Best Co-Op Games to Play With Friends Right Now

Our top pick for the best co-op game to play with friends right now is It Takes Two. It delivers a wildly creative, constantly changing two-player adventure that demands teamwork and communication, and it’s polished enough to appeal to both casual and dedicated gamers. No other game on the market right now offers this level of inventive co-op design in a single package.

What to Look For

When choosing a co-op game, the most important criteria are how well it supports your group size (2, 3, or 4+), whether it offers online or local play (or both), and the type of experience you want—story-driven, competitive, or sandbox. Also consider the learning curve: some games are pick-up-and-play, while others require a significant time investment. Finally, check cross-platform support if your friends are on different systems, and look for games that scale difficulty or have forgiving mechanics so everyone can enjoy the session.

It Takes Two

Strengths: A masterpiece of co-op design, this game forces both players to work together with unique mechanics that change every level. It has a touching (and funny) story about a couple fixing their marriage, and it supports both online and local split-screen play. The game is available on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.

Trade-offs: It’s strictly two-player only, and some levels require precise platforming that can frustrate less experienced players. The story deals with mature themes, so it’s not ideal for young kids.

Who it suits: Best for a duo (romantic partner, sibling, or best friend) who wants a memorable, story-driven adventure with a lot of variety.

Overcooked! 2

Strengths: The ultimate party co-op game for 2-4 players. It’s chaotic, hilarious, and easy to learn but hard to master. You’ll be chopping, cooking, and serving in increasingly absurd kitchens (on moving trucks, in volcanoes). It supports local and online play, and the DLC adds even more levels.

Trade-offs: It can cause real-life arguments (the ‘Overcooked effect’ is real), and the later levels are brutally difficult, requiring near-perfect coordination. It’s not a relaxing game.

Who it suits: Perfect for groups of 3-4 friends who enjoy a challenge and don’t mind yelling at each other in a fun way. Great for parties.

Deep Rock Galactic

Strengths: A fantastic 4-player cooperative shooter where you play as space dwarves mining for resources on alien planets. The class system encourages teamwork (Engineer builds platforms, Scout lights up caves), and the procedural cave generation keeps every mission fresh. It’s available on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, with full cross-play.

Trade-offs: The initial learning curve is steep, and some missions can feel repetitive after many hours. It’s more about the loop than a deep story.

Who it suits: Ideal for groups of 3-4 friends who love shooters, want a cooperative challenge, and enjoy a sense of progression and unlocking new gear.

Lethal Company

Strengths: A horror-comedy co-op game for up to 4 players where you scavenge abandoned moons for scrap while avoiding terrifying monsters. It’s incredibly tense and hilarious, with proximity voice chat making the scares even better. It’s a huge hit on PC and is also available on Xbox.

Trade-offs: It’s a bit janky (early access feel), and the fear factor might be too much for some. The game is short on content, but it’s highly replayable with friends.

Who it suits: Best for friends who enjoy a good scare and a good laugh in equal measure. Ideal for 3-4 players who want a unique, memorable experience.

Grounded

Strengths: A survival game where you’re shrunk to the size of an ant in a suburban backyard. It supports up to 4 players online, and the base-building, crafting, and combat against giant insects are all well-executed. It has a compelling story and a beautiful, detailed world.

Trade-offs: It’s a big time commitment, and the survival mechanics can be punishing early on. It’s not a quick pick-up-and-play game.

Who it suits: Great for groups of 2-4 friends who enjoy survival crafting games like Minecraft or Valheim, but with a more focused goal and a unique setting.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection

Strengths: If you want classic co-op, this is a massive value. It includes six Halo games, all playable in 2-player co-op (up to 4 on PC for some titles) online. It’s a legendary series with tight shooting and memorable moments, and the collection is available on PC and Xbox with cross-play.

Trade-offs: The older games feel dated in some ways (graphics, mechanics), and the co-op campaign is strictly limited to 2 players on console for most titles. It’s not new, but it’s still great.

Who it suits: Perfect for friends who grew up with Halo or want a solid, classic shooter to play through together. Best for duos.

How to Choose

Budget: If you’re on a tight budget, look at games like Deep Rock Galactic or Lethal Company that are frequently on sale, or consider Game Pass (PC and Xbox) which includes many co-op titles. Overcooked! 2 is also often discounted. It Takes Two is a premium price, but it’s a one-time purchase for two players (only one person needs to buy it, and the friend can play free via Friend’s Pass).

Use case: For a quick session (30-60 minutes), go with Overcooked! 2 or Lethal Company. For a longer, story-driven experience, pick It Takes Two or Grounded. For a competitive but cooperative shooter, Deep Rock Galactic or Halo are excellent.

Common trade-offs: The biggest trade-off is between story and replayability. It Takes Two is a one-and-done (but amazing) experience, while Deep Rock Galactic and Grounded offer hundreds of hours. Also consider the player count: if you have 3 friends, Overcooked! 2 and Deep Rock Galactic are better than It Takes Two.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I play these games with friends online?
A: Yes, all of the games listed support online co-op. Overcooked! 2, Deep Rock Galactic, Lethal Company, and Grounded all have online multiplayer. It Takes Two also has online play with a Friend’s Pass, and Halo: MCC supports online co-op.

Q: Which game is best for 2 players?
A: It Takes Two is the best for 2 players, as it’s designed exclusively for that. Halo: MCC is also great for a duo.

Q: Are there any free co-op games?
A: Yes, there are free-to-play options like Fortnite (co-op missions), Warframe, and Destiny 2 (some co-op activities), but they are not on this list because they are either not purely co-op or have pay-to-win elements. For a premium experience, the games above are worth the cost.

Q: Do any of these games support cross-play?
A: Yes, Deep Rock Galactic supports cross-play between PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. Halo: MCC supports cross-play between PC and Xbox. Grounded also supports cross-play across PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. Overcooked! 2 has cross-play on some platforms, but it’s not universal, so check the specific platforms.

Q: Which game is the most casual?
A: Overcooked! 2 is the most casual in terms of controls, but it’s also very stressful. For a more relaxed experience, Grounded on easy difficulty or Halo on easy are good choices.

Q: Are there any co-op games for 4+ players?
A: Deep Rock Galactic and Lethal Company are both for up to 4 players. Overcooked! 2 also supports up to 4 players. For 5+ players, you might need to look at games like Minecraft or Among Us, but those are not on this list.

Bottom Line

For the absolute best co-op experience right now, It Takes Two is the clear winner if you have a dedicated partner. If you have a group of 3-4 friends, Deep Rock Galactic offers the best balance of teamwork, fun, and replayability. And for a quick, hilarious party game, Overcooked! 2 is unbeatable. Consider your group size and how much time you have, and you can’t go wrong with any of these picks.

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