Everything You Need To Know About Back 4 Blood On Xbox Game Pass

Back 4 Blood was a surprise announcement for Xbox Game Pass during the company's E3 presentation back in June. It's not a first-party title, nor is it part of the EA Play selection, but instead it's another huge third-party title arriving day one, akin to Outriders and MLB The Show 21 earlier this year.

The game is playable now for Deluxe and Ultimate Edition owners, and will be added to the Game Pass library on Tuesday, October 12, so we've put together this guide to give you an indication of what to expect.

What Is Back 4 Blood?

Simply put, Back 4 Blood is a spiritual successor to the iconic Left 4 Dead series. It's practically a sequel in all but name. Comprised of team members who worked on the original series, the upcoming multiplayer shooter focuses on capturing that same lighting in a bottle.

Up to four players can battle it out against waves upon waves of undead in the lengthy Campaign mode. Set in first-person, you'll come toe-to-toe with some truly grotesque monsters, including some unique variants with specific skills such as being able to spit acid. A mechanic known as the Game Director AI works to keep pushing relentless waves of infected at you, ensuring no two games play the same.

Additionally, there's a unique Card system which allows you to obtain specific perks and strategise your way to success, while Supply Points serve as the primary form of progression, unlocking new Cards, cosmetics and much more as you play through the game and complete specific challenges.

You'll also be able to compete in the 4v4 player-versus-player mode called Swarm, which allows you to switch between playing as a Cleaner or Ridden. "As a Cleaner, you bring the fight to enemy Ridden and aim to survive for as long as you can. As the Ridden, employ unique abilities to destroy your opponents as quickly as possible."

Here's the official description of Back 4 Blood from the Microsoft Store:

"Back 4 Blood is a thrilling cooperative first-person shooter from the creators of the critically acclaimed Left 4 Dead franchise. You are at the center of a war against the Ridden. These once-human hosts of a deadly parasite have turned into terrifying creatures bent on devouring what remains of civilization. With humanity's extinction on the line, it's up to you and your friends to take the fight to the enemy, eradicate the Ridden, and reclaim the world."

Which Xbox Platforms Is Back 4 Blood Coming To?

Players can check out Back 4 Blood on any of the following platforms via Xbox Game Pass:

• Xbox One
• Xbox Series X
• Xbox Series S
• PC
• Xbox Cloud Gaming

What Is Back 4 Blood’s Release Time On Xbox Game Pass?

The standard version of Back 4 Blood is launching on October 12, also available to all Xbox Game Pass members on the same day. The release time is 12:00am local time in your region — simple!

Can I Pre-Load Back 4 Blood With Xbox Game Pass?

Yes! Simply navigate to the Xbox Game Pass app on your console (or PC) and look for the pre-install option. It's not the biggest download in the world — the Xbox Series X version clocks in at around 34GB.

Does Back 4 Blood Support Cross-Play?

Yes! The game has cross-play AND cross-gen support. This means no matter what console you're on, you can play with friends on other systems. Got an Xbox but your mates have a PlayStation? Don't worry, you won't miss out!

Can I Play Back 4 Blood In Single-Player?

Yes! The game includes a Solo Campaign option, which allows you to play with bots. However, the big caveat for now is that progression is severely limited by choosing this option, so you'll ideally want to play online where possible.

That said, developer Turtle Rock Studios has promised to "address the issue" surrounding Solo Campaign progression in the near future, so hopefully the mode will achieve parity (or near-parity) with the multiplayer component before long.

Keep in mind that you still need to be connected online to play Solo Campaign mode in Back 4 Blood.

Is Back 4 Blood Getting Any Post-Launch Content?

Like many other games, Back 4 Blood will be getting post-launch support in the form of paid DLC. However, unlike every other game, Turtle Rock Studios is enabling something pretty cool for players.

To check out the DLC, only the party leader needs to have purchased the additional content, including campaigns, characters, and more. As a result, everyone else can reap the benefits.

"In PvE, if your party leader owns a paid content drop, you will be able to play that content with them — including maps, gameplay and campaign. No separation. No exclusion. No split."

Looking forward to trying out Back 4 Blood on Xbox Game Pass? Let us know in the comments below.

Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.