It Takes Two was released early in 2021 and managed to take the year by storm. There were co-op-focused games before it, but nothing was ever as captivating. The story of an arguing couple about to get divorced who are then turned into dolls was a novel concept for a story, but the true hero of the whole experience was the gameplay that never stopped evolving.
10 Co-Op Games With 90+ Scores On Open-Critic
From life sims to RPGs, you can’t go wrong with these co-op games, and their high review scores on OpenCritic back up their stellar reputations.
That’s what most It Takes Two fans took away from the game, as the story, while deep on a human level, could also be a bit depressing at times. While these other co-op games can have downer stories as well, they manage to have a better range of emotions. They may not all be better than It Takes Two on a whole, but the narratives are more easily digestible.
A Way Out
Prison Break
A Way Out
- Released
- March 23, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
A Way Out was the first game developed by Hazelight Studios that focused on co-op gameplay, followed by It Takes Two. The game begins in prison with the two playable characters, Leo and Vincent, attempting a breakout.
Once they do, it’s a high adrenaline rush as they are constantly on the run from which then takes a third act turn that no one could have seen coming. The co-op elements aren’t as inventive, but the darker and more mature story slightly elevates it.
Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons (2024)
From One Controller To Two
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake
- Released
- February 28, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Avantgarden Games
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons was developed by Starbreeze Studios and released in 2013, serving as a precursor to what the director, Josef Fares, would achieve when he founded Hazelight Studios. Originally, the game took place in a fantasy world wherein two brothers went on a quest for medicine, with players having to control each brother with the same controller.
In the 2024 remake, it was turned into a co-op game, but it could still be experienced alone. While the single-player struggle was a more inventive way to play the game, either way, the story was brilliant in conveying its emotions without characters uttering a single intelligible word.
Children Of Morta
The Bergsons Fight Back
Children of Morta
- Released
- September 3, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Dead Mage
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
Children of Morta is a roguelike that focuses on The Bergsons, a family who are destined to keep an evil darkness from reawakening below their homestead. The plot is conveyed through a narrator, and the family goes through many struggles as players make their way through the many dungeons below.
Most playable characters are family members like John, the patriarch of the family, along with his children, Linda and Mark. While they don’t speak to each other, the narrator does a decent job setting up emotional beats while players beat down monsters in co-op.
Donkey Kong Bananza
One Ape, One Singer
Donkey Kong Bananza
- Released
- July 17, 2025
WHERE TO PLAY
Donkey Kong Bananza pairs Donkey Kong with a younger version of Pauline who rides on his back. In single-player, she merely comments on DK’s moves and serves as his voice in cutscenes, as he can merely grunt and show a wide range of expressions.
10 Couch Co-Op Games Almost Guaranteed To Start An Argument Tonight
Hide the fine dishes, because they may get broken over squabbling about these couch co-op games.
A second player can take control of Pauline and sing to blow up sections of the environment with her voice. For the second player, it’s not the best co-op experience since they are stuck on DK’s back. That said, fans of the Donkey Kong franchise will love the story as it goes some places in the last section that are absolutely some of the wildest moments from 2025’s year in gaming.
Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One
Heroes And Villains Unite
Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One
- Released
- October 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ // Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence, Language
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One is another good platformer with It Takes Two vibes, that Ratchet & Clank fans adore because of the group dynamic. Players can co-op with up to four players and assume the roles of Ratchet, Clank, Captain Qwark, or Doctor Nefarious, who are all forced to work together to take on a greater evil.
The comedy between the characters makes certain pairings fun for a replay, and the action, thanks to the inventive guns, makes for a great time. It’s too bad it’s still a PS3 exclusive.
Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Wii Version)
Bustin’ Makes Us Feel Good
Ghostbusters: The Video Game
- Released
- June 16, 2009
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
Ghostbusters: The Video Game is not the first Ghostbusters game despite the name. Instead, this 2009 third-person shooter got most of the cast together as an attempt to make a sequel worthy of the franchise. Terminal Reality developed the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 versions, which have more realistic graphics, but no campaign co-op.
Red Fly Studio developed the Wii version, which had a more cartoon aesthetic, and it had full two-player co-op with a slightly toned-down story. Either way, getting to hear the main actors together again was a treat, and there are some great set pieces.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man Of Medan
Beware Of Big Boats
The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan
- Released
- August 30, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Supermassive Games
- Genre(s)
- Survival Horror
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan is the first entry in this anthology horror series. It starred five playable characters, each of which could be controlled by another player if done on the couch.
As players control Alex, Brad, Conrad, Fliss, and Julia, they can affect the story as these young adults explore a mysterious ship, the SS Ourang Medan, which appears to be haunted. Because every character can die, this makes for a more dynamic story and co-op experience that is fun to go through multiple times.
The Lord Of The Rings: War In The North
The Other Fellowship
The Lord of the Rings: War in the North
- Released
- November 1, 2011
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence
- Developer(s)
- Snowblind Studios
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC
The Lord of the Rings: War in the North is a side story that happens concurrently with the main books. Instead of going after Sauron and the One Ring, three adventurers team up to stop one of the Witch Kings. Eradan was a human Ranger who had stealth and ranged abilities, Farin was a Dwarf and the basic warrior of the group, and Andriel was an Elf with magical skills.
Most Important Co-Op Games
Without these titles, the world of co-op gaming may not have evolved in the right direction.
The experience was linear, but with a full party of three, players did not care, as the game did a good job of filling in the gaps from the books that felt believable and not just filler material. From cameos to familiar locations, fans of The Lord of the Rings would dig this game if only it weren’t delisted.
Portal 2
Robots In Disguise
Portal 2
- Released
- April 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
Portal 2 is a great sequel that one-upped the original thanks to a more exciting story and chipper dialogue. Most probably forgot, or didn’t know, but there was a co-op campaign attached that took place canonically after the main game.
Two players could control robots Atlas and P-Body in a series of trials set up by GLaDOS in Aperture test facilities. Thanks to some great writing for GLaDOS, the bumbling antics of the two robots, and challenging but fair puzzles, those who play it with a good partner may find it more amazing than the base game.
Unravel Two
A Countryside Tour
Unravel 2
- Released
- June 9, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
Unravel was an indie game about a red yarn creature aptly named Yarny going on a silent but exciting adventure. The sequel added a blue version of Yarny along with full co-op.
Unravel Two is an adventure through the countryside, with players having to work together by using their tiny muscles to push rocks and blocks along with their stringy yarn bodies to climb or swing around. It’s another great example of a game whose story manages to delight and touch hearts even though the two Yarny characters aren’t capable of speaking.
5 Multiplayer Games That Feel Secretly Better Solo
These games might have fun multiplayer experiences, but nothing beats facing their challenges alone.