The Best Co-Op Games To Play After Beating It Takes Two

It Takes Two by Hazelight Studios is arguably the very best co-op sport of the 2020s to this point. Whereas loads of nice tasks assist cooperative multiplayer, only a few implement the function as a built-in requirement. Sure, Hazelight opted towards offering a single-player possibility for the marketing campaign; if any individual needs to expertise It Takes Two, they might want to discover somebody keen to tag alongside for the trip. Such a dangerous transfer might have backfired, however this co-op exclusivity meant the sport could possibly be designed particularly to prioritize and spotlight two-player coordination.

Narratively, It Takes Two revolves round a pair who’re on the verge of a divorce, a state of affairs that troubles their younger daughter. In an odd supernatural flip of occasions, the dad and mom discover themselves inhabiting their kid’s dolls, an inciting incident that leads them on a inventive and absurd journey that frequently throws out new concepts and mechanics.

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Improbable co-op video games are usually not infinite, and few of those releases scratch the identical itch as Hazelight’s masterpiece. That stated, there are sufficient platform, puzzle, or journey tasks to maintain followers busy for some time. These titles emphasize coordination and communication, they usually assist convey individuals collectively. Let’s check out among the greatest co-op video games like It Takes Two.

Up to date on August 9, 2024 by Mark Sammut: The open-critic scores have been added for all of the video games, offered they’re out there.

A Method Out

Hazelight’s Different Co-Op Masterpiece

A Method Out strikes a extra grownup tone than most entries on this checklist, so it is in all probability not a sport to be loved by the household. With that stated, plenty of grownup followers who have not performed A Method Out will in all probability flip to it after ending It Takes Two. A Method Out is developed by Hazelight Studios and directed by Josef Fares, the similar workforce that put It Takes Two collectively.

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A Method Out is understood for its obligatory cooperative gameplay; there may be no single-player possibility for it. Meaning the mechanics are designed round the truth that everybody who performs the sport shall be experiencing it alongside another person. In A Method Out, avid gamers play as both Leo or Vincent, two criminals making an attempt to interrupt out of jail. Similar to It Takes Two’s Cody and Might, Leo and Vincent are fully totally different characters who every have their very own story. Though it isn’t as zany and kooky, A Method Out is a superb sport to play after finishing It Takes Two.

Brothers: A Story Of Two Sons Remake

Higher Solo, However Co-Op Is An Choice (& The Story Is Highly effective)

Earlier than establishing Hazelight, Josef Fares labored with Starbreeze on Brothers: A Story of Two Sons, a challenge that shares a number of issues in widespread with the creator’s subsequent releases. Brothers focuses on two siblings as they go on a harmful journey to discover a remedy for his or her father’s alignment, and their fragile bond is examined and strengthened alongside the best way. The sport tells a strong household story, and it highlights a unique dynamic than It Takes Two whereas nonetheless hitting related highs. Not like Hazelight’s masterpieces, the unique model of A Story of Two Sons was particularly designed to be a single-player expertise, regardless of that includes two playable characters. Gamers are anticipated to concurrently use every thumbstick to regulate one sibling, a format that may take some getting used to at first; nevertheless, this determination enhances and enhances the story brilliantly.

In 2024, Avantgarden launched a remake with a graphical improve and tweaked controls, together with one vital alteration: co-op assist. Now, this function was already carried out within the Swap port of the 2013 authentic, but it surely was evaded the opposite variations; consequently, the remake represents the primary time that PlayStation, PC, and Xbox customers can expertise Brothers: A Story of Two Sons in co-op. And, it’s a advantageous possibility that might assist encourage a second playthrough, particularly for the reason that marketing campaign doesn’t in any other case have all that a lot replay worth. Brothers: A Story of Two Sons ought to first be skilled as a single-player sport. Co-op is a bonus however not the default.

Knights And Bikes

Youngster-Like Marvel

An endlessly charming mix of suburban tradition and fantasy, Knights and Bikes follows two women as they discover their city looking for a mysterious treasure, a journey pushed out of desperation and fueled by creativeness. Whereas their dynamic is clearly totally different from It Takes Two‘s couple, Nessa and Demelza however make for an endearing duo, and their relationship is each healthful and pretty lifelike.

Much like Hazelight’s masterpiece, Knights and Bikes sends its characters on an over-the-top and fantastical journey that grounds its emotional core in relatable and mature themes like grief. The title combines puzzles, fight, and exploration, all of the whereas together with enjoyable mechanics like upgradable bikes. Whereas supporting solo play, Knights and Bikes is designed with co-op in thoughts, particularly for the reason that story is pushed particularly by two mates.

Shifting Out 1 & 2

Coordination Is Key

Gamers who wish to actually take a look at their cooperative expertise ought to look into Shifting Out or its 2023 sequel. This multiplayer shifting sport sees colourful characters band collectively to maneuver furnishings, packing containers, and different objects from quite a lot of areas.

Every degree rewards gamers for shifting objects to a close-by truck as shortly as potential and there are tons of replayability with particular duties and challenges that unlock for every degree after gamers full it for the primary time. With as much as 4 gamers at a time, Shifting Out is a chaotic blast that rewards cooperative play, planning, and execution.

Kirby And The Forgotten Land

Nintendo’s Charming 3D Plarformer

These in search of a enjoyable and healthful expertise that is simply as colourful and endearing as It Takes Two will wish to undergo Kirby and the Forgotten Land with a pal or beloved one. This Kirby journey is not like another, pitting the pink puffball (and a pal in Bandana Waddle Dee) up towards a colourful solid of enemies in a 3D-styled journey just like Tremendous Mario Odyssey.

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Kirby is not any stranger to multiplayer video games generally, with the franchise even releasing a few spin-offs particularly designed round co-op; nevertheless, The Forgotten Land is a full-blown single-player journey that simply occurs to assist a accomplice. The second participant takes cost of Bandana Waddle Dee, a spear-wielding fighter who lacks most of Kirby’s distinctive talents. Though pretty enjoyable to make use of, Bandana Waddle Dee very a lot appears like a sidekick who’s alongside for the trip however won’t ever overshadow the principle hero. Disappointing as this may be at instances, The Forgotten Land is such a enjoyable co-op platformer that it’s nonetheless a straightforward advice.

Tremendous Mario Bros. Marvel

Made For Co-Op

Tremendous Mario Bros. Marvel is simply as polished and charming as another mainline entry in Nintendo’s franchise. After roughly a decade, Mario and mates lastly returned in October 2023 for a brand new 2D journey, and Marvel serves as an amazing evolution of this formulation. Whereas an amazing choose for solo runners, the sport additionally helps 4-player co-op, with the individuals having the ability to choose from 12 playable characters reminiscent of Mario, Luigi, Peach, Daisy, and Gentle-Blue Yoshi.

Accessibility is a cornerstone of most of Nintendo’s main franchises, none extra so than Mario. Consequently, Marvel is designed to be as beginner-friendly as potential, together with the incorporation of an invincibility function that may be assigned to particular person characters. As such, dad and mom can introduce their younger kids to the magic of gaming via Marvel, all of the whereas eradicating the frustration that may come from a mistake.

It Takes Two and Tremendous Mario Bros. Marvel are very totally different video games within the grand scheme of issues, with the latter largely disregarding its story. Nonetheless, they each take gamers on visually attractive adventures crammed with memorable characters and areas.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

Beat ‘Em Up Throwback

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge and It Takes Two are extensively totally different co-op experiences, however they each execute what they’re making an attempt to attain extraordinarily properly. Tribute Video games’ title is a beat ’em up that takes inspiration from the Turtles’ storied historical past within the style, significantly in the course of the ’90s. Using a beautiful pixel artwork model, Shredder’s Revenge pays loving homage to the previous with out sacrificing trendy quality-of-life enhancements required to make a contemporary bundle ship greater than only a nostalgia journey.

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Whereas gratifying solo, Shredder’s Revenge is at its greatest when performed with mates. The sport has seven playable characters, every of whom has distinctive assaults, strengths, and weaknesses. Because the levels can get fairly difficult, gamers might want to study to work collectively, they usually may even execute a number of co-op strikes.

As enjoyable as this sport is, Shredder’s Revenge will in all probability not change the minds of people that don’t like beat ’em ups.

Donkey Kong Nation: Tropical Freeze

One Of The Greatest Co-Op Platformers

As its 10-year anniversary slowly approaches, Donkey Kong Nation: Tropical Freeze would possibly quickly be described as a “basic,” a label the sport absolutely warrants. One of many greatest titles on the Wii U, Retro Studios’ challenge was finally ported to the Swap, the place it instantly established itself as considered one of that console’s premium titles. Within the grand scheme of issues, Tropical Freeze is a comparatively protected entry within the Donkey Kong Nation canon as the sport doesn’t deviate too considerably from the crushed path; that stated, the platformer is about as polished of an expertise as they arrive.

The AAA Nintendo sport will be performed single-player with none concern, and most of the people will undoubtedly have a blast going via the marketing campaign’s incredible levels on their very own. That stated, co-op is an possibility and a fairly good one at that. Whereas Donkey Kong is the first playable character, gamers do finally unlock Dixie, Diddy, and Cranky as assist figures. All three of them have distinctive talents that turn out to be useful when traversing ranges, and co-op permits a participant to take cost of considered one of these characters. Their predominant operate is to assist Donkey Kong, however they need to nonetheless be saved busy all through a lot of the sport.

As Nightfall Falls

Household Drama

As Supermassive Video games has confirmed, interactive dramas generally is a good match for co-op experiences. Whereas Till Daybreak, The Darkish Photos Anthology, and The Quarry are all enjoyable, they’re horror video games and fairly far faraway from It Takes Two. Consequently, Inside Night time’s As Nightfall Falls is a extra complementary advice since, just like Hazelight’s title, it additionally offers with household relationships.

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Solo gamers can get pleasure from As Nightfall Falls‘ gripping narrative, however the sport’s multiplayer function provides a recent dimension to the expertise. Somewhat than assign gamers to totally different characters, everybody will get to vote on the alternatives made within the story, with the most well-liked choose transpiring.

KeyWe

Cute Co-Op

A puzzle-platformer that may be performed solo however is basically meant for co-op, KeyWe‘s appeal goes past a intelligent pun. Gamers are solid as Jeff and Debra, two kiwi birds working a busy submit workplace. So as to handle an avalanche of letters and obligations, Jeff and Debra should effectively break up the workload to make sure they’re protecting all their bases.

Though not story-driven, like It Takes Two, each video games emphasize communication. In KeyWe‘s levels, gamers shall be off doing their very own factor as they should work independently to attain most goals; nevertheless, these actions have to be properly coordinated.

Grounded

A Shrunken Co-Op Journey

Considerably like It Takes Two, Grounded shrinks down its predominant characters and drops them right into a wild journey. Not like Hazelight’s title, Grounded is a survival sport set throughout the protagonists’ yard, which proves to be fairly treacherous when skilled from a unique perspective than ordinary.

The title principally follows the style’s commonplace gameplay loop, tasking gamers with buying assets, constructing a base, and combating off a number of predators. Whereas playable solo, Grounded helps co-op, allowing mates to work collectively as they attempt to survive the challenges supplied by an unkempt garden.

Sackboy: A Large Journey

A Nicely-Crafted Platformer With Co-Op Phases

Sackboy: A Large Journey

3D Platformer

Motion

Journey

Methods

Launched

November 12, 2020

Professionals

• 4-Participant Native Co-Op
• 4-Participant On-line Co-Op

LittleBigPlanet is traditionally an amazing franchise for co-op; nevertheless, the older video games are fairly onerous to entry these days. Thankfully, the identical can’t be stated for the 2020 spin-off, Sackboy: A Large Journey. Past its availability on extra trendy techniques (and PS Plus Further), Sumo Digital’s challenge is a 2.5D platformer with attractive visuals, stable controls, nice music, and an honest size. The sport is even set in a craft-themed world that’s not too far eliminated visually from It Takes Two.

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For essentially the most half, Sackboy is promoted as a single-player expertise, and it’s an absolute blast when performed solo. Nonetheless, the sport additionally helps native and on-line co-op, permitting as much as 4 gamers to hitch forces. Moreover, every world has a few co-op-exclusive levels which might be usually plenty of enjoyable, even when they’re non-compulsory. The usual ranges may also be taken on with mates, permitting for the total marketing campaign to be skilled in co-op.

Biped

A Enjoyable Little Journey With Devoted Co-Op Ranges

Biped‘s distinctive function will not be instantly associated to its co-op: the playable character’s legs are mapped to the 2 analog sticks. As such, gamers shall be shifting their cute character ahead by simply pushing the sticks backwards and forwards, which is a cool idea that has surprisingly not been explored all that a lot by the gaming business. By way of multiplayer, Biped helps 2-player native co-op, with ranges catering particularly to the function. That stated, solo runs are additionally potential.

Narratively, this indie title is nothing like It Takes Two, and the gameplay will not be significantly related both. Nonetheless, they’re each inventive co-op video games that mix journey, platforming, and puzzle components. Biped is a reasonably brief sit, so gamers can run via it inside a number of hours.

Cuphead

Boss Rush & Superior Visuals

This 2D side-scrolling platformer has a novel model that borrows so much from cartoons from the Thirties. Not simply the model however the entire Cuphead bundle is sort of distinctive, from the boss battles to how the puzzles are carried out. Nonetheless, the place Cuphead actually shines is that it is an especially troublesome sport.

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When teaming up with one other participant by way of sofa co-op or multiplayer, Cuphead will get even more durable because the boss’s well being doubles and every thing will get turned to eleven. Nonetheless, this should not deter anybody from enjoying the sport; actually, it solely evokes gamers to suppose faster each time they screw up.

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

Household-Pleasant Enjoyable

Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is serving as a placeholder for a lot of the Lego video games since they sometimes embrace co-op as an possibility. The campaigns are usually not written across the idea of there being multiple participant, however a second individual can drop in each time they need and go alongside for the trip.

The Skywalker Saga covers the 9 predominant Star Wars films, and gamers are free to select and select which trilogy they concentrate on. Together with that includes expansive environments that may be explored, the sport comes with a large roster of playable characters, so it is vitally seemingly that most individuals’s private favourite is included within the sport.

Guacamelee!

Nice Indie Motion

Guacamelee is a 2D motion platformer that’s greatest performed with one other participant (or three). It gives numerous hours of enjoyable and may be very accessible due to how gradual its studying curve is. Additionally having a nonlinear gameplay model means gamers can revisit areas in Guacamelee to unlock secrets and techniques.

As soon as gamers learn to combo correctly, Guacamelee‘s fight turns into extremely fluid and impactful. What’s going to pull gamers in essentially the most, nevertheless, is the sport’s artwork, wealthy world, characters, and attention-grabbing boss battles, proving issues which might be in triple-A video games may also be present in indie video games like Guacamelee.

Rayman Legends

Stunning Visuals & Addictive Gameplay

Enjoying Rayman Legends with a pal is one of the best ways to get pleasure from it. A easy sport to study, Rayman Legends is all about sustaining the participant’s momentum. The degrees are designed to journey up gamers, so timing is actually every thing.

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Rayman Legends will get increasingly sophisticated because it goes on, and ranges steadily grow to be extra summary, a lot in order that gamers are unlikely to search out the identical model wherever else. What’s cool about Rayman Legends is that, not like different platformers, the world modifications, providing extra challenges and issues to do.

Unravel 2

Cozy Puzzle-Platformer With Co-Op In Thoughts

Unravel 2 is the sequel to Coldwood Interactive’s extremely acclaimed single-player platformer, Unravel. The premise is pretty easy: two small dolls made from yarn who’re linked to one another go on an journey. The yarn can be utilized to lasso and swing from timber, construct bridges, and drag objects from one place to a different.

In Unravel 2, gamers can play alone and change between the yarn dolls, but it surely’s way more gratifying to accomplice up with a pal. Unravel 2 is dependent upon the collaborative side, and most puzzles require some teamwork. The sport’s ranges are superbly designed and its soundtrack is wonderful. Gamers who wish to dive into one other whimsical platformer with their mates after finishing It Takes Two ought to positively check out Unravel 2.

Lovers In A Harmful Spacetime

Excellent For Native Co-Op

Lovers in a Harmful Spacetime is an area shooter, but it surely’s not simply any house shooter. One to 4 gamers play in a condensed spaceship to navigate via neon galactic environments to destroy the powers of Anti-Love. Lovers in a Harmful Spacetime is commonly cited as a nice sport to play with a big different on Valentine’s Day, however there’s not likely any romance occurring. As a substitute, the premise of the sport is just to eradicate Anti-Love, which everybody needs to be in favor of.

If gamers choose to play on their very own, they’ll and can accomplice with an AI house pet to assist them. However just like Overcooked, Lovers in a Harmful Spacetime is really meant to be a cooperative gameplay expertise. Every participant has a job or protects a aspect of the spaceship, and having to do it on their lonesome is way more troublesome. Sadly, Lovers in a Harmful Spacetime will not be geared up with on-line options, however for avid gamers who’ve somebody close by to play with, this whimsical house shooter is a superb sport to play after ending It Takes Two.

Haven

A Blissful Couple

Yu and Kay are touring the celebrities looking for a brand new residence, which they discover within the type of Supply. Attractive as this planet will be, additionally it is not significantly welcoming to guests, and the couple have their work lower out for them in the event that they wish to arrange roots on this naturalistic terrain.

Like It Takes Two, Haven revolves solely across the relationship between the central couple; actually, development displays the power of Yu and Kay’s bond. As a survival sport, Haven dedicates fairly a little bit of time to menial duties like amassing assets, which may get a bit tedious after some time. Fortunately, these sections are damaged up by battles which might be numerous enjoyable, they usually enable gamers to synergize Yu and Kay’s assaults to create devastating combos. The marketing campaign will be performed in co-op.

Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince

A Quintessential Co-Op Franchise

The fourth installment of Frozenbyte’s well-liked collection, Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince sends three heroes on a journey to save lots of Prince Selius from his darkish visions which might be starting to spill into actuality. Trine 4 will be performed in sofa co-op, on-line, or a mix, so there aren’t any obstacles stopping avid gamers from having fun with this magical platformer collectively.

Trine 4 is considered one of few puzzle platformers with an attention-grabbing story that develops as gamers progress via the degrees. Followers who loved the emphasis on storytelling in It Takes Two will in all probability recognize Trine 4’s as properly, and the sport environments and artwork model are captivatingly lovely. The degrees require gamers to make use of the heroes’ totally different talents to perform targets, so gamers who loved that side of It Takes Two can expertise it once more with Trine 4.

A Hat In Time

Endearing 3D Platformer

Launched in 2017, A Hat in Time immediately attracted reward for being a captivating addition to the 3D platformer style. A lot of these video games might need been a dime-a-dozen within the early 2000s, however trendy releases that acquire mainstream consideration are few and much in-between, particularly ones that aren’t related to established manufacturers like Tremendous Mario or Kirby. A Hat in Time defied all odds, exhibiting that these tasks can discover an viewers even when they don’t seem to be backed by Nintendo.

At launch, Gears for Breakfast’s sport didn’t embrace native co-op, however this was added later down the road. Offered in split-screen, two gamers can work via the marketing campaign collectively, with every individual receiving the identical talents, moveset, and obligations. As such, each events are on equal footing, which makes for a balanced expertise. A Hat in Time additionally has a web-based multiplayer possibility, though this isn’t handled as co-op. Basically, gamers share the identical world whereas nonetheless occurring solo adventures. There may be additionally the Vanessa’s Curse DLC for individuals who desire a PvP multiplayer possibility.

We Had been Right here

Intelligent Co-Op Puzzles

Anybody who loves the puzzle-like mechanics of It Takes Two will certainly wish to take a look at the We Had been Right here collection. The franchise is a cooperative puzzle-lovers paradise, launching two gamers into an array of areas and forcing them to work intently collectively to flee conditions.

The unique launch, We Had been Right here, is a free expertise that may assist gamers get an concept of whether or not they benefit from the aesthetic of the collection. For many who strike gold and are in search of a fair larger expertise, they’ll attempt the sport’s sequels, We Had been Right here Too and We Had been Right here Collectively.

Cat Quest 2

Unusual Bedfellows

OK, this advice is just a borderline case for the reason that gameplay is nothing like It Takes Two, neither is the story, to be sincere. Nonetheless, Cat Quest 2 deserves a point out for the easy cause that it’s a ton of enjoyable to play. Not like the primary entry, which is simply single-player, the sequel is particularly designed round co-op, with the story revolving round a cat and canine that must work collectively to guard each of their kingdoms.

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An isometric motion RPG with dungeon-crawling components, Cat Quest 2 is relentlessly charming, delivering cute character designs, tacky however endearing dialogue, and accessible fight that has simply sufficient depth to stay attention-grabbing all through the not-so-long marketing campaign. Aesthetically, the sport opts for vibrant and stable colours, which provides plenty of character to the in any other case flat world.

Portal 2

Brainteaser

Those that beloved It Takes Two however are craving an expertise the place they’ll flex their mind muscle mass a bit more durable will adore the problem and ingenuity introduced in Portal 2. The sequel to the hit launch, Portal, provides a very distinctive cooperative expertise like no different, the place two gamers are pressured to function the various sides of a portal gun. Avid gamers accustomed to the franchise will as soon as once more discover themselves trapped in a collection of exams, the place they have to use portals to flee every degree, all whereas dodging hazards, turrets, and different distinctive obstacles.

Portal 2 additionally options an engrossing single-player expertise that is fully separate from the cooperative playthrough. Because of this those that have already crushed the title alone can discover a wholly new storyline to play via with a pal, and vice versa.

It Takes Two

Launched

March 26, 2021

How Lengthy To Beat

12 Hours