Whether you’re on PC, PlayStation, or Xbox, you can team up. So grab a buddy, pick a game, and get ready to make some memories (and possibly shout in triumph or defeat). Let’s explore the top 10 co-op games you should check out as of August 2025!
1. Diablo 4 - Hell of a Good Time Slaying Together
If “slaying demons side by side” sounds like a great Friday night, Diablo 4 has you covered. This action RPG is essentially a loot-filled dungeon crawl where you and up to three friends hack, slash, and spellcast your way through hordes of monsters. Thanks to full crossplay support, you can team up across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox without a hitch. Imagine a spooky treasure hunt where every defeat of a demon lord showers you with shiny new gear - that’s the addictive loop here. The game’s world (Sanctuary) is dark, gothic, and gorgeous, and it’s much more fun to brave its dangers with a friend watching your back. With each of you rolling a different character class, you can pull off wild combos together - picture a rogue laying traps while a sorcerer zaps enemies in the bottleneck you created. It’s the kind of monster-mashing party where teamwork isn’t just encouraged, it’s often the difference between glorious victory and getting flattened by a boss named Lilith. In short, Diablo 4 turns demon slaying into a social event, one legendary loot drop at a time.
2. Baldur’s Gate 3 - D&D-Style Adventure, Now With Friends
Ever wanted to play Dungeon Master and hero at the same time? Baldur’s Gate 3 is basically a grand Dungeons & Dragons campaign brought to life - and yes, you can bring your friends along for the ride. This epic RPG doesn’t limit you to solo play; in fact, it supports up to four players cooperatively, either online or on the couch (split-screen). Together, you’ll forge a party of custom characters (or take on the story as iconic characters from the game) and venture through a sprawling fantasy world full of tough decisions and tactical turn-based battles. The beauty of BG3 in co-op is how it handles choice: when a big moral decision pops up in dialogue, you and your buddy need to agree on a course of action - it’s like a multiplayer “choose your own adventure” where you might debate whether to be angelic heroes or absolute troublemakers. One moment you’re strategizing together in a tough fight (“You take the high ground and rain arrows, I’ll sneak around and shove the boss off a cliff!”), and the next you’re laughing as one friend’s wild idea actually works (yes, you can set that barrel on fire to blast enemies - a trick the game fully allows). With rich storytelling and reactive world mechanics, Baldur’s Gate 3 in co-op feels like a true tabletop adventure - the kind where everyone contributes to the story. Pro tip: only the host’s story choices count for the main plot, but half the fun is discussing (or arguing about) what to do next. If you’re looking for a deep, immersive game to sink dozens of hours into together, this is the one. (And don’t worry, it’s on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S now, so no one’s left out.).
3. It Takes Two - The Ultimate Co-Op Couple’s Therapy
This game’s title says it all: cannot be played alone. It’s a clever two-player only adventure about a clashing couple magically turned into dolls, forced to collaborate to find their way back to human form - talk about relationship counseling via gaming! Think of it as a Pixar-like story meets a co-op obstacle course. You and your friend (or significant other) control the pair, and every level throws you both into wildly different gameplay challenges that require . One moment you’re fending off a vacuum cleaner boss (maybe a metaphor for sucking at communication?) and the next you’re navigating a fantastical toolbox, with one player hammering nails in place while the other swings on them. The genius here is that each player has unique abilities that complement the other’s - you absolutely have to coordinate, because progress only happens when you . The tone is lighthearted and often hilarious, with a zany anthropomorphic love book named Dr. Hakim guiding you (and sometimes trolling you). By the end, you’ll be high-fiving at how in sync your teamwork has become. As an added bonus, thanks to a Friend’s Pass system - your buddy can play for free as your invited partner. Available on PC and all consoles, is the perfect co-op pick if you want a game that’s equal parts heartwarming story, inventive gameplay, and pure cooperative joy. Just be prepared: you might catch yourself saying “Wait, do while I do !” a lot, and grinning from ear to ear when your plan comes together.
4. Portal 2 - Two Brains Are Better Than One (Science Says So)
Sometimes you and your friend want to test how well your minds mesh, and Portal 2 is the ultimate trial by fire (or rather, trial by lasers, turrets, and goo). This classic puzzle game introduced a dedicated co-op campaign that’s completely separate from its single-player story - meaning brand new test chambers designed for two. You play as Atlas and P-body, two witty little robots, under the watchful (and snarky) eye of GLaDOS, the AI overlord of the Aperture Science labs. The goal? Solve increasingly elaborate puzzles by placing portals (think sci-fi doorways) to navigate obstacles. In co-op, that means four portals total (two per player) and a lot of head-scratching until that “aha!” moment strikes. It’s basically a digital escape room, but one where you can trap your buddy in an endless loop for laughs before actually cooperating (just saying, it might happen). Communication is key - you’ll be shouting things like “Put your portal there!” and timing maneuvers together. The satisfaction of two brains solving something that would be impossible solo is off the charts. And don’t worry, the game provides plenty of tools to coordinate, including ping indicators (so you can point out spots without screaming). Portal 2’s co-op is so good that fans were sad we never got a sequel - the puzzles are diabolically clever and force you to think in sync. If you and a friend pride yourselves on your problem-solving prowess (or just enjoy a good laugh when physics go awry), give this a go. It’s available on PC and older consoles, and backward-compatible on newer ones. Warning: may cause sudden feelings of “we’re geniuses!” when you beat a tough level - followed by GLaDOS cheekily congratulating you in the most sarcastic way possible.
5. Stardew Valley - Cozy Farming with a Friendly Farmhand
Not every co-op game is about explosions and epic battles - Stardew Valley proves that peaceful farming can be just as rewarding, especially with a pal by your side. This charming 2D game starts you off with a run-down farm in a quiet country town, and lets you build it up into a thriving homestead. Solo it’s relaxing, but in co-op (up to 4 players) it’s downright wholesome: you and your friend can share the same farm, dividing chores or doing everything together. One of you might water crops while the other feeds the chickens; later, you might go fishing at the lake as your buddy delves into the mines to fight monsters for ore. It’s the ultimate low-stress teamwork scenario. Why is it so great with friends? Think of it like jointly tending a little digital garden - there’s a special joy in planning out your farm layout together or racing to see who catches the rare fish first. Stardew’s simple, wholesome comforts feel even warmer when enjoyed with a friend. You can also venture into town events as a duo: attend the winter festival, dance at the flower dance (yes, you can be each other’s partner!), and more. The game supports both online and split-screen co-op on PC and consoles, so two people on one couch can play on the same TV if they like. By the time your first in-game year wraps up, you’ll have a cozy slice of digital countryside built on teamwork. This is the perfect palate cleanser if other games get too intense - think of Stardew Valley as a shared zen retreat where the biggest drama is who forgot to water the parsnips. Grab your straw hat, and get farming together!
6. Deep Rock Galactic - Teamwork Dwarf Stars in Space
If “Dwarven space miners with guns” doesn’t already sound awesome, let me elaborate. Deep Rock Galactic casts you and up to three friends as badass space dwarves delving into alien caverns in search of precious minerals - it’s like Minecraft meets Starship Troopers, with a dash of Tolkien’s dwarven bravado. The game has quietly been around since 2018 and has refined itself into one of the best co-op experiences you can have. Each player picks a class of dwarf (Driller, Scout, Engineer, or Gunner), and they all have unique tools and weapons that synergize beautifully. For example, the Engineer can set up platforms and turrets, while the Scout can light up the pitch-black caves with flare guns. Communication and role coordination are key here - you’ll constantly be yelling, “Watch my back, I’m grabbing this gold!” or “Platform up there, please!” as you navigate twisting tunnels. Oh, did I mention the alien bugs? Yes, the caves are crawling with them. Every mission, you’re not just mining - you’re surviving waves of swarms that see you as a pesky intruder. Nothing bonds friends like fending off a onslaught of giant alien arachnids from all directions. One minute you’re carefully mining minerals, the next you hear the ominous drums of a swarm coming and it’s back-to-back, guns blazing, pure co-op mayhem. Fortunately, you can also fully destroy terrain, carving your own paths or escape routes (or accidentally causing cave-ins - oops). The game’s mantra, shouted at the end of every successful mission, is “Rock and Stone!” - and trust me, after a clutch team rescue in the depths, you’ll feel that camaraderie. With a progression system that lets you upgrade gear and unlock beers (yes, there’s a space dwarf tavern between missions), Deep Rock Galactic will keep you and your friends coming back whenever you crave some cooperative mining & monster-slaying. Remember: Leave no dwarf behind!
Overcooked 2 - Chaotic Cooking (And Possibly Yelling)
Welcome to the Overcooked 2 kitchen - where you and your friends will either become a flawless culinary team… or dissolve into laughter and shouting. Possibly both. This game is a frantic and unrelenting cooking simulator that’s less about recipes and more about communication under pressure. Together (up to 4 players co-op, local or online), you run an ever-changing kitchen filled with obstacles and absurd situations. Cooking sushi on a pirate ship? Sure. Flipping burgers between speeding trucks? Why not. The challenge comes from the fact that you have too many tasks and not enough time - chopping, frying, plating, washing dishes - and the kitchen layouts are intentionally designed to trip you up. You’ll be bumping into each other and, yes, yelling out orders (“Rice on the boil! Chop those veggies! The kitchen’s on FIRE!!”). It sounds hectic, and it is - but it’s also hilarious. Few games make teamwork feel this manic. Overcooked 2 introduces new levels, recipes, and even the ability to throw ingredients (sometimes into the pot from across the kitchen, if your aim is god-tier). The real magic is that moment when you and your friend finally nail a level after 20 failed attempts, each of you moving in perfect sync like a well-oiled (well, maybe buttered) machine. Expect irrepressible laughter between the bouts of “Did we seriously just serve sushi on a hot air balloon?”. It’s a true friendship tester - in the best way - because you have to cooperate closely under stress. And if things get too heated (pun intended), well, there’s always the fire extinguisher. Overcooked 2 is available on all platforms (PS4/PS5, Xbox, Switch, PC), so no one is left out of the food fight. Just maybe don’t play on an empty stomach, or those cartoon pizzas might start looking too tempting.
8. Monster Hunter: Rise - Friends Who Slay Together, Stay Together
There’s nothing like taking down a giant fire-breathing dragon to bond a friendship. Monster Hunter: Rise drops you and up to three friends into a gorgeous world teeming with colossal creatures, and it lets you share in the glory of the hunt together. The concept is simple: pick a target monster, gear up with ludicrously oversized weapons (a 6-foot sword, a bowgun that’s basically a handheld ballista - you get the idea), and work as a team to bring the beast down. But the execution is where the fun and strategy lie. One friend can bang a drum to buff the team (hunting horn users, we see you), another sets traps to snare the monster, while you might be dodging claws and slicing at its tail. Teamwork and strategy are crucial - if you all charge in mindlessly, you’ll be carted back to camp in no time. But coordinate your attacks, and it’s an epic dance of dodges, blocks, and well-timed strikes. Rise is one of the most accessible entries in the series, streamlining a lot of the clunkiness and giving you cool new traversal tools like the Wirebug (think grappling hook meets Spider-Man) to zip around the battlefield. You even get adorable pet companions (Palamute dogs you can ride, and Palico cats) to aid in the fight. Although you can play solo, Rise is best with a party of friends - it literally rewards coordination with quicker hunts and extra loot. Few gaming moments compare to that final team effort: the monster roaring, everyone unloading their best attacks in unison, and the creature finally toppling over. Victory! Then it’s high-fives all around as you carve materials to make even cooler swords from its remains (circle of life, Monster Hunter style). The game is available on Switch, PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, so assembling your hunting party is easy. If you and your friends enjoy action games that involve big boss battles and even bigger weapons, Monster Hunter: Rise will provide endless “did you see that?!” moments. As the hunters like to say, happy hunting!
9. Minecraft - Build, Survive, and Explore - Infinite Possibilities
The blocky world of Minecraft needs no introduction - it’s basically digital LEGO meets survival adventure, and it’s infinitely better with friends. What makes Minecraft the ultimate co-op sandbox is its versatility. You set the goals. Want a co-op survival challenge? Start a fresh world, gather resources, survive creeper explosions by night - all while watching each other’s backs. Prefer to unleash creativity? Switch to Creative Mode and co-build the castle (or city, or giant llama statue) of your dreams. Minecraft is versatile, iconic, and deeply modifiable, letting you and your friends build your own personal world. The game doesn’t give you scripted quests; you create the adventure together. One session you might be exploring deep caves, calling out “I found diamonds, come this way but watch the lava!” The next, you’re farming and domesticating bees or wolves on your homestead. Because the environments are procedurally generated, every world is unique - and every co-op journey feels like your own little story. The best part: cross-platform play means you can have a friend on an Xbox, another on a PC, and another on their phone, all in the same world. Truly, few games break down barriers like that. Many players set up a shared server that becomes a friends-only realm to drop into anytime, collaboratively building over weeks and months. It’s hard to describe the feeling of pride when you and your buddies finish a massive project, like an elaborate treehouse village or a working railway system - that you designed together. And when the Creepers come to wreck your day, well, you’ve got someone to help rebuild (and perhaps exact revenge by building a Creeper-proof wall). Whether you’re fighting Ender Dragons or just chilling while fishing by a pixelated pond, Minecraft in co-op is the definition of “the world is your oyster”. So grab some pickaxes and friends, and start crafting some memories.
10. Civilization VI - Co-Op World Conquest (Or World Peace)
For the armchair generals and history buffs among us, Civilization VI offers a change of pace: a turn-based strategy epic where you and a friend can literally reshape history together. In Civ VI, you lead a nation from the Stone Age to the Information Age, building cities, researching technologies, and negotiating (or fighting) with world leaders. And yes, you can do this cooperatively: team up with a buddy against AI opponents, plotting strategy like two heads of state at a war table. The game supports modes where up to 4 players can cooperate or compete in the same session. A common co-op setup is to form a permanent alliance with your friend’s civilization - you share map vision, can coordinate research for faster tech advances, and ultimately achieve a team victory condition together. Imagine one of you focusing on science and the other on military; while you’re busy inventing futuristic tech, your ally’s army can protect your borders (or ahem, liberate enemy cities). It’s the kind of slow-burn strategy where an hour of planning can lead to a 5-minute war that changes the course of the world. Playing with a friend turns what can be a solitary experience into a collaborative brainstorming session: “Should we go for a cultural victory while you distract Gandhi over there with your tanks?” or “I’ll rush space program if you ensure our trade routes are safe.” And if you both prefer a peaceful build-up, you can simply cohabit the world and race the AI in development - essentially SimCity but on the same globe, helping each other when needed. Civ VI on consoles and PC is very accessible (it even has local hot-seat play if you want to take turns on one device). Be warned though: just one more turn syndrome hits hard, and co-op means you’ll egg each other on for another round. In the end, whether you achieve world peace or dominate through nukes and knights, doing it in tandem makes it all the more satisfying. This is the game to pick when you both want to engage your strategic brains and build something big over a weekend - snacks and negotiation skills highly recommended!
Final Thoughts: Co-op gaming in 2025 is thriving across all genres - from farming sims to demon-slaying epics. The common thread? Teamwork. Each of these games brings its own flavor of “playing well with others”, whether that’s splitting up roles, coordinating attacks, or simply sharing a creative canvas. And thanks to broad platform availability (no exclusives here!), you and your friends can jump in no matter what you game on. So, queue up a voice chat, grab your controllers (or mouse and keyboard), and dive in. As The Decoder might say: gaming is better when you share the experience - after all, even a tough boss fight or frantic kitchen shift is more fun when you’re in it together, high-fives and all. Happy co-op gaming!