With its fun attitude, excellent graphical fidelity, and tons of character customization, I find myself coming back to The Finals regularly to take a few swings with my sledgehammer. This explosive shooter also supports crossplay between PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X, and it’s free, so it’s a great option for a few friends who want to jump into some quick action.
Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
Minecraft ($20+)
Courtesy of Mojang
Microsoft subsidiary Mojang’s Minecraft is an odd paradox of crossplay. Players can join the same servers even as they play on different platforms, but they have to be using the same version. If you’ve been playing Minecraft since it came out, you may still be on the Java Edition, which can be played across Windows, Mac, and Linux devices.
However, the Minecraft: Bedrock Edition—or just Minecraft, since 2017—works across Windows, iOS and Android, Xbox One and Series X/S, PlayStation 4 and 5, Nintendo Switch, and even VR systems like Windows Mixed Reality and PlayStation VR. There’s a notable absence there, though: Bedrock Edition doesn’t work on most Macs. Mac players will have to use the Java Edition to play with their friends, and even then only with other computer players. It’s a weird hurdle to get over if you’re a Mac user, but there are plenty of crossplay options if you own other devices.
Available on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Android, iOS.
Helldivers 2 ($40+)
Courtesy of Arrowhead Game Studios
One of the biggest breakout hits of 2024, Helldivers 2 is a cooperative third-person shooter with a strong Starship Troopers vibe. Teams of up to four players work together to lay waste to procedurally generated bug-infested worlds. Your team can use a variety of high-octane weapons including rocket launchers, walking mechs, and orbital strikes. It’s only available for PC and the PS5, but crossplay is supported across both platforms.
