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Reviewed by Sharayah
What makes playing your favorite game on Xbox even better? Playing it with the improved hardware and display resolutions and frame rates available from Xbox Series X, of course! Even better is playing these awesome titles with friends, either online or on your couch.
In this ranking, we review fifteen of the best co-op games now optimized for Xbox Series X. From zombie-killing thrillers to epic space sagas, there’s something for everyone. Text a friend — we’ve got the best co-op games for Xbox Series X, ranked from least favorite to best overall.
15 Best Co-Op Games for Xbox Series X, Ranked Worst to Best
Let’s get started! Here’s the best co-op games for Xbox Series X, in order from our least favorite, to the best co-op game overall.
15/15
Back 4 Blood
- Included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
- Mature 17+
- Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Strong Language, Intense Violence
From the creators of the Left 4 Dead franchise, Back 4 Blood is the first game on our list. In this co-op first-person shooter, war rages between what’s left of civilization and parasitic creatures called “Ridden.” You can choose between eight different character types, called “Cleaners,” or be one of the Ridden, instead.
Then choose from a long list of weapons and abilities. Missions get harder as gameplay continues. Some strategy is required to be successful.
The game is fun, addicting, and a blast to play with friends. Play solo or co-op with up to four players. You’ll explore a desolate world, killing zombies — what’s not to like about that?
The game receives mixed reviews for bugs and glitches. Some feedback states they’re a major problem, but others claim those reports are overstated.
14/15
Don’t Starve Together
- Xbox controller or gamepad
- Rated Teen
- Fantasy Violence, Crude Humor
Don’t Starve Together is the next game we reviewed. This co-op game takes place in a dark and mysterious world full of strange creatures. Danger and adventure lurks around every corner. The objective is to survive by gathering what you can and building whatever else it is that you need.
The Tim Burton-esque design is fun and fanciful, and sometimes even a bit scary. Play as a group or go off for a solo adventure on your own.
Don’t Starve Together does take some patience, so be prepared to settle in and get familiar with all the different elements involved in gameplay. It really does offer a challenge. Otherwise, fans call the game great and well worth the money. The art and design are all top notch. We wish there were fewer lag reports in co-op mode, though.
13/15
Divinity: Original Sin 2 — Definitive Edition
- Mature 17+
- Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Violence, Language
- Similar to Baldur’s Gate
Up next is Divinity: Original Sin 2 — Definitive Edition. The game is a fantasy RPG in which players engage in a battle to become the one true god. There’s plenty of combat, but the storyline is engaging and largely character-driven.
There’s also a good selection of character races and origin stories to choose from, and tons of room to explore. That can be done alone, with NPCs, or with your party in co-op mode supporting up to four players.
Split-screen is also now supported. Divinity: Original Sin 2 is all that you want in an RPG. Fans describe themselves as “blown away” by the content. It runs smoothly and plays great, and there are lots of different weapons to earn and uncover.
12/15
Warhammer: Vermintide 2
- Mature 17+
- Blood and Gore, Intense Violence
- Crazy Mass Melee Battles
Warhammer: Vermintide 2 is another excellent fantasy RPG co-op game. It’s a sequel to Warhammer: End Times — Vermintide. It’s set in the world of Warhammer Fantasy Battles — several villains even return, such as Chaos and Skaven.
There’s good career selection and a great class system, and you get a solid variety of weapons and gear as you level up each character. The game’s Heroic Deeds system also keeps things challenging and replayable.
Vermintide 2 is a good game for up to four players that expands on what made the first version so great. Unfortunately, reports call it buggy, which kept us from putting it any higher up in this ranking.
11/15
Outward
- Mature 17+
- Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Users interact
In the theme of fantasy RPG co-op games, our next pick is Outward. In this game, players in both co-op and solo mode build up their characters to survive the environment.
Set in the world of Aurai, there’s something new to see each time you play, and the creatures you’ll encounter are threatening. You’ll undertake expeditions, explore dungeons, and discover new cities. Don’t miss the new step-by-step approach to spellcasting and defeat scenarios that change based on context!
Feedback calls Outward brilliant and fresh. That helped us feel confident that the game belonged in our list. You’ll truly feel like you make progress the longer you play, and as you accumulate gear and master combat. Co-op mode is awesome, though, and easy to jump in and out of. A few bugs are reported.
10/15
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
- Everyone 10+
- Comic Mischief, Cartoon Violence
- Issues with unlocking achievements
In the next co-op game for XBox Series X, the Star Wars franchise gets the LEGO treatment. There are familiar faces from all nine movies, space vehicles, battles, and Star Wars abilities, all wrapped up in the fun humor and cute character designs LEGO adaptations are known for.
The digital version even comes with an exclusive classic Obi-Wan Kenobi playable character. Co-op mode in the game is local split-screen multiplayer, with no online multiplayer support, unfortunately.
Plot points in the game are drawn from throughout The Skywalker Saga, so there’s something for every generation. An excellent game with some glitches, LEGO Star Wars earns high marks for great graphics and attention to detail. It’s geared overall toward children, so some older players might not find it a challenge.
9/15
Castle Crashers Remastered
- Teen
- Blood and Gore, Cartoon Violence, Crude Humor
- Great for all ages and loads of fun
Looking for an action adventure RPG with a more lighthearted tone? Check out the next game we reviewed, Castle Crashers Remastered. It’s an update on the 2D arcade version that allows up to four players to crash the castle, fight for the kingdom, and rescue the princess.
There are twenty-five characters and forty weapons to choose from on your adventure. Through gameplay, you’ll level up in your strength, magic, defense, and agility. We also like the cute animal orb companions!
If you liked Castle Crashers on the XBox 360, you’ll love Castle Crashers Remastered. Leveling up is now a lot easier, and there are even new game modes to enjoy. You’re also no longer required to pay for extra characters. The game’s satisfactory and fun for multiple playthroughs.
8/15
Grounded
- Rated Teen
- Violence, Blood, Drug Reference, Language
- Users interact
As a kid, who didn’t dream of shrinking down as small as an ant to have adventures and explore the world from that tiny perspective? With Grounded, you’re able to do just that.
In this cooperative survival-adventure game, players must work together to survive in the backyard along with all sorts of other insects, obstacles, and threats. In this reactive world, you’ll build bases and craft weapons, tools, and shelters. As you explore the backyard, you’ll uncover secrets and surprises as the story unfolds.
Online co-op allows for play with up to three friends, and fans of the game say you’ll soon be addicted. Fans also call it a great game to play with family. It can get intense as you explore, fight, and have your adventures.
Otherwise, the game is polished, if occasionally buggy (pun intended). Arachnophobes beware — the spiders are truly terrifying!
7/15
Cuphead
- Everyone 10+
- Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco
- Powerful super moves available
Another great co-op game is Cuphead. We love the homage to the classic, hand-drawn cartoons of the 1930s, including cel animation, watercolor backgrounds, and a jazzy soundtrack. This run ‘n’ gun platformer can be played either co-op or single player, and you can choose to play as either Cuphead or Mugman.
The objective: pay your debt back to the devil. You’ll explore the landscape, discover weapons, develop new skills, and defeat the challenging boss of each new level.
It all adds up to quite a challenge, but it’s rewarding as each boss is defeated. Otherwise, the game is addictive and fun with amazing graphic design. Watch a few streams before making your choice because the game really is hard, we found out.
But stick with it — there’s a ton of personality, and the visuals and soundtrack will hook you.
6/15
Diablo III: Eternal Collection
- Mature 17+
- Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Fluid controls and combat
The Diablo franchise is one of the first to come to mind when you mention co-op games. The third installment, Diablo III: Eternal Collection, is up next in our list.
These action RPG dungeon crawler video games are set in the world of Sanctuary. You’ll choose from one of five character classes, with a few new choices. Your opponents remain the fearsome demonic hordes. The combat system is new in this version.
Otherwise, the Diablo III: Eternal Collection features the game itself, the Reaper of Souls expansion set, and the Rise of the Necromancer pack.
Fans say there’s plenty to do. Loot drops are plentiful, and there are numerous ways to customize your character. You can now pick your character’s gender, among other updates! The necromancer is particularly polished, we found out.
5/15
Dark Souls III
- Mature 17+
- Blood, Violence
- Well-done co-op play
Dark Souls III brings us to the top five of our list of co-op games for XBox Series X. In this award-winning action-adventure RPG, the First Fire is going out and the undead have returned. You’ll make use of a variety of weapons, armor, and consumables to fight enemies, explore the landscape, and try to restore balance to the Kingdom of Lothric.
Combat features like weapon and shield skills are updated in this version, and the game places a heavy emphasis on roleplay. Otherwise, movement in the game is much more fluid than in previous editions. There’s also an expanded character builder and a broader array of tactical options.
Overall, DS3 takes what worked in previous editions and improved them. The bosses are tough, with a good amount of enemy types to discover and fight. You’ll also have fun choosing weapons and armor, such as the Moonlight Greatsword from which a beam of light travels to fight enemies at a distance.
4/15
Borderlands: The Handsome Collection
- Mature 17+
- Alcohol, Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Language, Intense Violence
- Transfer previous generation console save files
The next pick in our list is like two award-winning FPS-RPG games in one. In the Handsome Collection, you’ll get both Borderlands 2 and Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. This semi-open-world game takes place on a series of maps across the planet Pandora and its moon (depending on which game you’re playing).
In both games, you play as a Vault Hunter — a bounty hunter with special, class-specific abilities. Class modifications are now also available. Cooperative play is for up to four players, both online and local.
Fans call The Handsome Collection an excellent remaster with great gameplay and graphics. There’s also a lot of additional content included. We especially like the four-play split screen upgrade. According to some, it’s the best split screen co-op game to date.
3/15
Destiny 2
- Teen
- Blood, Violence, Language
- Users interact
- Links below to latest season: The Witch Queen
Taking third place is Destiny 2. With Destiny 3 not expected anytime soon, Destiny 2 offers plenty to keep you satisfied. The game is set in a distant solar system. As a guardian, you defend humanity’s final outpost, the Last City.
Players choose to be a Titan, Warlock, or Hunter, each with different traits and abilities. There’s immersive first-person shooter combat, co-op missions in groups of up to six, PVP combat, and many other features.
Game mechanics are also now more refined, and new content is regularly added.
Overall, the controls are easy to master and the game runs smoothly, users report. With campaigns, strikes, raids, and PVP, there’s something for everyone in Destiny 2. If you liked the first Destiny, most players say the second edition lives up to the original. But some do say sequels like these are never quite as good as the real thing.
2/15
State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition
- Mature 17+
- Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Strong Language, Intense Violence
- Interesting gear, weapons, and vehicles
Second to last in our list is State of Decay 2: Juggernaut Edition. In this action-adventure RPG, the dead have risen. Survivors must work together to gather and share resources. Survivor communities can be built with friends in groups of three.
Familiar locations from the first installment have returned, including Trumbull Valley, Mount Tanner, and Fairfield. There’s plenty of new stuff to explore from there. Buy the Juggernaut Edition and get the base game, with three add-on packs: Heartland, Daybreak, and Independence.
Otherwise, there’s solid single-player value and even more fun offered in co-op mode, based on feedback. At its most basic, State of Decay is a survival and base building game. Individual character development is also important. There’s an open-world feel, with entertaining animation and mechanics.
Best of all, it’s fun to play with friends.
1/15
Gears 5: Game of the Year Edition
- Mature 17+
- Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Intense Violence
- Cloud enabled in Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Taking the top spot in our list of the best co-op games for Xbox Series X is the fifth edition in the Gears of War series/ This game ranks among the best reviewed XBox games of all time. In this edition, war has broken out, and familiar characters like Kait, Del, and Marcus return to fight the Swarm on the island Azura.
When Kait joins the so-called Swarm hivemind, she uncovers a secret about herself that only her friends can save her from. In Gears 5: Game of the Year edition, you’ll get the Gears 5 base game, Halo: Reach Character Pack, and the Gears 5: Hivebusters expansion, among other additions. We like the new campaign features, with weapon skins, and bonus difficulties and modifiers.
Overall this is a great multiplayer game that requires strategy and teamwork to successfully play, based on feedback. There are many different ways to conduct combat, handle weapons, or enjoy in melee. The class system in PVE mode is also now unlocked for all characters.
Join the High Ground
That’s it for our ranking of the best co-op games for Xbox Series X — thanks for reading! Let us know your favorite co-op games in the comments, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media for more rankings like this.
Happy gaming!
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