Best Co-Op Indie Games

Key Takeaways

• Indie games offer unique gameplay mechanics & innovations that big studios may not explore.
• Finding the perfect game for a group of friends can be challenging, but the indie scene shines.
• From wacky puzzles to adventurous RPGs, there is a wide array of indie games for everyone to enjoy.

In today’s day and age, gamers all over the world have access to a plethora of great choices to play together. From different PvP genres to survival and RPG games, a group of friends can enjoy many AAA titles and spend countless hours fighting, grinding, and adventuring.

And beyond that, there is a whole sea of indie titles, made with passion and love by smaller studios, and even by a single person. A lot of these games experiment with new ideas and mechanics, bold innovations that the bigger studios might not always go for. Even with fewer resources, many indie games can entertain a group of gamers with hours and hours of adventures, humor, and sometimes – pure, unmitigated chaos.

Updated November 10, 2024, by Hamza Haq: With the increasing number of incredible tools freely available to indie developers, the quality of indie games has been steadily rising in recent years. Co-op, which has always been a mainstay genre for indie devs, has seen the benefits of this fact, especially in the last decade or so. The resurgent boom in the popularity of the co-op genre is led by indie titles like Lethal Company, Content Warning, and It Takes Two, some of the most innovative titles to come out in the past few years.

26 Ship of Fools

Putting teamwork to the test on the ever-changing seas

• Release Date: November 22, 2022
• Developer: Fika Productions
• Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, GeForce Now, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S

Ship of Fools is a naval-based roguelike that gives players a small ship, a few cannons, and sends them into the unforgiving seas to test their spirit, coordination, and patience. Players will need to shoot their enemies from afar as well as defend themselves from boarding creatures.

The game has a charming set of playable characters as well as all the familiar hallmarks of a roguelike, with random weapons, upgrades, and many paths to choose from. Reaching all the way to the end will require a good amount of strategy, teamwork, and a touch of luck.

25 Escape Simulator

Who needs to go outside?

• Release Date: October 19, 2021
• Developer: Pine Studio
• Platforms: PC

Escape rooms have gained quite a lot of popularity over the years, with limitless creativity on the creators’ part. From fantasy to the future to detectives, there are all sorts of themes and stories that people can enjoy. And the creators of Escape Simulator have done a fantastic job of translating that into video games.

Players will need to solve elaborate puzzles in order to escape different “rooms” and situations. From ancient pyramids to spaceships and beyond, there is a fantastic collection of puzzles and mysteries that a group of friends can try to get themselves out of.

24 Human Fall Flat

Simple, wacky, devious.

• Release Date: July 22, 2016
• Developer: No Brakes Games, Codeglue
• Platforms: PC, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4

Human Fall Flat gives players an unwieldy, awkward character to control and a collection of puzzles and physics to play with. And it is fun and games to experiment alone, but with added co-op, complete chaos ensues. And it is hilarious.

Players can somewhat attack each other, use objects to mess with others, and use a whole array of other methods of throwing each other off of cliffs and buildings. Additionally, players can try to get themselves together and solve the many interesting puzzles that the game throws at them.

23 Pico Park

Pushing teamwork and patience to the very limit of human possibilities

• Release Date: 7 May, 2021
• Developer: TECOPARK
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows

Everything about this game is very simple. Simple controls, small, cute characters, and mostly straightforward puzzles. Push a button, get the key, and open the door. Simple. The devil lies in the number of players and the near-perfect coordination required for some of the puzzles.

Can a group of friends come together and take turns jumping over the bridge? Or will everyone start trying to get there first and end up falling into the chasm, pulling everyone along with them? Will level heads and order prevail, or will everything topple down as patience runs thin?

22 Demonologist

A spooky adventure with (mostly) trusted friends

• Release Date: 25 Sep, 2023
• Developer: Clock Wizard Games
• Platforms: PC

Demonologist takes a group of up to 4 players and plunges them into the unnerving world of demons and exorcism. Players can work together to unravel the secrets of many different maps filled with various otherworldly entities, and maybe even survive the journey.

With more than 20 different ghosts, every new run feels fresh and interesting. With various tools available to the players, they can either figure out the exact type of ghost and safely leave, gaining at least some reward, or they could brave the unknown and try to banish the horrifying creatures.

21 Escape Memoirs: Mini Stories

Escape room puzzles with a twist

Escape Memoirs: Mini Stories is an escape room puzzle game inspired by the We Were Here series. Instead of simply putting the player in a room with clues leading to the escape route, the game puts two players working in co-op in separate rooms.

The puzzles in one room can only be solved by finding and understanding the puzzles in the second room, meaning that players have to rely on each other and their communication skills in order to play the game. It’s an interesting concept with a stellar execution that makes it one of the must-play indie games for anyone looking to play with a friend.

20 Broforce

Overflowing with testosterone and pixel brutality

Broforce is a great choice for a laid-back, explosion-filled evening. Players embody iconic various action stars, unleashing relentless firepower to free hostages and thwart terrorists. Its retro, pixelated visuals and sharp humor enhance the experience, while intuitive controls welcome all to participate.

Each level delivers unpredictable, action-packed missions, making sure no one leaves bored. The vast array of weapons and tools to play with, allows players to unleash maximum carnage, leaving no stone or villain unturned. After all, what’s not to love about saving the world with friends, while role-playing as movie action heroes?

19 Monaco: What’s Yours Is Mine

Shh, do you hear that?

While this game can be played solo, it becomes an absolute rollercoaster in multiplayer. Stealth games can be quite punishing by themselves, challenging players to plan ahead, wait for just the right timing, and move with great precision. So what happens when it also requires coordination between up to four people?

Of course, that depends on the players, but chaos is all but guaranteed. The levels are big and open-ended, leaving many ways to approach the goal. With several characters, each with their own set of abilities, players can try different tactics and plans, until something inevitably goes wrong.

18 Monster Prom 3: Monster Roadtrip

The tough choices between group fun and romancing that one ghost

• Release Date: 22 Oct, 2022
• Developer: Beautiful Glitch
• Platforms: PC

High-octane gameplay might not be for everyone, and there are days when players just want to kick back, and enjoy a fun, chill time with each other. The Monster Prom series has been providing that, and much more, since the release of the first entry.

This multiplayer visual novel takes its players on an interactive road trip. There are goofy adventures at every turn, and unique, well-written romance options. It can be quite the change of pace for some players, but it is a welcome and fresh perspective on what games could be.

17 Wizard With A Gun

A familiar setup with a whole new twist

• Release Date: 17 Oct, 2023
• Developer: Galvanic Games
• Platforms: PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S

Released in 2023, this title has been warmly received by gamers all over the world. This fun, roguelike adventure features up to two wizards at a time. Players must survive in a unique and interesting world, exploring and gathering resources to improve their magical gear and spells.

The combat is fun and engaging, with many interesting powers at the players’ disposal. The combat is far from boring. Certain enemies are resistant to certain types of damage and spells, making players consider and adjust their tactics and weapons as the game progresses.

16 Viscera Cleanup Detail

A menial chore, turned into a surprisingly elaborate and chaotic activity

• Release Date: 24 Oct, 2015
• Developer: RuneStorm
• Platforms: PC

Viscera Cleanup Detail takes a rather boring premise — cleaning up — and turns it into a fun and chaotic game that can forge and destroy friendships. In the game, the players are tasked with cleaning up the scenes of a battle (presumably from a Doom-like shooter) by removing the debris and the aftermath of a battlefield.

While the idea is simple enough, the devil lies in the actual cooperation from players. While one player might be intensely trying to mop the floor, someone else might drop the bucket of goop onto the clean surface, ruining the entire progress, which some players might find…infuriating.

15 Golf With Your Friends

Collision should be turned on

As advertised! This lovely indie title brings the beloved mini golf to virtual space, allowing players everywhere to challenge each other in a series of different goal courses. As competitive as the idea already is, the game kicks it up a notch by adding unique mechanics like explosions, teleportations, shoving, and sabotage.

With many beautiful and creative levels to choose from, players can enjoy many entertaining hours of hashing it out with their friends, or practice by themselves to try and get that elusive hole-in-one. The game offers a high level of replayability, with different physics, settings, and even ball shapes.

14 Risk of Rain 2

A colorful, chaotic, dynamic experience

Risk of Rain 2 is an incredibly fun and engaging rogue-like, allowing players to choose one of many characters and try to survive through 5 different stages. Every character has a completely unique playstyle, and every run feels fresh. And of course, players can team up to try and survive the unforgiving world together.

The game loop can be incredibly addictive, with different powerups and many possible builds to try out. With three different difficulty levels to choose from, players can tailor their experience to be just right for them, and enjoy the hectic gameplay and vibrant color scheme to the fullest.

13 We Were Here Series

What does it take to survive?

This series offers a cooperative escape room experience, with elements of horror sprinkled throughout. Two players take the roles of explorers, solving different puzzles while relying on each other through communicating with radios. Players are playing in different locations, each with their own set of challenges and information.

Teamwork is key here, as the players need to cooperate by sharing their knowledge and working together to escape their difficult predicament. One should also practice patience, for those times that their partner fails to see the obvious clues on their side, and proceeds to accidentally kill their buddy on the radio.

12 Spiritfarer

A philosophical journey

Spiritfarer is a unique management game, where two players fill the role of taking souls on their final journey through the doors of death. While that may sound somewhat dark, the game itself is incredibly beautiful and positive, allowing players to sail through the magic seas and care for the lost souls.

Players can build and manage their ships, decorate rooms, and gather resources on the many fantastical islands in the game. With a beautiful story, incredible lore, and philosophy, this is a great game to experience with a friend or a loved one.

11 Cuphead

Good enough to make it to the TV screens

Cuphead is definitely one kind of a game. From the fantastic art style to brutal boss fights and unforgiving levels, the packaged experience is like no other. Wrapped with a great soundtrack, the entire thing is an artistic treat. And what better way to experience it, than side by side with a gaming buddy?

Players can try and complete the game’s many challenges together, bringing down ruthless bosses one by one. While the difficulty is nothing to sneeze at, with a bit of practice and a fair amount of patience, players can learn the ropes and excel at dodging, parrying, and attacking in no time.

10 Chained Together

A test of friendship like no other

Chained Together is only a game for friend groups that are confident enough in their bonds to put themselves through one of the hardest loyalty tests in all of gaming. In Chained Together, players are, well, chained together by an iron chain that prevents them from moving away from others by more than a couple of feet.

The game is essentially a 3D platformer where groups of players need to escape hell by using hard-to-reach platforms to reach higher and higher up until they reach the end. However, because they are chained to each other, they can only do that if everyone who is linked jumps, climbs, and drops at the same time as everyone else. If even one player makes a mistake, everyone else fails, too. Up to four players can play Chained Together at the same time.

9 Lethal Company

The next promotion is just around the corner

Lethal Company is one of the most popular indie games to come out in recent memory, taking the entire gaming industry by storm thanks to its innovative level design, unique concept, and fun co-op gameplay.

In Lethal Company, all players are employees of ‘The Company’ sent to collect scraps in abandoned alien facilities. The facilities they venture into are procedurally generated, with low visibility and hostile alien life forms that make them incredibly dangerous. The only way to communicate with other players is using proximity chat, but collecting enough scraps to satisfy ‘The Company’ means scavenging as a group, which is rarely the right option.

8 Project Zomboid

Sharing bandages and axes is caring

Project Zomboid separates itself from similar zombie survival games by shifting the perspective and adding its unique system of perks, stats, and various mechanics that factor into one’s survival. With many backstories to choose from, players can make new and different characters every time, with their own skills and proficiencies.

Surviving with friends is both a blessing and a curse, as there is more manpower, but the resources now have to be split among the crew. The game offers many tense and blood-clotting moments, where friends will be left with a choice: heroically help out their fellow survivors, or run away and hope no one finds out.

7 Core Keeper

Cozy and familiar, yet new and intriguing

Core Keeper is an interesting spin on a farming simulator, borrowing from similar games from the genre, while adding many things of its own. With an emphasis on fighting and exploring, the game has a great perk system, allowing players to choose their specialty and fill a niche role within the group.

There are many interesting builds and locations, allowing players to engage with what they find the most enjoyable. From fishing to mining to growing crops, everyone can play the way they like to, while being helpful to the group.