Co-op is about more than appearing on the same screen. Listening to another player's discovery, taking on a task they find difficult, and seeing a shared plan succeed all help create memories.
These picks include two-player-only adventures, separate co-op modes, and local multiplayer. Before buying, check the official details for your platform, including player count, local or online support, software requirements, and access conditions.
It Takes Two
Developer: Hazelight Studios · Official / store information
A two-player-only adventure gives each partner abilities that work together. Coordinating those abilities is central to moving forward. Choose it with someone who wants to share the journey from the start; it cannot be played alone.
- Best for
- Two players who want complementary roles throughout an adventure
- When to play
- When you want to progress through a story together
Portal 2
Developer: Valve · Official / store information
A dedicated two-player campaign sits alongside the single-player story. Solving its tests calls for shared thinking about portals and timing. Explaining an idea to your partner becomes part of the puzzle, making discovery something you do together.
- Best for
- Players who enjoy talking through solutions to puzzles
- When to play
- When you want to share the moment a puzzle makes sense
Overcooked! 2
Developer: Ghost Town Games Ltd. / Team17 · Official / store information
Cook and serve orders with up to four players. Changing kitchens keep you revising who handles which task. It is a good fit for a group that enjoys turning confusion into a workable plan and treating mistakes as a reason to coordinate again.
- Best for
- Players who enjoy adjusting roles during busy situations
- When to play
- When you want lively teamwork around clear goals
Stardew Valley
Developer: ConcernedApe · Official / store information
Share a farm and divide activities such as growing crops, tending animals, fishing, and mining. Different interests can contribute to the same home. Check the multiplayer details for your edition, since player limits and support vary across platforms.
- Best for
- Players who want to share a home while pursuing different tasks
- When to play
- When you want to build something together over time
Deep Rock Galactic
Developer: Ghost Ship Games · Official / store information
Explore and mine caves in a team of up to four while dealing with hostile creatures. Classes bring different tools for movement, visibility, and defense. There are ways to help beyond shooting, making complementary equipment central to the teamwork.
- Best for
- Groups who like contributing through different tools and roles
- When to play
- When you want to support a team through an expedition
Monster Hunter: World
Developer: CAPCOM Co., Ltd. · Official / store information
Hunt large monsters with up to four players, considering both your weapon's reach and your teammates. Gathering materials for equipment gives the group goals beyond a single fight. Check quest participation requirements before planning to progress together.
- Best for
- Players who enjoy practicing shared hunts and equipment goals
- When to play
- When you want a common challenge to work on together
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime
Developer: Asteroid Base · Official / store information
In local co-op for two to four players, move between a shared spaceship's weapons, shields, and controls. Changing stations makes communication important. The appeal is coordinating one vessel together, rather than each player handling a separate ship.
- Best for
- Players interested in sharing control of a single vehicle
- When to play
- When you want lively local teamwork
Unravel Two
Developer: Coldwood Interactive · Official / store information
Guide two Yarnys through an adventure in two-player local co-op, supporting each other through obstacles. Watching your partner matters as much as moving forward. It can also be played solo by controlling both characters, so it is not co-op-only.
- Best for
- Players who like helping each other through an adventure
- When to play
- When you want a small-scale journey with someone beside you
Cuphead
Developer: Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc. · Official / store information
Take on the boss-focused action in two-player local co-op. The busy screen still demands careful attention, so cooperation does not mean an easy ride. It suits a pair who enjoy discussing what to watch for and practicing an encounter together.
- Best for
- Two players who enjoy sharing the process of learning a boss
- When to play
- When you want to refine a shared approach to a challenge
Choose the kind of time you want together: quiet discussion through puzzles and farming, or lively coordination through cooking and combat. Agreeing on how hectic you want the experience to be helps.
The mistakes you laugh about can matter as much as the victories. Think about the people you played with when choosing which co-op games belong in your own nine.