gaming
Brittany Vincent/ONE37pm
By: Brittany Vincent
Published Apr 8, 2022
It Takes Two is a delightful adventure that showcases the importance of love, teamwork, and the overall fun of solving puzzles with a friend. But what do you play after you’ve finished It Takes Two and watched the credits to the end? Well, that’s where this list comes in!
Below you’ll find an assortment of different cooperative experiences, some of which will pit you and your friends against hordes of enemies, puzzles, and anything else you can think of. There are plenty of cute, funny, and outright bloody, action games out there just waiting for you and your friends to dig right in.
So if you're ready to embark on a journey with friends or family, choose one of the games below and get going!
1. 'Sackboy: A Big Adventure'
The spirit of LittleBigPlanet returns on PS5 with Sackboy: A Big Adventure. This spinoff follows Sackboy as he takes part in a series of 3D platforming levels to explore a wide world made of various materials. This platformer is a jovial good time that not only allows for single-player adventuring, but Sumo Digital created a joyous time for up to four people to play together.
It may no longer feature the level creation tools LittleBigPlanet is known for, but at its core, it includes delightful level design and plenty to see and enjoy. Each area includes thematically unique levels to complete, in the vein of titles like Super Mario Odyssey or modern Crash Bandicoot games.
With plenty of collectibles to hoover up, the combination of music and exploration, and Sackboy's various costumes to uncover, Sackboy: A Big Adventure is an amalgam of everything we loved about LittleBigPlanet and more.
2. 'Diablo III: Eternal Collection'
Diablo is basically considered the gold standard for loot-dropping, demon-slaying entertainment ever since the first game debuted in 1996, and nothing has changed since then. We do have three entire Diablo games, however, and the latest is Diablo III.
It's been resurrected as a co-op-centric adventure that can support up to four players on the same system, with just one copy of the game required. It's Diablo demon-slaughtering on the go – what more could you want?
Being able to do this with friends at home or wherever you are is an even bigger boon, so if you're interested in hanging out while slaying enemies, this is the perfect way to do it.
3. 'Yoshi's Crafted World'
Yoshi's back for an all-new adventure on the Nintendo Switch. Everyone's favorite little green dinosaur is exploring his own hand-crafted world, where he can flip between the front and back of game stages. An entire island of Yoshi are at his beck and call, as well as his best pup Poochy. The Yoshi clan has to save their island's Sundream Stone from being stolen from the baddies Kamek and Baby Bowser.
In the middle of the tussle its gems fall of, scattering across various worlds. The Yoshis themselves are separated, too, which means you'll have to find them. Exploring a cool, craft-centric world will hold plenty of secrets and fun unlockables, but it's mostly cool to help out Yoshi – which you'll have tons of fun doing.
4. 'Borderlands 3'
Love loot? Love shooting things? Team up with a friend to collect plenty of goodies and take on the role of Vault Hunter in the zaniest Borderlands of them all. Zip from planet to planet in a bid to open up a mysterious vault that could hold some of the biggest treasures in the game's universe – and collect as many guns as you can possibly carry while you're at it. The psychos and bandits won’t know what hit them when you roll up with friends to tackle them and then pick over the loot from their fallen bodies. Just another day on Pandora.
5. 'Overcooked! 2'
Think you know a thing or two about cooking? Put that all out of your mind when playing Overcooked! 2, a game that will test your ability to multitask as well as your friendships. Players must trade off as they work to serve a variety of dishes to waiting customers between cooking dishes and cleaning them (and everything in between) throughout shifting cooking layouts and other frustrating obstacles. It’s all about working together, but sometimes that’s impossible when your kitchen is interrupted by streams of people or split in half by the sea.
6. 'Minecraft Dungeons'
Building off the loot-collecting genre that Blizzard’s Diablo games helped pioneer, Minecraft Dungeons is exactly what you’d expect from a Diablo-like title set within Minecraft’s blocky and delightful world. The game gives you a ton of enemies to fight, a ton of levels to explore, and even more loot to collect, making it a great way to introduce your friends to the joys of collecting as many weapons, armor sets, and other goodies, all while giving you access to a fantastical and enjoyable adventure you aren’t soon to forget.
7. 'Divinity: Original Sin Enhanced Edition'
Building off the mechanics that made RPGs of yesteryear so enjoyable, Divinity: Original Sin is like a blast from the past. We get that deep RPGs like this might not be for everyone, but if you’re looking for a game to play with your friends that keeps each of you in complete control of a character, allowing you to make lasting character choices, then you’ll find some of the most satisfying cooperative experiences in Larian Studios’ fantastical adventure.
8. 'Divinity: Original Sin II'
RPG fans looking for a great game to play with their friends can continue their adventures by digging into Larian Studios’ equally fantastic follow-up to Divinity: Original Sin. Divinity: Original Sin 2 builds off all of the great cooperative parts of the original, but expands it even more. Players can make choices, define conversations, and even completely sabotage their friend’s actions in one of the deepest cooperative RPG experiences out there.
9. 'We Were Here'
Unlike most cooperative games, which see you exploring levels with your friends, We Were Here offers a different and unique experience. While there are plenty of puzzles for you and your friends to solve, as well as a thrilling atmospheric environment to explore. You’ll need to work closely with your friend as you both try to escape an abandoned castle together. The kicker, though, is you’ll have to rely on talking to each other through walkie-talkies to coordinate and solve puzzles. It’s also just the first in a series of similar titles from the developer, so you’ll have even more to dig your teeth into in the future.
10. 'Portal 2'
Building off the addicting gameplay that made Valve’s original Portal so iconic, Portal 2 opens the door for two players to work together as they make their way through the Perpetual Testing Initiative. Teamwork isn’t optional here, either. You’ll need to rely heavily on your friends if you want to make it through the various puzzles and dangers that await you. Complete with two lovable robot protagonists, Portal 2 continues to be one of the defining cooperative experiences ten years after its original release.
11. 'Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons'
If you enjoyed the more emotional moments from It Takes Two, then Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is the perfect second course to sink your teeth into. In it, players can team up with a friend to navigate the various environments of the game, solve puzzles and work together. This emotional and delightful cooperative experience is also directed by Josef Fares, the mind behind It Takes Two. So, if you’re a fan of what Fares has created with It Takes Two, then Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons is one of the best cooperative follow-ups you’ll find.
12. 'Operation: Tango'
It takes two… to save the world! If you enjoy the limitations of only having each other’s voices to help you out, then Operation: Tango is another great cooperative game to check out. In this action-packed adventure, players take on the role of a Hacker or an Agent. You’ll then need to coordinate as you complete various missions to bring a "hi-tech global menace to its knees." The game also recently received a huge free content update, giving you even more missions to enjoy with your friend.
13. Come With Me
In Come With Me, two players will need to work together as they explore a puzzle-filled world. Each player character has its own perks, with one being large and bulky, while another is small and agile. Players will need to use asymmetrical abilities and collect memories across the planet to uncover the mystery of this delightful world. It’s a great cooperative experience, and one that showcases the strength of upcoming gaming developers as Come With Me was created as part of a graduate thesis for the University of Southern California, Interactive Media, and Game Divisions major.
14. 'Pitfall Planet'
Set on a distant mining world, Pitfall Planet sees two players taking on the role of a pair of astrobots that find themselves stranded on the planet. Separated from their ship, the pair must work together to solve puzzles and explore the various ruins of the planet, including subterranean caves, old mining ruins, and more. With a variety of levels awaiting you, Pitfall Planet is a delightful, and somewhat less emotional ride through the addicting and challenging puzzles you’ll see in other games like It Takes Two.
15. "Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime'
If you’re looking for something a bit more fast-paced, then look no further. Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime pits four players against the universe in frantic 1 to 4-player couch co-op action. In the game, players will need to work together to man turrets, lasers, shields, and thrusters, all while fighting back against the forces of Anti-Love. You’ll rescue kidnapped space bunnies, avoid dangerous vacuums, and explore deep space in this delightful and adrenaline-pumping adventure.
16. 'Haven'
While designed originally as a solo game, Haven also comes with a fantastic cooperative mode that sees two loves exploring a new planet together. In Haven, players escape to a forgotten world where they’ll need to settle down and come to terms with their new life. It’s an emotional rollercoaster filled with puzzles, crafting, and collecting precious resources so that the couple can make it through to the next day. This is by far one of the more emotional options on our list, but it’s something that It Takes Two players will thoroughly enjoy, especially with a close friend or partner.
17. 'Phogs!'
Looking for your next co-op fix and love physics games? In Phogs! players play as Red and Blue, a duo of dogs connected to each other. Think CatDog, but two dogs instead of a cat and a dog. It’s a delightful and silly adventure filled with tons of physics-based puzzles and obstacles. This game is a true test of your cooperative spirit, as you’ll need to work paw-in-paw to make it through all the puzzles and obstacles that await you.
18. 'Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury'
Super Mario 3D World won’t see you solving puzzles quite like some of the other cooperative games on this list. But, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of co-op potential to love here. Unlike puzzle games, Super Mario 3D World + Bowser’s Fury gives players a way to play with their friends while still being able to do their own thing. You’ll complete levels with up to four different players, all of whom can progress however they want to. In the end, you’ll tally up your score, and whoever has the highest score takes home the crown. It’s not cooperative in the usual sense, but it’s still a fun game to play with friends and thus worthy of being included on this list.
19. 'Kirby and the Forgotten Land'
Kirby and the Forgotten Land isn’t just the newest Kirby game to release, it’s also completely playable with a friend. You can start playing co-op right after the intro, and players will be able to invite a friend into couch co-op mode at any point. With co-op activated, player 1 will control everyone’s favorite pink blob, while player 2 takes on the role of a Bandana Waddle Dee. Together, you can explore the new levels and environments that the forgotten land has to offer, taking down enemies and unlocking new abilities along the way.
20. 'Monster Hunter Rise'
Love fighting massive monsters three times your size? Love exploring fantastical worlds with your friends? What if we said you could do both at the same time? Monster Hunter Rise is the latest entry in the Monster Hunter series and it brings hundreds of hours of exploration, combat, and teamwork to your favorite console. Team up with up to three of your friends, work with 14 different weapons, and do your best to hunt down some of the most fearsome creatures the gaming world has ever encountered.
21. 'Guacamelee!'
The world of Guacamelee! is filled with whacky enemies and levels to explore in a one-of-a-kind Metroidvania that’s sure to pull in any old-school gamers out there. With drop-in co-op gameplay, you can easily have friends join you as you make your way through this unforgettable adventure full of platforming action, powers, challenges, and a delightful Mexican-inspired world. While it isn’t the newest game on our list, Guacamelee! continues to be a delightful reminder of just how good Metroidvania's can be, especially when you throw your friends into the mix.
22. 'Rayman Legends'
Ubisoft’s Rayman series sees some of its best action in Rayman Legends. In it, players must work to save the Glade of Dreams from a mysterious evil. While you can play the game solo, the best experiences in the Rayman universe come with you teaming up with friends. That’s why Rayman Legends lets you team up with up to three other friends as you explore all of the games' 80+ levels. Co-op gameplay is also easy to jump in and out of, so you never have to worry about things getting whacky when a friend comes over and you’re in the middle of playing.
23. 'Gears 5'
The Gears of War franchise is well known for its action-packed and often bloody delightful gameplay, but all of that gets even better when you bring a friend along for the action. Like the previous titles in the series, Gears 5 allows players to bring a pal along for the ride as you play through the entirety of the game’s main campaign, unlocking the mystery of Kate Diaz’s past, and the crazy things happening to her now. Bringing a friend along means you’ll never have to face off against the hordes of enemies awaiting you alone, and it also means you’ll have someone to laugh with when you come up with a silly one-liner perfect for action games like this.
24. 'Unravel 2'
Building off the yarn-filled gameplay of the original, Unravel 2 puts players in control of two Yarnys as they explore the world and solve puzzles. It’s a fun romp through a beautiful world and one that you’ll find filled with the inspiration of real-world Scandinavian locations. Work together to solve puzzles, avoid the water, and experience a heartfelt story that will have you reaching for the tissue box at least once or twice.
25. 'Cuphead'
Calling back to the old days of fast-paced side-scrollers, Cuphead is a unique co-op journey you aren’t going to forget anytime soon. The gameplay and characters look like something pulled straight out of an old-timey cartoon, and those who relish a challenge will find themselves coming back to Cuphead’s delectable gameplay over and over again. Traverse strange worlds as the titular Cuphead and Mugman, as you acquire new weapons, take on whacky bosses, and unlock super moves, all while learning how to rely on your teammate through it all.
26. 'Terraria'
Originally released during the first wave of the Minecraft craze, Terraria takes all of the world-building freedom and crafting of Mojang’s hit and turns it on its head, by making it into a side-scrolling platform. The game has seen multiple updates over the years, giving players more bosses, weapons, and events to take part in. You can brave the world solo, or team up with a group of friends to create your own homesteads, gather NPCs, and take on some of the most intriguing bosses ever seen, like the bloody and disgusting Wall of Flesh.
27. 'Starbound'
Starbound takes a lot of cues from Terraria but then expands on it in a lot more ways. Mechs, spaceships, and a universe of randomly generated worlds await you as you explore the stars and complete the main storyline. You can team up with friends, teleport to their spaceships, and work together to explore new and unique environments, take down challenging enemies, and even build magnificent bases in this hit side-scrolling platformer. Just make sure you bring enough fuel to get back home.
28. 'A Way Out'
Before It Takes Two, Hazelight Studios and Josef Fares released A Way Out, a high-octane action story that follows two prisoners as they work to escape the confines of their life. It’s an action-filled, if not wonky-at-times journey. In it, players take on the role of two prisoners and will need to work together to solve puzzles while attempting to outrun the police chasing them down. This game laid a lot of the groundwork for It Takes Two brilliant cooperative systems, and while it can be a little wonky at times, it’s a fantastic addition to any co-op-lover’s library.
29. 'Tiny Tina's Wonderlands'
The latest game in Gearbox’s hit Borderlands franchise, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands combines the classic Borderlands looter shooter action with the fun and fantastical nature of a D&D game. Create your own character from the ground up, including your class, abilities, and overall look. Then, step foot into one of the craziest, most amusing adventures you’ll ever find in the gaming world. With tons of cooperative options, including the option to fight for loot with your friends, Tiny Tina’s Wonderland will keep you and your friends busy for hours.
30. 'Snipperclips: Cut It Out, Together!'
Playing around with construction paper can be fun in real life, but this Switch co-op puzzler took it to another level entirely. Bursting with colorful visuals and plenty of personality, it's a fun little study in trying things until they work. As the diminutive paper characters Snip or Clip, you've got to keep snipping away at your partner (and yourself) to solve each problem presented to you, whether that means being able to get a basketball through a hoop or reaching a distant item in the level. It may not be the simplest to figure out sometimes, but it'll have you and your partner entertained for hours.
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