Here are our favorite multiplayer games on Xbox

Best
multiplayer games for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Windows Central
2021

Out of all of the best Xbox games available, some of the biggest highlights are multiplayer games. Whether you’re looking to squad up with your friends, test your mettle against other players in competitive matches, or do a little of both, there’s an awesome multiplayer-focused Xbox game for you. Here’s a list of our top choices.

Halo Infinite Battle PassSource: Xbox Game Studios


Halo Infinite

★ Editor’s Choice:
Halo Infinite – Xbox

Halo Infinite’s multiplayer is arguably one of the best Halo experiences ever made. Featuring snappy gunplay, a diverse sandbox of weapons, vehicles, and equipment, several different maps and game modes, and tons of cosmetics available through the battle pass and in-game events, Halo Infinite is a triumph. And since the multiplayer is free-to-play, you can jump in right away. The campaign is a ton of fun, too, and when 343 Industries releases campaign co-op in 2022, you’ll be able to play it with friends.

Halo: MCC

Experience Halo history:
Halo: The Master Chief Collection – Xbox

Halo: The Master Chief Collection (MCC) gives you full access to every pre-Xbox One era Halo shooter for a mere $40, giving you incredible value for your money. You and your friends can experience the series’ famed singleplayer campaigns, hop into matchmaking to play the multiplayer that put Xbox Live on the map, face off against endless Covenant hordes in Firefight, and let your creativity run wild in the Forge map editor.

Minecraft Xbox

The world is your oyster:
Minecraft – Xbox

Minecraft has become a dominant title since its launch back in 2009, and you and your friends are free to explore and conquer its infinitely sized worlds however you see fit. The Creative Mode is perfect for creating massive and detailed structures as well, and new mobs, blocks, and biomes are being added constantly as time goes on. You can even crossplay with owners of the Bedrock Edition on PC, too, which is fantastic.

Minecraft Dungeons Jungle Awakens

Minecraft meets Diablo:
Minecraft Dungeons – Xbox

Do you love Minecraft? Do you love the gameplay loop of dungeon crawlers like Diablo? If you answered “yes” to both questions, you’ll also love Minecraft Dungeons, which offers a dungeon crawler gameplay loop set in the comical, wacky world of Minecraft. Arm yourself with powerful weapons and armor, team up with your friends, and take on hordes of zombies, skeletons, and more in this excellent spinoff.

Wasteland 3

Cooperating in the post-apocalypse:
Wasteland 3 – Xbox

If you and your friends enjoy old-school isometric RPGs, look no further than Wasteland 3, a superb entry in the genre created by many of the masterminds behind the original Fallout games. Brave a harsh post-apocalyptic Colorado as you and a friend work together to fight for survival and make choices that will drastically alter the course of the game’s narrative.

Divinity: Original Sin 2

Best fantasy RPG on Xbox:
Divinity: Original Sin 2 – Xbox

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is arguably the best fantasy RPG on Xbox, and perhaps even of all time. This gargantuan world is filled with a crazy amount of story paths, build options, and interesting areas to explore and discover. You and up to three other friends can team up to uncover what the game has to offer, promising endless hours of classic D&D-style co-op fun.

Rocket League

Competitive car soccer:
Rocket League – Xbox

Soccer with cars is a bizarre premise, but Rocket League capitalizes on the potential of it superbly. You and two of your friends can duke it out with three other players in this hectic automotive sports title, and if you perform well, you’ll earn lots of cool ornaments and skins for your cars. There are also plenty of community-driven competitions you can partake in as well if you’re talented, and you may even be able to win some real-world prizes if you beat your opponents.

Apex Legends

Titanfall-style battle royale:
Apex Legends – Xbox

In Apex Legends, the battle royale formula intertwines with the fluid, speedy movement of the beloved Titanfall games. The result is a unique, movement-driven take on the battle royale genre that you and your friends will have a blast with. There are a ton of different characters to choose from as well, with each of them offering their own unique strengths and weaknesses.

Cod Warzone Price Operator

Gunplay-focused battle royale:
Call of Duty: Warzone – Xbox

If you and your friends are huge fans of tight, snappy gunplay and military aesthetics, you’ll have a grand time with Call of Duty: Warzone, which is Raven Software and Infinity Ward’s take on the battle royale genre. Set across multiple different iconic CoD locations and featuring tons of different Operators to take into battle, Warzone is easily one of the best battle royale shooters on the market.

Free at Microsoft


Overwatch

Blizzard’s award-winning FPS:
Overwatch – Xbox

Overwatch is Blizzard’s take on the hero shooter genre, offering players over 30 unique and lovable heroes to take control of across damage, tank, and support roles. Two teams of six duke it out on a wide variety of maps and gamemodes, and as players level up, they’ll earn tons of cool cosmetics to wear on the battlefield. You can team up with up to five other friends, too, making Overwatch one of the best games for large parties to play. There’s also a competitive mode where you can put your skills to the test.

Rainbow Six Siege Operators

High-stakes tactical shooter:
Rainbow Six Siege – Xbox

Rainbow Six Siege offers an attack/defense-based experience that stands out compared to the more symmetrical design of most shooters. Two teams of five use drones, explosive charges, deployable pieces of cover, and more to launch assaults or mount defenses on objectives. With a huge skill ceiling and countless Operators to play as that each have unique abilities and weapons, Siege is perfect for fans who want to scratch a competitive itch.

Dark Souls 3 Key Art

Welcome to Lothric:
Dark Souls III – Xbox

The third and final title in the famous Dark Souls trilogy allows you and up to three other friends to explore the dark and twisted kingdom of Lothric, which has nearly been reduced to ashes due to the repeated linking of the First Flame for hundreds and hundreds of years. Collect powerful weapons, don your armor, and do battle with skilled knights, ravenous beasts, and even other players who invade your world.

$15 at Microsoft


Sea of Thieves

Set sail!:
Sea of Thieves – Xbox

In Sea of Thieves, you and up to three friends can live out your pirate fantasies in a large shared world with other players. Battle skeletons, steal treasure, and pillage other players as you sail the seas. Alternatively, you can choose to ally with other crews to take on difficult challenges like Skeleton Forts, but watch out for potential betrayals! The game also features crossplay with players of the game on Steam, too, which is cool.

No Mans Sky Origins Update

Explore the stars:
No Man’s Sky – Xbox

No Man’s Sky is the pinnacle of space exploration, as you and your friends can explore a near-endless universe filled with undiscovered planets, creatures, and more. The game had a rocky start, but thanks to consistent and high-quality updates from the developer, No Man’s Sky has become one of the best games ever made and is perfect for players who want to team up and reach for the stars.

If we had to choose…

Every multiplayer-focused title we listed here is superb, but if we had to recommend just one to play, it would be Halo Infinite. It’s been a long time since a Halo game dominated the industry, but thanks to its superb gunplay, fluid movement, and diverse sandbox, Halo Infinite is already one of the most-played shooter games out there. The campaign is phenomenal too, and once campaign co-op comes out in 2022, it will be a blast to play with friends.

If playing RPGs with friends is what you’re into, both Wasteland 3 and Divinity: Original Sin 2 are excellent choices. Both games are incredibly deep with tons of meaningful choices to make, numerous viable character builds to enjoy, and meticulously-detailed settings rich with quality worldbuilding.

Lastly, fans of high-stakes competitive gameplay will love both Overwatch and Rainbow Six Siege. These shooters have massive skill ceilings and competitive modes designed to allow you to test your skills against other players at your level, which will ultimately help you improve your performance. Overwatch in particular is a superb game to play if you like competitive gameplay but struggle in most shooter games, as many of the heroes in the game (tanks and supports especially) thrive off of strong gamesense and decision-making rather than snappy, accurate aim. Catch our Overwatch heroes list for a breakdown of how each hero works and some tips on playing them, too!

If none of the options on this list appeal to you, make sure to check out our full list of all the best Xbox games for more options. Also, if you’re in need of a headset to use while climbing matchmaking skill tiers or partying up with friends, check out our Official Xbox Wireless Headset review and see if it’s right for you. If not, have a look at our roundup of all the best Xbox headsets.

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