PS3 Co-Op Games With Great Stories

The PS3 was a trailblazing console that many iconic and beloved franchises made their debut on. It is also a console that many gamers look back on fondly for the memories they made alongside their friends. Co-op gaming is one of the best ways to bond, and this is made even better when the games have truly engaging stories.

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By  Ritwik Mitra

While there are plenty of games that have outstanding gameplay and fun campaigns, this doesn’t instantly mean the story itself is good. Castle Crashers is a ridiculously fun game, overflowing with humor and a diverse cast. However, it is a fun game first and not a deep narrative journey.

9 Army of Two: The 40th Day

High Octane Buddy Cop Vibes

• Local Co-Op: 2 Players
• Online Co-Op: 2 Players

In the first Army of Two game, the players play through a slightly generic mercenary story. However, the end of this game leads to the two protagonists starting their own origination. The gameplay heavily leans into cooperative gameplay of controlling aggro and working as a team.

The plot has enough mystery and intrigue to keep players invested while also bringing a ton of action movie-style excitement. This leaves them wanting to know what happens next and who is behind everything. This is one of the EA gems that seems to have been sadly forgotten about in recent years.

8 Dead Space 3

An Outer Space Survival Horror

• No Local Co-Op
• Online Co-Op: 2 Players

Dead Space focused more on being a horror than anything else, and it worked great for it. However, Dead Space 3 is a much more robust package for players. The game does a great job of players being able to play through it together, but does not sleep on providing some great world-building.

Dead Space 3 helps to flush out the story of the franchise’s protagonist, Isaac Clark, with the writing, atmosphere, and visuals all coming together to give players an experience greater than the sum of their parts.

7 Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One

Wacky Fun With Lots of Gadgets

• Local Co-Op: 4 Players
• Online Co-Op: 4 Players

Ratchet & Clank is a beloved single-player game franchise, and this entry keeps everything that makes it so whimsical and fun. The story has plenty of humor, cinematics, and cheesy infomercials about weapons.

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The story starts after the events of the Ratchet & Clank: Future entries, so newcomers will want to play with a buddy that can explain everything. The gameplay itself is extremely chaotic, but with enough mobility to reposition into safety while continuing to pour out the mayhem.

6 Resident Evil 5

Zombie Terror in West Africa

• Local Co-Op: 2Players
• Online Co-Op: 2 Players

Resident Evil 5 follows longtime protagonist Chris Redfield as he journeys to West Africa. The game gives a great sense of comradery when players know they have a friend watching their back. It also helps to communicate what they are seeing around different corners. Resident Evil 5 is a game that is heavily intertwined with the events of its past titles.

Players going in blind will have more questions than answers as they progress through the game. Players should first have a firm understanding of past games following Chris Redfield, as this game will be the cherry on top for a lot of longtime fans.

5 Trine 2

A Fairy Tale Book Come To Life

• Local Co-Op: 3 Players
• Online Co-Op: 3 Players

Trine 2 is a fairy tale epic that binds 3 distinctive characters together. Each of which is overflowing with personality, and the dialog exchanges between the characters are thoroughly enjoyable. The story itself involves these heroes summoned to save the kingdom yet again.

The story of Trine 2 is so well crafted and presented that it could stand on its own as a book — making the gameplay just an added treat. This is the perfect game for up to 3 players looking for a whimsical story to enjoy together.

4 Borderlands

A Post-Apocalyptic Space Western Filled with Loot and Guns

• Local Co-Op: 2 Players
• Online Co-Op: 4 Players

At times, the first game in the Borderlands franchise can feel like a space western, while at others it feels like something more akin to Mad Max. A lot of first-time players may become so pulled into the gameplay they might not realize just how good the story actually is.

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The various Bandit factions and all the different residents create a rich and enjoyable experience, all while hunting down a fabled vault of legend. It is everything an adventure novel needs to be classic.

3 Far Cry 4

Lead A Revolution in the Himalayan-Inspired Kyrat

• No Local Co-Op
• Online Co-Op: 2 Players

Far Cry games each have something special going for them. They each capture a vastly different world setting and have vastly different main villains. However, Far Cry 4 may have the best story among them. The protagonist goes to Kyrat to scatter his mother's ashes, as is her dying wish. However, he is captured by Kyrat’s leader and dictator, Pagan Min.

Upon escaping, Ajay becomes tangled with the resistance against Pagan Min. This sounds similar to that of Far Cry 6, but the completely different culture and atmosphere leads to a whole new experience.

2 Borderlands 2

Even More Loot and Even More Guns

• Local Co-Op: 2 Players
• Online Co-Op: 4 Players

Borderlands 2 takes the storytelling in a whole new direction, a significantly better one. While the first game is rich in adventure and interesting characters. The second has an all-star cast of lovable and iconic weirdos and psychopaths.

Strip away everything but the characters, and the game works for any genre of game. This is made apparent by the spin-off titles Tales of the Borderlands. At the top of the praise pyramid is one of the greatest video game villains of all time, Handsome Jack.

1 LittleBigPlanet 2

Explore Endless Imagination Through Creation

• Local Co-Op: 4 Players
• No Online Co-Op

LittleBigPlanet is one of the defining gaming experiences of the PlayStation 3. Players and their friends can customize little sack people with different parts, materials, clothing, and even stick random level design pieces to them. While the story of the first game was good, the second is even better.

The NPCs that guide the players to each point of the game are very enjoyable, providing a great experience the whole way through. The story itself tells of how all of Craftworld is in danger from a maniacal threat called the Negativatron. If it succeeds, everything ceases to exist. This turns the game into a globe-trotting adventure to save all of everything.

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