Summary
The 2020s have brought with them some of the best games of all time, andthe co-op genreholds plenty of titles that broke new ground and demonstrated a new level of excellence in the world of gaming. This decade has brought new IPs and sequels for players of all kinds to enjoy, showing once again that video games have the power to bring people together unlike anything else.
Over the past few years, players have been spoiled for choice in terms of games to play together. Some offer complex puzzles and intricate levels full of teamwork, while others offer more action-oriented experiences that still require plenty of coordination to get through. In any case, it is clear that co-op games aren’t going anywhere and that the future is as bright as it has ever been.
Escape Simulatorsees players moving around levels, both by the developers and the community,solving puzzlesand figuring out the various tricks that each room holds. It is the perfect virtual escape room that tests the patience and out-of-the-box thinking of everyone involved, pushing them to their mental limits at every stage.
What makes the game so entertaining is the simplistic yet deeply intricate solutions. Players can spend hours working through them, all while working together to achieve the same goal. Working with a partner makes the game incredibly entertaining, and when players finally figure out the solution, the feeling is hard to beat.
Deep Rock Galacticis the dwarven mining game that the world never knew it needed. Players can jump into a mission as one of several roles, each with their own tools and weaponry. They are tasked with collecting minerals and achieving the level’s objective,all while gunning downthe gigantic bugs that lurk in the tunnels.
The replayability is almost endless, as there are so many build and customization options that players will have a hard time running out of things to unlock and do. The teamwork feels incredibly rewarding too. Every player fits into a specific role within the team that becomes crucial to the success of every mission.
Lethal Companyis a comedic cooperative horror experience that took over the world and brought with it a whole new genre for players to enjoy. In each stage, players enter a gloomy area in search of items to sell, with plenty of supernatural and alien threats that are set on stopping them from escaping.
What makes the game so entertaining is the proximity chat feature, which adds a level of humor to every encounter in what is otherwise a pretty scary game. Hearing a teammate scream in the distance or watching them fall down an endless void makes every run an absolute joy, with just as many laughs as scares for every player involved.
It Takes Twotakesthe co-op genre to a whole new high. Everything about the game, from the story to the gameplay to the visuals, is made with love and takes players on a remarkable journey that is as emotional as it is fun. Players work together, traversing trees, towns, and bedrooms, encountering plenty of iconic characters along the way to keep them smiling throughout.
At its heart, it is a journey about love and memories, capturing what it means to be in a relationship and the hardships that go with it. It is the perfect game to play with a partner. With such a low barrier to entry, any player of any age can jump in and play one of the greatest co-op games ever made.
Spiritfareris by no means a traditional co-op game, but beneath the surface, it offers one of the most emotionally resonant and satisfying cooperative experiences out there. In this hand-drawn management sim, one player takes on the role of Stella, a spirit guide ferrying souls to the afterlife. A second player can join in as Daffodil the cat, working together in perfect harmony.
What sets the game apart is how it transforms co-op into a meaningful, comforting experience. It’s not about high-stakes action or frantic pacing, and is instead about building, bonding, and saying goodbye. Few co-op games allow players to share such a thoughtful narrative at their own pace, making it a standout for those who want a shared experience that’s heartfelt rather than hectic.
Helldivers 2is as close as it gets to a blockbuster movie in the form of a video game.Every match is full of explosions and mayhemfrom start to finish, and it is hard to find a moment to breathe in the mess of bullets and flying corpses that fill the screen at all times.
Players can jump in with a squad of four and are tasked with completing several tasks across a battlefield full of several enemy types that each bring their own challenges and strategies to the fight. The guns always feel super satisfying, and there is never a dull moment, no matter when or where the players are.
Split Fictionis a masterpiece in the gaming space that delivers both heartfelt moments and incredible action sequences, all in the signature Hazelight split-screen that makes their games so iconic. Players leap across skyscrapers, ride on dragons, and transform into monkeys, all while solving puzzles and working together to get to the end.
After each level, players are hotly anticipating what comes next. No matter what ideas they may have in mind, the game will subvert them every single time. It is a generational title that really has to be experienced to fully understand and raises the bar for what cooperative gameplay can and should be in the future.
