Start with the exact platforms, console generations and game versions your friends own. Then verify on the game’s official support page that those versions can play together in the co-op mode you want—and that you can form a party or invite one another. A game being sold on several platforms does not guarantee cross-play, and cross-play does not guarantee shared progression.
What to check before choosing a game
Platform availability is not cross-play
A game can have versions for PC, PlayStation and Xbox without allowing all three groups into the same session. Confirm the exact platform combination on the game’s official FAQ or support page. Check the edition and storefront as well as the device: a platform list alone may not tell you whether the particular versions your group owns are compatible.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Lords of the Fallen Standard Edition - Xbox Series X | $14.96 | Buy on Amazon |
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Cross-play is not necessarily friend invitations
Some games allow players on different systems to enter the same matchmaking pool but restrict parties or direct invitations. Look for explicit confirmation that friends can party up, join a private match, or invite each other in the mode you intend to play. Double Fine’s Kiln support page, for example, says matchmaking is cross-platform while party formation depends on which accounts players use.
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Find out whether players need an in-game ID, a publisher account, linked accounts, a cross-play setting, or a particular privacy or console setting. Also check any online subscription required on each console. These requirements can vary by game and platform, so do not assume one player’s setup applies to everyone.
#1 Best Overall
- Overhauled Character Creator – Create more lifelike characters with improved facial detail, body shapes, and visual fidelity
- Shared-Progression Cross-Play Cooperative Play – Both players now save all main story progress as long as they’re on the same “New Game” and have defeated a similar number of main bosses within one. Both players retains all loot, 100 percent vigor, and can revive each other in all online sessions.
- Free Friend’s Pass – Invite any friend to join your adventure in online co-op even if they don’t own the game. Friends keep loot and character progress, plus get full offline access to the tutorial and character creator
- Revamped Combat and Movement – V2.0 adds smoother animations, better weapon response, refined lock-on, improved evasions, and new grievous strike prompts
Cross-play does not mean cross-progression
Friends may be able to play together while keeping separate characters, unlocks or progress on each platform. Amazon Games says New World: Aeternum characters are locked to the platform where they were created. Blizzard’s 2021 Overwatch cross-play announcement likewise said progress and collection content do not carry between systems. Check the current game-specific rules if moving a save or account matters to you.
A practical way to choose
- List the group’s setups. Write down each person’s device, console generation, storefront and game edition. Include differences such as PS4 versus PS5 or Xbox One versus Xbox Series X|S.
- Agree on the kind of co-op. Decide whether you want a shared campaign, survival and building, action missions, sports, or casual party play. Also consider group size, session length, difficulty and whether everyone can communicate comfortably.
- Check official compatibility information for each candidate. Confirm every platform combination, then verify that the specific co-op mode supports playing together. Do not rely on a store listing or the phrase “cross-platform” by itself.
- Verify the friend-joining flow. Look for how players find one another, send invitations and form a party. Check account linking, cross-play toggles, privacy settings and any platform-specific restrictions.
- Compare the practical costs and requirements. Check the current price in your region, online subscription requirements, and whether the game or desired mode has separate access conditions. Prices and requirements can change; verify them at purchase time.
- Choose only after everyone can join. Share any account setup or settings steps with the group before anyone buys the game.
Examples of why the details matter
These official support pages illustrate different compatibility questions; they are examples to check, not a guarantee that their rules will remain unchanged. Recheck the relevant page before buying or organizing a session.
| Game | What the official information establishes | What to pay attention to |
|---|---|---|
| Rocket League | Epic Games support says players on Epic Games Store, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and Steam can cross-play in online match types, and that private matches with friends on other platforms are supported. | Cross-play is enabled by default according to the support page. This is a useful example of documented friend play, not proof that another game’s matchmaking also allows invitations. |
| Apex Legends | The EA FAQ lists PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, EA App and Steam for cross-platform parties, and describes friend search and invitations. | EA says console players share a matchmaking pool, PC players use a PC pool, and a mixed console/PC party enters PC matches. The FAQ also notes an Xbox One system setting, so check setup instructions as well as platform eligibility. |
| EA SPORTS FC | EA’s cross-play help page separates PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S from PS4 and Xbox One; it says Switch and Switch 2 do not support cross-play. | Confirm the console generation and the particular mode. A shared franchise name does not mean every edition can play together. |
| New World: Aeternum | The Amazon Games FAQ lists Xbox Series X|S, PS5 and Steam PC players on the same server. | Characters remain on the platform where they were created. The FAQ lists Game Pass Core for Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation Plus for PS5. |
| Overwatch | Blizzard’s 2021 announcement describes cross-play across PC, Xbox, PlayStation and Switch, and says console players must link a Battle.net account. | The announcement says competitive matchmaking separates PC and console pools and that progression does not transfer between systems. Because this source dates from 2021, verify current platform and mode details before relying on it. |
| Kiln | Double Fine’s support page says PSN users can party only with PSN friends, while PC and Xbox versions use Xbox accounts and can party together; matchmaking is cross-platform. | This is a clear case where cross-platform matchmaking does not mean every set of friends can form a party. Check party rules separately. |
Make the final call
Pick the game that clears two gates first: everyone’s exact version is compatible, and the desired co-op mode lets your friends join one another. Among the candidates that pass, choose by play style, group size, communication needs, difficulty and access requirements. If an official page does not clearly answer whether your group can party together, treat that as unresolved and confirm it before anyone pays.
Quick Recap
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