Key Points
- Diverse selection of co-op games across various genres
- Focus on games that emphasize teamwork and communication
- Mix of family-friendly and more mature titles
- Includes both challenging and casual co-op experiences
- All games feature local couch co-op play
The gaming community has increased drastically in recent years and “It Takes Two” took the gaming world by storm with its innovative co-op gameplay, charming story, and diverse mechanics.
If you and your partner or friend are looking for more games that capture that same magic of teamwork and shared adventure, you’re in luck! We’ve compiled a list of 10 fantastic co-op games that will test your communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and coordination – all while providing hours of fun.
List Of 10 Games Like It Takes Two to Spice Up Your Couch Co-op
A Way Out
For those craving a more mature, narrative-driven co-op experience after It Takes Two, A Way Out is an absolute must-play. Developed by Hazelight Studios, the same team behind It Takes Two, this intense prison break story follows two convicts, Leo and Vincent, as they devise and execute a daring escape plan.
What sets A Way Out apart is its unique split-screen presentation, which allows both players to experience different aspects of the story simultaneously.This creates a dynamic and immersive experience that keeps both players engaged throughout the roughly 6-hour campaign.
The game also features a variety of gameplay styles, from stealth sections to driving sequences, keeping the experience fresh and exciting.
Unravel Two
Coldwood Interactive’s Unravel Two is a delightful sequel that swaps the original’s single-player focus for a heartwarming co-op experience. You and a friend control two adorable Yarnys (small creatures made of yarn) who are tethered together, navigating beautifully crafted levels filled with platforming challenges and puzzles that require teamwork to solve.
The game’s stunning visual style and soothing soundtrack create a calm, almost meditative atmosphere that’s perfect for relaxed co-op play.
What makes Unravel Two stand out is how it encourages players to work together in creative ways. You can use your partner as an anchor point for swinging across gaps, create bridges for each other using your yarn, and combine your abilities to overcome obstacles. The game also features a clever system where one player can “carry” the other, allowing for seamless switching between single and two-player gameplay.
KeyWe
KeyWe puts a charming spin on the co-op genre, casting you and a partner as a pair of kiwi birds tasked with running a busy post office. This unique premise sets the stage for a series of frantic, coordination-based minigames that will test your ability to work together under pressure.
From typing out telegrams to sorting packages and sealing envelopes, KeyWe’s challenges require players to divide tasks efficiently and communicate clearly to succeed. The game’s cute, colorful art style and quirky sense of humor make it a joy to play, even when the difficulty ramps up in later levels.
In KeyWe, each player will have a distinct role to play in completing a task, forcing you to rely on each other’s skills and quick thinking. This creates a unique dynamic that keeps both players fully engaged and invested in the outcome.
Human: Fall Flat
For a more physics-based, slapstick approach to co-op gaming, look no further than Human: Fall Flat. This hilarious puzzle-platformer sees you and up to three friends controlling wobbly, customizable characters as you attempt to navigate surreal environments and solve environmental puzzles.
The game’s open-ended level design encourages creative problem-solving and experimentation. There’s often more than one way to overcome an obstacle, and half the fun comes from figuring out unconventional solutions with your co-op partner.
What makes Human: Fall Flat particularly suited for fans of It Takes Two is its emphasis on player creativity and collaborative problem-solving. Like Hazelight’s hit, the game constantly introduces new mechanics and challenges, keeping the experience fresh throughout its runtime.
Cuphead
Cuphead’s run-and-gun platformer, inspired by 1930s cartoon aesthetics, is notoriously difficult – and the challenge only intensifies when playing with a friend. Prepare to put your reflexes and teamwork to the test as you take on the game’s infamously tough boss battles.
Cuphead’s co-op mode allows a second player to join as Mugman, with both characters having identical abilities. This means you’ll need to coordinate your attacks, share power-ups, and revive each other when things get tough (which they will, frequently). The game’s brutal difficulty means that communication and strategy are key – you’ll need to call out attack patterns, coordinate your special moves, and know when to play it safe versus when to go all-out on offense.
While Cuphead’s difficulty might be intimidating, overcoming its challenges with a friend creates an unparalleled sense of accomplishment. The game’s stunning hand-drawn visuals and toe-tapping jazz soundtrack make the experience enjoyable even when you’re dying for the hundredth time.
Guacamelee!
Guacamelee! blends Mexican folklore, Metroidvania-style exploration, and cooperative gameplay into a vibrant, action-packed adventure. You and a buddy will need to coordinate your luchador abilities to overcome platforming challenges and defeat a variety of colorful enemies.
The game’s co-op mode allows a second player to drop in or out at any time, controlling one of several unlockable characters. What sets Guacamelee! apart is how it integrates its co-op elements into both combat and exploration. Certain enemies and obstacles require specific moves or combinations to overcome, encouraging players to work together and combine their abilities in creative ways.
Rayman Legends
Ubisoft’s Rayman Legends is a visually stunning 2D platformer that shines in co-op. With its fluid controls, creative level design, and a diverse array of playable characters, Rayman Legends offers a delightful cooperative experience that’s sure to please fans of It Takes Two.
The game supports up to four players locally, with each player able to choose from a variety of unique characters. What makes Rayman Legends stand out is its brilliant level design, which seamlessly integrates cooperative elements without feeling forced. Some levels require precise timing and coordination between players, while others allow for more freeform chaos and experimentation.
One of the game’s highlights is its music-based levels, where players must time their actions to the beat of reimagined pop songs. These stages are particularly enjoyable in co-op, as you and your partners attempt to stay in sync with both the music and each other.
Overcooked! 2
For a frantic, communication-heavy co-op experience, look no further than Overcooked! 2. This chaotic cooking game tasks up to four players with preparing and serving meals in increasingly absurd and hazardous kitchens.
Communication is key in Overcooked! 2, as players must coordinate their actions to chop ingredients, cook dishes, wash plates, and serve customers before time runs out. The game’s levels are cleverly designed to force players to work together, with obstacles and kitchen layouts that require constant adaptation and teamwork.
What sets Overcooked! 2 apart is how it ramps up the chaos and complexity as you progress. The game’s cute art style and humorous tone help balance out the potential frustration, making it a perfect pick for both casual and hardcore co-op gamers.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure
For a more family-friendly co-op experience, Sackboy: A Big Adventure offers a delightful 3D platforming journey for up to four players. This PlayStation exclusive follows the lovable Sackboy as he embarks on a whimsical adventure to save Craftworld from the villainous Vex.
What makes Sackboy stand out is its clever integration of cooperative elements into its level design. While the game can be played solo, many levels feature optional paths and secrets that can only be accessed with multiple players. This encourages exploration and teamwork, as players work together to collect point bubbles, find hidden areas, and overcome obstacles.
Like It Takes Two, Sackboy: A Big Adventure features a wide variety of gameplay styles and mechanics across its levels. This variety keeps the experience fresh and exciting throughout the game’s runtime.
Portal 2
Last but certainly not least, Portal 2’s co-op campaign offers one of the most satisfying and brain-teasing cooperative experiences in gaming. While the game’s single-player campaign is legendary in its own right, the co-op mode takes the portal-based puzzling to new heights.
In Portal 2’s co-op mode, two players control robots named Atlas and P-body as they navigate through a series of test chambers. Each player has their own portal gun, allowing for complex solutions that require precise coordination and communication. The puzzles are brilliantly designed to require true cooperation – it’s rarely possible for one player to solve a chamber alone.
What sets Portal 2 apart is how it encourages players to think outside the box and communicate their ideas clearly. The game’s dry humor and excellent voice acting (courtesy of Stephen Merchant as the robot Wheatley) add an extra layer of enjoyment to the experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while It Takes Two set a new standard for cooperative gaming, there are plenty of other titles that offer unique and engaging co-op experiences. Whether you’re in the mood for narrative-driven adventures, frantic cooking challenges, or mind-bending puzzles, this list has something for every type of co-op gamer. So grab a friend, fire up one of these games, and prepare for hours of shared gaming bliss!