Best Games Like Halo: Co-Op Sci-Fi Shooters

The top pick for a Halo-like co-op sci-fi shooter is Gears 5 (with the Hivebusters DLC). It delivers a tight, cover-based campaign that plays great in 3-player co-op, has a satisfying arcade feel, and its Horde mode scratches the same “drop in, fight waves, upgrade” itch that Firefight did. It’s not a perfect match for Halo’s sandbox, but it’s the most complete package of story, co-op, and sci-fi atmosphere.

What to Look For

When you’re hunting for a Halo alternative, the criteria that matter most are:

• Co-op campaign length and structure: Halo’s campaign is a linear, level-based romp you can drop into at any time. Look for games that offer full campaign co-op (not just a few missions) and let you join mid-mission.
• Sci-fi setting and art style: Halo’s blend of sleek UNSC tech, alien architecture, and cosmic horror is distinctive. Games with a similar “military sci-fi” feel—plasma weapons, alien races, epic backdrops—will feel more familiar.
• Shooting feel and sandbox: Halo is known for its “30 seconds of fun” combat loop: two weapons, a grenade, and a melee. Look for games with strong gunplay, a variety of enemy types, and a mix of precision and power weapons.
• Difficulty and accessibility: Halo has a great difficulty curve, from casual to Legendary. A good alternative should offer adjustable difficulty and not punish you for playing co-op (e.g., no friendly fire, no shared health pool).
• Matchmaking vs. friends-only: If you want to play with strangers, check if the game has matchmaking for campaign. If you only play with friends, that’s less important.

Top Alternatives to Halo

Gears 5 (with Hivebusters)

Strengths: The campaign is designed for co-op (up to 3 players) with a clear mission structure. The shooting is chunky and satisfying, and the “active reload” mechanic adds a nice layer of skill. Horde mode is a fantastic wave-based survival that can be played solo or co-op, and it has a deep class system that keeps it fresh. The Hivebusters DLC is a standalone, more focused campaign that feels like a classic Halo mission set.

Trade-offs: It’s cover-based, so it’s slower than Halo’s arena-style combat. The story is more grounded and gritty, less “ancient alien” and more “human vs. humanoid.” Some players find the open-world sections in the main campaign a bit padded.

Who it’s for: Players who want a polished, modern co-op shooter with a strong sci-fi aesthetic and a robust co-op suite (campaign + Horde). It’s the closest thing to a “Halo for the modern era” in terms of sheer quality.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection (MCC)

Strengths: It’s literally Halo. You get Halo 1-4, Reach, and ODST, all with full co-op (up to 4 players), matchmaking, and the classic sandbox. The PC version has excellent mouse-and-keyboard support, and it includes the Forge mode and custom games. It’s the definitive way to play the original co-op sci-fi shooter.

Trade-offs: It’s not a new game. The graphics are dated in the earlier titles (though the remastered versions help). The AI and physics are from a different era, so it can feel clunky if you’re used to modern shooters. Also, the community is more focused on multiplayer than campaign co-op.

Who it’s for: Anyone who hasn’t played the originals, or anyone who wants to revisit them with friends. It’s the most direct answer to “I want more Halo.”

Destiny 2

Strengths: It’s a looter-shooter set in a sci-fi universe with tight gunplay that feels similar to Halo (Bungie made it). The co-op is seamless—you can team up with 2 other players for strikes, dungeons, and the main campaign. The buildcrafting (subclasses, armor mods) gives you a sense of progression that Halo lacks. The free-to-play base game is a good entry point.

Trade-offs: It’s a live-service game, so content gets vaulted (removed) over time. The campaign is not as focused or cinematic as Halo’s; it’s more about running missions repeatedly for loot. The endgame dungeons and raids require communication and are not drop-in friendly. Also, it’s not a pure shooter—you have abilities with cooldowns.

Who it’s for: Players who want a long-term co-op game with a strong sci-fi vibe and don’t mind the MMO-lite mechanics. It’s great if you want to play with a regular group.

Deep Rock Galactic

Strengths: It’s a 4-player co-op shooter where you play as space dwarves mining on alien planets. The class system (Gunner, Scout, Engineer, Driller) creates excellent teamwork dynamics. The procedural cave generation means no two missions are the same. It’s a pure co-op experience—no PvP, no matchmaking for randoms (you can host or join). The difficulty scaling is great, and it has a friendly community.

Trade-offs: It’s not a military sci-fi shooter; it’s more of a “mining and shooting” game. The enemies are bugs, not aliens with plasma rifles. The humor is more goofy than epic. The progression is about unlocking new weapons and upgrades, not a deep story.

Who it’s for: Players who want a challenging, team-based co-op shooter with a sci-fi theme and don’t need a serious narrative. It’s perfect for a group of friends who want to “just play.”

Borderlands 3

Strengths: It’s a co-op looter-shooter with a cel-shaded sci-fi art style. The campaign is long and can be played entirely in co-op (up to 4 players). The gun variety is insane—there are millions of possible weapons. The skill trees allow for distinct character builds. It’s more lighthearted than Halo, but the shooting is solid and the co-op is seamless.

Trade-offs: The story and humor are divisive (some find them annoying). The enemy AI is not as smart as Halo’s. The game is more about stats and loot than pure skill. It can be overwhelming with the amount of loot and numbers.

Who it’s for: Players who want a long, co-op campaign with a lot of replayability and don’t mind a more cartoonish, loot-driven approach.

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide

Strengths: It’s a 4-player co-op horde shooter set in the grimdark sci-fi universe of Warhammer 40k. The melee combat is visceral, and the gunplay is weighty. The atmosphere is oppressive and intense, which is a nice change from Halo’s more hopeful tone. The class system (Veteran, Zealot, Psyker, Ogryn) encourages teamwork. It has a strong “one more run” feel.

Trade-offs: It’s mission-based, not a campaign with a story. The progression is tied to gear score and crafting, which can be grindy. It’s very difficult, especially on higher difficulties, and requires good coordination. It’s not a game you can play casually.

Who it’s for: Players who want a challenging, intense co-op shooter with a dark sci-fi setting and don’t mind a lack of narrative.

How to Choose

Start with your budget. If you want to spend nothing, Destiny 2 (free-to-play base) or Halo: MCC (if you have Game Pass) are the best options. If you’re willing to pay, Gears 5 is the best premium pick.

Consider your group size. For 2 players, Gears 5 (3-player) or Halo: MCC (4-player) are great. For 3-4 players, Deep Rock Galactic and Borderlands 3 shine. For a 2-player experience, Destiny 2 works, but the endgame is better with 3.

Think about the gameplay loop. Do you want a linear campaign with a story? Gears 5 or Halo: MCC. Do you want a game you can sink hundreds of hours into? Destiny 2 or Borderlands 3. Do you want a pure co-op challenge with no PvP? Deep Rock Galactic or Darktide.

Trade-offs to keep in mind: Looter-shooters (Destiny, Borderlands) require grinding for loot, which can be a turn-off if you just want to shoot aliens. Horde shooters (Darktide, Gears Horde) are stressful and require constant focus. Linear campaigns (Gears, Halo) are shorter but more polished.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a game exactly like Halo’s co-op campaign?

No, but Gears 5 is the closest in terms of campaign structure and co-op quality. Halo: MCC is the only game that is literally Halo.

Can I play these with random players online?

Most of them have matchmaking for co-op. Halo: MCC and Destiny 2 have robust matchmaking for campaign and strikes. Gears 5 has matchmaking for Horde and Escape, but campaign co-op is friend-only (you can’t join random campaigns). Deep Rock Galactic and Darktide have matchmaking for missions.

Which game has the best story?

If you want a story, Gears 5 (especially Hivebusters) and Halo: MCC are the strongest. Destiny 2 has lore, but the main campaign is weak.

Are these games good for casual players?

Halo: MCC and Borderlands 3 are the most casual-friendly. Darktide and Deep Rock Galactic can be punishing on higher difficulties.

Do I need to play previous games in the series?

For Gears 5, you can jump in, but you’ll miss some story context. For Destiny 2, the base game is new-player friendly, but the lore is deep. Halo: MCC is a collection, so you start from the beginning. Borderlands 3 is standalone. Deep Rock Galactic and Darktide have no story connections.

Which game has the most replay value?

Destiny 2 and Borderlands 3 have endless replayability due to loot and builds. Deep Rock Galactic has procedural missions. Gears 5 Horde mode is also very replayable.

Bottom Line

If you want the most Halo-like experience, start with Halo: The Master Chief Collection—it’s the real thing. If you want a modern, fresh co-op shooter that captures the same spirit, go with Gears 5. For a long-term co-op investment, Destiny 2 is a solid choice. And if you want a pure co-op challenge with friends, Deep Rock Galactic is a hidden gem. All of these will give you hours of sci-fi shooting with friends.

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