Co-Op games are some of the most enjoyable indoor experiences people can have with friends. There aren't many better ways to spend quality time with friends and family than good co-op games. It can be an enriching experience for gamers to finish a co-op game with someone whose company they enjoy. Single-player games can be great fun with their storytelling and narrative-driven gameplay but co-op games are a completely different ballpark.
There are many run-of-the-mill co-op games out there that are based on generic objective-based gameplay, but some of the best ones feature unique and memorable gameplay mechanics that are specifically designed for cooperative gameplay mechanics that involve coordinated inputs from multiple players.
10 Splinter Cell Conviction
Splinter Cell Conviction is over a decade since its release and still lives up as a memorable and enjoyable action game. It was popularly praised for its thrilling single-player campaign, but it also had a brilliant co-op campaign with exciting stealth-action gameplay and an immersive story.
The game's co-op campaign features a storyline that precedes and sets up the events of the single-player campaign. Players get to play as Archer, a Fourth Echelon agent, and Kestrel, his Russian counterpart through a high-stakes mission behind enemy lines. There are also some interesting co-op game modes that players can play for fun.
9 Destiny 2
Destiny 2 is one of the most popular live-service co-op games even in 2022. It's among the go-to games for large groups of friends on weekends for a few hours of unfiltered fun. It's quite impressive that Destiny 2 still holds up in player count alongside newer and popular multiplayer games like Dota 2, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty.
What attracts so many players to Destiny 2 is an entire world filled with deep lore, exciting co-op modes that feature options for all kinds of players, and uniquely designed raids that can earn players rare rewards.
8 Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes
Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes is a game that found a lot of popularity during the pandemic and with good reason. It's a simple game that can be played on PC as well as mobile devices and can be a ton of fun.
The concept is pretty basic. The game offers a series of puzzles, in this case, bombs with different designs. A group of players must assign a diffuser. Instructions to defuse the bomb are shown to the group, who must convey the right set of instructions to defuse the bomb before the timer runs out.
7 A Way Out
A Way Out is an exciting Jailbreak simulator with a compelling story. The game is best enjoyed as a couch co-op because of its unique and immersive experience featuring multiple possible endings. Directed by Josef Fares, who also helmed successful co-op projects like Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons and It Takes Two, There's a lot this game has to offer.
A Way Out follows the story of Leo and Vincent, two convicts who work together and escape prison. The narrative is deeply emotional and tests the player's resolve as they must make difficult decisions to clear any obstacles that they may come across while the protagonists make their escape.
6 Phasmophobia
Among the most enjoyable group activities is watching horror movies together. So naturally, a horror video game in which multiple players can participate together is even better. And Phasmophobia is exactly that. A 4 player co-op that allows players to take on the role of a ghostbusters style gang whose job is to analyze paranormal activity in haunted houses.
In Phasmophobia, The players usually start out with a limited set of resources that they can buy using in-game currency earned from completing missions. They must use the instructions they're given about the ghost to make it reveal itself. Once they know what kind of ghost it is, they can leave the area.
5 Overcooked 2
Overcooked 2 is that kind of co-op game that can either make or break friendships. It's a fast-paced kitchen management co-op game where players need to be on their toes to deliver dishes to their customers without making mistakes.
The game is an over-the-top co-op puzzle with a unique and memorable level design that throws various obstacles at players as they desperately rush around to prepare incoming orders within the time limit.
4 Deep Rock Galactic
Deep Rock Galactic is one of those co-op games that make players wonder just how the developers managed to come up with such a gem. In terms of system requirements, this is a barebones video game that can run on almost every computer. But the brilliance of it is the complexity and depth to its gameplay mechanics and visuals.
It looks a lot like Minecraft, but the gameplay is completely unique. Players take control of up to four dwarves working for an intergalactic mining corporation. Their job is to travel to dangerous planets and mine rare resources using different tools. The game also features deep gameplay including unique classes of dwarves, different skill trees, and various different tools.
3 Cuphead
Cuphead is one of those games that turned into an instant cult classic upon release. It can easily be considered one of the most unique video games of all time, particularly because of its art style, Cuphead is a video game that looks like a classic cartoon from the 1960s. It's also an extremely challenging video game with difficult puzzles, tiring combat, and terrifyingly difficult boss fights.
Thankfully, that makes it a great reason to play the game as a couch co-op with a friend or family member. Players can take control of Cuphead and Mugman and progress through the game's levels together.
2 Don't Starve Together
Don't Starve Together is the co-op version of the cartoony survival horror, Don't Starve. The name says it all and it's a uniquely designed survival horror experience that players can enjoy with a group of friends. Don't Starve makes it a lonely single-player experience, and Don't Starve Together adds more elements to it thanks to a diverse roster of characters.
The characters are quirky, and each one brings something different to the table. Players must manage their resources and character abilities to survive in different maps that unleash unique horrors on the players.
1 It Takes Two
There are many brilliant co-op games out there but if there's one that takes the cake for being the greatest of them all, it has to be It Takes Two. Another gem of a co-op game by Josef Fares, It Takes Two enjoys the distinct privilege of being an indie co-op game that has won the Game of the Year Award at the 2021 Game Awards. It is every bit as magnificent as all the reviews make it out to be.
It's also one of the most enjoyable co-op games for couples. The game follows a married couple who are seeking a divorce but find themselves trapped in their daughter's dolls after breaking the news to her. Together, they must navigate a world full of dangers and obstacles as miniature dolls until they rediscover the spark that brought them together and become human again.