Generation Zero supports online co-op for one to four players. Choose Multiplayer from the home screen to find public games, or join friends through your platform’s friend or session-invite system. It has no split-screen or couch co-op. Cross-play is limited to Xbox consoles and the Xbox Game Pass PC version.
What you need before joining a game
- Each player needs access to Generation Zero on a supported platform: Windows PC, Xbox One, PS4, or PS5. Check the official platform and system information.
- Console players need the applicable online subscription. Microsoft’s store listing requires Xbox Game Pass Essential, Premium, or Ultimate for console multiplayer; PlayStation’s listing says PS Plus is required for online play. Subscription terms can change, so check the current listing for your platform: Xbox and PlayStation.
- Apex Connect registration is not required to use multiplayer. The support FAQ says a limited account can play without an email address; full registration adds access to Assignments. See the Apex Connect FAQ.
How to join public multiplayer games
- Start Generation Zero and choose Multiplayer from the home screen.
- Select an available public game and join it. Public games are the in-game option for meeting other players.
If you are looking for teammates rather than an open session, the official FAQ points players to the Generation Zero Discord’s LFG section. Official Multiplayer FAQ.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Generation Zero - PS4 (PS4) | $32.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Generation Zero - PS4 (PS4) (Renewed) | $44.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition - PlayStation 4 | $10.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Chronos: Before the Ashes - PlayStation 4 (PS4) | $34.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition | $14.94 | Buy on Amazon |
How to play with friends
The official FAQ confirms that you can join up with friends, but it does not document exact invitation button names or a single menu path for every platform. Use your platform’s friend list or session-invite feature to join or invite a friend, and follow the prompts shown by that platform. Before troubleshooting an invite, confirm that everyone is using compatible game versions and platforms; cross-play is not available between every edition.
Player count and co-op basics
A session supports one to four players: the host and up to three friends. You can join or leave sessions at any time, and your character, equipment, and skill-ups carry between solo and group play. Teammates can combine their skills, revive downed players, and share loot after defeating enemies, according to the official game site. The official FAQ adds that dying does not make you lose your items. Multiplayer FAQ.
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#1 Best Overall
- Go it alone, or team-up with up to three friends as you collaborate and combine your unique skills to take down enemies. As you shape your appearance and load-out, your gameplay experience will also evolve. Utilize guerrilla warfare tactics by setting up traps and ambushes. Support downed friends by reviving them, and share the loot after an enemy is defeated
- All enemies are persistently simulated in the world, and roam the landscape with intent and purpose. When you manage to destroy a specific enemy component, be it armor, weapons or sensory equipment, the damage is permanent. Enemies will bear those scars until you face them again, whether that is minutes, hours or weeks later
- Experience a full day/night cycle with dynamic weather effects like snowfall, rainstorms and violent winds, all simulated through the award-winning open world engine Apex. This world also features complex AI behavior, simulated ballistics, highly realistic acoustics and a booming soundtrack tailored to the open world
- Among the loot, you will find outfits and hairstyles to recreate your favorite 1980s style to take on the machines in style. While some items come with stat boosts, and will improve your combat or movement efficiency, others are simply there to let you relive the nostalgic look of the 80s
- Some enemies are too powerful to attack head-on. Instead, adopt stealth tactics by moving silently, exploiting the enemy's senses and using the environment to your advantage. Shoot out a light and hide in the shadows, use a blaring boombox to draw attention, or find higher ground to stake out an area
How mission progress and difficulty work
Choose the host with progress in mind
The host’s mission progress saves automatically. A guest’s mission progress saves only when it matches the host’s progress. XP, loot, and items consumed during the session carry over to each player’s solo game. If friends are at different points in the story, decide who hosts with this difference in mind.
Difficulty scaling
The multiplayer FAQ says players can enable or disable difficulty scaling based on the number of players. It does not specify the scaling values or where to find the setting, so consult the in-game options rather than relying on a particular menu path.
Rank #2
- Go it alone, or team-up with up to three friends as you collaborate and combine your unique skills to take down enemies. As you shape your appearance and load-out, your gameplay experience will also evolve. Utilize guerrilla warfare tactics by setting up traps and ambushes. Support downed friends by reviving them, and share the loot after an enemy is defeated
- All enemies are persistently simulated in the world, and roam the landscape with intent and purpose. When you manage to destroy a specific enemy component, be it armor, weapons or sensory equipment, the damage is permanent. Enemies will bear those scars until you face them again, whether that is minutes, hours or weeks later
- Experience a full day/night cycle with dynamic weather effects like snowfall, rainstorms and violent winds, all simulated through the award-winning open world engine Apex. This world also features complex AI behavior, simulated ballistics, highly realistic acoustics and a booming soundtrack tailored to the open world
- Among the loot, you will find outfits and hairstyles to recreate your favorite 1980s style to take on the machines in style. While some items come with stat boosts, and will improve your combat or movement efficiency, others are simply there to let you relive the nostalgic look of the 80s
- Some enemies are too powerful to attack head-on. Instead, adopt stealth tactics by moving silently, exploiting the enemy's senses and using the environment to your advantage. Shoot out a light and hide in the shadows, use a blaring boombox to draw attention, or find higher ground to stake out an area
Does Generation Zero support cross-play?
According to the official Multiplayer FAQ, cross-play works between Xbox consoles and Xbox Game Pass PC only; it says other platforms do not support cross-play. In practice, an Xbox console player can join someone using the Xbox Game Pass PC edition. The FAQ does not list Steam or PlayStation versions as compatible cross-play editions. Make sure PC friends are using the Xbox Game Pass version, not another PC edition, before diagnosing an invitation problem.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you play locally or offline?
No. Generation Zero multiplayer is online-only: there is no split-screen, couch co-op, or offline local multiplayer. To play together, every player needs an online connection and a compatible platform version.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- In an era where machines roam the land and mankind is no longer the dominant species, a young hunter named Aloy embarks on a journey to discover her destiny
- Explore a vibrant and lush world inhabited by mysterious mechanised creatures
- Embark on a compelling, emotional journey and unravel mysteries of tribal societies, ancient artefacts and technologies that will determine the fate of this planet and of life itself
- Features horizon zero dawn and the frozen wilds expansion
Rank #4
- Adventure RPG - refreshing combination of adventure game elements and RPG mechanics
- deep combat - A variety of weapons, abilities and powers are available to the player in the pursuit of their quest
- unique aging mechanic - every time the player dies they Age one year. Players must adapt to their advancing Age as they progress their character
- starting the game young, nimble and quick, and ending wise and more attuned to magic
Rank #3
- A Lush Post-Apocalyptic World - How have machines dominated this world, and what is their purpose? What happened to the civilization here before?
- Nature and Machines Collide - Horizon Zero Dawn juxtaposes two contrasting elements, taking a vibrant world rich with beautiful nature and filling it with awe-inspiring highly advanced technology.
- Defy Overwhelming Odds - The foundation of combat in Horizon Zero Dawn is built upon the speed and cunning of Aloy versus the raw strength and size of the machines.
- Battery: no battery used
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