Co-op, or cooperative, games are all the rage right now. Rightly or wrongly, gamers are seen as solitary players, going up against friends or machines on their own, yet co-op games fly in the face of this.

Now more than ever, gamers are uniting to land collective targets, vanquish digital foes, and generally just having a great time.

But what are the best co-op games to look out for right now? Let’s take a closer look.

What makes a great Co-Op game?

A killer co-op game is all about teamwork, tension, and shared victory.

Unlike other video games and casino games you might find on a website, the goal isn’t just personal glory or profit. Instead, you must work as a team in which everyone has a role, challenges are tough but fair, and communication is key.

When done well, a co-op game isn’t just a way to pass the time, but a way of life for many players.

So, which are the ones set to make waves this year? Let’s take a closer look.

Split Fiction

Hazelight Studios, the co-op maestros behind A Way Out and It Takes Two, are back with Split Fiction, a game that blends fantasy and sci-fi narratives.

Stepping into the shoes of writers Zoe and Mio, players will witness the pair’s literary creations come to life and get to play the main characters in each world. This co-op exclusive title (no single-player option) plunges you into diverse worlds, each with unique gameplay mechanics.

Can Split Fiction surpass the studio’s previous triumphs? Early impressions suggest it might. With a focus on mini-games and constantly shifting gameplay concepts, the game promises something new altogether.

And, like It Takes Two, it features the “Friend’s Pass”, making it even easier to share the adventure.

Keep an eye on this one – it could be another co-op gem.

Stage Fright

From the chaotic kitchens of Overcooked! comes a new venture from Ghost Town Games: Stage Fright.

While Overcooked! tested your culinary knowledge, Stage Fright shifts gears, mixing its signature co-op mayhem with escape room-style puzzles. Imagine the frantic energy of Overcooked! channeled into solving brainteasers alongside a friend and you’ll get close to what this game’s like.

Collaborative problem-solving is the order of the day here. While details are still emerging, Stage Fright promises both online and couch co-op, offering plenty of opportunities for shared triumphs (and likely, some hilarious disagreements).

If you enjoyed the frantic fun of Overcooked! but crave a different kind of challenge, Stage Fright is definitely another one to watch.

Elden Ring Nightreign

Hold onto your Haligtree Medallions, Tarnished! FromSoftware just dropped a bombshell: Elden Ring Nightreign.

This game is a full-blown, standalone experience that takes you back into the Lands Between, but with a twist. There are no solo runs anymore: instead, Nightreign is all about co-op carnage.

Assemble your squad of three and prepare to face an alternate Limgrave, now infested with even more nightmarish horrors. We would describe it as Elden Ring meets roguelike, with relics carrying over between runs to aid your survival against familiar Dark Souls foes.

The goal? Survive a gruelling three-day-and-night cycle in Limveld. And before you ask: no, it’s not live service, and cross-play is off the table (same platform families only).

Mark your calendars, because the release of this game can’t come soon enough.

Dying Light: The Beast

Remember Kyle Crane? He’s back, and he’s not alone.

Dying Light: The Beast resurrects the original Dying Light protagonist, but this isn’t the Harran we remember. Thirteen years have passed, and Crane’s been through the wringer – literally.

Held captive and experimented on, he’s now unleashed in Castor Woods, and rumors suggest a beastly transformation is on the horizon.

But you won’t have to face the horrors alone. The Beast embraces the series’ co-op roots, letting you team up with three other players to tackle the zombie-infested open world. Because let’s face it, even a grizzled veteran like Crane could use a few extra blades (and maybe some beastly backup) when facing the never-ending outbreak.

Summer 2025 can’t get here fast enough.

Little Nightmares 3

The Maw is calling again, and this time, it’s bringing a friend.

Little Nightmares 3 throws us back into its unsettling world, but with a chilling twist: co-op. Supermassive Games is dialing up the terror by letting you team up as Low and Alone, two new protagonists armed with a bow and wrench respectively.

These weapons are the key to solving the game’s twisted puzzles and fending off the nightmare creatures lurking in the shadows.

While you can brave the horrors solo, switching between Low and Alone, Little Nightmares 3 is clearly designed to amplify the scares with a friend by your side. Because let’s face it, some nightmares are just a little easier to face with someone to scream with.