With co-op games becoming more and more popular, plenty of developers are trying their hand at bringing unique experiences.
Cooperative games are nothing new, but technical limitations made them pretty difficult to develop in the past. While couch co-op slowly became a staple for plenty of genres, online options were still limited due to bad internet connections. But nowadays with high-speed internet playing an online co-op game is easier than ever before. It Takes Two is one of the most successful co-op games in recent memory, offering unique gameplay wrapped in a very engaging story. You will have to traverse varied environments as the two main characters rediscover what made them fall in love with each other in the first place. Here are some of the best co-op games like It Takes Two.
A Way Out
Set in a realistic 70s setting, A Way Out allows players to take control of the two main characters. The two meet up in prison and start planning an escape. Along the way both of their life stories will be unravelled, giving you a real emotional connection to your character. Gameplay mostly leans on quick-time events with a few cover-based shooting sections. While nowhere near as complex, it’s still a great game like It Takes Two.
Release Date: March 23, 2018
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
Even though it only offers couch co-op by sharing the same controller, this game is still worth your time. You will take control of two brothers living in a medieval fantasy world as they try to find a cure for the horrible disease that has plagued their father. You will meet many interesting characters and uncover a heartfelt story along the way. Regarding gameplay, you will mostly be faced with puzzles that require teamwork and thinking outside the box.
Release Date: August 7, 2013
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Unravel Two
Another great co-op game like It Takes Two, Unravel Two is a sequel that evolves the platforming gameplay to new heights. You will be thrown into a beautiful world filled with critters completely made out of yarn. The characters you will control are two humanoid creatures that are also made out of yarn. Platforming is excellent and you will even encounter some puzzles that might make you scratch your head for a while. If you’re looking for a game that can be easily enjoyed with your kids, the adorable style of Unravel Two makes it an ideal choice.
Release Date: June 9, 2018
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
Cuphead
Even though Cuphead is not solely focused on co-op, it does offer two-player online and local cooperative play. But don’t let the cute 30s cartoon-styled graphics fool you, Cuphead is on par with the Dark Souls series regarding difficulty. Your platforming prowess will be put to the test as you explore this wonderfully crafted world. At your disposal is an entire arsenal of weapons that give your shots various patterns, mostly reminiscent of games like Contra. If you want to try it out for yourself in co-op, get ready to fume a little when you keep failing at the same boss twenty times in a row.
Release Date: September 29, 2017
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, macOS
Portal 2
Portal 2 is Definitely, one of the best games like It Takes Two, Portal 2 has a separate set of missions that can only be enjoyed together with a secondary player. The same gameplay focused on solving puzzles with the help of portals is present, only this time you have an extra pair of portals. And some of these puzzles will truly give you that Eureka moment when you finally figure out the solution. To top it all off, the two characters you control are some of the most adorable-looking robots ever designed for a videogame.
Hopefully, Portal 2 will follow in its predecessor’s footsteps with the Portal RTX update and add cool raytracing elements so it will be worth revisiting for players who already finished the game.
Release Date: April 18, 2011
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Human Fall Flat
Even though this 3D platformer is not solely focused on a two-player co-op campaign like It Takes Two, it offers plenty of fun that can be enjoyed with multiple friends. The core gameplay has you and your gang of friends traverse the levels while solving physics-based puzzles. While the base game comes equipped with plenty of levels to keep you entertained, there is a very active community that constantly adds more levels to the game. If you’re looking for some easy fun that is bound to lead to plenty of laughs, definitely give Human Fall Flat a try.
Release Date: July 22, 2016
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, macOS, Nintendo Switch
As Dusk Falls
With a unique twist on the co-op recipe, As Dusk Falls is a narrative-driven game with a very mature story that touches on a lot of relevant issues in modern society. Players will vote for various decisions that the main character will take, influencing how the story develops along the way. Even though the gameplay might sound simplistic, the way the story evolves is unique. If you’re looking for a game that will give you something to think about after the credits roll, definitely give As Dusk Falls a try.
Release Date: July 19, 2022
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Overcooked 2
After the huge success that the first title gained, the developers at Ghost Town Games started work on this sequel. The core gameplay is mostly the same, tasking you with increasingly difficult levels where you will have to cook various dishes. While at first it might seem like a walk in the park, slowly but surely the game starts throwing more and more on your plate. Soon enough all players will be frantically yelling instructions and demands to their teammates, leading to some hilarious situations. Clearly one of the best games similar to It Takes Two, Overcooked 2 is definitely a game you have to try for yourself.
Release Date: August 7, 2018
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch
Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince
Take a step into the world of Trine with the latest game in the series, and bring a friend or two. The same gameplay you expected is present, even though puzzles and combat encounters have been refined to perfection. You and two of your buddies can take control of the usual Knight, Thief, or Wizard as you make your way across gorgeous 2D landscapes. Even though accurate cooperation is needed, fumbling in certain situations will lead to some hilarious situations as per usual for this series.
Release Date: October 8, 2019
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
Depending on your preferences, there is definitely a title that might pique your interest on this list. There is something for everyone to enjoy with their family and friends. And with plenty of new co-op experiences coming out in the next few years, cooperative games as a genre are constantly evolving. Genres that were considered strictly single-player experiences are also starting to get co-op titles, even though most of them are developed by indie teams. And for those of you who prefer a more solitary experience, check out our best single-player games list.
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