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For four friends spread across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, Helldivers 2 is the easiest recommendation: it supports four-player online missions and crossplay across those platforms. Choose Deep Rock Galactic instead if your group values procedural missions, distinct classes, and long-term teamwork. Borderlands 3 is the better choice for loot progression or split-screen, while Apex Legends and Overwatch 2 are the strongest free options for competitive groups.
The right game depends on more than its player count. Check the exact platform pool, whether you need couch co-op, how long a session should last, and whether your friends want a campaign, repeatable missions, or competitive matches.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
![PlayStation Helldivers 2 [ 5]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ioRcoq-PL._SL160_.jpg)
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PlayStation Helldivers 2 [ 5] | $44.40 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Ghostrunner 2 - PlayStation 5 | $17.87 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Hell Let Loose: Vietnam - PlayStation 5 | $39.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Deep Rock Galactic SE - PlayStation 5 | $12.18 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Quick picks by group and play style
| What your group wants | Best fit | Why it fits | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four friends on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC | Helldivers 2 | Four-player mission co-op with crossplay between PS5, Xbox, and PC | Friendly fire is always enabled, and there is no Switch version |
| Replayable missions and role synergy | Deep Rock Galactic | Procedurally generated destructible caves, four classes, resources, and progression | Crossplay is divided by storefront and platform pools |
| Loot progression or same-couch play | Borderlands 3 | One-to-four-player online co-op plus split-screen | No crossplay |
| Free competitive trio | Apex Legends | Free three-player squads and full crossplay | It is a battle royale, not a relaxed campaign co-op game |
| Free team of five | Overwatch 2 | Free 5v5 hero shooter with full crossplay and defined roles | You need a five-player group and a competitive mindset |
| Regular players wanting competitive and co-op modes | Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 | Cross-platform play, a co-op campaign, and round-based Zombies | Large install and a higher headline price make it excessive for a casual one-night session |
Helldivers 2: the default four-person cross-platform pick
Helldivers 2 is built around short, objective-driven missions for one to four players. Its crossplay support spans PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC, making it the cleanest choice when a regular squad owns different systems. The mission format also works well for groups that meet for a few runs rather than committing to a long campaign.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Every player can contribute to the shared objective while calling in equipment and support. The chaos is intentional: enemies attack from several directions, objectives expose the team to danger, and mistakes can affect everyone. The defining rule is always-on friendly fire. Bullets, explosives, and support attacks can hurt squadmates, so communication and firing discipline matter as much as aim.
#1 Best Overall
- Join the Helldivers and fight with friends for freedom:
- Immerse yourself in the battle for freedom - We need brave citizens traveling through the galaxy to free unpredictable, hostile worlds and spread our message of peace, freedom and guided democracy - in fast, fast-paced and wild missions.
- Become a legend - As part of the elite troops of Over-Earth, you have the entire power of the military at your disposal. Rise in the ranks as you complete vital missions, turn the tide in battle and protect the front.
- The Galactic War - As the Galactic War rages on multiple fronts, campaigns are fought, won and lost. Our enemies abandoned by the flag fight us at every turn, but we will not rest until every being has its freedom!
- Pre-order now for three armour sets: "TR-7 Brand Ambassador" - SUMY Corp advertising armor. As part of a hugely successful marketing campaign for Frozen Yogurt, "TR-62 Knights" - Designed to provide justice even in the darkest corners of the galaxy. & "Cavaliers of Democracy TR-9" - Carriers of this armour do not ride a horse, but are carried into battle on the faithful horse of freedom.
Who should choose it
- Groups of two to four that want a common online lobby across PS5, Xbox, and PC.
- Players who enjoy hectic missions with a clear start, objective phase, extraction, and end.
- Friends who are willing to call out targets and accept accidental team kills as part of the design.
Who should look elsewhere
It is a poor fit for a group that dislikes friendly fire, wants local split-screen, or needs Nintendo Switch support. Confirm the edition for your platform before buying; the cited comparison lists no Switch version.
Deep Rock Galactic: the best long-term teamwork game
Deep Rock Galactic is a one-to-four-player cooperative first-person shooter set in procedurally generated, destructible caves. Players mine resources while fighting alien hordes, and the four classes are designed to cover different needs rather than simply provide cosmetic variety.
Procedural cave layouts make each expedition different. Exploration, traversal, resource management, enemy pressure, and extraction create decisions that cannot be solved by memorizing one map. PC Gamer describes the loop as a procedurally generated take on horde co-op, with new weapons, biomes, enemies, mission types, and class-changing unlocks extending the game beyond its initial missions.
Why class composition matters
A regular crew can divide responsibilities between the four classes, using each class’s movement and combat tools to reach minerals, control swarms, and rescue teammates. The value of a class is clearest when the cave, objective, and enemy composition force the squad to combine abilities. You can change classes between missions, so the game supports experimentation without locking a player into one role permanently.
Best audience
- Friends who plan to play together repeatedly rather than finish a single campaign.
- Groups that enjoy exploration, resource decisions, and adapting to unpredictable layouts.
- Players who want progression and unlocks without abandoning cooperative problem-solving.
Crossplay warning
Do not assume that buying the same game on different systems creates one shared pool. The cited comparison says Xbox and Microsoft Store PC players can play together, while Steam and PlayStation are separate pools. Check whether each friend uses Xbox, the Microsoft Store PC edition, Steam, or PlayStation before purchase.
Borderlands 3: loot progression and couch co-op
Borderlands 3 supports one to four players online and includes split-screen, giving it the strongest case here for a same-couch shooter night. Its campaign and loot loop suit a group that wants to keep returning to the same characters, collect better equipment, and make progress through a longer adventure.
The key trade-off is platform isolation: the cited listing reports no crossplay. It is therefore a good recommendation when everyone can use the same platform or when local play matters more than mixing PlayStation, Xbox, and PC players.
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When it beats a mission-based shooter
Choose it if your group wants a persistent campaign, frequent weapon upgrades, and the satisfaction of building characters over many sessions. Choose something else if friends are on different platforms and crossplay is non-negotiable.
Rank #2
- Blood will run in this post-apocalyptic cyberpunk future that takes place after the fall of the Keymaster, a tyrant who ruled over Dharma Tower, the last refuge of humanity.
- The player has the power to shape the future of humanity and take on the violent cyber ninja AI cult that has taken shape outside Dharma Tower, making for a truly epic and unforgettable experience.
- The game introduces new skills, allowing players to be more creative and take on even the most demanding encounters with greater accessibility.
- The player progression system has been completely redone, providing opportunities to experiment and customize gameplay.
- The game is a must-play for fans of the original Ghostrunner and anyone looking for an intense and immersive action experience.
Free choices for competitive groups
Apex Legends: a free trio
Apex Legends is a free battle-royale shooter built around three-player squads and full crossplay. It is the most direct answer for exactly three friends who want competitive matches without an upfront purchase. Team composition, positioning, loot decisions, and surviving against other squads define the session.
That format changes the tone of a game night. A match can end quickly, and the opposition is human rather than controlled by a campaign director. Select it when your group enjoys repeated competitive rounds; do not present it as a substitute for a cooperative story or a low-pressure PvE evening.
Overwatch 2: a free five-player team
Overwatch 2 is a free 5v5 hero shooter with full crossplay and defined team roles. It is the better free option when five friends can regularly assemble and enjoy coordinated competitive play. Roles give each player a recognizable responsibility, but success still depends on timing, target selection, and adapting to the opposing team.
A group of three or four can still play, but it will not fill the same coordinated five-player lineup. If your attendance changes constantly, a four-player cooperative game is usually easier to organize.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 for committed regulars
The current Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 listing describes cross-platform play across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, alongside a cooperative campaign and round-based Zombies. That combination makes it attractive to players who want one purchase to cover competitive multiplayer and structured co-op.
The cost is commitment. The cited comparison warns about a large install and a high headline price, so it is difficult to justify for friends planning one casual night. It makes more sense when the group expects to play regularly and will use both the competitive and cooperative modes.
Crossplay is a platform-pool question, not a checkbox
“Supports crossplay” can hide important restrictions. A game may support online co-op while separating players by storefront, console family, or edition. Before anyone buys, write down each person’s platform and storefront, then compare it with the game’s actual pool.
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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →| Game | Crossplay information in the cited listings | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Helldivers 2 | PS5, Xbox, and PC crossplay | Correct platform edition; no Switch version |
| Deep Rock Galactic | Xbox and Microsoft Store PC pairing is supported; Steam and PlayStation are separate pools | Whether each PC player owns the Microsoft Store or Steam edition |
| Borderlands 3 | No crossplay listed | That every player can use the same platform for online play |
| Apex Legends | Full crossplay | That everyone is comfortable with competitive battle-royale matches |
| Overwatch 2 | Full crossplay | That the group can field a five-player team |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 | Cross-platform across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC | Install size, edition, and the platform’s online access requirements |
A practical pre-purchase check
- List every player’s console or PC storefront, not just “PC.”
- Confirm the supported player count for the mode you intend to play.
- Check whether crossplay applies to the edition and region being purchased.
- Confirm that every player can access online multiplayer on their platform.
- Decide who will host and whether progress is shared, host-bound, or campaign-specific before starting.
Choose by session structure
Short, repeatable sessions
Mission-based games are easiest for a group with unpredictable schedules. Helldivers 2 lets friends complete discrete objectives, while Deep Rock Galactic packages each expedition into a repeatable run. Both let players stop after a mission without abandoning a long story chapter.
Rank #3
- Fight in epic 50 vs 50 multiplayer battles. Play as the North Vietnamese Army or the US Armed Forces.
- Immersive jungle warfare recreates the real-world intensity of the battle. 6 distinct game modes: Offensive, Warfare and 4 alternative new game modes.
- 6 large-scale maps – all with lighting and weather variants and extreme terrain. Emergent gameplay encourages the use of the chain of command to build teamwork and deploy a unique set of tactics and weapons for each battle.
- Multiple vehicles including helicopters and patrol boats. Build tunnels as the NVA and deploy your forces in stealth to ambush the US Armed Forces.
- Enhanced player movement improves in-battle functionality. Revamped tutorial and player onboarding. Updated interface and user experience.
Long campaign nights
Borderlands 3 is better for a group that wants an ongoing campaign and character progression. Agree on a regular host and a rough play schedule so players do not miss story progress or arrive with mismatched levels.
Endless competitive rounds
Apex Legends and Overwatch 2 are organized around matches rather than a shared campaign. They are easy to replay but demand a group that enjoys losses, changing opponents, and performance-focused teamwork.
Teamwork and class depth
Not all cooperative shooters ask the same kind of teamwork. In Helldivers 2, communication prevents friendly-fire disasters and coordinates shared objectives. In Deep Rock Galactic, class abilities, cave traversal, and resource management create complementary roles. In Borderlands 3, cooperation is more about combining builds and sharing a campaign-and-loot journey. Overwatch 2 formalizes roles in a competitive team, while Apex Legends asks a trio to coordinate movement, engagements, and survival.
Use this distinction when choosing for your friends: a group that dislikes fixed responsibilities may prefer the flexible chaos of Helldivers 2; a group that enjoys planning around abilities will get more from Deep Rock Galactic or Overwatch 2.
Split-screen and local play
Among the principal recommendations, Borderlands 3 is the clear split-screen choice. The cited listing specifically includes local split-screen for one to four players. The other highlighted games are described as online co-op or online competitive titles; do not assume that online player counts imply couch support.
For a local session, check the number of controllers, display layout, and whether the selected mode supports the full player count. If even one friend is remote, confirm that the game allows local and online players in the same session before buying multiple copies.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Cost, free access, and subscriptions
Apex Legends and Overwatch 2 are listed as free, removing the upfront game purchase for a trio or five-player group respectively. Free does not remove platform requirements or the need for compatible accounts and online connectivity.
The other games require a purchase, but the useful comparison is total access rather than sticker price alone. Check the exact edition, regional price, required online subscription, storage space, and whether a subscription catalog currently includes the title. Microsoft’s online co-op category lists games such as Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, PAYDAY 3, Deep Rock Galactic, Zombie Army 4: Dead War, Back 4 Blood, World War Z, and Borderlands 3, with Game Pass inclusion or prices shown for some entries. Catalog availability and prices can change, so verify the live store listing for every player’s region.
Rank #4
- Play cooperatively with up to 4 players online
- Choose one of 4 unique customizable classes
- Explore procedurally generated cave systems with fully destructible environments
- Eweild tons of high-tech gadgets and weapons
- Bonus content: 4 premium art cards, Double-sided fold out poster, Welcome letter from Mission Control, Includes Dark Future Pack and Mega Corp Pack
More co-op shooters worth considering
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
Microsoft’s co-op category includes Warhammer 40,000: Darktide as another horde-focused option. It is worth considering for a four-player group that wants relentless enemy waves and mission-based play.
Warhammer: Vermintide 2
PC Gamer describes Warhammer: Vermintide 2 as a four-player horde game with five characters, class leveling, and substantial post-release support. Its character and class progression make it a natural alternative for friends who want repeated melee-and-ranged teamwork rather than a looter-shooter campaign.
PAYDAY 3, Zombie Army 4, Back 4 Blood, and World War Z
These titles also appear in Microsoft’s online co-op shooter category. They provide additional directions for a group comparing heists, zombie horde missions, and campaign-style cooperative shooting. Check the current store page for player count, platform pool, subscription inclusion, and active matchmaking before committing.
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- Choose the game according to the group’s actual size: three for Apex Legends, five for Overwatch 2, and up to four for the principal co-op recommendations.
- Confirm each player’s platform and storefront, especially for Deep Rock Galactic.
- Install the game and any required updates before the scheduled session.
- Set up voice chat and agree on a simple callout vocabulary for targets, objectives, revives, and extraction.
- Start with a low-stakes mission or practice round so everyone can test controls and matchmaking.
- For Helldivers 2, explain friendly fire before the first mission and avoid crowded firing lines.
- For Deep Rock Galactic, agree on class assignments and resource priorities before entering a cave.
- For Borderlands 3, decide who hosts the campaign and whether local players share a screen.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Buying for the wrong platform pool
The most expensive mistake is purchasing copies that cannot join one another. Treat storefront and console as separate data points, and verify them before checkout.
Confusing player count with a good fit
A listed maximum of four does not guarantee that four friends will enjoy the same structure. A competitive trio, a five-player role team, and a four-player campaign group need different games.
Ignoring the social rules of the game
Always-on friendly fire changes how a squad behaves in Helldivers 2. Procedural caves and class dependence change how a squad behaves in Deep Rock Galactic. Explain those expectations before the first match instead of treating a wipe as a technical problem.
Underestimating storage and time
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is specifically noted for its large install. Install it ahead of the event and ensure everyone has enough free storage. For campaign games, agree on a stopping point so late arrivals do not miss essential progress.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsHow to make the final choice
Pick Helldivers 2 when platform mixing and four-player mission chaos are the priority. Pick Deep Rock Galactic when the same crew will return for many sessions and values classes, exploration, and procedural replayability. Pick Borderlands 3 when loot, a longer campaign, or split-screen matters more than crossplay. Pick Apex Legends for a free competitive trio, Overwatch 2 for a free five-player role team, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 only when the group will use its broader competitive and co-op package often enough to justify the installation and purchase.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
