The best co-op game is It Takes Two — a two-player adventure built from the ground up for co-op that has sold over 27 million copies and won 2021 Game of the Year. For a deeper campaign it is Baldur’s Gate 3, and for online action Helldivers 2 is the standout. Whether you want couch play, a long shared RPG or drop-in online chaos, there is a top pick below.
Below are the best co-op games ranked on quality, replay value and how well they play together, with release year, player count and type. The list spans couch classics and online staples through to Subnautica 2, which brought four-player co-op to the survival series in 2026.
The best co-op games, ranked
Ranked across every style as of 2026. “Players” is the co-op party size; “Type” marks the kind of game so you can match it to your group.
| # | Game | Year | Players | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | It Takes Two | 2021 | 2 | Co-op adventure |
| 2 | Baldur’s Gate 3 | 2023 | 4 | RPG |
| 3 | Helldivers 2 | 2024 | 4 | Online shooter |
| 4 | Portal 2 | 2011 | 2 | Puzzle |
| 5 | Left 4 Dead 2 | 2009 | 4 | Co-op shooter |
| 6 | Deep Rock Galactic | 2020 | 4 | Shooter / mining |
| 7 | Stardew Valley | 2018 | 8 | Farming sim |
| 8 | Minecraft | 2011 | 8+ | Sandbox |
| 9 | Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 | 2024 | 3 | Action shooter |
| 10 | Overcooked! 2 | 2018 | 4 | Party |
| 11 | Sea of Thieves | 2018 | 4 | Adventure |
| 12 | Divinity: Original Sin 2 | 2017 | 4 | RPG |
| 13 | A Way Out | 2018 | 2 | Co-op only |
| 14 | Monster Hunter Wilds | 2025 | 4 | Action RPG |
| 15 | PEAK | 2025 | 4 | Climbing survival |
| 16 | Subnautica 2 | 2026 | 4 | Survival |
Why co-op is thriving
Co-op has rarely been stronger. It Takes Two proved a full-length game built only for two players could win Game of the Year, Helldivers 2 became a breakout hit by nailing four-player drop-in chaos, and Space Marine 2 showed three-player squads can beat the usual four. The newest wave keeps the momentum going: PEAK turned a simple climb into a physics-driven group comedy, and Subnautica 2 added four-player co-op to a series that was famously solo.
The best games to play together
Four games that define co-op.
Baldur’s Gate 3 is as good with a party as it is solo — our best Baldur’s Gate 3 classes guide helps everyone pick a role before your first session. Several of these co-op staples are free-to-play or regularly discounted, which our best free PC games list rounds up.
Best co-op game by type
Straight to the top pick for how you and your group want to play.
| Type | Best pick |
|---|---|
| Couch / split-screen | It Takes Two / Overcooked! 2 |
| Online shooter | Helldivers 2 |
| Co-op RPG | Baldur’s Gate 3 |
| Survival | Subnautica 2 / Grounded 2 |
| Puzzle | Portal 2 |
| Sandbox / building | Minecraft |
| Two-player only | A Way Out |
| Horror | Phasmophobia |
If your group would rather compete than co-operate, the flip side is the battle-royale scene — our best battle royale games ranking covers the best squads-of-four options.
