Co-op gaming brings us all closer together—for better or for worse. While single-player gaming and online multiplayer continue to thrive, so does co-op. Certain studios and game makers are ensuring the art doesn’t die, and we’re here to recognize this with the best co-op games you need to be playing in 2025—especially if you want something akin to It Takes Two and Split Fiction.
Hazelight Studios inspired this list, and I take great pleasure in declaring this. I grew up playing local co-op games with my friends whenever possible. A Crash Team Racing tournament, a backstage scrap in WWF Smackdown, or an intense 1v1 in Point Blank. Multiplayer gaming has veered off toward online for the most part. But you’ve got the likes of Hazelight Studios developing games intended as a co-op-only title.
The developer is responsible for the Game of the Year-winning It Takes Two and the upcoming Split Fiction. If you need more local co-op fixes, here’s a list of contenders to consider in 2025.
Best Co-op Games You Need to Play in 2025
A Way Out
Game director Josef Fares’ first project heading up the newly-formed Hazelight Studios was A Way Out. Two human players have to choose their character—Vincent or Leo. The action plays out in split-screen fashion across a dramatic story with gameplay fueled by teamwork. It’s not as polished as It Takes Two, but it’s a breath of fresh air, and I’d recommend you try it out.
Baldur’s Gate 3
Yes, 2023’s outstanding Baldur’s Gate 3 can be enjoyed locally with another player. There are no cutbacks or restrictions either as you can create your characters and unravel BG3’s world together like normal. The RPG is about as refined and revered as they come, and it has enough content to keep you going until a probable Baldur’s Gate 4.
Borderlands
I’ve stood by Borderlands since its 2009 debut and will continue to do so. From its first iteration to Borderlands 4, I don’t think it matters much which title you opt to play in co-op. Borderlands 2 is my favorite as it captures the soul of Pandora perfectly with its story, characters, and quests. But a stroll through Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands or enjoying a blast from the past with the Pre-Sequel won’t do any harm either in the epic looter shooter saga.
Brothers A Tale of Two Sons
Brothers A Tale of Two Sons was Fares’ directorial debut in video games. He worked under the banner of Starbreeze Studios to bring the story of two brothers to life before he founded Hazelight Studios. The game didn’t have co-op at launch, but the remake addressed this overlooked issue. This narrative-heavy adventure is a must, and you can once again see the groundwork being laid down for It Takes Two and Split Fiction.
Chained Together
I watched internet darlings Kai Cenat and IShowSpeed almost destroy each other playing Chained Together. Its concept is simple: You and a partner are chained together, and you must work together to escape hell. Every step, jump, and action you take affects your cohort. One false move, and you’re sent spiraling back down to the bottom—potentially startling Satan in his slumber.
Cuphead
Cuphead is one of my favorite games of the last 10 years. Its presentation is incredibly niche and nuanced and Cuphead is essentially a boss rush—with a handful of platforming levels for good measure. It’s more fun with a partner but also frustrating as the enemy’s health scales accordingly. You can spend a good hour or two beating a boss, but the feeling of satisfaction is unbridled and unbeatable. It has a delicious last course through its DLC if you’re not satiated—called The Delicious Last Course!
Diablo 4
Blizzard’s multimedia empire includes the iconic Diablo franchise. 2023 saw the release of Diablo 4, and the ARPG title not only offers more looting, dungeon crawling, bosses, and run-ins with demons and angels but also local co-op. You can buddy up with someone next to you, pick a class, and explore the plagued grounds of Sanctuary as you try to carefully tip-toe around the ongoing conflict between the High Heavens and the Burning Hells.
Don’t Starve Together
Whereas something like Cuphead is overtly difficult, Don’t Starve doesn’t give this impression. Don’t let it fool you though as Don’t Starve demands you survive at all costs. You need food, hydration, sleep, warm surroundings, and a means of defending yourself. You don’t need to channel your inner Bear Grylls on your own though as the free Don’t Starve Together update introduces local co-op.
Lara Croft And The Guardian of Light
Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light—and its Temple of Osiris follow-up—feels derided. I question how many people (and even Tomb Raider fans) remember this 2010 gem. Unlike other entries on our best co-op games you need to play in 2025 list, this benefits from an in-person friend helping you out. It has Lara, her trademark pistols, outfit, and classic Tomb Raider exploration—what more do you want?
Moving Out
Anyone who’s ever literally moved out in real life automatically understands this game. It’s a nuisance in so many ways. So what better way to exemplify the rigors of moving out than by taking this nightmare, cranking up the hyperbole, and inciting chaos in relationships and friendships? Moving Out is a wonderful display of co-op and calamity, and it has a sequel if you want more punishment.
Overcooked
Substitute “moving out” with “cooking” and I can be done with this entry. Alas, this wouldn’t be informative of me and lacks integrity. I will say that if I was ranking the games on this list, Overcooked 1 and 2 would be near the top. Ghost Town Games created something hilarious, hellacious, and heartwarming with this series. Your ability to coalesce with individuals into a unified force is tested with every meal. Unfortunately, I don’t think there will be any more Overcooked, but there’s a good reason why—more on this later.
Portal 2
Remember when Valve used to make award-winning single-player games? No? I wouldn’t blame you as it’s incredibly slim picking nowadays. 2011’s Portal 2 is a compulsory play for anyone with a penchant for immaculate storytelling, puzzles, physics, and co-op capers. Separate from the main story is an independent and original adventure only intended for two players. The quality is just as good and requires you both to don thinking caps playing this one.
Rayman Legends
Speaking of highly successful IPs being abandoned, Rayman Legends is an excellent 2D platformer bubbling with life and personality. It has the grace of a galloping gazelle and might be the best Rayman title ever. It has a ton of fun-to-find collectibles, one ingenious level design after another (don’t get me started on the music levels), and best of all? Local co-op.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure
PlayStation and PC owners can sample a piece of this succulent Sackboy snack. It doesn’t do anything revolutionary or push the boundaries of 3D platforming in a way contemporaries and historical releases have, but it’s fun! Youngsters will get a kick out of it, and it’s mindless fun for older folks. You can get stuck into the bubble bursting with local users in co-op.
Stage Fright
We’re back with Overcooked’s Ghost Town Games and its newest IP Stage Fright. I’m jumping the gun on this one as it’s not out yet. But its hilarious debut trailer could already be a sign of things to come. It’s also co-op focused, looks outstandingly creative, and could be one of the most-talked-about co-op games in 2025 after Split Fiction.
The Binding of Isaac Rebirth
The Binding of Isaac Rebirth appeared as a PlayStation Plus Monthly game in November 2014. I barely batted an eyelid. However, one day, I needed something to play and decided to give it a crack. Even though I didn’t know what any items did, why my main weapon was a small child’s tears, or why I was trying to kill Isaac’s mother, I was engrossed forever. The Binding of Isaac kickstarted my roguelike/roguelite journey, and if you haven’t, I implore you to do the same as it has added co-op since release.
Unravel Two
The first Unravel was a blast, but the sequel supersedes it by allowing two players to intertwine. Your relationship with your co-op partner is unlikely to unravel as the title is straightforward and shouldn’t trouble you. But its tamer nature is a more welcome and pleasant one. Once you’re done, you’ll both yarn for more.
Let me know your favorite co-op games and experiences ever. Are you rooted in childhood with multiplayer classics like Goldeneye? Or are there fun story-based co-op adventures I’ve missed?
If you love co-op games, Split Fiction will fix the itch. Keep up to date with our latest content including if it has crossplay or cross-platform play, as well as its Xbox Game Pass status.
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