Updated on November 13, 2026, by Mark Sammut: Another month, a few more co-op games have landed on Game Pass. I’ve added Toxic Commando and Escape Academy 2.
Despite a rough year or so, Xbox Game Pass perseveres as the definitive gaming subscription service, and its online co-op games are a big reason why. Microsoft has done a great job crafting a varied lineup that caters to a wide range of preferences, and online multiplayer is not only popular but also keeps people coming back day after day for more. Every month, new online co-op games are added to Game Pass, and we want to keep track of the best ones.
With many titles supporting crossplay and making it as easy as possible to play with friends, a Game Pass subscription is almost a no-brainer for anyone with an Xbox or a PC. If you are specifically craving online co-op, the lineup includes horror, shooters, beat ’em ups, open-world, and many, many more. Let’s cover the best of them.
The selection will be (mostly) limited to games that support only online co-op since local co-op is covered in another article. That said, we’ll include a few major exceptions everyone should play, especially if their online support lets way more players join in.
1
New To Game Pass: John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando
A Horde Shooter With An ’80s Vibe
John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando kind of came and went earlier this year without leaving too much of a long-lasting impression, but it is arguably perfect for Game Pass. It’s the definition of a mid-tier game that seems fun but can be hard to justify picking up if you aren’t particularly enamored with horde shooters; however, through Game Pass, everyone with a subscription can jump on board for the 15 or so hours it takes to complete the campaign.
If you played one horde shooter, you’ve played them all, and Toxic Commando is certainly derivative of past greats and even Saber’s own World War Z. That said, John Carpenter’s involvement adds a unique touch, as the legendary director contributed to both the premise and musical score, and the game has a charming ’80s B-movie tone. The campaign also ties you to a convoy, and players need to regularly defend, fuel, and repair their vehicles as they explore surprisingly large semi-open maps.
2
New To Game Pass: Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School
Two Heads Are Better Than One
While not the biggest Day One game added to Game Pass in 2026, Escape Academy 2: Back 2 School is nevertheless a great get for Microsoft’s subscription service. Following up on one of the definitive escape room games, the sequel shakes things up by switching from levels to a hub format, with everything being connected to a campus. Naturally, the game focuses on puzzles and lateral thinking above everything else, but this shift should make the downtime between solving brainteasers a bit more interesting.
Although playable solo, Escape Academy 2 seems to have been designed specifically with co-op in mind, as many of the puzzles really benefit from having two sets of eyes. You and your partner also don’t need to be each other’s shadows either, as you aren’t tethered and can independently explore. Escape Academy 2 provides quite a bit of flexibility in play options. You can play online or local split-screen, and crossplay means you can play with pretty much anybody.
3
Gears Of War: E-Day
Old Co-Op Faithful
Well, let’s get the most obvious one out of the way. Gears of War: E-Day is out and features both online and local co-op, along with an array of traditional multiplayer options. You can jump into something like Horde Siege and just have a blast with your friends, but I imagine most groups want to play through the campaign. While local co-op is limited to two players, online doubles count, allowing 4 friends to play through the prequel’s narrative.
Co-op and Gears of War have always been joined at the hip, but E-Day brings serious changes to the formula. The four-player squad is the most obvious evolution, but it’s not the only one. In a pretty novel move, the game lets each player pick their difficulty, so you can have somebody playing on Insane while somebody else is on Normal. Communication is more important than ever, as Locust drones will execute fallen companions if they aren’t recovered quickly.
I should expand Horde Siege a bit further, as that’s the co-op mode that seems the most likely to attract attention after the campaign. While you can still play the traditional Horde if you want, Siege shakes things up by dropping three squads of four players into maps with shared objectives and world bosses, and it even includes classes.
4
Minecraft Dungeons 2
Decent Co-Op Action RPG Adventure For Families
Minecraft Dungeons 2 isn’t for everyone, but it’s a solid, lightweight option for families or casual playthroughs. In some ways, it improves upon the first game’s formula, while still suffering its biggest issue (a lack of depth). Not only does the sequel support 4-player local and online co-op, but it also lets you mix the two; basically, two players using couch co-op can jump online and join forces with another group.
At its heart, Minecraft Dungeons 2 is still a basic action RPG that doesn’t expect too much from players but is charming in its simplicity. The introduction of rifts (via the Sift) that require coordination between players adds an element of tactics, at least compared to its predecessor. The game also does a better job of supporting build experimentation, and you can arrange your party to fit classic RPG roles.
Don’t pick up Minecraft Dungeons 2 if you are looking for something long-term, as the endgame isn’t particularly strong. If you are just looking for an action RPG that doesn’t require too much from you, this one should work.
5
RuneScape: Dragonwilds
September’s Big New Game Pass Co-Op Game
Probably the standout Xbox Game Pass arrival of September, RuneScape: Dragonwilds should be an intriguing option for players who either want a solo RPG or want to join forces with a few friends. Jagex crafted a project that combines classic RuneScape with Valheim, dropping the grind-heavy MMO formula for a co-op survival crafting RPG set in Ashenfall. Instead of generic mechanics, Dragonwilds frames its progression through traditional skills like Woodcutting, Smithing, and Farming.
The game supports up to 4 players, and the 1.0 version that launched on Game Pass even features crossplay. Dragonwilds was also added to PS Plus Extra, so Xbox and PlayStation players can hop into the same session without any issues. More importantly, Dragonwilds is purely PvE, with absolutely no PvP action via player raiding or base destruction. It is a true co-op open-world game that lets you survive, build, thrive, and shine alongside your party.
6
Palworld 1.0
Pokemon With Guns And Friends
Finally, Pocket Pair released Palworld 1.0 on July 10, adding so much content that it is genuinely ridiculous. Like so many online open-world games, Palworld‘s co-op mostly consists of friends existing in the same world, and they decide what they want to do together. Although catering well to solo players, the game has plenty of content that shines in co-op, be it raids or tower bosses.
The 1.0 update raised the level cap from 65 to 80 and added two massive, highly anticipated late-game regions: Sunreach (a floating sky archipelago) and the long-teased, finally accessible World Tree. 72 new Pals were also added, bringing the total to an impressive 287. Pocker Pair even introduced brand-new mechanics like mutation and awakening, along with overhauling the guild system and improving server stability. 4-player co-op should be more consistent now.
7
Abyssus
A Multiplayer Roguelite Underwater Shooter
Multiplayer shooters are a dime a dozen, and the same can be said for roguelikes; however, when they come together, they tend to be rather addictive! Although not the most well-known co-op game in the genre, Abyssus is a pretty great representative, offering fast-paced arena shooting action and a fairly impressive assortment of character builds through weapons, mods, upgrades, and blessings. Also, it is part of the brinepunk genre, which I didn’t know existed until now.
Runs typically last 45 to 60 minutes, moving through over 70 hand-crafted levels that are procedurally sequenced, so no two descents feel identical. Like every roguelike, your team’s chances are partially dependent on Lady Luck’s willingness to smile in your direction, but Abyssus is also very skill-based. Pulling all the greatest blessings means nothing if that player doesn’t master the gunplay.
8
Remnant 2
The Best Co-Op Soulslike Game
Remnant 2 might be the greatest co-op Souls-like of all time, if someone considers it part of the genre. Compared to the first entry, Gunfire Games did a better job of ensuring the sequel would be viable solo, particularly if you go with the Handler class. However, Remnant 2 still feels like a game designed with 3-player co-op in mind, with build synergy between the group being very important.
So, what is Remnant 2? Well, it is basically a Soulslike with guns. Rather than being set in a continuous, interconnected world, your group uses World Stones to travel to biomes in a random order, all with their own vibe, aesthetic, and enemies. The core loop mostly involves fighting aggressive enemies, relying on dodge rolls and weapon management.
Remnant 2 mostly nails its co-op implementation, though a few caveats can hurt the experience for some folks. Firstly, friendly fire is active, so be careful when shooting. Secondly, and more importantly, only the host’s world progresses. While guests keep every piece of gear and XP they earn, their own world state at Ward 13 won’t change.
9
Forza Horizon 6
Join A Convoy And Enjoy Japan Together
To be honest, I don’t usually think “co-op” when it comes to Forza Horizon, as I consider them to be multiplayer sandboxes. However, Forza Horizon 6 has the best implementation of co-op in the series. With one player acting as the leader, up to 12 drivers can join a Convoy, and most of the campaign can be played in co-op, with progression and credits carrying over to everyone. The leader simply picks co-op when selecting an event, and they will face off against AI teams. As much as we all love high-octane, stressful games, sometimes all you want is to drive through beautiful Japan with a few friends. Forza Horizon 6 is the ultimate “let’s just chill” game on Game Pass.
I have to say, Forza Horizon 6 doesn’t make it easy to find other players/groups to play against.
10
Subnautica 2
Still In The Works, But In Good Shape Right Now
Subnautica is one of the best exploration-driven open-world games of all time, and its popularity has barely faded over the last decade. Although not held in as high esteem, Below Zero is a respectable spin-off that gives fans another way to interact with this universe. People have been waiting for a proper sequel since, well, 2018, and Subnautica 2 is just that. On May 14, Unknown Worlds entered the project into Xbox’s Game Preview, which is just early access. Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can play the current version without having to pay anything extra, making it very easy to take advantage of Subnautica 2‘s biggest selling point: 4-player online co-op.
Obviously, multiplayer isn’t the sequel’s only cool new addition, but it is the easiest one to market and get hyped over. Not every type of game should be played with friends, but survival open-world games that emphasize player-driven discovery are perfect fits for co-op. Unknown Worlds has a history of developing multiplayer games thanks to Natural Selection 2 and Moonbreaker, but those are very different from Subnautica. Still, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about this sequel, even with all the rough edges found in early access releases.
