The Hardest Local Co-Op Games

Local co-op games are traditionally built with accessibility in mind, especially in the modern era. This casual approach to cooperative design ensures it’s easy to get groups together in order to play, but this often comes at the cost of real challenges.

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However, there are a variety of local co-op games, casual and not, that are able to offer some difficulty for more demanding players. From brutal roguelikes like Spelunky 2 to casual but chaotic party games such as Overcooked, there’s something here for all kinds of players.

8

TMNT Shredder’s Revenge (Arcade Mode)

An Accessible Beat ‘Em Up With Optional Arcade Challenge

Released

June 16, 2022

Developer(s)

Tribute Games Inc.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge plays like a classic arcade beat ’em up with a modern feel. The nostalgic pixel art, accessible controls, and loving homage to the source material make it an approachable adventure, but Shredder’s Revenge also features an arcade mode that requires a great deal more concentration to beat.

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As far as beat ’em ups go, Shredder’s Revenge remains accessible. However, playing on harder difficulties in Arcade Mode provides a considerable challenge. Best of all, the game can be enjoyed in up to six-player co-op.

7

Overcooked

Easy-To-Learn Gameplay Made Difficult Through Chaos

Released

August 2, 2016

Developer(s)

Ghost Town Games

Despite being a casual game, Overcooked is remarkably difficult to navigate amid the chaos of cooperative play. Accessible controls and cartoon graphics keep it approachable enough for larger groups, but achieving a high score in each level typically requires constant focus and efficient teamwork.

In the game, players must work together to prepare a variety of meals under constant time pressure, and teamwork is always necessary. This is because there are many tasks to accomplish in the kitchen, and every player must take on their own duties if they’re to be successful.

6

Barony

A Tough Cooperative Dungeon-Crawler

Barony

Systems

Released

April 4, 2015

Developer(s)

Turning Wheel

This first-person dungeon-crawling RPG with a roguelike structure that’s as punishing as any. This in itself makes the game fairly unforgiving, even in co-op, but it’s the abundance of deadly enemies and traps that make Barony’s dungeons so difficult to traverse.

Any run can meet a swift end after stumbling upon tumbling boulders or hidden spikes, and while this may be frustrating for some, it makes the experience remarkably tense. Furthermore, the old-school RPG approach and variety of classes to match ensures enough depth to remain engaging.

5

Vagante

A Dark Fantasy Roguelike RPG

Released

December 16, 2014

Similarly to games such as Spelunky 2, Vagante features a variety of deadly enemies and brutal traps that can put a swift and ultimately anti-climactic end to any given run. As a roguelike, Vagante is also naturally unforgiving, but its RPG elements, generous loot, and quiet atmosphere keep each run engaging.

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As a result, Vagante is a game that’s arguably fun in spite of its difficulty, rather than because of it. However, as with Spelunky, watching a run fall apart to deadly traps is much more fun to witness when playing with a friend.

4

Cuphead

A Cooperative Action Platformer With A Focus On Tough Boss Battles

Released

September 29, 2017

Developer(s)

Studio MDHR Entertainment Inc.

Cuphead is a brutal action platformer that’s easy to learn and hard to master. Featuring two-player co-op and a chaotic slew of challenging boss battles, Cuphead excels not only with its nostalgic art style but with its gameplay, too.

The boss-rush nature of the game and the variety within each combat encounter add a great deal of depth to an otherwise simple run-and-gun loop. However, as with many difficult games, losing in Cuphead stings a little less when playing in co-op.

3

Enter The Gungeon

A Skill-Based Bullet-Hell Roguelike

Released

April 5, 2016

Developer(s)

Dodge Roll

Enter The Gungeon is a top-down action roguelike with accessible controls, but its bullet-hell gameplay offers a steep learning curve. The low number of starting health points and challenging boss fights also leave little room for error, and taking too much damage throughout any given floor can have a detrimental knock-on effect.

As with many roguelikes, there’s an element of luck to Enter The Gungeon; while players can certainly win with skillful play, getting lucky with a powerful weapon drop certainly helps to speed things along. However, despite its challenges, Enter The Gungeon remains a fresh and engaging experience thanks to the diversity of its quirky weapons and the intensity of its action.

2

One Step From Eden

A High-Intensity Action Roguelike

Deckbuilding

Tower Defense

One Step From Eden is a unique roguelike deck-builder that features action-packed gameplay, allowing it to stand out in a heavily saturated genre. Combat takes place on a grid split down the center, with players taking the left and enemies taking the right, and this makes the process remarkably easy to read.

However, the chaos of its real-time combat requires constant input from players, tasking them with mashing out attacks and casting spells on the fly all while avoiding incoming strikes. The constant pace won’t be for everyone, but it offers a unique challenge layered with strategic deck-building gameplay.

1

Spelunky 2

An Accessible Roguelike With Punishing Hazards

Spelunky 2 is remarkably easy to learn, as its controls are tremendously simple and, for the most part, intuitive. However, this action roguelike is deceptively difficult, featuring plenty of opportunities for players to die in swift and unforgiving ways.

From accidentally falling off tall ledges and being overwhelmed by deadly creatures, to jumping onto unseen spikes in a bloody mess, there is danger around every corner. It’s not hard to play, but it’s certainly difficult to progress in Spelunky 2. Thankfully, though, playing with a friend makes the experience more hysterical than frustrating.

Released

September 15, 2020

Developer(s)

Mossmouth, BlitWorks