Best Local Co-Op Games On Steam

Couch co-op and split-screen tend to be associated with consoles as the terms conjure images of friends playing Mario Party and Crash Team Racing on a TV, but PC owners have plenty of options as well. Nowadays, most major multiplayer releases make their way to Steam, and they typically offer online support to simplify the process of finding partners. LAN parties have generally transitioned to online connections, a decision that permits users to either play with friends or strangers.

Online is the standard in modern gaming, but that does not mean local co-op has gone extinct. In fact, some of the best co-op games on Steam let players share a screen. Even though PC gaming is not synonymous with local co-op or especially split-screen, there are plenty of games that demonstrate the potential of these multiplayer experiences.

Updated November 15, 2024 by Mark Sammut:Lego Horizon Adventures has just released and offers local co-op on Steam. While not included as a separate entry, the game warrants consideration if, for example, a parent is looking for something lighthearted to play with their children. Alternatively, they can try two local co-op Steam games that have been added to this article. One is even free.

Baldur’s Gate 3

An Ambitious & Lengthy RPG For Tabletop Fans

After achieving near-perfection with Divinity: Original Sin 2, which is also a great co-op PC RPG, Larian Studios did the impossible and produced something arguably even better. After spending almost three years in early access, Baldur’s Gate 3 finally made its proper debut in August 2023, and to say the game was well-received would be an understatement. Hailed as a new benchmark in the CRPG genre, the long-awaited sequel is a deep and rewarding single-player experience that can easily keep somebody entertained for months on end. A big part of the game’s appeal is its flexible and reactive design that seeks to morph the world to complement a player’s choices.

While a fantastic solo experience, Baldur’s Gate 3‘s local co-op feature is also not an afterthought. Players can join someone’s else campaign, or start a new one where they play together from the beginning. Thanks to the use of split-screen, adventurers are not tied to each other, and one party member can head out to explore on their own while their partner does something else. Even though they will likely stick together during most sessions, Baldur’s Gate 3 makes it possible for both players to feel in control.

It Takes Two

A Gorgeous & Creative Journey Designed Around Two-Player Co-Op

Hazelight is responsible for two of the best 2-player Steam games. A Way Out is fantastic and an easy recommendation for any duos seeking a mature storyline; however, 2021’s It Takes Two is generally regarded as the superior overall package. The story follows a married couple who are shrunk down and have to go on a wild adventure to make it back home. The premise might sound derivative, but the game absolutely nails its characters and visuals.

As May and Cody are on the verge of getting a divorce, their shared situation forces them to openly communicate and work together after years of growing apart. It Takes Two‘s co-op gameplay reflects and enhances the narrative’s themes.

A Beat ‘Em Up Classic Revived On Modern Systems

MARVEL vs. CAPCOM Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics comes packed with seven great games: six fighters and a beat ’em up. The former, naturally, support local and online multiplayer, so anyone looking to jump in a match against a few friends should have a good time. Those seeking primarily co-op action will likely gravitate toward The Punisher, a cult classic beat ’em up that was difficult to track down legally due to a lack of re-releases. Despite not fully fitting the rest of the projects, this game is arguably one of the main reasons to pick up this compilation.

The Punisher is just an awesome beat-’em-up that still looks and feels great. Along with Frank Castle, Nick Fury is also playable, although they are mostly identical in terms of movesets. The Punisher‘s strongest element is weapon variety, offering players a massive arsenal of ways to kill the Kingpin’s goons. Like all ’90s arcade beat ’em ups, the game is difficult, but it is a fun ride regardless.

Pico Park 2

The Pleasure & Pain Of Teamwork

Pico Park 2 can be a frustrating experience, and that is part of its appeal. Tecopark’s sequel challenges up to 8 players to take on bit-sized obstacles that can vary considerably in structure, presentation, and style. Some are fairly typical puzzles, while other stages dip into genres like action or platforming. Still, the core concept is the same: work together and communicate.

In reality, most people will probably have to make do with strangers when playing Pico Park 2, at least if they want to add as many players as possible. Still, the game supports 8-player local co-op as well, so the option is technically viable. That said, 2-player co-op is likely to be the more common selection.

Chained Together

A Challenging But Fun “Go Up” Puzzle-Platformer Revolving Around Teamwork

The rise of platforms like Twitch saw the birth of a weird puzzle-platformer subgenre seemingly designed specifically to inspire outrage in streamers. Only Up! is probably the most well-known example of this trend, but Jump King and Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy are also (in)famous and, for a while, were inescapable. As entertaining as it can be to watch someone struggle for hours to climb an abstract tower, or blast through in a matter of minutes, these projects can be hard to recommend in situations when a crowd is not watching.

Although perfect for Twitch, Chained Together arguably comes the closest to being a worthwhile all-around gaming experience when someone is craving a challenging platformer. The project’s biggest selling point is its co-op implementation, to the point that the feature is highlighted by the title. While solo runs are possible, Chained Together is designed with multiplayer in mind, allowing for up to four players to be tied together as they try to escape hell.

As with Only Up!, players have to jump, catch, and climb across floating assets, all the while being fully aware that a single mistake could cause them to lose all of their progress (unless they are playing in Beginner mode). Frustrating as those moments can be, Chained Together works due to that ever-present fear of catastrophic failure. The co-op adds a nice twist since having another player on board has both positives and negatives.

Bread & Fred

A Cute Co-Op Platformer

Bread & Fred is a challenging and adorably crafted physics-based adventure that sees two penguins (or a penguin and a heavy object in single-player mode) attempt to scale a mountain peak by swinging and jumping their way through multiple locations. Similar to titles like Jump King and Getting Over It, Bread & Fred takes the prospect of climbing up cliff faces and cranks it up to eleven.

Not only can players bring a friend along both locally and online, but there are costumes to unlock, story bits to uncover, mini-games to play, and more.

Broforce

Run, Gun, N’ Destroy

The gaming equivalent of an ’80s action movie, Broforce is loud, stupid, and relentlessly fun. An explosive parody of genre classics and iconic characters, Free Lives’ game features pitch-perfect run ‘n’ gun combat, which is enhanced through environmental destruction and endearing pixel graphics.

While perfectly enjoyable in single-player, Broforce really comes alive when multiple meatheads are rampaging through stages en route to planting an American flag where a fearsome boss once stood.

Portal 2

A Great Side Mode That Adapts Portal’s Puzzles For Co-Op

Valve is responsible for some of the most popular and long-lasting multiplayer games on the market, most of which revolve around co-op. While games like Left 4 Dead, Team Fortress 2, Alien Swarm, and Counter-Strike all prioritize teamwork, they are generally associated with online multiplayer or LAN support more so than local co-op. The same could be said for Portal 2 to an extent, although the game is better equipped to take advantage of local two-player action than most of the developer’s other projects. For one, the title supports split-screen right out of the box, which makes it a more viable option than the Left 4 Dead games.

The 2011 release reached legendary status thanks to its single-player story, which arguably ranks alongside Half-Life 2 as Valve’s magnum opus. Less known is Portal 2‘s co-op campaign that sees two robots work together to try and complete GLaDOS’s various challenges. Gameplay-wise, this mode retains many of the same fundamentals as the single-player; however, these identical mechanics take on a new flavor when a second player is thrown into the mix.

Project Zomboid

Survive A Zombie Apocalypse With A Few Friends

Project Zomboid has been in early access for over a decade, which is typically not a great sign. However, the open-world survival game has somehow managed to remain relevant, and it is still receiving fairly consistent updates as it gradually moves towards its full release. Even if that day seems to be still far in the future, Project Zomboid is already in an impressive state that makes it an easy recommendation for anyone craving a sandbox zombie experience that emphasizes survival above everything else.

While not part of the game’s original 2013 Steam release, split-screen co-op support was added to the package a few years later, allowing four friends to work together to try and make the best of a terrible situation. Online co-op is also available through 32-player lobbies, making the early access project a rather robust multiplayer option.

Cuphead

Hard-As-Hell Boss Rush With Stunning & Lively Visuals

Studio MDHR’s Cuphead puts players through the wringer, overwhelming them with colorful bosses inspired by old-school cartoons. This journey will always be crushingly difficult, but Cuphead does not need to face the Devil’s debtors alone. He can be accompanied by Mugman (or Ms. Chalice in The Delicious Last Course DLC), although the power of friendship might not result in an easier time.

Although an acquired taste, Cuphead achieves everything it sets out to do. The game’s visuals are eye-catching, its gameplay is punishing but generally fair, and the soundtrack is great. Provided people are looking for a challenge, this project is one of the best local co-op games on Steam

Castle Crashers

Really Fun Beat ‘Em Up

Originally a 2008 Xbox 360 exclusive, Castle Crashers eventually made its way to other platforms, including a 2012 Steam release. Invariably, each port served to further cement the game’s status as a co-op masterpiece. Players pick a knight and bravely head out to save four princesses, a process that involves a lot of hacking and slashing through cartoonish enemies. The color-coded playable characters not only come with unique abilities but also support build variety through customizable stats and weapons.

Castle Crashers represents co-op at its absolute best, especially since it encourages players to form balanced parties. Also, the game is pretty funny in a very late 2000s type of way.

Cat Quest 2 & 3

Purr-tastic RPGs With Endless Charm

• 	Cat Quest II	Cat Quest III
  Released	2019-09-24	2024-08-08
  Developer(s)	The Gentlebros	The Gentlebros
  Genre(s)	Action RPG, Adventure	RPG, Adventure

The Cat Quest games are just delightful. All three titles are top-notch indie RPGs that blend enjoyable combat with silly but well-written stories, fast-paced exploration, and streamlined progression. While the first entry is solely single-player, both sequels support two-player co-op, with Cat Quest 2 being specifically designed with the feature in mind. In fact, even solo runs revolve around two protagonists, albeit one controlled by AI.

Cat Quest 3
adds a secondary character if co-op is selected, but they are otherwise not part of the adventure.

On the surface, this trilogy might seem to be intended solely for young players taking their first steps into the world of RPGs, but that would be selling Cat Quest short. All the games offer a degree of challenge that should keep veterans engaged throughout the relatively brief campaigns, at least by the standard of RPGs.

Contra: Operation Galuga

Evolution Of A Classic Formula

Konami has largely ignored Contra over the last 15 years, producing only two entries between 2010 and 2023. Hard Corps: Uprising is a pretty good spin-off, while Contra: Rogue Corps is a top contender for the franchise’s worst game. Due to this lengthy absence, Contra: Operation Galuga‘s announcement came as a bit of a surprise, especially since the 2024 release is a fairly faithful throwback to the run-and-gun license’s glory days. In fact, it is a direct sequel to the original 1987 title, revisiting many of the same locations and reusing similar enemies. After being starved for attention for so long, Contra just needed to produce something decent that could remind the world why it was once a staple of gaming. Operation Galuga generally fulfills that purpose, offering a safe but enjoyable campaign that is fun solo and fantastic with friends.

Similar to the older entries, Operation Galuga pulls no punches, delivering a challenging and non-stop romp that throws everything at the player. However, the game also includes enough modern touches to allow for a degree of accessibility, so even though newcomers might be overwhelmed at first, that feeling should pass after a while. While the core gunplay is largely the same, Operation Galuga‘s multiple playable characters all have unique abilities and nuances that help differentiate them; consequently, during co-op, players can pick the person that best suits their preferences.

Overcooked! 2

Awesome Co-Op Cooking Game That Might Ruin A Few Friendships

Team 17 has a great track record when it comes to co-op projects. Worms is the publisher’s most well-known property, but The Escapists and Alien Breed deserve honorable mentions. If asked to select a local co-op PC game to represent the developer’s portfolio, it is difficult to look beyond Overcooked! 2. Do not be fooled by its vibrant visuals and a tentative association with the party genre – Overcooked! 2 is a stressful restaurant sim.

Up to four players must step into a kitchen and keep the dishes rolling as orders pile up. Like the real deal, organization and teamwork are vital if chefs want to stay ahead of the curve, and they should also prepare for occasional bouts of frustration. Even when things reach a boil, Overcooked! 2 is still an absolute blast to play, and it is a perfect option for short sessions.

Lovers In A Dangerous Spacetime

Especially Perfect For Couples

Surviving space is always difficult, but having the right partners can make the process a bit less painful. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is a co-op game that really emphasizes communication and coordination. Players find themselves stuck in a spaceship that requires seven crew members to man all of its stations; unfortunately, at most, only four people are available. Consequently, players will have to regularly jump from station to station to try and keep things moving forward, an accomplishment that is easier said than done. Each station has its complexities, and they must all be properly managed if a successful and safe flight is to be achieved.

Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime can only be played in local co-op, although Steam’s remote play is an option as well. This decision makes sense because players need to maintain open lines of communication to ensure they coordinate their efforts well. Wasted movement is a death sentence, and this is one of those games that can test a few friendships.

Moving Out 2

A Multiverse Haul

One of the better co-op games of 2023, Moving Out 2 builds on the ideas of its predecessor and goes for broke in terms of its story. While playable solo, SMG’s project is undoubtedly intended to be enjoyed as part of a group, and the game is hard to recommend if someone plans to mostly play on their own. The premise is fairly straightforward: carry furniture. That’s largely it. Players have a moving service, one that is willing to take on most jobs regardless of their destination. Sometimes, that could mean traveling to another dimension.

With purposefully wonky physics and a strong sense of humor, Moving Out 2 can inspire laughter and frustration in equal measure, although the latter does not usually stick around for too long.

Helldivers Dive Harder Edition

Helldivers 2 Is Not The Only Game Worth Playing

Arrowhead knows a thing or two about co-op, and while most of the company’s projects are not necessarily amazing, they are decent additions to the multiplayer space. 2011’s Magicka is a solid adventure game that is only difficult to recommend because its sequel is superior; meanwhile, Gauntlet is a solid co-op dungeon crawler. The developer’s crowning achievement is undoubtedly Helldivers, a twin-stick shooter that pits humanity against three enemies in a gloriously over-the-top war.

Although the core gameplay is typical for the genre, the title gets most of the basics right, and it also includes a fun multiplayer option that expands its replayability. Supporting 4-player co-op (and friendly fire), Helldivers is at its best when a group of soldiers is taken on the Cyborgs or bugs. This allows the team to coordinate their load-outs, adding an element of strategy to the matches.

Helldivers 2
is an awesome co-op game, but it only supports online multiplayer.

Untitled Goose Game

Send An Idyllic British Village Into Chaos

On a random sunny day in an English town, all hell breaks loose when a goose (or geese) arrives on the scene. Untitled Goose Game offers silly, comedic fun, casting players as wild animals that are mainly driven by a desire to spread confusion across a town that is not prepared for these sorts of shenanigans. While working towards a shiny goal, the game largely leaves players to their own devices, allowing them to honk and steal to their hearts’ content.

Untitled Goose Game is a blast solo, especially since a playthrough should not last more than a couple of hours. Co-op does not change the core experience all that much, but it does ramp up the chaos sufficiently, making for an even more fun time. Either way, this title is an easy recommendation.

Children Of Morta

A Family Dungeon Crawler With Fantastic Combat

Once the campaign’s prologue is completed, Children of Morta opens up its local co-op option, permitting two players to take on the roguelite’s procedurally generated challenges. The Bergsons exist to protect the world, which generally involves taking on the many monstrosities that exist within Mount Morta. Initially, only two members of the family are playable, but the roster expands as players get further into the campaign.

While failure does reset progress in the dungeons, the game does not completely start over, and Children of Morta even has a story that develops in between runs. Each character has their own play styles, strengths, and weaknesses, which adds a wonderful dimension to co-op since players should try to complement each other.

Sea of Stars

A Great Single-Player RPG Is Updated To Become A Great Co-Op RPG

Gathering quite a lot of praise when it launched in 2023, Sea of Stars is an impressive indie darling that takes very obvious inspiration from classic JRPGs of the ’90s. Sabotage Studio put together an ambitious, gorgeous, and lengthy campaign that starts slow but builds up considerable momentum as it moves along. Considering the story revolves around dual protagonists and introduces a third-party member early on, co-op seemed like a fairly natural fit for the story; however, Sea of Stars did not launch with this component. Fortunately, in November 2024, Sabotage released a free update that, among other changes, added support for 3-player local co-op.

Controlling three different characters who are all visible on screen, Sea of Stars‘ co-op implementation is surprisingly robust, turning the campaign into a full-blown multiplayer experience rather than just an adventure with a main player and two guests. Whether this feature entices a revisit from people who already played through the story will vary from person to person, but a co-op run is certainly worth consideration for new players. Sea of Stars is quite long too.

DYO

Free Co-Op Steam Game For Puzzle Fans

Why spend money when great local co-op games are available for free? DYO is a relatively small title in the grand scheme of things, so it deserves a spotlight as there is a good chance many people have not heard of this 2018 release. It is also a must-play for puzzle fans who want something that challenges perspectives and rewards lateral thinking.

While a fantastic solo option, DYO is also a natural fit for co-op due to revolving around two characters and featuring split-screen as an actual mechanic. Players have to manipulate both halves to find the solution to a puzzle, allowing them to reach a stage’s end-point. The concept sounds simple on paper, but the puzzles become difficult surprisingly quickly.

Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes

An Interesting Take On A Co-Op Puzzle Game

Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is a party game with a high-stakes premise that could easily fuel the final act of a ’90s Hollywood blockbuster starring Steven Seagal. Essentially, the players are divided into two roles: one person has to defuse a bomb while being fed instructions by the rest of the group who have access to a manual. Naturally, the former must describe the bomb to the latter since they cannot view it, and the process is usually fairly complicated and intricate.

This setup creates an experience driven by frustration and laughter. It will test the group’s communication and listening skills through gameplay that should be accessible to most people, even those who might not be that familiar with gaming.

Stardew Valley

Brilliant Solo & Brilliant As A Co-Op Farming Sim

One of the most popular PC indie games of all time also happens to be a robust co-op split-screen package. Stardew Valley lets players live out their farming life, with a side of dungeon crawling. The base game is deep, expansive, and addictive; someone can only play solo and never feel like they are missing out on anything. However, Stardew Valley‘s co-op is well-executed as well.

After selecting “co-op” in the starting screen, players can decide to host or join a world. If they do the former, they will need to set up cabins for their guests, who will then act as farmhands. Even though they are not the “main” players, guests are able to do almost everything the host can.

Vampire Survivors

Popularized A New Genre & Still The Best In Class

Vampire Survivors is firmly established as one of Steam’s most popular games, and that will not change anytime soon. While not initially included, local co-op was added to the project in August 2023 to coincide with the release of the Switch version, and it was a great addition that elevated an already immaculate project. Up to four players can team up to take on the waves of enemies, with each one being allowed to pick from the available characters and weapons. In execution, co-op does not alter Vampire Survivors too significantly; however, it does tweak a few things ever so slightly to take advantage of the multiplayer element. If someone enjoys the single-player iteration, they will likely have fun with local co-op.

Like nearly every update released for the game, Poncle’s implementation of co-op was well-thought-out, with the developers even introducing a few options to reduce the frustration that might result from having multiple similar-looking playable characters on the field. That said, co-op is just a bonus rather than something that defines Vampire Survivors.

Resident Evil 5

Not The Best Resident Evil Game, But Arguably The Best Resident Evil Co-Op Game

In February 2023, Capcom released a PC patch for Resident Evil 5 that removed the defunct Games for Windows Live and added split-screen support. The latter has been available on consoles for more than a decade, but this update was still a nice and random surprise for people who might be interested in revisiting RE5‘s PC port. Although local co-op is not too uncommon, PC split-screen games are fairly rare, so any new (or old) projects that embrace the feature tend to conjure up some excitement.

Now, as an actual game, RE5 is a mixed bag. Set in West Africa, the title abandons any horror elements in favor of full-blown action. While not quite as ridiculously outlandish as Resident Evil 6, its predecessor is still basically a blockbuster in video game form. RE5‘s saving grace is its well-implemented co-op as the campaign was specifically intended to be experienced in this mode.

Warriors Games

Cathartic Hack And Slash Romps That Are Just Fun To Throw On

OK, Koei Tecmo’s Warriors games are the definition of an acquired taste. Some people find them cathartic and endlessly entertaining, while others find them shallow and boring. The same does extend to their co-op modes, which split the screen in two so that players can work together to clear a map. Co-op does not significantly alter the gameplay’s rhythm, but it does not diminish its strengths in any way either. Basically, if someone loves playing these solo, they will likely enjoy the co-op just as much or more so.

Now, there are many Warriors games on the market, be it Dynasty Warriors, Samurai Warriors, or the various Musou spin-offs. Most of the ones available on Steam support two-player co-op, and they are generally of similar quality. The main exceptions are Dynasty Warriors 9 and its Empires spin-off since they are among the weakest entries in the franchise. People looking for a place to start should go with either Samurai Warriors 5 or Dynasty Warriors 8, both of which represent Musou’s fast-paced hack and slash action at its finest. Anime fans might also want to try One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4, which can be really fun presuming someone is familiar with the source material.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

Smooth & Accessible Beat ‘Em Up That Is Great For Genre Veterans & Beginners

While nowhere near as popular today as during the ’90s, beat ’em up games arguably represent the ideal format for co-op. The genre is simply stacked with great multiplayer projects, and co-op is synonymous with beat ’em ups despite solo runs being generally viable as well. Even though most of the classics can be played on modern systems, their high difficulty and somewhat stiff controls can put off players who are taking their first steps into the genre; consequently, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge serves as the perfect gateway game.

A loving tribute to the franchise’s long history (in and out of gaming), the 2022 release blends retro visuals with modern sensibilities, delivering a fast-paced combat system that emphasizes mobility and combos. With 16 chapters that all end in a boss fight, the campaign can be completed in roughly 3 hours and does not have anything resembling a dull moment. The seven playable characters control differently and have unique abilities and combos, warranting repeat playthroughs. More importantly, six people can play alongside each other, and Shredder’s Revenge even has a few moves and mechanics designed around teamwork.

Streets Of Rage 4

A Hard Beat ‘Em Up Throwback To The Classics That Still Feels Modern

Shredder’s Revenge is the better co-op Steam game for players new to beat ’em ups; meanwhile, if someone is craving a modern project that sticks close to the arcade classics, Streets of Rage 4 will likely be more their speed. This belated sequel is ripped right out of the ’90s, just with far better visuals and a couple of tweaks. Like Sega’s original trilogy, Dotemu’s sequel focuses on explosive and slow action, challenging players to make every move count as defeat is always just a few mistakes away. Although easier than, for example, Streets of Rage 2, the fourth entry still packs a considerable punch, and things start to get difficult by the fifth stage.

Unsurprisingly, Streets of Rage 4 supports 4-player local co-op, allowing friends to clean up the streets as a unit rather than as a lone hero. This mode elevates an already fantastic game and highlights the varied and vast playable character roster, all of whom are unique beyond just having a few different moves.

Trine Games

A Consistently Great Co-Op Adventure Franchise

Frozenbyte’s Trine games are nearly all brilliant, with the only exception being the somewhat underwhelming third entry. Even then, The Artifacts of Power is still an above-average co-op experience. Each game follows a group of fantasy archetypes on a puzzle-platforming adventure.

Solo players can swap between the characters on the fly, and this is a core mechanic since puzzles require the use of the heroes’ unique abilities. In co-op, each player specializes in one of the characters as they come together to form a party ripped right out of D&D and classic fantasy stories.

All games’ campaigns support 3-player co-op; however,
Trine 4
‘s Unlimited Mode allows for a fourth person to join in.
Trine 5
also supports 4-player co-op for the campaign.

Lego Games

Family-Friendly Goodness With A Collecthaton Mentality & Plenty Of Humor

Similar to Trine, Lego games are always a reliable choice for local co-op. Traveller’s Tales has fine-tuned the general gameplay and expanded the scope with each new entry, but someone’s preference is likely to come down to their preferred license. While most of the franchise’s titles offer co-op, they do not all support split-screen; therefore, if two players are specifically interested in that feature, they should double-check it is supported before purchasing a Lego game.

Skywalker Saga gets the nod for being the most recent licensed Lego project and also Traveller’s Tales’ most ambitious project to date. The campaign goes through the main movies, delivering cliff-note versions of the stories while providing some room for exploration. Beyond these sections, Skywalker Saga includes open areas that can be explored relatively freely.

The following
Lego
games are also great and support
local co-op on Steam
(the list is not exhaustive):

• LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham
• LEGO DC Super-Villains
• LEGO Harry Potter Collection
• LEGO: The Incredibles
• LEGO The Lord of the Rings
• LEGO Marvel Super Heroes

Earth Defense Force 6

Protect The World Together

Earth Defense Force is one of those franchises that feels pointless to recommend or highlight. At this point, anyone interested in killing some bugs does not need to be sold on this series’ B-movie appeal, and one has to assume that the latest games mostly attract veteran players rather than new ones. EDF knows what it wants to be and mostly sticks to its strengths, with each project fine-tuning rather than (typically) reinventing the wheel. The sixth main entry is not an exception and will likely hit the mark with people who enjoyed the previous games.

While certainly fun solo, EDF 6 really shines in co-op, especially since the four available classes are all widely unique and tailor-made for different playstyles. Beyond that, the 100+ missions stick to a fairly straightforward and satisfying structure that nearly always revolves around killing everything that moves in all-out warfare against alien threats. Rough-ish visuals aside, EDF 6 has an impressive sense of scale.

Tales Of Vesperia: Definitive Edition

A JRPG Epic That Shines In Co-Op

While not included in every entry, Tales is generally a solid option for co-op JRPG goodness. Steam has Berseria and Zestiria, which both support 4-player local co-op, and they are pretty decent games in their own right (particularly the former, as the latter is quite polarizing); that said, Vesperia is arguably the best overall game in the series. Now, due to originally debuting in 2008, the combat is quite rudimentary compared to later entries and takes longer to pick up momentum, although it is still fast-paced, flashy, and generally fun.

Vesperia has arguably the best mix of story and characters in Tales, including by far the franchise’s strongest protagonist. That said, the campaign is a bit of a slow-burner and really picks up steam around the 10-15 hour mark. Although perfectly playable solo, Vesperia is far better in co-op due to the AI partners being far from reliable during battles.

Rotwood

Roguelike Beat ‘Em Up That Has Strong Foundations

Available in early access, Rotwood is already full of positives, even if it is still a work in progress that could use some fine-tuning. Except for Don’t Starve Together and Shank, Klei largely ignored co-op during the 2010s, opting to provide addictive single-player experiences like Oxygen Not Included and Mark of the Ninja. However, the developer has proved its multiplayer credentials, and they are on full display in Rotwood. Now, this beat ’em up game can be played solo, and it follows a fairly typical roguelike structure that is amplified by robust weapon and armor systems.

Although the core gameplay is more than enjoyable enough to stand its own, Rotwood shines far brighter when played with a group. The game utilizes over-the-top and stylish animation to create a symphony of destruction, and co-op amplifies the surreal mayhem while easing the exhaustion of repetition. Due to having barely any plot and progression mostly being tied to clearing biomes, solo runners might start to feel fatigued after a few sessions, especially if they are not that interested in trying out different builds. With a few friends, Rotwood becomes a fun action-party game.