The 25 best co-op games on PC in 2024

In the gaming industry, projects focused on single-player experiences dominate, but the co-op game segment continues to delight players with new and unique creations. These include both high-budget AAA titles and experimental indie projects, all aiming to deliver an unforgettable experience of shared adventure. In this article, we’ll discuss the 25 best co-op titles released in recent years.

Helldivers 2

Image: 80.lv

We start, of course, with an outstanding recent co-op game. Infused with the grandeur of Starship Troopers, Helldivers 2 carefully balances between grotesque and serious science fiction. Set in an alternate future where humanity on Super Earth faces various galactic threats such as terminids (hello, arachnids!) and automatons. 

The project provides limited information about its setting, but the main focus is on the action on screen during battles. Each fight is epic, large-scale, and intense, including airstrikes on the enemy! Many users love the project for this reason: thanks to high-quality visual effects, the battles look like a high-budget movie. The gameplay is also meticulously detailed, including the risk of calling an airstrike on your own positions due to a poorly thrown stratagem! In short, Helldivers 2 is a must-see for everyone.

Palworld

Image: eip.gg

The sudden popularity of Palworld was inexplicable even to the developers. In the first few days after its release, hundreds of thousands of people were playing it, and the title was constantly in the news. However, now that the hype has subsided, the project remains a high-quality open-world survival simulator with its killer feature — Pals.

These cute (sometimes very formidable) creatures assist the player with building, resource gathering, and combat. Additionally, the game allows exploring the vast world with friends, tackling towers with dangerous bosses, and building automated factories.

Contrary to popular belief, while the developers were inspired by the Pokémon universe, the gameplay more closely resembles ARK: Survival Evolved. Recommended for fans of the open-world survival genre.

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake

Image: hitmarker.net

The original title about two brothers traveling through a fantasy world caused quite a stir. In the gaming community, it was considered the best in the co-op games genre, largely due to its unique narrative and diverse mechanics that require two players. Game designer Josef Fares was elevated to the status of a cult developer. The story follows two brothers on a quest to find a potion to save their father. 

The focus is on player interaction, although it's possible to attempt the game solo. This slightly diminishes the user experience, as the relationships between the two main characters are best understood through cooperative play. 

Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake retains all the best from the original while updating graphics + effects and adding a few new secrets to the levels. Recommended for everyone, but be warned — the project tells an emotional, touching story.

Rotwood 

Image: MMOs.com

Rotwood is a blend of dungeon crawler + rogue-lite. The title is aesthetically stylish, simple, reminiscent of Don't Starve by the same creators, and gameplay-wise similar to Castle Crashers + Hades. The battles here are slower than in the story of the troubled son of the underworld's ruler, but the controls are pleasant, responsive. 

Currently, the project is in early access, but the developers have already added 20 hours of content and a wide variety of gear upgrades. The cooperative mode is well-executed: navigating through the cursed forest with friends is pure enjoyment. 

The project doesn't change the classic genre formula: procedural level generation, shop sections, and post-battle bonuses, but it will interest all fans of such games, especially due to the cooperative play aspect.

The Planet Crafter 

Image: techraptor.net

An atypical survival simulator where the protagonist, convicted of a crime, is sent to a distant planet with one great goal — to make it habitable. To achieve this, players must gather various resources, search for artifacts on crashed spaceships, upgrade the base, and enhance their spacesuit. In this regard, the title somewhat resembles Subnautica. There is also an oxygen indicator, and on the uninhabitable planet, you cannot venture far from your camp. 

The main feature of The Planet Crafter is terraforming. The barren landscapes change due to player actions, revealing new structures, opportunities. Over time, the planet greens up, insects, animals appear, and increasingly advanced technologies become available to the player. 

The project will appeal to fans of survival simulators, science fiction.

Azoove 

Image: x.com

Cooperative mode in card games is quite unusual, making Azoove a highly original project. Two players need to team up, work together to defeat opponents, overcome the challenges of desert travel, and progress through the story. The title is in early access, currently offering only 10 days of adventure, but they are filled with various events affecting the characters' stats. 

Since Azoove is also a roguelike, there is plenty of content, replayability. The title may not appeal to everyone, but it will definitely be appreciated by fans of strategic gameplay and board games.

Frogun: Encore 

Image: aroged.com

A charming 3D platformer immediately captivates with its stylized graphics. This is not the only merit of Frogun: Encore, as the gameplay is excellently crafted. Each level is well-thought-out, detailed. The main character, Renata, has various means to overcome obstacles — from a double jump to a unique grappling hook, embodied by her main companion, Jake. 

There are many collectible items, secrets in the locations, and the game encourages finding them and completing levels 100%. The cooperative mode is even more fun, as you can coordinate actions with friends, solve puzzles, and fight bosses together. An ideal title for evening gatherings.

Enshrouded

Image: 2ch.hk 

Enshrouded takes place in a dark fantasy world where players delve into a somewhat classic survival simulator but without many characteristic genre elements. For example, there are no hunger, thirst indicators. This makes the project stand out from its competitors. One of the main features is its proprietary Holistic Engine + voxel graphics, allowing for almost limitless landscape alteration. 

On the other hand, the title offers excellent and fast gameplay, various character progression paths, magic, different crafts — from alchemy to blacksmithing. Exploring this mysterious, fog-shrouded world is a must with friends. In cooperative mode, enemies become more challenging, rewards greater, and building medieval castles much more enjoyable.

Everafter Falls 

Image: gamingonlinux.com

In both visual style + gameplay, this project may remind you of Stardew Valley, but significant differences lie in the details. The project delights with numerous pleasant little features, mechanics: light and unobtrusive mini-games, fishing, dungeon exploration, and of course, farming. The farming aspect doesn't require much attention since the character's pets can look after the crops. 

Everafter Falls is perfect for relaxation, especially in cooperative play. The co-op mode doesn't restrict players: they can explore the entire map, manage the home, complete quests. Each user's abilities are unique, allowing everyone to develop at their own pace, style. The project is recommended for all genre fans and those who wish to unwind in a quiet, cozy atmosphere.

Content Warning 

Image: hd-tecnologia.com 

A recent hit inspired by the success of Lethal Company, internet series about haunted houses and other mystical entities. The title is exclusively cooperative, which is its main advantage. The premise is simple: players take on the roles of bloggers who desperately need views. 

They have a camera and access to various locations with paranormal activities. Due to the absurdity of the events at each location and the fact that players need to seek out monsters instead of running away from them, dozens of funny, entertaining situations arise. 

The more footage recorded, the more in-game currency earned, which can be spent on various items. Currently, Content Warning is criticized for a lack of content, but it can still engage players for dozens of hours. If you are looking for a game to have a good laugh, this project is definitely the best choice.

Valheim

Image: msn.com 

Thanks to the new God of War (2018), Norse mythology has become very popular in recent years. Valheim has only reinforced the appeal of this aesthetic, allowing players not only to learn about it but to truly explore this amazing world. 

The game is a classic survival simulator with all the typical features: resource gathering, day, night cycles, camp building, creature hunting. However, many players find the project challenging and engaging: the harsh Viking world does not forgive mistakes, legendary bosses require thorough preparation. 

In May 2024, an update called "Ashlands" was released, adding a lot of new content, including sieges in a new region for high-level players. Therefore, now is the best time to start this adventure with friends.

Chained Together 

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We smoothly transition from one epic setting to another. In Chained Together, four players must escape from hell, filled with all kinds of traps, but the main challenge for users will be staying together. The key feature is that all participants are chained together, requiring them to coordinate and synchronize their actions. 

Despite the rather eerie atmosphere of the underworld, the title will bring gamers a lot of positive emotions.

Surmount: A Mountain Climbing Adventure 

Image: igdb.com

The next title on our list might conceptually remind you of the once-popular Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy. Players must climb rocks to reach the mountain's peak. The higher they go, the more challenging the trials become. 

Users can interact with each other, assist on difficult sections, and spend earned in-game currency on new equipment. The light and cartoony style might not appeal to all users: nevertheless, Surmount: A Mountain Climbing Adventure is recommended for anyone looking to relax in the company of a best friend.

Hellcard 

Image: rogueliker.com

Another rare example of a card game + roguelike with cooperative play. The cooperative mode supports three players, who can choose one of four combat classes: tinkerer, warrior, rogue, or mage, to venture into a dungeon + fight hordes of demons. 

The main feature of the project is that users can not only communicate, coordinate their actions but also combine their card actions to inflict maximum damage on enemies. Speaking of cards, there are 400 of them! Therefore, gamers have a vast array of combinations of attacks and effective strategies to choose from. Recommended for all genre enthusiasts.

Remnant 2

Image: hd-tecnologia.com

Remnant 2 is often referred to as the perfect sequel. It is a cooperative shooter where players battle monsters trying to take over the earth. There is a vast variety of both enemies, ways to destroy them. The locations offer many secrets, hiding dozens of different pieces of equipment — from amulets to weapons that can be upgraded and enhanced. 

The game is also known for its high difficulty and epic bosses, often compared to the Dark Souls series. These features make the title highly recommended for fans of challenging, impressive battles.

Grounded

Image: Steam

Let's move on to the less grandiose battles awaiting players in Grounded. The project, clearly inspired by the movie "Honey, I Shrunk The Kids", allows gamers to feel like tiny explorers in the backyard. Four teenagers are available to choose from, who, under mysterious circumstances, have shrunk to the size of ants. 

The dangers correspond to the characters' sizes: poisonous spiders, ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects will not allow a peaceful exploration of the area, the storyline. The title is a survival simulator with all the genre's features: building, hunger, thirst, crafting tools. 

Nevertheless, the setting will continue to surprise players throughout the game: ordinary items like soda cans, shovels, or bicycles become giant landmarks in this miniature world. The title is recommended for everyone.

Wayfinder 

Image: metagalaxia.com.br 

Wayfinder can best be described as a mix of Warframe, Destiny 2, Diablo 4. In a party of two, players explore a fantasy world where magic coexists with high technology, and swords rival firearms. The game features an open, colorful world, numerous dungeons, points of interest. 

The placement of resource chests and mob spawn points keeps things exciting. The core gameplay involves character progression (with six different classes available), map exploration, ingredient collection, and item crafting. Currently, the title is in early access but already offers plenty of content. If you're looking for something new and fresh in the co-op Action RPG genre, Wayfinder is an excellent choice.

Ready, Steady, Ship! 

Image: untoldtales.games

Ready, Steady, Ship! is an original project in the cooperative puzzle genre. Players take on the roles of two workers at a rather strange factory, tasked with moving boxes from point A to point B. 

This forms the core gameplay, its challenge. Each level is a puzzle that users must solve using various devices — from movable conveyor belts to cranes, forklifts. The project is not highly difficult: instead, its music, visuals, and intuitive puzzles are perfect for evening relaxation.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge 

Image: mavink.com 

This game about the legendary Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will evoke deep nostalgia. Many players still fondly remember the animated series from the 90s about the adventures of these fun-loving mutants. Shredder's Revenge allows you to fully immerse yourself in that atmosphere. 

The project is an excellent example of the Beat 'em up genre: responsive controls, varied attacks, enemies, colorful graphics, effects. Naturally, it is best played with four players, and all characters from the series are available: from the turtles and their sensei to the journalist April. 

The title is recommended for everyone.

Lethal Company

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Created by a solo developer, this project caused quite a stir in the gaming community last year, and Lethal Company remains popular today. Much of its appeal lies in the gameplay, which heavily relies on user interaction with teammates. 

The project is perfect for cooperative play. The objectives of each level are simple, clear: find resources on the map, bring them back to base. The challenge is that monsters roam the locations, and the characters have no means to fight them. 

The project generates hundreds of absurd, funny situations and is recommended for anyone interested in cooperative games, the horror genre.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Image: Steam

The LEGO game series includes titles from many franchises: DC, Marvel, The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars. All of them are well-made with a focus on cooperative play. In The Skywalker Saga, users can enjoy more than three hundred iconic characters, numerous collectible items, and legendary locations from the franchise about the battle between the Rebels and the Empire.

Gameplay-wise, it's a quality Beat 'em up, styled in the signature LEGO atmosphere. The title is recommended for all fans of George Lucas's universe.

It Takes Two

Image: shacknews.com

It Takes Two can currently be considered the magnum opus of game designer Joseph Farres. This cooperative game for two players features a vast array of unique mechanics, skillfully distributed across levels and combined with each other. The primary interaction occurs, of course, between the players. Almost any action by one player requires the participation of the other: for instance, one operates a cannon while the other shoots. 

Unlike other cooperative titles, funny, absurd situations are rare here. Instead, the story tells of two adult partners in a marriage who cannot find common ground, which affects their child. This mature story, wrapped in soft and pleasant visuals, will leave a lasting impression on any player. 

The title is recommended to play with friends or a significant other.

Core Keeper 

Image: godisageek.com

The next project on our list stands out both visually, gameplay-wise. The cozy pixel graphics, effects clearly show the developers' inspirations: Terraria + Stardew Valley, with a top-down perspective as a distinctive feature. 

The gameplay of Core Keeper largely consists of a mix of key mechanics from these two projects. To make exploring every corner of the caves, where the main character is stranded, more fun, the player can invite up to seven friends. In the procedurally generated dungeon, players can build their homes, farms, collect precious metals, resources, and upgrade both their characters and equipment. 

On the other hand, there are many enemies and ancient monsters, defeating which will be quite a challenge. Despite still being in early access, the developers have already added significant content and plan to keep expanding it.

Sker Ritual 

Image: xboxera.com

It might seem that zombie shooters are out of fashion, but that's not true! There are still projects with their unique features, mechanics. Sker Ritual is one of these titles. It includes classic elements established by the Left 4 Dead series: four players, hordes of zombies, special enemies: and its distinctive features: an original setting of an alternate 1914, a mix of steampunk + magic, a well-developed lore, character customization, and many Easter eggs in the levels. 

The title is a spin-off of the horror game Maid of Sker, but the shooter does not require playing the original and will appeal to all fans of fighting walking corpses.

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands

Image: medium.com

The last entry on our list of the best coop games is Tiny Tina's Wonderlands, created within the Borderlands universe. The project does not require familiarity with the entire series lore and is newcomer-friendly. Moreover, it has a captivating setting: players take on the roles of heroes in a D&D-like tabletop game, called Bunkers & Badasses in the virtual world. 

Additionally, players can choose their character's appearance, class. Notable role-playing features include excellent side quests, typically personal stories with their narratives, rather than quick tasks. 

This spin-off adventure in a magical land will appeal to everyone: fans of the franchise and those who enjoy well-crafted virtual worlds.

We hope you enjoyed our selection of the best co-op games. Do you have any favorites in this genre? Be sure to leave comments!

Main image by DALL-E