Thanks to the Steam platform, there are tons of amazing games for PC players to purchase, download, and enjoy. The Steam Greenlight program is even helping indie developers push their products, giving players even more choices, with tons of games released on the service each month. Steam also makes it incredibly easy for players to join one another in games, thanks to the handy friends list and invite features.

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This makes the platform the perfect place for players to hop online and enjoy cooperative adventures together. There are tons of great co-op games on Steam to choose from, ranging from AAA releases to Indie darlings. To better point out some of the memorable cooperative adventures floating around the service, here's a look at some of the best co-op games on Steam and what players can expect from them.

Updated March 26, 2024: PC users looking for online co-op Steam games have plenty of options at their disposal, and they cover a wide range of genres and gameplay styles.

As local co-op has its own discussion, online co-op will take center stage for this article.

Helldivers 2

Steam User Rating: 68%

Helldivers 2 How to Play Rock, Paper, Scissors
Helldivers 2

Released
February 8, 2024
Developer(s)
Arrowhead Game Studios AB
Genre(s)
Shooter
Pros
  • 4-Player Online Co-Op

Helldivers 2 currently has server issues which are predicted to take a while to fix. This can make things difficult to get out of queues and into matches. Arrowhead's CEO even recommended that players tight on cash hold off on purchasing Helldivers 2 at the moment since they might not get a seamless experience.

When February 2024 started, few people would have predicted that the month's big game would be Helldivers 2 rather than Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League or Skull and Bones. The latter two titles both support co-op, although only Rocksteady's superhero project is on Steam. While not devoid of positives, Suicide Squad is the definition of a mixed bag, although it is better when played with a couple of friends. However, Helldivers 2 is on a whole other level, delivering one of the best multiplayer experiences of recent years. The original Helldivers is a great co-op game, but it operates on a far smaller scale than its successor, which significantly expands on the same general blueprint.

Boasting a tongue-in-cheek narrative and presentation, Helldivers 2 casts players as soldiers who are liberating the galaxy, one planet at a time. The community takes on this (not so) righteous battle as a unit, so it genuinely feels like a joint effort. Players can join randoms or play with friends, and while the latter generally leads to a superior experience, the former is also fine for the most part. Helldivers 2 handles co-op beautifully, but that would not matter if the actual gameplay was not addictive and fun. As it so happens, Arrowhead also crafted a brilliant third-person shooter that is both satisfying and challenging.

Baldur's Gate 3

Steam User Rating: 96%

A co-op party in Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3

Released
August 3, 2023
Developer(s)
Larian Studios
Genre(s)
RPG
Pros
  • 2-Player Local Co-Op
  • 4-Player Online Co-Op

A belated sequel to an all-time beloved RPG franchise created by a different developer who opted to change the core gameplay in a new direction, Baldur's Gate 3 needed to be near-perfect to avoid backlash. Somehow, Larian accomplished just that. After spending a few years in early access, Baldur's Gate 3 was finally released on Steam in August 2023, and it was everything most people could potentially want in a CRPG. For one, the game's character creator is deep and impacts the rest of the campaign, meaning the first few decisions players make have consequences. This foreshadows the rest of the experience since player choice is a huge part of this Dungeons and Dragons adventure.

Baldur's Gate 3 went down as one of the best single-player RPGs of 2023, and the same can be said for co-op. Friends can jump into each other's campaigns, and they are largely left to their own devices in how they interact with the world. While groups can decide to do everything as a unit, they can also spend considerable time apart as they focus on different things.

Palworld

Steam User Rating: 93%

palworld multiple players
Palworld

Released
January 19, 2024
Developer(s)
Pocket Pair, Inc.
Genre(s)
Open-World , Shooter , Survival
Pros
  • 4-Player Online Co-Op

Launching into early access on January 19, 2024, Palworld instantly took the gaming world by storm, cracking the million-player count on Steam. It is safe to say that Pocket Pair's open-world survival game with monster-collection and shooter elements is a resounding success, and the project is still a work in progress. While the latter fact might discourage some folks from taking the plunge, the current version is hardly lacking in content, although some aspects are rough around the edges and mechanics could change as the weeks and months roll by.

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Still, Palworld is an impressive achievement by any metric, and it manages to cover various genres and concepts without buckling under the weight of its ambition. While not especially punishing, the game's survival elements are handled fairly well, especially the building and crafting. The gunplay is not that big of a focus and takes a while to open up, but the action is exciting whenever it takes center stage. The monster-taming element attracted the most attention before Palworld's debut, and the project succeeds in taking ideas from staples like Pokemon while still carving out a unique identity.

The game is largely presented as a solo experience, and anyone who decides to stick to their own worlds will not feel like they are missing out on a large part of the overall package. However, Palworld also supports multiplayer in the form of 4-player co-op, along with servers that allow for 32 players at a time. While showcasing the game's early access status due to its somewhat uneven implementation, this component nevertheless adds another dimension, permitting players to work together to craft bases and head out on exploitative adventures as a unit.

Ready Or Not

Steam User Rating: 90%

clearing the parking area in Ready or Not's Greased Palms mission
Ready or Not

Released
December 13, 2023
Developer(s)
Void Interactive
Genre(s)
Tactical , FPS
Pros
  • 5-Player Online Co-Op

Void Interactive’s Ready or Not spent roughly two years in early access before officially launching in December 2023, and that time was not wasted. As members of a SWAT unit, players can tackle more than 15 maps, each of which is well-designed and fairly large for this type of shooter. While the gunplay is great, Ready or Not is very much intended to be tactical rather than a twitch shooter, and the game encourages teams to coordinate their movements to ensure maximum success (and a great score). The enemy AI can be quite aggressive and intelligent too, so just going in guns blazing with no thought will result in poor returns.

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Ready or Not features a single-player option that teams players up with AI characters, but this exchange robs the gameplay of its sophistication. As such, this release is only worth recommending to people who plan to play online multiplayer with friends. For those who are struggling to piece together a full squad, they should try reaching out to the community through Discord or Reddit. The game has a relatively big playerbase, so it should not be impossible to find a few people to play with.

Roboquest

Steam User Rating: 95%

Roboquest gameplay
Roboquest

Released
November 7, 2023
Developer
RyseUp Studios
Genre(s)
Roguelite , FPS
Pros
  • 2-Player Online Co-Op

A roguelite that is fun solo or with a partner, Roboquest is the perfect FPS to throw on for a quick 30-minute session. Focusing on high-octane run n’ gun action akin to something like Doom, albeit much less visually gory, runs consist of arena-style levels that throw wave after wave of enemies at players.

While defeat means returning to base, Roboquest opts against a full reset by incorporating permanent upgrades, along with unlockables such as different robots. Co-op is fairly straightforward and does not change the core gameplay loop in any significant way, but it works well.

Sons Of The Forest

Steam User Rating: 86%

SonsOfTheForestGPSLocatorPurpleIcons
Sons of the Forest

Released
February 22, 2024
Developer(s)
Endnight Games
Genre(s)
Survival
Pros
  • 8-Player Online Co-Op

Endnight Games introduced its wildly popular horror survival game, The Forest, back in 2014. Now, almost ten years later, the studio is back with a new adventure in Sons of the Forest. This sequel features all the same gameplay elements that fans enjoyed in the first release with a handful of surprises thrown throughout. The title is currently in Early Access, but developers are adamant about adding tons of new content over the coming months, with countdown timers that outline subsequent patches and releases.

Although Sons of the Forest can be played solo, it's an absolute blast to play with friends. Similar to the original game, players can build their own bases, traps, and defenses, and explore areas with friends.

The Outlast Trials

Steam User Rating: 93%

A player getting attacked in The Outlast Trials
The Outlast Trials

Released
March 5, 2024
Developer(s)
Red Barrels
Genre(s)
Survival Horror
Pros
  • 4-Player Online Co-Op

Red Barrels' Outlast is well-cemented as a modern horror staple, even if the games can be divisive. Taking a single-player franchise in a multiplayer direction will always attract doubt from the fanbase as it comes with a significant risk of undermining the IP's core appeal. Although not without issues, The Outlast Trials serves as an admirable example of how to execute this shift without gutting everything that came before.

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Playable solo but designed with 4-player co-op in mind, The Outlast Trials challenges players with completing experiments within self-contained maps. The latter zones are structured similarly to the classic areas in the previous Outlast games, albeit with the objectives being generalized rather than story-driven. Just to be clear, the game still has a story and adds important lore to the franchise as a whole; however, the runs themselves are fairly light in this area. The maps are all atmospheric, creepy, and well-designed, and they are littered with horrifying monstrosities that live up to Outlast's horror reputation.

Stardew Valley

Steam User Rating: 98%

stardew-valley-farmers
Stardew Valley

Released
February 26, 2016
Developer(s)
ConcernedApe
Genre(s)
RPG , Simulation
Pros
  • 4-Player Local Co-Op
  • 4-Player Online Co-Op

One of the best Indie releases ever made, Stardew Valley actually has a pretty fun and robust cooperative mode. Up to four players can band together to build their own farm, though it is important to note that one player will be the "owner" and the others will work as farmhands.

This means that players will be forced to wait for the owner to be online in order to continue their journey and their characters will be saved to that player's specific world. Still, there are many unique features in multiplayer, like the ability for each player to marry their own NPC and the ability to build additional player housing (via cabins) onto the farm property. Players can even track and complete quests on their own.

For The King

Steam User Rating: 88%

best-multiplayer-rpgs-for-the-king
For The King

Released
April 19, 2018
Developer(s)
Ironoak Games
Genre(s)
RPG
Pros
  • 3-Player Local Co-Op
  • 3-Player Online Co-Op

Turn-based RPGs are a ton of fun, but they're even more entertaining with friends as proven by For the King. This multiplayer cooperative (up to 3 players at the same time) story-driven adventure sees players choosing a class and then setting out to battle enemies, make decisions, and uncover lore.

There are tons of areas to explore and battles to engage in, with each player taking their own turn in both the Overworld and during a fight. Players can unlock new abilities by swapping weapons and will have to make a series of dice-roll decisions that can strengthen or weaken their character over time.

For the King 2's launch has been a bit of a mixed bag, but the sequel is also on Steam and, obviously, supports co-op.

Remnant 2

Steam User Rating: 83%

remnant 2 coop
Remnant 2

Released
July 25, 2023
Developer(s)
Gunfire Games
Genre(s)
Soulslike , Third-Person Shooter
Pros
  • 3-Player Online Co-Op

Gunfire Games has sought to bless the world with third-person shooter Soulslikes. While not the only developer to accept this worthy challenge, Gunfire is the most notable, with both Remnant: From the Ashes and its sequel garnering predominantly praise. Released in 2019, the former was a great proof of concept, but Remnant 2 is bigger and better. The 2023 release offers way more (unlockable) classes and build options, superior and more nuanced combat, and far more diverse locations, all the while still incorporating procedurally generated elements like its predecessor.

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Both games support 3-player co-op, and this is undoubtedly the best way to experience Remnant. Players are encouraged to create balanced teams from the available archetypes, all of which have unique strengths and weaknesses that allow them to slip into specific roles. While playable solo, the dungeons are designed to be tackled by a group of players, and they will need to work together well if they want to survive the game's challenges, particularly on its highest difficulties.

Monster Hunter World Or Rise

Steam User Rating: 88% (World) & 81% (Rise)


  • Monster Hunter World Monster Hunter Rise
    Released2018-01-262021-03-26
    Developer(s)CapcomCapcom
    Genre(s)Action RPGAction, RPG

Monster Hunter World and Rise both support online co-op, and there is not a huge difference in quality between them. Consequently, newcomers should just go with their gut instinct and pick the game that looks the most enticing to them, although they should try to pick up a version that includes each title's respective expansion, both of which are better than the base content. Despite being the newer release, Rise looks somewhat worse than World since it originally launched on the Nintendo Switch, and its maps are generally smaller than its predecessor's offerings. Nevertheless, Rise is well-rounded and awesome, all the while being the most accessible entry in Capcom's franchise.

Both games allow up to four players to go on hunts together, and their combat loops are fundamentally identical. However, World's co-op implementation is slightly more peculiar since it requires the host player to summon hunters during quests, resulting in a process that is not as seamless as the version in Rise. That said, it is not complicated, just unnecessary. During the harder hunts, co-op makes a notable difference in battle, and the feature should extend the game's replayability since it helps reduce the grind's exhaustion.

Overcooked! 2

Steam User Rating: 90%

Overcooked! 2 - multiplayer in mine level with circular rotating tables
Overcooked 2

Released
August 7, 2018
Developer(s)
Team17 , Ghost Town Games
Genre(s)
Simulation
Pros
  • 4-Player Local Co-Op
  • 4-Player Online Co-Op

Players looking for a puzzle, strategy, and skill-based challenge should definitely check out Overcooked! 2. What starts out as a deceptively simple cooking game soon devolves into madness, and it takes quite a bit of teamwork to do well in the later levels. Players will need to work together, tossing each other ingredients and ensuring they use the right cooking stations in order to get meals out to hungry customers.

Each level has a star-based system and players can earn more stars by performing better. It can be quite challenging and is a ton of fun, featuring up to four players racing around a wide variety of strange kitchen settings.

Grounded

Steam User Rating: 89%

Working Together Grounded
Grounded

Released
September 27, 2022
Developer(s)
Obsidian Entertainment
Genre(s)
Survival Horror , RPG
Pros
  • 4-Player Online Co-Op

Obsidian's Grounded is a charming take on the survival genre that is perfect for both solo players and groups. After being shrunk down to ant size, four children find themselves trapped in a backyard that has its own ecosystem ruled by different insect societies. While reversing their stature is important, the characters have more pressing matters to attend to, including setting up a base that will hopefully be able to keep them safe from the many threats that exist in this familiar but creative world.

In theory, the survival genre seems like a better fit for single-player projects since the lack of support heightens the challenge; however, Grounded serves as a prime example that adding a few companions can reveal a new dimension to the overall package. Unsurprisingly, the writing is consistently witty and endearing, even though the game does not emphasize its main story all that much. The gameplay and mechanics are relatively typical for the survival genre, but they are executed well and regularly expanded upon.

Phasmophobia

Steam User Rating: 96%

Phasmophobia-1
Phasmophobia

Released
September 18, 2020
Developer(s)
Kinetic Games
Genre(s)
Survival Horror
Pros
  • 4-Player Online Co-Op

Those looking for something that will really scare their socks off should consider trying out Phasmophobia. In this Indie release, players must enter locations and gather paranormal evidence using a variety of tools. What starts out as a seemingly routine exploration soon turns to chaos as players realize that the spirits they are investigating are hostile. Phasmophobia is dark, gritty, and can be downright terrifying, especially when played in VR.

Players can bring friends along to help cut through the fear and tension and many of the game mechanics offer up a great opportunity for cooperative play as players will need to work together and communicate to make it out of each location alive. In terms of the horror genre, Phasmophobia is comfortably among the best Steam co-op games​​​​​​.

It Takes Two

Steam User Rating: 95%

Cody and May running through their garden with pots stacked in the background in It Takes Two
It Takes Two

Released
March 26, 2021
Developer(s)
Hazelight Studios
Genre(s)
Action , Adventure
Pros
  • 2-Player Local Co-Op
  • 2-Player Online Co-Op

Anyone looking for a fun and engrossing cooperative experience needs to put It Takes Two at the top of their list. This release, from the same studio that created A Way Out, is a masterpiece of cooperative gaming. Not only is the story engrossing, but the art style is also fantastic, and the gameplay is addictive. Players will have to support one another on their journey through It Takes Two's action-and-puzzle-filled chapters.

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No matter which character they pick, players will constantly switch back and forth between a leadership and support role, spending time in the limelight before helping to accentuate and elevate their partner. It's a beautifully balanced release that shows how incredible a good cooperative multiplayer experience can be.

Crab Champions

Steam User Rating: 98%

crab champions
Crab Champions

Released
April 1, 2023
Developer
Noisestorm Limited
Genre(s)
Roguelike , Third-Person Shooter
Pros
  • 4-Player Online Co-Op

Crab Champions is a third-person shooter featuring crabs. This description might make it sound like a joke game, but that would be a disservice to the quality on display here. In early access, Noisestorm has been updating the base game at a fairly consistent rate, releasing patches that either add new content or improve things like balancing. Consequently, Crab Champions will continue to improve over the following months and possibly years, which is exciting since the current version is already great.

Crab Champions absolutely nails its movement; in fact, an argument could be made that it is one of the most smooth and fluid third-person shooters on the market. While the gameplay loop gets repetitive after a while, the core mechanics are so enjoyable that they can carry the load. The game is a blast as a solo experience, and it is only enhanced when a few friends are brought along for the ride.

Terraria

Steam User Rating: 97%

Terraria The Goblin Invasion
Terraria

Released
May 16, 2011
Developer(s)
Re-Logic
Genre(s)
Action , Adventure , Sandbox
Pros
  • 8-Player Online Co-Op

Although many would consider Minecraft as the defacto building, crafting, and survival game, there are some who would argue that Terraria is just as, if not more, engaging. This release ditches the 3D blocky aesthetic in favor of a pixelated, 2D side-scrolling adventure. Like Minecraft, Terraria's worlds are procedurally generated, so no two playthroughs will ever feel the same. Those craving something a bit more difficult than a traditional Minecraft session can turn to Terraria for a much more in-depth combat system, as well as an array of difficult bosses that will have the player fighting, grinding, and exploring for better gear.

Terraria can be a blast alone, but it's even better with friends. Players are free to tackle the entirety of Terraria as a coop pair or even in a group.

Left 4 Dead 2

Steam User Rating: 97%

left 4 dead 2 gameplay chainsaw
Left 4 Dead 2

Released
November 17, 2009
Developer(s)
Valve
Genre(s)
Shooter
Pros
  • 2-Player Local Co-Op
  • 4-Player Online Co-Op

Although Turtle Rock Studios recently released Back 4 Blood, a game influenced by its original Left 4 Dead release, there are still many players flocking to Left 4 Dead 2 to get their zombie-fighting fix. This is because Left 4 Dead 2 has been a phenomenal part of the cooperative scene ever since it hit store shelves back in 2009. It's a bit of an upgrade from the original release while still maintaining all the core gameplay elements that made it such a fantastic experience. The end result is a sequel that is engaging, fast-paced, hectic, and immensely fun.

Left 4 Dead 2 can be experienced alone with AI partners, but it's much more fun via cooperative play. With so much mod support and even custom campaigns, players who are just hopping into Left 4 Dead 2 will find tons of content to explore with their friends.

Valheim

Steam User Rating: 95%

laying a trap in valheim
Valheim

Released
February 2, 2021
Developer(s)
Iron Gate AB
Genre(s)
Sandbox , Survival
Pros
  • 10-Player Online Co-Op

Another difficult-yet-rewarding release, Valheim is an Indie smash-hit that has players taking over the role of a Viking. To survive, new adventurers will need to construct shelter, craft weapons, and collect materials to fasten armor and other tools. Similar to The Forest and its sequel, players will find themselves weak and helpless at the start, as they're forced to avoid or tangle with some pretty difficult enemies.

Valheim is a bit more "Dark Souls-like" in its combat approach, and players will need to learn enemy attack patterns and behaviors in order to defeat most of them. There are even some imposing bosses to take down. The best part is that players can bring a friend along, to make the journey a bit easier.

Don't Starve Together

Steam User Rating: 95%

don't starve together sanity
Don't Starve Together

Released
December 15, 2014
Developer(s)
Klei Entertainment
Genre(s)
Survival
Pros
  • 6-Player Online Co-Op

Don't Starve was another Indie release that took the gaming world by storm, quickly developing a cult following thanks to its punishing game world, seemingly unfair mechanics, and alluring storybook-like art style. Played from a top-down perspective, players will have to survive by foraging for food and other items while building shelters and avoiding an array of deadly monsters found in each procedurally generated playthrough.

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Don't Starve Together lets players experience all the struggles found in the original release with a group, helping one another to survive by picking from a series of interesting characters, each with their own abilities and stats.

Payday 2

Steam User Rating: 89%

Popular Games on Steam - PAYDAY 2 - Player attacks enemies with his squad
Payday 2

Released
August 13, 2013
Developer(s)
Overkill Software
Genre(s)
FPS
Pros
  • 4-Player Online Co-Op

Those who enjoy heisting their way through Grand Theft Auto 5 and GTA Online will find a lot to love with Payday 2. This release takes the heist concept and crafts an entire release around it, giving groups of players access to an array of missions, bank jobs, and other types of heists to complete. Players will need to keep a level head as they attempt to avoid guards, disable security cameras, take hostages, and perform other heist tasks while avoiding capture.

What makes Payday 2 so engaging is that players can complete missions in a variety of ways. Sometimes they'll need to attack things from a stealthy perspective, and sometimes they can run in guns blazing. There are also an array of character types and special abilities that players can unlock as they play.

Payday 3 launched on September 21, 2023.

Killing Floor 2

Steam User Rating: 89%

Killing Floor 2 - Field Medic - Player heals team with a medic grenade
Killing Floor 2

Released
November 18, 2016
Genre(s)
FPS , Survival Horror
Pros
  • 6-Player Online Co-Op

Tripwire's Killing Floor 2 has had a longer-than-most shelf life. While not quite as popular as Valve's own zombie co-op shooter, the game has maintained a decent playerbase on Steam, and it is frequently on sale for dirt cheap. Technically, Killing Floor 2 can be played solo, but it is not recommended nor particularly enjoyable; as such, this is one title that should be played alongside a few other people. Wave-based levels are not unusual for the genre, but it is a tried and tested structure and formula that can provide accessible and constant thrills when executed well. Killing Floor 2 proves as much, and the game has more to offer than just an enjoyable loop.

The title's classes are arguably the game's highlight, as the Perks all bring something fresh to the plate. Testing different team configurations adds a great deal of replayability, and each class can be leveled up to expand its abilities. Killing Floor 2 implements these light RPG elements well, and their inclusion elevates what could have otherwise been a fun but forgettable shooter.

Sea Of Thieves

Steam User Rating: 90%

Sea of Thieves Season 8
Sea of Thieves

Released
March 20, 2018
Developer(s)
Rare
Genre(s)
Adventure
Pros
  • 4-Player Online Co-Op

When it set sail in 2018, Rare's high-seas project hit immediate rough waters; however, the game managed to weather that storm to come out on the other side. Now, more than 5 years later, Sea of Thieves is firmly established as a cornerstone of the online scene that can satisfy both co-op and PvP fans, along with the occasional lone pirate. While not devoid of direction, Rare designed the game to encourage players to seek out their own adventures, which is generally easier to do when part of a crew.

Even if it is not narratively dense, Sea of Thieves is still stuffed with content and objectives. There are missions, tall tales, factions, treasure hunts, and timed events to keep players engaged; more importantly, a crew can simply spend their days exploring the sandbox and embracing whatever comes their way, be it a Kraken or another pirate ship.

Barotrauma

Steam User Rating: 93%

barotrauma crew
Barotrauma

Released
March 13, 2023
Developer
Undertow Games, FakeFish Games
Genre(s)
Survival Horror
Pros
  • 16-Player Online Co-Op

Barotrauma drops players in a submarine that is exploring the depths of an alien ocean, one crawling with entities far scarier than a Great White Shark. Along with a campaign catering to solo players, Barotrauma has two modes designed specifically with co-op in mind, and they arguably showcase the game at its peak.

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In the latter options, Barotrauma players take charge of individual roles in the submarine, each of which has a crucial part to play in a mission's success and the crew's general survival. Even when surrounded by friends, the game manages to still be excruciatingly stressful, in the best possible way.

Risk Of Rain 2

Steam User Rating: 96%

Risk Of Rain 2 gameplay
Risk of Rain 2

Released
September 11, 2020
Developer(s)
Hopoo Games
Genre(s)
Third-Person Shooter , Roguelike
Pros
  • 4-Player Online Co-Op

After creating something special with 2013's Risk of Rain, Hopoo Games repeated the feat with its sequel. A third-person shooter, Risk of Rain 2 is more ambitious and bigger than its predecessor, but they are undoubtedly cut from the same cloth. After picking a class, players are dropped in fairly open levels where they must work their way toward an escape point, a process that involves blasting armies of enemies and collecting all sorts of loot. The latter is Risk of Rain 2's main focus, as the game loves to deck players out in all sorts of empowering gear that will make them feel like they could take on the world without breaking a sweat (although, they will eventually break out in hives as they meet enemies beyond their capabilities).

As a single-player experience, Risk of Rain 2 is an absolute blast and well worth a recommendation. As a co-op roguelike, the game ranks among the best on Steam. Risk of Rain 2's class system adds an element of strategy to multiplayer since players are incentivized to work as a unit rather than four individuals who just happen to be in proximity of each other. It should be noted that players need to unlock the different classes, but that process is entertaining in its own right.

Lethal Company

Steam User Rating: 97%

Two players
Lethal Company

Released
October 23, 2023
Developer(s)
Zeekerss
Genre(s)
Horror
Pros
  • 4-Player Online Co-Op

Every month, Steam seems to produce a couple of early access games that take the world by storm, and Lethal Company won this lottery in October 2023. Supporting four-player co-op, the first-person horror game revolves around visiting moons that happen to have a few wayward creatures running around. The goal is to explore the area, collect loot to satisfy the company's quota, and make it out alive. Basically, the concept is very similar to an extraction shooter, albeit without the shooter part.

Even though solo runs are possible, Lethal Company really emphasizes teamwork, to the point that someone can stay on the ship to monitor the moon and guide the rest of the group to safety. While still a work in progress, Lethal Company already executes its premise well, and the progressively growing quota provides replay value. The game can also be genuinely intense and terrifying.

Portal 2

Steam User Rating: 98%

Portal 2 GLaDOS
Portal 2

Released
April 18, 2011
Developer(s)
Valve
Genre(s)
Puzzle , Platformer
Pros
  • 2-Player Local Co-Op
  • 2-Player Online Co-Op

Pairs of players looking for a great puzzle game should put Portal 2 at the top of their list. Although this release has a great single-player campaign, it also features a robust cooperative storyline that stands as its own adventure. Players will control one of two bots and be subject to a variety of GLaDOS' seemingly sinister portal-based tests. This is a fantastic puzzle game and a great use of Portal's unique gameplay mechanics. The cooperative play is well-thought-out and will force players to work together to escape each room.

Portal 2 is a game that all players should check out at least once and the cooperative experience makes it even better.

Deep Rock Galactic

Steam User Rating: 97%

Deep Rock Galactic - Deepcore GK2 - Player attacks creatures with an assault rifle
Deep Rock Galactic

Released
May 13, 2020
Developer(s)
Ghost Ship Games
Genre(s)
FPS
Pros
  • 2-Player Local Co-Op
  • 2-Player Online Co-Op

Deep Rock Galactic puts players in the shoes of a resource collection team as they're sent off on an array of missions to collect minerals and other valuable items. In this futuristic and campy first-person shooter, players will need to band together as one of four different classes in order to ensure that each mission goes off without a hitch, checking certain tasks off their to-do list like collecting a specific amount of resources, defending a specific area, or subduing certain threats.

Deep Rock Galactic is a great FPS, offering a challenge at higher levels while simultaneously promoting a fun and funny environment.

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