Video games are fun to play, but that fun element increases when playing with others. It can be your friends, siblings, or even your partner. Some games are only meant for co-operative (co-op) multiplayer experience, but many single-player games also offer co-op modes. Regardless of your preference for game genres or gameplay styles, you will likely find something to enjoy with your favourite people.
Here is a list of some of the best co-op games you can play with your partner, siblings, or friends.
Best Co-op Games to Play
It Takes Two
It Takes Two is a cooperative video game from Hazelight Studios that has no single-player option. This means that the game can only be played with a partner. It tells the story of a married couple, Cody and Mary, who are looking to divorce. They both find themselves trapped inside their daughters’ dolls’ bodies. Players control these dolls and take part in various activities and puzzles.
They also have to work together and collaborate to complete certain objectives. The best part is you only need to buy one copy of the game as it comes with a Friend Pass. This pass can be used to play the game with the other person.
Availability: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch
A Way Out
Before Hazelight Studios came out with It Takes Two, it introduced the world to A Way Out. This cooperative video game puts players in the shoes of the two criminals. The goal is to figure out a plan and break out of prison. The way the game’s story progresses and all the different activities you get to do make it one of the best fun and entertaining co-op games out there. This game does not have a single-player mode either.
Availability: PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC
Phasmophobia
If you are interested in horror games, particularly ghost hunting, Phasmophobia is a game you are likely to enjoy. It can be played with up to three friends who form a group to investigate a haunted site. Your objective is to identify the type of entity causing all the paranormal activities at the place. The game takes you on a ghost-hunting journey packed with sounds that result in an immersive experience.
Available On: PC
Helldivers 2
Helldivers 2 is the latest cooperative third-person shooter game from Arrowhead Game Studios. You can squad up with up to three friends with a common objective to protect the Super Earth. You can fight aliens, robots, and bugs on an alien planet to keep your freedom intact. The game has a Friendly Fire set that is always on, which adds a more fun element to the overall experience.
Availability: PC and PlayStation 5
Escape Academy
Escape Academy is a cooperative puzzle game that lets you experience escape rooms digitally. You play as students who are getting trained to become escape room experts. Players must work together to find clues and solve puzzles to escape the room within the stipulated time. If you enjoy real-world escape rooms or want to experience something similar, this co-op game should be on your list.
Availability: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch
Dead by Daylight
Dead by Daylight is a survival horror video game featuring a 4v1 mechanism. It has one player as the killer monster and four as survivors. The monster aims to hunt each survivor and empale them on a hanging hook. On the other hand, survivors need to repair five of the seven generators to power the exit and escape. They also need to keep themselves safe from the monster in the meantime.
Availability: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch
Borderlands 3
Borderlands 3 is the latest iteration of a cooperative first-person shooter video game franchise from Gearbox Software. It can be played with three of your friends to create a squad featuring characters chosen from four available classes. Your goal is to complete missions assigned to you while defeating enemies.
When enemies are killed, they may drop weapons and gear you can loot and equip. The game is primarily known for its unique and weirder enemies and weapons. If you don’t enjoy Borderlands 3 enough, try Borderlands 2.
Availability: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, macOS, and Nintendo Switch
Diablo 4
Diablo 4 is the newest generation release in the iconic action RPG game franchise. The game has five classes to choose from while creating a character. You can join the battles along with a squad of four members. The goal is to beat enemies, loot rewards, including rare items, and upgrade your character to take on more difficult enemies.
Availability: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC
Minecraft
Minecraft is a video game that needs no introduction. The game lets you explore a pixelated world where you can find raw materials, craft items, and build virtually anything.
It has multiple modes and many options regarding what you and your friends can do. It is one of the few games you can play on almost every mainstream platform available out there.
Availability: PlayStation, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and more
Destiny 2
Destiny 2 is a free-to-play first-person shooter game with MMO (Massive Multiplayer online game) elements. You can complete quests or take part in six-person raids. The latter is one of the highlights of the game. It can be played with your friends or random people around the world. The best part is it keeps receiving expansion packs that keep the gameplay engaged and fun.
Availability: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC
Monster Hunter Rise
Monster Hunter Rise is a video game where you must do exactly what the name suggests. The goal is to have your squad go out in the world to hunt monsters. It is a third-person title from Capcom and is the successor to Monster Hunter World. You can take advantage of a huge variety of weapons and environmental features to take down huge monsters. The latest iteration builds upon the previous offering with new monsters, weapons, and other changes.
Availability: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC
Gotham Knights
Gotham Knights is primarily a single-player video game but also features co-op online mode. It lets you collaborate with a friend to go through the single-player story campaign. The second player can enter or leave the game without affecting your progress.
There is another mode called Heroic Assault, where you can play with up to four players. It is separate from the story mode and offers an arena-like environment for your squad to fight enemies and complete objectives. There are 30 floors where you proceed to the next level by completing the current one.
Availability: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
Gears 5
Gears 5 is the fifth title in The Coalition’s popular Gears of War series. The game has a single-player story campaign and a multiplayer mode. Its Horde mode lets up to five players unite to fight against 50 waves of enemies. There is a boss fight after every 10 waves.
The game has different character classes, each with unique abilities. There are also many other multiplayer modes, such as Escape, Team Deathmatch, Escalation, and King of the Hell.
Availability: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC
