Recent reports shed light on the multiplayer capabilities of the newly released survival horror game, Reanimal. Players can engage in cooperative gameplay through both local ("couch") and online modes. A notable feature is the "Friend's Pass," which allows individuals to join a game session even if they do not own a copy of Reanimal. Crossplay, enabling players on different platforms to connect, is also supported.
Reanimal, developed by Tarsier Studios, is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. The game offers several ways for players to team up, addressing long-standing requests from fans of the studio's previous works, such as the Little Nightmares series.
Multiplayer Options Explored
Reanimal provides a range of cooperative experiences for players. These include:
Local Co-op: Players can share the same screen to play together. This mode is described as "couch co-op."
Online Co-op: Players can connect with friends over the internet.
Crossplay: This feature allows individuals on different gaming platforms to play together.
Friend's Pass: A key element is the Friend's Pass, which permits one player to own the game and invite a friend to play without the invited friend needing to purchase a copy.
Friend's Pass Implementation
The Friend's Pass is designed to lower the barrier for entry for cooperative play. To utilize this feature, the player without the full game typically needs to download a specific demo version of Reanimal.
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For PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 users, the Friend's Pass requires downloading the Reanimal demo on those respective platforms.
Reports suggest that on PC and Xbox, there might be a slight delay in the full implementation of the Friend's Pass, with some indications it may not be available on the initial release date.
Crossplay Capabilities
Crossplay functionality is confirmed for Reanimal, allowing for broader player interaction across different systems. Players can invite friends through their platform's native friends list, such as Steam, PlayStation Network, or Nintendo Switch Online. This facilitates online co-op sessions irrespective of the chosen gaming device.
Local Co-op vs. Split-Screen
While Reanimal supports local co-op, it has been noted that the game does not utilize a split-screen function for multiplayer. This implies that local co-op is played on a shared screen, with both players viewing the same game interface.
Developer and Publisher Information
Developer: Tarsier Studios
Publisher: (Not explicitly stated in the provided text, but Tarsier Studios is frequently mentioned as the developer.)
Release Date: February 13th, 2026
Evidence of Features
Polygon: Confirms local co-op, online co-op, crossplay, and the Friend's Pass. Notes that the Friend's Pass requires downloading a demo for PS5 and Switch 2.
PCGamesN: Affirms the availability of the Friend's Pass, local co-op, online co-op, cross-platform multiplayer, and splitscreen co-op.
Sportskeeda: States that Reanimal will feature a Friend's Pass on PC, but notes potential delays for PC and Xbox.
GameTyrant: Details local co-op (shared screen), supports crossplay across PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2, and PC. Explicitly states the game does not use split-screen for multiplayer.
GamesRadar: Highlights that Reanimal was built with both solo and co-op in mind. Mentions local and online co-op, as well as the Friend's Pass. Confirms availability on PS5, Xbox Series X, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2 from February 13.
Fandom: Emphasizes that the Friend's Pass allows friends to play for free. Confirms availability on PS5, Switch 2, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, with the option to invite a friend to play online for free.
Tarsier.se: The official studio site confirms play in couch co-op, online co-op (with crossplay), and the Friend's Pass.
ingamenews.com: Reports on the confirmation of Friend Pass and Crossplay. Suggests Tarsier signaled the Friend Pass might not be live on the February 13 release date. Mentions that one copy allows two people to play online.
Key Considerations and Discrepancies
The provided reports consistently confirm Reanimal's co-op and crossplay features. The Friend's Pass is a widely advertised benefit, allowing non-owners to participate. However, there is a nuanced point regarding its immediate availability across all platforms.
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Friend's Pass Availability: While the Friend's Pass is generally available, the Sportskeeda and ingamenews.com articles suggest that PC and Xbox players might experience a delay, with the feature potentially not being fully operational at launch on February 13th. The exact mechanism for PC/Xbox Friend's Pass is less detailed than for PS5/Switch.
Local Co-op Format: Multiple sources, including GameTyrant, clarify that local co-op is presented on a single, shared screen, and not through a split-screen implementation.
Conclusion
Reanimal offers a robust multiplayer suite designed to facilitate cooperative play across various platforms. The inclusion of online co-op, crossplay, and particularly the Friend's Pass, addresses a significant demand for accessible multiplayer experiences. While the core features are confirmed, players, especially on PC and Xbox, should be aware of potential staggered release timings for the full Friend's Pass functionality. The game aims to enhance the horror experience by allowing players to face its challenges with a companion, either locally or remotely.
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Sources Used:
Polygon:
https://www.polygon.com/reanimal-co-op-crossplay-online-local-friends-pass-pc-ps5-switch/(Summary details co-op, crossplay, Friend's Pass, and platform availability, with specific notes on demo download for PS5/Switch.)PCGamesN:
https://www.pcgamesn.com/reanimal/multiplayer-friend-pass-crossplay(Confirms Friend Pass, local co-op, online co-op, cross-platform multiplayer, and splitscreen co-op.)Sportskeeda:
https://www.sportskeeda.com/esports/does-reanimal-friends-pass-pc-how-play-co-op-friends(Addresses Friend's Pass for PC and notes potential delays for PC and Xbox.)GameTyrant:
https://gametyrant.com/news/reanimal-co-op-and-crossplay-explained(Explains local co-op, crossplay across platforms, and explicitly states no split-screen.)GamesRadar:
https://www.gamesradar.com/games/horror/grab-a-pal-and-play-reanimal-in-co-op-because-its-so-much-scarier-when-there-are-two-of-you/(Highlights co-op's importance, mentions local/online co-op and Friend's Pass, and lists platforms with release date.)Fandom:
https://www.fandom.com/articles/reanimal-co-op-horror(Focuses on Friend's Pass allowing free play for friends and lists platforms.)Tarsier.se:
https://tarsier.se/games/reanimal/(Official developer confirmation of co-op, crossplay, and Friend's Pass.)ingamenews.com:
https://www.ingamenews.com/2026/01/about-time-reanimal-finally-brings.html(Reports on confirmation of Friend Pass and Crossplay, with a note on potential staggered release.)
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