Even though more has opened up compared to the initial spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, things aren't perfect. Vaccine distribution isn't global, and even the United States has not reached total inoculation (only 60.9 percent of the US population is fully vaccinated as of December 13, 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Among the many things this situation has highlighted, one of the most meaningful is how much people have missed coming together both for mundane and important events.
Co-op games have been one means of staying connected through these trying times, with games like 2020's Animal Crossing: New Horizons becoming immensely successful. This year has had its share of cooperative titles more focused on coming together than battling one another, some of which have caught the attention of the industry at large. This list has been ordered alphabetically by game title.
Gloomhaven
Isaac Childres' board game Gloomhaven came out to widespread acclaim in 2017, leading to multiple expansions and a sequel, Frosthaven, which became Kickstarter's most successful board game project in 2020. A digital Early Access version was released in July 2019 that officially launched this October. In its fully polished state, Gloomhaven digital is a beautifully realized title that lets up to four players tackle roguelike, procedurally generated missions in a tactical RPG coat - like playing Dungeons and Dragons anytime without the need for a dedicated dungeon master.
It Takes Two
Of all the co-op titles released in 2021, It Takes Two likely needs no introduction. As a follow-up to Hazelight Studios' A Way Out, It Takes Two continues its legacy of adventures built with two-player cooperation in mind. The game follows Cody and May as they're going through a divorce that devastates their daughter Rose, who accidentally traps them in a pair of dolls.
Playing It Takes Two is like an interactive therapy session set in mundane locales that are made vividly imaginative with a sort of magical funhouse mirror. Its narrative and environmental storytelling are top-notch, made even better by a rotating set of mechanics that never grow dull. It Takes Two won Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2021 for good reason; director Josef Fares and his team deserve all the accolades they've received.
KeyWe
KeyWe is an indie puzzle game taking inspiration from old Rare titles, Terry Pratchett novels, and more. Its conceit is simple: Two players are a pair of kiwi birds named Jeff and Debra who run a post office under increasingly difficult conditions. Developer Stonewheat and Sons is made up of just three people, and its debut venture suggests this team is worth watching.
Monster Hunter Rise
Monster Hunter has always been a successful franchise, but 2018's Monster Hunter World skyrocketed its popularity. After that tested the waters of open-world area design on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Monster Hunter Rise became a smash hit for Switch. All the usual conventions of four players coming together to hunt powerful beasts using a variety of weapons are intact. However, this is enhanced by new additions like Wirebugs and the rideable canine Palamute that offer an unprecedented sense of mobility.
Rise is also a technical marvel, serving as a beautiful game with strong Internet connectivity on a system often criticized for its performance. This is in no small part thanks to Capcom's RE Engine, which will no doubt serve the game well as it releases on PC next year before players get their hands on its Sunbreak expansion.
Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury
While Super Mario 3D World was already a fantastic co-op experience on Wii U, that console's failure to launch means it has a brighter spotlight on Switch - particularly after Super Mario Odyssey proved Nintendo isn't ready to abandon its 3D sandbox formula. The newer add-on game Bowser's Fury has more limited co-op features, but that doesn't stop the main game from being a lovely romp through the Sprixie Kingdom with up to three friends taking on roles in the classic Super Mario cast (now on the go).
The Ascent
Cyberpunk worlds are increasingly popular settings for games, and The Ascent creates a beautiful rendition for up to four players to explore while taking on its isometric twin-stick shooting (even if Neon Giant did come under fire for its handling of Asian iconography). The Ascent released on Xbox Game Pass in July, so subscribers can easily try it out now with their friends.
The Dark Pictures Anthology: House of Ashes
Horror is a more communal genre than some may imagine based on images of watching something alone in the dark. Movie franchises like Halloween, Friday the 13th, and A Nightmare on Elm Street have huge communities devoted to dissecting their contents, so Supermassive Games was smart to capitalize on this with co-op modes in its Dark Pictures Anthology series.
As these games are essentially playable horror movies, letting groups of friends control different characters and decide their fates is a compelling hook. The third entry in this anthology, House of Ashes, distinguishes itself with a mix of Lovecraftian horror and Indiana Jones adventure tropes that open up a unique, haunting atmosphere all its own.
Unsighted
In the landscape of AAA games with inconceivable budgets, it can be easy to overlook smaller passion projects. Unsighted is one indie game worth breaking through the static. Made by two trans women from Brazil, Unsighted is an expansive top-down Metroidvania with solid combat, player build customization, and a dynamic narrative that alters the world and NPCs in real-time. It's got a beautifully detailed pixel art aesthetic and can fully be experienced in co-op, making Unsighted a steal at just $20.
Valheim
Many multiplayer games have become breakout hits on streaming platforms and social media amid the ongoing pandemic, with 2020 characterized by titles like Among Us and Phasmophobia. Valheim is a similar case for 2021, with the Viking-themed survival game attracting a huge audience. Though PvP elements exist, Valheim players can work together to find shelter, kill mythological beasts, and build ridiculously complex projects ala Minecraft, such as a recreation of Lord of the Rings' Helm's Deep.
WarioWare: Get It Together!
Nintendo's WarioWare franchise may get more love than Wario Land and other spin-offs starring the greedy anti-hero, but new entries aren't common. Luckily, WarioWare: Get It Together! was largely seen as a triumph. Its returning microgame formula is enhanced by a gimmick of choosing which member of the cast to use - all coming with unique abilities. These microgames can also be played cooperatively with everyone maining their favorite characters, making it hard not to have a good time.
Source: CDC