Whether you like to duke it out in head-to-head, competitive gameplay or work together in a co-op environment, there’s a little something for everyone. Microsoft’s console features a particularly rich selection of shooters, including beloved franchises exclusive to Xbox. But you’ll find enjoyable options across all other genres, too, from sports to racing to combinations of the above. There are also games for all ages and skill levels that are perfect for enjoying as a family. Battle royale gameplay isn’t new, but what Fortnite added to the mix was its on-the-fly resource-gathering and construction mechanic. Mastering the ability to build defensive structures in the middle of a firefight is a key skill with a bit of a learning curve, especially compared to how easy to pick up the game is in general. Each game session is short, about 20 minutes, and on its own can start to feel repetitive. Fortunately, Epic Games has kept things fresh through frequent, imaginative content updates. The water-themed Chapter 2 – Season 3 update, for example, flooded much of the map and introduced new water travel elements. Ever-present among the free content are optional microtransactions, such as subscribing to a seasonal Battle Pass to unlock unique cosmetic rewards and customizations. But even without paying a cent, players get plenty to experience. New battle modes often run for limited times, and non-competitive Party Royale and Creative modes have been added. There have even been virtual concerts and full-length movie viewings held within the game. “A Way Out” is shot in a third-person perspective and follows the story of two prisoners with intertwining fates who are both set on escaping jail. Like a good movie, the action-adventure elements (like adrenaline-pumping car chases where one player drives and the other shoots) are intercut with slower and more emotion-driven plot points that heighten the game’s stakes, story, and atmosphere. Every now and then—between the chaos of breaking out, getting in fistfights, and knocking out guards—you’ll come across more cinematic scenes where your characters play a board game or shoot hoops together. All together, these elements combine to create an experiential and atmospheric journey that captivates in both its collaborative gameplay efforts and emotional storytelling. “Cuphead” is designed in the style of retro 1930s cartoons (think Popeye or very vintage Disney) and consists mostly of exciting and creative boss battles where you can fight everything from telekinetic carrots to boxing frogs. Test your skills by performing synchronous bullet-dodging parries and slides while shooting energy bullets from your fingertips. Collect coins along the way to purchase charm upgrades to your health and firepower, a feature that gives the game an RPG element that forms to any type of play style. Overall, “Cuphead” is a challenging and fun game where the lives are infinite but the stakes are high. Designed for up to four players, “Overcooked! 2” has everyone performing a specific kitchen task, cooking up food as fast as possible to satiate the appetites of various menaces. Players will handpick ingredients, put them on counters (or throw them) for other players to chop up, then cook and combine them on dishes to serve to the restaurant at a ridiculous pace. This cooperative cooking simulator relies on speed and communication, and enjoyment can be found in both the follies of flying fish and the completion of a successful (virtual) sushi roll. The entire campaign of each game can be played solo or co-op with friends, either in split-screen mode or online. When you’re done blasting Covenant foes together, it’s time to start blasting each other in one of the many diverse multiplayer modes from any of the games, loaded with customizations to try and achievements to unlock. The collection has come a long way since the technical issues that tainted it initial launch, and today, jumping into an online match is a smooth and satisfying experience. It’s a taste of gaming history served on a great-looking, modern platter. But then there’s the teamwork aspect that your squad can’t be competitive without. Whether you’re in teams of 2 or 3 or 4 cars, whether you’re playing traditional “soccar” or a more out-of-the-box game mode, you’ll need to work together to set up shots and counter the opposing team’s strategies. This is most true when you’re up against fellow humans rather than AI. Rocket League supports split-screen or online multiplayer across gaming platforms, making it easy to find players and hop onto an enjoyable match of your preference. Content updates also add on new seasons, extra features, and experimental game modes to try out. Playing through different modes can earn you new cars, along with cool parts and styles that add up to literally billions of custom combinations. These items are often sold in downloadable content (DLC) packs (some of which come with your purchased game bundle), and new goodies are released regularly. Also helping make the world feel alive is the fact that you’re sharing it with other online drivers. You’ll see other players driving all around you, even when you’re tackling your own single-player tasks. But the multiplayer fun comes in when you take on these other drivers (or work alongside with them) in an endless array of races, challenges, and other activities. Drifting, drag racing, stunt driving—you can do it all, and it all contributes to your progression. Online play also brings a steady stream of new challenges and rewards, including a live cooperative event every hour. The huge lineup of branded cars available to collect and upgrade is always growing, thanks to content updates and DLCs. One family-friendly add-on is the Lego-themed expansion, where everything from the cars and map itself are built out of Lego bricks. In terms of single-player offerings, MK11’s story mode is action-packed but short, while tower modes present ongoing challenges for tons of rewards. You can also unlock rewards in the Krypt using currency earned throughout the game, though the Krypt’s goodies are found within randomized loot boxes that can be tedious to grind for. The rewards include customization items for your fighters—a diverse cast of iconic favorites mixed in with newcomers. Each character is deeply customizable in both appearance and special moves that you can put to use in multiplayer matchups. Borderlands 3 is nothing short of a fountain of loot for you and anyone that decides to accompany you on your madcap crusade. This nonstop faucet of equipment keeps you engaged as you’re always looking for that sweet new weapon that will really put your build over the top. Borderlands 3 is also something of a low-key RPG with broad and complex skill-trees for its 4 drastically different classes. While you can always double up on characters, Borderlands rewards players that use different classes to complement each other. The bottom line is that Borderlands 3 is a fantastic shooter whether you’re playing alone, or with friends, online or off. Its particular brand of humor may not be for everyone, but Borderlands 3 has managed to carve out a niche for itself in what is quickly becoming a bloated genre of live-service, looter-shooters.
About Our Trusted Experts
Emily Isaacs is a Lifewire writer and reviewer who is passionate about gaming, gadgets, and technology. She has tested Fortnite and other video games extensively for Lifewire, along with TVs, accessories, and a variety of consumer electronics. Anton Galang has been writing and editing about tech and education for more than a decade. His product testing and review work for Lifewire have led him to add a number of quality titles into his gaming rotation, especially multiplayer and co-op games for Xbox One. Eric Watson has more than five years of experience as a tech and gaming writer. He’s previously been published on PC Gamer, Polygon, Tabletop Gaming Magazine, and others. He tested NBA 2K19 and enjoyed its smooth controls, great motion capture graphics, and audio commentary. Kelsey Simon has been a gamer all her life, she even built her own gaming PC and owns several consoles. She liked PUBG for its addictive gameplay loop that forces players together into a battle royale as the map shrinks around them. Ajay Kumar is Tech Editor at Lifewire. With over seven years experience in the tech industry, he’s reviewed everything from PC parts and games, to phones and laptops. He’s been a gamer for as long as he can remember, owns several consoles, and has built a gaming PC. He enjoyed Far Cry 5 for the immersive environment and fun gunplay.
What to Look for When Buying Xbox One Multiplayer Games
Competitive Element - A good Xbox One multiplayer game should have a competitive element which either pits players against each other or has them cooperate for a common goal. PUBG is a good example of forcing players to do battle, while Overcooked 2 allows players to work together in order to finish an order. Gameplay - The best games have a gameplay loop that’s addictive without being too onerous. PUBG pushes the map together, forcing players to fight in tighter quarters and gives the game an element of urgency. Far Cry 5 has tons of missions to complete and weapons to collect. Graphics- Graphics can vary a lot among games, indie games might stick to 2D or pixel art, while newer games have the latest and greatest 3D graphics. A game that doesn’t do so well graphically is PUBG which tends to find it difficult to run on higher settings.
