The best co-op games to play right now with friends and family (2023)

Our list of the best co-op games is handpicked to ensure you really do get a collection of titles that put co-op play to the fore. These will never be titles that treat co-op as a side experience or last-minute addition, but rather give co-op play the time and spotlight it deserves. These are the games that really should only be played with one other person (or two), and some are only possible if you invite a friend. And that's exactly how it should be.

So for these best cooperative games, we absolutely urge you to find a friend, partner, or family member to enjoy each one.

25. Walheim

There's so much to do with friends in Valheim, it was easy to see why it made our list of the best cooperative games. Up to 10 people can play together in Valheim's survival sandbox inspired by Norse mythology, with dedicated servers available for private hosting as well. They will build a base, work together to craft better weapons and armor, explore increasingly distant areas, and even defeat various monsters. It's a dangerous world and it's much better with friends.

Play in:personal computer

24. Rainbow Six Siege

Buy-Silent:Online

Rainbow Six Siege is known for its exciting tactical PvP combat, but the co-op Terrorist Hunt mode, a series staple, is worth a night or two of your time. Just like in previous installments, your task is to eliminate your chosen level of terrorists as quickly as possible. Don't expect to be firing on all cylinders - you'll need to clear traps, use your abilities, and coordinate timing with up to four squadmates if you want to take out all your enemies.

Our advice is to choose the difficulty as high as you can. The bigger the challenge, the more you'll need to rely on teamwork, and this mode is best when you're forced to create detailed plans and execute them smoothly. You'll feel yourself getting better from round to round until you can finally sweep a map like a true SWAT team.

Play in:PC, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Xbox Serie X

23. Keep talking and no one explodes

Purchase Type: Local

If you haven't invested in a VR headset, chances are you haven't even heard of this one. It's an exceptionally brilliant twist on cooperative play, though, and it demands your attention. One person wears the VR headset while other people, in the real world, sit and look at a brochure of bomb disposal documents.

The person in the VR headset sees a briefcase with a bomb and various defeat devices, which depicts people in the real world. The idea is to use the bomb disposal documents to defuse the device... by talking and cooperating with each other. Everything is set to a time limit to add excitement, and the bombs become increasingly difficult to dismantle as the game progresses. It's brilliant fun and a perfect party game.

Plus, it's on Switch now, so one of you will be holding the console and the other the instruction manual. It's a great piece of teamwork, and one word of warning can ruin families.

Play in:PC, PS4, PS VR, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X

22. Don't go hungry together

Cooperative type: local and online

The threat of permadeath is somewhat mitigated when shared. I mean, they're all going to die anyway, but at least there's some comfort and guilt in playing co-op.don't starve(opens in a new tab)The challenge of gathering resources and building bases was already a lot of fun, but it's even more fun with a friend. Especially since he can split the workload and responsibilities while he tends to his home or farm and explores the world to find more of what he needs to get through another day.

Play in:PS4, Xbox One, PC, Xbox Serie X, PS5

21. Galactic Deep Rock

Easy shopping: online

Think Left 4 Dead with space dwarves and you won't be far behind. Deep Rock Galactic is a team shooter where you and up to three beefy friends take down a procedurally generated planet in search of minerals. Finding what you're looking for requires you to use all of your class-specific abilities, swinging grappling hooks, creating platforms, lighting up dark caves, and punching holes in the landscape to create new pathways. From time to time, a swarm of alien spiders will jump on you and you will be forced back to back to save your life. Its varied and colorful setting never seems to repeat itself, and when the lights dim and the smoke rises, it's truly atmospheric.

Play in:PC, Xbox One

20. War Frame

Purchase type: Online

Ten million(opens in a new tab)play by peoplewar frame(opens in a new tab)so you must be doing something right. It's a four-player online cooperative shooter where you explore and fight your way through space in ultra-futuristic suits, gaining powers, abilities, and new weapons along the way. That's basically the main attraction here: fighting things to get more gear, to fight more things. Like the Destinys and Monster Hunters of the world, this isaabout hunting for better shotguns and space boots.

Play in:PS4, Xbox One, PC

19. Borderlands 3

Easy shopping: online

Borderlands has always been better with friends. What good is a shotgun that chains electrical damage between enemies or a rifle that spits out bouncing saw blades if you don't have a friend by your side to see it in action? The main draw of the series has always been finding ever crazier weapons to shoot ever crazier enemies, andborder zone 3(opens in a new tab)it's the craziest in the series so far. Lots of weapons have wacky alternate fire modes, and the world is bigger and more diverse.

In previous Borderlands, loot was shared between players, which meant you had to compete for the best weapons. You can play Borderlands 3 this way (it's called Coopetition), but in co-op you'll throw your own inconspicuous bunch of weapons at enemies, so you never have to share.

Play in:PC, PS4, Xbox Uno

18. Divinity: Original Sin 2

Purchase type: Online

Perhaps not for a quick casual game with a friend, as this is a massive RPG setting filled with more potential, story, and events than most of us will see at one time. But if you fancy a really deep co-op experience, this will keep you busy for years. Not only can you explore a nuanced world, but you can also play cooperatively.ocompetitive, with players potentially attempting to complete missions in different ways or with different objectives.

Play in:PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X

17. Monster Hunter World

Purchase type: Online

This may not be as welcoming to newcomers as regulars so adamantly insist, but hold your ground andmonster hunter world(opens in a new tab)It's a lot of fun when you defeat big monsters as a team. the online systemesIt's a little weird though - it takes several steps just to get online, then a few more to post a quest, and people can't join until you've completed scenes and so on... but once you log in this, the interaction between you and your friends while tracking and fighting giant creatures is the best. There's a bewildering variety of weapons and gear, which means there are numerous possibilities and combinations for you and your team to explore.

Play in:PS4, Xbox One, PC

16. GTA online

Purchase type: Online

There was a time whenGTA 5(opens in a new tab)The gory online style of meant you needed a friend, preferably several, if you were only going to survive for more than a few seconds. Now, however, there are a multitude of activities and things to do, even without simple player-created objectives like “Break into the army base” or “Shoot everyone you can see”. After years of updates and additions, it's become an expansive digital playground for things to do with friends. Everything from team games to bank robberies, racing, stunt courses and more, and it's always evolving.

Play in:PS4, Xbox One, PC, PS5, Xbox Serie X

15. PIGS

Cooperative style: online and local

Completing Phogs definitely requires a lot of cooperation, as you and your partner take control of a two-headed dachshund, each taking one of its heads, which are connected by a long, springy body. Together they must bite, jump and bark through a series of puzzles in three unique worlds. Each one is absolutely adorable and is themed around a pig's favorite pastimes: eating, sleeping and playing. As you progress through them, it's easy to see that each world, and the levels within it, offer a unique opportunity to use your good phog abilities and cooperative strength. A treat that also feels like walking into a cheese dream with a friend. Just wait until you see the hat shops too.

Play in:PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One (also on Game Pass)

14. Valle Stardew

Cooperative style: online and local

Stardew Valley hands you the keys to a dilapidated farmhouse in a rotten small town and asks you to turn your luck around. But it's not intrusive: you and your friends can do as many or as few tasks as you like. You can chop wood and farm, fish and trade, craft and loot, or just stroll through town and chat with the friendly townspeople. This game became famous for its relaxing single player mode, but in our opinion, online co-op is the best way to play.

If you have already saved, you need to build some huts to add your friends, or you can all start a new game with a common farm (progress is saved for the host only). With up to three collaboration partners, you can develop projects freely and split tasks to speed production. Or just sit back and watch the sun rise and set - it's your farm, your rules.

Play in:PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series X

13. Knights and bicycles

Cooperative type: local and online

In Knight and Bikes, you take on the role of tough girls Nessa and Demelza and explore the island of Penfurzy in a Goonies-inspired story where bikes are king and mischief reigns supreme. It was made by Moo Yu and Rex Crowle, both ex-Media Molecule, so as you can imagine, it's infused with whimsy, tenderness, and the kind of spirit you can only find in a Famous Five book. Yes, the game revolves around puzzle-solving, miniature golf mini-games, and riding your bike as fast as you can humanly pedal, but it's also a heartfelt adventure about two kids that delivers the kind of gaming experience you want that you rarely can. have. . And it's even better with a true friend by your side.

Play in:PS4, PC, Xbox, Xbox Series X (also on Game Pass)

12. Sea of ​​Thieves

Purchase type: Online

although you can playsea ​​of ​​thieves(opens in a new tab)Alone, this is a game that encourages you to tell stories, and more importantly, to create those stories with other people. Galleons can be sailed by crews of up to four, and the adventures spread from the various voyages you undertake. This can be finding buried treasure, collecting goods to trade with merchants, or hunting down undead pirate captains. Either fight a kraken or take on a fortress of giant skeletons.

Whatever you do in Sea of ​​​​Thieves, you need a crew. Then let the hilarity begin.

keep playing: Xbox One, PC, Xbox Serie X

11. Diablo 3

Cooperative style: online and local

Blizzard's legendary action RPG feels just as solid and polished as it did when it launched eight years ago. Even if you've beaten the campaign multiple times, replaying it with a friend always throws up new surprises, such as: B. an unexpected build or combination that will make you see the fight in a whole new light.

At their core, Diablo games have always been about finding ever-brighter loot. Having someone to share your newest, shiniest ring with makes those rare finds even more exciting, and the ability to share the drops among your party makes it easier to create powerful characters. Don't worry too much about choosing free courses: just jump in and start swinging (or throwing or hitting or throwing...)

Play in:PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PS5, Xbox Serie X

10. Destination 2

Purchase type: Online

Bungie's sci-fi epic is all about the ability to team up with other players as often as possible. Part FPS, part MMO,destiny 2(opens in a new tab)The stellar shooting mechanics and tempting loot will keep you and your friends entertained for a long time, or at least until Destiny 3 inevitably comes out and everyone jumps ship. Not only are there plenty of adventures, strikes, nightfalls, and six-person raids to take part in, but you'll also be working alongside random players you find in the world.

Public events literally fall out of the sky, calling on you and everyone nearby to fend off hordes of enemies for that extra loot. If you've never jumped on the Destiny bandwagon before, find a friend and become a Guardian of the Galaxy today.

Play in:PC, Xbox One, PS4

9. Cutting clips

Purchase Type: Local

The main trick to this puzzle for two is such a clever idea that you and a friend will easily spend half an hour playing with it before trying to solve anything. You each control a flat 2D character with the ability to slice pieces off each other depending on where they overlap. With this ability you have to overcome levels and solve puzzles. It's a simple but incredibly rich concept, and something that works perfectly on Switch, with each of you taking a Joy-Con to guide your little paper person.

Play in:change

8. Portal 2

Cooperative style: online and local

If it could be played on current generation consoles, Portal 2 would probably top this list. For now, you can only play Portal 2 on PC, but don't hold that against it. If you have a desktop or laptop that can run it (and most can) and a friend who can do the same, then you're in for one of the best co-op experiences of your life. The cooperative campaign is a notable jump in difficulty compared to the already fiendish original. You and a friend, each controlling an adorable robot, not only have to put their heads together to figure out how to complete a test chamber, but often have to time their movements and actions correctly. If a player jumps a fraction of a second too early or presses a button too late, the whole plan falls apart.

It makes communication vital and each puzzle even more rewarding to solve. Adding to these puzzles is a layer of Valve's trademark humor, and GLaDOS (remember her?) is once again the star. You can high-five your friend, play rock-paper-scissors or, if you're feeling down, give them goosebumps to death by snatching a bridge from under their feet.

Play in:PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X (via backwards compatibility)

7. Call of Duty: Warzone 2

Easy shopping: online

While OG Warzone was starting to get a bit dated, the equally free Warzone 2.0 arrived with an absolute explosion of awesomeness. Its matches with 150 players guarantee action; If you die, you have a chance to immediately respawn by winning a 2v2 fight in the Gulag; and you can pick up objective-filled "contracts" that add structure to each round. It also supports full crossplay between consoles and PC, so you can team up with your friends regardless of which platform you choose.

You also have DMZ, which is the Call of Duty version of Escape from Tarkhov that really relies heavily on cooperative play to make sure you mark objectives, complete contracts, collect loot, and most importantly, with that everyone escapes.

Play in:PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Serie X

6. Sold 2

Cooperative type: local and online

annealed 2(opens in a new tab)Sounds easy: as a chef, prepare a series of meals within a given time limit. Simply. Well not so much. As up to four of you play, it becomes difficult to keep track of the game's various commands and regulations and avoid various hazards and traps in the kitchen itself. This can make the game hectic, and only the most cohesive teams will get these plates out on time.

The levels are insane, the menus progressively more complex, and overall this is a crazy, crazy existence of a game. But also hilarious fun. Warning: It can cause arguments even among close friends, partners, and family members.

Play in:Xbox One, PS4, PC, Switch, PS5, Xbox Serie X

5. Fortnite

Cooperative type: online and local (split screen available in limited modes)

Fourteen days(opens in a new tab)it's a shining example of a game that gets even more fun the more friends you join, and even better, the incredibly popular Battle Royale mode is completely free to play. Weekly challenges keep things fresh, giving you something new to do every week, and with each season, new updates and major map changes come and go as the story subtly evolves.

Even in Early Access, Epic's charming hybrid defense/shooter/survival game Save The World is a better platform for cooperative play than many full versions. Playing with a handful of friends not only gives you a better chance of fending off waves of husks or building the ultimate base, these friends can also offer you valuable XP boosts and a better chance of finding some of the massive catalogs of rare loot from Fortnite to get. hold of

Play in:PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch, PS5, Xbox Serie X

4. Minecraft

Cooperative type: local (on console and PC) and online

Y,Minecraft(opens in a new tab)it goes everywhere, but for good reason: its digital modular world has endless imaginative potential. You can team up with your friends to build mindless structures or great engineering feats. Or you can just hang around the place, wreak havoc, and just generally hang out. The lack of a rigid structure means you and your friends can do anything, whether it's a fun night in or a long-term project you can find time for.

Play in:PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, iOS, Android, Xbox-Serie X, PS5

3. The past inside

Cooperative type: local and online

There are very few cooperative games that are asynchronous in the wild, but The Past Within is particularly brilliant for that. You can play on any device that works for you. All you need is a friend who also owns the game (again, on any platform) as co-op only works through communication. It's a puzzle game at its core, and progression is determined by your ability to figure out how what you see is related to what your friend can see. One of you is set in the past, the other in the future, and then you must figure out how the two are connected. It might be a password here or a hidden instruction there, but it's very well done, often scary, and never surprising. It's the first cooperative game from the team at Rusty Lake and it's great.

Play in:PC, Android, iOS

2. A way out

Cooperative type: local and online

It is rare that a game can only be played in cooperative mode, but it isAn exit(opens in a new tab)it does. Whether it is splashing the water to bring the fish to each other; go back to back to climb a gap in a wall; chisel between cells to find a route out; or just playing Connect Four or a game of basketball, co-op never feels like an added bonus, everything is designed to be enjoyed together in a satisfying and rewarding way no matter the level of interaction.

You are two criminals trying to find your way out of prison and one step closer to redemption, but most importantly, this is a story you must live together. And it's the best cooperative game we've ever played.

Play in:PS4, Xbox One, PC, Xbox Serie X, PS5

1. It takes two

Cooperative type: local and online

two are requiredis the latest game from the team that brought you A Way Out, and it's another game designed specifically for cooperative play. This time you play as a married couple who have been turned into a pair of dolls by her daughter, unhappy at the news that they are getting a divorce. Cue gameplay that's part Pixar, part Honey I Shrunk the Kids, throw in some marriage advice courtesy of an anthropomorphic self-help book, and you've got an idea of ​​what's in store for It Takes Two. But it's also much more than that, a bit of magic and literally the best cooperative game out there.

And thanks to the game's Friend Pass system, only one of you needs to have it if you want to play online with a friend. Cousin!

Play in:PS4, Xbox One, PC, Xbox Serie X, PS5

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