Best PS2 Co-Op Games With Great Stories, Ranked

Many players have fond memories of bygone days when co-op on a single screen was a fixture in video games, often in split-screen form. Teaming up with a friend and tackling enemies together, or competing with one another for bragging rights, enjoying a game together in the same room in co-op multiplayer is one of the most fun experiences players can have in gaming.

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Sony’s juggernaut PlayStation 2 is full of excellent multiplayer games. Some of these titles even feature excellent stories that players can savor simultaneously. It’s something that’s largely been lost today with multiplayer mostly found online, but anyone with access to Sony’s second home console can still appreciate these enriching adventures with a second player, ranked here by their general popularity and story quality.

10

Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks

Departure From A Traditional Arcade Fighter

Systems

Released

September 19, 2005

Publisher(s)

Midway Games

Probably the best spin-off in the Mortal Kombat series and departing from the regular one-on-one arcade fights, Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks is a more narrative-focused beat-em-up. A surprisingly deep re-telling of acclaimed arcade fighter Mortal Kombat 2, players control Liu Kang and Kung Lao as they hunt down and attempt to defeat the evil sorcerer, Shang Tsung.

The story is full of twists and turns, giving more context to the tournament, and playing in co-op mode, or ‘Ko-op’ as it is called, in the true Mortal Kombat style, gives access to hidden areas and treasures. Fan favorite characters, Scorpion and Sub-Zero, can be unlocked to use in the campaign, and there are even some puzzle-solving elements.

9

The Warriors

Beat-Em-Up Like In The Movie

The Warriors

Action-Adventure

Beat ‘Em Up

Systems

Released

October 17, 2005

Developer(s)

Rockstar Toronto
, Rockstar Leeds

Based on the classic film of the same name, The Warriors stays true to the plot, but with extra chapters set three months beforehand, which give some great context that matches the tone of the popular film. There are myriad playable characters to choose from, including the eponymous gang themselves, many of whom feature the original actor’s voice, reprising their roles.

After being framed for murder, the Warriors must travel across New York City to their safe haven, Coney Island, meeting hostile and very fashion-coordinated rival gangs along the way. Being a beat-em-up, combat is mainly melee, and when playing in co-op, the screen dynamically changes from split-screen to single-screen depending on player proximity.

8

The Sims

Simulate Life Together

While not exactly a “story” in the traditional sense, the PS2 port of The Sims offers a simulation of life, from living with Mom right through to getting married and having children, in the ‘Get a Life’ game mode. Small snippets of text give plot prompts, but otherwise, the players have complete control over their sim’s own unique story.

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From the third level onwards, a second player may join in split-screen action, taking control of the main sim’s roommate, and in later levels, they can control the spouse and children. While the actual plot points may be few and far between, it’s still a story about the ups and downs of life, balancing one’s career with personal happiness, and it’s best enjoyed with a friend in co-op.

7

Star Wars Battlefront 2

Team Up Or Battle For Space Supremacy

Star Wars: Battlefront 2 (2005)

Systems

Released

November 1, 2005

Developer(s)

Pandemic Studios

There are two great stories to play together in Star Wars Battlefront 2, called ‘Rise of the Republic’ and ‘Galactic Conquest’. The former is the more traditional campaign, featuring cutscenes and narrative from the perspective of a soldier in the 501st Legion, charting the Empire’s rise from the Battle of Geonosis and ending with the Battle of Hoth.

The latter is a story crafted by the players themselves, either working together or as enemies, as they attempt to gradually take control of the galaxy. This is achieved through space battles and by conquering planets. Both modes are excellent in their own right, and particularly enjoyable in split-screen.

6

Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance

Fantasy Role-Playing With A Friend

A spin-off of the original Baldur’s Gate series, itself set in the ‘Forgotten Realms’ campaign of Dungeons & Dragons, Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance is a fantasy RPG. Choosing from three playable characters, players can tackle the campaign cooperatively on a single screen, which encourages effective teamwork and communication.

Though the story is relatively short, it takes a linear approach with a main quest full of shady conspiracies and an enthralling plot. It’s highly replayable and there are plenty of side quests for players to enjoy. There is also a slightly competitive edge to the co-op gameplay, given that the player who finishes off an enemy or finds loot gets a higher share of the prizes.

5

Champions Of Norrath

Four Player Fantasy

Champions of Norrath

Systems

Released

February 10, 2004

Utilizing the same game engine as Baldur’s Gate: Dark Alliance, Champions of Norrath is also a fantasy RPG with hack-and-slash combat. The main story is told across five acts and is typical of the genre, playing as a character on a quest to save the world, but up to four players can enjoy this great story together, either locally or via online co-op.

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Taking place in the EverQuest universe, players are tasked with assisting the Elves in their war against the coalition of orcs and goblins but are dragged into a deeper mystery with a satisfying conclusion. The variety of races and appearance options means that characters are highly customizable, and there is a plethora of options for combat styles.

4

Half-Life

Exclusive PS2 Co-op Campaign

Systems

Released

November 19, 1998

Publisher(s)

Sierra Studios

Released several years after the PC original, the PlayStation 2 port of Half-Life features an exclusive co-op multiplayer campaign called Half-Life: Decay. Naturally, the classic campaign controlling Gordon Freeman is regarded by most as the better overall package, but there is plenty to enjoy in Decay.

Taking control of two female scientists working at the Black Mesa Research Facility in this alternate version of the story, players must solve clever puzzles, assist friendly non-player characters, and blast their way through familiar foes like headcrabs. The overall goal is to stabilize the facility after the Xen invasion, taking place concurrently with Gordon Freeman’s story.

3

TimeSplitters: Future Perfect

Pair Up And Travel Through Time

Fans of the series will endlessly debate which campaign is best in the TimeSplitters trilogy, and many feel that TimeSplitters: Future Perfect is the best, especially for a multiplayer playthrough. Either way, this series is full of blasting action for two players, following the adventures of time-traveling 25th-century marine Sergeant Cortez.

Traveling back and forth to the past in order to save the future, the story of Future Perfect is full of humor and charm. Venturing to six different time periods in an effort to defeat the evil Jacob Crow, and with plenty of mind-bending time-based shenanigans, this entry sticks in mind long after completion.

2

The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King

Hack And Slash With A Friend

Systems

Released

October 31, 2003

Developer(s)

EA Redwood Shores

Publisher(s)

Electronic Arts

Based on Peter Jackson’s epic film of the same name, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is widely regarded as one of the best movie tie-in games ever. Improvements in this entry include more expansive and open levels than its predecessor, as well as interactive objects used as weapons or for completing objectives.

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Featuring nine playable characters, some of which need to be unlocked, the campaign is best experienced in co-op. The campaign follows the film quite accurately, even expanding on some sections effectively, and opting for a shared screen approach makes the game more cinematic, drawing parallels with the source material.

1

Ico

Unique Masterpiece

Systems

Released

September 24, 2001

Publisher(s)

Sony Computer Entertainment

Opting for a minimalist approach, Ico stands as proof that sometimes simpler is better. The developers really stripped back gameplay, the game world, and art style in order to focus more on immersion and the rich story, where players take control of Ico in his attempts to save Yorda from the Queen, who is using the Princess to extend her own life.

Players must complete the game one time alone, thus unlocking the co-op campaign, where the second player controls Princess Yorda. While the Princess has very little to do, it’s still an excellent experience and one that was unique in its time. Winner of multiple ‘Game of the Year’ awards, Ico has been extremely influential and is a commonly cited example of video games being art.

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