1It Takes Two
HazelightCo-op perfected.
Best overallWhy buy
- Masterful design
- Runs beautifully
- Deep systems
Keep in mind
- Steep learning curve
- Polarising story
$409.5
Rank #1Loading page
The 7 Best Co-Op Games to Play With Friends
Played every couch co-op classic so your friendship survives.
Leo NakamuraGaming & Culture EditorUpdated 8mo ago 351K reads
Verified
Winner
It Takes Two
Overview
The best co-op games turn two people into a team and a Tuesday into a memory. We played through every couch co-op and online classic — some friendships were tested — to rank the seven that make gaming with friends unbeatable.
Winner spotlight
And the winner is…
№1It Takes Two
by HazelightIt Takes Two is the rare co-op game built entirely around two people. Every level is a new mechanic designed for cooperation, the story is surprisingly moving, and it never, ever lets either player get bored. The gold standard of the genre.
Best overall$40
At a glance
Quick comparison
| Pick | #1 It Takes Two $40 | #2 Baldur's Gate 3 $60 | #3 Overcooked 2 $25 | #4 Deep Rock Galactic $30 | #5 Sea of Thieves $40 | #6 Halo Infinite $60 | #7 A Way Out $30 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Score | 9.5 | 9.4 | 8.8 | 8.7 | 8.6 | 8.4 | 8.3 |
| Story | Masterpiece | Outstanding | Excellent | Great | Great | Good | Good |
| World design | Revolutionary | Brilliant | Excellent | Great | Good | Good | Good |
| Replay value | Endless | Very high | High | High | Medium | Medium | Medium |
| Performance | Flawless | Excellent | Great | Good | Good | Good | Fair |
The list
The top 7, ranked
Ordered by overall score across every test. The “best for” note tells you exactly who each pick is for.
1
2Baldur's Gate 3
LarianA 100-hour adventure with friends.
Deep campaignsWhy buy
- Incredible replay value
- Rich storytelling
- Great co-op
Keep in mind
- Long to finish
- Light on endgame
$609.4
Rank #2
3Overcooked 2
Team17Kitchen chaos, friendships tested.
Party chaosWhy buy
- Runs beautifully
- Deep systems
- Polished to perfection
Keep in mind
- Demanding hardware
- Co-op required
$258.8
Rank #34Deep Rock Galactic
Ghost ShipDwarves, space, rock and stone.
Long-term funWhy buy
- Rich storytelling
- Great co-op
- Masterful design
Keep in mind
- Polarising story
- Not for casual players
$308.7
Rank #4
5Sea of Thieves
RareYour own pirate stories.
Emergent chaosWhy buy
- Deep systems
- Polished to perfection
- Incredible replay value
Keep in mind
- Light on endgame
- Steep learning curve
$408.6
Rank #5
6Halo Infinite
343The classic, modernised.
Shooter fansWhy buy
- Great co-op
- Masterful design
- Runs beautifully
Keep in mind
- Co-op required
- Long to finish
$608.4
Rank #6
7A Way Out
HazelightA prison break, made for two.
Movie nightWhy buy
- Polished to perfection
- Incredible replay value
- Rich storytelling
Keep in mind
- Not for casual players
- Demanding hardware
$308.3
Rank #7Deep dive
Feature matrix
| Feature | It Takes Two | Baldur's Gate 3 | Overcooked 2 | Deep Rock Galactic | Sea of Thieves | Halo Infinite | A Way Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open world | |||||||
| Co-op mode | |||||||
| Mod support | |||||||
| Accessibility options | |||||||
| Photo mode | |||||||
| Steam Deck verified | |||||||
| Cross-platform | |||||||
| New Game+ |
The verdict
Pros & cons
What we love
- Designed for two, not solo-with-co-op
- No player gets left behind
- Great on couch and online
- Replayable with different partners
Watch out for
- Some need both players present
- Crossplay varies
- Save systems can be fiddly
- Co-op requires communication
Before you buy
Buyer's guide
Every game was completed — then replayed. We judge on craft, joy and the pull to boot it up again long after the credits roll, on both controller and keyboard.
A 10/10 for you might be a 6/10 for a friend. Use the 'Best for' notes to match games to your setup, your schedule and your tolerance for a 100-hour campaign.
The winner of our The 7 Best Co-Op Games to Play With Friends ranking is the pick that scored highest across every test — but 'best overall' isn't always 'best for you'. Use the 'Best for' note under each of the seven to match a pick to your budget, your space and your habits. Every entry on this list earned its place; the ranking simply tells you where to start.
Questions
Frequently asked
We complete every game's main story and spend at least 20 additional hours exploring side content. Replayability is scored on a second playthrough.
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