The List: 22 Co-op Games You Need to Play in 2025

Co-op games have always held a special place in gaming. They offer players the chance to share experiences, foster teamwork, and build unforgettable moments through collaboration. Whether you're working together toward a common goal or simply surviving against the odds, co-op gaming is a genre that continues to evolve and expand.

This list focuses on co-op games released during the 8th generation of consoles and beyond—meaning any game released after 2012 qualifies. To keep things focused, we’re highlighting only cooperative experiences, avoiding competitive multiplayer titles. The games featured here range from two-player co-op adventures to larger team-based experiences, spanning genres like action, survival, puzzle-solving, and more. Some entries highlight an entire series, while others focus on a specific standout title.

There’s no ranking here—this isn’t a list of ranking the best co-op games. Instead, consider it a curated selection of must-play co-op titles, whether you're looking for intense action, lighthearted fun, or deep strategic play. If you're searching for the perfect game to enjoy with friends, this list has you covered.

Best Co-op Puzzle, Party, and Cozy Games

Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes (2015)

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS VR, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Mobile (VR)

A test of trust and communication, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes tasks one player with defusing a bomb while another reads the manual on how to do it. The catch? The person with the manual can't see the bomb, and the one working on it has no idea what the instructions say. Chaos quickly ensues as players struggle to describe symbols, wires, and buttons under intense time pressure. 

The result? Hilarious miscommunications, high-stakes problem-solving, and some truly clutch moments make for a game that can only be appreciated when played. It’s a fantastic co-op experience that demands coordination and patience—perfect for testing friendships (or strengthening them).

Overcooked 2

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch

Weirdly enough, I was hesitant to include Overcooked 2, as it’s such an amazing co-op game from a technical point of view, but the skill ceiling is so high that when playing with friends, it’s very likely to create moments of frustration and stress. Overcooked 2 is an amazing co-op game that will ask a lot from you and your co-op buddies as you aim to coordinate with precision each order needed while keeping customers happy and the kitchen in order. It’s pure chaos that will either bring your group together, or end in your buddies giving you grief for delivering such an experience.

Stardew Valley

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, iOS, Android

Farming, fishing, mining, and planning that perfect farm — Stardew Valley offers a relaxing but deep experience that can be shared with another player. Players can build up their farm together, divide tasks, and explore caves full of monsters. Whether you want a laid-back experience or a long-term farming empire, Stardew Valley is an excellent co-op pick to share with a loved one.

Minecraft

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, Mobile

Minecraft can be a lot of things, and one of them is a fantastic cozy co-op game to play with a kid or friends looking to be creative. Anything is possible in a game like Minecraft, as you can create your own town or farm, slowly explore what lies beneath the surface, or try the many community-driven game experiences created with the game’s engine, as it’s also a place for designers and game developers to stretch their creativity. Whatever you pick, you can always bring a friend for the ride.

Trine series

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

The Trine series remains a unique side-scrolling co-op experience for a party of three. It’s an uneven number where each player covers a specific role in the game, as each character has unique abilities that need to be used one after the other (at times, simultaneously) to solve whatever puzzle they are facing. You have a wizard that can conjure planks and boxes, a rogue that can shoot key objects with her bow and arrow, or a warrior who uses raw strength to break objects or protect the other two. What’s great about this series is that you can also play the game solo, switching between characters on the fly, or play with just another friend. This game doesn’t force you to find a third.

You can start at the beginning or go for the latest entry, as there are five games – Trine 5: A Clockwork Conspiracy is the latest and was released in 2023.

Best Co-op Survival and Horror Games

Don't Starve Together

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch

A challenging survival game with a striking Tim Burton-esque art style, Don’t Starve Together throws players into an unforgiving world where food, sanity, and shelter are your top priorities. Each day brings new dangers, from starvation and extreme weather to relentless monsters lurking in the dark.

While co-op can make survival easier, it also introduces new challenges—sharing limited resources, coordinating roles, and staying alive together. Every run is different, making Don’t Starve Together an endlessly replayable experience that is rewarding each time you start a new run.

Lethal Company

Platforms: PC

This indie horror co-op gem has players exploring abandoned industrial complexes while scavenging for loot. However, supernatural entities lurk in the shadows, and teamwork is the key to surviving. Tense, eerie, and packed with emergent gameplay moments, Lethal Company is a must-play for fans of horror, as each run is unpredictable with unique stories created solely by those that you pair up with.

Phasmophobia

Platforms: PC (VR supported), Xbox Series X/S, PS5 (VR2 supported)

If you are looking for a more supernatural route with friends, Phasmophobia is the way to go, as you’ll need to combine your wits in figuring out the type of ghost you are dealing with without being killed in the process. It’s terrifying to see a friend alive and well in the other room, then just silent with their body now lifeless. On the other hand, you can find hilarious moments of friends screaming and running for their lives, or failed attempts at interacting with the supernatural. These are the types of games where everyone has no idea what to do.

Resident Evil 5 & 6

Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Switch (RE5 only)

Survival horror was always a single-player affair, but Capcom decided to change that up a bit with Resident Evil 5 and Resident Evil 6, both featuring two-player co-op. The series at this point lost its horror appeal, and the story had gone off the rails and to the moon, as nothing made sense. RE 5 and RE 6 are not the best the franchise has to offer, but you can’t deny the fun two players can have with either of their campaigns, as its action-oriented nature made it an easy recommendation not for horror lovers, but those that want to have a good time shooting zombies with a pal.

Best Co-op Shooter Games

Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

If you want something recent that absolutely nails its delivery of a satisfying shooter co-op campaign, you should look towards Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2. In my review, I easily gave it a 4/5 for a reason, as not only is Space Marine 2 a fantastic third-person shooter, it properly delivers the Space Marine fantasy fans of the franchise have always wanted. If you always wanted to know the appeal of the Warhammer 40K universe, this game gives you a perfect example of what you’re missing, and it’s great that you can bring up to three friends for the campaign or the game’s co-op missions.

Ghost Recon Wildlands

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

Speaking of being tactical, Ghost Recon Wildlands remains one of the best choices for those looking for a tactical co-op shooter. It’s an open world title where you can pick your missions, survey the area, plan with the right loadout and equipment, and execute with friends and family via communication and team play. It's a sandbox perfect for those looking for this particular experience and remains that way even in 2025 despite it releasing in 2017.

Halo Series

Platforms: Xbox, PC (varies by title)

If you’re looking for a good shooter to play with a friend or three, the Halo series is a good pick, as any game after Halo 2 features co-op. Halo 3, Halo ODST, Halo Reach, and beyond all have 4-player co-op as well, so you can bring in more into the fold as you go through what the Spartans have to deal with in the series’ many diverse and often challenging campaigns.

Left 4 Dead 1 & 2

Platforms: PC, Xbox 360 (backward compatible on Xbox One & Series X/S)

A genre-defining co-op experience, Left 4 Dead delivers fast-paced, high-intensity zombie action where teamwork is essential, especially in harder difficulties. The AI Director ensures no two playthroughs are alike, dynamically adjusting enemy spawns and resource placements to keep players on their toes.

With frantic shootouts, strategic item usage, and adrenaline-fueled finales, Left 4 Dead remains a go-to for co-op fans as this classic remains a unique experience, as there hasn’t been a title that’s outshined it to this day. Back 4 Blood was the closest contender, but as soon as the hype for it died down, co-op enthusiasts went back to Left 4 Dead, and for good reason.

Warhammer: Vermintide 2 

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

If Left 4 Dead gameplay is what you want, but in a more high-fantasy setting with a strong focus on melee combat, then you can’t go wrong with Warhammer: Vermintide 2. This game has been updated and supported by the developers even to this day with new classes, new stages, and various changes to its progression and endgame content.

It’s still a blast to play for returning players, and new players roping in a couple of friends will find joy in going through the many missions and replaying them for better gear to improve their preferred characters. 

Deep Rock Galactic

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

If you like playing as dwarves, mining, and fending off waves of relentless aliens with three other friends, then Deep Rock Galactic has got you covered. It’s a unique premise where the game’s replayability feels endless. It’s one of those co-op shooters that always feel fresh each time you start a mission. 

Gathering resources can be relaxing, but it can get out of control when you have to bring back what you’ve mined while fending off waves of enemies, as it’s tough without a bit of coordination with your dwarven buddies.

Payday 2

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

Payday 2 is rather special in the shooter co-op scene as on one hand it can be up to 4 players dealing with waves of enemies while completing an objective, and on the other it can be a heist game where coordination and stealth are key. 

You have no idea how satisfying it would be to pull off a heist in one of Payday 2’s many missions without pulling the trigger with no casualties and no alarms triggering. It’s tough to pull off, but all you need is the right people for the job and a bit of knowledge on how to get it done and you’ll find yourselves looking for more.

Best Co-op RPGs and Story-Driven Games

A Way Out and It Takes Two

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

At this point, everyone knows about the magicians that make Hazelight Studios, thanks to their critically acclaimed co-op game It Takes Two, which took Game of the Year during the 2021 Game Awards. While It Takes Two is a no-brainer choice for this list due to its unique co-op design and concept, let’s not forget the first game that started the studio’s specialty - A Way Out. 

This is the game that made them realize they’ve struck gold and refined their concept further, leading up to their upcoming co-op game Split Fiction, which is receiving positive reviews before release.

Grab a friend, play A Way Out, then It Takes Two, and you’ll likely see co-op games in a different light.

Borderlands Series

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

If you love loot, humor, and chaotic gunfights, Borderlands is the ultimate co-op shooter. Whether you’re blasting through Pandora with friends in Borderlands 2, enjoying the mayhem of Borderlands 3, or exploring the spin-offs, this franchise delivers an addictive mix of RPG elements and FPS action. It also gave birth to the looter shooter appeal that other games slowly embraced. It’s not the greatest example of a memorable cooperative experience, but you’ll appreciate the runthrough with friends.

Baldur’s Gate 3

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S

It may sound a bit weird for those new to CRPGs, but yes, Larian Studios' recent cRPG launched with co-op multiplayer. Think of this game mode as your way of going through your own Dungeons & Dragons campaign with friends, as each one controls their own character and you can roam freely by yourself or make decisions that could either ruin your playthrough or save it. Combat is done the same way as each player will have to wait for their character’s turn to act in the combat space.

It’s loads of fun if you find the right people willing to go through it with you, as it will be a co-op experience you’ll never get in other games. The only issue is finding the schedule to gather all party members to progress through this colossal game.

Best Co-op Action and Adventure Games

Dragon’s Crown Pro

Platforms: PS3, PS4, PS Vita

Vanillaware’s co-operative action side-scrolling dungeon crawler may owe its gameplay feel to the older Dungeons & Dragons arcade games Shadow Over Mystara and Tower of Doom (available together on modern platforms as Chronicles of Mystara), but it sets itself apart with unique classes, an excellent score, and an addictive gameplay loop, not to mention gorgeous animations, character designs, and backgrounds rendered in Vanillaware’s trademark hand-drawn style. The dungeons and bosses are appropriately epic and excellent, boasting lots of replayability as you can farm and search for ever more powerful equipment. 

Monster Hunter Series

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch (varies by title)

This is a staple for many. On the Nintendo DS or PlayStation Portable, many would gather to hunt monsters in a Monster Hunter game for hours. When Monster Hunter World came out, same deal. Now Monster Hunter Rise and even the latest entry, Monster Hunter Wilds, continue to deliver fun quests to hunt down various monsters thanks to each creature bringing unique sets of attacks and attributes that keep the whole group on their toes. 

It’s a unique feeling - a regular group in a Monster Hunter game, playing specific roles and abusing each monster’s weakness together. Being an efficient unit. Whether it’s Monster Hunter World, Rise, or Wilds, you can’t go wrong with any of the latest entries in the series.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

Back when arcades were everywhere, beat-‘em-up games were one of those genres many kids looked out for and hoped to beat in one sitting with the least amount of coins used. One of the games that stood out in the ‘90s was TMNT: Turtles in Time, a beat ‘em up that was so much fun to play with friends that many adults to this day will crack a smile when footage of this game comes up. 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge brings that back, as it delivers the same visual design and gameplay that made beat ‘em-ups enjoyable.

Cuphead

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch

Cuphead is a fantastic side-scrolling shoot ‘em up renowned for its visual style and punishing gameplay. This game isn’t for the faint of heart, and it isn’t something you’d want to suggest playing with a friend or a family member unless you both want to be challenged. Everything about this game is hard, and while playing the game co-op makes it a tad easier, coordination, knowledge of enemy/boss patterns, and quick reactions will be needed to comfortably progress through this game.

Other Must-Play Co-op Games

• Orcs Must Die 2 – Strategic trap-based combat.

• Helldivers 2 - 4-player third-person shooter with evolving war

• Castle Crashers – A classic beat ‘em up with RPG elements.

• Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game – Retro brawler goodness.

• Dead Space 3 – A survival horror co-op experience.

• Dead Island 2 – Open-world zombie carnage.

• Killing Floor 2 – Horde-based FPS mayhem.

• Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered - Team-based dungeon-crawling action RPG with exceptional music

Whether you're looking for a chaotic party game, an intense shooter, or a deep RPG adventure, co-op games offer some of the most rewarding experiences in gaming. These titles let you create unforgettable moments with friends, fostering teamwork, laughter, and sometimes create frustrations.

Looking for classic RPG games to play in 2025? Here’s our The List compilation recommending the 25 Classic RPGs every gamer should play in 2025.

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