost through cooperation.
A guaranteed way to alienate your audience is to force them onto another console. This has become even riskier with the low price of the Series S. If a game isn’t crossplay, some people won’t mind paying £300 just so they can play with their friends. Only problem is, they might never return. The safest bet is to trust your audience and give them the games and features they want.
My Top 10 List Of The Best Crossplay Games
There are some fine video games missing from this list. Although some of them may be considered more popular, this is a list of the games I’ve had the most fun playing with friends. There’s a good balance here between games with competitive gameplay and co-op. I mainly play on Xbox, so many of these games are skewed to that platform. Though some of the games can be played on PlayStation, PC and even the Switch.
Without further ado, let’s see the best that crossplay has to offer.
10. Microsoft Flight Simulator
Playing the new Microsoft Flight Simulator is the equivalent of a life experience. There’s nothing to do other than fly planes. Microsoft Flight Simulator is a true sim that zooms in on every aspect of flying and does it to the best of its ability.
The game has stunning visuals and allows players to fly anywhere in the world. There’s a literal planet Earth model that players can navigate around, in real-time if they wish, and select anywhere on the map to fly from/to. You can start from a central point in the Atlantic ocean, or directly above your house.
Learn how to fly first by completing the lessons and then explore the world how you want. If you prefer to relax, turn on the flight assists and take in the gorgeous views, capture incredible photorealistic screenshots and visit your bucket-list locations.
If you prefer a real sim, you can turn off flight assists, use a joystick and even a headset to make the correct call signs. It can be as authentic or simplistic as you want. The good new is that it’s crossplay, which is why it’s on this list. You can play with your friends on PC and Xbox, create a flight plan and fly together or operate in the vicinity, whilst chilling and chatting.
It’s remarkable that the game is playable on console, let alone the Series S! Microsoft Flight Simulator is one of those games that you have try at least once at the top of your crossplay games list.
9. Age of Empires II
I never thought I’d see an RTS on console, delivered in playable condition. RTSs work best with mouse and keyboard, we all know that. When I first started playing Age of Empires II as a kid at Junior School, I never imagined I’d be able to replicate the experience on a console.
Remember the PS2 version of Age of Empires II? It was a terrible port, looked dated compared to its PC counterpart and left little to the imagination with its awful control scheme. Flash-forward to 2023 and I think the devs have finally cracked it.
The visuals are the fully remastered ones that the PC got with the Definitive Edition. That means 4K on console, without a performance hit. Players get access to all the content that was released for the original game, and a new campaign called, ‘TheLast Khans’.
If that’s not enough, you get to play with your friends on PC! Battle enemies together or take each other on in a versus battle, to find out who’s the best. However, the devs have done more than simply port the game. They’ve given their full support to console and controller players by adding controller specific features that lower the barriers to entry for a strategy game. This is usually a stumbling block for strategy games on console, but Age of Empires shows it can be done with enough thought and attention.
Click and drag has never worked well on controllers. It doesn’t feel native. To make the experience even smoother, the devs have implemented an AI resource allocator so villages balance their dispersal according to their needs. This feature balances the gap between PC and console players. If you’re not too fond of going up against PC players, this can be turned off. I’d say The Console Age has arrived.
8. Gunfire Reborn
Gunfire Reborn is a procedurally generated FPS roguelite featuring a quirky roster of Asian inspired animals. You’ll begin as a cat wearing a conical hat. Each character has special abilities that caters to different playstyles. The game can be played solo or with up to four friends.
If you’re anything like me, whenever you see or hear the words roguelite and rouguelike, your mind will spin, wondering what they mean even though you Googled it last week. Lites and likes are the same type of game, but reside at opposite ends of the spectrum. ‘Likes’ will usually have most of the gameplay featured in the retro game and namesake ‘Rogue’, whilst ‘lites’ only have some of the features, hence ‘lite’.
Oftentimes, roguelites can become repetitive the more runs you do. I never had that feeling with Gunfire Reborn. Each run felt unique because of the variety of builds and constant regeneration of the world. Every weapon is useful in different situations so no one build can be good at everything. That’s where skill and know-how come into play.
At the end of each run you can spend any accrued currency on permanent stats, which make the game easier the more you play. It does become frustrating the further you progress, especially when you reach a new boss for the first time – there’s an overwhelming sense of doom, as though you and friends ‘know’ that you’re going to die to some craziness.
Even as you progress, it’s not unheard of to die again in the first area, or somewhere you’ve gotten used to. If you haven’t had the drops or chosen your scrolls wisely, a build can quite easily turn bad. Nonetheless, Gunfire Reborn is an awesome game to play with friends. It’s great for prolonged play, or as me and my friends do, one focussed run per week – gathering all the coins, doing all the side areas, etc.
Although Gunfire Reborn is available to play on all platforms, crossplay is limited to Xbox and Windows (no Steam support). It’s available on Game Pass as well, so if you’re already a subscriber, it won’t cost you anything to try.
7. Halo Infinite
A legendary franchise featuring the legendary Master Chief. Halo’s been wowing gamers since it first released on the OG Xbox. I’ve spent many hours playing multiplayer with friends. I’ve gone from split-screen, to online and the franchise always gets it right.
The latest instalment doesn’t do much to differentiate from its forebears. There’s new toys to play with and an open-world map. Other than that, it feels like Halo. I’m beating around the bush here: the Halo formula just works. The first game was called Halo: Combat Evolved, and I can see why. The Halo style and how the game feels to play is timeless.
Halo has always had crossplay, so it’s great that it was eventually added to Halo Infinite. The entire campaign can be played with up to four players. Having an open-world to explore was an unusual feeling, which I quickly got used to. It plays fast and there’s always something to do outside of the main story.
Between each story section, it’s fun to explore the map for points of interest and drive classic vehicles. There’s nothing quite like causing chaos in a Scorpion whilst a friend uses the machine gun turret to mow down those pesky grunts.
The story is surprisingly engaging and the boss fights that are usually at the end of each story chapter are a challenging distraction from the rinse and repeat. Most of the classic weapons are available, but there’s no dual wielding, which means, no needler fun.
Halo Infinite is crossplay between Xbox and PC (including Steam). What are you waiting for. Get in that Scorpion and raise hell!
6. Minecraft Dungeons
Minecraft Dungeons is exactly what you think it is: hack and slash dungeon crawling in a Minecraft world. You’ll be fighting scores of mobs, exploring dimension-hopping levels and gathering all the loot you can get your hands on.
The game is third-person, easy to learn, and very addictive: I always find that I want to do more than one run. The game does get increasingly difficult, but there’s a variety of options to manage the difficulty. Thankfully, the game also suits different playstyles. If you like storming through levels, you can do that, if you prefer to play slowly, you can do that too.
As you move through the game, you’ll upgrade your armour, weapons and skills. You’ll get stronger and look better doing so. The core gameplay is a manic romp through levels, killing mob after mob after mob, until eventually you’ll face a boss that rewards you with even better gear. The main story is about a corrupted Illager name Archie (or, Arch-Illager) who seeks vengeance on all those who wronged him. It’s tongue-in-cheek and plenty of fun.
At the end of each level, you return to a hub area where you can manage your gear and purchase stronger items. As you progress, the hub area will slowly evolve to display your achievements. The base game does feel limited, so I’d suggest buying the Ultimate Edition when it’s on sale. The crossplay works well and is playable across all major consoles, so you can play with your friends, no matter where they are or what they play on.
5. Chivalry 2
Chivalry 2 continues the successful formula of murderous medieval warfare. Pick your class and dive straight into the thick of battle. The smack and clang of brutal weapons striking armour has been captured so realistically in Chivalry 2, and because of this, it’s so much more than a multiplayer. The game has soul and draws you into its way of working. The soundscape is exceptional and adds to the desperateness of each encounter.
Battles in Chivalry 2 have a pulse. There’s a realistic ebb and flow that will see one side winning, only for the opposition to close ranks and overcome the odds. Enemies will probe and then fallback into their ranks, quite literally disappearing, until later on when your skull is crushed by a morning star and you realise the same player has been stalking you all that time. No problem, you will meet again, someplace else, on your own terms.
Chivalry 2 is crossplay on all consoles, even the PS4 and Xbox One. Whenever I play with friends, the matches load quickly and there’s never been a situation where we’ve struggled to get a game. It helps that Chivalry 2 is easy to get into. Unlike some multiplayer games where it’s impossible to get a kill, you’re bound to get something from Chivalry 2.
4. Deep Rock Galactic
What do Dwarves do best? They mine. What do Space Dwarves do best? They also mine. Deep Rock is a cooperative first-person shooter with an emphasis on planetary mining. You work for an intergalactic mining company and along with three of your buddies, explore the various mines on the mineral rich Hoxxes IV.
There are four classes to choose from: each class has a personal set of tools that makes it useful in the mines. Some classes complement one another whilst others don’t, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fathom a way for them to work together. As you mine, you earn minerals and gold to level up your character and make yourself stronger.
Deep Rock is a grindy game and there’s new content added frequently, alongside special event celebrations so it can feel like there’s an endless list of things to do. Sometimes progress can seem slow and it does demand time if you want the best kit. The steady progress is assuaged by the hilarious occurrences during missions. Whether it be getting lost, falling from ridiculously high ceilings, or close calls at the Drop Pod. There’s a lot of silliness, a lot of mining and a lot of bugs, but it’s all good fun.
Play alone or with friends, both ways are equally viable. When playing alone, if you set the difficulty to the lowest setting, it can be quite a chilled experience, making it a great game for a quieter evening. Whilst the game is available on PlayStation, crossplay is only enabled between Xbox and Windows.
3. Valheim (Game Preview)
Valheim is a recent addition to Game Pass. Ever since seeing footage of its gameplay and witnessing the subsequent fanfare, I’ve been desperate to play. When it was announced that it was coming to Game Pass and would have crossplay, the cherry had been quite literally put on top. I get quite a kick out of waiting for games to come to Game Pass, even more so when they cost more than a tenner.
In Valheim, you get to create a character who is flown by a giant Raven to a world where Vikings must prove themselves to gain access to the halls of Valhalla. The game is third-person and features combat that reminds me of Ashen – a sort of Souls-lite battle system – gathering and crafting.
You will gather resources that can be used to build, cook or craft additional tools and upgraded weapons. I found the crafting to be user friendly and the slow pace of the game personally suited my approach. Unlike Minecraft, Subnautica and most other games of this type, crafting isn’t presented to you as one massive overwhelming list. Your options are drip-fed to you over time.
The game also has distinct biomes, which encourages exploration. The map is procedurally generated and is rather big. In every biome, you will be able gather a different assortment of resources and there are altars that can summon bosses, the main objective of the game being to defeat each one.
It’s no coincidence that the game feels so good to play. Every aspect of the gameplay contributes towards a Scandinavian essence, which makes sense because the developer, Iron Gate Studio, is Swedish.
It’s frequently classed as a ‘brutal’ exploration and survival game. I would, however, disagree with that. It’s not brutal, it’s just that progression is slow. If you decide to move quicker than the game wants you to, you will come unstuck easily. If you take your time, explore carefully and embrace your new Nordic lifestyle, Valheim can be reasonably comfortable.
This game is one of those crossplay games between Xbox and PC and features a co-op mode that gives you and your friends the opportunity to meet and build your own Viking life together. It’s much easier when you’re playing with another player because you can dole out tasks to one another. That said, Valheim is doable on your own, just make sure you take your time and learn to enjoy the slower pace of gameplay.
2. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
Be warned, Final Fantasy XIV is lethal. It’s an MMORPG and it will take your life from you. I don’t joke. It’s also one of the best MMOs out there, and if you love the Final Fantasy universe like so many people do, you’ll be leading an endgame raid before you can blink.
The game was a failure on release, so the devs dropped a massive rock on the world and renamed the game ‘A Realm Reborn’ And it was literally that. They fixed a broken game and turned it into something special.
In typical MMO fashion, you create a character, choose a class and do lots of side quests and fight powerful bosses in immersive dungeons. In FFXIV players aren’t restricted to one class, you can be as many classes as you want. This sounds good, but it can be detrimental if, like me, you’re a completionist.
FFXIV is crossplay on PC and PlayStation. It’s also another game that works really well with controllers. MMOs are heavily reliant on agility and last second inputs, but the controller layout works great with the triggers. There was also talks about the game coming to Xbox and Phil Spencer is a big fan. At one point, lots of Final Fantasy titles were coming to Xbox and it prompted speculation of an imminent FFXIV arrival. The crosspaly works brilliantly and doesn’t detract from the game at all. Because you’re fighting alongside other players, there’s very little difference between those on PC and those on PlayStation.
The main strength of FFXIV, aside from its incredible gameplay, animations and class-system, is its story. As the story has evolved with each passing expansion, it’s got better and better. It’s full of emotion, likeable characters and drama. This is often balanced with humorous side quests that help to dilute the intensity of the main game. One of the biggest mistakes players make with this game is to rush the story. Enjoy the game at your own pace
You’ve possibly seen the memes. If you’re thinking of playing, a free trial surely awaits you.
1. Sea of Thieves
It’s not surprising that number one on the list is the game I’ve put the most hours into. Not only that, it’s the game I’ve spent the longest on out of any other game I’ve played. Even more hours than Final Fantasy XIV! Truth is, I never intended to spend so much time on Sea of Thieves and can’t believe just how long I’ve spent playing. No need to list it here…
This is rare (mind the pun) for two reasons: 1. I’ve never played Sea of Thieves for more than a few hours at a time and 2. There’s not that much to do. Unlike Final Fantasy XIV, which I have been known to spend whole days playing, I accumulated hours on Sea of Thieves naturally, mostly with friends, and mostly whilst having fun. Unless someone starts playing with gunpowder barrels.
Sea of Thieves is an open world game about pirates. You create a character and set sail in search of untold riches, more plunder than you can think of and epically annoying battles. The main aim is to level up different Trading Companies to become a Pirate Legend.
You can search for treasure all day long if that’s what makes you happy, battle enemies on the open sea, or even hunt/gather. There’s plenty of options for every mood. Playing solo can be done, but becomes increasingly difficult if other player want to fight. PvP is tedious and can be over in seconds. Unfortunately, as a pirate game, it is to be expected from time to time.
With the Captains update, you can now own a ship and customise it to your liking. As you increase your bank balance you’ll be able to buy more cosmetics, which is basically what the endgame revolves around.
For me, Sea of Thieves is most beautiful when sailing the seas with friends. It has a distinct atmosphere, its soundtrack plays on your mind when you’re not playing and the world calls to you like a persuasive siren. A desert island vibe creates a real sense of adventure, and although there’s not much happening, merely existing in the world feels adventurous.
Sea of Thieves is a crossplay title and can be played between Xbox and PC. Join the adventure, sail with friends and drink up the incredible setting.
Notable Mention: Diablo IV
We’ve recently had the open-beta for Diablo IV and it’s safe to say that I’m excited to play. The most important thing is, the game features crossplay between all consoles and PC. The in-game footage looks out of this world and a return to what made Diablo the game it is today.
Whilst Diablo III was a great game in its own right, it departed from the grimness so many people loved. Similar to Magic: The Gathering, Diablo saw a shift from dark to light, death & decay to life & hope. The art style was softer, less unsettling and more akin to the likes of Hearthstone, WoW and Divinity.
Fashions come and go. It seems the developers want to strike a balance between the two styles and I can’t wait to see how it plays. I’m excited for the open-world boss events and in-depth character creation. Transmogrification has also been retained from Diablo III’s Reaper of Souls expansion.
According to the developers, Sanctuary will feel “like Diablo, like a desolate place”. Those words are music to my ears.
How Is Crossplay Changing Games?
Rekindle old friendships, play with gamers across the world and involve that one friend who only has a Switch. Crossplay is brilliant and from now on, we’re going to see more and more games include it as a feature.
As the gaming industry grows, crossplay is becoming increasingly popular and it’s often the first question on our lips when a new game is release. “But is it crossplay?”. My friends and I all play on different consoles, so we gravitate to the titles that allow us all to play.
Both studios and publishers are making it a priority feature when developing new titles. This is most noticeable with free to play games that rely on players to make in-game transactions. It makes most sense for all game developers to have the widest possible reach.
Even though there are disadvantages for console gamers playing against PC players, the overriding desire is for friends to simply be able to play together.
What Games Are Best For Crossplay?
Multiplayer games are the obvious choice for crossplay. If players have options, they will be more likely to buy a game they can play with friends, regardless of the consoles they’re playing on. If friends can’t play together, they’re unlikely to buy games that aren’t crossplay.
Aside from the usual multiplayer games, cooperative games are also a great choice. For a while, there seemed to be a lack of co-op and I can see why. If you’re limited to a single console, there’s going to be fewer players playing. So it all comes down to reach again and being able to tap into the millions of video gamers out there.
Recent advancements in AI with the likes of ChatGPT, has show again that there are those who refuse to accept change and those who, whether they like it or not, try their best to apply it to their work. The same thing will happen with crossplay. Games that don’t embrace what players want, regardless of how great their game is, will see poorer performance compared to those developers who strive to be inclusive.
Are you looking forward to Diablo IV? What about my list of crossplay games? Do you agree? Are you playing any of the games I’ve mentioned? If so, we want to hear what you’ve been getting up to. Head over to our socials, leave us a comment and let’s talk.