· By Codomo Singapore
Best Co-op Games to Play in 2023 - Tried & Tested
Looking for the perfect cooperative game for you, your friends, and family? Look no further, we have just the list for you! Games tend to be associated with a healthy dose of competition, but we found that once in awhile, we crave a good cooperative game to shake things up.
So, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite cooperative games that we have been enjoying and you'll be sure to find the perfect one for any occasion. In our lists, we have included both online and tabletop games, so no matter near or far, we can all have our time of fun!
Online Co-op Games
It Takes Two
Source: Hazelight Studios
Ages Recommended: Ages 12 and above
Number of Players: 2 players
Available On: PC, PS4, Xbox One, PS5, Xbox Series S/X
This is a two-player adventure and is perfect for parent-child or partner-partner game time, with forgiving game mechanics that can be picked up by beginner video gamers. It follows a “couple” that is going through a separation. A magical book then tries to ignite their love again and they are brought on a journey of (re)discovery - of their house and their relationship! The adventures are fun and innovative, reimagining the ordinary items around the house and augmenting them larger than life. The best part is, it is one of the good co-op games on Steam, so you don’t need a special console to enjoy this one!
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Source: Nintendo
Ages Recommended: Ages 3 and above
Number of Players: Online Multiplayer
Available On: Nintendo Switch
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a special one. With its Party Play feature, it is a lighthearted couch co-op, also known as a local co-op, meaning you play with your friends on the same TV or any other display system. Each island can hold up to 3 friends at a time and everyone can take turns visiting islands to check in on everyone’s island! The cooperative part comes into play when something unexpected happens. The impacts will fall on the leader of the group which can be swapped around. Simple, fun, and before you know it, you’re stuck on it for hours! If you like co-op games like Stardew Valley, then Animal Crossing is a must-try!
Fortnite
Source: Epic Games, People Can Fly
Ages Recommended: Ages 12 and above
Number of Players: 1 - 5 Players
Available On: PS4, Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series S/X, IOS, Android
Fortnite is a Massive battle royale where you're in an epic battle against many others and your goal is to be the last person/team standing. Tag team with your friends and travel the vast map and loot many materials and weapons to build the best loadout. Like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Fortnite can also be played on the same console with a friend which is the perfect way to tag team or back each other up. Build structures on the fly to help gain a bird’s eye view or build a maze of walls to trap your opponents. Look forward to brand new characters and maps that match the current trends: Marvel, John Wick, God of War, Wonder Woman, etc. It is a game made for all ages and especially popular with the younger ones. Though it may be tough since there are many skilled players within the royale, we still found that, at least for us, it was lighthearted fun for hours!
Among Us
Source: InnerSloth LLC
Ages Recommended: Ages 10 and above
Number of Players: 4 - 15 Players
Available On: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Android, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, iOS, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and Series S
This game should need no introduction since it is arguably the biggest game in 2020 and we think it still deserves a shout out even today! But to the uninitiated, Among Us is a semi-cooperative game where your primary aim is to do tasks and keep the ship flying. However, don’t get too caught up, because there are imposters who can sabotage your ship and your crew need to deduce the imposter(s) hiding - you guessed it - among us. It plays on how well you know each other and you’ll see if your team’s guesses save you! And if you don’t want others to turn on you, please try to be less ‘sus’.
Overcooked 2
Source: Team17, Ghost Town Games
Ages Recommended: Ages 3 and above
Number of Players: 2 - 4 Players
Available On: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X , IOS, Android
The thing about Overcooked is that though it is a cooperative game, word of caution, it may not be the best game for team-building. Everyone plays as chefs who are hopping between various restaurants to cook and serve up orders. The twist is that each restaurant is a little different - with moving floors, shifting furniture, and conveyor belts - not to mention, you can’t control your character well either. With all the chaos, there is a high chance you will have more than a few slip-ups before fulfilling any order. We wish you luck and, hopefully, you're all still friends by the end of the game.
Cuphead
Source: Studio MDHR
Ages Recommended: Ages 8 and Above
Number of Players: 1 - 2 Players
Available On: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, macOS
Cuphead isn’t made for the faint-hearted, with gruelling gameplay and unrelenting difficulty, and has been deemed as the “new dark souls”. It is a side-scrolling shooter game which is definitely one of the most popular co-op games for pc out there right now. It has the aesthetics of an old animation cartoon tv show and that's because the production crew consists of seasoned animators who were able to bring this 1930s aesthetic to life. So, tag team with a friend who is daring enough to try this out with you, allowing you to gain an edge during the boss battles, or if you want a challenge, you can try your hand at the solo mode too.
Don’t Starve Together
Source: Klei Entertainment
Ages Recommended: Ages 12 and above
Number of Players: 1 - 2 Players
Available On: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, macOS, Linux, Microsoft Windows
If you're looking for good co-op games on Steam, Don't Starve Together is one of our go-to picks! The beauty of Don’t Starve Together (DST), is that the mechanics of the world and characters are not immediately apparent. Thus, this game allows you world-building to discover a new realm, exploring new animals, domains, and inventions, to create a system that will help you and your comrades survive. Characters each have their niches and you are sure to find one that will suit your playing style. It’s the perfect co-op, especially if you've been playing for a while and you have someone to impress with your DST knowledge.
Sea of Thieves
Source: Rare Studios
Ages Recommended: Ages 12 and Above
Number of Players: 1 - 4 Players / Online Multiplayer
Available On: Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X/S
Time to set sail in Sea of Thieves. Bring up to 3 friends to join your crew and set sail into the horizon managing a ship; steer the ship, manage the sails, man the cannons and load the barrels. During your voyage, embark on various adventures with your friends to find treasures, weapons and secrets. But don’t be too complacent as on your sail, you will encounter other players and crews within the world. Friend or foe? Not sure, but you should decide or they’ll decide for you. Some find it a little hard to pick up but after getting used to the controls, we’re sure you’ll ‘sail’ by no problem with hours being clocked in this game without even realizing it.
Tabletop Co-op Games
Enter the Spudnet
Source: Codomo Pte Ltd
Ages Recommended: Ages 10 and Above
Number of Players: 2 - 6 Players
Available Here!
Enter the Spudnet is a stunning board game that marries fun with learning. It's a 2-6 player game where you are a Potato Pirate in the Spudnet - the in-game version of the internet. As you sail through the Carbobbean Seas, you encounter unforeseen challenges, such as firewalls and tsunamis that hamper your journey. This game uses immersive world building to sneak in concepts of cybersecurity and networking, allowing the game mechanics to illustrate how they work and raise awareness about the tactics of real-world hackers. The cards also introduce to you important cybersecurity concepts, including the ways to counter the attacks as well, so you’ll know what to do the next time you encounter cyber threats too! The co-op mode pits all the potatoes against enemy bots that quickly take over the map and the aim is for everyone to fulfil their orders. The game gets very hectic, so do not be disappointed if you can’t win on your first try.
Eldritch Horror
Source: Fantasy Flight Games
Ages Recommended: Ages 14 and Above
Number of Players: 1 - 8 Players
Available Here!
Complete your chosen scenario by finishing the objectives on the codex
This series is a staple in any board game store and board game enthusiasts are sure to have at least one of the horror games in their arsenal. In this game, you are battling an Ancient One and the monster it unleashes from its gates. The team aims to solve mysteries and seal the Ancient One, stopping it from entering the human realm. As the successor of Arkham Horror, Eldritch Horror pleasantly brings in more unpredictability and monsters into the mix, making it a must-own even if you already have the first former. It has a high level of replayability, with multiple characters and different Ancient Ones, just be sure to give yourself enough time to play it through!
Pandemic
Source: Z-Man Games
Ages Recommended: Ages 8 and Above
Number of Players: 2 - 4 Players
Available Here!
Playing Pandemic during a pandemic: kind of meta, we know. If you are new to cooperative games, this is a great place to start. As implied by its name, Pandemic is based on the concept of curing viruses that emerge, and as time goes on, things will get more and more out of hand. After waves after waves of Covid-19, the game of pandemic is more relatable than ever as it helps us make sense of the current state of events. With the aim of the game centred around curing viruses, we found that it was therapeutic trying to fight fictional viruses in the comforts of our own homes.
Mysterium
Source: Libellud
Ages Recommended: Ages 10 and Above
Number of Players: 2 - 7 Players
Available Here!
Mysterium is a murder-mystery game except, your clues come in the form of dreams. This game requires deduction and a big table for board games. So it’s great when you are playing with people who you know a little too well or are trying to get to know better! The goal of the game is to find the identity of the victim, 28 years after their death, and the weapon used to murder them. So for those who grew up on Clue, this objective might ring a bell, but imagine it spookier and more supernatural. The components are over the top and magical, meaning if you’re in for some story-heavy game play, this is sure to blow your mind.
Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective - The Thames Murders & Other Cases
Source: Space Cowboys
Ages Recommended: Ages 13 and Above
Number of Players: 1 - 8 Players
Available Here!
This game takes the murder-mystery genre to the next level by giving you a map to run around and find clues. A fair word of caution, there is a bit of reading but once everyone has their turn, you’re swooped into the heart of London city. Right out of the box, the game offers you 10 cases. But not to worry, each case will take you up to 3 hours so it will be a long ride. Better still, if you have a bunch of friends who are hooked on it too, you can go through all the adventures together as an investigative team!
Spaceteam
Source: Timber and Bolt LLC
Ages Recommended: Ages 10 and Above
Number of Players: 3 - 6 Players
Available Here!
If you are looking for cooperative games for families, I think Spaceteam is a great choice! The card game is the perfect quick party game that is time-capped at 5 mins. Get 3-6 of your friends to help repair malfunctions and survive anomalies, to repair your ship back to the pink of health. For some, this might sound familiar and that is because Spaceteam began first as a phone game! The card game offers the same amount of chaos without any of the phone lag. If you want an extra challenge, the game offers timers for 3 or 7 minutes too, so you can tailor the difficulty to your ideal dose of mayhem.
*BONUS* Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game
Source: Magpie Games
Ages Recommended: Ages 7 and above
Number of Players: 3 - 5 Players
Available Here!
This game isn’t out yet but it has been the talk of the town and we are just as excited for it. Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game is the series’ official board game, making it canon in the Avatar world. You play as one of the heroes of the four nations and the goal of the game is to maintain a balance between the four nations. Those who were on the Kickstarter early have the pleasure of additional characters and even the white lotus piece! As fans ourselves, this is a must buy while you can.
So which one will you choose? Since these are some of our favourites, we can guarantee that no matter which you pick, it would be a pretty great choice. (The editor, in particular, loves Potato Pirates: Enter the Spudnet!) We hope we helped you find the next game to add to your list, one that is perfect just for you.