Best co-op games to play with a partner or friend

[IonStorm99]

Playing games together can be one of the best ways to spend an evening with a partner, friend or family member. Whether you are on the same sofa or playing online, a good co-op game creates shared moments, inside jokes and the occasional argument about who fell off the ledge. The best ones are designed so that both players matter, rather than one person carrying the other

Hazelight Studios has built a reputation for co-op games, with It Takes Two and Split Fiction both designed entirely around two players working together. Other favourites include Portal 2's co-op campaign, Overcooked, Stardew Valley, Unravel Two, Cuphead and Baldur's Gate 3. Some games suit gamers and non gamers playing together, while others need both players to be fairly experienced

My partner and I played It Takes Two over a few weeks last winter. She does not play many games, but the variety kept her hooked, and we laughed constantly. There were a couple of tricky sections where we had to swap controllers and try again. It became a lovely weekly ritual

Please mention whether the game works on the same screen, online or both, and how experienced each player needs to be. Recommendations for games that work for a gamer and a non gamer are especially useful. Games that test relationships, like Overcooked, deserve a warning

What are the best co-op games to play with a partner or friend? And which one nearly caused a breakup?

[Toby50]

Stardew Valley is perfect for a gamer and a non gamer together. Relaxed, no pressure and plenty to do

My partner runs the farm while I go mining. We have been playing the same save for two years

[Ethan_40]

Baldur's Gate 3 with a friend online took us about a hundred and fifty hours. Plenty of chaos when we disagreed about decisions. Highly recommended if you both like role playing games

My friend romanced a character I hated, and I have not forgiven him. Our campaign has more drama than the game itself