Great Co-Operative Shooter Games, Ranked

Posted by By our-little-miss-is-home November 8, 2024 3 Views 37 Min Read
Great Co-Operative Shooter Games, Ranked

The gaming industry tends to work in trends. One type of game will be popular for a while before eventually tailing off and losing its place to something else. The shooter genre, however, has managed to maintain popularity for years. Of course, it’s changed plenty of times through the decades. But the simple act of shooting people, monsters, or zombies in a video game setting is evergreen.

Best Third-Person Shooters Featured Split Image Nathan Drake, Marcus Fenix, and Max Payne

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The Best Third-Person Shooters, Ranked

We rank the best third-person shooters out there, spanning multiple console generations. Did your favorite make the list?

Yet, not enough of them allow you to do it with a buddy by your side. While co-operative shooters aren’t extremely rare, it seems like there should be more of them. That being said, there are a few amazing ones out there, and these are the greatest.

Updated November 6, 2024, by Ben Jessey: Many of the best shooters offer cooperative play. This list includes many of the best ones. However, not all the great ones were represented, so we’ve returned to the piece to add a few more.

Halo Infinite

Halo Infinite screenshot of someone shooting at Spartan with needler.

The Halo series perfected its signature brand of first-person shooter gameplay long before Halo Infinite was released. Therefore, Infinite doesn’t dramatically change things, but it arguably provides the smoothest combat in the series. The inclusion of new weapons and a grapple hook mechanic helps keep things fresh, too.

Another thing that makes this different from other Halo games is the campaign features an open world. So, not only can you embark on missions with your buddies, but you can also drive around and explore a Halo ring with them.

Time Warpers

Time Warpers screenshot of the player aiming a gun at a group of enemies.

When you think of a game that contains a blocky world and various dangerous creatures, you likely think of Minecraft. Yet, while the presentation of Time Warpers is similar to the sandbox title, it’s a very different game. This is because, in Minecraft, you don’t spend all your time gunning down the creatures you find.

Time Warpers is a fast-paced shooter where you’re encouraged to be in perpetual motion to avoid being surrounded by the massive groups of enemies you face as you attempt to take them all out. The game also offers gun customization, continuous progression, and, of course, co-op play.

Earth Defense Force 6

Earth Defense Force 6 screenshot of player looking at Giant Frogs.

Like every Earth Defense Force game, EDF 6 is a wild and over-the-top third-person shooter. The developers don’t seem to put much focus on storytelling or having eye-catching visuals. These games are all about wacky fun, which is something EDF 6 certainly provides.

The game is all about running around large areas while killing the invading monsters. These beasts are typically gigantic, and there is usually an incredible number of them. Thankfully, you have various high-powered weapons to bring them down.

Army Of Two: The 40th Day

Army Of Two The 40th Day screenshot of Rios holding a hostage and pointing a gun, while Salem is holding another guy to the ground.

Army of Two: The 40th Day is a title built explicitly for cooperative play. Therefore, you both play as significant characters. Their names are Salem and Rios, who are two operatives that are attempting to stop a terrorist attack in Shanghai, China.

It’s a solid third-person cover shooter with deep weapon customization and nicely designed environments. Because it is a co-op through and through, there are various cooperative moves you can unleash on the many enemies you fight. For example, you can boost a teammate up to allow them to peek and shoot over an obstacle.

Quake 2

Quake 2 screenshot of player shooting monster.

Quake 2 is one of those FPS games that really helped popularize the genre many years ago. In 2023, an enhanced version came out on newer consoles. It is more of a port than a full remaster or remake, so it isn’t visually spectacular. That said, the core first-person gunplay is still a lot of fun.

It brings back memories of another era of games, like the original Doom and Duke Nukem. As such, there is no deep story or a bunch of cutscenes in this game. You just go from room to room, blasting monsters with various different weapons.

Shadow Warrior 2

Shadow Warrior 2 screenshot of player reloading a Springchester rifle.

Shadow Warrior 2 doesn’t take itself as seriously as many other FPS games. It contains plenty of jokes, and not many of them are very sophisticated. So, if you’re a fan of crass humor, then Shadow Warrior 2 might be right up your alley.

Its core combat is flashy and exciting. It’s also really fast-paced, and you’re encouraged to move around a lot as you fight a range of different enemies. Some of those beasts are really big and powerful. Thankfully, though, you and your friends have plenty of interesting and dangerous weapons at your disposal. It is not all guns, either, as there are plenty of blades in the title, too.

Helldivers 2

A player throwing Stratagem in the field in Helldivers 2.

In Helldivers 2, Super Earth is under attack, so you must step up and fight on its behalf. You’re fighting a mix of different enemy types, including plenty of distinct bug-type creatures and a fair share of mechanical beings.

For each mission, you travel to a unique area and have objectives to complete. These objectives can range from finding things to rescuing people. Most of the time, though, you’ll be fighting a large horde of enemies in exciting, action-packed battles. The gunplay is smooth, and the co-op experience is delightful.

Roboquest

The player reloads as a robotic boss shoots red laser beams out that cause fire.

If you think some modern shooters are a bit too slow, then Roboquest might be the title for you. After all, this shooter mixed with a roguelite is anything but slow. Battles play out at a rapid pace, and you’re encouraged to be in perpetual motion while fighting all the robotic enemies you encounter. So, it’s like Doom.

However, this game doesn’t take place in hell or anything resembling hell. In fact, you run around vibrant places filled with bright colors. The game’s lovely art style carries over to the weaponry, which looks beautiful. Therefore, the game looks incredible and feels even better to play.

Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora

Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora screenshot of Na'Vi Sky Warriors attacking an RDA gunship.

Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora is an open-world action-adventure title where you get to roam the beautiful world of Pandora. You play as one of its residents, a.k.a a Na’vi. As the blue creature, you and a possible friend online have to try to stop humanity’s invasion of Pandora.

The narrative is similar to the movies, but this is a primarily separate self-contained tale. To fight back against the human forces on the planet, you must do some first-person shooting. Your weapons include things like a bow and a shotgun.

World War Z Aftermath

World War Z screenshot of survivors fighting off a zombie horde.

World War Z Aftermath offers both third-person and first-person shooting action. The decision of which perspective you use is up to you. Regardless of which you go for, you get to experience some solid and smooth shooting mechanics. And the things you’re shooting are zombies.

It’s a squad-based zombie shooter in the mold of Left 4 Dead. However, this one is set in the World War Z universe. Yet, it’s only loosely based on the novel and movie of the same name. You don’t need any knowledge of them to enjoy the experience. All you need is an appreciation of zombie killing.

Borderlands: The Handsome Collection

Borderlands 2 screenshot of a group of vault hunters fighting a monster.

What is the best Borderlands game? It’s tricky to answer that question, but The Handsome Collection includes two that would be in consideration. Both Borderlands 2 and The Pre-Sequel are in this package, and they’re excellent first-person action RPGs.

Much of the focus is on the action side of things, as these games are filled with combat sections. Battles are frantic and exciting, whether you’re fighting people or the creatures of Pandora. The narratives are solid and engaging, too, and they revolve around the always charismatic Handsome Jack. The stories are not likely to make you cry, but you may laugh once or twice.

Tom Clancy’s The Division 2

Squad walking up to the Capitol building in DC in The Division 2, with the sun glaring in the distance.

The Division 2 is an always online third-person shooter with RPG elements. It’s set in a fictional version of Washington D.C. that has been ruined by a deadly virus. The narrative doesn’t get a significant amount of focus, however, and it certainly isn’t the main selling point of the game.

The Division 2 - armed player characters

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That would be the combat. This title offers tight cover-based shooting mechanics that are a joy to behold. Plus, there’s plenty of opportunity for teamwork. After all, with all the skills available, you can each create a build that works seamlessly together. And you may need to when taking on the harder missions.

Star Wars: Battlefront 2

An imperial officer and Stormtroopers are attacked by Ewoks in Star Wars: Battlefront 2.

The movies might be more about lightsabers, but there is plenty of shooting in the Star Wars universe, too. There is certainly a lot in Star Wars: Battlefront 2, as apart from occasional times when you play as major characters, you’re typically a soldier with some type of blaster.

The game doesn’t offer a traditional co-op story, but there is a dedicated co-operative mode. It’s a PvE experience that pits you against bots, and you have to either attack or defend a point. Either way, these co-op matches are really fun due to the game’s satisfying shooting mechanics.

Call Of Duty: Black Ops 3

Call Of Duty Black Ops 3 screenshot of a few characters talking and looking at screens.

Despite seemingly being tailor-made for it, the Call Of Duty series doesn’t often offer a co-op campaign. Black Ops 3, however, is one of the few entries to do so. Alongside a friend locally or up to three online, you can experience a story set far in the future that is about highly advanced tech, conspiracies, and, of course, warfare.

It’s an engaging story with some interesting missions. The famous Zombies mode is also available to play with friends. Whatever mode you’re experiencing, the FPS combat is slick and exciting.

Remnant 2

Remnant 2: The Hunter Activating Their Prime Sight Ability.

Remnant 2 is not only a third-person shooter; it’s also an RPG with some Soulslike elements. During the game, you travel to different worlds that all have distinct environments and enemies. In each one, you need to find and kill a really powerful monster.

Along the way, you solve some puzzles and shoot many different creatures. That last bit might be the best part, as the gunplay is very fluid and fun. And you can enjoy it with up to two friends.

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands

Tiny Tina's Wonderlands screenshot of enemy from Molten Mirrors DLC.

Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is a spin-off of the Borderlands series. And like those games, this title offers online co-op. Where it differs from the mainline series is that it’s set inside a tabletop role-playing game.

So, you wander around a fantasy world, completing quests with the ultimate goal of defeating the Dragon Lord. It’s wacky and funny. More importantly, though, it’s a joy to play because the gunplay is enjoyable, and there is plenty of enemy variety.

Unreal Tournament 3

Unreal Tournament 3 promotional image of three red soldiers with large weapons.

Unreal Tournament 3 is a fast-paced and attack-packed FPS game from the late 2000s. The combat is similar to games like Doom in that you’re encouraged to be in perpetual motion while fighting.

The campaign can be played in local split-screen co-op. It’s a unique experience, as the game doesn’t contain traditional missions. Instead, you play multiplayer-like matches against AI with cutscenes in between each one. It’s odd, but it works pretty well, and the game is very fun.

Contra

Bill and Lance running through the field with guns in hand in Contra.

Co-op shooters don’t get much older than the original Contra, but re-releases have brought it onto some more recent systems. The game holds up very well from a gameplay standpoint, particularly for those who appreciate arcade titles.

It’s a pure side-scrolling shoot ’em up where you and a buddy have to run, jump, and, most importantly, shoot your way past all the enemies in front of you. It’s a simple but fun co-op game.

Zombie Army 4: Dead War

Karl, Shola, Jun and Boris head into battle in Zombie Army 4 Dead War.

No matter how dangerous they are, zombies are always fun to fight. So, it’s nice that Zombie Army 4 allows you to battle them as a team of up to four players. These aren’t just any run-of-the-mill undead, though. These are Nazi zombies that are under the rule of the undead Hilter.

Zombie Army 4- Dead War split image zombie tank, three armed warriors standing back to back, and fighter in metal mask gesturing with arm

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Therefore, you immediately have an incentive to blow them away. And you can do just that with a variety of unique powers and weapons, along with some of the regular guns you expect to see in a World War 2 shooter.

Resistance 3

Resistance 3 screenshot of player fight with chimera enemy.

In Resistance 3, humanity is in serious trouble as the alien threat known as the Chimera is mounting an invasion. You are responsible for stopping the deadly creatures, and you can bring a friend along for the ride.

The game is a traditional first-person shooter with satisfying shooting mechanics and some unique weapons. It also has a bit of a horror element, as several of the places you visit can give you a scare.

Rainbow Six: Vegas

Rainbow Six Vegas screenshot of two guys rappelling and shooting through glass.

Rainbow Six Vegas is a tactical FPS that boasts two co-op modes. For starters, you can play through the entire campaign with up to four players online or two locally. The narrative is a standard shooter tale as your squad attempts to bring down a terrorist.

Speaking of terrorists, the other co-op mode is called Terrorist Hunt. In it, you get put on a map with a bunch of enemies, and you need to take them all out. This is easier said than done, as this game takes a more realistic approach to combat, meaning you die in only a few hits. This is why you must use cover and play tactically.

Outriders

Outriders screenshot of two people shooting towards the right of the screen.

Outriders is set in a universe where Earth isn’t doing so great, so humanity is looking for another planet to call home. That new world is known as Enoch, and it comes with its own set of dangers. You don’t have to face them alone, though. A maximum of two friends can join you online.

Each one of you can choose between different character classes, as this is a shooter mixed with an RPG. They all have their own abilities that can assist you on your perilous adventure. What are also useful are the firearms you can obtain and use in third-person cover-based gunfights.

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 2 screenshot of Soap MacTavish holding a gun, while running.

There are actually two Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 titles that are significantly different. They both contain co-op elements, but the 2009 title just edges it in enjoyability. Unfortunately, those previously mentioned co-op elements don’t feature in the campaign.

Thankfully, though, the game’s spec-ops mode makes up for it by providing one of the best co-op shooter experiences ever. While playing the mode, you and a friend embark on different mission scenarios. There is a lot of variation between them, and most are fun to play.

Back 4 Blood

Back 4 Blood screenshot of a group of four survivors preparing to fight.

Because of its name and the fact it shares several developers, Back 4 Blood has the issue of continually being compared to Left 4 Dead. This is bad because no zombie squad shooter can truly match that classic title. Yet, Back 4 Blood is still a fun first-person shooter in its own right.

A collage of a mix of gameplay from various FPS games, starting with Doom Eternal, then Cyberpunk 2077, and BioShock Infinite.

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The campaign consists of several acts, each containing a bunch of chapters. The main objective in them all is to survive as you progress through the mutant-filled area, using any weapons you find. There are also sometimes other objectives you need to accomplish, which helps vary things up.

Killing Floor 2

Killing Floor 2 screenshot of a few huge enemies charging a line of players.

Survival is the only goal in this co-op shooter. After all, there is no real story. You’re just placed on a map, and you must survive wave after wave of infected creatures. As the waves go by, the creatures attack in ever-increasing numbers, and new types of them turn up. If you make it to the final wave, you face a powerful boss.

What is great about the co-op play is that it alters depending on how many of you there are. For example, you will face more enemies if you have a crew of six than if there are only two of you. So, you don’t have to worry about it being excruciatingly hard if you don’t have a full squad.

Saints Row: The Third Remastered

Saints Row The Third screenshot of several characters standing in front of explosion.

Saints Row has sometimes been referred to as a Grand Theft Auto clone. However, it’s an unfair label, as the wacky open-world series has its own style and offers things GTA doesn’t, such as a comprehensive co-op mode.

Most entries in the series offer a co-op campaign, with the best occurring in Saints Row: The Third. This instalment finds the perfect balance between serious and silly. And the gunplay in the game is a lot of fun, particularly because there are a host of unique and silly weapons to use.

Killzone 3

The ISA fights a MAWLR in Killzone 3.

Killzone is one of the Playstation’s most underrated exclusive series. There have only been four main entries in the series, but each one is at least decent. Killzone 3 slips into ‘great’ territory, especially when playing through the campaign with a buddy. The story isn’t incredibly engaging, as it’s the standard military tale, where you have to stop dangerous enemy forces.

Yet, the combat makes up for the uninspiring narrative. Each fight is very enjoyable due to the satisfying feeling of the guns and the tight shooting mechanics. Plus, the title is one of the best-looking PS3 games ever.

Far Cry 6

Far Cry 6 screenshot of male and female Dany fighting together with red smoke in the background.

The recent Far Cry games have all included captivating main villains, and Far Cry 6 is no different. In this one, the antagonist is Anton Castillo, who is the tyrannical leader of the fictional island of Yara. Throughout the game, you lead a resistance effort to overthrow the evil dictator. This means going to different parts of Yara and recruiting significant figures to help with your cause.

As this is an open-world game, there are also plenty of side missions to do and enemy locations to take over. You can opt for stealth to get these jobs done, or you can blast them away with your wide variety of customizable weaponry. And you can do it all with a friend by your side.

Payday 2

Payday 2 screenshot of player fighting swat enemies.

Payday 2 is an online co-operative shooter where you and up to three other players execute different heists. The variety of these robberies is what makes them great, as they often take place in completely distinct places, from banks to art galleries to prisons.

Unsurprisingly, you’re often tasked with stealing money or valuables, but you are occasionally asked to do other things, like rescue an inmate. Regardless of the type of job, they typically require teamwork and possibly some accurate shooting.

The House Of The Dead: Overkill

The House Of The Dead Overkill screenshot of Agent G and Detective Washington.

The House of the Dead series began as a light gun shooter in arcades. In recent years, though, there have been some home releases, including the Overkill title. The game tells a story about the mystery surrounding the start of an undead outbreak. But storytelling isn’t really a priority for this on-rail shooter.

The game is mostly just about firing bullets into things. You and an ally go from screen to screen, killing every monster you see and even occasionally saving a civilian who’s about to become a zombie meal. It’s loud, enjoyable, and involves plenty of profanity.

Cuphead

Cuphead screenshot of two players about to take on a large flower in a boss fight.

Cuphead isn’t the sort of game people consider when they think of shooters, but it technically is one. More specifically, it’s a run-and-gun title where you sprint across a 2D level and shoot everything you see. And the game allows you to do that with a buddy.

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The inclusion of a teammate is welcome, as the game is punishingly difficult. While simply making it through levels can be tough, it gets even harder during the boss fights. So, this game is perfect for those who like a challenge and old-school art styles.

Deep Rock Galactic

Deep Rock Galactic screenshot of player shooting at Glyphid Swarmers.

The term ‘shooter’ doesn’t completely define Deep Rock Galactic. The game is largely about mining, as each level places you in a procedurally generated cave, and you’re often tasked with finding and collecting useful materials. However, these caves aren’t incredibly safe.

Hordes of creatures, both big and small, regularly attack you. This is where the shooter aspect comes in, as you must defend yourself by blasting them all away. Thankfully, both the digging and shooting mechanics feel satisfying.

Sniper Elite 5

As you can guess from the title, this game revolves around a certain type of gunplay – sniping. You and a friend can sneak around each mission with your rifles in hand, looking for the perfect opportunity to pick people off – and see x-rays of the bullets going through their bodies in the process.

Occasionally, you may want to coordinate and take down two guys at once. Or, if you’re the less subtle type, both of you may prefer to wipe out a group of enemies while they’re charging at you. The latter tactic is good practice for the additional survival mode, where you have to defend yourself against a horde of people.

Resident Evil 5

When it initially launched, Resident Evil 5 received some criticism from fans of the series. Their issues revolved around the lack of scares this supposed horror game provides. The complaints were fair, but RE5 is an excellent co-op third-person shooter.

In the game, you follow Chris Redfield and series newcomer Sheva Alomar as they investigate some strange goings-on in a fictional part of Africa. Naturally, the place contains a litany of infected creatures that you have to kill. But you can’t just mow them all down as you’d do in an average shooter, as ammo isn’t plentiful. So, you have to manage your resources, which adds a welcome tactical element to what is already an enjoyable experience.

Left 4 Dead 2

Games don’t get much more hectic than Left 4 Dead 2. The goal is to reach the saferoom in every chapter and eventually escape the area. But you have to do so while getting attacked by countless infected monsters. These aren’t the slow, plodding kind, either, as they’re all super fast and agile. Among them are a few special infected that are even more dangerous.

three left 4 dead zombies in a row

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Thankfully, you can fight the horde as a team, as the game supports both local and online co-op. Whether you’re playing alone or with a friend, it’s a very enjoyable first-person shooter.

Gears 5

Gears Of War is a long-running series with many great instalments. The fifth main entry is one of the best. In it, the war between the humans and Swarm continues, while Kait Diaz goes on a personal journey to find out who she exactly is.

It makes for a more emotional tale than newcomers to the series might expect. Along with the tears, though, the game provides plenty of laughs as there’s a lot of witty dialogue. The combat is also enjoyable, as the Gears series has always been the standard for third-person cover shooting. Gears 5 provides the most polished experience in the popular series’ history.

Halo: Master Chief Collection

When people talk about co-operative shooters, Halo is often a name that gets brought up. Since 2001, the series has produced a litany of brilliant co-op adventures. Thankfully, most of the best are a part of the Master Chief Collection.

Initially, it included Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, and Halo 4. ODST and Reach have been added to the package since. All of the titles are brilliant in their own right and include enjoyable first-person gunplay as well as strong vehicle combat. They also boast some solid story-telling that revolves around Master Chief’s adventures.

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