You’re sitting there, looking at the grim, decaying world of Mournstead, and honestly, it looks terrifying to tackle alone. Soulslikes are usually a lonely endeavor, but Hexworks decided to shake things up. Most people get confused when they hear about the Lords of the Fallen Friend’s Pass because the industry has conditioned us to expect every single player to pony up $70 just to see each other in-game. It’s a bit of a throwback to the days of "Spawn Installations" or Nintendo’s "Download Play," except it’s built for a modern, high-fidelity action RPG.
Let’s be real. Convincing a friend to drop full price on a game just to help you beat a boss is a tough sell.
The Friend’s Pass basically deletes that barrier. It’s a specific feature designed to let a host invite a partner who doesn't even own the game. You heard that right. One person owns it, the other person just downloads a trial-style client, and suddenly you’re both swinging oversized swords at Eldritch horrors. But there are some quirks you need to know before you try to fire it up, because it isn't a permanent "get the whole game for free" card.
Setting Up Your Lords of the Fallen Friend’s Pass Session
The process is surprisingly straightforward, but it requires a bit of coordination. First off, the person who owns the game—the Host—needs to be at a Vestige (the game's version of a bonfire). This isn't something you can just do from the main menu before you've even started your journey. You’ve got to actually be in the world.
The "Guest" needs to download the specific Lords of the Fallen Friend’s Pass version of the game from their respective store—Steam, PlayStation Store, or the Xbox Marketplace. It’s a hefty download. You’re essentially downloading the entire game asset library because, well, your computer still needs to render the bosses even if you didn't pay for them.
Once the Guest has the client ready and the Host is at a Vestige:
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- The Host selects "Multiplayer" from the Vestige menu.
- Choose "Invite Friend."
- The Guest accepts the invite through the platform’s native overlay (like the Steam friend list or PS5 game base).
- Boom. You’re in.
It’s worth mentioning that performance can be a bit finicky depending on who is hosting. If your friend has a "potato" PC or a shaky Wi-Fi connection, you're going to feel it. Soulslikes rely on frame-perfect parries. Lag is the real final boss here.
What Can You Actually Do Together?
This isn't just a boss-rush mode. You can actually play through the vast majority of the game. You’ll explore the dual realms of Axiom and Umbral together. This is where the game gets really interesting. One of you might be looking at the living world, while the other is peeking into the realm of the dead.
The Guest isn't just a ghost, either. They have agency.
They can pick up loot, though it’s mostly "dropped" items from enemies rather than world-specific treasures. The Guest earns Vigor (the game’s currency and XP). This is huge. It means that if the Guest eventually decides to buy the full game, they aren't starting from scratch. Their progress, at least in terms of character stats and gear collected, carries over.
However, world progression is tied to the Host. If you clear a massive area and kill a major boss in your friend's world, that boss is still very much alive in yours if you ever go solo. It's a "Guest" pass for a reason. You're a mercenary in their story.
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The Crossplay Factor and Technical Hurdles
Hexworks has been pretty vocal about wanting a unified community. The Lords of the Fallen Friend’s Pass works alongside their crossplay systems. In theory, a PC player should be able to pull in a friend on console, though patches have occasionally broken and then mended this bridge.
If you're having trouble connecting, check your settings.
There's a toggle for "Crossplay" and "Ignore Ping Requirements." If you're trying to play with someone halfway across the globe, you must enable the ping ignore setting, or the game will just refuse to connect you to save you from a laggy nightmare. Honestly, just turn it on and deal with the 200ms delay; it's better than not playing at all.
Common Misconceptions
- Is it permanent? No. Usually, these "Pass" periods are promotional. While the tech exists in the game, the developers often toggle the "Free" aspect of the Friend's Pass during specific event windows or weekends. You should always check the official Lords of the Fallen Twitter (X) or Steam news page to see if the Pass is currently active.
- Do I need PS Plus or Xbox Game Pass Core? Yes. Even if the game is "free" via the Friend's Pass, the console manufacturers still demand their cut for online play. PC players on Steam, luckily, dodge this particular tax.
- Can the Guest play solo? Absolutely not. If the Host logs off, the session ends. The Guest’s client will essentially lock them out of the game world until they are invited again or they buy the full version.
Why This Matters for the Soulslike Genre
Usually, FromSoftware (the Dark Souls devs) makes multiplayer a bit of a chore. You need items, you need to be in specific areas, and you can't easily jump between zones. Lords of the Fallen took a different approach. They wanted "seamless" co-op.
The Friend's Pass is an extension of that philosophy. It admits that these games are hard. Sometimes, they are unfairly hard. Having a buddy who knows what they're doing—someone who can distract a boss while you heal—changes the entire vibe. It turns a horror game into a tactical combat game.
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I've seen people complain that this "dilutes" the difficulty. Maybe. But honestly, who cares? If you're having fun with a friend and exploring the incredibly detailed Umbral world, you're winning. The art design in this game is too good to be gatekept by a high difficulty curve and a high price tag.
Performance Tips for a Smooth Session
If you’re running the Friend’s Pass client, your PC is working just as hard as the Host’s.
Optimization has improved significantly since the 2023 launch, but it can still chug in the Umbral realm. I recommend the Guest turns down their "Global Illumination" and "Shadow Quality" by one notch. Since you're reacting to the Host's world, any extra frames you can squeeze out will make your parry timing feel much more "local" and less "delayed."
Also, use the in-game "Photo Mode" if you see something cool. Even in the Friend’s Pass version, it’s fully functional. It’s one of the best photo modes in the genre, allowing for some truly metal screenshots of you and your buddy standing over a defeated boss.
Actionable Steps for Players:
- Check Availability: Before downloading the 45GB+ client, verify on the official Lords of the Fallen Website or Steam Community Hub that a Friend's Pass event is currently live. These are often timed.
- Coordinate Versions: Ensure both Host and Guest have updated their game to the same version number. The "Friend's Pass" client often requires a manual update check on consoles.
- Set a Password: To avoid random players jumping into your slot, go to Settings > Multiplayer and set a "Session Password." Give this to your friend so they can bypass the public matchmaking queue.
- Backup Your Save: If you are the Guest and plan to buy the game later, ensure your cloud saves are active. Your character data is stored locally and in the cloud, and you'll want that progress to sync when you upgrade to the full edition.