Does Risk Of Rain Have Crossplay And Which Platforms Can Play Together

Posted on 23 August 2026 | 52
News

Conquering the chaotic, alien environments of the Risk of Rain franchise is an experience that becomes significantly more thrilling when shared with a dedicated team of survivors. As players coordinate their unique character abilities to survive escalating item scaling and relentless boss encounters, the question of multi-platform connectivity inevitably arises. Understanding how different entries in this acclaimed roguelike series handle cross-platform multiplayer is essential for groups looking to bridge the gap between their preferred gaming devices.

Crossplay Support in Risk of Rain 2

The highly popular 3D sequel, Risk of Rain 2, offers a nuanced approach to cross-platform compatibility that depends heavily on the specific hardware you and your friends use. PC players utilizing the Steam ecosystem can seamlessly team up with users running the game through the Epic Games Store by enabling crossplay settings directly within the main menu. This integration relies on the unified Epic Online Services network to manage multiplayer lobbies smoothly across both storefronts.

Unfortunately, this flexible connectivity does not extend universally across the traditional console barriers. Players enjoying the game on PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch are currently confined to their respective hardware ecosystems. This means that a console survivor cannot join a lobby hosted by a PC user, limiting team compositions to matching platforms.

Connecting Epic and Steam Profiles

For PC users looking to maximize their available matchmaking pool, enabling the integrated crossplay feature is a straightforward process. Upon launching the game, navigating to the options menu allows you to toggle the cross-platform platform compatibility setting on or off. Activating this option ensures that your lobby can accept invites from friends regardless of whether they purchased the title on Steam or Epic.

It is worth noting that enabling this feature utilizes an external backend to sync player lists and active sessions. If you experience unexpected matchmaking delays or connectivity glitches, temporarily disabling the setting can revert your game to native client matchmaking. This provides an excellent fallback strategy during periods of high server traffic or immediately following major content updates.

Crossplay Status in Risk of Rain Returns

The remastered 2D classic, Risk of Rain Returns, revitalized the foundational mechanics of the original masterpiece with updated visuals and refined multiplayer systems. When it comes to cross-platform capabilities, the title follows a structure similar to its 3D counterpart by focusing on specific ecosystem pairs. PC players can enjoy reliable cooperative sessions with one another across different distribution clients.

However, the divide between PC and the Nintendo Switch version remains intact for online match hosting. While both platforms boast robust internal netcode for smooth cooperative play, they do not feature an active bridge to connect with each other across the internet. Groups planning their survival strategy should ensure everyone owns the game on the same ecosystem before diving into the trials.

The Future of Multiplatform Convergence

As the gaming landscape moves toward a more unified standard, developers constantly evaluate the feasibility of expanding cross-platform networks for their active titles. Implementing full crossplay requires aligning distinct patch schedules, resolving balance discrepancies between controller inputs, and navigating strict platform compliance guidelines. While the current limitations might require some adjustments for diverse gaming groups, the existing systems still provide fantastic options for community interaction.