Reanimal, the latest survival horror from Tarsier Studios (the creators behind Little Nightmares), drops players into a terrifying co-op adventure. But can you play with friends across different platforms? Does it support the Friend’s Pass feature? Here’s your complete guide to Reanimal’s crossplay, multiplayer, and Friend’s Pass functionality.

Does Reanimal Support Crossplay?

Yes, Reanimal fully supports crossplay! You can team up with friends across Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC without any issues. The game handles cross-platform multiplayer seamlessly, meaning your platform choice doesn’t limit who you can play with.

Supported Platforms for Crossplay:

PlayStation 5
Xbox Series X|S
Nintendo Switch 2
PC (Steam)

Consequently, whether you’re gaming on console or PC, you’ll be able to connect with friends regardless of their preferred platform. This makes organizing co-op sessions much easier for groups with mixed hardware.

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How to Set Up Online Co-Op and Crossplay

Setting up crossplay in Reanimal is straightforward. Here’s the step-by-step process:

Host a Game:

Select “Co-op” from the main menu
Choose “Host Online”
Share the five-character lobby code displayed on your screen
Wait for your friend to join

Join a Game:

Select “Co-op” from the main menu
Choose “Join Online”
Enter your friend’s five-character code
The game starts automatically once connected

Additionally, you can invite friends directly through your platform’s native system (Steam, PlayStation Network, Nintendo Switch Online, or Xbox Live). PS5 players even get a QR code option for quick invites to players not on their friends list.

Important Note: The host plays as the boy character, while the joining player controls the girl. Don’t worry if player two can’t join immediately—the game starts with the boy rowing a boat solo for a minute or two before rescuing the girl from drowning.

Friend’s Pass: Play Together with One Copy

Yes, Reanimal features the Friend’s Pass system! This innovative feature allows one player to own the full game while their friend joins for free using a demo version.

Friend’s Pass Availability:

Steam (PC): Available now (launch issues fixed via patch)
Xbox Series X|S: Available now
PlayStation 5: Available now
Nintendo Switch 2: Uses native GameShare functionality instead of separate demo

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How to Use Friend’s Pass:

A promotional graphic for Reanimal Friend's Pass showing two masked children standing in a dark, rainy environment with a red "Friend's Pass" banner. — Image Credit: Tarsier Studios

For the Friend Without the Game (PC, Xbox, PS5):

Download the free Reanimal demo (labeled “Friend’s Pass”)
Launch the demo version
Wait for your friend’s invitation

For Nintendo Switch 2 Users:

Utilize Nintendo Switch 2’s native GameShare feature instead of downloading a separate demo

For the Game Owner:

Host an online session
Share your lobby code or send a direct invite
Your friend joins through the demo version (or GameShare on Switch 2)

Moreover, the player who owns the full game must host the session. The friend using Friend’s Pass can only join as player two (the girl character). This system makes Reanimal incredibly accessible for testing the game before purchase or playing with friends on a budget.

Note: PC players experienced some Friend’s Pass issues at launch, but these have been resolved through a post-launch patch.

Local Co-Op: Shared-Screen Couch Co-Op

Yes, Reanimal supports local co-op! If you prefer couch co-op with a friend in the same room, the setup is even simpler.

Local Co-Op Setup:

Connect two controllers to your console or PC
Select “Co-op” from the main menu
Choose “Local”
Player one controls the boy, player two controls the girl
Swap controllers anytime to switch characters

Important: Reanimal uses shared-screen couch co-op, not split-screen. Both players share a unified camera view, which enhances the tension and horror atmosphere. There are no separate views—you’ll experience the terrifying island together through one perspective, just like the developers intended.

Furthermore, local co-op works on all platforms and doesn’t require any online connectivity. It’s perfect for roommates or family members who want to experience the horror together on the same screen.

Character Roles Explained

Understanding the character differences helps you decide who plays which role:

The Boy (Player One/Host):

Lead character with active puzzle-solving
Handles minor combat sequences
Best for experienced players or Little Nightmares veterans

The Girl (Player Two/Joining Player):

Supporting role initially
Gets a weapon later in the game
Ideal for newcomers to the formula

Additionally, players can swap characters mid-game in local co-op by simply switching controllers, making it flexible for different play sessions.

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Final Thoughts

Reanimal’s crossplay and Friend’s Pass features make it one of the most accessible co-op horror games available. Whether you’re playing across platforms, using Friend’s Pass to bring in a friend for free, or enjoying local shared-screen couch co-op, Tarsier Studios designed multiple ways to experience this terrifying adventure together.

The unified camera in local co-op particularly amplifies the horror experience, keeping both players locked into the same terrifying perspective. Combined with full crossplay support and the generous Friend’s Pass system, Reanimal removes barriers between you and your friends.

Ready to face the island’s monstrous denizens? Grab a friend (or download the Friend’s Pass demo) and dive into Reanimal’s twisted world today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Reanimal have crossplay between all platforms?

Yes! Reanimal supports full crossplay between PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC (Steam). Players can team up regardless of platform using lobby codes or direct invites through their platform’s native system.

How does the Friend’s Pass work in Reanimal?

The Friend’s Pass allows one player to own the full game while their friend downloads a free demo version on PC, Xbox, or PS5. Nintendo Switch 2 uses its native GameShare functionality instead. The game owner must host the session, and the friend joins using the demo. PC users should note that launch issues were fixed via post-launch patch.

Is Reanimal split-screen or shared-screen co-op?

Reanimal uses shared-screen couch co-op, NOT split-screen. Both players share one unified camera view, which intensifies the horror atmosphere and tension. There are no separate views—you experience everything together through the same perspective.

Which character should I play in Reanimal co-op?

The boy (player one/host) handles active puzzle-solving and minor combat, making him ideal for experienced players. The girl (player two) plays a supporting role initially and gets a weapon later, perfect for newcomers to the horror genre.

Do both players need to own Reanimal for online co-op?

No! Thanks to the Friend’s Pass feature, only one player needs to own the full game. The second player can download the free demo version (on PC, Xbox, PS5) or use GameShare (on Nintendo Switch 2) and join their friend’s hosted session without purchasing the game.