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Helldivers 2 is the best all-around choice for four friends on PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC. It supports 1–4-player online missions, full crossplay across those platforms, and short, objective-focused sessions. Friendly fire is always enabled, so communication matters. For a group that values long-term teamwork and replayability, Deep Rock Galactic is the deeper pick: its procedurally generated caves, four classes, resource management, and progression give every mission a different shape. Borderlands 3 is the better choice for loot progression or split-screen play, while Apex Legends and Overwatch 2 provide free cross-platform options for competitive groups.
The right game depends on more than whether it says “co-op.” Check your exact platform pool, storefront, preferred squad size, session length, tolerance for friendly fire, and whether you want a campaign, a repeatable mission loop, or competitive matches.
Quick comparison
| Game | Squad size | Crossplay | Best for | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helldivers 2 | 1–4 online | PlayStation 5, Xbox, PC | Mixed-platform four-person squads and chaotic missions | Friendly fire is always enabled; no Switch version |
| Deep Rock Galactic | 1–4 co-op | Depends on platform and PC storefront | Procedural teamwork, class roles, and replayability | Xbox/Microsoft Store PC, Steam PC, and PlayStation use separate pools |
| Borderlands 3 | 1–4 online; split-screen | No crossplay | Loot progression and couch co-op | Everyone must use a compatible platform for online play |
| Apex Legends | Three-player squads | Full crossplay | Free competitive matches for exactly three friends | Battle-royale format rather than a campaign-style co-op game |
| Overwatch 2 | Five-player teams | Full crossplay | Free, role-based team competition | Works best when five players can regularly assemble |
| Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 | Varies by mode | PlayStation, Xbox, PC | Groups wanting competitive multiplayer plus a co-op campaign and Zombies | Large install and a higher headline price can be excessive for occasional groups |
How to choose a co-op shooter for your group
Start with the platform pool
Crossplay is not a universal switch that makes every edition interchangeable. Confirm whether each friend is on PlayStation 5, Xbox, Steam, or a Microsoft Store PC edition before buying. Deep Rock Galactic is the clearest example: Xbox and Microsoft Store PC players can share a pool, while Steam players and PlayStation players are separated into their own pools. A game can therefore be excellent online co-op and still fail for a particular mixed-platform group.
Also check the exact console generation and edition. Helldivers 2 is covered here for PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC, and the available information does not include a Switch version. Borderlands 3 has online and split-screen co-op but no crossplay, so a PlayStation player cannot simply join an Xbox or PC owner because both own the same title.
#1 Best Overall
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Match the game to the number of regular players
Four-player games are the natural fit for a full friend group, but a fixed squad size can make a game awkward when attendance changes. Helldivers 2, Deep Rock Galactic, and Borderlands 3 all support up to four players. Apex Legends is built around three-player squads, and Overwatch 2 uses five-player teams. If your group usually has three people, Apex Legends avoids leaving someone out; if five can reliably attend, Overwatch 2 makes better use of the full party.
Decide whether you want missions, a campaign, or competition
- Mission-based co-op: Helldivers 2 is structured around shared objectives that fit short, repeatable sessions.
- Procedural progression: Deep Rock Galactic combines changing cave layouts with classes, resources, weapons, biomes, enemies, and mission types.
- Campaign and loot: Borderlands 3 suits groups that want a longer shared progression path and continual equipment upgrades.
- Competitive matches: Apex Legends and Overwatch 2 are free choices when the group prefers opposing teams and repeatable matches rather than a cooperative story.
- One large package: Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is aimed at regular players who want competitive multiplayer alongside a co-op campaign and round-based Zombies.
Consider how much coordination you enjoy
Deep Rock Galactic asks players to combine four distinct classes, manage resources, explore open-ended cave systems, and respond to alien hordes. It rewards a crew that likes assigning jobs and improving its approach over many sessions. Helldivers 2 creates a different kind of coordination: everyone works toward the same objectives while permanently enabled friendly fire makes positioning and weapon discipline part of the challenge. Borderlands 3 is more forgiving of uneven roles because its main appeal is loot and campaign progression. Apex Legends and Overwatch 2 require communication for competitive reasons, but their matches are not campaign co-op.
Best overall for a mixed-platform group: Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 is the safest default when four friends use different major platforms. It supports 1–4-player online co-op and crossplay between PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC. Missions are objective-driven and can fit a group that wants a focused evening rather than a campaign that requires everyone to be present for dozens of hours.
Why it works for friend groups
- Four-player ceiling: A complete squad can deploy together without splitting into multiple parties.
- Cross-platform access: PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC players can share the same online group according to the cited platform comparison.
- Short-session structure: Shared objectives give the group a clear beginning and end for each mission.
- High social energy: The mix of coordinated goals and accidental friendly fire creates memorable moments for voice-chat groups.
The friendly-fire rule changes the experience
Friendly fire is always enabled. Treat that as a central design constraint, not a minor setting. Spread out when using explosive or area attacks, identify targets before firing, and tell teammates when you are throwing something near them. A group that wants relaxed, low-consequence shooting may prefer Borderlands 3 instead; a group that enjoys communication and controlled chaos will find Helldivers 2 unusually engaging.
Who should skip it
Do not choose it solely because friends own different systems without checking the edition and current platform availability. The information used for this comparison does not list a Switch version. It is also a poor fit for players who dislike friendly fire or who want couch co-op on one screen rather than online play.
Best for replayability and teamwork: Deep Rock Galactic
Deep Rock Galactic is a 1–4-player co-op first-person shooter set in procedurally generated, destructible cave systems filled with alien hordes. Four distinct classes create meaningful role differences, while exploration, resource management, weapons, biomes, enemies, mission types, and class-changing unlocks give a regular crew reasons to return.
Rank #2
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What makes each mission different
Procedural caves mean the route, terrain, and problems change from mission to mission. Destructible environments let the team shape its path instead of following a fixed corridor. Resource management adds a reason to explore rather than sprint directly to the objective, and alien hordes force the group to balance progress with survival. The combination is closer to a repeatable expedition than a one-time campaign level.
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Why the four classes matter
The four classes are the foundation of the teamwork loop. Each player brings a different role, so a balanced crew can approach cave traversal, combat, and resource collection in ways a group of identical characters cannot. The game also supports class changes and unlocks, allowing regular players to learn several roles instead of being locked into one choice forever.
Crossplay requires a storefront check
Deep Rock Galactic does not have one universal crossplay pool. Xbox players can pair with the Microsoft Store PC edition, while Steam PC and PlayStation are separate pools. Ask every friend where the PC version was purchased before assuming a mixed group can join. This check is essential because the game may appear on several platforms while still preventing a particular combination from playing together.
Best audience
Choose Deep Rock Galactic for a dependable weekly crew that enjoys learning maps, dividing responsibilities, unlocking equipment, and improving its efficiency. Choose something else if your friends rarely have four people online, dislike role-based coordination, or need unrestricted PlayStation–Xbox–Steam matchmaking.
Best for loot and couch co-op: Borderlands 3
Borderlands 3 supports 1–4-player online co-op and split-screen play. Its long campaign and loot loop make it the strongest choice here for friends who want a shared progression path, continual equipment upgrades, and the option to play together on one couch.
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Split-screen changes the practical requirements: friends can use one console and one display instead of arranging separate online systems. Online co-op covers groups playing from different locations, provided they use compatible platforms. The four-player limit fits a typical squad without requiring a fifth or forcing a trio into a larger team format.
Rank #3
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The trade-off is no crossplay
Borderlands 3 has no crossplay in the comparison data. That makes platform alignment a purchase decision, not a technical detail to investigate after buying. If one friend is on Xbox and another on PlayStation, choose a cross-platform game instead or have everyone use the same platform pool.
Best audience
Pick Borderlands 3 when couch co-op, a long campaign, or loot progression matters more than cross-platform access. It is especially suitable for a group that can commit to the same platform and wants to keep developing characters over multiple sessions.
Best free competitive trio: Apex Legends
Apex Legends is a free, three-player-squad battle-royale shooter with full crossplay. It is the clearest option for exactly three friends who want to avoid an upfront purchase and prefer competitive matches to a cooperative campaign.
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Because the entry cost is free, the group can try it without coordinating a shared purchase. Full crossplay allows friends on the supported console and PC pools to form one squad. The three-player format also matches the recommended party size exactly, so no one has to sit out when the group has three regular players.
Know what you are choosing
Apex Legends is competitive battle royale, not a relaxed mission-based co-op game. Your squad is competing against other teams, and a session can end when the team is eliminated. Choose it for communication, positioning, and repeat matches; choose Helldivers 2, Deep Rock Galactic, or Borderlands 3 for cooperative objectives against game-controlled enemies.
Best free five-player team: Overwatch 2
Overwatch 2 is a free 5v5 hero shooter with full crossplay and defined team roles. It fits groups that can regularly assemble five players and enjoy competitive matches built around complementary abilities and responsibilities.
Rank #4
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Why five players changes the choice
Overwatch 2 is most attractive when your group routinely has five people. A smaller or fluctuating party may be better served by a four-player co-op game or Apex Legends’ three-player squad format. The role structure also means the team needs to coordinate rather than simply select five independent damage dealers.
Best audience
Choose it when free access, crossplay, and role-based competition are priorities. It is not the right substitute for a cooperative campaign if your group wants to advance through a story together or pause between objective-based missions.
Best for committed players who want several modes: Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is aimed at a group that wants one current competitive shooter with multiple ways to play. The listed feature set includes cross-platform play across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, a co-op campaign, and round-based Zombies.
Why regular players may prefer it
A committed group can move between competitive multiplayer, the cooperative campaign, and Zombies without maintaining separate games for each mood. That breadth is useful when the same friends meet frequently and want a larger long-term purchase rather than a free game for occasional matches.
Why it is excessive for a one-night test
The comparison warns about a large install and a higher headline price. Those costs can be difficult to justify if the group only wants one casual co-op evening. Confirm available storage, download time, edition, and current regional pricing before purchasing. The exact amount is not fixed here, so treat the store listing for your platform and region as authoritative.
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Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
Darktide appears among Microsoft’s current online co-op shooter options. It belongs on the shortlist for groups interested in fighting through missions together rather than playing a battle royale. Check the current platform and subscription listing before deciding, because availability and included titles can change.
Best Value
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Warhammer: Vermintide 2
PC Gamer describes Vermintide 2 as a four-player horde game with five characters, class leveling, and substantial post-release support. It is a strong alternative for a group that values melee-heavy horde survival, character development, and a long tail of updates.
PAYDAY 3
PAYDAY 3 is included in Microsoft’s online co-op shooter category. It is worth investigating for groups that want coordinated objective missions built around planning and execution. Verify the current platform pool and access terms before buying.
Zombie Army 4: Dead War
Zombie Army 4: Dead War is another listed online co-op option. It suits groups looking for a dedicated cooperative shooter rather than a competitive hero or battle-royale format. Check the current edition and multiplayer support on the platform each friend uses.
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Back 4 Blood and World War Z
Both Back 4 Blood and World War Z appear in the same current co-op category. They provide additional choices for a group that wants cooperative campaigns or horde-style sessions, but the available comparison does not establish one universal crossplay arrangement for every platform. Confirm compatibility before making a purchase.
Crossplay and purchase checklist
Use this process before anyone spends money or downloads a large game.
- Count the usual party. Write down whether the group normally has three, four, or five players. Match that number to the game’s squad structure rather than relying on the maximum player count.
- List exact devices. Record PlayStation 5, Xbox, Steam PC, or Microsoft Store PC separately. “PC” is not a sufficient crossplay description for Deep Rock Galactic.
- Confirm the pool. Check the game’s current platform information for that exact combination. For Deep Rock Galactic, Xbox pairs with Microsoft Store PC, while Steam and PlayStation remain separate pools.
- Choose the session type. Select mission co-op for shared objectives, procedural co-op for repeatability, campaign and loot for long progression, or competitive matches for free play and quick rounds.
- Check couch requirements. If everyone will play in one room, verify split-screen support. Borderlands 3 is the listed pick with split-screen; Helldivers 2 and Deep Rock Galactic are described here as online co-op.
- Check access terms. Free games such as Apex Legends and Overwatch 2 remove the upfront purchase. Paid games may appear in a subscription catalog, but inclusion, edition, region, and dates can change.
- Confirm storage and edition. This matters especially for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 because the comparison flags a large install. Make sure every player is buying the same relevant edition and has room to install it.
- Agree on the first session. Decide whether the group wants a 60–90 minute test or a campaign commitment. A short test favors mission-based or competitive games; a regular weekly slot justifies Deep Rock Galactic, Borderlands 3, or the broader Call of Duty package.
Recommendations by common group scenario
| Your group | Pick | Reason | Check first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Four friends on PS5, Xbox, and PC | Helldivers 2 | Full crossplay and focused four-player missions | Friendly fire and the lack of a Switch version |
| A regular crew seeking long-term teamwork | Deep Rock Galactic | Procedural caves, four classes, resources, and unlocks | Whether PC players use Xbox/Microsoft Store or Steam |
| Friends sharing one television | Borderlands 3 | Split-screen plus four-player online support | All online players must use the same platform pool |
| Three friends who want free matches | Apex Legends | Free three-player squads and full crossplay | Battle-royale competition rather than campaign co-op |
| Five friends who like role-based competition | Overwatch 2 | Free 5v5 play with defined roles and full crossplay | Whether five players can attend consistently |
| Regular players wanting campaign, Zombies, and competition | Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 | Cross-platform play with co-op campaign and round-based Zombies | Install size, edition, and current regional price |
Bottom line
Choose Helldivers 2 for the best default four-person cross-platform session, Deep Rock Galactic for the strongest replayability and class teamwork, and Borderlands 3 for loot progression or split-screen. Choose Apex Legends when three friends want a free competitive game, Overwatch 2 when five players want free role-based matches, and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 when a committed group will use its campaign, Zombies, and competitive modes often enough to justify its larger install and purchase cost.
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.
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